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Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House

Photo gallery for Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House

A wooden deck with a white picket fence overlooking a calm lake.
A house with a slide, a pond, and chairs in the yard.
A spacious living room with a large window, a sofa, a chair, and a coffee table.
A living room with a sectional sofa, a round chair, a small table, and a large window overlooking a body of water.
A spacious dining area with a wooden table and chairs, a chandelier, and a view into the kitchen.

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Highlights

  • Arcade/game room
    A rare find - fun for all ages with on-site arcade/game room.
5 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 20

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Balcony
  • Internet

Explore the area

View in a map
Baldwin, MI
  • Place, Whalen Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Big Star Lake
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Place, Caberfae Peaks Ski & Golf
    ‪37 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 20)

Additional sleeping 1

2 Single Beds

Additional sleeping 2

1 Double Sofa Bed

Bedroom 1

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bed, 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Full Bathroom

Full Bathroom

Full Bathroom

Half Bathroom

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House

Spacious Layout | Canoes & Rowboat Provided | Dogs Welcome w/ Fee

Pack your days with lakeside adventure at 'The Lake County Retreat,' a 5-bedroom, 3.5-bath vacation rental home in Baldwin! Scenic views and nature-centered relaxation promise a memorable stay with loved ones, whether you're grilling up the day’s catch or toasting s'mores under the stars. This Whalen Lake escape puts you close to paddling, trails, and top-rated local eateries — all in a tranquil setting.

-- THE PROPERTY --

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS
- Bedroom 1: 1 bunk bed (twin/full)
- Bedroom 2: 1 bunk bed (twin/full)
- Bedroom 3: 1 bunk bed (twin/full), 1 queen bed
- Bedroom 4: 1 full bed
- Bedroom 5: 1 bunk bed (twin/full)
- Game Room: 2 twin beds
- Living Room: 1 full sleeper sofa

INDOOR LIVING
- Multiple living areas
- 2 Smart TVs, board games
- Wood-burning fireplace
- Game room, sunrooms
- Ping-pong table, mini basketball game
- Dining table, breakfast bar
- Punching bag, piano, jetted tub

OUTDOOR LIVING
- Private dock, lake views
- Fire pit (bring your own wood)
- Charcoal (bring your own charcoal)
- Patio, dining area, umbrella
- 2 canoes, rowboat, life vests

KITCHEN
- Stove/oven, refrigerator, dishwasher
- Microwave, toaster, blender
- Keurig dual drip/pod coffee maker
- Dishware/flatware, cooking basics
- Trash bags/paper towels

GENERAL
- Free WiFi
- Baseboard & electric heat, ceiling fans
- Linens, towels, hair dryer
- Iron/board, hangers

FAQ
- No A/C
- Pet fee (paid pre-trip, dogs only, 2 max)

ACCESSIBILITY
- 2-story home, 4 steps to enter
- 2 bedrooms & full bath on 1st floor

PARKING
- Driveway (10 vehicles)
- RV/trailer parking

-- THE LOCATION --

- Near ORV trails
- 0.2 miles to Pere Marquette State Trail
- 2 miles to shops & restaurants
- 3 miles to Idlewild Beach
- 11 miles to Manistee National Forest
- 93 miles to Gerald R. Ford International Airport

-- REST EASY WITH US --

Evolve makes it easy to find and book properties you’ll never want to leave. You can relax knowing that our properties will always be ready for you and that we’ll answer the phone 24/7. Even better, if anything is off about your stay, we’ll make it right. You can count on our homes and our people to make you feel welcome — because we know what vacation means to you.

-- POLICIES --

- No smoking
- Pet friendly w/ $100 fee (+ fees & taxes, dogs only, 2 max)
- No events, parties, or large gatherings
- Additional fees and taxes may apply
- Photo ID may be required upon check-in

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- The property has fans but does not have air conditioning
- This 2-story home requires 4 steps to enter with 2 bedrooms and a full bathroom on the 1st floor
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before noon
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
A maximum of 2 pets are allowed.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 20154579
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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
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 first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Baldwin

Located in Baldwin, this holiday home is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Pere Marquette Floodplain Plant Preserve and Huron-Manistee National Forest, while Shrine of the Pines and Luther Area Museum are cultural highlights. Power boating offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hunting nearby.
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Map
Baldwin, MI

What's nearby

  • Whalen Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Big Star Lake - 15 min drive - 17.9 km
  • Basford Lake - 18 min drive - 20.1 km
  • Ferris State University - 32 min drive - 60.1 km
  • Caberfae Peaks Ski & Golf - 37 min drive - 68.5 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Pompeii's Pizza - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Debbie's Sportsman's Lounge - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Shoey's Log Bar - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Barski - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Village - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House?

As of 17 Aug 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House on 22 Oct 2026 start from £724, 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 at Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House?

Checkout is at noon.

Where is Manistee Forest Retreat: Group-Friendly Lake House located?

This family-friendly Baldwin holiday home is located on the waterfront, just steps away from Huron-Manistee National Forest and Whalen Lake. Leverentz Lake and Bush Lake are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 1 out of 3 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 3 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 3 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

8.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

8/10 Good

Tim M.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice stay
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Sept 2025
From the owner: "Thank you for your review. We hope you and your family/friends will visit 'The Retreat' again in the future."
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Bob B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had a great time with family and the bedroom arrangements worked great
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Sept 2025
Thank you Robert for your 5-star review! We hope you and your family will visit 'The Retreat' again in the future.
Verified review

8/10 Good

John K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location for fishing the PMCould use some updating such as a washer and dryer for laundrySome cracked floor tiles in kitchen that should be replaced.Big place with lots of beds.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Oct 2025
"From the owner: “I’m glad this guest enjoyed the home’s spacious layout and convenient location for fishing the PM River. The cracked kitchen tiles are being repaired, and I’m working on adding guest access to laundry facilities in the utility room. I appreciate the helpful suggestions and remain committed to keeping the home comfortable and well-maintained for future stays.”
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Janet J.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Being by the lake was everything! It was beautiful on the water and several self-propelled boats were provided for use during our stay. It was also nice that Roku was available. They had a beautiful main room (the main property picture) with plenty of seating for our 12 family members. There was no AC, which was tough during the day, especially in the kitchen, but it cooled off plenty at night and the fans provided were helpful. A few of the ceiling fans were loose and wobbled a bit when in use. It's worth noting that the house does not include common VRBO amenities like shampoo and conditioner. The kitchen had a hodgepodge of kitchenware. If you're planning to cook anything specific you might want to check if they have it on site.On a final note, unfortunately, it looks like it hasn't been checked on in a long time. As someone who rents out a home myself, I still take pride in my rental property and wanted it to be thoroughly enjoyed by the occupants. That did not seem to be the case here. There was also a great deal of moisture in one of the first floor rooms that could benefit from a dehumidifier in the summer months. Everything smelled wet in there and my children preferred sleeping on couches in the main room instead of having their own bedroom. Several doors and windows were not secure so bugs easily got in the home. To make matters worse, a bat came into the home hunting all those buggies that got in during the day. Not my favorite way to wake up at night.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026

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