Entire home

Beautiful lakefront setting with pontoon boat available to rent.

Photo gallery for Beautiful lakefront setting with pontoon boat available to rent.

Fire Pit overlooking the serene lake
View from the back deck
Property grounds
Eighteen foot pontoon for rent. Has an electric start (25 HP, 4 cycle)
Front of the cottage-- driveway entrance

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 9176.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Mancelona, MI
  • Schuss Mountain
    ‪29 min drive‬
  • Torch Lake
    ‪34 min drive‬
  • Torch Lake Park
    ‪37 min drive‬
  • Gaylord, MI (GLR-Gaylord Regional)
    ‪35 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 4

1 Double Futon

Bedroom 5

1 Single Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

Beautiful lakefront setting with pontoon boat available to rent.

Five star rated property. Total capacity of 8. Our cottage is located on Starvation Lake, one of the cleanest lakes in the Midwest. Situated close to the water, yet tucked into the forest. Resort areas of Traverse City, Petoskey and Charlevoix within a 45-minute drive. Golf, casinos and shopping, are all nearby. Go for a swim, or go fishing, use our new sit on top kayak, or simply relax on the deck and relish the view. No wake restrictions guarantee both quiet evenings and relaxing early morning coffee. Primary bedroom has private deck overlooking the lake and is now air conditioned. The entire lower level is mobility friendly with garage, main floor living, deck, and two bedrooms, all on the same level. Main floor bathroom has a 5 foot walk-in shower. Additional full bathroom upstairs.The outdoor deck wraps around the cottage, has two eating areas and expansive sitting areas. A wide, well lit, multi-level deck and stairway leads down to the dock and small sitting area. Free wireless internet available. At the north side of the lake, there is the popular Hide-Away bar and a gas station next to a party store. Much of the surrounding area is state and federal land with snowmobile and RV trails, as well as hiking trails. Our property is over 14 acres with a private road to Sunset Trail, and convenient area to park trailers or extra vehicles. The area has sandy soil and a lack of standing water which contributes to the fact that there are few biting insects. . No pets, please. Non-smoking only. Over the years, our family has enjoyed many years of fun-filled, relaxing moments at our cottage. It has often served as a sanctuary for us when we needed a "get-away". Check out is Saturday at 9:00am which allows for scheduled cleaning and disinfecting before our next guests arrive. We look forward to your visit and are confident you will enjoy your stay. PLEASE NOTE the following : Pontoon boat only available from early June to mid September. Our swim area is clean hard sand, however due to extreme high water levels we currently have limited dry sand beach.. ATV are allowed with certain restrictions which you must review with the owner before booking.

Property manager

Sam McFarland
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 9:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Mancelona

Located in Mancelona, this cottage is on the beach. Grandview Golf Club and Timber Wolf 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 Otsego Lake State Park and Grass River Natural Area. 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 - 29 min drive - 23.9 km
  • Torch Lake - 34 min drive - 33.6 km
  • Otsego Lake State Park - 36 min drive - 27.5 km
  • Torch Lake Park - 37 min drive - 36.3 km
  • Boyne Mountain - 53 min drive - 40.2 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Hide-A-Way Bar - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Scenic Windmill Farms Family Dining - ‬22 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Beautiful lakefront setting with pontoon boat available to rent. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful lakefront setting with pontoon boat available to rent. ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful lakefront setting with pontoon boat available to rent. ?

Checkout is at 9:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful lakefront setting with pontoon boat available to rent. located?

Nestled on the beach, this Mancelona cottage is within 16 mi (25 km) of Grandview Golf Club, Timber Wolf Golf Club and Au Sable River. Twin Birch Golf Course and The Legend are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Reviews

10

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. 42 out of 43 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 43 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 43 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 43 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 43 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

8/10 Good

Chunling Z.

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

Good view , relax

We are enjoyed the view, beautiful foggy that we got on the last day.The peaceful lake and comfortable cottage. The host was nice and helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erin L.

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

Cozy Cottage

Sam was a wonderful host and answered all of my questions. He was kind and communicative. The lake was clean and so quiet! We had such a relaxing time. While we stayed, we rode the boat each day, grilled, watched movies, did some puzzles, and laughed a lot! We would love to come again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Debra P.

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

Comfortable and lovely

What a beautiful property. The house was comfortable, lovely, and well equipped. We went to make memories and we did!
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gayle N.

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

Great Escape

My husband and I had a quiet, relaxing fall vacation at the property. The small lake was peaceful, and the surrounding woods provided a great display of fall colors. I especially enjoyed long walks on the property and sitting on the deck observing the lake. The cabin was nice and clean, plenty of space and amenities, and Sam was helpful whenever we had questions or needed advice.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

CrookedFinger, New Hudson, MI USA

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

House in the Woods on the Lake

House was very clean and well stocked. Spacious enough for each of my 3 kids to peel off to do some homework in their own spaces, and for the 5 of us to come back together for family meals and play board games. The location was right on the water with great views and felt secluded. However groceries and restaurants were just a short hop away to Mancelona or Kalkaska. We cooked every meal. The host was very accommodating and accessible. Overall, the place was perfect for us for a long Fall weekend. I would recommend this place.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gail A., Clawson

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

Relaxing getaway

We had the most enjoyable week, and the weather was beautiful. A lovely home nestled in a wooded area on a nice lake was just what we wanted, and this property delivered it all. The pontoon boat was a big plus, we spent almost all of our time on it. The owners are very nice and accommodating. You won’t be disappointed with this rental, we highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristi F., Porter, IN

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

Beautiful cottage on Starvation Lake

My family of 7 vacationed at this cottage on Starvation Lake this summer and we absolutely loved it! It's secluded enough to relax yet close to great places to visit. We loved the lake - It's clean, not super busy, and great to swim in. We also docked at the boat launch and walked over to the general store for ice cream, drinks, and snacks. We vacation up north every summer and we all agreed that this has been our favorite spot! The house was roomy and we had a lot of outdoor area to spread out. I'd highly recommend this for your next up north vacation rental!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda B.

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

a week in paradise

The property is spectacular with very clean and serene lake and fabulous woods. We loved every minute of it.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

James G.

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

Great stay at quiet lake

Beautifully maintained and spotlessly clean cottage. The lake is clean, quiet and great to float in. The owner was very responsive to questions both prior to the arrival and during our stay. We would definitely return to this wonderful home.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amber K.

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

Nice cottage

We had a nice stay. The cottage was very clean. Sam was very responsive. There were plenty of towels and everything we needed to cook and clean up. The lake was refreshing. The kids enjoyed fishing and swimming and going for rides on the boat. The location is a little remote but not far from a lot of popular spots. Anything you might need is in town about 10-15 minutes away along with a convience store right around the corner. We visited Elk Rapids, Gaylord, Mackinaw, and Beulah while we were there. All in all great trip!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mike F.

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

Great

Went really well. Love the property and location. Had everything we needed. Sam was very reachable and responsive. Will do it again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

sarah s.

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

Serenity

We loved our mini family reunion at the lake. The property is beautiful and the house is perfect. My only thought to improve it would be a fire pit you could sit around but that’s such a minor detail. We’d love to come back again. Thank you for everything Sam!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin S., Granger, IN, USA

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

Great Week with Family

We had an excellent week at the cottage. We took day trips to Mackinac Island, Traverse City and Petosky. We also rented the pontoon boat and took one of the kids tubing. My son in law used the available fishing gear to introduce my 7 year old grandson to fishing from the dock. They caught and released several fish. Sam was very engaged and made sure we had everything we needed.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Janet A.

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

Absolutely Lovely

Beautiful cottage and lake. Loved the openess of the cottage and the quiet quiet!! Just myself and my husband loved it!! Close to Kalkaska for supplies etc.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brandon W.

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

Nice place

The owner was great and helpful. Location was quiet. Neighbors was very nice too. Lake is so clear. Great time to come in October with the fall colors.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kristi K.

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

Simply Wonderful

Another repeat stay at this property. The home is very comfortable and relaxing. The views from the house and the deck of the lake are meditative in their beauty. This is one of the cleanest lakes in Michigan and it is crystal clear. We rented the Pontoon Boat and went fishing in the evening. Beautiful rainbow trout. There are cozy eating options in town, but the home is also a short drive to Traverse City and Leelanau region. Sam is a wonderful host - very communicative and accommodating. He even went out of his way to mail us back our pillows that we had forgotten. Much appreciated! I look forward to returning.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

kara o.

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

Peaceful getaway

What a wonderful week! My spouse, two teenage daughters and seven year old son spent the week at this lovely home on peaceful Starvation Lake. The home is just a few stairs away from great dock fishing and swimming. Our son caught 17 in an hour (lil rock bass and sun fish)... A great way to hook them early. We rented the pontoon and enjoyed cruising the lake and fishing the deep. We unplugged and played board games, puzzles, ate smores, and rocked on the deck with the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. Not a mosquito in sight! Oh, and don't miss our on Rooted..a short drive away for great ice cream and fun local gifts!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nancy S.

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

Starvation Lake Home

Sam was a great communicator! We have rented many homes through VRBO and he was the most responsive owner I have ever dealt with. The home is exactly as described. So many personal touches through out! We had four children and my mom with us yet we all had our own space and our own beds. The location is pretty remote so if you are looking to escape the busy life, this is a great place for that!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Andres C.

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

Lake house getaway

A very unique lake house off the main road with no traffic noise. The lake was beautiful and clean. Can accommodate many people. We had a good time fishing, boating and swimming. The owner contacted us and was easy to reach for any questions. Other destinations are close by, Kilwins on the way to Petosky (on US 31). Traverse City and Mackinaw City are good day trips as well.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Patrick and Laura M.

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

July 2021 stay

Loved it! Cute place, very peaceful and quiet, and the renters were great!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Chris C.

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

Relaxing

Rained most of the stay, but was very happy to relax and enjoy the house and the views of the lake. Looking forward to staying again.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jason A.

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

Great Getaway

We had a great time at this property on Starvation Lake. If you are looking to getaway from the world and want to relax this is a great rental. We stayed for a week with my wife, kids and my parents. Everyone had a great time. Sam provides everything for you including spices in the kitchen. He is very accessible if you have questions. The lake is great for fishing. It is full or Rock Bass and Largemouth. The trout and Smallmouth are a little trickier but can be caught. The Largemouth are huge. On my final day I caught a 5 pounder. This rental is about 15 minutes from the small towns of Mancelona and 20 minutes from Kalkaska. Both have hidden gem restaurants. The Hideaway bar on the lake also has great food. The party store on the lake sometimes closes at 7pm so be careful if you wait too late you may have a long drive for snacks. The nearest midsize town Gaylord is over 30 minutes away. The lake is very clear and has a sandy bottom. It is great for swimming. The furniture and beds are very comfortable and the home is generally cozy. If you are looking for peace and quiet, love fishing and looking for a Northern Michigan getaway this is the place for you.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Mary K.

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

Quaint, quiet Starvation lake House

Good experience, lots of room, and great view of lake ❣️
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

ANSHU S.

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

Beautiful Fall gateway

We wanted to escape cabin fever and enjoy fall colors and this place had it all.... lake, fall colors, location are amazing. The house itself is very beautiful and things ate planned keeping the comfort of the guests in the mind. We enjoyed the house and 3 year old nephew didn’t want to leave the place!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Paul S.

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

Hidden treasure at Starvation Lake

The cottage, in a woods on the shore of a small lake, was a welcoming, warm, and comfortable place to stay. Moreover, the cottage's proximity to lakes, forests, and trails in "up north" Michigan made our autumn vacation a memorably positive experience. Our interactions with the owner of the cottage were very helpful, enlightening, and timely. We felt like welcome guests in a family cottage. First-rate...top-shelf...aces! Thanks very much.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020

About the host

Hosted by Sam McFarland

Host profile image
We purchased this cottage and the l4 acre parcel of land in l995 when our four children were young. We always enjoyed the family time together and have many fond memories from spending time here at this tranquil spot. We have shared it with family and friends over the years and have enjoyed doing so. We live in Grand Rapids, Michigan and our children, now all adults, live in four different states. However, we still enjoy spending a bit of time here in the summer with their families, including our grandchildren, who seem to love it as much as we do.

Why they chose this property

Years ago, when we were looking for a cottage to purchase, we immediately were drawn to this quaint place on a quiet lake. We felt it would be the perfect place to spend time with our children, away from our daily routines, and the many distractions that come with day-to-day living. When there, we saw them spend time together, talking, laughing, playing board games, swimming and enjoying each others company. As parents, that was a very important and significant thing that happened whenever we were at the cottage.

What makes this property unique

Very large, shaded deck that wraps around the house. Several seating and dining areas on both sides of the cottage. Beautiful trees all around the area. Lots of windows with great views. Convenient to take walks on the trails and through wooded areas. Well stocked kitchen. Available 24/7 during your stay in case any issues arise that you need support with. Determined to make your stay as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests