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Spectacular Views, Private Waterfront, Prime Location & Sleeps 10

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Sunrise at The Harbormaster 2021
Exterior
The Harbormaster
The Great Room
2021 Updated Double Twin Bedroom

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10250.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Suttons Bay, MI
  • Leelanau Sands Casino
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Historic Fishtown
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Grand Traverse Bay
    ‪27 min drive‬
  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪33 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Downstairs

2 Single Beds

Downstairs

1 Double Bed and 1 Single Bed

King Suite

1 King Bed

Upstairs Queen

1 Queen Bed

Upstairs Queen

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Main

+1
Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub · Hair dryer

Upstairs

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Spectacular Views, Private Waterfront, Prime Location & Sleeps 10

The Harbormaster is where location, convenience and the Northern Michigan experience meet. Located just a mile north of the historic town of Suttons Bay, directly off of Leelanau county's most beautiful roadway, M-22, the Harbormaster boasts unobstructed views of the serene Suttons Bay shoreline from the front of the property. Walk just off the back deck to find the famous TART trail where you can bike, walk, run or cross country ski safely over 10 1/2 miles not only leading to Suttons Bay but also portions of Traverse City and all the postcard-worthy sites along the way. The Harbormaster is where Northern Michigan vacations begin and lifelong memories are made.

The property is deeply nestled in the heart of wine country and a .6 mile walk on the paved TART trail to a pristine public beach, children's park and downtown Suttons Bay. The municipal marina is a half mile away where slips are available.
Points of interest and approximate driving times from Harbormaster:
Traverse City - 20 minute drive
Historic Fishtown in Leland - 6.4 miles
Hickory Hills Ski Resort - 30 minute drive
The iconic Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 30 minute drive
Van's Beach for the best sunsets - 6.4 miles
There are also numerous public lake access points along the Leelanau peninsula placing this property at the center of all the Up North destinations and activities your friends and family are vacationing for.

The Harbormaster is positioned on a 1-acre parcel with a fenced-in backyard portion and a massive side yard for family activities including those late-night campfires under the stars.

The home has undergone recent updates. The most recent update is the staircase leading to the 300 feet of waterfront, plus new carpeting, appliances, fixtures & Temperpedic mattresses. Recent improvements include a newly renovated kitchen, upstairs bathroom & master bathroom. As you enter the main living room through the front door, you will find comfortable seating, a grand stone gas fireplace, a flat-screen LCD TV with DVD/Blu-ray and cable. High-speed internet is reliable and strong. The bay window is the perfect place to experience a panoramic view of Lake Michigan while enjoying your morning coffee. Walk through the living room into the kitchen and dining area and you will find a farm table and well-equipped kitchen capable of handling family dining with ease. The sliding doors lead to a newly painted deck overlooking the fenced-in yard and TART trail. Just past the kitchen is the master bedroom with a king size bed and a renovated full bathroom. Upstairs you will find two bedrooms both with queen size beds and a newly renovated bathroom. The basement includes a large open recreation area with a ping pong table and a large LCD flat-screen with DVD/Blu-ray and cable. One downstairs bedroom features a bunk bed with one full and one twin bed. The other downstairs bedroom includes two full beds.

The Harbormaster is a family owned and operated property. We strive to provide everything to ensure your Up North experience is as memorable as ours have always been. We include all linens, towels, blankets, a pack n play, a high chair, beach toys, beach towels and a cooler. S'mores utensils are located inside the grill and the patio umbrella with additional outdoor seating and corn hole are located in the freshly painted shed. You will also find a full-size washer and dryer just off the kitchen.

Dogs are welcome to stay at our home on a case by case basis, provided they are well behaved. We hope that your dog(s) will love the fenced-in yard and TART trail as much as our rescue dog, Jacques, does. After all, dogs are family too.

Follow us on Instagram @harbormasterm22

Security Camera Disclaimer.

We have 3 security cameras that watch our property when we are away.

In the front of the home we have a Ring Doorbell that monitors the front door. We also have a camera positioned to monitor the driveway. The third camera is in the back of the home that monitors the backyard.

Property manager

Sam B.
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 28
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Pets allowed subject to owners approval.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
DO NOT REMOVE Mattress Pads. Our cleaning crew will handle this.
LATE DEPARTURE PENALTY FEE will be accessed if not fully checked out by 10am. Are cleaning crew needs the proper time to thoroughly clean the home.

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

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Suttons Bay

Located in Suttons Bay, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Suttons Bay, MI

What's nearby

  • Leelanau Sands Casino - 4 min drive - 4.2 km
  • The Leelanau Club at Bahle Farms - 11 min drive - 8.4 km
  • Ciccone Vineyard and Winery - 11 min drive - 11.9 km
  • Historic Fishtown - 17 min drive - 16.6 km
  • Grand Traverse Bay - 27 min drive - 30.8 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 33 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Hop Lot Brewing Company - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪VI Grill - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Big Dex's Pizzeria - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Roman Wheel Pizza & Subs - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Boone's Prime Time Pub - ‬2 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Spectacular Views, Private Waterfront, Prime Location & Sleeps 10 pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Spectacular Views, Private Waterfront, Prime Location & Sleeps 10 ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Spectacular Views, Private Waterfront, Prime Location & Sleeps 10 ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Spectacular Views, Private Waterfront, Prime Location & Sleeps 10 located?

Nestled on the beach, this Suttons Bay holiday home is within 3 mi (5 km) of Lake Michigan, Nathaniel Rose Wine and Leelanau Sands Casino. The Leelanau Club at Bahle Farms and Lake Leelanau 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.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 57 out of 63 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 63 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 63 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 63 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 63 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Marcia D.

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

Autumn Getaway

Beautiful home with all amenities. Great water view, close to everything. Pretty fall colors. Would stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jamey W.

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

Great Sutton’s Bay Vacation

Really enjoyed our time at Sam’s house and would recommend it to anyone looking for a Norther Michigan getaway! Clean house with great views. A nice fenced in yard for the dogs. Quick and easy communications and check in process.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michaeline H.

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

Suttons Bay rental

We loved the location of the beautiful home on the Leelanau peninsula. It was so easy to get to a number of towns and places we enjoy up in that area. The large fenced in yard was great for our mini Aussie Doodle and the trail behind it was superb for our bikers and walkers in the family. Loved being able to go down to the beach and relax there. One suggestion, we could not find more than one kitchen washcloth and towel in the kitchen. So providing more would have been helpful. Also, we would have used the a/c on a night or two but it seemed to be a locked thermostat. It was a very pleasant and restful stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Austin L.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

We stayed at this property for a two week family vacation with 6 adults and 2 children. The location was great. It backs up to the TART trail which you can take directly into town. Additionally the private beach was nice for moments when we didn’t want to pack up snacks and all the other gear required for a day at the public beach. Additionally the yard is a nice size for yard games. We truly had a lovely stay. The only downside was with the cleanliness of the home, made worse by the owner’s seemingly apathetic response. I messaged the owner after a week into the trip when we found a live mouse in the basement. I then used this opportunity to let him know that we found old pizza and rolled joints in the drawers when we arrived, something we were willing to overlook but wanted him to know as it seemed like the drawers were forgotten in the cleaning process. While I wasn’t asking for anything in my message, I was disappointed to learn that the owner was aware of prior issues with the cleaning service, but still charging a cleaning fee without doing anything to make sure the issues are resolved. Additionally, there was no apology for the poor cleaning service nor an offer to lay mouse traps. I find this unacceptable and am leaving this review in hopes that the owner will choose to do something to improve the cleaning service for future guests. If the response to my private message would have indicated intent to improve this in the future, I would not have shared this.
Stayed 15 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erin V.

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

Beautiful!

Stayed here this past weekend. 3 couples fit perfectly! It is close to downtown, wineries, and casino. We drove the short distance to Leland and Northport. The view out the front bay window is gorgeous! If we go back to Sutton’s Bay - we will definitely consider this rental again!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cindy G.

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

Girls Trip

The location was amazing! Lots to do, walked to downtown Sutton’s Bay on the TART trail. So many wineries so little time haha. Nice grocery store (Hansons) and restaurants nearby. Can’t wait to go back this summer and enjoy the waterfront and beach.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Eric Z.

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

Great spot for a long weekend

We reserved the Harbormaster for a long weekend to celebrate a birthday, having a few couples come from all over the state. The property was just as described and in a great location. The weather didn’t hold out like we would have hoped but we spent time inside watching a few football games and playing cards and there was plenty of room without being cramped.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joe M.

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

Beautiful Suttons Bay

Very nice house with a great location in Suttons Bay
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brent M., Greensboro NC

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

Lovely location, clean, updated house

We stayed here in July 2023 for a family trip. The house was clean, in good shape, has nice views of the bay and had a quiet backyard with nice amenities for our family. The bike trail/greenway access was fantastic and made for easy access to the municipal beach by bike (our 5 year old could do it) and morning road rides for the grown ups. The waterfront is shallow and clear and despite being somewhat challenging for little ones to reach (you need to cross M22 and jump over a guardrail) it was quaint. Sutton’s bay is great!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Abigail H.

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

Great location and house

Enjoyed a nice relaxing vacation at the Harbormaster! Grateful we were able to bring our family dog and explore so many locations in the area. Definitely will stay there again if in the area!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Elaine W.

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

Spacious home, nice water views

Overall our family of 8 enjoyed our stay at this home. The biking/walking trail that ran behind the house was incredibly convenient for getting to town. The fenced yard was also great for the dog, grilling and night-time bon fires. We enjoyed the dock and private beach - be sure to bring water shoes as the shore is rocky. Beds in all the rooms were comfortable and there was enough closet space to unpack for the week. Kitchen had sufficient supplies for food preparation and we were able to cook and enjoy dinner each night as a family. There were a few items that could be improved upon: The temperature control in the home was not great. The basement was freezing, the main floor was comfortable, and the upstairs was very hot. The bedrooms upstairs could use ceiling fans to help with air circulation and extra blankets the basement for those bedrooms. The sprinkling system went on every morning - drenching whatever had been put out on the deck to dry the night before which was a bit frustrating. We enjoyed the waterfront and private beach, but did not realize just how busy a road M-22 was. It was very loud if we had the front windows open and also getting to the beach was a bit treacherous due to the traffic. It was also a challenge to climb over the metal railing to get to the beach stairs. The home was sufficiently clean, but could certainly use a deep cleaning from time to time (for example, the jacuzzi jets in the main floor bathtub were rather moldy). Overall we enjoyed our stay, but we will look for a home that is directly on the water for a future vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Paul M.

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

Perfect spot!

First, Sam was incredibly easy to work with and quick to respond! House is located less than a mile north of Suttons Bay and the Leelanau Trail is literally 100 feet from the back of the house. Made it so convenient to head into town whether walking or biking in for food, ice cream or the public beach. House was well stocked (even a crock pot) and plenty of room for our six adults and four kids. Beds were memory foam and in great condition. If I have to find any negative, and I'm being picky now, it is having to cross the road to get to the stairs that lead to the private shoreline and dock. However, that walk is well worth it to watch the sun rise over the bay, sailboats meandering by or the families of ducks in the area.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jen L.

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

Idyllic setting perfectly located

The Harbormaster was the quintessential “up north” home away from home! 5 adults and 2 pups enjoyed every aspect of Sam’s property! Ample space inside and out, modern conveniences, comfy options for rest and private beachfront provided relaxation at its finest. Sam was the consummate host and we highly recommend his Sutton’s Bay getaway!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nicole G.

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

Great house for a week away!

Our family had a wonderful week staying at The Harbormaster. The house is in a great location to quickly get to a number of wineries, and conveniently located for a quick drive or walk into Suttons Bay. The house was clean and the host was prompt in communicating with us. Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Great biking location

We loved the TART trail that runs along the backyard, making it an easy walk or bike ride into Sutton Bay. Beautiful home with great view of the water. Great memories were made around the campfire, and skipping stones off their small beach across the street.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

David M.

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

Nice

Clean, awesome view great location, beach isn’t very big but Is pretty nice.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jon H.

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

Harbormaster

Nice home in a great location to explore Traverse City and surrounding area. The home offers a gorgeous view of Sutton’s Bay. We found everything we wanted with this rental !
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Joshua H.

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

Comfortable, centrally located, Suttons Bay home

We had a lovely stay at Sam and Mary's house in Suttons Bay! The house is comfortable and well-stocked with most things you would need in the kitchen and for the beach. The house is walking distance from Suttons Bay, directly on the TART trail (which is great if you like to walk or bike), and has bay access across M22. The house is centrally located on the peninsula allowing easy day trips to beautiful beaches, wineries, nearby towns, and local restaurants. We were really thankful for the clean house, with roomy bedrooms, lots of closet space to unpack, and extremely comfortable mattresses - many rental homes are not as comfortable as this house is! Sam was very responsive to all of our questions and clearly this is a loved home.
Stayed 28 nights in Jul 2021

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location
Disliked: Communication, listing accuracy

Bad value, amenities not as described, and difficult owners

We have been using this platform to book rentals for over a decade. We have stayed in dozens of places – from Jerusalem, to New York City, to Easter Island. We just returned from our 11th summer visit to Michigan. We paid more for this house than we had ever paid previously, but we really wanted our dog to be part of the vacation and the house seemed to meet all our needs by description. While the renovated bathrooms were very nice and access to the TART trail was super convenient, the house lists that it comes with Cable TV, a ping pong table, two full beds in the basement (they are actually twins), beach towels, etc. that it just does not have. At this price point I also expect dressers/clothing storage (not one in any of the bedrooms), that the A/C unit will cool the entire house, the kitchen sink will have a garbage disposal, bathroom doors will lock and the door handle will not come off in your hand, that clean bath towels will not be damp when we take them out of the linen closet to use them for the first time, and I wont have to vault myself over a highway guardrail to access the flight of stairs down to the dock (no beach) which only sits three people comfortably. We’ve stayed in much better houses (on the water with dogs!) for far less than this. It was really a bad value. Finally, we contacted the owners before and during the stay and found them to be polite, but inflexible, unhelpful, and unapologetic. We have let them know that the listing promises things that the house does not have, and as of this writing the listing has not been updated.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Linda B.

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

Great Sutton’s Bay family vacation

The home was well supplied with everything that we needed during our stay. It was clean, spacious with a great outdoor space. We walked the trail behind it, as well as kayaking and swimming off the dock! Great week!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Laura P.

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

Perfect family getaway

Our family of ten found this property to be absolutely perfect! The fenced in yard made for a great “playground” for the four little ones, complete with yard games and a fire pit. We hiked and biked the adjoining trail every single day, making our way to charming Sutton’s Bay. I can’t say enough about the responsiveness of our hosts. They answered my questions quickly every time and their love for their property is obvious the minute you step in the door. Truly a delight!
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kelly M., Northbrook, IL

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

Great for a wine weekend!

We had a wonderful time at The Harbormaster! The location was perfect to explore Leelanu vineyards and there was plenty of space for us. We had a girls weekend for 10 to celebrate our 50th birthdays and we were not tripping over each other. Great communication from the homeowners and super clean. Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Leah H.

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

Lots of fun

We stayed for a week and had a great time, thanks!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Heidi S., Dayton, OH

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

Perfect vacation spot

My family and I rented this place over NYE and had a great time. We were traveling with kids so it was super convenient that they had a pack and play and 2 different high chairs for us to use. They also had plenty of Tupperware, pots/pans and even two small crock pots for us to use. Normally, we are limited to what we can cook while on vacation but not here. We took advantage of the trail right behind the house and walked to the cute shops downtown. The fenced in backyard was perfect for our dog. Communication with the owners with quick and easy. This place checked all the boxes for us. Would highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Denise W.

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

Great home and great village of Sutton’s Bay!!!

Had a wonderful time ... the owners were fabulous to work with and the home was very clean. Thank you !!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2020

About the host

Hosted by Sam B.

Host profile image
We are a professional couple who admire the Leelanau Peninsula. We enjoy hiking with our dog, Jacques, biking, kayaking, wine tasting and the picture perfect sunrises and sunsets.
Harbormaster is a prime location to experience all of this and more. It is our pleasure to share Harbormaster with new guests and returning guests. We go above and beyond to make sure everyone experiences the splendor that is Leelanau Peninsula.

Why they chose this property

We live in New York City and keep coming back to Suttons Bay and the surrounding area. It is the perfect place to take a break from the hustle and bustle and unwind. We appreciate the great local food and wine grown in the area. The numerous outdoor activities are endless.

What makes this property unique

The location and the views are what lead us to The Harbormaster. The sunrise is absolutely amazing rising over Suttons Bay. The sunrise is a reminder to seize the day, get outside and enjoy nature with your family and friends.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests