I was going to suggest Holland since it's only 2.5 hr drive from DTW area. Great beaches, cute/quaint downtown, fun farmer's market, concerts, fireworks over the 4th, biking, etc. It doesn't have Sleeping Bear, though. Has IHG, Marriott, Carlson, Hilton, so points might not be quite as high as TC (no idea).

Since this type of question comes up (where for weekend in the summer), I'll throw out some stuff re: Holland for those who also have similar question.

Holland is a 2-3 hour drive from Detroit (depending where you're starting at in Detroit) & same from Chicago.

Holland (pop: 40,000) is nestled along the shore of Lake Michigan, and also has a large inland lake (Lake Macatawa) which leads out to Lake MI. Holland State Park is large, lot of sand/beach, overlooks "Big Red" (famous lighthouse).

Holland has a cute, quaint downtown area. They deliberately kept the focus on that, so all the 'big box' stores are out on US31 on the outskirts of town. Holland has 'snowmelt' in the downtown area, so in the winter there's no snow on the streets or on the sidewalks (obviously snowmelt not an issue in the summer).

One of the things I think Holland does well is draw people to downtown/stay local with a variety of activities. For example, during the summer on Thursday evenings they have a 'street performer' series, with different types of street performers ranging from mimes to juggling to singing to playing guitar, etc.

There's the Tulip Time Festival in May. There's a big event the weekend before Thanksgiving in downtown Holland, with carolers and yes, even chestnuts roasting on an open fire (now I won't be able to get that song out of my head!). There's an ice sculpting competition in January. In December they have the Sinterklaas (Dutch Santa) parade, as well as a regular Santa parade. There's the Tulipanes Festival in September. There's the Groove Walk (music, drinks & trolleys) in the spring & autumn. You get the idea - they really have lots of things going downtown year-round.

There are some museums in Holland such as the Holland Art Museum, Capon House, Holland Arts Council, etc. There's also Windmill Island (with yes, a working windmill from the Netherlands) and the Dutch Village.

Kollen Park is next to Lake Macatawa, and there are events there, such as (free) Friday night concerts and other happenings.

The county fair is held in Holland at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds. On the 4th Sunday of the month from May-September, there is a huge antique fair in Allegan (20-30 minutes away).

Holland has woods north/south. Lot of folk walk/hike. And there are a LOT of folk who bicycle. Not quite as many as the Netherlands, but definitely a lot of folk bike.

Holland has a fabulous farmer's market on Wed & Sat, which opens mid-May. Between Thanksgiving & 2nd week of Dec, it becomes an open air Christmas market.

Hope College (small, private liberal arts college) is a couple of blocks from downtown Holland, and has events year-round for public as well as students.

Both Holland and Saugatuck (village 10 minutes away) have marinas and yacht clubs. Both also have yacht builders. There are some sailing clubs as well.

The closest restaurant in Holland I've found to one like I'd find in LA or Chicago is Butch's, which has a good menu & a Wine Spectator Award for several years. Also does a lot of wine tasting events w/ vintners from Italy, etc. FTers who have been to Holland also like the New Holland Brewing Co (but they're big on beer; me, I'm more a wine gal). Actually there are now 3 breweries next to each other on the main street, so I've nicknamed that one block Brewery Row.

Here are other food recommendations for Holland:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/19959746-post86.html

Holland has one 'boutique' hotel called City Flats. One of the few certified 'green' hotels in the US; sister hotel in GR. People who have stayed there say it's a bit like ALoft or W (much smaller scale; 70 rooms). All the major hotel chains are in Holland except for Starwood & Hyatt.

Just north of Holland by 20-30 minutes is Grand Haven/Spring Lake, also on Lake Michigan, with beaches, etc. Just south of Holland by 10-15 minutes is Saugatuck, a charming village with a lot of art galleries, fun shops, etc, again right on the water. Just south of Holland 20 minutes is Fennville, which has orchards & families go apple picking, etc, in the autumn.

I think if you picked Holland it's a good base, with a lot of things itself, and then to go north or south (or east to GR) depending on what other trips you'd like to do.

If you decide to visit Grand Rapids (pop: 500,000), it has some good restaurants downtown, museums, a lot of festivals, a zoo, Meijer Gardens, Van Andel Arena (concerts; sports), minor league baseball team. The downtown GR Assn does a pretty good job of activities/things to draw people to downtown GR. Downtown GR is probably the closest you'll get to something like Chicago, and whether you go to Holland or Grand Haven for the beaches, both are only 30-40 minutes away.

There are golf courses in the Holland/Saugatuck/GR areas.

Hope the above info helps anyone looking to Southwest Michigan for location to visit.

* No, I do not work for the chamber of commerce LOL.

Cheers.