Secluded Lake Retreat

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Entire home

House sits on 3 acres of beautifully-manicured landscaping

3-season room overlooks panoramic views of lake

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8204.4 sq m

Popular amenities

Dryer
Parking available
Pet-friendly
Washer
Outdoor space

Explore the area

Dowling, MI

Bristol Lake
‪1 min walk‬
Kellogg Arena
‪22 min drive‬
Firekeepers Casino
‪31 min drive‬
Battle Creek, MI (BTL-W. K. Kellogg Regional)
‪21 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Queen Beds

Bedroom 3

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Garden

Dining area

About this property

Our property is centrally located in southwest Michigan, within a 3-hour drive from Chicago and Detroit. The region is known for it’s rolling hills, golf courses and hundreds of lakes. It is a place where recreation awaits year-round! No matter what your outdoor pleasure, from golf to water sports, you can find it here in our beautiful natural surroundings!

Our house sits on 3.3 wooded acres, and from it’s hillside perch, enjoys broad views overlooking Bristol Lake. The property is on a quiet residential street. Bristol is a 165-acre all-sports lake and is excellent for fishing, swimming and all manner of watersports. The lake shore consists of a mix of areas of sand and loam. The water gets deep gradually and is relatively-friendly to younger children (although we recommend life jackets for non-swimmers).

We have a large grassy yard along the lake with enough trees to give some comfortable shade in the sunny summer afternoons.

Property manager

Ray Micham

Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

Air conditioning

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Most windows plus deck and lower patio have panoramic views over Bristol Lake!

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)

$150 fee/pet

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Noise Levels: During the day, noise should be kept to reasonable levels. After dark, noise levels should not exceed that of a close conversation.

The septic system is very effective; however, it will clog up if improper materials are flushed. DO NOT FLUSH anything other than toilet paper.

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 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 deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Dowling

Located in Dowling, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Hastings Country Club and Gull Lake View Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Otis Farm Bird Sanctuary and Hidden Pond Preserve. Cadwallader Park and Kingman Museum are also worth visiting. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and skiing, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling and ice skating.

Dowling, MI

What's nearby

Bristol Lake - 1 min walk - 0.2 km
Gilmore Car Museum - 21 min drive - 19.2 km
Kellogg Arena - 22 min drive - 22.2 km
Gull Lake - 26 min drive - 22.1 km
Firekeepers Casino - 31 min drive - 31.7 km

Getting around

Battle Creek Transportation Center - 22 min drive
Kalamazoo, MI (AZO-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Intl.) - 43 min drive

Restaurants

‪Wild Mike's - ‬10 min drive
‪Horn Creek Pub - ‬12 min drive
‪Bedford Steak House - ‬12 min drive
‪Yarrow Golf & Conference Resort - ‬22 min drive
‪Last Stop - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Secluded Lake Retreat pet-friendly?

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

What time is check-in at Secluded Lake Retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Secluded Lake Retreat?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Secluded Lake Retreat located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is steps from Bristol Lake and within 3 mi (5 km) of Little Mill Lake and Clear Lake. Mill Lake is 2.4 mi (3.8 km) away.

9.8

Exceptional

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

Learn more

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Jesse W.

8 Apr 2025

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

Quick Getaway

This trip was just for my spouse and I and our pet. It was a colder weekend, but we enjoyed everything. We can’t wait to rent again when the weather is warmer.

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Caleb S.

26 Oct 2023

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

Fall Getaway

Very nice cozy place to stay with plenty to do. Beautiful property to enjoy.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

BENJAMIN K.

25 May 2024

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

Bristol Lake Stay

We had a group of 8 guys on a golf trip. The accomodations were excellent and we had a great time.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa J.

21 July 2024

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

A truly beautiful lake!

Pretty lake, very clean, nice house and very quiet. Had a great time enjoying the surroundings. Lake was warm, beds were comfy and house was well stocked! Thank you for sharing your house!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeanne O.

23 Sept 2024

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

Peaceful Lake House

Our family of 9 people from 3 states stayed at this house in Dowling for a wedding weekend. The house is very comfortable and the kitchen worked well for all of us. The water is a bit ‘tasty’ so bottled water is a good idea. We enjoyed the early mornings outside.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer R.

24 Aug 2023

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

Wonderful secluded stay

The home is very well equipped and clean, the location wonderful on the lake with so much to do. My family and I really enjoyed ourselves and the owner is responsive! looking forward to staying again!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Loren T.

22 Sept 2023

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

Lake house

Had a wonderful time! I will definitely recommend this place.

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kellie B.

17 Sept 2023

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

Perfect Lake Retreat

The property was exactly as described, nicely appointed, and clean when we arrived. Perfect lake house getaway from the city.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Leslie M., Grosse Pointe Farms, Mi. 48236

15 July 2023

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

Great House

A beautiful location with a great house!,VERY CLEAN!, the best equipped house we have ever rented.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cooper N.

30 May 2023

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

Memorial Day Weekend

Stayed here with some friends and our dogs. Great stay. Was very relaxing and we had a blast swimming in the lake and wearing the dogs out. Would recommend to anyone.

Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

6/10 Okay

James H.

16 June 2024

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

Disliked: Cleanliness

Nice place, just needed cleaned

The property was great, it just was not clean.

Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kim S.

12 Sept 2023

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

Private getaway

Absolutley love this cottage!! Perfect location on the lake with privacy. Loved being able to rent the pontoon boat too! We did daily tours around the lake on the boat with many stops for swimming. Had the best time

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Charles G.

12 June 2023

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

2023 Family Vacation

This is the second year in a row we have stayed at this property and what a home and property it is. My kids and I love to connect here while enjoying the basement games, the beach, the hot tub and the boat! Beautiful sunrises from the screened in room starts each day off right! Thanks Ray!

Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patricia N.

14 Sept 2023

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

Great Get-Away!!

Nice place! House was clean and had comfortable beds. The beach area was fun for the little kids. Adults enjoyed the kayaks and fishing on the lake. Beautiful views of the lake from the screened in porch. Really enjoyed our time there and would recommend…except for people who have problems climbing stairs. There’s quite a few stairs to get to the lake front. (The only drawback for some people. We were fine with it.)

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Haley D.

7 Mar 2023

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

Winter Weekend Visit

The property was as expected and the view was beautiful! Hot tub was perfect for the winter weekend. Loved the screened in deck, cozy living area, games, local guide binder, and spacious bedrooms. Only a few minor negative things to note—the Keurig did not work, water filter on fridge needed to be changed, and downstairs bathroom had a musty smell. Still a great space with comfortable accommodations for a family who will be spending a lot of time on the lake during summer months!!

Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn K., Lombard, IL

30 Sept 2020

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

Very clean!

House and grounds were super clean! This was located in a great location with quite a few stairs to get down to the lake. Lake was great, we used the kayaks that are included and fished off the pier. The house lacked a couple basics but the owner assisted when notified. The pans provided are pretty worn and are no longer non-stick. They were very difficult to cook on, keep this in mind if you plan on frying anything on the stove top. The pool table, air hockey table and ping pong table were perfect for our group also. 2 sets of newer washers/dryers, 1 on each floor was super convenient! Would recommend and would return!

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

4/10 Poor

Brenna M., El Cajon, CA

19 Jan 2018

Dangerous steps down to water

I broke my ankle at this house on the step out to the screened room. Maybe it is best to have a sign there to let people know about the step. The house was nice, it was a little warm in there at times. We liked our stay there but wish we would of known about the treacherous walk down to the water. Our 80 year old mother fell also on her way down the walkway. There was no lights so it was very difficult at night. My broken ankle made it much worse. It would of been nice to be contacted by the homeowner after i fell and broke my ankle to see how i was doing, but we never got contacted, even after we let tgem know. We wont stay here again because of the dangerous walkway that you need to use to go to the lake. In none of the reviews does anyone mention the steep walk path, this is important information.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017

8/10 Good

Judy A.

27 Sept 2024

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

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Colton G.

1 Nov 2022

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

Getaway

The house was nice with great views and Ray was accessible for any issues that arose

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nicki M.

25 Oct 2022

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

Awesome Autumn Weekend

We were able to gather our adult children and parents for a gorgeous Fall weekend and this place made our stay simply amazing! The layout is perfect for everyone to not only be able to come together for meals and games in the kitchen/dining area and on the screened-in porch but also allowed for privacy when wanting time to rest and relax with spacious and comfortable bedrooms. The only suggestion we’d offer would be to add maybe some solar stake lights along the path down to the lake as it really does get so dark! We loved our time at this place and we all agree we’d love to return again soon!!

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kim S.

6 Oct 2022

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

Beautiful, peaceful retreat

We had four adults staying at this location and have to say that we had the very best time. There was ample room for all of us and it was really nice to have a full bathroom in the lower level as well. The games room was so much fun. We loved the private beach area as well. Being right on the lake was so peaceful. We would highly recommend this cottage!

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rachel M., Chicago, IL

30 Sept 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy

Disliked: Check-in

Peaceful Secluded Lake House

The lake view from the house is beautiful! We had a challenging time with check-in, however, Ray and Janelle apologized and made up for the hiccup in communication. The house is a great place for a family retreat— very kid and dog friendly. We enjoyed the hot tub, fire pit, boats, and sandy beach.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Danielle S.

29 Sept 2022

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

Great stay

Great stay! Had everything we needed for a family weekend getaway

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dawn C.

28 Sept 2022

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

Relaxing Stay

This home was beautiful, clean, spacious and peaceful. The beds were so comfortable that it was difficult to get up and go each morning. The cost of our stay, when compared to renting three rooms in a local hotel, made it even more worthwhile. And it was nice to be able to relax before all the wedding festivities. Thank you for allowing us to enjoy your home.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Roxanne G., Ada

12 Sept 2022

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

Great Cottage for a Fun Family Getaway!

Our family (total 8 people) rents a cottage somewhere in Michigan each Labor Day week every year. We all agreed that this cottage is one of the best we've rented! So many amenities to keep everyone busy.....kayaks, swim raft, fishing, air hockey, ping pong, hot tub , fire pit. We had great weather with just one rainy day, and on that day we played board games on the awesome porch which overlooks the lake. The kitchen is well stocked and organized and had all that we needed for our family meals, including an awesome large, clean grill outside. The beds were all comfy and all the linens were top notch. Normally we make it a policy to go somewhere different each Labor Day, but we all agree "we might be coming back to this cottage!"

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

About the host

Hosted by Ray Micham

This home on Bristol Lake is owned by 2 families: Ray and Sue Micham, and Dan and Janel Garno. Sue and Dan are sister and brother. Ray and Sue have raised their 6 kids in Northwestern Ohio while Dan & Janel have raised their 6 children in Southern Michigan. Our families are very active, and have enjoyed fishing, catching turtles, frogs, and snakes, swimming, canoeing/kayaking, and water sports on Bristol during the warm months, and ice skating, sledding and ski trips during the cold months. We also enjoy taking a 1 hour and 15 minute drive over to the charming town of Saugatuck, on the coast of Lake Michigan. It is our hope that your family will also make lots of good memories and experience the relaxation, peace, and fellowship that we have found, gathered at Bristol Lake.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

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Secluded Lake Retreat

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Reviews

Popular amenities

Explore the area

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

About this property