3000 Sf Chalet on Lower Chain of Lakes (Close to Shanty Creek)

• ABSOLUTELY PERFECT

  ABSOLUTELY PERFECT

  • Guest Sue
  • Date of stay 07/27/12
  • Review Submitted 08/07/12
  We just returned from a wonderful week with our family at Runnin Bear. We had seven adults and our two little grandchildren and we couldn't have had a more perfect spot for our family vacation! The home is absolutely amazing and impeccably clean! We could all spread out as we pleased and each of the bedrooms were so big that each family was able to have their own sleeping space with the most comfy beds!! Having a full bath on each floor was also a real plus. I can't say enough about how nice the house was. It literally seemed like something from Better Homes and Gardens all decorated in a "beachy" theme! Big flat screen TV's, pool table, lots of games for the kids, a fully stocked kitchen with very nice cookware and dinnerware......everything was top of line both inside and out. Absolutely nothing missing!! The wrap around deck had very unique furniture, with lots of places to sit in the sunshine or relax in the shade. The house is very secluded, yet close to many of the fun tourist spots. The little ones loved the sandbar and beach at the Dockside!! The girls did some fun shopping at both Bellaire and Alden (cute little boutique shops) and the guys got some golf time in at three of the area courses. They didn't have much luck with the fish.......but maybe next time. Kudos to Linda on her organization with the entire rental process!! She is a great communicator with her renters, including sending out a complete packet of information on the surrounding area listing all events occurring during the time of your stay. We have rented in various areas in northern Michigan for the past few years and Runnin Bear is certainly at the top for a perfect vacation home for a large family!! Our family would highly recommend Runnin Bear and we look forward to returning to the Bellaire/Torch Lake area in the future. Thank you Linda!!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Rainy Days

  Rainy Days

  • Guest Brian
  • Date of stay 09/02/10
  • Review Submitted 09/23/10
  The house is more beautiful than the pictures portray. There is a ton of room!! Sadly it rained the entire weekend we were there. However we still had an incredible time. We were able to spread out and all watch the different games we were interested in and then reconvine as a group without ever being crowded. There are so many options of things to do while you are there and we didn't even get to use the outside facilities. Looking forward to our next trip and better weather.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, sightseeing, families with young children, girls getaway, adventure seekers.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Family/Friends & Food - that's all you'll need! :)

  Family/Friends & Food - that's all you'll need! :)

  • Guest USLakes
  • Date of stay 08/22/09
  • Review Submitted 09/05/09
  What a FABULOUS place! Fourteen of us (eight adults and six kids ranging from 5-13) thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Runnin' Bear and would highly recommend it to others. Great communication by Linda (owner) who provided extensive information specific to our trip. We journeyed from WA, NY, & Eastern MI to come together as a family and were blessed with all that the home and surrounding area had to offer. We included the pontoon boat in our rental which was extremely worth it. Lots to do in the area, but unfortunately (or fortunately!) we had such a great time enjoying the house, the expansive yard, the boat, fishing, and just relaxing lakeside on the dock we never really ventured out. If our annual excursion finds us in MI again, we'll certainly return to Runnin' Bear!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Even better than described

  Even better than described

  • Guest phillycheese
  • Date of stay 07/11/09
  • Review Submitted 07/28/09
  This house was a wonderful retreat in the heart of the chain of lakes. When we arrived, the house was fully stocked with all essentials you could think of. We had plenty of room for 8 adults, 7 kids, and there were lots of things to do at the house. The area itself is definitely for avid boaters and fishers. We enjoyed cherry picking, as well as the restaurants in Traverse City which is about 45 minutes away. We also went to Mackinac Island, a must do. It is about 1 hr 15 min away from the house, and definitely worth the trip. All in all, we highly recommend this house.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• The perfect family vacation spot!!

  The perfect family vacation spot!!

  • Guest Kim's Family
  • Date of stay 07/04/09
  • Review Submitted 07/12/09
  We have been to Runnin Bear for the last 3 years and absolutely love the home and property. Everything you could imagine you would need is provided for you. We have stayed in numerous homes throughout Michigan and Runnin Bear is our favorite by far.The home and beautiful yard are always immaculate upon arrival. The towns of Bellaire and Alden are great for souvenir shopping and local dining. And you can spend days on end traveling through the chain of lakes, or just anchored at the Torch Lake Sand Bar. We plan on making Runnin Bear a continued annual family trip.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, sightseeing, pet owners, families with young children, girls getaway, adventure seekers.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Magical House

  Magical House

  • Guest skiing with kids..
  • Date of stay 01/29/09
  • Review Submitted 03/04/09
  We rented this chalet end of January (for office weekend ski trip) and had a fabulous time! My four year old called this the "magical house." When we pulled up to the property it looked like it was straight out of a Thomas Kinkade painting- covered in snow (oh the snow!) and surrounded by forrest--- gorgeous. The house was immaculate and to our surprise, very child-friendly (high chair, kids books and games galore!) Skiing was close by and we loved the little town of Bellaire. In the morning we made breakfast while the four year old marvelled at the deer in the front yard. This is our favorite rental ever!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 1/1

• Peaceful, Serene and all the ameneties of home!

  Peaceful, Serene and all the ameneties of home!

  • Guest Judy D.
  • Date of stay 07/26/08
  • Review Submitted 08/27/08
  This is one of my favorite homes to rent in northern Michigan. We have rented over 20 years.....The wildlife is abundant and there are many choices of lakes to visit. The Grassy River is unique and beautiful. The house is well maintained and has everything you need for a great vacation...The home is so large it never seems crowded. The furniture on the front porch is unique!

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

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0

• Spacious, spotless and comfortable!

  Spacious, spotless and comfortable!

  • Guest Saf
  • Date of stay 08/16/08
  • Review Submitted 08/26/08
  This spacious home was absolutely spotless inside. We completely enjoyed the three levels of living which helped us spread out, relax and have fun. We sat on the huge front porch so much that it actually became our family room, and with the peace and quiet of this home's location, we heard birds chirping and trees swaying and loons calling to each other. The beds in this home were by far the most comfortable and the highest quality we have encountered in 8 years of renting in N. Mich. The little beach down by the Dockside restaurant was perfect for our kids to swim and dig and play, and the fishermen in our group trekked down to the river every day on the beautiful lighted boardwalk to the lake for a full day of fishing. All in all, a very happy vacation in a home that invites you in and makes you completely comfortable. Thank you Linda! A+++++++

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, pet owners, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with young children, adventure seekers.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

• Great Place to Relax

  Great Place to Relax

  • Guest Elnora
  • Date of stay 07/12/08
  • Review Submitted 07/26/08
  Our family spent a week at Runnin Bear. The house is beautifully decorated and very roomy. The place met all of our expectations and was easy to find due to the great directions we received from the owners. The property was clean and well maintained. I would recommend the property to anyone. You are able to fish right off the dock. We enjoyed the meal we had at Toonies in Bellaire. The little town of Alden nearby had some nice shops also.

  Recommended for: Families with teenagers, families with young children.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 5/5

FALL:  $725 (2 NITES) $875 (3 NITES), $1,000 (4 NITES), $1,400 WK
THANKSGIVING:  $900 (3 NITES), $1,100 (4 NITES)
CHRISTMAS(HOME IS DECORATED):$900(3 NITES),$1,100(4 NT),$1,250(5 NT),$1,500(WK)   
NEW YEARS: $1,500 (5 NITES), $1,750 (6 NITES), $2,000 (7 NITES)
MAY:  $725 (2 NITES), $875 (3 NITES), $1,000 (4 NITES), $1,400 (WEEK)
MEMORIAL WEEKEND: $1,200 (4 NIGHTS), $1,350 (5 NIGHTS), $1,500 (WEEK)
EARLY SUMMER: (MAY 31 - JUNE 13) $1,000 (3 NITES), $250 EA ADDL NITE, $2000 (WK) 
SUMMER: (JUNE 14 THRU AUGUST 30): $2,200   WEEKLY RENTAL ONLY

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.