Hot Tubs, Saunas and Fireplaces for Suttons Bay, MI Homes

Downtown Suttons Bay, Michigan, looking south along M-22

Phillips Lifestyles sells, installs and services hot tubs, saunas, fireplaces, fireplace inserts and pellet stoves for homeowners in Suttons Bay and across Leelanau County. The company has served Northern Michigan since 1980 from two showrooms in the Traverse City area, about 15 miles south of the village. For a home on the bay, on the hill above St. Joseph Street or out among the orchards, the team can match the right product to the property and look after it for years.

Life on the Bay Calls for a Different Kind of Home

Suttons Bay was founded in 1854, when Harry C. Sutton arrived with a crew of woodsmen to supply fuel to passing steamboats. Today the village of about 600 people is known for its waterfront, the Bay Theatre, which has shown films since 1946, and a marker just north of town for the 45th parallel. Cherries are still harvested each July, and M-22 carries visitors north to Northport and west on M-204 toward Leland.

Homes here fall into a few types. There are year-round houses in the village, lakefront cottages that fill up in summer, and newer builds on acreage with long views of the water. Each one benefits from a way to stay warm and a reason to be outside after dark. That is where Phillips Lifestyles comes in.

Hot Tubs with a View of the Bay

A hot tub is the most-used room that many Leelanau homes do not have yet. Phillips Lifestyles carries Hot Spring, Caldera Spas, Jacuzzi, Nordic, Sundance and Marquis, and the full selection is on the hot tubs page. Popular choices include the Hot Spring Aria, the Caldera Palatino and the seven-person Hot Spring Grandee.

Placement matters more on a bay-facing lot than almost anywhere. Wind off the water, the line of sight from the seats, snow load from the roof and the path a delivery crew must take all affect which model fits. The free in-home consultation covers every one of these. A team member measures the space, checks clearance for the cover and lifter, discusses steps and surrounds, and plans the delivery route. Phillips works with approved electrical contractors, and startup and fill are included.

Not sure which brand feels best? Book a free test soak at either showroom and compare seats and jets in person.

If your household swims, swim spas from Endless Pools offer an adjustable current for exercise in a footprint that fits a side yard.

Saunas, the Northern Michigan Tradition

A sauna followed by cold air off the bay is hard to beat. Phillips Lifestyles offers saunas from Finnleo and Tylo in traditional and infrared styles. Outdoor models such as the Finnleo Patio Series arrive ready to place on a pad or deck.

For something made for your property, the Traverse City Sauna Company, part of the Phillips Lifestyles team, builds custom saunas. Craftsmen Don Ruff and Chris Champt can design around a walk-out basement, a detached bunkhouse or a spot near the shoreline.

Fireplaces and Pellet Stoves for Cottages and Year-Round Homes

Many Suttons Bay cottages were built for summer and later converted for four-season use. A heating appliance is often the upgrade that makes January visits comfortable. Phillips Lifestyles sells and installs:

Gas fireplaces and inserts from Heat & Glo, Napoleon and Mendota, for instant heat at the touch of a remote. Browse them on the fireplaces page.
Wood stoves and wood inserts from Quadra-Fire, such as the Expedition II wood insert, for homeowners with their own woodlot.
Pellet stoves and inserts, including the Quadra-Fire Santa Fe pellet stove, for steady, thermostat-controlled heat. See the pellet stoves page.
Electric fireplaces for rooms where venting is not practical.

The in-house installation crew, led by Rob Horton with Randy Johnson, Jason Jones and Ron Magee, handles the work. The blog has useful background reading, including the benefits of a gas fireplace and a guide to how many BTUs you need.

Entertaining: Game Tables and Grills

Summer in Suttons Bay means guests. Phillips Lifestyles carries billiard and game tables from Brunswick and Olhausen for the rainy days, premium grills for the deck and massage chairs for the day after a long sail or a ride on the Leelanau Trail.

Who You Will Work With

Phillips Lifestyles is a family-owned business. Owners Dennis and Debbie Riedel relocated to the Traverse City area with their children to continue a company that has been serving the region for more than four decades. General manager Ryan Gubbins oversees daily operations. The About Us page introduces the full staff.

On the sales side, Tony Fifarek, Tyler Hanna, Kenny Smith and Wesley Bonesteel help customers compare options. Behind them is a warehouse and delivery crew and a service department run by Jim Eddy. For a Leelanau County owner, the size of that service team is the practical advantage: there are technicians to send when something needs attention.

Care for Seasonal and Second Homes

Many Suttons Bay properties sit empty for weeks at a time. The Spa Maintenance Program is designed for that. On each visit a technician balances the water, wipes down the spa, cleans the cover, removes debris and rotates the filters, on a weekly, two-week or four-week schedule. You arrive to a clean, hot spa.

For repairs, submit a service request. For filters, covers and water care products, see hot tub accessories. A summary of everything the team offers is on the services page.

Frequently Asked Questions from Suttons Bay Homeowners

Does Phillips Lifestyles deliver hot tubs to Suttons Bay?

Yes. Phillips Lifestyles serves Suttons Bay and Leelanau County from its two Traverse City area showrooms, about 15 miles away. A free in-home consultation is used to plan placement, electrical work and the delivery route before the spa arrives.

Who can look after my hot tub when I am away from my Suttons Bay home?

The Phillips Lifestyles Spa Maintenance Program sends a technician weekly, every two weeks or every four weeks to balance the water, clean the spa and cover, and rotate filters, so the hot tub is ready when you return.

What is the best fireplace for a Leelanau County cottage?

It depends on how the cottage is used. Gas inserts suit owners who want quick heat on short visits. Pellet and wood stoves suit full-time residents who want lower running costs. Phillips Lifestyles can assess the existing fireplace and recommend a fit.

Start with a Conversation

Call the Cherryland showroom at (231) 412-1884 or the Chums Corner showroom at (231) 888-0721, or send a message. If you already have a model in mind, the product inquiry form is the quickest route to pricing. Phillips Lifestyles has helped Northern Michigan families enjoy their homes since 1980, and Suttons Bay is close to home.