Enjoy the front porch and its settee or swing: picture "a glass of wine & thou"
Location: Alden, Torch Lake, Northwest, Michigan, USA (25 min NE of TraverseCity;15 min SW of Shanty Creek/Bellaire)
Accommodations: House, 3 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 2 Baths (Sleeps 6)
Keywords: Vacation House, Summer home, Victorian home, Historic home
Walk to downtown Alden, to the historical Depot Park and Museum, up and around the preserve on Coy Mountain, and walk to the stunning Torch Lake shore -- all from this circa 1870s historic Victorian home. Enjoy all the amenities of your home in this three bedroom, two bath, two story Alden village house.
Freshly painted exterior - in colors that will remind you of the power and depth and beauty of Torch Lake itself. If you've rented before, welcome back to the "new look" of our vacation home in quaint Alden.
You will be located just across the main east-shore road from Torch Lake. Locals and visitors know what a great lake Torch is for vacationing, sight-seeing, water-sports (including swimming, boating, tubing and more). You'll be just a couple blocks from charming downtown Alden itself and its marina, unique shops and restaurants. And you are at the foot of the 17-acre preserve that is "Coy Mountain".
Experience beautiful sunsets and great Torch Lake views from the west-facing porch on its settee or swing. Boat through the lower "chain of lakes" (Torch, Bellaire, Elk, Clam, Skegemog). This smoke-free home is very close to area pro golf courses, Traverse City shopping and the wineries of Old Mission Peninsula and Leelanau County. Boyne, Petoskey and Harbor Springs are pleasant round-trip same-day excursions.
You will be staying in what long-time locals still call "the Chapelle" house, which in the late 1800s and early 1900s was the rooming and guest house for visitors from downstate and from Chicago and Ohio. The home was even larger then, with a 2-story guest room area, connecting at what is now the French doors in the formal dining room. In fact, you'll find the postcard of the home circa 1910 in the postcard collection at the Historical Museum, just across the main road from you, toward the Lake.
Alden is just 25 minutes northeast of Traverse City and the Old Mission Peninsula (and its great wineries) and just 15 minutes southwest of Shanty Creek and Bellaire. A little further west past Traverse City's dining and shopping pleasures are the wineries of the Leelanau Peninsula.
Alden is on the southeast shore of beautiful Torch Lake. Your boat will slip easily into and out of Torch Lake at the public marina and slips in town. Then, the entire chain of lakes lie ahead of you to explore and enjoy. No boat of your own? Rentals are available at your choice of local marinas.
If you prefer to stay home some day or evening, prepare your dinner on the Weber charcoal grill and enjoy it in the dining room or as a picnic on the porch or in the nearby park, or up on Coy Mountain.
Quiet evenings in on the porch or watching videos or TV are also your entertainment options. Cable TV service is provided with basic "network" channels.
Need to work or keep up with emails? (We know many have to do that) Our High Speed internet modem is provided for your use. If you do not have your own connecting cable, please borrow ours.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Linens Provided : Linens may be provided, if you wish: For either of the 2 QUEEN beds: $25 (incl. 2 towel sets); For either of the 2 TWIN beds: $15 (incl. 1 towel set). Kitchen towel set: $6; Beach Towels: $5. Delivery will be by 5pm on your arrival date. You will be given a linen bag to put them in on the departure day.
- Off Street Parking : There is parking space for 2 vehicles on the property in the area in front of the small fence at the side of the home.
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer : Most boats and trailers will be able to park on Valley St (N side), on the property along the road.
- Beds
- Queen Bed (2) : Two One beds. One is in the main floor bedroom, with a bath adjoining. A second is in the larger upstairs bedroom, on the front of the home.
- Twin/Single Bed (2) : The 2 Twin beds are in the other upstairs bedroom, also on the front of the home.
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV : 32" flat screen HD TV - New 2011. HD cable provided. 2 other tube-type TVs also provided with cable: one in master bedroom downstairs and the other in the larger bedroom with the Queen bed upstairs.
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library : Several family / children oriented DVDs and VHS cassettes are available for your enjoyment.
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen : Casual Island seating in the Kitchen area, and table seating in the accompanying dining area in this large kitchen / entry room.
- Cooking Utensils Provided : All that you will need for your stay, including wine glasses, of course.
- Refrigerator : New -- 2010
- Microwave : New - 2011
- Outdoor Features
- Charcoal BBQ Grill : Enjoy the Weber.
- Deck/Patio : Large from porch with a swing-for-2. Enjoy your glass of wine and the view.
- View/Location
- Beach View
- Lake View : The small public beach and Torch Lake swimming area are across the road, part of the park and walking/recreation area provided by Alden, all about 500' from your vacation home. This includes a wood deck for relaxing and enjoying the sunsets across the lake.
- Communications
- Broadband Internet : Our High Speed internet modem is provided for your use. If you do not have your own connecting cable, please borrow ours.
- Other Amenities
- Long covered front porch - the old-fashioned type with a railing and a swing, High Speed cable internet access to keep in touch with the outside world (please bring your connecting cable or you may borrow ours), enjoy our cable 32" HD TV with "basic" plus family stations, Also, if you do not have your laptop, there is WiFi internet access with available PCs at the local library (1/2 mile through town).
- Suitability
- No Pets Allowed
- Kid Friendly
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters : 25
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Parasailing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Basketball Court
- Live Theatre
- Miniature golf
- Rafting
- Shelling
- Hiking
- Restaurants
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Other Activities
- Petoskey Stone hunting is along the shore of Torch Lake, including on the beach by the historic Train Depot and museum and accompanying play-park, which are all across the main street, a block from your vacation home. Trail walking is on 17-acre "Coy Mountain" a block from your home - please see more on this under "unique benefits" below. Winery visiting and tasting are just 1/2 hour west on Old Mission Peninsula or just a bit further in the Leelanau area. Petoskey and Harbor Springs and their pleasures are to the Northeast.
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
2012 rate .. $980 /week from Saturday - Saturday
Shorter periods and daily rates may be available outside of the prime season.
REDUCED SPRING AND FALL RATES -- PLEASE INQUIRE
No additional cleaning fee. Michigan 6% accommodations tax does apply.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Credit Cards Accepted:
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Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 1984
Rich and Karen are just the third family to own this historic home. Its history is found in every room, including being preserved in those we've renovated and updated from what the Chapelle family originally built. We bought this as a family vacation home when our kids were young, and would make regular visits from "downstate". Now we still make regular visits (as do the adult "kids" and now the grandkids!) and we are pleased to share the home with others.
Why the Owner Chose Alden
Alden is an ideal get-away, a small town with features we've come to enjoy -- inviting shops, friendly shop owners and nature trails and Torch Lake shorelines to explore. The home, whose original rooms date to the 1870s, is a similar ideal get-away. We've treated "her" gently during the almost 30 years we've owned her, and know that our guests will do likewise.
The Unique Benefits of this House
Relax on the front-porch swing, and sip that wine (stemware provided) and enjoy. Ceiling fans in all bedrooms and most other rooms will comfort when needed. Enjoy the selection of board games and DVDs; also bring your favorite CDs and DVDs. The fully-equipped kitchen is for your dine-in pleasures. Formal dinners (they are allowed) in the dining room and casual at the kitchen table. Please use the maps we've provided in your living room.
For outdoor pleasures, walk along Spencer Creek or the Torch Lake shoreline. Or, hike the Indian Trails up Coy Mountain, whose path virtually begins at your doorstep, on Valley street. This 17-acre preserve (thanks to the Coy family) has a wonderful array of wildlife, bird species and several native wildflowers. Benches welcome you to rest along the one mile maintained trail.
For local history, be sure to take in the Alden Depot and Park Museum. Located in the authentically restored Alden Depot, dating to 1908, this part of Alden's history (open Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend) features photographs and memorabilia recalling the community's past, including model trains and related items and many photographs of the area through the years.
ENJOY all these reasons to be "up North".
When other entertainment has been exhausted (that may not happen), TV may be your or your children's option of choice. Cable service is provided with basic "network" channels.
Work or emails calling you? That happens, we all know. High Speed internet is here for you. If you did not bring your own connecting cable, please borrow ours.
Property Photos
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- Enjoy the front porch and its settee or swing: picture "a glass of wine & thou" - Alden Vacation House
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- Kitchen/casual dining & spiral stair (additional access to upstairs beds & bath) - Alden Vacation House
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- Living room, main floor; connects to kitchen, downstairs bedroom and dining room - Alden Vacation House
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- Bring the outdoors and your wine in; enjoy your feast in the classic dining room
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- One of 2 upstairs bedrooms, with dressing room. (Queen bed here & in master BR)
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- Summer sunset view, from downtown Alden, looking across the Marina
Traveler Reviews (12)
Girls' Great Weekend
Guest: Girls' Weekender
(Ypsilanti, MI)
Date of Stay: 09/10/11
Review Submitted: 11/03/11
Thank you for sharing your lovely Victorian Up-North home with us! Love the house and everything about it. Love the view! Love the company! Love laughing together! Love all the "excitement" Love the feeling of stepping back in time. Betsy and Cheryl
Owner response:Ladies' weeks and long weekends are always welcome! Others have enjoyed these get-togethers and reunions in the past. So glad that you found the area so exciting.
Recommended for:Girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.
Great first time at Torch Lake
Guest: Fans of Alden
(Connecticut)
Date of Stay: 06/25/11
Review Submitted: 11/03/11
This was our first time at Torch Lake. Your house is charming and the location is great. Thank you for sharing your home with us. We had a wonderful time. Maggie and John from Connecticut
Recommended for:Girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.
Great stay on Torch Lake Summer 2010
Guest: Sally
(Denver, Colorado)
Date of Stay: 08/29/10
Review Submitted: 09/15/10
Thank you for the wonderful stay at your home in Alden. Our summer camp reunion held on Torch Lake brought friends together who were campers in the 1950's & 60's. Busy days reliving our childhood activities and memories meant we needed some good rest, and we certainly got that each night. Loved the electronic lock system, new bed in the master and obvious upgrades that made the home very comfortable. We also appreciated your quick and detailed communiqués over the months prior to our trip. It was a memorable week for all of us and it was made even more special by our stay in your lovely home.
Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, sightseeing, families with young children, pet owners, people with disabilities, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers, tourists without a car.
Guest: Sue and family
(-)
Date of Stay: 08/07/10
Review Submitted: 08/18/10
Must say that we LOVED the new well. The new electronic lock was great too and made it so much easier for the group to avoid lost or misplaced keys. We are working out our schedules to reserve for next year (we do love that place). Please send along our appreciation for allowing us to reserve the extra Saturday night. The accommodations are great and it brings us back year after year.
Recommended for:
Guest: Suzanne and Eric and family
(-)
Date of Stay: 07/04/10
Review Submitted: 07/21/10
We really enjoyed our time at the house and will definitely call the next time we are coming. The house was in a great location for us and we would stay again!
Recommended for:
Guest: Benny, Kristyn, Benny Jr and Brendan
(-)
Date of Stay: 08/27/99
Review Submitted: 06/20/10
Thank you very much for sharing your vacation home for us to enjoy. This house is wonderful and we really enjoyed the area also. It has been a perfect place for us to vacation with our young sons. The house is beautiful and we hope to come back sometime.
Recommended for:
Guest: David and Charlene
(-)
Date of Stay: 09/12/99
Review Submitted: 06/20/10
As usual, this has been our favorite anniversary weekend. This is the 5th year in a row that we've celebrated our wedding anniversary weekend in your cozy "up North" hideaway. We've brought friends up here twice, but this year, our 29th, we decided on a much needed, quiet, alone time. Same time next year.....
Recommended for:
Guest: Jamie, Jimmy, Katie, Steve, Adam, Titof
(-)
Date of Stay: 07/04/05
Review Submitted: 06/20/10
Thank you for letting us enjoy your beautiful house for the 4th of July. Our stay was unbelievable and we will cherish these memories forever. We hope to be able to stay here again very soon. Again, thank you.
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #61673
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