Entire home

12 Mi to Skiing: Manistee Lake Cottage w/ Fire Pit

Photo gallery for 12 Mi to Skiing: Manistee Lake Cottage w/ Fire Pit

A cozy living room with a blue sofa, a patterned rug, and a ceiling fan.
A mobile home with a porch, outdoor seating area with chairs, and a red umbrella.
A covered outdoor dining area with a table and chairs, surrounded by trees.
A dining area with a round table and yellow chairs, a TV in the living room, and a ceiling fan.
A kitchen with teal cabinets, a white stove, and a microwave.

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Highlights

  • Top-rated comfy beds
    Guests liked the comfy beds here.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Barbecue grill
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet
  • Washing machine
  • Onsite parking available

Explore the area

View in a map
Kalkaska, MI
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪48 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Additional Sleeping (Living Room)

1 Double Sofa Bed

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Full Bathroom

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen

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About the area

Kalkaska

Kalkaska is home to this holiday home. Grandview Golf Club and The Legend are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Hartwick Pines State Park and Grass River Natural Area. Take the opportunity to explore the area for water adventures such as kayaking.
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Map
Kalkaska, MI

What's nearby

  • Manistee Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Torch Lake - 30 min drive - 44.3 km
  • Traverse City Beach - 41 min drive - 58.3 km
  • Boyne Mountain - 44 min drive - 66.5 km
  • Front Street - 46 min drive - 63.7 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Casa Nueva - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Save-A-Lot - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Roadhouse Saloon - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Manistee Lake Pizzeria / Bakery - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪lost forest lodge - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is 12 Mi to Skiing: Manistee Lake Cottage w/ Fire Pit pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at 12 Mi to Skiing: Manistee Lake Cottage w/ Fire Pit?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at 12 Mi to Skiing: Manistee Lake Cottage w/ Fire Pit?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 12 Mi to Skiing: Manistee Lake Cottage w/ Fire Pit?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is 12 Mi to Skiing: Manistee Lake Cottage w/ Fire Pit located?

Situated in Kalkaska, this holiday home is 3.5 mi (5.6 km) from Grandview Golf Club and within 12 miles (20 km) of Starvation Lake and Smith Lake. Au Sable River and Schuss Mountain are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 3 out of 5 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 5 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 5 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 5 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 5 reviews

8.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Seriously impressed with whoever decorated this property! From the linens to the wall decor, everything was super cute. We were delighted with the short walk to the lake which included a small sand bar and boat launch. Definitely took advantage of the discount at the pizza place suggested in the welcome book.We would have appreciated a few more body towels and we noticed right away the floor was still a little dirty with sticky sand. The accordion shower curtain was an interesting experience we could have done without. Over all I would say we mostly enjoyed our stay regardless.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Aug, 2026
So glad the decor caught your eye and that you enjoyed the short walk to the lake, the sand bar, and the pizza place from the welcome book. We're sorry the floor wasn't as clean as it should have been on arrival and we're following up with our housekeeper to get that corrected. We'll also make sure more body towels are stocked for guests going forward. As for the accordion shower curtain, it's a nod to the home's retro character, though we understand it's not for everyone. Thanks for sharing your experience and we're happy you enjoyed your stay overall.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay here! The beds were extremely comfortable and the whole place was cute. There were a ton of amenities including two kayaks for personal use.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Aug, 2025
Kelly and. Guests were great with the place your welcome back any time. Thank you
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Enjoyed the stay

Beds were comfortable, even though it was hot during the day with windows open and fans it cooled down in the evenings. We enjoyed the outdoor space and the short walk to the lake.
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Jul, 2025
From the owner: "Amy and her group left the place in very nice shape. Thank you for staying with us. You’re welcome back any time."
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Theo

We really enjoyed our stay. Was very hot on Saturday but fans and open windows cooled it down fast. Thank you for the welcome treats, an unexpected surprise. We would love to stay again if we are ever in the area. So much fun to see all the retro magazines, games and books. We even found old games shows on Buzzer to keep with the theme.
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Sept, 2025
Thank you for staying at the Retro we love the place.
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We appreciated several aspects of our stay. The hosts left a thoughtful welcome gift of wine, cheese, & crackers, which was a nice touch. The bedding was also excellent—the sheets were soft, & the mattress was very comfortable. The cottage is just a block from a public park with beach access, making it easy to enjoy the lake, & there is a partial lake view from the property. The décor has a fun retro vibe with some truely unique touches, like vintage magazines, a built-in radio, & other nostalgic details.Unfortunately, the home itself did not meet our expectations. There was a persistent odor that seemed like mildew being masked by air fresheners, & the back bedroom in particular had a strong smell of a home where someone had smoked for many years. Several practical aspects also made the stay less comfortable. The 1st bedroom door has a cutout at the bottom so it can clear the bed, which reduces privacy. The living room seating is quite limited—the couch is very small for adults, and the seating options (small couch & bench) aren't comfortable for relaxing, especially for older guests. About half of the windows would not open, and the small fans in the bedrooms didn't provide much airflow.Overall, we could see the charm & appreciate the owners' efforts, but the condition of the home & comfort issues outweighed the positives for us. With some attention to the odors, ventilation, & seating, this property could offer a much better experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Aug, 2026
Thank you for the thoughtful feedback and for noticing the little details like the welcome gift and retro décor, we're glad those touches came through. We're sorry the odor, airflow, and seating did not meet expectations. We've recently gone through the home with fresh paint and a new ceiling system and put real effort into deep cleaning and disinfecting, and we'll continue working on the odor issue you noted. We're also looking into the windows and plan to work on more comfortable seating for the living room. We appreciate you taking the time to share these details, as they help us keep improving the place for future guests.
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