Vacation Rentals by Owner

Very Peaceful

Guest: homeiswherehisbootsar3 (Alanson, MI, USA)
Date of Stay: 01/05/12 Review Submitted: 01/25/12

Dear Maryana and Dwayne, my husband and I very much enjoyed our stay at your home, and we loved how peaceful and quiet that side of TC is. It was the perfect getaway for his mid-tour leave, and the view from the kitchen/living area was so beautiful when we would wake up and there was a foot of snow that fell over-night, (we did get stuck in the driveway though, lol...I'm thinking my front wheel drive car is not good enough for Michigam winters). You were very accommodating, even though we were last minute renters, and we will definately remember our stay there as a wonderful time we got to have. Thank You for providing such a beautiful home, Kaitlyn and Ben

Owner response:Thanks for your comments. We are glad that you enjoyed your stay with us, and we really appreciate it the little present you left for us. We hope to have you again at our home in the near future!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Girls Weekend in Traverse City

Guest: Discriminating Traveler (Redford MI)
Date of Stay: 11/04/11 Review Submitted: 11/07/11

This property was absolutely gorgeous as you can see from the photos. It was very well appointed and extremely clean. Location was great - so close to Traverse City, restaurants, shopping and the wineries. We are already making plans to go back next year!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent Weekend Getaway

Guest: Dale (Conklin MI)
Date of Stay: 05/12/11 Review Submitted: 05/26/11

My brothers, dad, uncles and I spent a long weekend here fishing. The place was awesome and had everything we needed. Lots of room and slept everyone comfortably. The large deck was a great place to hang out on. The large dock also made it very convient for easy access to the fishing. We really enjoyed our experience at this home.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Relax in style and comfort.

Guest: Buzz (Commerce twp, Mi)
Date of Stay: 08/13/10 Review Submitted: 08/21/10

We looked at a number of homes to rent and we feel we made the correct choise. The home was as reported and the 9 of us fitted in it very well. The deck was plenty big enough and the fire pit was put to good use. One up-grade that would make it perfict is a sun deck at the dock. Everyone should put this on their list of homes to stay in atleast once.

Owner response:Neil and Emma, Thanks so much for your comments. We really apprecciate the feedback. Thanks for the sun deck idea by the dock, we've been looking for that, but gotta say never got to it, now that you mention it, we will put our efforts to have one for next summer! We are glad that you and your family enjoyed our home as much as we do. Hope to have you sometime again in the near future as our special guest at "Remember your Spirit".

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

not for kids or families

Guest: kimmy_bill (Schererville, In)
Date of Stay: 07/09/10 Review Submitted: 07/17/10

House is over priced and pics don't show the house well at all it is much smaller than it looks kitchen is tiny the deck is nice but the dock it very poor the stairs to the dock are poor landscaping is very poor and no sandy frontage for kids to play.

Owner response:Thank you for your valued opinion of our vacation home. We are sorry to hear that our pictures make our home appear to be larger than the actual 2,880 square feet of finish living space. When our 12x 12 kitchen was featured on the cover of WOODHARBOR’S annual custom cabinetry publication and sent through the USA, we were as proud as the parents who found out that their daughter was being featured on the front of Vogue. Our ground's keepers do their best to maintain the landscaping of our home and to preserve the natural beauty (wooded area) and feel of Traverse City’s wine country. I think our lake home’s outdoor atmosphere was best described by one of our guests as feeling like they were in the award winning movie “On Golden Pond”. We also understand that some guests prefer a sandy beach area. We struggled with the thought of destroying the home’s natural beauty and making a beach play area. In the end our decision was to bring the sand only into the swimming area. Part of the reason we decided to do this is because a short distance away (.5 miles) is a wonderful public park with a sandy beach. However we NEVER say that our home has a sandy beach area, and we always send a full album of pictures or a Facebook invite so our possible renters can see all the pictures of the inside and outside areas of our property. Please follow the link below, so you are able to see more pictures of our home, or look for us under Dwayne and Mariana Behrens on Facebook.

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Nice property, but beware security deposit policy

Guest: Ann Arborite (Ann Arbor, MI USA)
Date of Stay: 04/11/09 Review Submitted: 04/30/09

We really had a very positive experience with Mariana and Dwayne throughout the rental process. So, we were truly surprised and disappointed when they handled the security deposit refund so poorly!! During our stay, the mini stereo system just stopped working right in the middle of playing a CD. Despite several calm, factual email exchanges about the topic, they insisted on charging us $190 for a new stereo. They suggested we needed to take responsibility for the accident. What accident?!? We average about 3 rental property vacations every year, and our security deposit has never been handled this poorly. I am just glad the refrigerator or air conditioner did not break down while we were there.

Owner response:Thank you for your comments. We are sorry to hear that you thought it was unfair for you and your family to pay for a less than 1 year old Sony surround system stereo. Actually we apprecciated the comments in our guest book from your daughter's party, even making the comment about our stereo being the highlight from their vacation at our home. Unfortunately, in 5 years, we've had to take part of the security deposit to cover any damages only 2 times, and we want our guests to believe us, we don't like it! To be honest it will be the easiest if everything in the house stays as found. However, one of our lessons this time was NOT to make any exceptions, as your group didn't have any adult over 21 years old in your party, and it was as a spring break getaway.

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Guest: Leta and Dave Howard (Jackson, MI)
Date of Stay: 04/01/09 Review Submitted: 04/01/09

What a beautiful escape from the hectic pace of everyday life. I planned a surprise party for my husband's 50th birthday, and had 6 friends meet us up there 'unexpectedly'. There was plenty of room for everyone and we had a great time! Its a beautiful retreat and provides a peaceful, elegant atmosphere where you can unwind and enjoy some downtime together. You can tell this place was designed with love, and a strong focus on making guests feel welcome and pampered. We really enjoyed ourselves and will recommend it to friends! We're hoping to return soon to enjoy it ourselves.

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Guest: Nancy C.
Date of Stay: 12/08/08 Review Submitted: 12/07/08

Dear Mariana - Our stay at your lovely cabin. First, we had a wonderful time. It was great seeing our son, cooking together and experiencing snow! We don't do snow in New Orleans and our little one was able to play in it safely on your deck and that was a real plus. The fireplace was cozy and we appreciated the firewood that was available. We LOVED our stay and were so happy to be here. Thanks again! Sincerely, Nancy C.

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Guest: Jane and Harold F
Date of Stay: 10/13/08 Review Submitted: 10/12/08

We truly enjoyed everything about your lovely home!!! We really aprecciated the surround sound system-was fabulous! Beautiful decor and comfortable furniture. Windows everywhere! Amazing views! We will always remember waking up to the most beautiful view- and enjoying our morning coffee on the deck! Thanks!

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Guest: Bryan and Susie V.
Date of Stay: 09/22/08 Review Submitted: 09/21/08

Your place is OUTSTANDING! We wanted to thank you for being able to rent your fantastic lake home. We had a great time. I don't think we would have had the vision to decorate and furnish a lake house the way you did, but it all came together very well. The place is outstanding yet very comfortable. It's obvious from the way you've furnished it to the way you keep it that it's a special place for you. The beds were very comfortable and all of the bed linens were fresh. It's a great escape. We enjoyed the decks and fireplace as well as the surround sound music. We rented a pontoon boat it was nice to have for sunset cruises around Long Lake. Overall it was a great vacation. We hated to leave. It exceeded our expectations. Thanks again. Bryan & Susie.

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Guest: Bryan & Susie V.
Date of Stay: 09/21/08 Review Submitted: 09/20/08

Mariana & Dwayne, We wanted to thank you for being able to rent your fantastic lake home. We had a great time. I don't think we would have had the vision to decorate and furnish a lake house the way you did, but it all came together very well. The place is outstanding yet very comfortable. It's obvious from the way you've furnished it to the way you keep it that it's a special place for you. The beds were very comfortable and all of the bed linens were fresh. It's a great escape. We enjoyed the decks and fireplace as well as the surround sound music. We rented a pontoon boat, it was nice to have for sunset cruises around Long Lake. Overall it was a great vacation. We hated to leave. It exceeded our expectations. Thanks again. Bryan & Susie.

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Your place is OUTSTANDING!

Guest: Mariana B. (Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 09/15/08 Review Submitted: 09/22/08

Mariana & Dwayne, We wanted to thank you for being able to rent your fantastic lake home. We had a great time. I don't think we would have had the vision to decorate and furnish a lake house the way you did, but it all came together very well. The place is outstanding yet very comfortable. It's obvious from the way you've furnished it to the way you keep it that it's a special place for you. The beds were very comfortable and all of the bed linens were fresh. It's a great escape. We enjoyed the decks and fireplace as well as the surround sound music. We rented a pontoon boat it was nice to have for sunset cruises around Long Lake. Overall it was a great vacation. We hated to leave. It exceeded our expectations. Thanks again. Bryan & Susie.

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Guest: Chris N.
Date of Stay: 09/14/08 Review Submitted: 09/13/08

Your home made our special celebrations PERFECT! We will never forget this familiy trip! Thank you.

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Guest: Michelle and Tom
Date of Stay: 04/24/08 Review Submitted: 04/23/08

We loved how everything was already there and waiting!!! We really enjoyed relaxing looking out at the lake. Great views and welcoming atmosphere! Thanks!

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Guest: Robert F.
Date of Stay: 01/04/08 Review Submitted: 01/03/08

We spent our 2007 christmas vacation at the house. We had a beautiful white christmas. The house is beautiful. The view of the lake. The snow covered pine trees. The big beautiful windows in the living room allowed us to display our fresh cut 10' blue spruce Christmas tree. The trip to downtown Traverse City was very convenient and quick. We loved our stay and will be back again.

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christmas 2007 in traverse city, michigan

Guest: bob franklin (franklin, tennessee)
Date of Stay: 12/01/07 Review Submitted: 01/04/08

we spent our 2007 christmas vacation at the house. we had a beautiful white christmas. the house is beautiful. the view of the lake. the snow covered pine trees. the big beautiful windows in the living room allowed us to display our fresh cut 10' blue spruce christmas tree. the trip to downtown traverse city was very convenient and quick. we loved our stay and will be back again.

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

Guest: Jodi S.
Date of Stay: 10/01/07 Review Submitted: 09/30/07

Dear Mariana, I just wanted to thank you for renting your beautiful Tuscan Villa to us this past weekend. We had a wonderful time and your place is gorgeous! Thank you again! Jodi S.

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Guest: Diane and Troy T.
Date of Stay: 09/04/07 Review Submitted: 09/03/07

Hi M & D! We are coming off of our honeymoon high, as the back-to-work reality hits. We had a fabulous wedding and honeymoon and want to thank you again for allowing us to stay at your special cottage. We enjoyed every minute of our stay and even managed to catch some fish off your dock. Even with all the big, open windows, we felt very private and secluded. On our first night there, we saw an adult loon with a juvenile loon right in front of the house. The juvenile was dancing and splashing and was very fun to watch. We thought seeing loons must be good luck and a wedding blessing somehow! We hope we can keep in touch and visit your home again sometime. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Diane and Troy (Mr. and Mrs. T.) ;-)

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Guest: Rachel F.
Date of Stay: 04/04/07 Review Submitted: 04/03/07

Mariana and Dwayne, Thank you so much for sharing your lovely cottage with our family foran extended weekend. Even though there is so much to see and do in the Traverse City area, we often found ourselves eager to get back to thecottage early. We truly enjoyed the comfortable furnishings and relaxing atmosphere. It was a joy to prepare meals for my family in your beautiful kitchen. We hope to visit again soon and will definetly recommend your cottage to our many friends who also use the vrbo website for travel. Thank you again for the opportunity to stay at your gorgeous home. It was a nice relaxing time for us. It was a bit sad to leave and I was tempted to quit my job and move in but responsibility got the best of me. However, we did leave feeling refreshed, rejuvenated, and inspired by the beauty of nature and the beauty you created in your cottage.

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Guest: Millie & Rod
Date of Stay: 04/04/07 Review Submitted: 04/03/07

Our stay was absolutely wonderful. It was so peaceful I was able to get my writing done. Rod focused on his reading instead. We both said it was the most fabulous stay and so much better than staying at a hotel. Your fireplace was a huge success with us! We kept it burning most of the time. We enjoyed the peace so much we actually stayed in from Friday evening until this morning when we left. Your marble baths are so elegant. Your windows and views are spectacular! I picked up some good ideas for incorporating into the property development that I'm working on (window trim lights were a surprise and the combo of granite and tile is unusual, I love the brazilian wood floor). Thank you for a wonderful weekend experience, Millie and Rod Muskegon MI

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Guest: Lisa L
Date of Stay: 11/22/06 Review Submitted: 11/21/06

Greatly enjoyed our stay at the "Remember Your Spirit" home. This house is extremely comfortable, beautiful, clean and easy to find. It's very well stocked with pretty much anything that's needed. A lot of time, planning and thought must have gone into the place - from the lighting to the sound system. There are so many great restaurants and bars as well as shopping close by. Bertram's Pizza delivers to the home and is very good as well. I would definitely rent this one again. Thanks much, Lisa L.

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Guest: Kathy S.
Date of Stay: 10/19/06 Review Submitted: 10/18/06

Dwayne and Marianna, We just wanted you to know that your home was gorgeous. We had a fabulous time. Everything that we could have possibly needed was there. It was a pleasure cooking in the beautiful Tuscan style kitchen. We've stayed in homes and cottages before, but this was by far the most luxurious. My son and his wife, and another couple joined us as well and they all loved the house as much as we did. We knew the moment we walked in the door that we would never forget this weekend and we won't. I would love to refer it to anyone wanting that experience that is above and beyond the ordinary. Thanks again! This has truly been a pleasurable experience. Thanks Kathy

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