Vacation Rentals by Owner

A Wonderful Week with the Family

Guest: Michele L. (Royal Oak, MI)
Date of Stay: 09/17/11 Review Submitted: 10/14/11

My husband, 3-year old daughter, and I spent a wonderful weekend at the cottage with both of our moms/grandmas and an aunt. The house was laid out well for our family situation, and we all had plenty of room. We all commented how much we enjoyed all of the small details of the house, which made the cottage seem very comfortable, from the well-appointed kitchen to the sand toys and games for my daughter. We used the sun porch a lot as well - my daughter got a kick out of eating at and playing in the booth. Loved the paddle boat and the beach chairs as well! Having a wireless network was also a plus for us. I'd definitely recommend this property to anyone. Denise was wonderful to work with as well. She was very responsive and gave us lots of ideas of things to do in the area. The closest city was Charlevoix (about 20 minutes), but the drive was easy. And, even though we went in mid-September when the weather was sometimes cool, the water was warm. It was a nice beach for walking!

Owner response:Michele, I am so glad that you had a great time. Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review. Please come again soon! Sincerely, Denise

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Wonderful Vacation!!

Guest: Sue
Date of Stay: 08/28/11 Review Submitted: 09/06/11

Hi Denise! Got the security deposit check thanks. Your home is so beautiful, we had a wonderful vacation!!! Grandaughtes searched for Petosky stones, loved Bon fires and stars but the sunsets were amazing!!!! My daughter and daughter in law did get massages too! It was a great week, but just flew by!!!! Thanks for sharing your wonderful home!!

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Guest: Steve
Date of Stay: 08/01/11 Review Submitted: 08/02/11

Hi Denise, We've settled in and are thoroughly enjoying your beautiful home. It totally met our expectations and we couldn't be more pleased. Yesterday, we canoed the Jordan River; today is rainy so we will play games and drive to Charlevoix to nose around. Loving it. Steve

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Our vacation stay at this wonderful beach house

Guest: Steve (Deerfield, IL)
Date of Stay: 07/30/11 Review Submitted: 08/11/11

This was our first time staying at this beautiful beach house and our expectations going in were exceeded. The waterfront is perfect, especially for our young grandchildren. A sandy beach and the lake that deepens very gradually. Great for swimming and water toys. The beach house is roomy and well appointed throughout, ranging from the ample, modern kitchen to the dining booth for the grandkids to the great bedrooms...all looking out on the lake. The new game room was also a hit for the young ones. It was a wonderful diversion for the one rainy day we experienced during our stay. All in all, a great place to stay. We will have many memories of our stay to cherish in the years ahead.

Owner response:Stephen, Thank you for staying at our cottage. I am so glad that you and your family had such a great time. It makes me feel good to hear that my home was even nicer than you had anticipated. that the beach was great and that you enjoyed the game room. I try to make the house a special place for those who come. I hope you come again.

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

Guest: Sandhya
Date of Stay: 07/16/11 Review Submitted: 07/27/11

Thanks Denise, We had a WONDERFUL week full of laughter and great memories. The house is beautiful and the kids loved the lake. We had a fantastic day at Torch lake on a huge pontoon with jet skis and tubing. Stafford's Weathervane was EXCELLENT!! Thanks for all your help. Sandhya

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Guest: Jane
Date of Stay: 06/25/11 Review Submitted: 07/16/11

Hi Denise--Well, we're back home.....We had a WONDERFUL 2 weeks at your home! As we found last year, everything was great.....It's just so peaceful driving down that long dirt road in the woods to your home. We noticed the shutters right away and the new path to the kitchen door. That was great when we were unloading groceries. Thanks for all the goodies in the refrigerator and pantry....The lights down by the beach are nice, and the boys liked the game room after a day out in the sun on the beach. I think you might have added some new plantings outside? We did use the big paella pan and it was perfect for the 8 adults there over the July 4th weekend. Everyone has a job on paella night and your big kitchen provides ample room for everyone to work! We put the paella pan right on the grill and serve from there. I think that's becoming a family tradition! Of course, we had s'mores by the bonfire. Some friends gave us a new, simple constellation book by H.A. Rey so we were able to become more "star smart" on clear nights! You really worked hard when you were there....the faucets are nice. And the driveway.....I'm sorry it turned out to be such a monumental project to move the shed. But the enlarged driveway is really nice. We did get the jet ski for part of the 4th weekend and the kayak for the last week. That was fun, plus the kids loved taking Delaney on paddle boat rides Thank you soooo much for letting us stay....WE absolutely love it! We hope you were able to enjoy it, too, in the midst of all your work! jane and terry P.S. Have you ever gone to Pearls New Orleans Kitchen in Elk Rapids? We went there last night....great food and very busy!

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Guest: Diane
Date of Stay: 05/02/11 Review Submitted: 05/09/11

Thanks much Denise! You're great to work with - the best in the five years we've been using VRBO!!

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Guest: Becky
Date of Stay: 09/02/10 Review Submitted: 09/08/10

Oh my goodness, if we had had more fun it would have been a sin!! I got "Travel Agent Of the Year" awards from my friends. We were blown away by your cottage. It was beautiful and just fit us to a T. Everyone said that this trip was the best of all 5 years prior to this one and we've gone to the Dells, Mackinac Island, etc. But what it also was was that we didn't run all over the place, going, going all the time. With all the beautiful hiking and walks on the beach, etc, we just stayed put and it was wonderful. We're all very busy women and for all nine of us to just "be" was fantastic. I think we have decided that we want to come back again next year, but it's a little too far out to try and plan the "when". Several of us have grandbabies on the way and things like that, so we're not sure about when it will work for next year. We usually try for September sometime so I'll let you know! Again, thank you so much! It was a fantastic vacation...the weather wasn't the best, but it didn't matter!! Oh, by the way, your beach might be minus a few Petoskey stones:) Becky

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Peace and Relaxation

Guest: Maureen (Highland, Michigan)
Date of Stay: 08/07/10 Review Submitted: 09/22/10

After spending a week at this property in August (with the entire family), I can honestly say it was everything we had hoped it would be. The house is perfectly set up for group sit-down meals, bonfires on the beach, rainy day activities, etc. We numbered 11 with parents, children and grandchildren, and were very comfortable in these accommodations. The owners of the home were extremely helpful throughout the rental process, and they do a wonderful job of maintaining this beautiful home. My one complaint, and it's a minor one, is that the Bay in this area is somewhat rocky (nothing that a pair of water shoes won't cure!). I have already recommended this find to some friends and family, and will continue to do so.

Owner response:Maureen, Thank you for posting a review. It was wonderful having you and your family stay at our getaway cottage! I agree that water shoes help when walking the beach; thank goodness my beach is sandy. See you next year, thank you for making your reservations to come back in 2011.

Recommended for:Families with young children, sightseeing.

Guest: Jane
Date of Stay: 07/30/10 Review Submitted: 08/09/10

Hi Denise--We're back home and we wish we were back at the cottage. We loved every minute of our two weeks there. You have created a warm, comfortable, cozy yet spacious home that we thoroughly enjoyed. We loved all the special decorating touches, especially some of the mirrors! Everything that we could possibly want was there--from the up to date kitchen to the great beds and linens to the clean, sandy beach. We played volleyball, went out on the paddle boat, and played corn toss by the hour. We ate lunch at the beach table, read books under the umbrellas and built sandcastles. The grandkids, ages 12 and 9, loved the diner/porch! When our son and his fiance were with us the first few days, one of our favorite evenings was when we all made paella. Your kitchen provided ample room for everyone to work, and we put our paella pan right on the grill. What a great evening on the deck! We had bonfires almost every evening with s'mores. The sunsets were awesome! The table in the family room is perfect for working puzzles. Have you tried the puzzles made by Ravensburg where the puzzle is not the picture on the box? They are very challenging, but certainly fun! We made every effort to leave your home in the wonderful, clean, tidy condition it was when we arrived. Thank you for creating a perfect vacation spot for our family. We want to return for the same 2 weeks next year, unless the last 2 weeks of July are available. Jane and Terry

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Guest: Rebecca
Date of Stay: 06/26/10 Review Submitted: 07/24/10

My family and I can not wait to return next year. We had a blast kayaking, jet skiing, and just be lazy. That hammock sure got a lot of use. Thanks Todd and Denise for allowing my family and I to stay at such a beautiful, clean and relaxing home.

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Guest: Brandon
Date of Stay: 06/19/10 Review Submitted: 07/09/10

Just got home from your cottage and had to tell you what a great time we had. My kids and I already miss our late nights by the fire, grilling on the deck and lying on the hammock; my favorite past time. Thank you for allowing us to rent such a special place. We hope to be able to come back again.

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Donaldson Vacation In Michigan

Guest: Alan (Denver, CO)
Date of Stay: 06/05/10 Review Submitted: 07/24/10

This was one of my favorite family vacations. The weather was cooperative, the beach beautiful and the home was lovely. We had plenty of room to gather on the outside deck, cool nights we made a fire on the wood burning stove and hey, thanks for supplying all that wood. The beds were comfortable and the linens nice and soft. I felt right at home, in fact, it was nicer than my home. You could tell a lot of thought and love went into making this a special place. If I ever venture to come to MI again, this will be my first choice.

Owner response:Alan, I am so glad you and your family had a good time. I look forward to having you as a guest in the future. Thank you for leaving a review!

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

Guest: Alan & Kate (Ohio)
Date of Stay: 09/27/09 Review Submitted: 09/27/09

Denise, This has been the nicest, cleanest, most beautiful place I have taken my family to. We lived on the beach, enjoyed cooking in your immaculate kitchen and just had a great time. We have already decided that this will be a yearly family vacation. Please hold our week indefinitely. Alan & Kate

Owner response:Thank you so much for you comment and I am so glad you will be returning!

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Guest: Catherine24 (Zionsville, IN)
Date of Stay: 09/27/09 Review Submitted: 09/27/09

Denise, We enjoyed your beautiful home so very much and look forward to another week next summer! Thank you for sharing your special vacation spot with our family and friends!

Owner response:Thank you Catherine. I look forward to your family again sharing our cottage. It was a pleasure to have your family and friends come and even more to already book again for next year!

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Guest: The Barnett Family (Houston, Texas)
Date of Stay: 09/23/09 Review Submitted: 09/22/09

What a great vacation spot! My kids really enjoyed the fresh air, clear water and starry nights. From the momment we landed at the charming Traverse City Airport we knew we were in for a treat. The drive to the Cottage was lovely and we were absolutely delighted when we arrived at our destination.The house looks even better in person.Each room had such warmth and appeal we felt right at home almost immediately. The home feels roomy and lovingly cared for. My husband and I really bonded with our 3 teenage boys. (it was kinda cool we couldn't get our cell phone signals too well) We had fun on the beach, we watched old movies, we cooked out, worked on puzzles, caught up on our reading, shopped, told stories and roasted marshmallows around the campfire under the stars. It was total relaxation, peace and the kind of fun I needed oh so much! No complaints here...except when it was time to leave. We'll be back for sure. After a round of golf don't forget to arrange for a professional massage right in the comfort of your room. Simply Heaven!

Owner response:Wow; thank you so much Barnett Family. What a wonderful comment. I am so happy you chose our place for your family vacation and look forward to your next visit. Denise

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Guest: Mary107 (Hudsonville, MI)
Date of Stay: 07/26/09 Review Submitted: 07/26/09

We had a great time at your place! Your place was beautiful and clean. Every year my family grows and we keep looking for a bigger cottage! This was perfect!

Owner response:Mary, I am so glad we were able to accommodate your growing family! It was a pleasure to provide you and your family with a nice place to stay. Thank you!

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Guest: Mary
Date of Stay: 07/18/09 Review Submitted: 03/24/10

This was one of the cleanest, coziest, bestest place we have ever been to. Thank you for giving us a piece of heaven.

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