Hot Tubs, Saunas and Fireplaces for Pilgrim, MI Cottages and Homes

Phillips Lifestyles provides hot tubs, saunas, fireplaces, fireplace inserts and pellet stoves, along with installation and ongoing service, to homeowners in Pilgrim, Michigan and the rest of Benzie County. The family-owned company has served Northern Michigan since 1980 from two showrooms near Traverse City. For a cottage on the narrow strip of land between Crystal Lake and Lake Michigan, the team can help you make the house comfortable in every month you choose to be there.

A Small Place Between Two Lakes

Pilgrim is one of the smallest communities in Michigan. It was settled in 1909 and sits in Crystal Lake Township with Lake Michigan to the west and Crystal Lake to the east. M-22, known locally as Pilgrim Highway, runs through the middle of it. The Betsie Dunes Nature Preserve is immediately to the north and Frankfort is about two miles to the south. The 2020 census counted 44 permanent residents.

That number says a lot about how homes here are used. Most are seasonal or second homes, often kept in the same family for generations. They are opened in spring, filled with guests in July and closed up sometime after the color tour. A growing number of owners now want to use them in winter as well. Each of those patterns points to a different product, and to a dealer that will still answer the phone in the off-season.

Hot Tubs for Lake Cottages

Evenings cool off quickly beside Lake Michigan, even in August. A hot tub extends the day and gives a cottage a second gathering place. Phillips Lifestyles carries Hot Spring, Caldera Spas, Jacuzzi, Nordic, Sundance and Marquis. The range is on the hot tubs page.

For a cottage, three things usually decide the choice:

• Size. A compact model such as the Hot Spring Jetsetter LX fits a small deck. A family that hosts may prefer a seven-person spa like the Hot Spring Grandee.
• Access. Dune lots, mature trees and tight drives can make delivery the hardest part. Planning the route in advance avoids surprises.
• Upkeep while you are away. Water needs attention whether or not anyone is home.

The free in-home consultation deals with the first two. A Phillips Lifestyles team member measures the site, checks that the cover and lifter have room to open, reviews delivery options and helps match cabinet and shell colors to the cottage. Wiring is done by approved electrical contractors, and startup and fill are part of the service. If you want to try before you buy, book a free test soak at a showroom on your way up north.

Spa Care When the Cottage Is Empty

For Pilgrim owners, this is often the service that matters most. The Spa Maintenance Program puts a technician at your property weekly, every two weeks or every four weeks. Each visit includes testing and balancing the water, wiping the spa down from the waterline up, cleaning the cover inside and out, removing sand and tree debris, and replacing the filters with a clean set.

Sand is a fact of life this close to the dunes, so regular filter rotation makes a real difference. The program also suits owners who rent their cottage and need the spa clean between guests. Filters, covers and water care supplies are available under hot tub accessories, and repairs start with a service request.

Fireplaces and Stoves That Make a Summer Cottage a Winter One

Older cottages near Crystal Lake were rarely built for January. An efficient heating appliance is one of the simplest ways to change that. Phillips Lifestyles sells and installs products from Heat & Glo, Quadra-Fire, Napoleon, Enviro and Mendota, shown on the fireplaces and inserts page.

• A gas insert turns a drafty stone fireplace into a heat source you can switch on from the couch. It is a good fit for weekend visits.
• A wood stove such as the Quadra-Fire Discovery II suits owners who enjoy tending a fire and have wood on hand.
• A pellet stove or insert gives steady, thermostat-controlled heat. The Quadra-Fire Castile pellet insert is rated at 30,600 BTUs and heats 700 to 1,800 square feet, which covers many cottages. More options are on the pellet stoves page.

Phillips Lifestyles has its own fireplace installers. Rob Horton leads the crew, working with Randy Johnson, Jason Jones and Ron Magee. Before a first visit, the blog post on how to prepare for your fireplace consultation explains what to measure and photograph.

Saunas for Cold-Water Swimmers

A sauna pairs naturally with a lake. Phillips Lifestyles offers Finnleo and Tylo saunas in traditional and infrared designs, and outdoor units including the Finnleo Patio Series. Through the Traverse City Sauna Company, craftsmen Don Ruff and Chris Champt also build custom saunas, which is useful when a cottage has an unusual footprint or a view worth building around.

More for the Cottage

Rainy days and big family weeks are easier with something to do indoors. Phillips Lifestyles carries billiard and game tables from Brunswick and Olhausen, along with shuffleboard and foosball. There are grills for the deck, swim spas from Endless Pools for swimmers who want a longer season than the lake allows, and massage chairs for the reading corner.

A Northern Michigan Company Since 1980

Phillips Lifestyles has been in business for more than four decades and remains family-owned. Dennis and Debbie Riedel moved their family to the Traverse City area to take ownership and continue the company's work, and Ryan Gubbins serves as general manager. Lead sales associate Tony Fifarek is also the head mechanical consultant, and service manager Jim Eddy oversees the technicians who keep spas and fireplaces running. Meet the whole team on the About Us page, and see the complete list of offerings on the services page.

Frequently Asked Questions from Pilgrim Homeowners

Does Phillips Lifestyles serve Pilgrim and the Crystal Lake area?

Yes. Phillips Lifestyles serves Benzie County, including Pilgrim, Frankfort and the Crystal Lake shoreline, from its two showrooms in the Traverse City area. Contact the store to schedule a free in-home consultation at your property.

Can someone maintain my hot tub while my Pilgrim cottage is closed?

Yes. The Phillips Lifestyles Spa Maintenance Program schedules visits weekly, every two weeks or every four weeks. A technician balances the water, cleans the spa and cover, removes sand and debris, and rotates the filters.

How can I heat a summer cottage near Crystal Lake in winter?

A gas, wood or pellet fireplace insert or freestanding stove is a common solution. Phillips Lifestyles sells and installs all three and can recommend a size based on the square footage and how often the cottage is used.

Plan a Showroom Visit

Stop in the next time you are in Traverse City. The showrooms are Chums Corner at 5161 US-31 in Grawn, (231) 888-0721, and Cherryland at 1151 W South Airport Road in Traverse City, (231) 412-1884. You can also contact the team online or use the product inquiry form. Phillips Lifestyles will help you get more seasons out of your place in Pilgrim.