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The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly

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The River House of Alaska Michigan
Riverside Patio with Fieldstone BBQ, beautiful landscape and Park like setting
Property grounds
Property grounds
Exterior

Reviews

9.6 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 1% of guest reviews in this area
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Garage parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
Alto, MI
  • Place, Davenport University
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, MSA Fieldhouse
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Airport, Grand Rapids, MI (GRR-Gerald R. Ford Intl.)
    ‪9 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly

Welcome to the River House of Alaska, Michigan, 'A Retreat for the Mind, Body, and Spirit.' A unique Pure Michigan destination!

ATTENTION: It is wise to plan ahead and book your Spring and Summer 2026 vacation NOW! Thank you to all of our great guests for making the River House a successful vacation rental! We have been VRBO Premier Hosts and renting the River House since 2006 and it has been a great experience! Thanks for considering our most excellent riverside retreat for your vacation! We are near site managers and we manage and clean the River House ourselves. The River House is the ideal location to get away from the city and relax by the river. You will be able to sit outdoors by the riverside and have a bonfire and enjoy the wildlife. We hope you decide to stay with us!

The River House of Alaska, Michigan, is located in the historic Village of Alaska, Michigan, located 15 miles southeast of Grand Rapids on the Thornapple River and 30 miles from Lake Michigan. This classic Cape Cod cottage, with vintage 1940 interior design, is situated on the Thornapple River in a park-like setting. The River House is well maintained and has been restored to its original beauty both inside and out.

This is a great getaway from the city but also close to all the city conveniences. If you are planning on vacationing, attending seminars, weddings, visiting relatives in Grand Rapids, visiting ArtPrize, and/or touring the #1 Micro-Breweries in America, this rental may be the ideal getaway. The on-site manager is nearby for recommendations and assistance. Note: pictures of the road proximity to the River House not shown pictorially. Please use Google maps to go to the property and see the road. Guests with pets are encouraged to keep pets on a leash for their pets safety. The River House is 420 Friendly.

The River House is a beautifully landscaped riverside cottage that is a great place to relax and has excellent river access. The cottage has a concrete pier that juts out into the river for excellent smallmouth bass fishing, canoeing, tubing, kayaking, and swimming.

The interior of the cottage features master bedroom (upstairs) that features a California King size bed, antennaTV and side room with 2 twin beds. The main floor bedroom features a queen-size bed and dresser. The main floor living room has a pull out queen-size sleeper couch and Futon couch. The Cottage has air conditioning, Android OS TV, Wifi High-Speed Fiber -Optic Internet access and is fully furnished. Note: The Wifi system is the best wireless technology available featuring dual band 2.4 and 5.0 Mghz service. If you are a work-from-home employee you can meet all your daily work internet based connectivity requirements and utilize the desk and office setup to work remotely while at the River House.

The river has easily accessible rapids that are excellent for fly fishing. The Cottage also features a riverside patio with a fieldstone barbeque grille, an excellent place to relax! There are also many public golf courses in the general vicinity.

Make your dream vacation a reality at our unique riverside vacation rental, and experience a piece of heaven on earth. The River House has a heart, soul, and spirit that will satisfy your desire to find that unique vacation destination that will provide a relaxing environment and inspire memories to last a lifetime.

Your River House experience will give you that precious and most-elusive commodity, time. Time to relax with loved ones. Time to think about your future. Time to reflect on your past. Time to contemplate the meaning of life. Time to fish. Time to swim. Time to canoe. Time to read. Time to catch up on sleep. Time to love. And most importantly, the environment to assure a good time.

Our goal is to provide a vacation experience that will leave a lasting impression. We want you to experience Total Vacation Satisfaction and leave with a sense of ownership, leading to a strong desire to return. Your vacation experience at the River House of Alaska, Michigan will leave a lasting impression in your Mind, on your Body, and on your Spirit.



Keywords: Cottage, Fishing, ArtPrize, Alaska, River, Vacation, 420 Friendly

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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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
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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
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
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

Alto

Located in Alaska, a neighbourhood in Alto, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park and Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve, while Orbit Room and Master Arts Theatre are cultural highlights. Patterson Ice Center and Forest Hills Fine Arts Center are also worth visiting. Kayaking and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and hunting nearby.
View more Cottages in AltoOpens in a new window
Map
Alto, MI

What's nearby

  • Davenport University - 4 min drive - 6.8 km
  • Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe - 4 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Patterson Ice Center - 9 min drive - 16.4 km
  • MSA Fieldhouse - 10 min drive - 15.3 km
  • Calvin College - 12 min drive - 20.3 km

Getting around

  • Grand Rapids Station - 23 min drive
  • Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Circle K - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Culver's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much does it cost to stay at The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly?

As of 7 May, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly on 1 Jun, 2026 start from S$242, 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 The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly located?

Located in Alaska, this cottage is within 9 miles (15 km) of Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe, Davenport University and MSA Fieldhouse. Patterson Ice Center and Centerpointe Mall are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.6

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. 181 out of 214 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 25 out of 214 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 214 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 214 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 214 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brian L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Everything was nice and we really enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Apr, 2026
Greetings from the River House of Alaska Michigan. Thanks for kicking off our 2026 season as our first guest of the year. We are celebrating our 20th anniversary with VRBO and it is great guests like you that have made our River House vacation rental a huge success. We hope to see you again in the near future.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Caleb M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Property was beautiful, very relaxing!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Apr, 2026
Greetings from the River House of Alaska Michigan. We were honored to be able to host your entire family while visiting with us. Thanks so much for your great review. We hope you can stay with us again in the near future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sara B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This property is amazing and perfect.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Apr, 2026
Greetings from the River House of Alaska Michigan. Thanks so much for your respectful use of our beloved River House property. It was great communicating with you while you visited. Thanks so much for your willingness to assist us with preparation for the rising river during your visit. You will always be a welcomed guest at the River House. We hope to see you again in the future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jason M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful place to relax, comfortable and safe.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jan, 2026
Hello Jason, Thanks for your great review. We really appreciate getting feedback from our guests and we are glad you had a relaxing, comfortable, and safe visit with us. We hope you decide to stay with us again!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Angie R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sweet little place by the river for R and R.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Jan, 2026
Hi Angie, Thanks so much for your positive review. Yes it is a "Sweet little place by the river for R and R" We have been renting the River House since 2006 and will be celebrating our 20th anniversary this year. It is great guest like you that have made our VRBO journey a great success! We hope to see you again in the near future!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

mary z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property. Very peaceful and great views of the river.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jan, 2026
Hello Mary, Thanks so much for your favorable review. We work very hard to make the River House property beautiful and as nearby property managers, we do all the landscape work ourselves. The River House is a very peaceful getaway hence the reason we call it a "Retreat". We named the River House because of the great views from every window inside the River House. We completed the new deck and have plans to further continue the improvements to the River House gardens and river access. We hope to see you again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jessica N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
They have worked with me through moving my stay due to a medical emergency. Grateful for their flexibility.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Jan, 2026
Hello Jessica, Thanks for your nice review. We recognize that family life can be difficult and that emergencies can change your vacation plans in an instant. We are glad to be able to be flexible and work with our guests when emergencies arise. We take great pride in developing relationships with our guests in the hope that they will come back and be repeat guests in the future. Looking forward to seeing you in June.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tom E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Such a great place to enjoy the river from. Accomdations were very nice for our family and Wally was very helpful when we arrived. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jan, 2026
Hello Tom, Thanks so much for your positive review of our beloved River House. I am glad to have been able to give you some personal tips about the River House when you arrived. We try to build personal relationships with our guests when we can. We want our guests to have a great experience while visiting with us and we go our of our way to answer questions, responde to any emergencies or other needs our guests may have. We pay attention to the details of preparing our River House for every guest to assure a great experience. We are glad you would consider staying with us again. Next time you visit you will find a brand new deck and new deck furniture for you to enjoy! See you again soon.
Verified

8/10 Good

Amelia k.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We enjoyed three nights at the river house. The property location is idyllic, situated with views of the river on three sides. The bench swing was peaceful, the garage was stocked with firewood, and there are two canoes you can drop right into the river. The owner kept the classic features of the house, and it feels very cottage-like and enchanting. Where I was less satisfied was arriving to unmade beds, dirty dishes in the cabinet/drawers, and not enough good seating. We had rainy, cold weather and it was hard to get comfy on the couch, as the couch was so old and worn out. I think this is a great place to stay if you want to be outside a lot and are willing to give up some comforts for cool property features. Overall, a good value, would be a great value with a comfy couch and made beds.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Apr, 2026
Greetings from the River House of Alaska Michigan. Thanks so much for your honest and candid review. We agree that the couch needs to be replaced and we commit to finding a new couch and other internal furniture as soon as possible. We will work to improve our readiness inspection of dishwares prior to guest arrival. We hope you decide to stay with us again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Leah H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We stayed at the River House for our wedding weekend! It was truly the most special place to stay. The river was so calming and relaxing and the grounds were stunning. Linda and Wally are incredible people - we will 100% be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jan, 2026
Dear Leah, To say that is was an honor and a pleasure to provide our River House property on your most important and most memorable life occasion (Honeymoon) would not be enough words. We have had the pleasure to host several newlyweds during out 20 years of VRBO rentals. We hope your River House experience will last a lifetime and we hope our River House will be a regular retreat where you can revist your honeymoon experience. Thanks so much for beging great guests. It is great guests like you that have made our River House vacation rental a success. We hope to see you again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kaitlin G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great weekend at the river house. There is a great outdoor space to enjoy and we were able to get out on the canoe for some fun!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jan, 2026
Hello Kaitlin, We are so glad you had a great weekend getaway at our beloved River House. Summertime at the River House and summertime activities on the Thornapple River are always so much fun. We are so glad to be able to share our beloved River House with our guests. We provide canoes, kayaks and inner tubes for our guest at no extra charge so they can get on the river and have a great river experience. We hope you decide to return some day. Please tell all your friends about your positive River House experience.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sara M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a beautiful property! We were very comfortable and loved spending time in the yard by the river!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jan, 2026
Hello Sara, Thanks for your kind words about our Beloved River House property! Springtime is our favorite time of year at the River House. The River House gardens are full of spring tulip, daffodils, and other beautiful Spring flowers. We highly recommend time spent by the riverside as the water flowing through the rapids makes a wonderful vision and sound experience. We are so glad your were comfortable and we hope you decide to come back some day and spend time with us.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Holly J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was the perfect little home in property to disconnect. My kids had a blast playing on the property and fishing in the river.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jan, 2026
Hello Holly, Thanks for the great review. Seeing your family enjoy the River House and it's beautiful propert made us very happy. We hope you come back again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The owners were very friendly and helpful, we arrived just a little early and having met us outside checking out the grounds welcomed us! The view is amazing! The riverside stay in such a beautiful home with such nice work having been done was a pure pleasure. We plan to come back during the summer with our kayaks and son! It was close to everything to escape to a nice restaurant or leave the bustle and find a trail.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Jan, 2026
Hi Stephanie, we are so glad you had a great visit with us! Your early arrival was not a problem and it was a pleasure to give you a personal tour of the property and some tips about things to do while visiting with us. We hope you do decide to come back again!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shelly M.

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

Gorgeous peaceful property

The hosts communicated extremely well with us and were super nice. The property is beautiful with many amazing views. The river was so tranquil and we absolutely loved our get away weekend! We will definitely be booking this gem of a spot again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jan, 2026
Hi Shelly, Thank you for your super positive review. We love communicating with our guests and try to help our guests have a positive River House experience while visiting with us. We are constantly trying to improve the River House property as you witnessed with the construction of our new deck which has been completed. We call the River House , "The River House" because of all the amazing views. You can see the Thornapple river from every window while inside the house. IT truly is a "gem of a spot" and we ask that you share through word of mouth your positive River House experience with all of your friends and family! We hope to see you again!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pam J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Exactly as advertised. Amenities were abundant. The house possesses a rustic charm that takes you back in time and encourages relaxation. It’s It was just what we were looking for. Hosts were friendly and available when needed.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jan, 2026
Hello Pam, thanks so much for your positive response. Giving our guests an experience they will always remember is very important to us. We have done our best to preserve the quaint 1940's atmosphere at the River House so our guests can get an authentic feel of a home designed and decorated during that time period. We take great joy in hearing from our guests and knowing we have been successful in accomplishing our total vacation satisfaction goals. We hope you decide to stay with us again in the near future.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tony F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful, quiet location with abundant nature. The river provides a tranquil start and end to every day - complete with a cup of coffee or tea. Deer, birds, and squirrels keep the eyes busy outdoors, and if that’s not your thing then fishing and boating options are there too. Overall a very relaxing experience
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jan, 2026
Hello Tony, We are so glad you had a great stay with us. Our mission is for you to have visited at the River House, had a great experience, fall in Love with the River House and want to return again. Mission accomplished! We hope to see you again in the near future!
Verified

8/10 Good

Chele M.

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

Nice place to stay

We stayed for our daughters wedding near by. It's a nice little place on the river.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Rebecca S.

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

Nice little old cabin

My family stayed here for a week getaway to kayak, golf, eat out, play games and relax.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marcy J.

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

Girls time

Adorable cottage. Could’ve stayed longer if had the time. Accomodations great.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jan, 2026
Hi Marcy, We wish you could have stayed longer! We hope you are planning on coming back again. We had an excellent 2025 vacation rental season and we are looking forward to 2026. We finished building the brand new deck and it is absolutely fantastic. We will have new deck furniture and we will be doing additional landscape improvements this year to enhance our River House guest experience. Thanks for staying with us and hopefully your next visit can be a bit longer.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Winona D.

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

Peaceful vacation

Very nice and peaceful property
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Trina R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
5 StarsWe had a wonderful stay! The home had that perfect “up north cabin” feel — cozy, inviting, and full of charm. The view of the river was absolutely breathtaking and incredibly peaceful; it was exactly what we needed for a relaxing getaway. Wally was super friendly and welcoming, which made our stay even better. We’ll definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Jan, 2026
Hello Trina, We are so glad you had a "wonderful stay" with us at our beloved River House. That "perfect up north cabin feel" is exactly what we offer to all of our River House guests. The views are breathtaking and the River House property along the river is very peaceful. We love having personal interactions with our guests when allowed and we try to be great hosts and assist our guests with tips on where, when and how to make the best of their stay with us. It sounds like we hit a home run with you! Our mission is for our guests to have a wonderful River House experience, fall in love with the River House, and want to come back again. Mission accomplished! See you again in the near future. We completed the new deck for your next visit!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert C.

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

Amazing quiet and relaxing

The entire family enjoyed a wonderful weekend of relaxing fishing.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Noreen W.

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

Great place to host family and friends near Grand Rapids!

The River House was a clean and comfortable place for our stay near Grand Rapids. We enjoyed sitting by the river and bonfire.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Susan H.

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

The River House

Beautiful scenery!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Jun, 2025
Thanks for your kind comment

About the host

Hosted by Walter & Linda Bujak

Host profile image
We are nearby property owners that manage and take care of the landscaping, property maintenance, clean up, and preparation for our guests! We do it all! If you need something we are there for you and will respond as soon as possible to make your stay with us enjoyable, comfortable, and memorable!

Why they chose this property

This property is amazing! It has 750 feet of very accessible riverfront property. A perfect swimming area. Rapids to give you that special I am on a river sound. A deep fishing hole out front that produces amazing catches of all kinds of different species of fish. Abundant wildlife to watch and witness. We are 420 friendly. The River House is Simply amazing!

What makes this property unique

Most vacation rentals (over 95%) are on lakes with houses very close to each other. Not many vacation rentals on rivers. We call it the River House due to the fantastic views of the river from inside the house. While standing in the middle of the house looking north, you will see the Thornapple river from every single window, west, north, and east.

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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