Hot Tubs, Saunas and Fireplaces for Omena, MI Homes

Phillips Lifestyles is a Northern Michigan dealer for hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, fireplaces, fireplace inserts and pellet stoves, and it serves Omena and the rest of Leelanau County. The company was established in 1980, is family-owned, and has showrooms in Traverse City and Grawn. Omena is about 23 miles north of Traverse City on M-22. For a home above Omena Bay, Phillips Lifestyles offers products, installation and long-term service from one local team.

What Makes Omena Different

Omena began in 1852, when the Rev. Peter Dougherty moved his mission across Grand Traverse Bay and the settlement became known as New Mission. The name comes from an Ojibwe expression. The Grove Hill New Mission Church still stands, and the community grew into a summer resort after the railroad arrived.

Today Omena is known for Omena Bay, nearby wineries, and farms that grow cherries and hops. It also holds a lighthearted election every three years for an animal mayor. Northport is five miles up M-22.

Winter is long this close to the big lake, and lake-effect snow is part of the bargain. The reward is quiet: frozen shoreline, clear night skies and a house that feels like a retreat when it is warm inside.

Many Omena homes have been summer places for generations, and others are new builds with wide views of the bay. Either way, evenings on the water are cool, and the shoulder seasons are when a spa, a sauna or a good fireplace gets the most use.

A Hot Tub for Every Season

Evenings by the water cool down fast, and a hot tub turns the hour after sunset into the best part of the day. The hot tubs at Phillips Lifestyles come from Hot Spring, Caldera Spas, Jacuzzi, Nordic, Sundance and Marquis. Models such as the Hot Spring Grandee seat seven, and the Hot Spring Aria suits a smaller group. All are built to run through a Northern Michigan winter.

Start with a free in-home consultation. A Phillips Lifestyles team member comes to your home, measures the area, plans the delivery, checks that the cover and lifter will operate freely and helps coordinate finishes with your siding or deck. Approved electrical contractors wire the spa, and the service includes startup and fill.

You can also try before you buy with a free test soak, or look at Endless Pools swim spas if you would like to swim at home.

Installation, Maintenance and Repair

Seasonal homes need attention even when nobody is there. Phillips Lifestyles provides all three with its own staff. See the services page for details.

Spa owners can enroll in the Spa Maintenance Program for scheduled visits every week, two weeks or four weeks. Technicians balance the water, clean the spa and cover, remove debris and change filters. When a spa or fireplace needs attention between visits, an online service request reaches the service team directly.

Indoor and Outdoor Saunas

A sauna is a natural fit for the climate in Leelanau 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.

Heating a Omena Home with Fire

Many lake homes were built for summer, and a modern heating appliance is what makes them comfortable the rest of the year. Phillips Lifestyles offers fireplaces and fireplace inserts from Heat & Glo, Quadra-Fire, Napoleon, Enviro and Mendota in gas, wood, pellet and electric versions.

Each fuel has its place. Gas gives instant heat from a remote. Wood suits owners with a supply on hand, and the Quadra-Fire Discovery II wood stove is a proven choice. Pellet stoves such as the Quadra-Fire Santa Fe feed themselves from a hopper and hold a set temperature.

Installation is done in-house by a crew led by Rob Horton, with Randy Johnson, Jason Jones and Ron Magee. Not sure what size you need? The blog explains how many BTUs a room requires.

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.

For Entertaining

When family and friends visit Omena, it helps to have something for everyone. Phillips Lifestyles sells billiard and game tables by Brunswick and Olhausen, along with shuffleboard and foosball, plus grills and massage chairs.

Who You Will Work With

Phillips Lifestyles is family-owned and has been part of Northern Michigan since 1980. Dennis and Debbie Riedel own the company, having relocated with their children to carry it forward, and general manager Ryan Gubbins runs daily operations.

The sales team includes Tony Fifarek, who is also the head mechanical consultant, Cherryland store manager Tyler Hanna, Kenny Smith and Wesley Bonesteel. Warehouse manager Glen Wirth and the delivery crew get products to your door, and service manager Jim Eddy oversees the technicians who maintain them. Meet everyone on the About Us page.

Frequently Asked Questions from Omena Homeowners

Can I get hot tub service in Omena during the off-season?

Yes. Phillips Lifestyles operates year-round. Its Spa Maintenance Program offers weekly, two-week or four-week visits, and repairs can be requested online at any time of year.

Can I use a hot tub all winter in Northern Michigan?

Yes. Modern hot tubs are insulated for year-round use, and many owners use them most in winter. A fitted cover, a cover lifter and a clear path through the snow make cold-weather soaking easy.

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.

Does Phillips Lifestyles build custom saunas?

Yes. Through the Traverse City Sauna Company, Phillips Lifestyles craftsmen design and build custom saunas. The company also sells ready-made Finnleo and Tylo saunas for indoor and outdoor use.

Plan Your Showroom Visit

Seeing products in person is the quickest way to decide. The Chums Corner showroom is at 5161 US-31 in Grawn and the Cherryland showroom is at 1151 W South Airport Road in Traverse City. Both are open Monday to Saturday. Call ahead, contact the team or submit a product inquiry so staff can prepare for your visit to help with your Omena project.