Escape to a tranquil lakeside retreat at this six-bedroom haven on Pickerel Lake. Unwind by the fireplace, take in the serene views of the lake through the glass wall in the great room, and enjoy quality time with loved ones.
Reviews
9.89.8 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
6 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 12
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free Wi-Fi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Add dates for prices
About this property
Northern Michigan Lakeside Family Retreat - sleeps 12
My Northern Michigan paradise, on the shore of Pickerel Lake. Quiet, relaxed vacation spot ideal for extended family or friends. Six bedrooms, including a secluded master bedroom with a queen and private bath on the first floor. Five cozy, cottage style rooms upstairs with two twins each in four rooms, one of which is a trundle bed, and a queen in the fifth room. The upstairs has dormered 6.5 ft ceilings. Open the windows at night to bring in the cool night air and let the waves lapping at the shore lull you to sleep.
There is a bathtub upstairs for bathing little ones, a second full bath on the first floor with shower in addition to the master bath with shower. Laundry room on the first floor.
The large great room has a glass wall facing the lake, a 65 inch smart HDTV, a large sectional and a fireplace for inviting family time.
There is a fully outfitted, open kitchen perfect for hanging out and cooking together with an adjacent sitting area because we know everybody likes to hang out in the kitchen.
The lakeside includes a fire pit just begging for marshmallows and some world class stargazing, or you can relax at the end of the dock on a pair of Adirondacks (my favorite spot for morning coffee) Enjoy one of the best fishing spots on the lake right off the end of the dock. We have mooring posts waiting to tie off your boat and 2 kayaks available. Lovely swimming with a sand/silt bottom and a gradual drop off.
30 minutes from Boyne Highlands and Nubs Nob Ski Areas, with unlimited opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. Ideal for your next winter, as well as summer, get away. Let me know if you have an interest in a Winter booking. We may be able to open the house on request.
Board games, books, badminton, bags, and high speed Internet available to round out your recreational options. The surrounding area includes some outstanding attractions, if you can pull your family away from the lake. Attractions include wineries/breweries, the Headlands International Dark Sky Park, charming resort shopping districts in Petoskey and Harbor Springs, too many to list fabulous restaurants and historic landmarks, including the incredible Inland Waterway (which can take you from my dock all the way to the Atlantic Ocean if you’re so inclined), The Inland Waterway Museum, Fort Michilimackinac, Mackinaw Island, Legs Inn and the Dam Site Inn just to mention a few. Also biking, hiking, zip lining, river rafting, and fall color tours - whew, you’ll definitely need to come more than once to enjoy it all, welcome!
To clarify: 7-night, Friday-Friday bookings from Memorial Day to Labor Day. 3-night minimum stay the rest of the year with some flexibility concerning arrival and departure days. Currently my cleaning service is not available on Saturday or Sunday between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Strict maximum of 12 overnight guests, no RV’s or tents allowed. The neighborhood quiets down after sunset and respect for my lovely neighbors peace and privacy is required at all times.
Property amenities
Beach
Beach loungers
Beach towels
Ski
Cross-country skiing nearby
Snowboarding nearby
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee grinder
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Kitchen island
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
6 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
3 bathrooms
Bathtub
Hair dryer
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Separate dining area
Entertainment
Books
Games
Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
Stereo
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Firepit
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Work spaces
Printer
Comfort
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Note from host: Smoke outside only
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
In a rural location
Near a hospital
On a lake
On the waterfront
Things to do
Golf
Kayak
Snow sports gear
Tennis
Water sports equipment
Birdwatching nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Rafting nearby
Sailing nearby
Water skiing nearby
Winery tours nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
7 night, Fri-Fri rentals between Memorial and Labor Day, 3 night minimum otherwise, maximum of 12 overnight guests, no additional RV's or tents
The neighborhood quiets down after sunset, please respect the peace and privacy of my neighbors, and their pets, at all times
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Note from host: Pack n' Play and highchair available
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Smoke outside only
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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 is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Frequently asked questions
Is Northern Michigan Lakeside Family Retreat - sleeps 12 pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Northern Michigan Lakeside Family Retreat - sleeps 12?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Northern Michigan Lakeside Family Retreat - sleeps 12?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Northern Michigan Lakeside Family Retreat - sleeps 12?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Northern Michigan Lakeside Family Retreat - sleeps 12 located?
This family-friendly Alanson holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Pickerel Lake, Crooked Vine Vineyard and Winery and Crooked Lake. Burt Lake and Seasons of the North Winery are also within 6 miles (10 km).
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Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
The house was in a great location and the owner was extremely accommodating. We were a little disappointed there wasn’t a beach though we may have just assumed there would be an easier water entry point. Really a nice little affordable place for a family vacation.
This was a lovely property with a huge back yard to play in. The fire pit was really nice and so was the dock to the water. The kayaks were a plus and several of the people in our group enjoyed them. The house was nice and clean and the living room was great for our time family
Had a wonderful week's vacation Up North on Pickerel Lake at this very nice waterfront home. The home is large, very comfortable and well suited for a large group to enjoy all Northern Mi has to offer in the Summer. The exterior grounds and decking are expansive (and beautiful) so whether you want to grill out/have an outdoor meal, play yard games, lounge by the water, swim, kayak or do water sports - its all there to enjoy. The house is well appointed so you can literally just come with your clothes and not much else. The owner, Valerie, has done a great job in making sure everything you may need is available, has provided very good instructions on how to use the entertainment systems, where to find things, etc. and is very responsive to any questions that may arise. The lake is also a nice size and the homes are all on decent sized lots - so you are fairly secluded from others - not right on top of everyone else - so can do whatever floats your boat and not intrude on others. Its also very close to civilization - so grabbing groceries, going out to a restaurant, etc. is a quick hop away in the car. Although we did a fair bit of traveling around during the week - we did spend a couple of days just at the house - "Lake Days" as we call them - and had some of the best time we have ever had at any VRBO rental. Very sad when we finally had to leave after the week was up. I would definitely recommend staying here if you are in the area. You won't be disappointed.
We had a great time. The cottage was clean and comfortable and the owner did everything necessary to make sure we had a very nice stay. Highly recommend this place.
This is our second time staying here. Did not disappoint. Peaceful, plenty of room, clean, comfortable, everything we needed; and easy drive to Petoskey and Harbor Springs.
This is truly a beautiful home in a terrific location. We had 10 adults and an infant, so 6 bedrooms were fantastic. The home is beautifully decorated and thoughtfully equipped. The lakefront is just gorgeous, the landscaping is really beautiful so it was lovely to just sit out. We were surprised to find a pickleball/tennis court a 4 minute walk from the property. It is close to Petoskey and Harbor Springs which was lovely. The hostess was easy to communicate with.We had a very hot two days where we missed AC but otherwise found the house to be quite cool even in August temperatures.
Lots of room to spread out for our family group of 11. Nice living room to seat all of us in comfortable furniture. Beautiful property with ideal place to dock our boat. Only the weather could have been better! Nothing we could do about that!
Spacious living room with beautiful views of Pickerel Lake. Kitchen was well-equipped with anything we could have wished for to prepare meals. Plenty of beds to accommodate a large group. Enjoyed time out on the large deck and fishing right off of the end of the dock. The hostess Valerie is incredibly gracious and she went out of her way to ensure we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay. Great location close to Petoskey and Harbor Springs. Looking forward to staying here again next summer!
We had a wonderful vacation! The house was perfect for our 2 families. The home had plenty of space, was very clean, and just a beautiful space to spend the week! We couldn’t have imagined it to be any better! Valerie was excellent about answering questions we had prior to and during our stay as well. The location on the lake is lovely. The kids enjoyed swimming and fishing from the dock and kayaks. Thank you Valerie!
This lovely home offered everything our family of nine needed for a fun-filled vacation. It is nicely appointed and spacious. The large yard provided plenty of room for a multitude of outdoor activities during the day and the dining room table was our gathering spot every evening for family games. We enjoyed watching the lake from the deck. We have rented this home twice and are hoping to rent it again.
We really had a great week. Totally self-contained. We only left the property to go on long walks, or to grocery store and winery down the road. Nice outdoor space — dock, lovely Deck and nicely landscaped yard, plenty of chairs, 2 nice kayaks, grill, yard games and fire pit.
Valerie was a great host. She provided everything we needed and then some. She was incredibly responsive to us throughout our stay. My husband is the cook, and he found even the most specialized kitchen tools — multiple cheese graters and lime juicer!
Overall, if you’re looking for a quiet, off-the-beaten path lake vacation, this was ideal.
Our three generations family of nine all thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this lovely home on Pickerel Lake. The house felt very homey and was stocked very well with anything you might need. The owner was quick to respond to any questions and left a detailed manual in the home with information also.
Property has a beautiful lawn that was perfect for game playing and there was nice patio furniture and two great Adirondack chairs at the end of a long dock to sit and admire the beautiful scenery. Seating was also plentiful inside for a large group.
Lake has a nice sandy bottom from shore to right beyond end of dock. Grandchildren had a fun time enjoying the lake. It was a perfect lake vacation! Thank you!
Our group enjoyed the property immensely. The owners were very accommodating and helpful. Communication was quick and helpful. We would certainly stay at this property again!
Better than we expected even with the excellent on-line description. Lost a pair of glasses, looked everywhere, even under the beds, and between the sofa cushions. Not a speck of dust anywhere!
The host really does have everything! We even found a magnifying glass when we wanted one.
Staying here felt like staying at a friend's home. The personal touches made it so special. Add the beauty of the location, glorious weather, fall colors and good friends, and you have the recipe for a perfect vacation. We highly recommend this home and this host. Better than 5 stars!!