The Sierra Motel
230 Munson Ave
Traverse City, MI
Cedar, hardwood, and a labor of love four blocks from the bay.
About The Sierra Motel
The Sierra Motel has been on Highway 31 North, the main approach into Traverse City from the north, since 1957. Two stories, cedar exterior, drive-up access, four blocks from Grand Traverse Bay. Barrett and Andrea Corrigan bought it in June 2023. Barrett grew up in the Traverse City area. He and Andrea describe it as a labor of love project. The bones were right. The renovation was complete. Cedar ceilings were kept and highlighted. Carpet was replaced with hardwood floors. The vintage touch points, an aqua mini fridge, a yellow hair dryer, and princess phones in every room, anchor each space in a specific mid-century moment without being theatrical about it. Barrett responds personally to every guest review by name and has been spotted clearing snow off guests' cars during winter storms.
What The Sierra Motel Is Known For
Barrett and Andrea Corrigan bought the Sierra Motel in June 2023 and made it the top-rated hotel in Traverse City within a year. The renovation made specific choices: cedar ceilings kept, carpet replaced with hardwood, aqua fridge and yellow hair dryer as vintage anchors, princess phones, local bakery cookies at check-in. Barrett clears snow off guests' cars without being asked and answers every review by name. The Sierra is what happens when two people treat a 1957 motel as something worth caring about, and do the work to back it up.
Amenities
- Pets Welcome
- WiFi
- Cedar ceilings throughout
- Hardwood floors
- In-room coffee maker
- Vintage aqua mini fridge
- Princess phones
What Guests Love
- Barrett and Andrea Corrigan bought the Sierra in June 2023 as what they call a labor of love project, completed a full renovation, and took it to the top-rated hotel in Traverse City within a year.
- Barrett has been seen clearing snow off guests' cars during winter storms without being asked or mentioned.
- Local bakery cookies wait in every room at check-in.
- The vintage touch points, aqua mini fridge, yellow hair dryer, and princess phones, are specific choices made for this renovation, not off-the-shelf mid-century decor.
- Grand Traverse Bay is four blocks away on foot.
- Old Mission Peninsula wine country begins at the end of Munson Avenue, with wineries within ten to twenty miles.
Worth Knowing
- The Sierra sits on Highway 31 North, the main approach into Traverse City. Traffic noise is present during the day given the road's pace, though rooms are well insulated.
- The National Cherry Festival in July draws 500,000+ visitors and the city fills completely. Book months ahead for any July stay.
- Sleeping Bear Dunes is a 40 minute drive: go early in summer as parking at the major dune access points fills by mid-morning.
- Bathroom footprints reflect the 1957 building and are compact. Worth knowing for guests who need more space.
- Pets are welcome. A pet fee applies; contact the property directly to confirm current amounts and any restrictions before booking.
The Room
All rooms have hardwood floors, cedar ceilings, an in-room coffee maker, mini fridge, microwave, and TV. The renovation's color palette and wall art run consistently throughout. The aqua mini fridge and yellow hair dryer are in every room. Princess phones are a consistent detail. The Bond Suite is the named flagship room. All bathrooms are private and en-suite with new fixtures throughout. Bathrooms are on the compact side, which reflects the 1957 footprint of the building.
The Grounds
The Sierra is a two-story cedar motel with drive-up exterior access on Highway 31 North. Park directly in front of your room. Grand Traverse Bay is four blocks away on foot. The Old Mission Peninsula wine country begins at the northern end of Munson Avenue, with wineries within ten to twenty miles. Downtown Traverse City, with its restaurants, breweries, and galleries, is a short walk or drive south. The location makes the Sierra a natural basecamp: north for Old Mission Peninsula wine country, west for Sleeping Bear Dunes and Leelanau Peninsula wine country, south for downtown.
The Experience
Traverse City is a genuine four-season destination and the Sierra is positioned for all of it. Summer brings the National Cherry Festival in July, the Traverse City Film Festival, cherry orchards at their peak, and Bay swimming four blocks away. Fall brings color across the peninsulas and harvest season at the wineries. Winter brings snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and Barrett in the parking lot clearing your car. Spring brings the ferry crossings to South Manitou Island and the wineries opening for the season. Barrett and Andrea are the kind of owners who ask what you feel like doing and know what to suggest. The Sierra makes Traverse City feel like the destination it actually is.
Details
Traverse City, MI 49686
The Boutel designation is earned, not purchased. Boutels is editorially independent and has no financial relationship with any listed property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does The Sierra Motel have EV charging?
No, The Sierra Motel does not have EV charging.
Does The Sierra Motel have WiFi?
Yes, The Sierra Motel has WiFi.
What is there to do near The Sierra Motel?
Grand Traverse Bay: 0.3 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore: 28 miles, about a 55 minute drive. Old Mission Peninsula: 5 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there.
How far is The Sierra Motel from Grand Traverse Bay?
0.3 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
How far is The Sierra Motel from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore?
28 miles, about a 55 minute drive.
How far is The Sierra Motel from Old Mission Peninsula?
5 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there.
Is The Sierra Motel pet friendly?
Yes. The Sierra Motel welcomes pets. A pet fee applies; contact the property directly to confirm current amounts and any restrictions before booking.
How far is The Sierra Motel from Sleeping Bear Dunes?
About 28 miles, roughly a 40 minute drive west. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is one of the primary draws for visitors to this part of Michigan.
Is The Sierra Motel close to wine country?
Yes. Old Mission Peninsula wine country begins at the end of Munson Avenue heading north, with wineries within ten to twenty miles. Leelanau Peninsula wine country is 30 to 45 minutes west.
Does The Sierra Motel have a pool?
No. Grand Traverse Bay is four blocks away on foot for swimming in season.
What is the National Cherry Festival?
An annual July festival in Traverse City running since 1925, drawing 500,000+ visitors over eight days. Book well in advance for any July stay.
Is parking available at The Sierra Motel?
Yes. Free parking is directly in front of every room.
Does The Sierra Motel include breakfast?
No. Breakfast is not included at The Sierra Motel.
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Things to Do Near Northern Michigan
Grand Traverse Bay
0.3 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
0.3 miles, about a 5 minute walk. The bay arm of Lake Michigan that defines Traverse City, with swimming beaches, kayaking, and views of the Old Mission Peninsula from the shoreline. Clinch Park beach is the central in-town access point.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
28 miles, about a 55 minute drive.
28 miles, about a 40 minute drive west. Voted Most Beautiful Place in America by Good Morning America viewers. Massive sand dunes climb 400 feet above Lake Michigan with sweeping views of the Manitou Islands. One of the defining experiences in the Great Lakes region.
Old Mission Peninsula
5 miles, about a 10 minute drive, or you can bike there.
5 miles, about a 10 minute drive north on Munson Avenue. A narrow peninsula splitting Grand Traverse Bay, home to ten wineries on the 45th parallel producing Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc, and ice wine. The drive along Center Road is one of Michigan's most scenic.