Is Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Traverse City Actually Worth the Stay?

Traverse City is weirdly expensive. If you’ve ever tried to book a room near West Bay during the National Cherry Festival or even a random weekend in October when the leaves start turning, you know the sticker shock is real. You start looking at those $400-a-night boutiques and realize you’d rather spend that money on wine tours and whitefish dinners. This brings us to the Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Traverse City. It’s sitting right there on Munson Avenue, looking like a standard roadside hotel, but it’s often the primary fallback for anyone who wants to visit Northern Michigan without draining their savings account.

But here is the thing.

Budget hotels in tourist towns are a gamble. Sometimes you get a hidden gem, and sometimes you get a "vintage" carpet that smells like 1984. Honestly, the Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Traverse City sits somewhere in the middle of that spectrum, leaning toward the "reliable utility" side of things. It isn't trying to be a luxury resort. It’s a basecamp.

Location is Everything (And It’s Mostly Good Here)

The hotel is located at 420 Munson Avenue. If you aren't familiar with Traverse City's layout, Munson is basically the main artery that connects the eastern side of the bay to the downtown core. You are essentially two miles from the heavy foot traffic of Front Street.

Is it walkable? Kinda. If you're ambitious and the weather is nice, you can trek down to the water. But realistically, you’re going to be driving or grabbing an Uber. The biggest perk is the proximity to the Traverse City State Park beach. It’s right across the road. You get the same water access as the high-end hotels for a fraction of the cost.

👉 See also: Why an American Airlines Flight Evacuated in Chicago and What it Means for Your Next Trip

Traffic can be a nightmare on US-31, though. If you stay here during a peak summer weekend, be prepared for a bit of a crawl just to turn left out of the parking lot. It’s a trade-off. You save money on the room, you spend a little extra time in the car.

What the Rooms are Actually Like

Let’s be real about the "Suites" part of the name. When people hear suite, they think of a separate living room and a sprawling kitchenette. Here, it’s more about the extra square footage. Some rooms have whirlpool tubs right in the bedroom area, which is a very specific vibe. It’s a bit "retro-romance," if you catch my drift.

The beds are standard Wyndham fare. They aren't the cloud-like Westin Heavenly beds, but they won't wreck your back either. Most guests find them surprisingly decent. However, noise can be an issue. The walls aren't paper-thin, but you’ll definitely hear the guy in the hallway who had one too many samples at the Hop Lot Brewing Co.

The amenities are basic but functional:

✨ Don't miss: Why Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station is Much Weirder Than You Think

• The Indoor Pool: It’s small. If there are three families with kids in there, it’s full. But for a quick soak after a day of hiking the Sleeping Bear Dunes, it does the job.
• Breakfast: It’s "Daybreak" breakfast. Think waffles, cereal, yogurt, and coffee that is strong enough to wake you up but won't win any barista awards. It saves you $20 on a diner breakfast, which is a win in my book.
• WiFi: Surprisingly stable. Most budget hotels struggle when everyone logs on at 8:00 PM to stream Netflix, but this location generally holds up.

The "Suite" Spot: Balancing Price and Value

The Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Traverse City thrives on being the "Goldilocks" option. It’s better than the sketchy motels on the outskirts, but cheaper than the Delamar or the Indigo.

People often complain about the age of the building. Yes, it’s an older property. You might see a scuff on the baseboard or a bathroom fan that sounds like a jet engine. But the housekeeping staff generally keeps it clean. In the world of budget travel, cleanliness is the only metric that truly matters. A stained carpet in a $300 room is a tragedy; a slightly dated curtain in a $120 room is just "character."

Why This Specific Location Matters for Your Trip

Traverse City is the hub for several different types of vacations. Depending on why you’re here, this hotel fits differently.

1. The Wine Seekers: If you’re hitting Old Mission Peninsula, you’re perfectly positioned. You can head north up the peninsula in about five minutes. You’re close to Mari Vineyards and Black Star Farms.
2. The Outdoor Enthusiasts: Sleeping Bear Dunes is about a 40-minute drive west. Staying on the east side of town (where this hotel is) adds a bit of a commute, but it also puts you closer to the TART Trail for biking.
3. The Business Traveler: If you have a meeting at Munson Medical Center or Northwestern Michigan College, this is one of the most convenient spots you can pick.

Addressing the Common Complaints

No hotel is perfect. The most frequent gripes about this location involve the breakfast area getting crowded and the "damp" smell that sometimes lingers in indoor-pool hotels. Pro tip: if you’re sensitive to smells, ask for a room on a higher floor away from the pool wing.

🔗 Read more: Weather San Diego 92111: Why It’s Kinda Different From the Rest of the City

Also, the parking lot can get tight. If you’re driving a massive dually truck or towing a boat, call ahead. They have some space, but it fills up fast when the "No Vacancy" sign is lit.

Navigating the Seasonal Price Swings

Northern Michigan has two seasons: "Busy" and "Frozen."

During the winter, you can snag a room at the Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Traverse City for a steal. It’s a great home base for skiing at Mt. Holiday or Timberlee. But in July? Prices triple. It’s just the nature of the beast in a town that relies on a three-month tourism window. If you're booking for summer, do it at least four months in advance. If you wait until the last minute, you’ll end up paying "luxury" prices for a "value" room because it’s the only bed left in town.

Expert Tips for a Better Stay

• Ask for the renovation status: Wyndham has been pushing for updates across their brands. Some rooms have newer flooring than others. It never hurts to ask for a "refreshed" room at check-in.
• The State Park Shortcut: Don't try to park at the beach across the street if it's busy. Just walk. There’s a pedestrian crossing that makes it relatively safe, even with kids.
• Coffee Alternatives: If the hotel coffee doesn't cut it, Mundos Roasting & Co. is a short drive away. It’s some of the best coffee in the state.

Actionable Next Steps for Your Traverse City Trip

If you’re planning to stay at the Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Traverse City, don't just book and hope for the best.

1. Check the Wyndham Rewards App: Sometimes the member rate is significantly lower than Expedia or Booking.com, and you’ll actually earn points for a future free night.
2. Verify the Pool Hours: If you have kids, call the day of your arrival to ensure the pool isn't closed for maintenance. It’s the one thing that ruins a family trip faster than anything else.
3. Map Your Route: If you’re arriving on a Friday afternoon, avoid Division Street and the downtown corridor if possible. Use the backroads like Cass Road or Hartman-Hammond to skirt the worst of the "Bayfront crawl."
4. Pack a Power Strip: Older hotels were designed before we all had three devices to charge. A small travel power strip will save you from hunting for an outlet behind the nightstand.

This hotel isn't a destination in itself. It’s a place to sleep, shower, and recharge so you can spend your energy on the actual beauty of Northern Michigan. As long as you go in with that mindset, you won't be disappointed.