Mini Convention Hotel Information May 28 to June 2, 2024:

Stafford’s Crooked River Lodge
Is in Alanson, nine miles northeast of Petoskey, is our main hotel. It is essentially a modern log cabin ski lodge with all the amenities, each room having chairs and table on a balcony overlooking the Crooked River. Use of kayaks and canoes are part of your room rate. There is also a large fire pit and gusts may use the gas BBQ and have their own cookout with friends or climb stairs to the game room and shoot pool.

Rooms are at a reduced rate of $199 Queens – $209 Kings per night rate.
Four suites are priced $209/$239/$279/$499/night ($409 room two stories with a large balcony sleeps up to 12).

Breakfast is included for in-house guests (it is a basic Hampton Inn-type breakfast). A laundry room is available at no charge to guests. There is even popcorn and a microwave in the laundry room, again at no charge.
Rates are based on double occupancy; any additional guest will be charged $30 per night per person.
Rates are subject to Michigan State Sales Tax (6%) and local assessment (5%).

Stafford’s Bay View Inn
This is our alternate hotel at which we have reserved a few room for members who prefer a very different experience than Crooked River. The Bay View is nearly the opposite of Crooked River Lodge. It’s a true 1880s Victorian resort on Little Traverse Bay. The village is named Bay View, where every home is on the National Historic Register, all of them late Victorian summer cottages. Rooms at the inn have no TV, refrigerator or microwave, but there is a library with overstuffed chairs and coffee service. The elevator also appears to be out of the 1880s, with folding iron gate and a finicky contact (the door must be fully closed upon exit or the elevator will not work, causing an employee to rush up three stairs to latch it). But hotel lights are electric.

Rooms are at a reduced rate of $179/$209/$239/$279/ per night. 
A full breakfast is served in a blue and white formal dining room with white table cloths, overlooking the bay. You will receive a $25 voucher per day for breakfast and order from a menu. Might we suggest cinnamon-cherry French toast with cherry compote? It’s that sort of breakfast.

They begin with basic Victorian (small) up to a bedroom with French doors, canopied bed, balcony overlooking the bay and private library. Guests at Bay View Inn during our stay also have use of the pool or fire pit at Crooked River.
This hotel has 70 rooms, but we contracted for 15 to have the number of members touring not exceed available parking on all tours.

Notes:
Arrive by Tuesday, May 28 tours begin the morning of Wednesday, May 29. Checkout is Sunday, June 2.
To register at either hotel, call Stafford's office in Petoskey at 231-548-5000 and mention that you are with the Alfa Romeo Owners Club.

For reservations at only Crooked River, you may call directly 231-347-2771 and mention that you are with the Alfa Romeo Owners Club.

Typically a person will answer. If lines are busy, you will hear an answering machine and someone will get back to you. If you called Crooked River and pricing does not match what was quoted or there is a difficulty, ask for Vicki (8 AM to 5 PM). If there is still a problem, call Andrea Hammond at 248-978-5528 and she will talk with Stafford's Sales Manager. BTW, that manager immediately recognized Andrea (that nurse who gave good advice during her pregnancy over 20 years ago) when we came to discuss a contract for this convention.

No online hotel registration, you will chat with a real person who knows that AROC is coming to town. Minimum two night stay (hotel requirement). Both hotels and rooms can be viewed at staffords.com
Those staying at Bay View Inn are welcome to use the pool, kayaks and fire pit at Crooked River Lodge. Both hotels are located along US 31 on our tour routes, eight miles apart. Both are owned and operated by the local Stafford Smith family.

You may stay May 26 through June 4 at our reduced rate. Add nights until February 28. We suggest staying May 27 through June 4 because convention days will be filled with tours and activities. It is a quick overview. Any number of places we visit for 45 minutes can fill a day, plus many we will have to drive past even though they might only be a mile from our route. Convention tour days will be full days. May 27 is Memorial Day, with nearly all traffic heading south. If you choose to arrive at Crooked River more than two days early next May, or stay a few extra in June, there could be additional discounts for some of our members. A veteran and senior member of our staff received a double discount on his room before and after the convention, virtually matching our discounted convention rate.

If arriving from west of Michigan, there is a northern route (avoids driving through Chicago traffic) through the Upper Peninsula, which is best enjoyed when you have an extra week to explore its scenery (such as Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore). Two car ferries from Wisconsin across Lake Michigan are also options. Don't forget the annual AROC Detroit Grattan Race Course day near Grand Rapids, Michigan on Memorial Day. You may participate, even if only for parade laps, while on the way north to Petoskey.

If you need anything, contact Alfas By The Lake Registration (Andrea Hammond). Call 248-978-5528 or email stjohnnurse1@aol.com.

There will be a Zoom meeting scheduled after registration fills, providing many more details.