Entire home
Charming, quiet, country retreat 1890's Centennial Farm house
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Reviews
10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% based on
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 91936 sq ft
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Empire, MI
- Place, Holden Lake18 min walk
- Place, Armstrong Lake5 min drive
- Place, Brooks Lake5 min drive
- Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)32 min drive
Rooms & beds
4 bedrooms (sleeps 9)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 2
2 Twin Beds
Bedroom 3
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 4
1 Twin Bed and 1 Double Bed
2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom
basement bath
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
main floor bath
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
upstairs bath
Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden
About this property
Charming, quiet, country retreat 1890's Centennial Farm house
The "Ivy House" is a freshly remodeled 2-story 1890's farm house on a Centennial farm. With great country views and awesome star gazing, it is located on a quiet paved road that families and couples alike will enjoy. It is peaceful and quiet, yet close to the wonderful attractions of Northwest Michigan. Located 20 minutes from Traverse City, Glen Arbor, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore, and a short 30 minute drive to both Frankfort and Leland, there is something for everyone. With four bedrooms, 9 people can sleep comfortably. Please take note that 5 guests are included in the posted rent fee. For guests 6 thru 9 a $10 per guest per night fee will be added to the rent. The house has two full baths and one half bath with a bathroom located on each floor. On the second floor, bedroom #1 has a queen bed and bedroom #2 has two twin beds. In the basement, bedroom #3 has a queen bed and bedroom #4 has a full bed (sleeps 2) and a Victorian 3/4 bed (sleeps 1). Both rooms have large egress windows. All beds have new mattresses and bedding. Please note that ALL the bedrooms are NOT handicap accessible. You must be able to go up and down stairs. A spacious kitchen with shiplap walls, subway tile, new appliances, and an island seating area is a joy to cook in. The formal dining area has a large antique dining table. Hardwood floors are throughout the house including some of the original floors. A formal living room with TV is on the main floor and a family room with a large screen TV is in the basement. Outside is a patio under a gazebo with a dining table, extra seating and a gas grill. A fire pit with seating off to the side in the lawn has been added for roasting marsh mellows and hot dogs. Roasting sticks are provided along with one bundle of wood for your first fire. More wood is available for purchase at any of the many, many road side wood stands in the area. Two horseshoe pits are set up in the yard and a cornhole game is available for friendly family/friend tournaments. Wildlife frequently visits the yard, usually deer, turkeys, and rabbits. I frequently hear in the distant the call of loons as they travel to and from one of the many inland area lakes that are all within a mile of the house. There is lots of parking, but please note no campers, tents or RV's are allowed. WE ARE HAPPY TO HOST THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR A PEACEFUL OR FAMILY ORIENTED VACATION. WE CANNOT HOST HEAVILY SPIRITED PARTIES OR GETAWAYS. We also cannot host bachelor or bachelorette parties or family reunions. Gatherings with guests other than those staying at the house is allowed with prior permission from the owner. Pets of any kind are strictly prohibited and if found, you will be asked to leave. The person renting the house MUST be one of the guests staying. The Ivy House is your perfect "home away from home" for your next getaway to Northern Michigan. Please note the house sleeps 9 guests maximum! I want to be upfront with you regarding guests over 9. If you decide to come with more than 9 guests, you will be asked to leave. Upon reserving a stay, you will be required to state the total number of guests arriving. If this number changes before your reservation date, then please notify me of the change and edit your booking with VRBO. Additionally, there are outdoor security cameras on the premises. A quiet destination awaits you at the Ivy House.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor Space
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- Kitchen
- Washer
- Dryer
- Pet friendly
House Rules
Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0-17
Events
No events allowed
Pets
No 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 and a deadbolt lock
We should mention
This property does not have elevators
A car is required for transportation to and from this property
About the neighborhood
Empire
Located in Empire, this vacation home is in a rural area. Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Burnett Park and Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum. Interlochen Center for the Arts and Jacob's Corn Maze are also worth visiting. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including fishing, winery tours, and golfing.

Empire, MI
What's nearby
- Holden Lake - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
- Armstrong Lake - 5 min drive - 1.0 km
- Brooks Lake - 5 min drive - 1.7 km
- Front Street - 24 min drive - 29.9 km
- Traverse City Beach - 32 min drive - 36.5 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Light of Day Organics - 10 min drive
- Lake Ann Brewing Company - 10 min drive
- Pegtown Station - 9 min drive
- Papa J's - 7 min drive
- Red Door Coffee House - 10 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window10/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
9.8/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
Jul 19, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Artemisia J.
Aug 4, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Artemisia J.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Andreas Z.
Oct 5, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Andreas Z.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Debbie R.
Oct 21, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Debbie R.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Angela D.
Sep 14, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Angela D.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
10/10 Excellent
Linda S.
Sep 11, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Linda S.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Shannon B.
Sep 7, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Shannon B.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
10/10 Excellent
LAUREN K.
Jun 27, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet, Peaceful and Convenient

LAUREN K.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Laura L.
Jul 27, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Laura L.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Cari F.
Jul 12, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Traverse City wedding visit
Cari F.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Tony A.
Aug 27, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Tony A.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Lisa M.
Aug 25, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lisa M.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Cristen W.
Jul 24, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cristen W.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveler
Jun 19, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely
Verified traveler
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
10/10 Excellent
Rae K.
Aug 1, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Rae K.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Linda S.
Jul 8, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Long weekend stay
Linda S.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
10/10 Excellent
Keith S.
Aug 2, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A beautiful house and a wonderful stay
Keith S.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Keyon G.
Aug 21, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Traverse City Getaway
Keyon G.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
Deborah P.
Aug 16, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect location
Deborah P.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Nathan B.
Jul 8, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Farmhouse Gem
Nathan B.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
10/10 Excellent
Hannah R.
Jun 15, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great
Hannah R.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
10/10 Excellent
Debbie J.
Jul 21, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful and Welcoming
Debbie J.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Melissa B.
Jul 7, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Immaculate home and peaceful setting
Melissa B.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Nannette L.
Jul 30, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place
Nannette L.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Judy S.
May 28, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Ivy House is a beautiful!
Judy S.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
About the host
Hosted by Sandra Noonan
I am retired after 30 years with the USPS. My husband is a full-time farmer. We have 3 married children and 8 grand children.
Why they chose this property
I inherited this property from my father (who was born in this house) and he inherited this from his mother. It was in very bad shape when we decided to restore it. My grand father purchased this property in 1899 and the house was already here. I lived here as a child until I was 3 years old. In 1999 we made application to have it registered as a "Centennial Farm" and my husband still farms it.
What makes this property unique
No close neighbors, always a breeze blowing, country beauty and privacy. It is a wonderful place to relax and unwind.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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