Hot Tubs, Saunas and Fireplaces in Traverse City, MI

Phillips Lifestyles is Traverse City's home comfort store for hot tubs, swim spas, saunas, fireplaces, fireplace inserts and pellet stoves, and has served Northern Michigan since 1980. The company runs two showrooms minutes from downtown: the Cherryland showroom at 1151 W South Airport Road in Traverse City and the Chums Corner showroom at 5161 US-31 in Grawn. If you own a home anywhere from Slabtown to the base of Old Mission Peninsula, the team can help you get more out of it in every season.

Why Traverse City Homes Are Built for Year-Round Comfort

Traverse City sits at the head of Grand Traverse Bay, where the Boardman River runs through downtown and the 18-mile Old Mission Peninsula splits the water into East and West arms. That setting is the reason people move here. It is also the reason winters ask a lot of a house. Cherry Capital Airport averages about 101 inches of snow a year, and the average January low is 17 degrees.

A hot tub on the deck, a sauna off the mudroom or a gas fireplace in the living room changes how those months feel. Summer brings a different crowd, with roughly half a million visitors arriving for the National Cherry Festival each July. A backyard that works as its own retreat is worth having then, too.

Hot Tubs and Swim Spas for Traverse City Backyards

Phillips Lifestyles carries several of the best-known spa brands, including Hot Spring, Caldera Spas, Jacuzzi, Nordic, Sundance and Marquis. You can browse the full range on the hot tubs page. Sizes run from compact models such as the Hot Spring Jetsetter LX, which suits a small in-town lot in Central or Boardman neighborhood, to seven-person spas such as the Hot Spring Grandee for families who host.

For homeowners who want exercise as well as relaxation, swim spas from Endless Pools let you swim in place against an adjustable current. They need far less room than a pool and can stay open through a Northern Michigan winter.

Two services take the guesswork out of buying:

• Test soak. Bring a suit and a towel and try a hot tub in the showroom before you decide. It is free and booked by appointment.
• Free in-home consultation. A team member visits your home to measure the space, confirm there is room for the cover and lifter, talk through delivery access and match cabinet colors to your house or deck. Phillips uses approved electrical contractors for wiring, and the service includes startup and fill.

Saunas Built by Local Craftsmen

Sauna has deep roots in Michigan, and it suits the Traverse City climate. Phillips Lifestyles offers saunas from Finnleo and Tylo, including traditional and infrared models for indoors and Finnleo Patio Series outdoor saunas for the yard.

The company is also home to the Traverse City Sauna Company, whose craftsmen Don Ruff and Chris Champt build custom saunas. If you have an awkward basement corner, a boathouse or a view of the bay you want to frame, a custom build is often the better answer than a kit.

Fireplaces, Inserts and Pellet Stoves for Northern Michigan Winters

Many older Traverse City homes have a masonry fireplace that looks good and heats poorly. A fireplace insert fixes that. Phillips Lifestyles sells and installs gas, wood, pellet and electric models from brands including Heat & Glo, Quadra-Fire, Napoleon, Enviro and Mendota. See the fireplaces and inserts page for the range, which includes gas fireplaces such as the Novus nXt.

Pellet stoves are a strong choice for homeowners who want real flame and steady heat without splitting wood. The Quadra-Fire Castile pellet insert, for example, is rated at 30,600 BTUs and heats 700 to 1,800 square feet.

Installation is handled in-house. Rob Horton leads a fireplace installation crew that includes Randy Johnson, Jason Jones and Ron Magee. If you are still deciding between fuel types, the blog guide on how to choose a fireplace insert is a good place to start.

Game Rooms, Grills and Massage Chairs

Comfort at home is not only about heat. Phillips Lifestyles also stocks billiard and game tables from Brunswick and Olhausen, along with shuffleboard, foosball and air hockey. For the patio there are premium grills, and for the den there are massage chairs. Because both showrooms are in the Traverse City area, you can see and try these in person the same afternoon.

A Traverse City Business Since 1980

Phillips Lifestyles has been part of this community for more than 45 years. It is family-owned. Dennis and Debbie Riedel moved their family to Traverse City to take over the business and carry it forward, with Ryan Gubbins as general manager. You can read more on the About Us page.

The team is roughly 30 people, and you will deal with the same names over time. Tony Fifarek is the lead sales associate and head mechanical consultant. Tyler Hanna manages the Cherryland store. Jim Eddy runs a service department of technicians, schedulers and maintenance staff. That depth matters after the sale, when a spa needs a part in February or a fireplace needs its annual check.

Service After the Sale

Phillips Lifestyles installs and maintains what it sells. The services page covers the full list. Two are worth knowing about:

• Spa Maintenance Program. Technicians test and balance the water, wipe down the shell, clean the cover, clear debris and swap the filters. Visits can be weekly, every two weeks or every four weeks. Details and current rates are on the Spa Maintenance Program page. It is popular with owners of vacation homes and short-term rentals.
• Service requests. If something stops working, request service online and the service team will follow up.

You can also stock up on filters, covers and water care in the hot tub accessories section.

Frequently Asked Questions from Traverse City Homeowners

Where is the nearest Phillips Lifestyles showroom to downtown Traverse City?

The Cherryland showroom is at 1151 W South Airport Road in Traverse City, a short drive south of downtown. It is open Monday to Friday from 10 to 6 and Saturday from 10 to 4. The Chums Corner showroom is at 5161 US-31 in Grawn.

Can I use a hot tub through a Traverse City winter?

Yes. Modern hot tubs are insulated to run year-round, and many owners use them most between November and April. A Phillips Lifestyles consultant can recommend a model, cover and location that suit heavy lake-effect snow.

Does Phillips Lifestyles install the fireplaces it sells?

Yes. Phillips Lifestyles has its own fireplace installation crew, led by Rob Horton, and installs gas, wood, pellet and electric fireplaces, inserts and stoves in Traverse City and across Northern Michigan.

Visit Phillips Lifestyles in Traverse City

Stop by the Cherryland showroom at 1151 W South Airport Road, call (231) 412-1884, or contact the team online. To ask about a specific model, use the product inquiry form. Whether you want a quiet soak after a day on the bay or a warmer living room in January, Phillips Lifestyles can help you enjoy your Traverse City home more.