Entire home

The snow has arrived! Welcoming winter renters. Jan-Apr. Monthly/weekly/wkds.

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Property grounds
Entrance.
A great location near some of the best snowmobile and ski areas in Michigan.
Exterior
View from deck.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6157.9 sq m

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
Mancelona, MI
  • Schuss Mountain
    ‪37 min drive‬
  • Torch Lake
    ‪42 min drive‬
  • Torch Lake Park
    ‪45 min drive‬
  • Gaylord, MI (GLR-Gaylord Regional)
    ‪54 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

4 Single Bunk Beds

Loft Bedroom

1 King Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

The snow has arrived! Welcoming winter renters. Jan-Apr. Monthly/weekly/wkds.

The lake house is on the quiet south-end of Starvation Lake, near Mancelona Michigan near the some of the best ORV and Snowmobile trails in Michigan as well as 120' of the nicest lake around.

It came into our possession (Mike and Ali Cipriano), following a Cipriano family gathering when, like many others, we fell in love with the lake.

We love to share our property with couples and small families looking for a quiet and peaceful get-away.

If you’re looking for somewhere to wind down and escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life; or a base from which to explore the all-year-round beauty of Northern Michigan, look no further.

Nestled into woodland, with its own dock, fire pit, and decked area overlooking the lake, this recently updated house provides all the amenities for a relaxing stay.
The house itself has two bedrooms including a beautiful galley king size bed with views over the glistening lake.

The first floor provides a full bathroom; a full kitchen with all utensils; and a cozy sitting area where you can end your day seated comfortably around the gas fireplace.

The basement holds the washing and drying machines.

The barn has an extended lean-to, which provides outdoor space to escape from light rainfall, with a large table for family meals. The most recent addition has been the flower garden, which captures the mid to late-afternoon summer sun and is an ideal spot to enjoy some quiet time.

For those who wish to relax in and on the lake, there is plenty to enjoy. The wake restrictions guarantee quiet mornings and evenings for swimming, kayaking and fishing. The lake is renowned for its fishing and some of the best Browns in the state. Starvation Lake is perfectly situated for those who wish to explore the countryside trails on snowmobiles or ATVs, enjoy cross-country skiing, ice-fishing, biking and hiking.

Additional sporting activities can be enjoyed within close proximity: Manistee River for kayaking is just 20 minutes away; Shanty Creek for golf and ski enthusiasts lies 25 minutes from the lake; and it is only a 35-minute drive to Boyne Mountain ski, golf, and zip line water park.

At the north end of the lake is the famous Hideaway Bar, which sells a wide range of bar food and local beverages; and the friendly Starvation Lake Store, which has an ATM, and sells gas, all the basic supplies (++), and lake merchandise. We recommend both!

Only 45 minutes away from Starvation Lake lies Traverse City, Petoskey, and Charlevoix; all of which provide a range of entertainment, wineries and shopping opportunities.

Over the past few years we have had wonderfully relaxed, polite and courteous renters. Our home, and indeed the cove, is not a place for wild parties either on our land, in the house, or through platoon anchorage. Previous renters have understood the necessity to follow the guidelines in regard to respecting the sensitivities of our resident neighbors (being mindful of language, voice levels and music); the rules of this ‘no-wake’ lake (7.30pm-11am – speed restrictions); and the need to consider the wildlife (especially the loons that cannot take to the air quickly enough to avoid fast on-coming speed boats, and the turtles and muskrats that live in the warmer waters of the cove) – we thank them for this respect and would be happy to rent-out our place, through any season, to more guests of the same. All guidelines relating to courtesy and Blue Lake Township Rules are available through booking, and displayed both within the cabin and on the deck. We would be grateful if renters would familiarize themselves with these, prior to arrival.

And finally, for those who are curious as to where this lake house got its name:
we have spent much of our working lives moving from one place to another, and so decided to give the lake house a name that reflected our yearning to, one-day, settle down. Our descent (Italian/ English/Irish), and our past and present lives, led us to one of Ali’s favorite bands, The Dubliners, and one of their most famous songs ‘The Irish Rover’. The song tells of a roving man who decided his days of traveling and wild shenanigans are over, and the chorus provides the name:
‘So it’s no nay never,
no nay never no more,
will I be the wild rover,
no never no more’.
We welcome respectful renters, and look forward to receiving further bookings at the ‘No Nay Never’.


Property manager

Michael R Cipriano

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 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 12:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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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
We will allow up to 6 adults but will not allow all males or females and the majority must be over the age of 30. Adult children of any age are ok
It is important to keep in mind that respect for the lake and its neighbors is of utmost importance. Sounds easily carry across the lake
Summer rentals are on a weekly basis starting on Sunday and leaving the following Saturday. Be sure to observe quiet hours at the cabin 10pm to 8am

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
Long-term renters welcome
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
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 required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Mancelona

Located in Mancelona, this holiday home is on the waterfront. AuSable Artisan Village and Call of the Wild Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Grandview Golf Club and Timber Wolf Golf Club. Otsego County Sportsplex and Bavarian Falls Park are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Mancelona, MI

What's nearby

  • Schuss Mountain - 37 min drive - 24.8 km
  • Otsego Lake State Park - 41 min drive - 27.6 km
  • Torch Lake - 42 min drive - 34.5 km
  • Torch Lake Park - 45 min drive - 37.3 km
  • Boyne Mountain - 54 min drive - 51.0 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Hide-A-Way Bar - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Scenic Windmill Farms Family Dining - ‬26 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The snow has arrived! Welcoming winter renters. Jan-Apr. Monthly/weekly/wkds. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The snow has arrived! Welcoming winter renters. Jan-Apr. Monthly/weekly/wkds. ?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The snow has arrived! Welcoming winter renters. Jan-Apr. Monthly/weekly/wkds. ?

Checkout is at 12:00 PM.

Where is The snow has arrived! Welcoming winter renters. Jan-Apr. Monthly/weekly/wkds. located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within 16 miles (25 km) of Grandview Golf Club, Au Sable River and Timber Wolf Golf Club. Schuss Mountain and Twin Birch Golf Course are also within 20 miles (32 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. 46 out of 50 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 50 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 50 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 50 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kristi G.

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

Excellent place!

This is a great cabin! We highly enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Gabriel P. M.

Well maintained. Very quiet. Beautiful

Excellent time of relaxation and refreshment. I would recomend this place to anyone!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jeni C.

Great stay on Starvation Lake!

Our family had a great stay! House was very accomodating for the 4 of us, but I can easily see having 7 guests comfortably. One of the best places I've stayed relative to snowmobile trailhead. Decent parking for two large vehicles and 2, 2 place snowmobile trailers. We will definitely look into staying here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2019

10/10 Excellent

Urbi N.

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

We really enjoyed our weekend getaway. The cabin was extremely cozy and very well stocked.

We enjoyed spending our vacation at this cute cabin in the woods. It was extremely pretty watching the snowfall. Our dogs loved playing in the snow. It was extremely fun.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020

8/10 Good

Jennifer K.

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

Winter wonderland!!

We had a very nice stay at the No Nay Never cottage. We had everything we needed and there was plenty of space for our family of six. We got several inches of snow while we were there and it was beautiful and perfect for skiing!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2019

10/10 Excellent

Michelle H.

Comfortable and relaxing!

We had an amazing stay! The cabin was comfortable and stocked with everything we needed to unplug and recharge. The view from the deck was gorgeous, and we watched the sunset from those deck chairs most nights. Love this place... looking forward to our next visit. :)
Stayed 7 nights in May 2018

10/10 Excellent

Tim D.

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

Secluded perfection

Believe all the positive reviews. This home is all that people report. Everything that you could possibly need for a northern Michigan vacation.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Christian K.

The perfect spot!

My family and I had a wonderful week at No, Nay, Never cabin! The cabin was perfect for us, the view and setting was beautiful and peaceful. Just what we needed! An added bonus for me, (dad) is the fishing is really good! Thank you Mike and Alison.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Dave B.

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

Cozy and remote

If you want a getaway this is a good option. Snuggled on the lake there are lovely views and access to the water. Plenty to do to keep you outdoor occupied. Stocked kitchen and new washer dryer to keep things at home. Comfy bed and couch. 30 min from Torch Lake and Bellaire to check out town. Would stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Doug W.

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

Perfect!

From my initial inquiry to the availability of The No Nay Never to the moment we pulled out of the driveway for the last time, this was a PERFECT getaway! Mike and Ali are quick to respond with any questions. The home is beautiful both inside and out and the surrounding gardens add to the charm. We thoroughly enjoyed the deck for some sun, reading and laughs. We even caught a view fish from the dock. Use of the kayaks was greatly appreciated. For bird lovers, there are quite a few interesting calls to discover. We made quick trips into the various local towns but opted to spend a majority of our time at the lake. I can't imagine finding another rental that could possibly outshine The No Nay Never. Thanks so much, Mike and Ali!! We look forward to future visits!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Soozan M.

Perfect vacation perfect setting

This little cabin was the perfect setting for our best family vacation ever! Secluded enough that we were not distracted by anything else. Spent long lazy days hanging in the lake, floating fishing swimming. Took day trips to mackinac island, kayaked the Jordan river. Walked around our lake. Spent evening listening to music making s’mores and dancing in the rain!! Fantastic family bonding. A trip we will never forget!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Michelle H.

Love this cabin!

This was our second visit to No Nay Never, and we simply love it! The time we spend there is magical. The cabin is comfortable, welcoming, and fully stocked with everything we need for a relaxing vacation. This time we spent a long weekend watching the rain fall and working puzzles on the large table. The hosts were very responsive to our needs...making sure we were able to enjoy our time by the lake. We will happily return as this cabin is becoming one of our favorite spots on earth. :)
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth H.

The NoNaNever is a little slice of heaven plunked down on a spring-fed lake.

The NoNaNever is a slice of heaven plunked down on the spring fed body of water known as Starvation Lake, about 30 miles from Traverse City, MI. There are loons on the lake. There are great horned owls in the woods. The home itself is pristine, with lots of windows, fully stocked kitchen, lots of room for family and friends, and the best positioned fire pit possible... looking out over the lake. Five stars. We'll be back. Elizabeth Hurwitz & Jeff Belanger
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Anne K.

Peaceful Starvation Lake

This was our first time renting a cottage in MI and we loved Starvation Lake. It was nice and quiet and we enjoyed the natural beauty of the area. We had fun fishing off the dock and caught perch, blue gills and small mouth bass. We swam, kayaked and rode bikes. Fishing off the dock in the quiet evenings was a favorite. The cottage was well stocked and the kitchen space was more than adequate. We were thankful for the large kitchen table. Sharing one bathroom required patience at times, but we managed OK. (Could use more towel bars in the bathroom.) We hiked trails at the Grass River Natural Area in Bellaire as well as visited Hartwick Pines one rainy day. We loved Starvation Lake and give a heartfelt thank you to Mike and Ali for sharing it with us!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Brandi B.

Relaxation!

We stayed in this house in Oct during the vibrant leaf show the trees were displaying. The house was perfect! The location is great if you are looking to just get away and be away from a busy life. You can spend hours on the deck just looking at the lake or walk down to the landing where the fire pit is located to enjoy the scenery from there. The house itself is equipped with everything we needed. The kitchen had everything, plenty of blankets and towels and we even used the fireplace one evening when temps dropped down around 30. The house was also very clean. We brought our dog and he loved the walks on the road and sniffing everything possible along the shoreline. We even saw a few deer on our walk. The owners were also great to work with and very responsive. Would highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a nice getaway. Thank you Mike and Alison for sharing your home with us!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Matthew M.

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

Perfect Spot For Family Lake Vacation!

Our family stayed at the No Nay Never in late June and early July of ‘24 for almost 2 weeks and had the most amazing time! We fished, swam, kayaked, played board games, and explored the lake in their small aluminum boat each day and then ate dinner down on the elevated deck overlooking beautiful Starvation Lake. Even after two weeks we wish we could’ve stayed longer! The lake was plenty warm to swim and the fishing was great! We caught a ton of largemouth, smallmouth, bluegill and crappy. Mike and Ali were great communicators before, during and after our stay and answered all questions we had quickly! The cabin was clean and well equipped with everything we’d need for our 2 week stay. Our 3 kids (ages 6,6 and 9) loved sleeping on the bunk beds and the loft bedroom up top was perfect for my wife and I. The kitchen had all the essentials to get us started and there is a small general store a minute down the road that had pretty much anything else we would need. Bigger grocery stores were only about 20 minutes away. We also enjoyed the walleye fish fry at The Hideout, a local restaurant and bar on the other side of the lake. The fire pit was great for making s’mores and we also used the barbecue several times to make meals. They had tons of comfortable outdoor patio furniture and a hammock for our kids to relax in. We whole heartedly recommend the No Nay Never if you are looking for a relaxing, fun time on the water in Northern Michigan!
Stayed 13 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

John F.

Just as described

My family came here in the second week of April to enjoy the Kalkaska ATV trails. The home is ideally situated on Starvation lake allowing us easy access to the trails eliminating the need to trailer the ATV's. The home was very clean and well appointed, especially the kitchen. Having WiFi and a surprisingly good channel selection available on the TV was a definite plus as we had a snow storm one day and it rained the next. Because of the time of year (the lake was still frozen) we obviously didn't use the outdoor features of the property but they looked very nice none the less. The only drawback, due to the cold weather, was that the downstairs sleeping area was pretty cold, especially the floor. Obviously this wouldn't be a problem during the warmer months. We were provided with a very detailed information package that was very helpful and accurate. I would highly recommend this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

colleen g.

Peaceful lake getaway.

Arriving at the cabin we immediately saw a mother deer and young fawn. The 'no nay never' cabin lived up to all of our expectations. Beautiful inside and out with great view of lake. Cabin was move in ready and all we had to do was unpack. Mike was a phone call away and available to answer questions. Once we found our way around to town and back it was a breeze. Took day trips to Traverse City and Petoskey and every small town in between. Spent down time fishing from dock and relaxing. On the road saw a lot of wildlife. Turkeys were around every corner. Weather was cool at night and mid 70's during day. Plenty of things to do within cabin's range. Bring food and your ready to go as cabin is fully stocked with everything else you'll need except for a toaster. 'NO NAY NEVER' in our eyes stands for GOOD TIMES. Thanks to Mike and Allison for sharing your place with our family.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017

10/10 Excellent

Anne K.

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

Starvation Lake getaway

A well-maintained cottage on a pretty piece of land overlooking a beautiful lake.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Steven F.

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

Great retreat in the woods on the water

Property as described. Setting was really nice - just what we were looking for. Will be improved significantly when basement bathroom is complete. Convenient location for what we wanted to do. We enjoyed our time on the lake.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Andrew O.

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

Great Getaway Spot

We really enjoyed our time at the No Nay Never cabin. Check in and out was easy and the location is great. Excellent views out onto Starvation Lake, and we took advantage of the short drive to Bellaire to enjoy Short's Brewing. Would recommend this cabin to anyone looking for a weekend getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Paula C., Michigan

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

Winter Getaway with Family

The property location is very beautiful looking over the lake and nestled in the trees. The cabin was clean and had ample kitchen supplies and even toiletries! It exceeded our expectations, and it was well located to pick-up carryout from close restaurants. The kids loved the property with deep snow for sledding and playing. We would come again with our family of four and dog.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Donna D.

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

Great place ! Beautiful location. Will definitely return

Easy renting ! Owners answered every question I had quickly. Was exactly as pictured
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2020

4/10 Poor

Judy S.

Liked: Communication
Disliked: Cleanliness

unexpected problem

We arrived to find the house had not been cleaned after the prior renters. I immediately contacted the owners and although he apologized there was no one coming to rectify the situation. I spent hours cleaning the house so we could stay comfortably. We were ultimately credited the cleaning fee and extra for the unexpected situation. We were not happy but made the best of the situation. I will commend the owners for responding quickly and compensating for the problem. That being said... there needs to be maintenance cleaning done on this house. The carpet was badly stained and off putting to look at. The living room furniture was not very comfortable and has seen better days. The outside deck near the lake was a bonus and very relaxing to look out over the lake. We are familiar with the area so we had a good week exploring around the area despite the rough beginning.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn N.

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

Cozy, Warm,Tranquil Lake house

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the No Nay Never. Our goal was to relax, float on the lake, fish and enjoy the beautiful view of nature. The large deck that overlooks the lake was perfect for sunning, reading a book and hanging out. Kayaks and the row boat were an added bonus. The house was so convenient for cooking with well stocked cupboards with pots and pans, spices , coffee pot and toaster. The owner provided detailed information regarding check -in/out and information for comfortable living while staying there. It is clear that Mile and Ali are proud owners of the No Nay Never and they intend for renters to love this home as much as they do. They continue to seek feedback and it is obvious they will contine to work to improve their already lovely house on Starvation Lake. We would certainly love to return again in the future.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2020

About the host

Hosted by Michael R Cipriano

Host profile image
Mike and Ali (we) are kindred spirits who have traveled the world both for leisure and work. Both of us are educators; presently school administrators working in Dubai. Mike grew up in the Detroit area and went to NMU and later the University of Wisconsin. Ali grew up in Birmingham, England; and went to CCC Canterbury and the University of Bath. We both love teaching and we both love learning.

Why they chose this property

Everyone will find their own special connection with the NoNay Never - we certainly did. The most obvious benefit is the space the NNN provides to stop, breathe, relax and enjoy the simple things in life: the sun setting, the sounds of the lake and, if you are still enough, the extra visitors that mother nature invites to the early morning view.

Languages:

English