Mallard Duck Retreat at the Lake

Photo gallery for Mallard Duck Retreat at the Lake

A dining area with a round table, wicker chairs, and a central potted plant.
A living room with a flat-screen TV, wicker furniture, a glass coffee table, and a large window with curtains.
A cozy living room with a sofa, coffee table, and wicker chairs. A large window with curtains is on the left, and a lamp is on the right.
A bunk bed room with a ladder, a door, a window with blinds, a small table with a plant, and a couch with pillows.
A small, single-story house with a porch, a sign indicating a duck crossing, and a mailbox.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

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.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Houghton Lake

Popular amenities

  • Gas barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet
  • Non-smoking
  • Microwave

Explore the area

View in a map
Houghton Lake, MI
  • Place, Houghton Lake
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Au Sable River
    ‪34 min drive‬
  • Place, Hartwick Pines State Park
    ‪36 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Living Room 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen

Add dates for prices

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About the area

Prudenville

Prudenville is home to this holiday home. White Deer Country Club and Pineview Highlands Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Houghton Lake Wildlife Research Area and Houghton Lake Flats Flooding State Wildlife Management Area.
View more Holiday homes in PrudenvilleOpens in a new window
Map
Houghton Lake, MI

What's nearby

  • Houghton Lake - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • South Higgins Lake State Park - 22 min drive - 23.4 km
  • Snow Snake Ski and Golf - 32 min drive - 58.5 km
  • Au Sable River - 34 min drive - 61.5 km
  • Hartwick Pines State Park - 36 min drive - 68.2 km

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪The backdoor saloon - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪MJ's Eatery - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬12 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Mallard Duck Retreat at the Lake pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Mallard Duck Retreat at the Lake?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Mallard Duck Retreat at the Lake?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Mallard Duck Retreat at the Lake located?

Situated in Prudenville, this holiday home is 0.4 mi (0.7 km) from Houghton Lake and within 3 miles (5 km) of White Deer Country Club and Houghton Lake Public Library. Pineview Highlands Golf Course and Denton Township Park are also within 3 miles (5 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. 29 out of 30 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 30 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 30 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 30 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 30 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very clean, beds were very comfortable; great hosts with very detailed recommendations for the area. Nice space, love the fire pit area; nice location to be able to go to other destinations around as well.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great stay

Loved the property
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great stay!

Really loved the place and appreciated our host, Stephanie, checking in via e-mail to make sure we were enjoying our stay. Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Delightful fall getaway

The perfect cozy place for our family to getaway in the fall and explore Houghton Lake.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Excellent

Great property and very well stocked with everything to make it a great stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
The bed was very comfortable. The yard was great. It was very nicely decorated and the owners are great.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Cottage Retreat

We really loved the attention this detail of this cute cottage. Great place for a group of friends and/or family to rent and experience Northern Michigan.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Good stay

Clean, comfortable
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect location

Great location perfect for seeing the water at the end of the road we will be returning guests!! The cabin was very clean well decorated everything we needed if needed! Love the backyard! A
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Clean and comfortable

The cabin was clean, comfortable and had all of the essentials! The bunkhouse is great for teens! Location was perfect. The hosts were wonderful and so helpful. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

What an exceptional stay!

What a delightful stay. The owners went above and beyond to ensure my stay was exceptional. We unfortunately only had a short stay. We would love to return and stay longer. The quack shack was so wonderful. It was like two places for the price of one!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cottage

Very nice, clean cottage in a nice quiet neighborhood
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Amazing!

I’ve been coming to the Prudenville and west branch for years. This was the best stay I’ve had in the area. The property had everything you could need for a get away. I recommend this stay to anyone to stay in the area. Will definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Great cottage in Houghton Lake area. Nice backyard and fire pit. We enjoyed the Kayaks and bikes so we didn’t have to haul a lot for the Labor Day Weekend.1st time in the area and had fun checking out local restaurants and bars. Kids had fun playing ladderball and Uno and going for a nice run every morning.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Amazingly well appointed

Spectacular. Had extra amenities that you don't normally find at a VRBO.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cute place

My kids and I went to go 4 wheeling! This place was perfect for the kids! They had their own Loft so the adults had the house to themselves! Great time! Thanks again!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Annual family trip

This was a great property for a family. The additional bunk house in the back was such a cool addition to the experience, the kids LOVED having that little place for themselves. We found a great local beach with a park and nice swimming area. The only thing I was kind of bummed about the location was the three restaurants we tried were all not good, so we just ended up grilling for the rest of the time and it was great!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

So clean!!!

This was the cleanest vacation rental I have ever stayed in. The kitchen was very well stocked. We enjoyed our stay so much, we skipped half of our event so that we could stay at the house longer. It was very cozy and welcoming. We will be back next year!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Loved it!

This home had all of the necessities to house 5 adults and 3 kids ranging in age from 5-17. The bunk house was perfect for the kids! The location is great! The house was very clean as well! We really enjoyed our stay and if we need another getaway to that area, we will definitely stay here again! Also, the communication with the owners was so easy and prompt! Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Enjoyed our stay!

The Mallard Duck Retreat was comfortable (beds and all) thoughtful, (had tons of supplies and the process to check in was easy and simple) and very enjoyable. Our kids loved the extra cabin with bunk beds and a climbing ladder. What a great surprise. We enjoyed the outdoor area. I was thrilled to be offered treats in the freezer for the families arrival. Great stay for family or just a couple. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beyond Better than most!

Stephanie thought of Everything! Personal touches everywhere! Pack your clothes and go, because she has thought of everything you could possibly need and it’s already there for you! Highly recommend this place!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Above expectations

This place was everything it promised and more! The host was very accommodating as well. The house had every thing we needed to feel right at home. Plenty of sleeping options to accommodate my group, everyone said their beds were comfy. Many nice touches that made our stay better than expected such as, chargers in the bedrooms, bikes and games. You really get the sense that the host has put a lot of thought into making this place great for guest.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A very nice tiny cabin! Ultra clean! The bed was very comfortable - I slept better than at home! Lots of little extras were included - great coffee bar, chocolates, lots of pillows, ice and filtered water already done. The bathroom towels were ultra thick, with lots of them available. Sofa was comfy. I gave 4 stars on a couple categories because they weren't appropriate for my stay - I was solo and it rained all weekend, so didn't get to know the neighborhood. All in all, I'd stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lake getaway

we spent my 25th birthday up in michigan and had the opportunity to stay at this beautiful listing. upon arrival we were speechless by how perfect this property was! we could tell there was many little details placed on the property to make our stay even more enjoyable! the groups favorite part was the quack shack in which we spent all night watching movies and playing games in there! the property was a short 5 min walk from the lake which made it convenient for us. overall this has been the best listing we’ve stayed at ever!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Making Memories at The Mallords

This house was better than the pictures and the hosts were incredibly warm and thorough in every sense of the word. There were so many thoughtful little extras all through the home as well. They had device chargers, little snacks and treats were waiting for us, and the kids LOVED the bunk house. The water was beautiful of course and the location is a perfect hub for a myriad of things to do. The best part about our stay was how at home and welcoming it felt. Thank you Stephanie & Clinton for hosting us, we will definitely be back again!!!
Stayed 13 nights in Apr 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 2 May, 2024
Levi & Family -- thank you so much for your wonderful review! We're thrilled to hear that you had a fantastic stay with us, enjoyed our clean rooms, and found our location convenient for your sightseeing. We're especially pleased that you loved our little touches and the kids loved the bunkhouse! Your recommendation means the world to us. We cannot wait to host you again as you were absolutely perfect guests!
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