Entire home

A Great Up North Family Retreat

Family-friendly holiday home with water park and fitness centre

Large, comfortable 4 Bedroom 3 Bath home

Large Living Room with 4 Recliners and 50" TV

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location

Exceptional

4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 82800 sq ft

Popular amenities

Dryer
Washer
Parking available
Barbecue grill
Kitchen

Explore the area

Boyne City, MI

Place, Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark
‪15 min drive‬
Place, Boyne Mountain
‪19 min drive‬
Place, SkyBridge Michigan
‪21 min drive‬
Airport, Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional)
‪62 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed and 2 Single Beds

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Master Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Outdoor play area

Dining area

About this property

A Great Up North Family Retreat

Situated on 95 acres, which are accessible by mowed walking trails in summer and groomed ski trails in winter, this home can sleep up to eight people and their well behaved dog (pre-approval required for pets). A lovely renovated ranch style home with a walk out finished lower level, this home is perfect for a family get together. There is a master bedroom with attached full bath plus two additional bedrooms on the main level.
On the lower level there is bedroom and a full bath. Internet, Satellite television and full laundry are also included.

This property gives you the best of both vacation options - a lovely country getaway surrounded by lots of recreational and cultural options throughout the year. Enjoy Boyne City's many festivals and great shops and restaurants. Located 8 miles from Boyne Mountain with some of the best skiing and golf courses in the States. Only a couple miles to Lake Charlevoix and Walloon Lake so bring your boat
and enjoy a whole host of other great features to explore in beautiful Northwest Michigan.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen

Washing machine

Dryer

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

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Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 35

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)

Tell me about your family or group. Kids, & pets

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

No Dogs allowed on Furniture or Beds Dogs need to be under your control when outside an walking the trails. Boat parking on front lawn, not on drive.

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 and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Boyne City

Located in Boyne City, this holiday home is in a rural area. Lake Michigan and Young State Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark and Castle Farms. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at Boswell Stadium, or consider a night out at Lavender Hill Farm. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

View more Holiday homes in Boyne City

Boyne City, MI

What's nearby

Peninsula Beach - 10 min drive - 5.4 km
Deer Lake - 12 min drive - 12.0 km
Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark - 15 min drive - 16.3 km
Boyne Mountain - 19 min drive - 18.4 km
SkyBridge Michigan - 21 min drive - 19.5 km

Getting around

Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional) - 55 min drive

Restaurants

‪McDonald's - ‬6 min drive
‪BC Pizza - ‬9 min drive
‪Little Caesars Pizza - ‬4 min drive
‪Cafe Sante - ‬5 min drive
‪Starbucks - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is A Great Up North Family Retreat pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at A Great Up North Family Retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A Great Up North Family Retreat?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is A Great Up North Family Retreat located?

This family-friendly Boyne City holiday home is located in a rural location, within 3 mi (5 km) of Lake Charlevoix, Boyne Heritage Center and Old City Park. Young State Park and Peninsula Beach are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Laurie K.

9 Oct, 2025

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

Perfect house for six friends, two couples, two singles. Very beautiful area, and house was very comfortable. House was extremely well stocked and the owner was available for any questions. Very comfortable beds with nice quality bedding. The property was perfectly situated just outside the main part of Boyne City, which is a quiet little town with a gorgeous view of Lake Charlevioux.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mitchell S.

30 Jul, 2024

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

Good stay

We enjoyed the stay. Nice view of the nature area.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christina C.

22 Jun, 2025

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

Bird watching patadise

It doesn’t get any better

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lance G.

31 Jan, 2023

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

Ski Dog Heaven

Incredible property and great location!

Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

mitchell s.

6 Aug, 2025

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

golfing with friends

my brothers and friends have an golf outing to this area of michigan every year and have stayed at bruces place for the past several years. it is perfect ! location is outstanding and beautiful. - not too far from town but a place where we can enjoy the beauty of northern michigans country. the home is well maintained and extremely comfortable and bruce is a wonderful host. all we could ever ask for!

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rex M.

24 Jul, 2023

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

Michigan visit with four couples

Great place to stay, clean, spacious and Al the accommodations needed for a great stay. Host is great, communications were spot on, quiet, remote feeling yet only minutes away from down town Boyne City.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sean G.

17 Jul, 2023

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

5 Stars All Around

We loved this house! It is one of the best places we have stayed with our kids and dog. The scenery is amazing, and the hosts Bruce and Jodi made our stay even more terrific. We hope to be back to this gem!

Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

mitchell s., fort wayne indiana

30 Jul, 2023

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

Brothers golfing trip

Second year we have stayed there and it is a perfect location to relax and enjoy northern Michigan’s beauty. The home reflects the same Michigan charm and is comfortable clean and well maintained - excellent place to spend some relaxing time!

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrea G., Waterford, MI

14 Aug, 2019

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

Beautiful home, great getaway!

This home is beautiful and has plenty of room for several people to stay. The property gives amazing views and is such a nice place to stay! It was perfect to have the public boat launch for Lake Charlevoix only a few minutes away so that we could enjoy our boat while staying nearby. Bruce was so easy to work with throughout the booking process and we enjoyed meeting him and chatting upon our arrival! We hope to come back for another stay in the future!

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Ken L., Columbia, Maryland

15 Jul, 2022

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

Unique and Exceptional Property

Spacious, well-equipped home situated on and with a large deck overlooking 90 acres of woods and meadows with well-groomed trails available for walking. It exceeded our expectations which were quite high from the description.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Albert L.

13 Aug, 2023

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

Feedback

Good time

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debra R.

23 Aug, 2018

From the time we arrived at the Janssen home to the time we left was a 100% positive result!!

We cannot express enough how satisfied we were staying at this retreat! The house is very clean and neat and the beds are so very comfortable! There was not a single thing we needed while there. Bruce greeted us upon arrival and made us feel so comfortable and took the time to make sure we had everything we needed! The property and surrounding area is so very peaceful and the trails were wonderful for walking our lab during the morning and evening hours. The birds outside the large window at the bird feeders were entertaining and enjoyable to watch! We definitely would come back to stay! Thank you Bruce for opening up your home for others to enjoy and for your hospitality!!

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Nicole M.

28 Jul, 2025

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

Great place, out in the country, peace and quiet, yet close to town. Tons of space, had everything we needed. Was sad to learn there are no bonfires on the property but that was fine since it was so hot outside. Would totally recommend staying here.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Angela S.

23 Jul, 2025

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

Amazing property

Bruce and Jodie have a fantastic family retreat! We felt at home and greatly enjoyed our time at their home! We saw amazing sunsets and beautiful sunrises, lots of wildlife and had a blast while staying here. We highly recommend this location for anyone anytime of the year! Close to many places, Boyne City, Walloon, Petoskey, and many more!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

mitchell s.

26 Aug, 2024

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

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rick M.

19 Sept, 2022

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

Tranquil Space

Lovely views from the deck with turkey and deer on walking trails. Quiet. Close to Boyne City, Walloon Lake, and Petoskey. Host nearby and welcoming.

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kristin L., Chicago area

13 Sept, 2022

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

Stunning property

The house is equipped just like a home, so comfortable, and has the most amazing views and trails that spread over 90 acres, it’s so private it feels like they’re just your own. Bruce and Jodie are so kind, responsive and knowledgeable about the area, just wonderful hosts. We hope to be back to see this truly unique property in the fall.

Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sara T.

14 Aug, 2022

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

Beautiful retreat

We loved staying at Bruce’s place! The house is clean, spacious, and very comfortable. Bruce was a great host and was very responsive. The house is about 5 minutes from Boyne City, so was very convenient for running into town for food or other activities. The property is amazing! There is a fantastic set of trails that wind through a meadow and forest - beautiful views, lots of cool wild life, private, and very peaceful. We would definitely stay here again!

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

mitchell s., fort wayne indiana

7 Aug, 2022

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

peaceful setting

great place and location.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ronald S.

21 Jul, 2022

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

A wonderful retreat

The property was easy to get to. We loved the country setting yet just a few miles to town. We enjoyed the peace and quiet as well as the serenity of walking on the trails and experiencing the wildlife. The home is spacious and inviting and easily accommodated my large family. It is very clean and well maintained. It is quite comfortable and felt like home. Our host was very kind and accommodating. We all had a wonderful experience and will not hesitate a second to come back. Thank you so much.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

STEVE S.

12 Jan, 2022

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

Family Retreat

Property was as advertised. Great location, plenty of space for the dog to roam, cross country ski trails available etc. Everything we needed was there. Great family getaway. Plan to be back. Bruce checked in a few times to make sure we didn’t need anything and plowed the driveway several times during our stay as a result of days of snow.

Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Timothy and Katie B.

26 Dec, 2021

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

Great for family Christmas

Met up with family for Christmas here. Great place to gather. Space was everything we needed and we loved the walking trails. Highly recommend!

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan F.

14 Sept, 2021

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

Quiet getaway in a perfect location

Super clean home on a beautiful piece of land. No frills but everything you might want or need. Up north feel but only a couple minutes from downtown BC. Lots to do but house is comfortable enough to lay back and relax if desired. Will be coming back.

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Merry K.

8 Sept, 2021

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

Older adults adding a wedding

We were four sisters over seventy with three of our husbands and one dog. It was so pleasant walking the trails. There was plenty room for sleeping and eating. Watching the birds on the feeders out the dining room window was a favorite for us. There was plenty space and several bathrooms for getting ready for the wedding. Boyne City and Charlevoix were pretty busy Labor Day weekend, this house in the country was a quiet oasis. The host was very pleasant and helpful.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tina S., New York City

11 Aug, 2021

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

A gem!

The Janssen property is the perfect spot! Our family of 8 adults found the indoor layout of the home open, comfortable, and sleeping arrangements and bedrooms ideal for the group. All the extra touches added to our comfort...extra pillows, quality shampoo/conditioner, bar soap, fully stocked kitchen to prepare any meal, laundry needs, even a ping pong table! The property is gorgeous with walking trails fit for all levels. We wished we could stay forever. Thank you, Bruce...you enhanced our wedding weekend and we hope we can visit again soon. It was great meeting you!

Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

About the host

Hosted by Bruce Janssen

Bruce and Jodie Janssen have lived in Boyne City for forty eight years and are the proprietors of The Wood Shop, an award winning sign company. Active in the city's Main Street Program and various other civic endeavors they have taken a great interest in their adopted hometown and want those who visit to enjoy it as much as they have over the years.

Why they chose this property

In 1986, Bruce's parents purchased this lovely home as a summer home. Both parents have passed on and the home is now being used as a family retreat when it is not being rented and shared with others.

What makes this property unique

This is a lovely, solidly built home which was renovated in 2011. Ranch style with a hint of Mission styling, the home has a mix of hardwood, tiled and carpeted floors throughout. The kitchen is perfect for entertaining with its open floor plan and includes all cooking utensils, large refrigerator/freezer and dishwasher. A large screen television in the spacious living room can be used to watch movies while lounging in the great recliner sectional sofa or you can watch your favorite cable and network shows via the DirectTV satellite. Downstairs is roomy enough for games or just hanging out. The house is quite cozy with water baseboard heat throughout and air conditioned for those occasional too warm summer days. You can start your day with a cup of coffee watching the sun come up in the east over the valley or end the day with a drink while sitting on the deck. Any way you choose, this house has a great ambience and you won't regret spending your vacation here.
The house sits on 95ac of rolling hills, woods and valleys with 3 miles of mowed walking trails that are groomed in the winter for skiing and snowshoe use.
It’s perfect location for a peaceful walk as the trails sit well away from roads.
This is doggie heaven:)