Huge lake house. 3 levels. 9 bedrooms. Great for groups. Large beach. Fire pit.
Built in 1908, Brooks Lodge is an historic, three-story, landmark, all seasons vacation home located on the north side of Brooks Lake in Newaygo, Michigan. Located about one hour north of Grand Rapids, Brooks Lodge offers vacationers a spacious, accommodating, and relaxing environment available by the week or for shorter term stays. Brooks Lodge is the perfect place to unwind, reconnect, and renew.
During your stay, enjoy 110 feet of sandy beach front, fishing docks, and shallow wading area. Grab a lounge chair and head to one of three spacious wood decks that offer panoramic lake views. Or hop on a paddle boat or canoe for a lake excursion. Enjoy your evenings around the fire pit overlooking the lake and watching the sunset. (Firewood provided!!)
Inside, is a fully furnished, 100+ year-old home that features a stone fireplace, hard wood floors, fully stocked kitchens, spiral staircases, ceramic tiled halls and baths, and ample living space for large groups, families, and retreats. Accommodates approximately 20-25 people. No pets or smoking, please.
Looking for a summer rental and wondering why the summer is blocked off? In 2005 we started as a summer rental through word of mouth. During the summer we book Brooks Lodge by the week, not by the night. Most families are repeat guests and are booking 1-2 years in advance. Because of this, we block off the entire summer.
However, as we have weeks available, we will open them up on VRBO. If you have a particular week(s) in mind, please let us know and we'll check our summer schedule to see if we can open that week or put you on a waitlist.
Also we would like to note that the property does not have a working AC unit, but we do provide fans in each bedroom.
We've been advised to note that some guests have reported a slight sulfur smell in the lodge water. We assure you that the water at the property listed below is 100% safe to drink, cook with, shower and bath with. The slight sulfur smell is due to the underground water system that surrounds the lake and is completely safe. It’s much like a hot springs where you might find the water content has a slight smell, but it not harmful in any way to a person. And there is no need to boil the water.
We have a water softener system attached to the entire water system that flows through all the faucets in the house. We also have a water filter on the main level sink for purified drinking water. The water is monitored regularly by a local water care company.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
The lodge has a sensitive septic system. Flush only toilet paper. Please DO NOT flush feminine products, paper towels, baby wipes, hand wipes.
Please do not drive through the trailer park to access Brooks Lodge. This is a private community and not a public access road.
Upon leaving, please wash all dishes. Please remove bedding and throw towels in the tubs/showers. Thank you!
Important information
You need to know
Property # 1682091
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
Note from host: We are not a party house. Events upon approval.
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 and a first aid kit
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
About the neighborhood
Newaygo
Located in Newaygo, this vacation home is on the waterfront. Pilgrim's Run Golf Club and Waters Edge Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Newaygo State Park and Huron-Manistee National Forest. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling and sledding.
Newaygo County Sports Park - 12 min drive - 15.7 km
Getting around
Muskegon, MI (MKG-Muskegon County) - 61 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 6 min drive
Burger King - 6 min drive
Wendy's - 6 min drive
Smuggler's At North Shore - 8 min drive
Biggby Coffee - 6 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Huge lake house. 3 levels. 9 bedrooms. Great for groups. Large beach. Fire pit. pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Huge lake house. 3 levels. 9 bedrooms. Great for groups. Large beach. Fire pit. ?
As of Jun 11, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Huge lake house. 3 levels. 9 bedrooms. Great for groups. Large beach. Fire pit. on Sep 9, 2026 start from $743, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Huge lake house. 3 levels. 9 bedrooms. Great for groups. Large beach. Fire pit. ?
Check-in begins at 6:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Huge lake house. 3 levels. 9 bedrooms. Great for groups. Large beach. Fire pit. ?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Huge lake house. 3 levels. 9 bedrooms. Great for groups. Large beach. Fire pit. located?
This family-friendly Newaygo vacation home is located on the waterfront, steps from Huron-Manistee National Forest, and within 9 mi (15 km) of Cope Lake and Pickerel Lake. Foster Park and Emerald Lake are also within 9 mi (15 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
We had a fantastic time and the space worked really well for our needs. Major highlights for us was the provided appliances in the kitchen were plentiful and made it easier to stay in. The available firewood was really appreciated and the VHS tape collection was fantastic and well enjoyed.
Our Moms Group enjoyed our stay here. Lots of space for puzzling and playing cards. Many refridgerators for our food. The bedrooms were nice and there was lots of parking! The grills were ready to go and the lake was pretty. We had a nice relaxing weekend
This house was great for our family gathering. Lots of sitting rooms and the long table sat at least 20 people. Rooms & beds were comfortable and great having 4 full bathrooms when getting everyone ready. Lake was great to look at every day. Too cool to go swimming this time of year. More than enough parking and easy to find the house. Thank you for allowing us to build more family memories!
Cheryl D.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified
6/10 Okay
Alex Z.
Mar 25, 2026
Liked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness
Nice place overall, good communication with the host. The water had a sulfuric smell/taste which wasn’t ideal for showering. Drinking it ended up causing sickness, so make sure to boil any tap water. Nice lake though!
Alex Z.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 26, 2026
Thanks for your review, Alex. Sorry that someone in your party got sick. However, I doubt very much that the sickness was from the water since our tap water is filtered through a water softener and through a water filter attached to the sink. It is very safe to drink and you do not need to boil it in order to drink it. We have had no problems like this in the 21 years that guests have been staying at Brooks Lodge. Yes, the water can take on a sulfuric smell which is common in many of the lake homes. It’s mild and most people don’t seem to notice. I’ve stayed and showered there many times and it does not affect the smell of the skin or clothes. Thanks for your review.
Was a great house to host our annual golf outing. Plenty of room and location was just what we were looking for. Fire pit was nice as the weather was a little cooler than usual.
We had a great stay for our annual training/retreat with staff here and their other house down the street. It was clean and met all of our needs. Staff especially enjoyed the firepit on the lake. Plenty of parking.
We loved the large space for our group. The kitchen had everything we needed. The place has a nice beach with docks and we loved the fire pit area by the house. The host was very responsive to our questions. The only drawback was the well water which has a sulfur smell. We have booked again for next year.
Karen K.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
2/10 Terrible
Akila S.
Jun 9, 2026
Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Communication, listing accuracy
Great location — that was definitely the best part of our stay. But honestly we ran into some real issues that made the trip pretty uncomfortable.The water had a really strong sulfur smell in every bathroom and the kitchen. Showering was unpleasant the entire trip and cooking was a struggle. When we brought it up the host admitted they already knew about it but hadn't mentioned it anywhere in the listing. Their response was basically that we'd get used to it. There was a filter under the kitchen sink but the water came out so slowly it was barely usable. A few guests also had some skin sensitivity from the water. Some of the shower heads and sinks were visibly rusted which tells you this has been going on a while.Several bathrooms and bedrooms also had locks that didn't work — not great when you're traveling with families.Just a heads up for anyone booking in summer — AC is not listed as an amenity and is not available at the property. With a bigger group it gets pretty warm.The host replied quickly but wasn't very open to addressing our concerns. Nice location but these things need to be fixed and disclosed before booking.
Akila S.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Jun 10, 2026
We are sorry you had this experience. We were unaware that shower heads were rusty. And we were unaware that the kitchen filter water is coming out slowly. This is the first we are hearing of it. Therefore, we can address it now, but if would be unfair to expect us to fix something we didn't know about during your stay. All of the water systems on the lake suffer from the sulphur smell. It's just not something that we can fix or address. We addressed that in our communication with you. We will, in the future, make it known on the property listing. This is a 110 year old historic lake home that hundreds of guests have enjoyed since 2005. Most folks find it homey, comfortable, and extremely enjoyable. We are sorry that was not your experience.
We used all levels of balcony views. Absolutely perfect. Everyone loved each and every minute on the property. Two downsides: the water smelled like sewer and had a slick feel. We ran out of toilet tissue. This place is an A-
The house was great for our retreat with friends. Tons of space. Beautiful lake serting
The owners were very responsive and easy to connect with.
Jennifer P.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Dec 20, 2020
Hello Jennifer!
Thank you so much for taking the time to review our property. We're so glad you enjoyed your stay. The review was great, but you ranked your stay at 1 star. Is there something we could have done to improve your visit? Please let us know. Thanks! Jen/Ryan
Large family get together would highly recommend staying here
This house was wonderful for our large family to stay in. We rented for the weekend perfect get away for us all to get together in be on the water at a wonderful price. Plenty of space, wonderful bon fire hang out plenty of chairs, and great kitchen set up with all the amenities you eould need. A plus in our books! Thank you both so much.
Was able to have a great get together with long time friends. This place looked better than the photos! The place was super clean and owners were super nice and friendly. Would love to stay here again!
Such a great house and property. Our hosts were very helpful and take great care of everything. We had a blast with a large group of friends for the weekend. This house is gigantic and has plenty of space for relaxing.
Nick T.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
About the host
Hosted by Ryan & Jennifer Dornbush
Since 2005, we have been sharing this rustic home and beautiful lake setting with hundreds of guests who have gathered here for family reunions, weekend getaways, church groups, and even birthday parties and weddings!
Brooks Lodge is not only a vacation rental, but our personal home that our family retreats to regularly throughout the year. We ask that you please treat it with love and care so that many more can enjoy this beautiful setting for years to come.
Why they chose this property
We were born and bred in West Michigan but after high school moved to Chicago and then onto various locations around the country. We always wanted a place to "come back home to" in Michigan. Brooks Lake was the natural choice since Ryan's family had owned a cottage on Brooks Lake since the 70s, and I grew up not far from the lake. We had always admired this amazing home and when it came up for sale, we made our move! Since 2005, Brooks Lodge has become our home away from home. We are grateful to be able to not only make our own memories here, but see other families and groups create lasting memories here, as well.
What makes this property unique
Serene. Calming. Stunning views of the lake. Family and kid friendly. A hundred feet of beach and lake access. Great for retreats and getaways anytime of the year. The perfect getaway from it all home!
Languages:
English, French, Spanish
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests