New Pure Michigan Travel Ideas magazine features the Grand Victorian!

Michigan Travel Ideas 2012 

The State of Michigan's official magazine promoting "Michigan Travel Ideas" was just published and the Grand Victorian received some fantastic coverage! CLICK HERE to view some of the article on our website.

The magazine will be distributed all year long in visitors centers as well as for online Ordering and Viewing.

We are so proud to be a part of Michigan and able to promote Northern Michigan as THE place to play and stay!

Royalty visit the Grand Victorian in Bellaire

This August marked the 24th annual "Rubber Ducky Extravaganza" here in Bellaire Michigan. As usual, the Village rolled out the welcome mat for party lovers near and far, young and old. Those in attendance had no shortage of food, shopping, games and music!   Certainly the highlight of the event is the "Ducky Race" along the Intermediate River, but another highlight is the gathering of northern Michigan's finest, prettiest, and most promising young women at the popular Grand Victorian for the Queen's Luncheon.

Since 2004, local pagent director Leigh Carpenter and her volunteers have grown the event grow from less than 12 to over 50 area Royalty!

This year’s event had representation from Bellaire, Elk Rapids, Gaylord Alpenfest, Kalkaska, Presque Isle, Rogers City, Cheboygan, Otsego County Fair and the Traverse City's National Cherry Queen.

National Cherry Festival Queen, Jordan Blaker, posing
with representatives from Rogers City

Enjoying some treats on the front porch

Bellaire's Queen Court for 2011

Even more reason to visit Michigan!

Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore voted "Most Beautiful place in America"..

Find your Destination in Bellaire - Great place to Get away...Romantic or Otherwise!



"You're Welcome in Bellaire"

The Bellaire area businesses are stepping up their game! The "Destination Bellaire" business group has put together a nice video promoting the area as the place to go this summer. Here is the link, check it out!

Once you get to our web page, just click the "play" button,  Enjoy!.

A Remarkable Mother's Day Gift

There's still time - don't forget Mom's day - and we have a gift Mom will fondly remember for years to come!  Purchase a two or more night stay for her in one of our historic rooms and she can book the following package anytime during 2011.  First, we'll mail Mom a custom Victorian greeting card, color brochure, and gift certificate.  Upon arrival, her room will be outfitted with flowers, chocolate treats, and an exquisite 8"x8"wood replica of the Grand Victorian - something to treasure while reflecting on a truly 'Grand' experience!  To order, call our toll-free number 877-438-6111.

Regarding Old House Journal Guide

We have received some requests on where to purchase the OHJ Guide online, so here it is: Old House Journal Guide 2010 link.

Grand Victorian parlour pictured in Old House Journal

The current issue of Old House Journal has published a wonderful guide to the 'stewardship' of maintaining an old house. The special edition includes guides and ideas on Planning, Restoring and Decorating you old house with expert opinion and "how-to's."  You can find the guide on magazine shelves at local book stores like Barnes&Noble and Borders through Feb 11, 2011.

But don't miss page 81.  Look at the lower right picture and you'll recognize the rear parlour of our Grand Victorian! (Hint: we've marked it with a star.)  This page is highlighting delightful Queen Anne interiors - and in this case the elaborate spindlework and wallpaper found in the Grand Victorian.  You can visit our recognitions page and click on the picture to see a larger view of the page.

The guide incorporates articles and checklists from Old House Journal's best issues and includes great guidelines for identifying, selecting and purchasing an older home as well as performing renovation once you're in it.  

Jam-packed with valuable information, we suggest this guide as a great read for anyone with a passion for purchasing and/or renovating an older home! 

Warmest regards from Ken and Linda