Entire home

Relax by the river in style & comfort just minutes from Traverse City, MI

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Living area
Property grounds
Golf
Snow and ski sports
Living area
Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning
  • Outdoor spaceOutdoor spaceOutdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Traverse City, MI
  • Popular LocationSpider Lake11 min drive
  • AirportTraverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)14 min drive
  • Popular LocationTurtle Creek Stadium16 min drive
  • Popular LocationTraverse City Beach17 min drive

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Common area 1

1 Double Futon

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Relax by the river in style & comfort just minutes from Traverse City, MI

East Bay Township STR License #STR2022-0004

Rivershire is on Ottawa and Chippewa land. As stewards of this land, we practice sustainability, inclusiveness, and welcome diversity.

The Retreat at Rivershire Guesthouse offers beautifully appointed comfort on the banks of the Boardman River, a Blue Ribbon trout stream. Two-story floor plan features two upstairs bedrooms, two baths (one on each floor), upstairs laundry, remote-control heat and AC, kitchen, dining area and living room space with comfortable pull out couch, recliner, and TV. The Boardman River is mere steps from the back porch which comes complete with glider for comfortable relaxation outside. Just off the porch is a picnic table.

Enjoy the pristine, flowing river waters of the Boardman and possible wildlife sightings (trout, blue heron, beaver, otter, marten, muskrat, etc.). Bedrooms are spacious and feature a queen bed in one and two twin beds in the other that can be set-up in advance as a king-size bed by our staff—guest's choice! Kitchen features apartment-size stove and refrigerator, toaster oven/air fryer, plenty of dishes, glassware, mugs, utensils, pots and pans for those who prefer to prepare their own meals. Rivershire is minutes from downtown Traverse City and surrounding areas where shopping, restaurants for any taste and budget, and wineries/breweries/distilleries are plentiful. Bring a book, your own kayaks, and fly-rods for peaceful relaxation and river enjoyment. Hiking trails just minutes away. Take in the scenic beauty of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay beaches, Leelanau County, Benzie County, Old Mission Peninsula and more within minutes by car.

This property doesn't allow pets or children under 12 years of age.

Located just 10 minutes from Traverse City, The Retreat at Rivershire Guest House offers peace and quiet in a natural setting with easy access to all that Traverse City and the surrounding area have to offer. Gaze up at the stars and planets in the night sky as the river flows smoothly by. Minutes away from Brown Bridge Quiet Area for accessible nature hikes and Ranch Rudolph for horseback riding. If you're looking for quiet, cozy comfort and plenty of natural charm, The Retreat at Rivershire Guest House is for you! Owner lives on the property and looks forward to welcoming you!

Please note: The Retreat at Rivershire offers quiet relaxation and enjoyment of property in a scenic nature setting. Fraternity/sorority gatherings and bachelor/bachelorette parties are not permitted. Also, per our house rules, only children ages 12-17 are permitted with accompanying adult(s). Minimum age for an accompanying adult is 25. Thank you for understanding and following these guidelines.

Keywords: Waterfront, Pure Michigan, Boardman River, East River Road, Traverse City, National Cherry Festival, Wineries, Beaches, Kingsley, Mayfield Township, Grand Traverse Bay, Paradise Township, Grand Traverse County, Kayaking, Fishing, Golfing, Swimming, Mountain Biking, Hiking, Restaurants, Dining, Distilleries, Breweries, Shopping, Rafting, Tubing, Camping, Shopping, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Orchards, Vineyards, Canoeing, Interlochen Center for the Arts, Traverse City Film Festival, Horse Shows By the Bay, Leelanau County, Old Mission Peninsula, Leelanau Peninsula, Benzie County, Dune Climb, Scenic Drives, Horseback Riding, Color Tours, Leaf Peepers, Water Frontage, Recreational, Photography/Painting/Viewing, Snow Skiing, Snowmobiling, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing, Ice Fishing, Winter Wonderland, Rivershire Retreat.

Property manager

Tricia Frey
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Beach view

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 13–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
This property's policy is to refuse certain bookings for the purpose of group events or parties, including stag and hen parties

About the area

Traverse City

Located in Traverse City, this vacation home is in the city center and on the waterfront. City Opera House and Village at Grand Traverse Commons are local landmarks, and travelers looking to shop may want to visit Front Street and Grand Traverse Mall. Centre Ice Arena and Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Traverse City, MI

What's nearby

  • Spider Lake - 11 min drive
  • Turtle Creek Stadium - 16 min drive
  • Traverse City State Park - 17 min drive
  • Traverse City Beach - 17 min drive
  • Front Street - 18 min drive

Getting around

  • Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) - 15 min drive

Restaurants

  • Peegeo's - 16 min drive
  • Village Ice Cream Shoppe - 8 min drive
  • Taqueria TC Latino Dos - 11 min drive
  • K I Bar And Grill - 8 min drive
  • A. Papano's Pizza - 8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Relax by the river in style & comfort just minutes from Traverse City, MI pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 13 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 13 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 13 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Susan A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place for a relaxing getaway!
super clean and very comfortable space. Beds are great and kitchen is well stocked. Very quiet with good access to the beautiful Boardman River. Good internet. Some road noise that quiets down at night. Tricia is an awesome host very anxious to please. My husband and our adult son had a wonderful stay and hope to return!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jim P., Jacksonville FL

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location
We came for a wedding and this was a good location for hikes near the river, museums and shopping in Traverse City, a trip to Sleeping Bear Dunes, and the wedding on the peninsula. Tricia was very responsive to the minor issue we had and proactive when needed. Thanks Tricia
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anita D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Can't wait to return!
The Guest House was in a perfect location to walking trails, Traverse City only a few minutes away, and great for downtime to relax. Our host, Tricia, was so welcoming and friendly. We look forward to returning and encouraging friends and family to stay at The Guest House.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rishi K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice and cozy
Wonderful place to stay. Tricia is a great host, very caring and responsive.
Stayed 20 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Darlene K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wedding retreat
My friends and I were attending a wedding right down the road from this location and it was perfect… The place was extremely clean and comfortable. We definitely enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

About the host

Hosted by Tricia Frey

Host profile image
My name is Tricia Frey and I will be your host at Rivershire although you may never see me. My sister Sandra and I co-own the property and allow guests the space and quiet relaxation they desire without intrusion. Of course, if you need something, I am here to help and take care of any issues promptly.

We love the beauty and wonder of the Boardman River and enjoy kayaking, gardening, watching for wildlife, and relaxing by the river with a good book (and a glass of wine!) ... we know you will, too. (And no, you won't be expected to garden while you're here!) Please bring your own kayaks, canoes, or innertubes (these are not provided) or let the trusted folks at Ranch Rudolph (just a few miles up the road) take care of the details by providing kayaks and taking you four miles upstream for a lovely float back to the ranch to pick up your car. They also provide horseback riding.

I'm also the author of two books, both of which are set at Rivershire and feature two very special pets: a Sheltie named Sheldon and a Cat named Snickers. You can read all about them in my 2020 memoir River Love: The True Story of a Wayward Sheltie, a Woman, and a Magical Place Called Rivershire and its children's book counterpart Sheldon's Journey: The Story of a Sweet-Natured Dog in Search of His True Home. Copies of the books are in the cabin for your reading enjoyment.

If you're a writer or an artist, Rivershire is a great place for doing both. Bring your creative spirit!

We hope you make your way to Rivershire!

Tricia & Sandra

Why they chose this property

Rivershire is a magical place! The flowing Boardman River, stately pines and hardwoods, lovely gardens, and relaxed, natural setting make it the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

However, should you want hustle and bustle, nearby Traverse City has plenty to offer including a plethora of restaurants and shopping venues for every taste and budget, breweries, distilleries, and entertainment options galore. (Interlochen Center for the Arts is just 15 minutes away ... downtown Traverse City offers two historic, state-of-the-art movie theatres ... and Turtle Creek Casino is a 20 minute drive from here if you're feeling lucky!)

Did someone say beaches, dunes, boating, and wine? Walk a Lake Michigan beach or climb a dune at Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore ... both are just 45 minutes away. Grand Traverse Bay is 20 minutes north of Rivershire for beaches and boating. The area offers many small inland lakes for boating and floating, too. And both Old Mission and Leelanau peninsulas offer plenty of wineries, orchards, and stunning views.

And don't forget hiking and bike riding! Grand Traverse, Leelanau, and Benzie counties have more hiking and biking trails that we can count and all are an easy trip from Rivershire. As a matter of fact, Brown Bridge Quiet Area is just TWO minutes away and many other trails can be accessed within 5- 10 minutes. Bring your bike or go for a hike!

If that sounds like more effort than you bargained for, simply spend your lazy days by the Boardman River. Bring your own kayaks, canoes, innertubes, and fly rods for a leisurely river experience. Put your feet up. Read a good book. Pour a glass of wine.

And, with high speed internet on the property, your devices will run perfectly for streaming or whatever may be to your liking. We've got your covered.

We can't think of any reason why you wouldn't want to visit Rivershire!

What makes this property unique

Hmmm ... pretty much covered "unique benefits" in the space above, but how about this? You may see a couple of martens playfully running on the opposite bank of the river. How's THAT for unique? Who knows what else you may spot if you keep your eyes open. Don't forget to look up ... an eagle may just soar overhead. Magical!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

Premier Host
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