Hot Tubs, Saunas and Fireplaces for Ironton, MI Homes

Homeowners in Ironton, Michigan turn to Phillips Lifestyles for hot tubs, saunas, swim spas, fireplaces, fireplace inserts and pellet stoves, along with the installation and service that go with them. Phillips Lifestyles has been in business in Northern Michigan since 1980 and operates two showrooms near Traverse City. Ironton is roughly 38 miles northeast of Traverse City. If you own a home at the narrows of Lake Charlevoix, this guide explains what the company offers and how its staff can help.

A Short History of Ironton

Ironton owes its name and its start to iron. Robert Cherry settled here in 1879 while working for the Pine Lake Iron Company of Chicago, and a plant opened in 1881 to make pig iron from Upper Peninsula ore. The business failed in 1893, but the community stayed.

It sits on a narrow stretch of Lake Charlevoix where the Ironton Ferry carries cars across the south arm, as it has for generations. M-66 runs through on its way between East Jordan and Charlevoix.

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.

Homes near the narrows watch boats pass all summer. Many are seasonal, and the owners who come up in the colder months want the house warm and the spa ready when they arrive.

Choosing a Hot Tub in Ironton

Evenings by the water cool down fast, and a hot tub turns the hour after sunset into the best part of the day. At Phillips Lifestyles you can compare several leading brands side by side, including Hot Spring, Caldera Spas, Jacuzzi, Nordic, Sundance and Marquis. See them on the hot tubs page. The Caldera Palatino and the Hot Spring Aria are two mid-size models worth a look.

The best way to decide is to get in one. A free test soak at either showroom lets you try a spa before you buy. After that, the free in-home consultation brings a Phillips Lifestyles consultant to your property to measure, plan the delivery path, check clearance for the cover lifter and talk through steps and surrounds. The company uses approved electrical contractors and includes startup and fill.

If fitness is the goal, ask about Endless Pools swim spas, which let you swim in place year-round.

Keeping Everything Running

Seasonal homes need attention even when nobody is there. The Phillips Lifestyles service team handles installation, maintenance and repair, as described on the services page.

With the Spa Maintenance Program, a technician visits on the schedule you choose, from weekly to every four weeks, to balance the water chemistry, clean the spa and its cover, clear out debris and rotate the filters. Technicians also offer advice on best practices. For anything else, use the service request form.

Indoor and Outdoor Saunas

A sauna is a natural fit for the climate in Charlevoix County. Phillips Lifestyles carries Finnleo and Tylo saunas, including traditional heated-stone models and infrared rooms. The Finnleo Patio Series is a popular outdoor choice. When a standard size will not do, Don Ruff and Chris Champt of the Traverse City Sauna Company build custom saunas to suit the space.

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.

What to Expect When You Buy

Buying from Phillips Lifestyles is a guided process. It starts with a conversation about how you use your home. For hot tubs, the next steps are a test soak and a free in-home consultation, and online requests receive a reply within 24 hours. After you select a product, the company schedules delivery, coordinates approved electrical contractors and handles startup and fill. For a fireplace, insert or stove, an installer reviews the existing chimney or wall, confirms clearances and then completes the installation.

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.

More Ways to Enjoy Your Home

A finished basement or bonus room comes to life with a pool table or game table from Brunswick or Olhausen. Outside, a premium grill makes the patio a second kitchen. And for quiet evenings, Phillips Lifestyles offers massage chairs you can try in the showroom.

Northern Michigan Roots

Phillips Lifestyles describes itself as Northern Michigan's premier spa and fireplace dealer since 1980, and it remains a family-owned business rooted in the community. Dennis and Debbie Riedel are the owners, and Ryan Gubbins is the general manager.

For customers, the benefit of a long-established local dealer is continuity. Tony Fifarek, the lead sales associate and head mechanical consultant, and store manager Tyler Hanna help you choose. Jim Eddy and his service team are there afterward, with technicians, schedulers and customer service staff based in the Traverse City area. The About Us page lists the full team.

Frequently Asked Questions from Ironton Homeowners

Can a hot tub be maintained while my Ironton home is closed?

Yes. The Phillips Lifestyles Spa Maintenance Program schedules visits weekly, every two weeks or every four weeks. Contact the store to confirm that the maintenance route covers your Ironton address.

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.

Visit or Call Phillips Lifestyles

To get started, visit the Chums Corner showroom at 5161 US-31 in Grawn, (231) 888-0721, or the Cherryland showroom at 1151 W South Airport Road in Traverse City, (231) 412-1884. You can also contact the team online or send a product inquiry. Phillips Lifestyles looks forward to helping you enjoy your Ironton home.