Location: Traverse City, Northwest, Michigan, USA (10 miles from Traverse City and 5 miles from Suttons Bay)
Accommodations: Lake Lodge, 5 Bedrooms + Loft + Den, 5.5 Baths (Sleeps 12-14)
HILLTOP LOG LODGE is one of the more expensive rentals in the Traverse City area, as the owners have created something out-of-the-ordinary for its guests. The intent is to put together a special experience in a rustic yet refined lodge environment.
LODGE AMENITIES: Besides the spectacular views over West Bay, Power Island, Old Mission and Traverse City, there is the spaciousness of 8000 square feet and the uniqueness of this hand-built lodge. Inside this hilltop fortress of a home and underneath the massive, handpeeled timbers of its roof structure, all has been outfitted with plush towels, great bedding, handmade furnishings, and original artwork. Four of its five bedrooms are suites (each with a private bath) providing comfort and solitude for groups, couples, and families. There are numerous sitting rooms, lofts, and a den for quiet reading, relaxing and movies. The sound system throughout the house joins the guests together wherever they may be inside - as well as on the lawn and the bayside porch. There are hundreds of CDs in the house collection as well as I-Pod hookup. The giant High Definition plasma TV in the Game Room has become the spot for some guests to watch movies in the evening without disturbing the rest of the lodge. Others prefer to retreat to the quieter, tucked-away office to check email, although WI-FI provides coverage to most areas in the lodge.
ACCOMMODATIONS: The owners feel that a maximum of 12 people can be lodged comfortably in the 5 bedrooms (there is one king suite, three queen bedroom suites, one suite with two twin beds, a loft and a den each with a twin hickory bed). More children might stay on portable mattresses.
THE KITCHEN: This space is designed for entertaining with a professional gas range and double ovens, all overseen by a curved granite bar for guests to sit and enjoy a glass of wine while dinner is prepared. There is a second dishwasher in the pantry near the greatroom, and this space doubles as the coffee bar and upstairs wine bar. For convenience, the cupboards are stocked with basic foodstuffs, and there is a full set of good knives, a wok and quality cookware to use on the Viking range. With a shelf of cookbooks to peruse, it’s time to try something new in this fun kitchen... grilling pizza is one thing that we’ve enjoyed this year. A powerful gas grill stands just outside adjacent to the kitchen.
DINING AT THE LODGE: The evening meal is best served on snow-white dinnerware sitting at the handmade, expansive cottonwood table in the greatroom. Linen napkins, candles, subtle lighting, a crackling wood fire, chilled music, a moonlight view over the bay all combine to make the evening meal here a most memorable experience. There are other tables inside and outside on the covered bayside porch for the informal times. Full sets of glassware stock both the upstairs pantry as well as the lower bar in the game room.
MORNING AT THE LODGE: This is the best of times. The sun rises over the the bay and tints the log beams to an orange hue. This quiet perch, secluded from the breezes and with sunlight reflecting off the water down below, warms up first and is perfect for early morning coffee. Guests can linger on the porch swing watching the birds awaken among the treetops, all accompanied by the sound of seagulls or an occasional eagle down below over the bay. In the pantry all is set for perfect coffee with a French Press as well as two standard coffeemakers.
EVENING AT THE LODGE: Many guests enjoy lounging on the south lawn watching the reflected light over the bay, Power Island and Old Mission Peninsula. Others prefer the entry porch, just sitting on the limestone steps catching the last of the sun as it sets behind the trees and meadows to the west.
THE SETTING: Treetop privacy and an expansive bay view highlight this distinguished property. In addition, there is over 200' of private water frontage and a dock, making this a most significant combined waterfront/view property in the Grand Traverse area. The lodge sits on 5 very private acres with unobstructed views across 10 miles of Grand Traverse Bay to the twinkling lights of Traverse City in the evening. Leelanau is Michigan Wine Country, and Hilltop Log Lodge is at the heart of it, with 5 wineries within walking/biking distance.
THE WATERFRONT: The public boat launch at the bottom of the hill is quite handy for those who want to fish or ski the crystal waters of West Bay and keep their boat trailered. Following the winding path down the hill to the waterfront, there is swimming and occasional fishing off the dock. The beach is rocky and the dock long; this is the lee side of the bay. Kayaks fit perfectly here in the shallow waters among the reeds and rocks of West Grand Traverse Bay. It takes about an hour to kayak to Power Island.
HAVING A SPECIAL TIME HERE AT THE LODGE: If there is something unique or special required for the guests’ visit, the owners will arrange a caterer, a chef, decorations for a holiday, shopping, tour and concierge service, as well as cleaning. This is an ideal place for a significant birthday dinner, a pre-wedding party or just a place to escape. Larger parties need pre-approval.
The website at HilltopLogLodge dot com features more photos to give a perspective of the property, the rooms of the lodge, and of course, the extraordinary views. Please call or email Richard or Jeff with any questions.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Linens Provided
- Garage
- Off Street Parking
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Gas Fireplace
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- King Bed
- Queen Bed
- Twin/Single Bed
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library
- Sauna: steam shower in north suite
- Ping Pong/Table Tennis
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Catering Available
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Balcony
- Lanai
- View/Location
- Waterfront, not Lake/Oceanfront. Ask for details
- Communications
- Broadband Internet
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Other Amenities
- Awesome views, trail to lakefront and dock, magnificent log lodge...check out our website www.HilltopLogLodge.com.
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly: Companion animals are allowed, if pre-arranged, and for an additional charge.
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities (on site and nearby)
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Restaurants
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Parasailing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Downhill/Alpine Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Snowmobiling
- Sledding/Tubing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Fitness Center/Gym
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Racquetball
- Basketball Court
- Antiquing
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Live Theatre
- Museums
- Miniature golf
- Shuffleboard
- Horseback Riding
- Hot Air Ballooning
- Other Activities
- This property is located between Traverse City and Suttons Bay, the heart of the Michigan wine country; Ciccone Vineyards, Willow Vineyards are a short walk, the Leelanau Trail is less than a mile from the Lodge...check out our website at HilltopLogLodge.com.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Nov-April: $5000/week or $800/night
May, Sept, Oct: $5700/week, or $900/night
June, July, Aug: $6400/week, or $1000/night
Rates shown are for maximum of 12 people
Pets are $250 additional per week
$500 security deposit requested
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Property Photos
- The Lodge and West Grand Traverse Bay - Traverse City Vacation Rentals
- The entry elevation - Traverse City Vacation Rentals
- The Great Room - Traverse City Vacation Rentals
- Ready for breakfast
- The east elevation, from the water
- The North, bayside loft with balcony
- From The Porch early morning
- The Kitchen Bar
- The North Suite Bath has a view into the treetops
- West Grand Traverse bay from The Porch in summer
- The Family Room with a view to Traverse City
- The Twig 'Sunset' Bed in The West Suite
- The North Suite Sitting Area
Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #177286
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This listing was first published here in 2008.
Date last modified - November 30, 2009
