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The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly
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Reviews
9.6 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 61100 sq ft
Popular amenities
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Garden
Dining area
About this property
The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly
Welcome to the River House of Alaska, Michigan, 'A Retreat for the Mind, Body, and Spirit.' A unique Pure Michigan destination!
ATTENTION: It is wise to plan ahead and book your Spring and Summer 2026 vacation NOW! Thank you to all of our great guests for making the River House a successful vacation rental! We have been VRBO Premier Hosts and renting the River House since 2006 and it has been a great experience! Thanks for considering our most excellent riverside retreat for your vacation! We are near site managers and we manage and clean the River House ourselves. The River House is the ideal location to get away from the city and relax by the river. You will be able to sit outdoors by the riverside and have a bonfire and enjoy the wildlife. We hope you decide to stay with us!
The River House of Alaska, Michigan, is located in the historic Village of Alaska, Michigan, located 15 miles southeast of Grand Rapids on the Thornapple River and 30 miles from Lake Michigan. This classic Cape Cod cottage, with vintage 1940 interior design, is situated on the Thornapple River in a park-like setting. The River House is well maintained and has been restored to its original beauty both inside and out.
This is a great getaway from the city but also close to all the city conveniences. If you are planning on vacationing, attending seminars, weddings, visiting relatives in Grand Rapids, visiting ArtPrize, and/or touring the #1 Micro-Breweries in America, this rental may be the ideal getaway. The on-site manager is nearby for recommendations and assistance. Note: pictures of the road proximity to the River House not shown pictorially. Please use Google maps to go to the property and see the road. Guests with pets are encouraged to keep pets on a leash for their pets safety. The River House is 420 Friendly.
The River House is a beautifully landscaped riverside cottage that is a great place to relax and has excellent river access. The cottage has a concrete pier that juts out into the river for excellent smallmouth bass fishing, canoeing, tubing, kayaking, and swimming.
The interior of the cottage features master bedroom (upstairs) that features a California King size bed, antennaTV and side room with 2 twin beds. The main floor bedroom features a queen-size bed and dresser. The main floor living room has a pull out queen-size sleeper couch and Futon couch. The Cottage has air conditioning, Android OS TV, Wifi High-Speed Fiber -Optic Internet access and is fully furnished. Note: The Wifi system is the best wireless technology available featuring dual band 2.4 and 5.0 Mghz service. If you are a work-from-home employee you can meet all your daily work internet based connectivity requirements and utilize the desk and office setup to work remotely while at the River House.
The river has easily accessible rapids that are excellent for fly fishing. The Cottage also features a riverside patio with a fieldstone barbeque grille, an excellent place to relax! There are also many public golf courses in the general vicinity.
Make your dream vacation a reality at our unique riverside vacation rental, and experience a piece of heaven on earth. The River House has a heart, soul, and spirit that will satisfy your desire to find that unique vacation destination that will provide a relaxing environment and inspire memories to last a lifetime.
Your River House experience will give you that precious and most-elusive commodity, time. Time to relax with loved ones. Time to think about your future. Time to reflect on your past. Time to contemplate the meaning of life. Time to fish. Time to swim. Time to canoe. Time to read. Time to catch up on sleep. Time to love. And most importantly, the environment to assure a good time.
Our goal is to provide a vacation experience that will leave a lasting impression. We want you to experience Total Vacation Satisfaction and leave with a sense of ownership, leading to a strong desire to return. Your vacation experience at the River House of Alaska, Michigan will leave a lasting impression in your Mind, on your Body, and on your Spirit.
Keywords: Cottage, Fishing, ArtPrize, Alaska, River, Vacation, 420 Friendly
ATTENTION: It is wise to plan ahead and book your Spring and Summer 2026 vacation NOW! Thank you to all of our great guests for making the River House a successful vacation rental! We have been VRBO Premier Hosts and renting the River House since 2006 and it has been a great experience! Thanks for considering our most excellent riverside retreat for your vacation! We are near site managers and we manage and clean the River House ourselves. The River House is the ideal location to get away from the city and relax by the river. You will be able to sit outdoors by the riverside and have a bonfire and enjoy the wildlife. We hope you decide to stay with us!
The River House of Alaska, Michigan, is located in the historic Village of Alaska, Michigan, located 15 miles southeast of Grand Rapids on the Thornapple River and 30 miles from Lake Michigan. This classic Cape Cod cottage, with vintage 1940 interior design, is situated on the Thornapple River in a park-like setting. The River House is well maintained and has been restored to its original beauty both inside and out.
This is a great getaway from the city but also close to all the city conveniences. If you are planning on vacationing, attending seminars, weddings, visiting relatives in Grand Rapids, visiting ArtPrize, and/or touring the #1 Micro-Breweries in America, this rental may be the ideal getaway. The on-site manager is nearby for recommendations and assistance. Note: pictures of the road proximity to the River House not shown pictorially. Please use Google maps to go to the property and see the road. Guests with pets are encouraged to keep pets on a leash for their pets safety. The River House is 420 Friendly.
The River House is a beautifully landscaped riverside cottage that is a great place to relax and has excellent river access. The cottage has a concrete pier that juts out into the river for excellent smallmouth bass fishing, canoeing, tubing, kayaking, and swimming.
The interior of the cottage features master bedroom (upstairs) that features a California King size bed, antennaTV and side room with 2 twin beds. The main floor bedroom features a queen-size bed and dresser. The main floor living room has a pull out queen-size sleeper couch and Futon couch. The Cottage has air conditioning, Android OS TV, Wifi High-Speed Fiber -Optic Internet access and is fully furnished. Note: The Wifi system is the best wireless technology available featuring dual band 2.4 and 5.0 Mghz service. If you are a work-from-home employee you can meet all your daily work internet based connectivity requirements and utilize the desk and office setup to work remotely while at the River House.
The river has easily accessible rapids that are excellent for fly fishing. The Cottage also features a riverside patio with a fieldstone barbeque grille, an excellent place to relax! There are also many public golf courses in the general vicinity.
Make your dream vacation a reality at our unique riverside vacation rental, and experience a piece of heaven on earth. The River House has a heart, soul, and spirit that will satisfy your desire to find that unique vacation destination that will provide a relaxing environment and inspire memories to last a lifetime.
Your River House experience will give you that precious and most-elusive commodity, time. Time to relax with loved ones. Time to think about your future. Time to reflect on your past. Time to contemplate the meaning of life. Time to fish. Time to swim. Time to canoe. Time to read. Time to catch up on sleep. Time to love. And most importantly, the environment to assure a good time.
Our goal is to provide a vacation experience that will leave a lasting impression. We want you to experience Total Vacation Satisfaction and leave with a sense of ownership, leading to a strong desire to return. Your vacation experience at the River House of Alaska, Michigan will leave a lasting impression in your Mind, on your Body, and on your Spirit.
Keywords: Cottage, Fishing, ArtPrize, Alaska, River, Vacation, 420 Friendly
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
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10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (12 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0-17
Events
No events allowed
Pets
Pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
We should mention
A car is required for transportation to and from this property
About the neighborhood
Alto
Located in Alaska, a neighborhood in Alto, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve and E.O.Wilson Biophilia Center, while Orbit Room and Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park are cultural highlights. Patterson Ice Center and Forest Hills Fine Arts Center are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Alto, MI
What's nearby
- Davenport University - 3 min drive - 5.8 km
- Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe - 4 min drive - 6.8 km
- MSA Fieldhouse - 8 min drive - 13.5 km
- Patterson Ice Center - 8 min drive - 14.6 km
- Calvin College - 10 min drive - 18.2 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Circle K - 5 min drive
- McDonald's - 7 min drive
- Culver's - 6 min drive
- Taco Bell - 7 min drive
- Uccello's Ristorante, Pizzeria & Sports Lounge - 6 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.6/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Property conditions & facilities
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
10/10
Location
9.8/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
Oct 27, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Angie R.
Nov 3, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy


Angie R.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Jessica N.
Jan 19, 2026
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Jessica N.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
mary z.
Sep 7, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
mary z.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
10/10 Excellent
Tom E.
Aug 9, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tom E.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Leah H.
Sep 18, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Leah H.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
10/10 Excellent
Kaitlin G.
Aug 25, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Kaitlin G.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Sara M.
Sep 12, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sara M.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Stephanie R.
Nov 25, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stephanie R.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
10/10 Excellent
Holly J.
Oct 9, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Holly J.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
10/10 Excellent
Shelly M.
Aug 11, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gorgeous peaceful property
Shelly M.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Pam J.
Sep 21, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy


Pam J.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
10/10 Excellent
Tony F.
Oct 5, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tony F.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Marcy J.
Jun 21, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Girls time
Marcy J.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
8/10 Good
Chele M.
Aug 21, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice place to stay
Chele M.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
8/10 Good
Rebecca S.
Jul 5, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice little old cabin
Rebecca S.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024
10/10 Excellent
Trina R.
Jun 15, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Trina R.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Winona D.
Jul 13, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful vacation
Winona D.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Robert C.
Jul 8, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing quiet and relaxing
Robert C.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Noreen W.
May 22, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place to host family and friends near Grand Rapids!
Noreen W.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
8/10 Good
Susan H.
Oct 18, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The River House
Susan H.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
10/10 Excellent
Jessica T.
Oct 24, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It's so peaceful here!
Jessica T.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
10/10 Excellent
Andy M.
Aug 18, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
River house
Andy M.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Alice E.
Sep 23, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect getaway
Alice E.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
10/10 Excellent
Julia B.
Jun 3, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
R and R on the River
Julia B.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025
About the host
Hosted by Walter & Linda Bujak
We are nearby property owners that manage and take care of the landscaping, property maintenance, clean up, and preparation for our guests! We do it all! If you need something we are there for you and will respond as soon as possible to make your stay with us enjoyable, comfortable, and memorable!
Why they chose this property
This property is amazing! It has 750 feet of very accessible riverfront property. A perfect swimming area. Rapids to give you that special I am on a river sound. A deep fishing hole out front that produces amazing catches of all kinds of different species of fish. Abundant wildlife to watch and witness. We are 420 friendly. The River House is Simply amazing!
What makes this property unique
Most vacation rentals (over 95%) are on lakes with houses very close to each other. Not many vacation rentals on rivers. We call it the River House due to the fantastic views of the river from inside the house. While standing in the middle of the house looking north, you will see the Thornapple river from every single window, west, north, and east.
Languages:
English, Spanish
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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