Lakefront retreat 30 min to Traverse City. Hot tub, fire pit, kayaks, game room.
Welcome to Stillwater Retreat – your happy place by the lake! Nestled on peaceful Perch Lake, just 30 minutes from Traverse City, this spacious getaway is the ideal home base for exploring Northern Michigan’s treasures. Make memories, laugh with friends and family, and soaking in the beauty of nature year-round!
Accommodations:
**Brand New A/C** A cool retreat, if you want!
• Primary Bedroom: King bed, attached bath, remote workstation – only if you have to.
• Second Bedroom: Another king bed with plenty of storage – because even getaways need space for your stuff!
• Third Bedroom: Full bed + twin bunk – great for kids or adults.
• Game Room: New full-size sleeper sofa, shuffleboard, electric dartboard, puzzles, and enough board games to spark some healthy competition
• Outdoor Features:
The home is nestled in pine trees with a screened deck overlooking the lake, offering amazing views! A boardwalk encircles the home with stairs leading to: a year-round hot tub (3-person), a fire pit illuminated by twinkle lights, and a large dock.
• Indoor Features:
Stretch out in the spacious living area, whip up a feast in the open kitchen, or dive into game night in the dedicated fun zone. Whether you're here for a peaceful getaway or a fun family/friend weekend, we’ve got the space for it all.
• Seasonal Highlights:
--Spring & Summer: Enjoy paddle boards, inflatable river tubes, and kayaks for relaxing adventures on the lake. Great fishing and animal watching, too! (Water toys available May-October; electric/trolling motors only.)
--Fall: Immerse yourself in the vibrant autumn colors, breathtaking sunsets, and crisp evenings around the fire pit under the stars. Perfect for scenic drives and cozy nights.
--Winter: A true winter wonderland awaits! Experience snowmobiling, skiing, and ice fishing on Perch Lake (when frozen). Stillwater Retreat is at the heart of snowmobile country.
Discover the magic of Stillwater Retreat and enjoy a memorable getaway in every season!
**Activities & Easy day trip to all the sights!
• Traverse City - 30 min • Old Mission Peninsula - 35 min • Suttons Bay - 50 min • Several golf courses (summer & winter activities) - 15-30 min • Snowmobile trailhead, Kalkaska - 15min • Fishtown, Leland - 1hr 10 min • Interlochen - 40 min • Sleeping Bear Dunes - 1hr • Mackinac Bridge - 2hrs • Turtle Creek Casino - 25 min • Schuss Mountain & Shanty Creek - 35 min • Boyne Mountain - 50 min • Crystal Mountain - 55 min • June-September: Great Lakes Equestrian Show - 26 min
**What You'll Love
-Modern decor -Super comfortable beds, quality bed/bath linens -Touch bedside lamps -Sleep sound machine in each room -Ceiling fan in each room -Dresser, nightstand, closet area for clothes storage -Extra blankets/pillows for your comfort -Shampoo, conditioner, body wash provided -Ceiling fan in living area -Comfy, modular sofa in living area -Cozy gas fireplace in living area -55" Smart Samsung TV w/stream your own apps in living area & game room -Wifi -Full kitchen -Keurig single serve with variety of k-cups -Traditional coffee maker, ground coffee in freezer -Coffee station complete with sugar, creamer & to-go cups -Shuffleboard table, electric dartboard, plenty of board games, puzzles and reading material -Outdoor games -New full-size sleeper sofa in game room -Outdoor dining on screened deck -Gas grill on front deck -Firewood may be available for fire pit - send us a message! -Beach towels -Pine trees keep the home cool in the summer! -Parking for 3-4 cars (long driveway) -Large, year-round dock -3 Person year-round hot tub -4 Kayaks, 2 paddle boards, 4 inflatable river tubes (seasonal, May - Oct)
**For Kids / Toddler / Infant
-Kids dishes & utensils -Stools for bathroom sinks -High chair -Pack n' Play / crib with bedding -Books -Games
**What's Nearby
-Kalkaska is a 12 min drive. Grocery stores, Cherry Street Market (great farmers market), restaurants, ice cream -Fife Lake is a 12 min drive. Restaurants, grocery stores, ice cream -Perch Lake public beach is a 5 minute walk, shallow, sandy bottom -Public Boat launch is 1/4 mile (1 min drive) from house (for electric/trolling motors only, or non motorized vessel) -Perch Lake is stocked with pan fish, great for fishing -Perch Lake is 23 acres, deepest part is 30ft
**Host Favorites
•Restaurants -G's Pizzeria, Kalkaska -Moose & Stella's Cafe, Kalkaska -Kal-Ho Lounge, Kalkaska -Poppycock's, Traverse City -Wren, Sutton's Bay
•Wineries -Laurentide, Lake Leelanau (Mary's personal fave!) -Mawby Vineyards (sparkling wines), Suttons Bay (their goat cheese & smoked fish spread is sooo good!!)
-Well-lit exterior, decking/stairs lights, dimmable lights on screened deck -Fire extinguisher, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detector, first aid kit -Adult and child size life jackets available for use and recommended when using any of our water toys -Hospital / Emergency Room: Kalkaska, 12 min
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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
About the area
South Boardman
Located in South Boardman, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Twin Birch Golf Course and Timber Wolf Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore South Boardman Preserve and South Branch Nature Preserve.
Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 36 min drive
Restaurants
Yankee Boy - 10 min drive
Country Lanes Bowling Alley - 11 min drive
nite owl tiki lounge - 8 min drive
KE Daycare - 5 min drive
budd lake bar - 10 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Lakefront retreat 30 min to Traverse City. Hot tub, fire pit, kayaks, game room. pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Lakefront retreat 30 min to Traverse City. Hot tub, fire pit, kayaks, game room.?
As of 9 May, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Lakefront retreat 30 min to Traverse City. Hot tub, fire pit, kayaks, game room. on 10 May, 2026 start from S$632, 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 Lakefront retreat 30 min to Traverse City. Hot tub, fire pit, kayaks, game room.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Lakefront retreat 30 min to Traverse City. Hot tub, fire pit, kayaks, game room.?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Lakefront retreat 30 min to Traverse City. Hot tub, fire pit, kayaks, game room.?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Lakefront retreat 30 min to Traverse City. Hot tub, fire pit, kayaks, game room. located?
This family-friendly South Boardman holiday home is located on the waterfront, steps from Perch Lake and within 6 mi (10 km) of South Boardman Preserve and Butler Lake. Bass Lake and Mud Lake 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.
Stay was great! Especially because the weather cooperated! It was a great space and provided everything we needed for our larger family to enjoy a week away from the grind of life. Would book again!
Jeremy H.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Aug, 2025
Thank you for your review, Jeremy! So happy to hear that you and your family enjoyed your vacation!!
Me and my sister met up with 3 cousins for a weekend getaway. The house was amazing! A welcome basket was one of the first things we seen upon arrival. Would definitely stay here again
Jacqueline S.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Apr, 2025
Jacqueline - so glad you and your family had a great stay! We'd love to have you back any time 😊
Beautiful home with a beautiful view. Very spacious and well equipped. Kayaks and boards for water use along with a large dock to sit and enjoy the lake. We will return!
Kristen C.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug, 2025
Kristen - thank you so much for your review! We are thrilled you enjoyed your stay and we're looking forward to hosting you again!
About the host
Hosted by Mary Cox
Your hosts: Mary & Bill! We are from Ann Arbor, Michigan. We love going "up north" throughout the year and finally found a home that was the epitome of that "up north" vibe, and the perfect jumping off point for trips throughout northern Michigan. We love the idea of sharing this special spot!
Why they chose this property
Our spot on Perch Lake is so peaceful and beautiful in all 4 seasons. There's nothing like taking the kayak out in the morning when it's just you and the wildlife, or watching the sunset on the deck. It's in a really great location to go west toward Traverse City, Leelanau Peninsula & Sleeping Bear Dunes, or north toward cities like Charlevoix, Petoskey, Elk Rapids or even Mackinac Island!
What makes this property unique
Stillwater Retreat has an outdoor area you can't beat! What's better than being up north on lakefront with a fire pit, hot tub and screened deck? This is the perfect spot for your family vacation, girl's getaway or guy's golf trip.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests