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Historic Wheeler Cottage on Scenic North Lake Leelanau

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The Wheeler Cottage
The Wheeler Clan welcomes you to The Wheeler Family Cottage
Entrance to The Wheeler Cottage
Artist's Sketch
The early days! Circa 1906

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
7 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 17464.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Gym
  • Washer
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

Map
Lake Leelanau, MI
  • Historic Fishtown
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Manitou Island Transit
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Van's Beach
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪44 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

7 bedrooms (sleeps 17)

Bedroom 1 - Master 1st Floor

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2 - 2nd Floor

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3 - Master 2nd Floor

1 Single Bed and 1 King Bed

Bedroom 4 - 2nd Floor

1 Double Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 5 - 2nd Floor

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 6 - 2nd Floor

1 King Bed

Bedroom 7 -2nd floor

2 Double Beds

4 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

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

About this property

Historic Wheeler Cottage on Scenic North Lake Leelanau

Now Booking for 2025 and Beyond

Discover the enchanting beauty and endless activities of the Leelanau Peninsula. The Wheeler Cottage is ideally located on North Lake Leelanau, close to Lake Michigan and charming nearby towns.
Our cottage is within 10-25 minutes of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, Leland’s Fishtown, premier golf courses, renowned local wineries and restaurants, hiking trails, and the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan. Traverse City regional airport provides easy accessibility with direct flights from many major metro areas. Enjoy water sports like swimming, skiing, fishing, sailing, and boating. Explore art galleries, antique shops, and quaint boutiques for a leisurely day out.

The historic Wheeler Cottage, a cherished local landmark on Warden’s Point, North Lake Leelanau, was built over 115 years ago (circa 1907) and sits on nearly 4 acres. Our cottage was one of the earliest cottages built by a prominent businessman named Warden on the east side of Lake Leelanau and could only be accessed by steamboat at the time The property boasts a verdant landscape of tall maple and cottonwood trees, lush grounds, and flower gardens. The Cottage faces west, offering stunning sunsets and over 360 feet of prime Lake Leelanau frontage with full dock access.
Constructed from local natural materials, the spacious Wheeler Cottage is approximately 5,000 square feet and features a foundation of large field rocks formed by ancient glaciers, with interiors crafted from wild cherry and maple woods. Most of the original maple furniture, now considered collectors' items, remains in the Cottage along with modern furnishings for comfort.

Check out drone video of property (copy and paste in URL)

https://youtu.be/d0y8JzxRtF4?si=iw4h3xl9gTi_zlAg

Offline VRBO Cancellation Policy:

Due to the limited flexibility on how to define cancellation policy within VRBO, we offer the following offline cancellation policy:

Cancellation by Guest:
If you wish to cancel your reservation, please notify us as soon as possible. We will immediately relist the cottage for the dates of your booking.

Refund Policy:
If we are able to successfully re-rent the cottage for the same period and at the same rate, we will provide you with a refund minus any costs incurred in the re-rental process (e.g., relisting fees, discounts offered to secure the re-booking).

Communication:
We will communicate with you promptly regarding the status of re-rental efforts and refund calculations.

This policy ensures that we can provide flexibility to our guests while managing our rental property effectively.

Thank you for your understanding.


Property manager

Rink Wheeler and Kathy Wheeler-Stoerck

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Gym
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:30 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 9:30 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Badminton,volley ball court,sandy beach, 2 docks
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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
Non Smoking
No RVs or camping.
Use mooring and dock at your own risk. No overnight parking of boats on dock.
Absolutely, no fireworks! (town ordinance)

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 fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Lake Leelanau

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

What's nearby

  • Aurora Cellars - 9 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Historic Fishtown - 12 min drive - 10.6 km
  • Manitou Island Transit - 12 min drive - 10.6 km
  • Van's Beach - 12 min drive - 10.8 km
  • Leelanau Sands Casino - 18 min drive - 16.6 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Hop Lot Brewing Company - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪VI Grill - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Roman Wheel Pizza & Subs - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Boone's Prime Time Pub - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Nittolo's Seafood And Social - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic Wheeler Cottage on Scenic North Lake Leelanau pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Historic Wheeler Cottage on Scenic North Lake Leelanau?

Check-in begins at 3:30 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic Wheeler Cottage on Scenic North Lake Leelanau?

Checkout is at 9:30 AM.

Where is Historic Wheeler Cottage on Scenic North Lake Leelanau located?

Nestled on the beach, this Lake Leelanau holiday home is steps from Lake Leelanau and 2.9 mi (4.7 km) from Aurora Cellars. Boathouse Vineyards and 45 North Vineyard & Winery are also within 6 miles (10 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. 49 out of 53 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 53 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 53 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 53 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 53 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

8/10 Good

Kellyn P.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful setting and grounds
Nice, roomy, and well stocked kitchen. Loved that we were right on the lake!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful lake cottage!
We had a great time staying at the Wheeler cottage. Three families, ages 6-50+ stayed in this wonderful home- loved all the spaces for hanging out and the craftsmanship is beautiful. The living room had enough seating for all 15 of us to watch a movie. The kitchen was extremely well stocked. The yard was huge. The large fire pit was the center of our family's nighttime dinners and after-dinner relaxation. The back porch was a great morning coffee spot and for puzzling on a rainy day. The bedrooms all had ceiling fans and additional fans were available, so we were very comfortable at night. The beds and linens were also very clean and comfortable. The whole cottage was very tidy and a great place to relax with family!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jane L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Unforgettable Labor Day Weekend at Wheeler Cottage
A magical place in the Land of Delight! Step back in time but with all of the modern conveniences! Kids loved it so much, they didn’t even want to leave to go to Lake Michigan. Rink Wheeler would be so proud of the fabulous job his children have done continuing his mission of maintaining, updating and sharing this epic estate with others. Thank you Kathy and family for a fantastic family experience that will last a lifetime!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Anne S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lots of space in a fabulous location
The location and the owner were wonderful- the property is amazing and the owner was lovely: responsive and very helpful . The house is older and could use some TLC (the bathrooms are dated ) as well as more lighting in the common areas . The upstairs rooms were very warm when the weather was hot out and not easy to cool them off even with the additional fans the owner brought over. Fortunately we got the gamut of weather so it was only unbearably hot the first day and a half. The kitchen is very well equipped and the family porch is a great hang out space when not enjoying all the outdoor space and the lake.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful time!
This property is beautiful and very private. Our grandchildren had plenty of space to run and play, and the house is spacious and grand. The owner was very responsive and gracious. Thanks, Kathy, for sharing your family’s home with us. We will never forget it!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Review of Wheeler Family Cottage
The location, expansive lawn, boat dock were ideal for our family of 7 adults and 9 children. The grounds - ideal. Upstairs bedrooms required fans that we purchased. Living room could use more light. Overall very ideal home for our family.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Catherine J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous Family Cottage
The Wheeler Cottage is a spectacular location for a large/multi-generational family vacation. We had a fabulous family reunion/birthday celebration there. Beautiful lake views, the grounds are gorgeous, and the wonderfully spacious home is full of charm and character. We especially loved the huge front porch, ceiling fans in all bedrooms, a great dock and mooring buoy for the boat we rented, the fire pit & volleyball net, along with plenty of chairs and tables for having fun in the yard. Mr. Wheeler was a delight to chat with----he was very gracious, helpful, and accomodating.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Melinda A., San Francisco

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
More like a mansion than a cottage...
We loved the wheeler “cottage”. It was super serene and on a great private point of lake Leelanau. It is a special home full of old beautiful wood and with lots of space. Our family was smaller than usual because the elders did not join during the pandemic, so it felt even more luxurious. There is a master suite on the main floor and 6 bedrooms upstairs. And the bedrooms are quite large with room enough for cribs etc. there is no air conditioning but the house is shaded and we did not feel uncomfortable once. We loved it here! We also significantly improved our volleyball and badminton skills during the course of the week!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Katie O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Cottage!!
Our family had a wonderful time at the Wheeler cottage. We were welcomed with red carpet treatment. The peaceful setting and large yard was perfect for our family with little children. The kitchen was fully stocked and there were supplies for all your needs. Rink was a very good host and made sure we were taken care of all week. We could not have asked for a more peaceful and relaxing week to get away during this crazy year. We look forward to returning to this wonderful cottage in the future. Thank you Rink and the Wheeler family for sharing your home with us. We are very grateful to have the opportunity to experience Lake Leelanau at its finest.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

William D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Phenomenal week in Michigan
Everything was perfect. We had 16 of us including my wife and 3 kids with one girlfriend and my three brothers and their families. The home, which is a classic lake home, fit us all perfectly. Tons of space, including a large yard, alot of frontage on the lake, and a dock. Plenty of outdoor furniture, firepit, and room for outdoor games. Communication was extremely important as Michigan was just opening up from quarantine. Rink kept us well informed and we were glad to be the first renters of the season. The house was well equipped, with everything we needed. Check in and out was painless. The location is one of the best on the north lake. It was only a 10-15 min jaunt into Fishtown in Leland, 5 min from the public boat ramp, and 7 min from a small grocery store and a gas station. 15 min to Suttons Bay. We have already committed to the same week next summer and cannot wait to return. Thanks for everything Rink and Kathy Wheeler!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020

6/10 Okay

Sandra E.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
Great location and beautiful yard but house could use lots of improvement for the price you pay.
Beautiful property but interior improvements to bathrooms, kitchen, screens, sliding doors should not be an obstacle to home owner for the weekly price charged. Water cooler should be provided because of only drinking water option being well water . Other homes we have rented in this price range have always provided this when well water was only option. Also, home is very cluttered with no drawer space or comfortable areas for your clothing and belongings to be accessible .
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Bambi S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Pure Michigan
We loved the huge yard for all of our grandkids to play. The three season room was used all of the time. Beds were comfortable. Rink was such a gracious host. We will be renting this lovely place again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Andrea S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
50th anniversary celebration
This cottage is a perfect place to hold a reunion for families with a wide range of ages. We just celebrated our 50th anniversary there with our 3 adult children and their families with 9 grandchildren from 1-16. The grandchildren spent most of their time playing badminton and boating plus enjoying a nightly campfire. The experience was a reminder for our kids of special times on Glen Lake at their grandparents' cottage. Rink was more than accommodating of all of our needs.

10/10 Excellent

Jill G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
DIAS REUNION
11 of my high school girlfriends stayed at Wheeler Cottage to celebrate our 60th birthdays and to attend a wedding at Aurora Wine Cellars 2.5 miles away. The cottage atmosphere was perfect. We loved the privacy of the property and the porch room. When the dishwasher wasn’t working it was fixed when we returned from an outting. Even the fire pit was prepared for us (thank you Rink). It’s a beautiful area. Tour company picked us up at cottage for a 5 hour winery tour. Highly recommend Mike.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Beth S., Cypress, Texas

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What an incredible experience!
Our family has stayed at many VRBO properties over the years, but this has to be our all time favorite. Rink is the ultimate host who went out of his way to make our stay perfect. There were 12 of us together celebrating my parents 60th wedding anniversary. The house accommodated us well and provided plenty of space for us to eat meals together, enjoy coffee on the porch, and converse about the beauty around the home. The grounds are breathtaking and there is plenty to see and do in the area. This is a one of a kind place and we had an unbelievable time. Will treasure our memories at the Wheeler House forever!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie M.

Pictures do not do it justice
We had a great time at the Wheeler cottage! The property is beautiful and has wonderful views of the lake. Very large outdoor space! Rink was very helpful throughout our stay. He made himself available when needed. We blew a fuse while getting ready (15 girls getting ready with blowdryers) and Rink was able to come over while we were out to fix the fuse. We will hopefully be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

ann b.

Beautiful setting for a multi family vacation
We stayed here for a family reunion with 14 adults and 3 children. We were pleased that there was room for all of us. The historic home is set on a very large lot with a great view of Lake Leelanau. We rented a pontoon boat from a local company for the week and was able to dock in in front which was convenient. Rink was responsive and helpful when we had questions. We had wonderful weather and ate all of our meals outside in the shade of the massive trees on the property. We hope to return for a future visit.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

MAYNARD W., Lake Leelanau, Michigan

Unbelievable
We are the Wheeler family and so fortunate in owning this lovely property. It has been in our family now for over 54 years. My four siblings were then babies and toddlers. Every year we get together for our family vacation together and for our important family bonding. Now it’s grandad, siblings, grandkids, boy friends, girl friends and friends. Our little piece of heaven. We welcome families to also enjoy their time with their families at The Wheeler Cottage. FAMILY,!!
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Stewart S., Cincinnati

Beautiful, spacious lakefront property, perfect for family get-togethers
Our family recently converged on Wheeler Cottage from near and far, for what all agreed was one of our best reunions ever! The seven bedrooms gave everyone their own space, and the well-equipped kitchen allowed us to prepare gourmet meals, served overlooking beautiful Lake Leelanau. The property is located close to Leland and Sutton's Bay, and not that far from Traverse City. The golfers among us were thrilled to be within an hour of some of the best golf in the country. The non-golfers were entertained with winery tours, canoeing, and trips to Sleeping Bear Dunes. Rink Wheeler was a gracious host, and made sure all of our needs were met. We could not have been more pleased with our experience!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

M Lynn P., River Forest

Perfect for a wedding family and party! Beautiful!
We loved our stay at the Wheeler Cottage. We had a wonderful time with having our daughter's Bridal and House Party stay with us. It is a beautiful, quaint, old, large cottage. The river rocks on the fire place and outside on the cottage are lovely! With the large home and large yard we had plenty space for 16 women and a man. My husband and I loved feeling that we had our own space if needed . Many of the girls were from Texas and had never seen the Lake Leelanau area. They loved the cool nights, blue sky and clear lakes. They were able to spend time on the water. The ladies prepared a few dinners at the cottage and enjoyed a bonfire and pretty sunset. The best day was my daughter's wedding. It was so fun to have us all together wearing our pajamas and getting ready for the wedding on the front porch. As photographer, came a few days before and took some pictures. Wedding day we had pictures taken at the Cottage! They are stunning! Best place for pictures with the water, old trees, pretty lawn, flowering bushes and evergreens. Great place for this type of even! Can't wait for next time!! Thanks Rink for sharing your cottage.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Samantha M.

Incredible!
The Wheeler Cottage is perfection. So beautiful and peaceful. Rink Wheeler was so pleasant and sweet and accommodating. Anything you could need is already there. We will come back yearly.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Natalie V., Grand Rapids

The best spot on Lake Leelanau!
My family spent every summer on Lake Leelanau while my sisters and I were growing up, and I knew that when I eventually got married, I wanted to share the beauty of the lake with my new family. My husband and I celebrated our wedding at The Wheeler Cottage with our parents and siblings - just sixteen people - and it was absolutely perfect, even better than we could have ever imagined! Rink's house has so much history, and he could not be nicer or more accommodating. I highly recommend this house to anyone searching for a Northern Michigan getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Katie G.

Amazing stay, can't wait to visit again!!
We recently just stayed at the Wheeler Cottage over the long Labor Day weekend and it was such an amazing stay! The house and grounds are beautiful and came equipped with everything you would need for the weekend and more. We decided on this place because we were having our wedding in the area and wanted a place for the whole bridal and groom party to stay and make a weekend of it...and this rental worked out so perfectly. Rink was incredible to work with and accommodated all of our travel plans. I would highly recommend staying at the Wheeler Cottage and very much look forward to renting/visiting again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Moe T.

Very Pleasant Retreat
We had 14 family members from 16 to 80. The house is large and comfortable with room to gather or separate as desired. Built in 1902(?) it is updated enough to be quite comfortable. It is in excellent condition The kitchen was adequate for making family meals. Room for dining indoors or out. The grounds are beautiful and well kept. We played volley ball and soccer and made s'mores around the outdoor fire pit. Plenty of room to set up outdoor games we brought. We rented and used a variety of watercraft with easy dock access. We stored eight (of our own) bicycles and rode most every day. There is plenty to do in the area, national parks, small towns to visit, hikes etc. Lounging around is also appealing. The owners are gracious and make you feel comfortable. The location is very private with no hint of neighbors when you are on the grounds. We easily parked four vehicles.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Joanne S.

A lovely vintage "cottage" for a large group.
We booked a year in advance and from the first correspondence we were impressed by the prompt replies and personal touches. Didn't hurt that we are all Boilermakers, as is the owner! We had two weeks with two different families and it was perfect for both! Lots of grandkids, lots of yard, even a sand beach area that got replenished while we were there! Rink couldn't have been more accommodating, even offering to buy a newer high chair for one of our little ones ( a very generous offer but not necessary). We served meals- we had up to 16 - mostly on the lawn or on the porch. The kitchen worked great for us and on chillier mornings we all found a way to have coffee there together. Our favorite evening location was around the fire pit. Lots of wood to wagon over, and big enough for all the marshmallow sticks for the s'mores. The kids loved the huge yard, and it was wonderful not having to worry about traffic or road noise. The home is located on a private drive away from the main road - very safe and quiet. Great location on the lake, too. It's faster to boat to Leland than to drive! All in all, a successful vacation! Thanks, Rink, for sharing your home.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2017

About the host

Hosted by Rink Wheeler and Kathy Wheeler-Stoerck

Host profile image
The Wheeler Cottage has been a beloved part of our family for over 60 years. Purchased by our grandparents in the early 1960s as a summer retreat, it became a cherished gathering place for our extended family. In the 1990s, our father moved there full-time and spent the best years of his life there as part of the Leland community. He loved his home with all his heart and transformed it into a very special place for all of us. His legacy lives on in The Wheeler Cottage, inspiring a love for the Leland community in his children and grandchildren. We are honored to share this wonderful place with you. We hope that it brings your family much joy, love, and lasting memories

Languages:

English
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