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Northern Michigan Lakeside Family Retreat - sleeps 12

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Lakeside Family Retreat
Path to the Happy Land!
View from the driveway
Kitchen  with adjacent seating area
Dining Room, 2 table leafs available

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
6 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Alanson, MI
  • Pickerel Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Crooked Lake
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Odawa Casino
    ‪33 min drive‬
  • Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional)
    ‪25 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

6 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Master

1 Queen Bed

Middle bedroom

2 Single Beds

Northeast bedroom

2 Single Beds

Northwest bedroom

2 Single Beds

Southeast bedroom

2 Single Beds

Southwest bedroom

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

1st floor guest bath

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

2nd floor guest bath

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub · Toilet

Master bath

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden

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.

Board games, books, badminton, bags, a frog pond, 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 flexibility concerning arrival and departure days. 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 manager

Valerie McKenna
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Pack n' Play and highchair available
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoke outside only
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

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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Alanson

Located in Alanson, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Burt Lake State Park, while Little Traverse History Museum and Andrew J. Blackbird Museum are cultural highlights. Travelling with kids? Consider Cheboiganing Preserve and Big Bear Adventures. Kayaking and waterskiing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and mountain biking nearby.
Map
Alanson, MI

What's nearby

  • Pickerel Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Crooked Lake - 8 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Petoskey State Park - 26 min drive - 20.5 km
  • McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital - 29 min drive - 24.8 km
  • Odawa Casino - 33 min drive - 28.2 km

Getting around

  • Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional) - 25 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Northwood Family Restaurant - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Bob's Place - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Burt Lake Brewery - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Dutch Oven Yarn Shop - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Northern Michigan Lakeside Family Retreat - sleeps 12 pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this 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).

Reviews

9.8

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. 27 out of 31 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 31 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 31 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 31 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

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

Pickerel Lake

Great location. Comfortable accommodations.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael M.

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

Fun fun fun

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
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Pickerel Lake Beauty

Great place for 6 adults and 5 grandchildren. Big yard for kids to play. Beautiful landscaping.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Joelle S.

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

Nice place

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.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Eric S.

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

Pleasant Pickerel Lake Vacation

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.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura B.

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

Great family vacation.

Nice house with a lot of room for our family to spread out. Beautiful landscape and decks.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chad S.

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

Great for families

The place was spacious and clean. Valerie is wonderful to work with, and has thought of everything.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Pickerel Lake 2023

Had a really great time. The cottage was very clean. The lawn and landscaping were beautiful.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Erin E.

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

Great Family Vacation

Everything was as described, great location and well stocked. Our host was very responsive and attentive.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dennis L.

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

Family vacation

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!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Todd D.

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

Beautiful Setting-Perfect For a Group

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!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Chad S.

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

Hoping to stay here again

We enjoyed the spaciousness of the cottage. Valerie was very thorough and responsive. It was everything we were hoping for.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alfred D.

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

BEAUTIFUL!!!

This property delivers on all aspects.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

richard i.

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

The perfect set-up for fun!

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.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sandra C.

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

Wonderful week!

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!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Pickerel Lake

This is a great place to spend a week. Great cottage, yard, and beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kathy O., Hastings, Michigan, USA

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

Best VRBO Ever!

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!!
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Monir Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Beautiful place

It's beautiful place to stay and relax with friends.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Gwynne S., Rochester Hills, Michigan, USA

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

Beautiful property on serene lake

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!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Janet C.

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

Another relaxing week at the lake

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.
Stayed 10 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

nelson s., grand rapids, Michigan

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

family time

The property fit all our needs and then some.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Up north at Pickerel

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.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nathan W.

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

Summer time in Northern Michigan!

The property was well kept, a fantastic northern Michigan cottage experience! There was plenty of room for our 9 guests to spread out. The house was well stocked and very comfortable. We spent most of our time outside in the fabulous backyard and on the lake. The owners were very accommodating and had great communication with us prior to the trip and during our stay. I would highly recommend this property to anyone looking to experience a true Northern Michigan summer vacation!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Carol B.

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

Fantastic

Everyone had a great time. Plenty of space for all to relax and enjoy. Kitchen had everything we could need.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Dan P.

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

Awesome experience!

We could not have been more pleased with our experience with this rental. The beautiful home was more than prepared to host myself and my family. We enjoyed a few days adventuring throughout the upper peninsula and coming back to this rental made our day even more special.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

About the host

Hosted by Valerie McKenna

Host profile image

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests