I have seen Nirvana in hotel form for children….and it is called the Great Wolf Lodge.

As much of a hotel snob that I am – and at least I admit it – I am not sure any Ritz-Carlton or Four Seasons can stand up to Great Wolf when it comes to catering to the under-18 set.

Your kids will want to read more about the ‘most perfect hotel ever’ according to my son James here.

The Traverse City location is our hangout for the night after a day spent exploring this breathtaking area. (More on that in another post).

Parents need to know that every room is large enough to handle a family, some rooms are decked out in themes – ours is the Kid Cabin, with an actual log room, complete with bunk bed, TV and day bed in the kid space.

Mini-fridges, microwaves and double sinks, as well as a pull out couch and a balcony are all part of our space; toiletries include kid-friendly body wash and lotion for post-pool fun.

There’s story time at night, an arcade filled with 100 games, and a new interactive scavenger hunt going in soon that is sure to be a hit. For parents, there are frozen libations at in the water play area, and even cool cabana hideaways with flat-screen TVs, drinks and lounge chairs. Now that’s MY kind of water park.