Vacation Rentals by Owner

Long Weekend of Golf for the men and Nature Hikes for the ladies (including the dog)

Guest: Dave & Karen4 (Plymouth, MI)
Date of Stay: 05/18/12 Review Submitted: 05/23/12

What a lovely place you have to share with others. Thank you. Weather cooperated perfectly, too. Had a tremendous thunder and hail storm on Sunday night just after dark. But stopped by morning for a decent drive home. My parents were very impressed with the accommodations. They had never stayed at a privately owned vacation rental before. I knew we were in for a treat by the efficiency you showed during the entire reservation process. You made it very simple and straightforward. Thank you for that, too. I liked the new beach sand!! Sunk my feet into it a couple of times. I cannot thank you enough for the great experience your lake house was a part of. Thank you, again. PS Kayaks were wonderful. Took my mom for a tandem kayak trip, the first for her. She loved it! PPS Our dog loved the water, too. She never quite understood that the lapping waves were not going to "get" her.

Recommended for:Age 55+, pet owners.

22nd Anniversary - Weekend Getaway

Guest: Dan & Brenda (Sterling Heights)
Date of Stay: 02/17/12 Review Submitted: 02/21/12

My wife and I had been looking for a pet-friendly place to stay in northern Michigan where we could relax and otherwise escape our normal routine. At the same time, we wanted to give our Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Dexter Bentley, a chance to engage in some serious outdoor exploration. After a couple days at your cottage - with a side trip or two squeezed in - all of us came away extremely satisfied and wishing it didn't have to end so quickly. The cottage is more than pleasant, well-appointed and comfortable...like home, but with an up-north flair. It snowed a couple inches after we arrived, and with only a minivan to drive, we knew we shouldn't get too adventurous on the area's winding, hilly roads; but we managed to drive to Barnes County Park, located on Grand Traverse Bay at the end of Hwy 88. We had the park/campground virtually to ourselves, and we (Dexter, especially) thoroughly enjoyed the desolate beach and the hiking/skiing trails. My wife and I are life-long residents of Michigan, but this was our first foray into the Chain of Lakes region. We now know what we've been missing, and can't wait to return. Thank you, Laurie, for a memorable few days. Hope to visit your idyllic Central Lake setting again soon!

Owner response:Barnes Park was a delicious discovery for us too--gorgeous sandy beaches in warm weather and perfect groomed trails in the winter. Come back and see it in another season!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great location and lovely view

Guest: Marilyn and Paul (Dexter Michigan)
Date of Stay: 12/24/11 Review Submitted: 01/04/12

Just a note to say "thank you" once again for providing such a nice place for us to enjoy on our trip up to Central Lake. The view is beautiful, and, as you said, everything we could have needed was right there. We took your Welcome Letter with us and found new places to enjoy. It holds a wealth of information. Kathy bailed us out, as you may have heard, by providing us with Bill's phone number to pull us back up the driveway after we got stuck. That was, I believe, the second paragraph of your letter. Ooops!

Owner response:What fun that you found new adventures nearby. Come back soon--now you'll know where to park!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Place

Guest: Fulch1104 (Ann Arbor, MI)
Date of Stay: 11/04/11 Review Submitted: 11/30/11

We had a great time up at your place. We were a multi generational group. The place was perfect for everyone - grandparents, middle aged, teenager, tween and toddler!!! The place had all the comforts of home without the headaches of home! We arrived the first weekend of November and were pleasantly surprised to see the foliage still brilliant. We made a trip to the Sleeping Bear Dunes with a lunch over stop in Traverse City. The tween’s quote of the weekend was “Even the outdoors is event fun here!” We would all go back in a heartbeat anytime of the year!!!

Owner response:Judging from the photos you sent, even the dog had fun! Come back for skiing and tubing, or Morel hunting in the spring!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, sightseeing.

Great Place

Guest: Jer (Rochester)
Date of Stay: 10/14/11 Review Submitted: 10/18/11

Your place is terrific and we enjoyed it very much. Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate as well as we had hoped, but we had a wonderful relaxing time at your cottage. Thanks and I'll definitely recommend it to friends!

Owner response:Wish the gorgeous weather had stretched another couple of days for you but we're so glad you were able to enjoy our retreat indoors! You mentioned in your email that you plan to come back; we'll try to work some magic and get the sun to shine for you next time!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Colorado Visitors

Guest: Peter D. (Colorado)
Date of Stay: 09/14/11 Review Submitted: 09/29/11

We spent a week in September at the lake house and loved it. Having traveled a lot we appreciated the homey feel, lots of good books and music, and a very adequate kitchen. We took advantage of the kayaks and also the lounging areas down by the lake. Also, the surrounding area is great fun whether gallery hopping or beach combing on Lake Michigan. A favorite thing was reading in bed looking out at the lake. Sometimes the swans were drifting by. I still hold that peaceful feeling now back at work.

Owner response:Wonderful that you can still feel that peacefulness long after returning home. In an email you described the picture of the lake that you carry around still. Lovely.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great end of summer vacation

Guest: happycampers (Pinckney, MI)
Date of Stay: 08/20/11 Review Submitted: 09/09/11

We had a great time at the property with our 3 kids and small dog. The amenities were so nice and welcoming. The cottage was very clean and well maintained and had just about everything one could ask for. We also enjoyed the kayaks and fire pits. Thanks for a great end of the summer vacation.

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

January Stay

Guest: Barry11 (Michigan)
Date of Stay: 01/28/11 Review Submitted: 02/02/11

Second time renting just as great as the first time. Very nice and comfortable and WARM!!! Already looking forward to next year.

Owner response:You were the first guests to enjoy the house-wide insulation improvements recommended by our energy audit, and we're glad they made it even cozier than before! (Hope you all also got to use the robes and warm socks for guests.)

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, tourists without a car, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Ideal Michigan Cottage Experience

Guest: Mike P (Norton Shores)
Date of Stay: 07/18/10 Review Submitted: 07/25/10

This is our second stay at this lovely cottage. The first was in winter. It is extremely nice, very clean and all you would want from a Michigan Summer Cottage Experience. Loved the views of the lake, and quiet setting. The kids had a great time fishing, kayaking and swimming. Campfires were very nice as there was little lake traffic. Much to do within a short drive as well. We spent time at Boyne City, Bellaire and Charelvoix. Will definately be back.

Owner response:Can't wait for you to see our updates when you return over the Xmas holiday and next summer!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Felt like home!

Guest: Karen (West Bloomfield, MI)
Date of Stay: 07/11/10 Review Submitted: 07/19/10

What a great place to spend with our family and just a bonus that our 2 labs could join us!!! The owners thought of everthing and we really felt like guests not renters. The area the cottage is at is convenient to everything yet quiet. Enjoyed our view from the deck and sitting in the beach chairs in the warm water. Boys loved kayaking around the connecting rivers and seeing all the wildlife up close.

Owner response:Thanks for the compliments--we add a little something every time we come up so we hope you can come back and see what else we've come up with!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, sightseeing.

July Visit 2010

Guest: Nancy (Ann Arbor, Mi)
Date of Stay: 06/27/10 Review Submitted: 07/13/10

My daughters, husband, dog and I had a wonderful time at the cottage. It is very up to date and clean. Lots of books on the area and an entire file full of local information collected by the owners and guests. DVDs for late night movies. We loved Shorts brewery in Bellaire. One of the best micro-breweries you will ever visit. Moka in Bellaire had fabulous stone cooked pizza and a good wine list, good coffee bar as well. We drove the Old Mission Peninsula and visited the lighthouse, the general store (got a pastie and a glass bottle Faygo!) Don't miss Grocer's Daughter in Empire, one of the best artisan chocolate makers around. There is a really nice public beach there as well. Hanley lake is beautiful and quiet. The boats provided by the cottage are in great shape. We had a lot of fun paddling up the "chain" to the next lake. The yard at the cottage is big and great for sitting out and watching other boaters go by. We watched shooting stars at night on the deck. If you drive as far as Petoskey, go to Jeffords for pie. It is 107 year old restaurant with one of the best cherry pies I have ever had. New York Times wrote about it. We picked cherries at Shooks (really close to the cottage, family owned and very friendly with delicious cherries!). If you can't tell I am a chef by profession and I was really impressed with what the area had to offer. I work 12 to 16 hour days and this is just a wonderful place to let it all go, stop checking email and turn off the cell phone.

Owner response:Can't beat food recommendations from a chef for one of Michigan (and the country's) finest, so we'll be following in your footsteps!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Barry11 (Michigan)
Date of Stay: 01/27/10 Review Submitted: 01/27/10

Weekend went great. Very comfortable and good fishing (pike and perch). Enjoyed your place and the area. The ice shanty was actually very nice. We will be considering coming back next year. In addition, my friend is considering coming in the summer. Thanks again and I look forward to speaking with you next year. Best Regards, Barry.

Owner response:Great. Some day we'll try the ice shanty ourselves!

Recommended for:

Christmas Season Stay

Guest: MP Norton Shores (Norton Shores, MI)
Date of Stay: 01/25/10 Review Submitted: 01/03/11

Your place is a gem. It’s perfect for our family and we definitely enjoyed our time there. We skied Boyne Highlands Tues and Wed, and also did the tubing as Schuss on Thurs. I loved the meal at the side bar (under Blue Loon). We also ate one night in Charlevoix. Cooked breakfasts in the cottage. Thanks so much. We’ll definitely be back.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Adam16 (Ann Arbor, MI)
Date of Stay: 01/07/10 Review Submitted: 01/07/10

Laurie- Your house was fantastic, we had a great time. It snowed the entire time we were there, letting us take advantage of snowshoeing in the Jordan River Valley, snowboarding at Shanty Creek and sledding on your backyard hill as well as the large sledding hill on the way up to Shanty Creek. The house had more to offer than we could possibly need.

Owner response:Fantastic. Come back and try tubing at Shanty Creek--there's even a tow lift to bring you back up each time!

Recommended for:

Guest: The Bates1 (Ypsilanti, MI 48197)
Date of Stay: 11/13/09 Review Submitted: 11/13/09

This was our first vacation in 12 years and we were not disappointed at all with this place. The owners were easy to contact & talk too. We have 3 dogs and we were so HAPPY to find that we could bring all 3 with us, along of course with our 2 1/2 yr. old daughter! We were so worried that we would leave a mess we brought our Dyson Pet Vac along, and used it before leaving however the place is as clean as it can be, so it was not hard to 'clean up' after our dogs at all. The view's the week we went were PERFECT ------ what a week to go. The fall colors were nothing short of heavenly. We did allot of driving around the days we stayed and it was nice to be able to go back to 'our cottage' and watch the sun set over the lake.... Our daughter thought the BIG POOL was so pretty, but didn't quit understand why we would not let her swim in it. (Mind you we at this cottage mid. October, brrrr!) Finally we did say------ go on, put your feet in (as the beach did make it look tempting, very clean & nice sandy area at this cottage) so she did and sure enough that little thing put BOTH feet in and splashed about for a bit, then SHE decided that it was a bit too cold for swimming now, in 'the big pool' --- I have an idea that summer time at this cottage will be a ball for all. Thank you for taking a chance on us with our animals. It was easy to clean up after them, and leave your home smelling pet free with no pet hair left behind. Till Next Time!!! The Bates Family

Owner response:Can't wait for your daughter to swim in the BIG POOL (i.e., lake) in the summer. You were too kind bringing your special doghair vacuum--we'll clean up after you next time (as, of course, we normally do). Come back soon.

Recommended for:

Guest: Cherly and Joe (Michigan)
Date of Stay: 11/08/09 Review Submitted: 11/08/09

Our group of female family members ranging in age from 38 to 78 just returned from a relaxing weekend on Hanley Lake. The cottage is exactly as described on vrbo and the pictures are right on. The living area seats seven comfortably and looks right out on serene Hanley Lake. All beds were comfortable, and the kitchen is very well stocked with anything you might need although we mostly ate out. We walked into the village of Central Lake from the cottage several times, and took a day trip around Intermediate Lake and Torch Lake, passing through Bellaire, Alden, and Elk Rapids. Beautiful country! My only regret is that we never had a chance to try out the canoe or kayaks - water temp was a little cold. Seven thumbs up! Thank you, Laurie!

Owner response:We loved hosting your family gathering: next time maybe you'll add the third generation!

Recommended for:

Guest: Dianne Whisner
Date of Stay: 09/08/09 Review Submitted: 09/07/09

(From an email:) We had a fabulous time at your cottage. Our dog Chip had a wonderful time launching himself off your dock. My husband took some wonderful pictures of the sunset from the deck. The swans came up in the morning for breakfast and I loved feeding them. Your cottage is darling. We canoed from one end of Lake Hanley to the other. Both Richard and I had a facial at the Swan Cove Spa and it was terrific. What a relaxing day that was. We got a chance to visit the art fair in East Jordon while we were there and purchased some great items. I just loved all the little towns so close by. Thank you Dianne Whisner

Recommended for:

Guest: Nora Heath (Clinton Township, MI)
Date of Stay: 06/15/09 Review Submitted: 06/15/09

We all had a truly relaxing time at your lovely cottage the second week of June. It was mostly too cold to do much on the water, although it warmed up enough on our last day for our almost-three-year-old to wade in a bit. Even our dog jumped into the lake at one point, which seemed to have surprised her as much as it surprised us! Apart from all the creature comforts--the toys, books, DVDs, CDs--we really appreciated just being able to chill out in such a nice setting. As expected, everything worked perfectly, and we never felt less than totally at home. Thanks again!

Owner response:Sorry we couldn't control the temperature but we're glad you found so much to do inside. Come back when it's hot--or when it's cold enough to sled down to the lake!

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/11/09 Review Submitted: 06/11/09

We were so impressed by previous visits we decided to visit again at a different season to see the owners promised improvements. Wow! If their day jobs loose their appeal the owners could always try architecture. The addition of so much glass on the lake facing wall is inspirational. Sitting up in bed admiring the open view across the lake with my morning cuppa (Dash it all,I am British) was bliss. I'm nudging seventy and have reduced mobility and quite severe balance problems but found access to all areas easy so if you suffer similarly don't be put off or you'll miss a treat. The approach from the road is not overwhelmingly inspiring but OK and being improved. Once you open the front door however you know you've made a good choice. You look through the kitchen and living room to the TRIPLE patio doors to the lake beyond. The atmosphere is welcoming, laid back and, well, homely. We'll be back! Tim and Pat, Horseman's Green, UK.

Recommended for:

Guest: Robert39 (Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 06/09/09 Review Submitted: 06/09/09

We stayed the first week of June, 2009 and had a wonderful time in this hideaway house. It features a great view of Henley Lake -- a smaller, quiet lake in the vast chain of lakes. The sunsets are great, and the deck to view it all is just perfect. This is cute, no frills house. It feels like home. It's clean, comfortable, and a perfect relaxation spot. And just half a mile down the road from a few stores, you are never too far away for a quick grocery stop. You can even take one of the kayaks or the canoe out for a peaceful paddle. In addition, if you need a change of pace from Central Lake, you aren't too far away from Charlevoix (check out Whitney's Oyster Bar) and Traverse City (visit the Music House Museum! So fun). I highly recommend it.

Owner response:Glad you had fun. Thanks for the restaurant and museum suggestions--we're on it!

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 06/07/09 Review Submitted: 06/07/09

Monday May 25, 2009 First visit at this time of the year to this glorious spot. Weather superb so views across the lake whilst sitting up in bed drinking cup of tea absolutely magnificent. Really enjoyed my trip in canoe to Central Lake for an ice cream. Great to sit on main deck and eat our meals. Sat in evening sun and read then enjoyed my first s'mores around camp fire. Forgot to say first morning watched about six eagle, I think, enjoying themselves in the thermals above the trees across the lake.

Owner response:I notice food (or drink) showed up in every wonderful experience--glad you found our place a "glorious spot" to enjoy it in! Come back soon.

Recommended for:

Guest: Joe Lowe (Grand Rapids, MI)
Date of Stay: 05/26/09 Review Submitted: 05/26/09

My wife and I stayed here for our honeymoon in Mar. We absolutely loved the place. It had everything we were looking for and the owners were easy to do business with. They even left and awesome present for us. I would definitely recomment a stay here. We plan to stay here again in the future.

Owner response:Tell you what: come back in March 2014 to celebrate your fifth anniversary and we'll honor your 2009 honeymoon rate! But come back sooner too.

Recommended for:

Guest: Laurie Galia (Ann Arbor, MI)
Date of Stay: 03/10/09 Review Submitted: 03/10/09

Our recent winter stay at this lovely cottage was fun and relaxing. It was kid-friendly which was big plus for us. Since we like outdoor sports, we found our way to nearby cross country skiing. A trip to Barnes County Park on Lake Michigan was a delight for our children with frozen waves and the chance to slide down hills. We will definitely be back in the summer!

Owner response:Isn't it gorgeous on Lake Michigan--all year long? Hope the kids enjoyed being belly surfers!

Recommended for:

Guest: Sarai1 (-)
Date of Stay: 02/17/09 Review Submitted: 02/17/09

Lovely relaxing cottage with everything I needed to relax as my two children swam and boated. Perfect for the family. I highly recommend Tia's ice cream in town. Yummy!

Owner response:You're making my mouth water!

Recommended for:

Guest: Tahree Lane (toledo, ohio)
Date of Stay: 02/09/09 Review Submitted: 02/09/09

Peaceful and comfortable. A surprising amount to do within an hour's drive of this cozy, well-kept place. Tahree Lane Toledo, Ohio

Owner response:Glad you enjoyed it!

Recommended for:

Guest: Inge Gaiser (Ann Arbor,MI)
Date of Stay: 01/19/09 Review Submitted: 01/19/09

We stayed at this lovely place in July and on Labor Day 2008 weekend. Both times we had great weather and lots of fun kajaking and canoing. We discovered that Loki, our dog loves the water very much. He did well in the canoe , too. We had some great food, grilled chicken and veggies and saw a lot of turtles, blue heron and kingfisher. We can recommend the Jordan River pathway, a 3 mile hike with a great view . We certainly will be back.

Owner response:Isn't the Jordan River pathway gorgeous? We can't wait to take our cross-country skis there! Come back soon!

Recommended for:

Guest: Pat and Tim (Horsemans Green UK)
Date of Stay: 01/16/09 Review Submitted: 01/16/09

Idyllic Lakeside location is no exaggeration. Lounge on the deck only seperated from the quiet lake and rustic jetty by the neat, gently sloping lawn. We've visited twice before and love it! We've booked a few days in May this year to try the delights of a different season but we guess it's good at any time of year. The owners have put a lot of effort into improving the spec and it's paid off. Can't wait to see the latest upgrades! Go at the end of June for the cherry season and buy fruit and delicious pies at the roadside.It's fantastic and the warmth and friendliness of the local community just an easy walk away is an additional feature that makes us so keen to return.

Owner response:No cherries in May but hopefully the blush of spring will be a new delight!

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 01/15/09 Review Submitted: 01/15/09

All 6 members of my family stayed in this home last summer, and we found it very comfortable even for our large family. The living area is great, the sleeping rooms are comfortable, and the view out on the lake is spectacular. We would highly recommend this property.

Owner response:Thank goodness for the two sets of double-single-combination bunkbeds, huh! Glad you all fit so comfortably.

Recommended for:

Guest: Charlotte Mudar (Canberra Australia )
Date of Stay: 01/14/09 Review Submitted: 01/14/09

I spent 4 wonderful days at this house over the 4th of July weekend in 2007 having just come from Australia. We are experiencing a 6 year drought in Australia and I was struck by how green the grass in the back yard that sweeps down to the lakes edge. We also have a fire ban active most of the time in Australia, and I really enjoyed the fire ring in the back yard where we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows on a warm summer evening. I made a cherry pie and a blueberry pie while I was there in their well equipped kitchen. I was able to buy fresh/frozen berries and cherries at the store within walking distance (for you foodies reading this). The kitchen/living room has a nice layout in that the person cooking is not isolated from the fun happenings in the living room. The living room has lots of natural light and 2 sets of sliding doors that open onto a deck that looks out over the lake. We fished and took a 3 hour canoe ride up to one of the chain of lakes nearby leaving from the dock in front of the house. My daughter was 1 year old at the time and I remember there being a small sandy beach where she played. There was also a hammock that was close to the water under trees that provided some shade. Nice for reading. There was a nice mix of sun and shade near the lake (for those of us who have been burnt a few times too many). We lit the 2 oil lamps in the living room that set off a lovely warm glow one evening as we ate dinner. We walked into town and looked around. There were a few historic buildings that looked interesting although I didn't have time to investigate. There was a nice 4th of July celebration with a big chicken dinner and ice cream social. I look forward to going again.

Owner response:Next time leave a pie behind for the guests who follow you!

Recommended for:

Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 11/11/08 Review Submitted: 11/11/08

I spent 4 days here and it was so peaceful and idyllic. The facility is clean and spotless and well stocked with all the amenities one needs (TV, cable, books, games, DVD player, etc). A lot of windows and great lighting I chose spend most of my time at the house and just stared at the beautiful lake. Did I mention that there is an amazing lake, just feet away from the main room? Saw some great storms across the lake and beautiful sunrises and sunsets. I plan on coming back and would highly recommend it. By the way, there are lots of things to do in the surrounding area. I did make it into town once and had some good food at the local pub, visited the library, and bought some stuff at the general store. Great home away from home!! Autumn, in Ann Arbor, MI

Owner response:Isn't that general store timeless? Candy, toys, American flags, sewing supplies, fleeces, socks, notebooks--you name it! And the pub has amazing hamburgers.

Recommended for:

Guest: Kathleen Irvin (Ann Arbor, MI)
Date of Stay: 10/13/08 Review Submitted: 10/13/08

I imagine other people will rave about the house, and well they should--it is beautiful, right on the lake, great for just hanging-out with people, or for retreating to for reading that book you haven't had a chance to read. Let me talk about the area and things to do. You can kayak down to the town to get some ice cream. You can take a leisurely walk to the store. If it's morning, walk down for breakfast. If you turn left on the road by the house you will pass the bridge where the locals fish; worms are available at the corner store. Depending on the weekend there are garage sales. If you're lucky you will be there the weekend of the Jaycees huge rummage sale--you can finally participate in an auction to buy that one boat or table or really ugly lamp or birdhouse, etc you have always wanted. If you like to run or bike just take the main road up the mountain and back or maybe run to Torch Lake. And it it's raining, there is the local library. Need I say more--it's why I plan on going back, again and again.

Owner response:We're glad you resisted buying the not-quite-working pontoon but hear you made out with some great lawn implements for under $10!

Recommended for:

Guest: Wendy Cline-Tarbell
Date of Stay: 01/14/07 Review Submitted: 01/13/07

We had a lovely time at this astoundingly gorgeous place--especially star-gazing and kayaking/canoeing--but the best of all was to be with family again!

Recommended for: