See all properties
Entire home

Lake Leelenau Waterfront Cottage-10 min to Traverse City, Fishtown & Suttons Bay

Photo gallery for Lake Leelenau Waterfront Cottage-10 min to Traverse City, Fishtown & Suttons Bay

Unclassified image, 1 of 48, button
Unclassified image, 2 of 48, button
Property grounds
Beach
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6975 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Traverse City, MI
  • Lake Leelanau
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Ciccone Vineyard and Winery
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Front Street
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪27 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

2 Bedrooms

1 Queen Bed

Sitting Room

2 Large Single Futons

1 bathroom

1 Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Lake Leelenau Waterfront Cottage-10 min to Traverse City, Fishtown & Suttons Bay

Willow Tree Cottage is the perfect location for getaways with family and friends! Situated on spacious tree-lined property, this newly renovated cottage offers private lakefront views and breath taking sunsets over Lake Leelanau. Enjoy swimming in the crystal clear water or kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing with provided equipment.

Enhance your stay on the Leelanau Peninsula Trail, featuring 17 miles of paved trails for biking, dog-walking or exploring nearby vineyards. Located 15 miles from Sleeping Bear Dunes, and just a 10-minute scenic drive to downtown Traverse City, Suttons Bay, and historic Fishtown in Leland.

New renovations (Spring 2022) include fully renovated bathroom; new flooring and furniture; central air and furnace heat; spacious new kitchen w/ eat-in island; exterior paint, fresh landscaping and much more! There are 2 bedrooms- each with a queen bed. There is a sitting room with 2 chair/ottomans that covert to twin beds. Amenities include wifi and smart tv; board games; DVD player with movies; fire pit; large deck for grilling; and an indoor porch, perfect for family meals and game nights. Provided equipment includes 2 kayaks, 2 paddle boards, life vests for all ages, and yard games.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
- We allow no more than 2 dogs. They must be under 50 pounds, preferably non-shedding. There will be a $100 charge per dog.

-There is a $100/day charge to dock a watercraft. Due to the shallow shoreline, there is a lot of wear and tear on the dock. Do not trailer the boat to the property, as we have a very steep driveway with a sharp, narrow turn. There is boat launch 1/4-mile from the cottage. Please use the wash station before and after lake use, to protect against invasive species.

- We highly recommend that our guests purchase the VRBO Cancellation Protection, as unforeseen circumstances arise often and we advise protecting your vacation investment.

Property manager

Nichole Ranka-Weith and Frank Weith
Premier Host

Languages

English, German
Lock

Protect your payment — always book on Vrbo

If someone asks you to book through them or pay them directly before you book on Vrbo, report it.
Find out more

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Gym
Outdoor space

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

Beach

Cozy private waterfront retreat near Traverse city and Sutton’s bay.

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
10.0 out of 10, (7 reviews)
Cozy private waterfront retreat near Traverse city and Sutton’s bay.

House Rules

Check in after 5:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Non-shedding dogs only.
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Traverse City

Located in Traverse City, this cottage is in the city centre and on the waterfront. Village at Grand Traverse Commons and Hippie Tree are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Great Lakes Children's Museum and Great Wolf Lodge Water Park are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Cottages in Traverse CityOpens in a new window
Map
Traverse City, MI

What's nearby

  • Lake Leelanau - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Ciccone Vineyard and Winery - 11 min drive - 9.4 km
  • Village at Grand Traverse Commons - 16 min drive - 21.6 km
  • Front Street - 18 min drive - 22.0 km
  • Traverse City Beach - 25 min drive - 28.9 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 25 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Brengman Brothers - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Cedar Tavern - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Shady Lane Cellars - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Blue Moon Ice Cream Shop - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Suttons Bay Ciders - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Leelenau Waterfront Cottage-10 min to Traverse City, Fishtown & Suttons Bay pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Lake Leelenau Waterfront Cottage-10 min to Traverse City, Fishtown & Suttons Bay?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lake Leelenau Waterfront Cottage-10 min to Traverse City, Fishtown & Suttons Bay?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Lake Leelenau Waterfront Cottage-10 min to Traverse City, Fishtown & Suttons Bay located?

Located in the heart of Traverse City, this cottage is steps from Lake Leelanau and within 6 mi (10 km) of Lake Michigan and bigLITTLE Wines. L. Mawby Vineyards and Brengman Brothers are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

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. 50 out of 50 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 50 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Chad P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Lake cottage!

If you are looking to get away as a couple or small family, this place was relaxing and special. The place has recently been remodeled, so cute. A little tight on space in the bedrooms and bath, so made 10 days with two teenagers a little tight, but hey, this house makes you want to be out on the lake. There is a great little sandy beach where you can put your chairs, kids can play in the water, and lake entrance is sandy with a few rocks. We rented boats and jet skis for the week and enjoyed it thoroughly. You have access on the lake to multiple restaurants. The place is 12 minutes from groceries and town. The host was great, communication was fantastic, and kitchen was pretty well appointed for cooking meals in if you are lucky enough to catch some fish for dinner. Our dogs loved the beach access and fire pit at night was a way to end the day. Only drawback was no washer and dryer which we needed over the 10 day trip. Very nice VRBO, highly recommend.
Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Marsha H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing lake cottage

We really enjoyed kayaking and paddle boarding . . . And the lovely sunsets.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Frank N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great cottage to experience northern Michigan

Location is great and the renovations completed on this cottage are fantastic. It was the perfect distance from Traverse City and a number of other landmarks. We would stay again in the future.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tim M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Lake House

Our family of five and dog had a nice time. House is comfortable and stocked with everything you need. Situated perfectly in the area with a short drive to most towns.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bridget K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful cottage!

We loved our stay - such a comfortable and charming cottage on a beautiful lake! The location was wonderful between Suttons Bay and TC. The cottage was so well stocked with water toys, towels, games, movies, kitchen tools, and so many other things. Thank you for a fantastic trip!
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christian B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

All you need

Had a great time staying. Loved the level of detail on everything from instructions to supplies.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cristie I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Up North Lakeside Getaway!

Our family loved our stay at Willow Tree Cottage! Truly, the perfect Up North escape. We enjoyed access to Lake Leelanau, the beautiful sunsets and stars! It was the perfect location to explore Traverse City, Sutton’s Bay, Leland and the Great Bear Dunes! Our two year old daughter was in love with the sand pit, and we enjoyed taking in the lake view. Can’t say enough about this special cottage and hope to visit again soon!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Breon W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect northern Mi getaway

Willow Tree Cottage has it all! The owners have you wanting for nothing- the most well appointed cottage stay i have ever experienced- breath taking views and privacy. The thoughtfulness and attention to detail did not go unnoticed. This place is a treasure and we enjoyed our stay so much that we booked again for next year. Cant wait!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

CHARLES R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lake Leelanau tranquility

The cottage was everything as stated in the listing. A beautiful location and updated cottage with all amenities needed. The property owner was outstanding to work with. We rented a pontoon at The Narrows which made our stay even more enjoyable. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristen H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

family trip

This was the perfect cottage for a family trip to the area. The cottage had everything we could ever think of needing! The kayaks were a hit with the kids, and the view was beautiful.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sara F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderfully Relaxing

We really enjoyed our stay at the Willow Tree Cottage! This a very comfortable space and Nichole and Frank have thought of every little thing a lake visitor could need!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gregory J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved It!

Well appointed cottage in a great location! Private, awesome lake views, beautiful sunsets. It was a perfect home base for a four night adventure of hiking, sightseeing, shopping, boating, wineries, breweries, along with some needed relaxation. We would definitely recommend this property and would love to return in the future.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kyle L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

4th of july get away.

Perfect little cottage, we loved our stay, everything worked and was as it should be, great property, very clean, perfect little beach front, and great communication with property management, we are already planning on another holiday weekend in the same property and we cant wait.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

kim M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Cottage

What a beautiful property and a great location for exploring Traverse City, and the surrounding areas. Loved spending time on the front porch gazing at the beautiful sunsets! Bonus that we could bring our dog and not only did we have plenty of space for him to enjoy, we felt right at home with dog bowls provided.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Taylor H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just perfect!

The home was amazing- clean, adorable, perfect location, kid friendly, owners were so accommodating. It had everything you need!…. and the sunsets were gorgeous!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jill D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for families!

Our family of 5 (kids aged 8-10) had a wonderful stay at WTC. Our children had an abundance of activities to choose from kayaking to fishing to swimming in the lake. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ethan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Leelanau cottage

Even with lots of rain during our stay, cozy and delightful. Front porch is great and the wanted access is awesome too. Great to have some included water toys!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeff W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome

The cottage and scenery exceeded our expectations. The renovations were amazing. Not sure how you did it but it felt contemporary but still had that original cottage vibe. It was clean and well stocked with all the essentials. The hosts were quick to respond with any questions. We will be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeff K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful inside & Out

The house was clean & cozy with great decor. Being right on the water was great, the yard was very private and had everything needed for a relaxing yet adventurous weekend. Communication was great.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maggie K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay on Lake Leelanau!

Nichole and Frank did such a beautiful job renovating this cabin. We spent the most wonderful long weekend exploring the Leelanau peninsula using the Willow Tree Cottage as our jumping off point. When we returned from our adventures we would take the kayaks/paddleboards out or unwind with a fire and the sunset. Our family of 5 slept here comfortably, with our 8 and 6 year old fighting over the futons. I’ve already recommended their place to two people and hope that we can return in the future!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Debbie I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Getaway

This was my first VRBO booking and it did not disappoint! Lovely cottage on water front. The cottage was nicely updated, clean and comfortable. Just as the listing indicates close to wineries, Suttons Bay, Fish Town and more! Very happy and would def book again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Wendy Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing retreat!

My husband and I enjoyed a short visit to this charming cottage. It was very clean throughout, and the hosts provided everything to meet your needs. The location is quiet with a gorgeous view of the Lake Leelanau right out the back door. I would recommend attention to the 2 back doors. Maybe due to the heat, they were very tough to close and lock. Lovely spot for a MIchigan getaway!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chelsea S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A little slice of heaven

The property was beautiful, perfectly updated, and had pretty much anything and everything you would need in a rental house. The screened in porch was perfect for late evenings, had the most dreamy sunsets, and sat by the fire overlooking the water. The house was fully updated, bathroom updated, a very large kitchen. The property manager responded promptly and was very kind and helpful. Overall a wonderful place to stay. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Casey G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Willow tree

This is a fabulous property. Right on the lake, fantastic sunsets!!!! Two lovely bedrooms, and a cozy living room. Very close to the Leelanau trail and short drive to Sleeping Bear Dunes. They thought of everything, from coffee pot, toiletries, cleaning supplies, spices, lots of dishes and kitchen supplies. I have never been in a VRBO so well stocked with everything!!! This is a wonderful property, we had three days of rain but still loved our vacation… the BEST!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sweet little cottage!

What a lovely little cottage on the west side of Lake Leelanau! We enjoyed the deck every day of our week long stay. The kitchen was fully stocked including spices which was nice to have (many vrbos don’t provide these simple amenities). This cottage is best for four adults. The extra sleeping room is basically a sealed in porch with two tiny beds. Maybe good for littles only. The bedrooms are very small—one doesn’t have anywhere to store clothing to unpack, but there is a little dresser in the hall closet that we used. We loved the use of the paddle boards and kayaks. We rented a 19’ Four Winns and fully enjoyed the lake. This is a special cottage! Thank you for opening it to others to enjoy!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

About the host

Hosted by Nichole Ranka-Weith and Frank Weith

Host profile image

Languages:

English, German

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback

Hotels

Villas Otranto
Villas Gale
Villas Cádiz Province
pet-friendly rentals in Cleethorpes
Cottages Norfolk
Chalets Lake Como
Cottages Ullswater
pet-friendly rentals in Lancashire

Holiday Rentals

Wembley Park Holiday Rentals
Catton Park Holiday Rentals
Karpass Peninsula Holiday Rentals
Northern Spain Holiday Rentals
Llanfaelog Holiday Rentals
El Born Holiday Rentals
Estepona Beach Holiday Rentals
Newburgh Seal Beach Holiday Rentals
Sa Pobla Holiday Rentals
La Toc Beach Holiday Rentals
Emirates Park Zoo Holiday Rentals
Mount Hood Village Holiday Rentals
Aberdovey Holiday Rentals
Montreal Convention Centre Holiday Rentals
Canet-Plage Holiday Rentals
PGA Catalunya Golf Course Holiday Rentals
Pickhill Holiday Rentals
Frangokastello Beach Holiday Rentals
Girona Holiday Rentals
Brea Holiday Rentals
Migron Holiday Rentals
Pipers Pool Holiday Rentals