This was a great place to stay. A condo is the way to go when traveling with another couple. The cost was less compared to getting 2 hotel rooms. As a matter of fact since the two bedroom units were all booked they gave us a three bedroom unit. Loved being on the beach, we were able to unwind and just relax. Kim was just awesome. She gave us maps and highlighted routes for us, telling us what to see, she also gave us menus for some of the restaurants in the area. It's great this place allows rentals when you only what to stay a few days without using an RCI exchange. We will absolutely consider staying here again.

We stayed here weekend of October 5th, 2012. We were immediately greeted and made to feel welcome by the lady at the desk. We even got into our room earlier than 3. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the rooms were! It's very much like you have your own apartment right on the water. We stayed in a ground floor room which had sliding glass doors that went right out to our patio overlooking the bay. It was pretty chilly so we didn't spend any time outside except to take pictures, but in the summer, the beach area looks like it would be really nice. When you walk into your room, there is a little kitchen area which is fully stocked with glassware, silverware, pots and pans, coffee maker--everything you need. Then past that there is a table that's big enough for four people to sit around. Beyond that is a living room area with big flat-screen tv, a pull-out couch and recliner. A separate bedroom area (in an adjacent room with a door) has it's own flat screen tv, 2 double beds, the bathroom and a little vanity area. Also, it has 2 closets (with a safe), an ironing board, etc. Lots of extra pillows and blankets. Really, anything you need for a trip is right there. We didn't use the pool, but the couple we traveled with who also stayed there used it twice and they had no problems with that or with the hot tub. We had a really nice stay here. Affordable, clean, and a lot bigger and nicer than I thought it would be. I will definitely return next year once it gets warmer! Oh also, it was maybe a 5 minute drive to downtown TC and once you park your car, the entire downtown area is walkable. Lots of shops, coffee houses, pubs and restaurants. Also, the peninsula with all of its wineries and restaurants is right around the corner from the Pinestead. It's a great location.

Pinestead Reef was a motel that years ago was converted to a timeshare facility--it is located directly on Lake Michigan and only a short distance to downtown Traverse City (probably not walkable)--it is also a short drive to the two peninsulas and their many wineriesand the Turtle Bay casino--while the balcony overlooking the beach is shared by all rooms,during the late April time we were there no one else was using it even though the temperatures were generally ideal--the 2nd floor one bedroom unit was clean and provided plenty of space for the two of us--and the flat screen TV and granite top bathroom upgrades were very nice--Pinestead Reef is located directly on US 31 which gave rise to some traffic noise at nite but not unbearable--the staff was very friendly and helpful (especially when our GPS had difficulty locating the resort upon our arrival)--we were satisfied with the accomodations and Traverse City is a great resort area with its proximity to the many wineries, the great restaurants, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park and only 2 hours to Mackinac Island for a day trip

Pinestead Reef was a decent rental stay. This property was originally a motel that was taken over by the bank and was converted into condos (according to the old owners). Our unit (1bdrm. 6 full) was an RCI exchange. The unit was clean and the bathroom was updated with a granite countertop. The view of Lake Michigan was very nice. We had 2 full size beds along with a pull-out couch. The mattresses were AWFUL, hard as a rock. I found that sleeping on the pull-out couch was much better than the mattresses (go figure!!!). Unfortunatly the mattress pad for the couch was only the size of a twin mattress. On a positive note, there were lots of extra pillows available in the bedroom closet.
The unit seemed to be 2 rooms that were connected with 1 doorway. One side had the beds and the bathroom and the other side was the kitchenette, small dining table, couch and recliner. There were 2 flat screen tvs (1 in bdrm and 1 in main seating area).
Because the condo was located on the main highway, the traffic was loud. I must say that this unit/kitchen area was very small compared to other RCI exchanges we have stayed at in the past. I think the main draw to this location is that it is located on Lake Michigan (would be great during the summer months)
The staff were very friendly, and the pool area was very nice as well. There is a hot tub and sauna and small exercise area. They did provide pool towels at the desk area.
All in all it was a decent stay.