Hot Tubs, Saunas and Fireplaces for Glen Arbor, MI Homes
If you own a home between Glen Lake and Lake Michigan, Phillips Lifestyles can help you enjoy it more. The company provides hot tubs, saunas, swim spas, fireplaces, fireplace inserts and pellet stoves to Glen Arbor, Michigan and the surrounding Leelanau County area, and it installs and services what it sells. Phillips Lifestyles has served Northern Michigan since 1980 from two showrooms near Traverse City. Glen Arbor is roughly 25 miles northwest of Traverse City.
Glen Arbor at a Glance
Glen Arbor sits on a strip of land between Lake Michigan and Glen Lake, surrounded on nearly every side by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The name is said to have been coined by an early settler's wife, for Glen Lake and the grapevines that hung in the trees. The Crystal River winds through town, M-22 and M-109 meet here, and the old Glen Arbor Roller Mills still stands on the river.
Tourism is the main business, and the population swells every summer. Many houses are second homes or rentals, and a growing number are being used through ski season and the quiet weeks of early spring.
The seasons are sharply drawn here. July is for the water, October for color, and from December to March the snow piles up. A home that is set up for all four gets used far more than one that only works in summer.
Rental owners want amenities that fill the calendar. Families who keep the house for themselves want comfort after a day on the dunes or the lake. Both groups ask for the same things: a hot tub, a dependable fireplace and someone local to service them.
Hot Tubs and Swim Spas
Evenings by the water cool down fast, and a hot tub turns the hour after sunset into the best part of the day. Phillips Lifestyles is a dealer for Hot Spring, Caldera Spas, Jacuzzi, Nordic, Sundance and Marquis spas. The hot tubs page shows the selection, from the Hot Spring Aria to the family-size Hot Spring Grandee. Endless Pools swim spas are available for those who want to swim against a current at home.
Getting the location right is half the job. During a free in-home consultation, a team member measures the site, makes sure there is space for the cover and lifter, looks at how the spa will be delivered, and helps you choose colors that suit the house or deck. Approved electrical contractors do the wiring, and Phillips handles startup and fill.
Want to feel the difference between brands first? Reserve a free test soak at the Traverse City or Grawn showroom.
Maintenance You Do Not Have to Think About
Seasonal homes need attention even when nobody is there. That is the idea behind the Phillips Lifestyles Spa Maintenance Program. On each visit, a technician tests and balances the water, wipes the spa from the waterline up, cleans the cover, removes debris and replaces the filters with a clean set. Visits can be weekly, every two weeks or every four weeks.
Repairs and other work are arranged through a service request. The services page summarizes installation and maintenance for hot tubs, swim spas, fireplaces and game tables.
Saunas Built for Glen Arbor Winters
Heat, then cold air, then heat again: it is a ritual that suits a Glen Arbor winter. Phillips Lifestyles offers Finnleo and Tylo saunas in traditional and infrared versions. Outdoor models like the Finnleo Patio Series arrive ready to set in place. The company is also home to the Traverse City Sauna Company, whose craftsmen, Don Ruff and Chris Champt, design and build custom saunas.
Fireplaces and Stoves
Many lake homes were built for summer, and a modern heating appliance is what makes them comfortable the rest of the year. At Phillips Lifestyles you will find gas, wood, pellet and electric fireplaces and inserts from Heat & Glo, Quadra-Fire, Napoleon, Enviro and Mendota.
If you already have a masonry fireplace, an insert is usually the most effective upgrade. Options include the Quadra-Fire Expedition II wood insert and the Castile pellet insert, which is rated at 30,600 BTUs. If you do not have a fireplace, a freestanding gas, wood or pellet stove can be vented through a wall or roof.
The Phillips Lifestyles fireplace installation team, led by Rob Horton with Randy Johnson, Jason Jones and Ron Magee, handles the work from start to finish. The blog post on preparing for a fireplace consultation lists what to measure beforehand.
From First Visit to First Use
Here is how a typical purchase goes. Start at a showroom, where you can see spas filled and fireplaces burning. If a hot tub interests you, book a test soak and a free in-home consultation; the team responds to online requests within 24 hours. When your order arrives, Phillips Lifestyles delivers it, has approved electrical contractors connect it, and fills and starts it for you. Hearth products follow a similar route, with a site check for venting and clearances before the in-house crew installs the unit.
For a waterfront property, think about wind direction, the view from the seats and how sand and leaves will be kept out of the water. Ask about a cover lifter, which makes a spa far easier to use alone, and about scheduled care if the home is closed for part of the year.
Beyond Spas and Fireplaces
Phillips Lifestyles rounds out its range with billiard and game tables from Brunswick and Olhausen, premium grills and massage chairs. Spa owners will also find filters, covers and water care under hot tub accessories.
The People Behind Phillips Lifestyles
A company that has been in business since 1980 has seen a lot of Northern Michigan winters. Phillips Lifestyles is owned by Dennis and Debbie Riedel, who moved to the Traverse City area with their family to lead it, with Ryan Gubbins as general manager.
The staff of roughly 30 includes sales consultants Tony Fifarek, Tyler Hanna, Kenny Smith and Wesley Bonesteel, a warehouse and delivery team, a dedicated fireplace installation crew and a service department managed by Jim Eddy. That depth is why the company can install and service what it sells. Read more on the About Us page.
Frequently Asked Questions from Glen Arbor Homeowners
Is a hot tub a good addition to a Glen Arbor vacation rental?
Many rental owners find a hot tub helps a property stand out, especially in fall and winter. Phillips Lifestyles can recommend a durable model and provide scheduled maintenance visits so the spa is clean between guests.
Can I try a hot tub before I buy one?
Yes. Phillips Lifestyles offers a free test soak by appointment at its Traverse City and Grawn showrooms. Bring a bathing suit and a towel, and staff will answer questions while you try the spa.
What is the difference between a fireplace insert and a pellet stove?
A fireplace insert fits inside an existing masonry fireplace and can burn gas, wood or pellets. A pellet stove is a freestanding heater that burns compressed wood pellets. Both give efficient, controllable heat.
Where are the Phillips Lifestyles showrooms?
Phillips Lifestyles has two showrooms: Chums Corner at 5161 US-31, Grawn, MI 49637, and Cherryland at 1151 W South Airport Road, Traverse City, MI 49686. Both are open Monday to Saturday, with Sunday visits by appointment.
Get in Touch
Phillips Lifestyles is ready to help you get more from your home in Glen Arbor. Reach the Chums Corner showroom at (231) 888-0721 and the Cherryland showroom at (231) 412-1884, or use the online contact form. Questions about a particular model can go through the product inquiry page.