Alpen Bluffs, a new 45-acre outdoor hospitality facility in Gaylord, Michigan, has opened its doors with a wide range of amenities designed to attract both RV travelers and guests seeking unique overnight accommodations.
Marketed by co-owner Rob Platt as “Michigan’s first outdoor hotel,” the resort blends traditional campground elements with features typically found in boutique resort developments.
The project includes RV sites with full hookups to city water and sewer, 44 non-RV accommodations—including cabins and yurts—as well as a full-service restaurant, market, and multiple recreational attractions.
“It’s an RV resort plus 44 accommodations that are not RVs,” said Platt, who co-owns the property with Craig Snyder.
Among the attractions already in operation are Inukshuk Shores, an inflatable aquatic waterpark situated on a man-made pond, and Alpen Point, an 18-hole mini-golf course that includes nine ADA-accessible holes.
Additional activities include gem mining at Matterhorn Mine and outdoor games like shuffleboard and lawn bowling at Mulligans at the Bluffs, a full-service restaurant equipped with seven indoor golf simulators.
Many amenities are open to the public, while overnight guests also gain access to exclusive features such as pickleball courts, a dog park, communal fire pits, and multiple equipment rentals.
A final development phase, expected to be complete between mid-July and mid-August, will add the remaining 30 cabins, 14 yurts, and a resort-style pool and hot tub.
The concept originated during the COVID-19 lockdown, when Platt and Snyder saw the potential for sustained interest in outdoor recreation.
The site is located across from Otsego Resort and falls within a designated Opportunity Zone, which offers tax advantages to investors. “Up North and the U.P. were always great destinations for outdoor hospitality,” Platt said.
The resort’s development has been staged over several months. Mulligans at the Bluffs opened first in September 2023, offering winter golf leagues.
In May 2024, additional RV sites, the dog park, several cabins, and Alpen Market—a full-service grocery store—were made available. Inukshuk Shores launched on Father’s Day weekend.
Looking ahead, Platt emphasized the importance of year-round operations to maintain staffing continuity. The yurts and cabins will remain open through the winter, along with Mulligans.
Staff requirements are considerable, with over 100 employees needed for housekeeping and the aquatic center alone.
“It can be difficult to find housing,” Platt noted, referencing a broader challenge in resort towns. To address this, he and his team have purchased 37 acres nearby with the intent to develop a neighborhood that could support employee housing.
Additional resort offerings in development include live music events, Halloween attractions, pig roasts, and personalized services like campsite food delivery. Platt reports strong early interest.
“We’re getting good feedback from people already. They are booking for next year,” he told the Northern Express.
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality sector, Alpen Bluffs may offer a glimpse into a hybrid resort model that integrates diversified revenue streams, public-access amenities, and experiential design, while responding to labor challenges and seeking long-term sustainability through year-round service and employee housing solutions.