Apartment
Sunny West Bay Retreat, Cozy Apartment on the Bay, steps from Downtown.
Photo gallery for Sunny West Bay Retreat, Cozy Apartment on the Bay, steps from Downtown.





Reviews
10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Traverse City, MI
- Place, Traverse City Visitor Center8 min walk
- Place, Front Street10 min walk
- Place, Clinch Park Beach12 min walk
- Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)11 min drive
Rooms & beds
1 bedroom (sleeps 4)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Living Room
1 Queen Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Spaces
Kitchenette
Dining area
About this property
Sunny West Bay Retreat, Cozy Apartment on the Bay, steps from Downtown.
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties

1 Block to Beach | Bikes, Wellness & More
Slabtown
1 Block to Beach | Bikes, Wellness & More
- Kitchen
- Washing machine
- Air-conditioning
- Parking available
House Rules
Important information
You need to know
About the area
Traverse City
Located in Slabtown, a neighbourhood in Traverse City, this apartment is near a water park and on the beach. Shoppers can check out Front Street, while everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Michigan and Traverse City Beach. Great Lakes Children's Museum and Great Wolf Lodge Water Park are also worth visiting. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the ice skating and snowmobiling.

Traverse City, MI
What's nearby
- Traverse City Visitor Center - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
- Clinch Park - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
- Front Street - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
- Clinch Park Beach - 12 min walk - 1.0 km
- Village at Grand Traverse Commons - 19 min walk - 1.7 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- North Peak Brewing Company - 8 min walk
- Water Bearer Coffee - 7 min walk
- Barrio - 11 min walk
- Right Brain Brewery - 8 min walk
- Modern Bird - 5 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window10/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Staff & service
10/10
Property conditions & facilities
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
10/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
Verified
9 May 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
10 Oct 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy apartment in a great location
Verified traveller
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Paul H.
25 Aug 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Stay
Paul H.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Will H.
1 Aug 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay
Will H.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
7 Sept 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great get away
Verified traveller
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
David O.
22 Sept 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Vacation
David O.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Kristi W.
28 Oct 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect place to stay!
Kristi W.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Elizabeth I.
23 Nov 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place!
Elizabeth I.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Amy O.
29 Sept 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place!
Amy O.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Sherry R.
20 Sept 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent!
Sherry R.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Rick T.
15 Sept 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent
Rick T.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Elizabeth M.
24 July 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice space with great views
Elizabeth M.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Dan K.
1 Aug 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great experience.
Dan K.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Wynnifred J.
11 July 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect!!
Wynnifred J.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Chris D.
23 Sept 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best house/location in TC!
Chris D.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Nora T.
22 Sept 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderfull
Nora T.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Rita K.
21 Feb 2017
Amazing apartment and location
Rita K.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2017
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Christian T.
29 Aug 2017
Impeccable space is a great spot!!
Christian T.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2017
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Aubri S.
6 Nov 2017
Cozy and comfortable apartment with great views and can't be beat location!
Aubri S.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2017
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Kathleen C.
20 June 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Weekend getaway.
Kathleen C.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Janet J.
11 Oct 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous
Janet J.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Todd O.
28 Nov 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing Srat in TC!
Todd O.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Ron K.
4 Sept 2013
WOW ! What a cool place !
Ron K.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Brent A.
26 June 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great View
Brent A.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Greg J.
27 June 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Paradise!
Greg J.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
About the host
Hosted by Bob Eichenlaub
Your hosts, Bob & Becky have called Traverse City home for decades and love it more every year — which is exactly why we want to share it with you.
Before retiring, Bob spent his career as a Special Education teacher and builder, and Becky worked in philanthropy. These days you'll find us out running the trails, biking the TART, or skiing up north. Bob has biked across countries and continents, and will tell you without hesitation that the riding around Traverse City is the best he's found anywhere in the world.
We know this town inside and out — the hidden beaches, the best spots for a morning coffee before a long ride, the restaurants worth waiting for, and the ones the locals actually go to. If you want recommendations, just ask. We're happy to help you make the most of your time here.
Before retiring, Bob spent his career as a Special Education teacher and builder, and Becky worked in philanthropy. These days you'll find us out running the trails, biking the TART, or skiing up north. Bob has biked across countries and continents, and will tell you without hesitation that the riding around Traverse City is the best he's found anywhere in the world.
We know this town inside and out — the hidden beaches, the best spots for a morning coffee before a long ride, the restaurants worth waiting for, and the ones the locals actually go to. If you want recommendations, just ask. We're happy to help you make the most of your time here.
Why they chose this property
We chose this spot deliberately, and after decades here we'd choose it again without hesitation.
We're in the heart of Slabtown, one of Traverse City's most cherished historic districts, sitting right on the edge of downtown without any of the noise. Step outside and you're directly across Grandview Parkway from West Grand Traverse Bay — one of the most pristine deepwater bays in the country. The views stop you in your tracks, and full public beach access means the water is yours whenever you want it.
As avid runners, bikers, and skiers, we couldn't ask for a better home base. The TART trail runs right alongside the house, connecting miles of waterfront riding and running in both directions. Bob has biked all over the world and keeps coming back to these roads and trails — that says everything.
Two blocks in the other direction puts you in the middle of everything Traverse City has to offer. But honestly, on most mornings you'll find yourself standing at the water's edge first, coffee in hand, watching the bay catch the light — and wondering why you ever need to leave.
We're in the heart of Slabtown, one of Traverse City's most cherished historic districts, sitting right on the edge of downtown without any of the noise. Step outside and you're directly across Grandview Parkway from West Grand Traverse Bay — one of the most pristine deepwater bays in the country. The views stop you in your tracks, and full public beach access means the water is yours whenever you want it.
As avid runners, bikers, and skiers, we couldn't ask for a better home base. The TART trail runs right alongside the house, connecting miles of waterfront riding and running in both directions. Bob has biked all over the world and keeps coming back to these roads and trails — that says everything.
Two blocks in the other direction puts you in the middle of everything Traverse City has to offer. But honestly, on most mornings you'll find yourself standing at the water's edge first, coffee in hand, watching the bay catch the light — and wondering why you ever need to leave.
What makes this property unique
The story behind this home
Our home has a history as interesting as the neighborhood it sits in.
More than a decade ago, Becky and I stumbled onto an old storefront on Grandview Parkway — the Davidson Rock Shop, a Traverse City institution that had been polishing Petoskey stones and selling them to tourists for over 50 years. The building was part of the city's original downtown, built just after the Civil War, sitting directly across from West Bay. We fell in love with the location and decided it was worth reimagining entirely.
We sold the small attached house to friends, cleared the commercial side, and started from scratch. What was left was a narrow infill lot — 25 feet wide and 117 feet deep — with fire-rated walls required on both long sides, meaning no windows on either flank. Bringing light and air into what is essentially a shotgun-style building was the central design challenge, and it became an obsession.
I had also decided I wanted to build the most energy-efficient home in Traverse City. The result follows the German Passive House standard, which combines super-insulation, an exceptionally tight building envelope, an energy recovery ventilator for fresh air circulation, and passive solar design. The floors and domestic hot water are heated entirely by solar panels on the roof.
I retired from teaching on a Friday and started tearing down the old building the following Monday. After four major design revisions, the final version includes a garage and the apartment you're staying in on the ground floor. It's a building with a story — and we think that makes it a pretty special place to call home for a few days.
Our home has a history as interesting as the neighborhood it sits in.
More than a decade ago, Becky and I stumbled onto an old storefront on Grandview Parkway — the Davidson Rock Shop, a Traverse City institution that had been polishing Petoskey stones and selling them to tourists for over 50 years. The building was part of the city's original downtown, built just after the Civil War, sitting directly across from West Bay. We fell in love with the location and decided it was worth reimagining entirely.
We sold the small attached house to friends, cleared the commercial side, and started from scratch. What was left was a narrow infill lot — 25 feet wide and 117 feet deep — with fire-rated walls required on both long sides, meaning no windows on either flank. Bringing light and air into what is essentially a shotgun-style building was the central design challenge, and it became an obsession.
I had also decided I wanted to build the most energy-efficient home in Traverse City. The result follows the German Passive House standard, which combines super-insulation, an exceptionally tight building envelope, an energy recovery ventilator for fresh air circulation, and passive solar design. The floors and domestic hot water are heated entirely by solar panels on the roof.
I retired from teaching on a Friday and started tearing down the old building the following Monday. After four major design revisions, the final version includes a garage and the apartment you're staying in on the ground floor. It's a building with a story — and we think that makes it a pretty special place to call home for a few days.
Languages:
English
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback





























