Vacation Rentals by Owner

a hidden gem indeed

Guest: joseph c h.
Date of Stay: 09/09/11 Review Submitted: 09/20/11

Stayed at the buckles cabin after labor day, was an awesome,relaxing,beautiful time.....everything was clean,well maintained, and user friendly. Shawn was great to work with...We will be back next year God willing... The pictures do not do the cabin justice...The lake,views, clarity of water, atmosphere....were so great ...just enjoy it all.

Owner response:Thanks much Joseph; look forward to having you back next year. Shawn

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

Great Getaway

Guest: frans (girdwood, alaska)
Date of Stay: 09/07/11 Review Submitted: 09/14/11

My four family rented the Buckles Cabin after Labor Day weekend. The lake was still warm and very quiet. We loved the 50's cabin, just the right size, cozy and clean. One of the best spots on the lake for sure with southern exposure and a quick swim or paddle out to a sandy island. We will be back!

Owner response:It was very nice to meet you all. I enjoyed the short time we were able to converse and thanks for the "Pecan-Turtle Homemade Cheesecake." Hope to have you back again. Take care, Shawn

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

A hidden Gem close to Traverse City.

Guest: Knut. (Canton, MI)
Date of Stay: 08/09/11 Review Submitted: 08/17/11

If you read this you are looking for the perfect vacation spot around Traverse City; stop looking, I did it for you :-) and this is it. Great location right on private sandy beach with a dock, fire pit and everything else. Take a quick trip in to Traverse City, 15 min, and enjoy some local shopping, or visit a few of the many wineries in the area. Location, location, location....... Like one of the other reviews said, this is not Hilton, but that is not what we were looking for. The cabins are very clean and have a very nice layout with a little rustic feel to them. We stayed there with our 1year old son and he LOVED the sandy beach a few steps from the deck, as did we. Enjoy the evening by the fire-pit with others or sit back and relax with a good beverage on your deck overlooking the lake, which is a slow speed zone between 7pm and 11am; so no engine noise to disturb the quite evenings. The cabins are located on a dead end road. Shawn has a VERY GENEROUS setup at his Cabins: Gas & Charcoal grills, plenty of outside chairs, and INCLUDED FOR FREE are kayaks, row boats & paddle boat, which you most likely have to rent other places. We also chose to rent one of his pontoon boats (which I recommend to really see the lake) and he even provided infant life vest for our son. Shawn lives close by and takes pride in his cabins. If you should have a question or any other issues, he is there immediately to address whatever it is you have an issue with. For the record, we did not have any issues, but Shawn still came by to make sure everything was OK. Give Shawn a call and enjoy your vacation at Spider Lake. Thank you for a great vacation Shawn, hopefully we will see you again soon.

Owner response:Thanks so much Knut; it was nice to meet you and your family. Shawn

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

Great property

Guest: Steveo (Oak Park IL)
Date of Stay: 07/23/11 Review Submitted: 08/09/11

We really enjoyed our stay. The property is spacious and has nice cottage amenities, plenty of outdoor easy chairs, tables, secluded fire pit, hammock. The lake is beautiful and great for swimming It's not the Ritz but very comfortable indoors and a good value. We rented the pontoon and it ran trouble free. The family fully enjoyed all of the amenities of cottage living. Parents and grandma stayed in one cottage. Older kids and friends stayed in the other. Shawn was very helpful and hospitable. I highly recommend Shawn's cabins.

Owner response:Thanks Steven. I'm glad you picked my place this time. Shawn

Recommended for:Families with teenagers

Our home away from home.

Guest: Tom (St. Clair Shores, Mich.)
Date of Stay: 07/16/11 Review Submitted: 07/25/11

Hello! I have styed at Shawns places ever since he bought them a decade ago. My whole family comes up incl. my wife,Son and wife, grandkids, nieces, nephews, brothers , sisters, and also friends. They ALL love it! It is a peaceful place and you can be as busy or unbusy as you want. Lots of areas to explore with the boats. I reccommend renting one of the pontoon boats. Traverse City is about 15 miles away but it feels like a hundred miles away as the area is so natural. I highly reccommend going to Traverse City, the old town Front street area. The bay and marina are very scenic. Small scenic towns with lots to do and see are a short drive away such as Elk Rapids, Suttins bay and LeLand. Most of the cottages and homes on the lake are post card lovely and "guests" of the area, meaning they fit right in the beautiful setting. Shawn is a wonderful host and wants everyone to have a good safe time. Tom Jantz

Owner response:Thanks Tom. It was good to see and spend some time with your family again. Shawn

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

Great get away for the weekend

Guest: Five 0 (Laingsburg)
Date of Stay: 05/27/11 Review Submitted: 05/29/11

Stayed for the weekend, ran the bayshore, cabins were a great place to return to and just relax, Shawn made us feel welcomed. Cabins are a little outdated, but if you go up north to stay at a hilton go right ahead, if you like rustic and a great get away, shawns cabins are the answer. Cant wait for next years Bayshore half marathon so we can stay here again.

Owner response:Thanks Matt. Shawn

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

20+ Years

Guest: George & Flo (Grand Rapids, MI)
Date of Stay: 05/20/11 Review Submitted: 05/28/11

We just got back from Shawns' Place in TVC. As always we enjoyed our stay thoroughly. Cabins are clean, host is great. Docks were in and the boats were ready for the kick-off of summer vacations. Bring your own boat and launch it at the public launch, there is room at Shawns cottages to dock it. You want a quiet cruise on the lake of if you like to fish, Spider Lake is where you want to be. We have been vacationing at Shawn's place for a lot of years and each and every year we have been there we have felt welcome. Shawn is a great host, cares for his people, and always open to suggestions, willing to answer any questions and recommend places to go and visit. It's not too far from downtown TVC but at the same time when you come back to the resort it is like being in the country. Nice and quiet. There is a group of two cottages right down the road from the office and further on down a group of three. If you want to go on vacation as a family it is really a great place to go. We will be returning in October and can't wait. We always look forward to it. Gets us away from the hustle and bustle of Grand Rapids. See you in October Shawn.

Owner response:Thanks George and Flo. George and Flo have been coming to Spider Lake for years. They love it. I have had the pleasure of providing accommodations for them since I met them in 1991. They have been coming in May and October for quite a few years now. I enjoy having coffee with them most mornings and look forward to it as the time approaches. We'll see you soon and thanks again for everything, Shawn

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

Buckles Cabins this past week.

Guest: bja (Cincinnati area)
Date of Stay: 08/14/10 Review Submitted: 08/22/10

There were 6 of us staying in the buckles cabins and had an amazing vacation. Even though the cabins need some work we were very happy with our stay. Shawn made us feel right at home answering all of our questions and making suggestions for places to go. We spent the whole day at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and it was the one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. I will definitely stay again in the cabins. They are rustic but clean. Thanks Shawn for helping make our vacation memorable.

Owner response:Mission Accomplished!

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

A bit disappointing

Guest: tn (Lake Orion, MI)
Date of Stay: 08/07/10 Review Submitted: 08/15/10

Stayed at Buckles and have to say I was disappointed. The cottages need many updates. The toilet is ready to fall thru the floor and the oven only reaches 250 degrees. If the cottages were clean and everything was in working order I would have given a much higher rating. Loved sitting out on the decks, the kayaks and hanging out on the island.

Owner response:Thanks for this opportunity. Yes, with the high humidity water condensing on the toilet has caused the floor to soften but the toilet is fully functioning and safe. This property has three toilets. It also has three stoves with ovens, two kettle charcoal grills and two covered gas grills. One of the ovens is not working but safe and the replacement will go in this November after business slows down as will work be done on the toilet floor. I have five cabins and three housekeepers so these cabins are very clean. The Buckles family lived downstate and purchased the property in 1947 for $500 long after the lumber barons left. The first cabin was built in the 50s followed by two more, one for each of their two grown children. They built them as time and money permitted. I think most of the work had been done by themselves and then by another owner prior to my purchase in 2004. I’ve been improving and updating regularly. Sometimes things wear out during the season and most people understand it may take some time to repair or replace. The cabins are not perfect yet they are sound and functional. It is a very nice setup and I am continuing the Buckles Family Tradition on Spider Lake with much fan approval. I have good repeat business and they love the changes and improvements year in and year out. Just sitting on the decks, the public island 200 yards off shore and the kayaks are a highlight. I plan on getting a couple more kayaks and there is no charge for them. The cabins are decorated with many antiques and other interesting time pieces from the late 1800’s lumber boom to the present. I have been in this business on Spider Lake since 1991 and can count the very unhappy people that have vacationed here on one hand. I’ve only had to have the police on the grounds for customer removal once. I have found that customer grumbling is not really about the business but some underlying issue. Even so, cabin rentals are worth a try but not for everyone and Traverse City has lots of options to offer. I recommend checking out the place on site if at all possible if you have concerns. Also, regardless of your position or experience plan on a short orientation at check in regarding the cabins, the boats, the lake, the laws, Traverse City highlights and medical facilities and I will answer any and all questions you may have. Your respect, patience, cooperation and understanding are greatly appreciated. Sincerely, Shawn Smith Proprietor

Recommended for:Families with young children

Annual trip to Spider Lake

Guest: Cheyenne (St. Petersburg)
Date of Stay: 06/20/10 Review Submitted: 07/15/10

My family visits every year and we have stayed in a few cabins around the lake- by far Shawn's are the best for the rate. It has a great view of the lake and provides everything you need. We loved our time and will visit again next year! Shawn provided a great level of service and was available wheneven we needed. Thanks again Shawn!

Owner response:This young family had family/friends at another location on the lake allowing them a certain amount of privacy. They often visited by boat. I can remember as a kid the program "flipper" when the boys would run down to the dock, hop in the boat and race off to visit a friend or save someone while flipper tagged along or led the way. To me travel by boat was beyond cool and inspirational. Shawn

Recommended for:Families with young children

Up north's best kept secret

Guest: Gentle Dave (Taylor Michigan)
Date of Stay: 06/13/10 Review Submitted: 06/14/10

We have stayed all over northern michigan and I would have to say that this is by far our favorite get away. Shawn has two modern cottages and three that are rustic. All contain everything you need for a enjoyable stay. You will not find a better host. Shawn is knowledgeable as to the vast array of activities and events of the grand traverse region and has always gladly gone out of his way to make everyones stay one to remember. Spider lake is a very good fishing lake. For our family, this means alot. You have to work for your catch but at least the fish are there for the taking. We love the host, the cabins and the area. Can't wait for our next visit. Dave/Kathy/kids

Owner response:Thanks Dave.

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

We Had a BLAST

Guest: LesHeatherJoeMargJohnVeronicaTobyBrenden (Ortonville, MI USA)
Date of Stay: 05/28/10 Review Submitted: 06/14/10

Our brother and sister in law from San Diego could only come during the Memorial Weekend, thus we choose to rent the Jergens and Waller Cabins, 3 couples, a 17 year old and a 1 year old. Just in case the weather had us stuck in doors. Lucky for us, the weather was AMAZING, more like the 4th of July and we got to enjoy the wonderful setting of these two cabins. The dock was fun, the water clear and the lake bottom was nice, just a tad silty due to it being early in the season. The cabins are as campy as they should be for a traditional time "up north at the lake." Nothing fancy to worry about, clean and cozy and dated enough so as not to worry. A very comfortable place! And Sean has nice outdoor furniture, decks with a view, the hammock fantastic, the firepit with the swings and seats just right and the canoe and kayaks were a lot of fun. We found petosky stones at the island! We wish we had reserved a pontoon boat, but who knew? Easy and fun distances to Sleeping Bear Dunes and Traverse City. And, yes, we had to go to urgent care in Traverse City. A little tricky to find, but once you do, you appreciate it's "out of the way." Great for kids, of all ages, as you don't have to worry about toddlers getting to the water too easily or fast, and once your at lakes edge, it's nice and shallow. LOONS, see and hear Loons! Shawn is friendly and hospitable and we would definetly come again! Thank you Shawn. A great place for teens too, as the firepit isn't right under your nose and they can feel somewhat away from the adults... The water was warm enough for swimming!

Owner response:This is what this business is all about for me. Some people in the business do not care about the guest but that is not the case here. I'm so happy to hear these kind of responses. For these first time guests to take the time to make this comment says it all. I work hard, very hard at this. I have a journal in each cabin and lots of positive comments. It is what gives me the strength to continue; the customer's appreciation! Thanks to all those that have picked my place to stay over all the others! Shawn

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

Have stayed here twice, will likely stay again

Guest: Jason (Michigan)
Date of Stay: 09/25/09 Review Submitted: 06/10/10

My wife and I have stayed here twice, both times in the Buckles cabins. You just cannot beat this deal. There are various boats for you to enjoy on the lake. Traverse City, the Leelanau Peninsula, the dunes and all the other great attractions of this area are nearby. If you like hiking, Shawn will give you the inside scoop on where the best trails are, the stuff you might not find in the tourist guides. We enjoyed coming back to the cabin after a day of exploring northern Michigan's beauty, and taking the row boat out for a nice tour of Spider Lake.

Owner response:Thanks. Much appreciated.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Jeff Walls (New Castle Indiana)
Date of Stay: 07/23/07 Review Submitted: 07/23/07

Just returned home from a great week at Shawns cabins. What a wonderful week. The weather was perfect, the cabin was clean with a great view and access to the lake. My kids loved the dock area which had a sandy beach area and a nice area for them to swim and look for rocks and shells. Daughter made friends with fresh water clam. Boys loved the fishing and exploring under the docks. My wife loved the floral display around the cabin and property, must have taken 500 pictures. Shawn was great! Brought kayaak in for the kids to play on and also stopped by to show them baby racoons that he caught. Much better than any florida vacation, with no rush. To bad the time went so fast. Looking forward to a week or two there next year. Sister in law wants the cabin next to ours they also loved it.

Owner response:First time guest. Thanks, Shawn

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Guest: Sue N. (Vicksburg MI 49097)
Date of Stay: 12/18/06 Review Submitted: 12/18/06

We stayed here at Shawn's Place this last July and found it to be very clean and comfortable. We have stayed at several cottages in the surrounding areas over the years and have decided that we will be returning in July 2007. The lake was wonderful, the boat landing was very convenient (as Shawn was nice enough to allow us to bring our fishing boat) and easy to get in and out of. Our neighbors that week were very pleasant and we would like to share a stay again with them and their 2 grandsons. We hope all of Shawn's guests have an enjoyable week as we did. Dave and Sue Newhouse NOTE: Our kids also came up and stayed 2 nights with us and did some fishing.

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