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Buena Vista - Empire Michigan Vacation Home

Photo gallery for Buena Vista - Empire Michigan Vacation Home

Exterior
Exterior
Living area
Interior
Private kitchen

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Firepit
  • Balcony
  • Balcony or patio

Explore the area

View map
Empire, MI
  • Place, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Place, Empire Bluff Trail
    ‪20 min walk‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪42 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Main

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden

About this property

Buena Vista - Empire Michigan Vacation Home

This cozy home is located in the Village of Empire, in the heart of the Sleeping Bear National Park (Voted "The Most Beautiful Place in America" by Good Morning America), just a short walk to the Lake Michigan beach and Empire Bluff trail. Empire offers something for everyone from families to couples and solo adventurers.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Empire

Located on a lake, this holiday home is in Downtown Mmpire, a neighbourhood in Empire. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum and Burnett Park are also worth visiting.
View more Holiday homes in EmpireOpens in a new window
Map
Empire, MI

What's nearby

  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • beach near Village Park - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Philip A. Hart Visitor Center - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • beach near Downtown Mmpire - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Empire Bluff Trail - 20 min walk - 1.7 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Shipwreck Cafe - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Empire Village Pizza & Spirits - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Food For Thought - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Joes Friendly Tavern - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Gemmas Corner - ‬9 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Buena Vista - Empire Michigan Vacation Home pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Buena Vista - Empire Michigan Vacation Home?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Buena Vista - Empire Michigan Vacation Home?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Buena Vista - Empire Michigan Vacation Home?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Buena Vista - Empire Michigan Vacation Home located?

Located in Downtown Mmpire, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Philip A. Hart Visitor Center, Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Empire Bluff Trail is 0.9 mi (1.4 km) away.

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

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. 18 out of 31 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 31 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 31 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 31 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 31 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

8.8/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jon R.

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

Buena Vista

Clean and as advertised. Wonderful stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

PATRICIA M.

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

So Quaint!

Great location and perfect for what we needed!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nannette L.

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

Cozy Cottage

What a great getaway! Cozy cottage, walking distance to beach and town. Kitchen is fully stocked, linens and towels provided. David was a fabulous host! Will definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Timothy P.

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

Really Nice Accommodations in a Really Nice Community

Great location, on the corner of "Lake and Michigan"! Host was prompt and helpful. We will be back!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Sept 2022
So happy you guys had a good time. Thank you for taking such good care of my home. You are welcome back anytime. Dave
Verified

10/10 Excellent

michelle v.

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

Relaxing getaway

Very relaxing vacation. We enjoyed the short walk to the beach daily. We also like to eat at Joe’s friendly Tavern. We want to come again soon. Thanks
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Sept 2021
Thank you so much for staying. So happy you enjoyed your stay. Please come back and stay again. Dave
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anita G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This charming vintage cottage has everything you need for a comfortable stay. The rooms are well furnished, very efficient eat-in kitchen with pots, dishes, and appliances. The living room has a large window with a view of a 10 acre natural area with birds, squirrels, and several deer. Wi-fi is great. Large yard with shaded parking area. Location is ideal, close to the main restaurant, farmer’s market (on Saturdays), and ice cream. You can easily walk to the beach, and there are trails and lovely drives (Pierce Stocking) just outside of town. We will definitely book this cottage again.
Daily deer visits
Pierce Stocking for sunset
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 18 Aug 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking such good care of my home. You are welcome back anytime. Dave
Verified

6/10 Okay

April S.

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

great walkability

This is a great location. We loved the deck. Kitchen has pretty much everything you need. Needs some furniture updates.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Sept 2021
Thank you so much for staying with us. We are planning on updating most of the furniture in the home this fall. Hoping you come back and stay with us again. Dave
Verified

8/10 Good

phil m.

Liked: Location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication

property owner needs a little better communication skills

Overall a great place no problems would rent again
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Nov 2020
Thank you so much for staying. We hope you took great memories home with you. Dave
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy W.

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

Lovely cottage with

It was very comfortable and up to date. Very nicely appointed kitchen- many appliances and tableware. The only problem was the tv which was inconsistent in the turnon process. the tv
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Laura G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location

Buena Vista in Empire Michigan

Clean, pretty ranch house in Empire MI that is located close to the commercial area and the beach. Big kitchen and bathroom. Electrical outlets did not work on two walls in back bedroom. Notified owner and not resolved during our 6 day stay. No TV channels available only streaming. Nice, open back deck with mature trees around the house.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Aug 2024
Laura. Thank you so much for staying, I'm glad you enjoyed your stay. I wish you would have called about the TV. I have direct TV with over 500 channels. I'm guessing you didn't use the right remote. So sorry about the two outlets not working. I tried to get an electrician to look at it with no luck. It's very difficult to get an electrician on such short notice. Thank you for taking such good care of my home. You are welcome back anytime. Dave
Verified

6/10 Okay

Heidi D.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Communication

Great location BUT…

Location is great BUT house had a lot of ants inside, no ant spray. Manager said there was a grill, no gas in tank. Couch is literally falling apart. Needs some TLC for the price
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 21 July 2021
So sorry about the ants and the lack of propane. If I would have been notified, I would have had housekeeping go over and spray for the ants and brought over a full propane tank. The couch has been replaced since your stay. So sorry for the inconvenience but in the future please, please, please call me with any problems you have while you are there. We could have resolved them for you if I had only known. Dave
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Shannon A.

Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
We cut our vacation short due many things being wrong with the house. We contacted the owner and never received a message back. The house had many dead and live bugs when we checked in, and we also discovered the toilet was not secured to the floor very well. The bolts were loose and the toilet wobbled. When we showered, water would leak from the bottom of the toilet causing a mess of water we had to clean up multiple times.We also had a cockroach crawling across the counter in the kitchen last night, and we found a dead one in the front bedroom.The house was in a great location but not worth the money we spent to stay here.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Sept 2025
Shannon. So sorry you did not enjoy your stay in my home. This is the very first time I have heard anything about bugs in my home. I have it sprayed every spring and have never had a complaint. After your departure, I did find that a lag in the bottom of the toilet did break loose, I never received a call from you regarding this. The only call I received from you was asking for a full refund due to a bug on the counter. If you look at the review I received the day you left, it stated the home was very clean and in great shape. Again, sorry for the bug and the broken toilet bolt. The toilet is now fixed and working fine. Dave
Verified

6/10 Okay

Janet L.

Liked: Check-in

not the place for us

We stayed at Buena Vista many years ago, and I was traveling with my mother and we decided to stay again. The place was clean inside, but the grass needed cutting, I don't think the deck, patio and chairs have been cleaned yet this year. We killed a couple of mice in the kitchen. The TV didn't work until the second night, which is difficult for me because my mom is 87 and likes that she likes. They advertise they supple soap, but all they had was used bars of soap stacked in a solo cup. No hot water for a shower. It's luke warm for about 3 minutes and then turns cold. Remodeling is nice, but the front/ back door scrape on the floor. There is quite a bit of wildlife in the yard and across the street which was cool. I wouldn't stay again, I work very hard and many hours a week and when I stay somewhere I guess I hold a high standard. I think it is over priced for what there is too offer no hot water, killing your own mice. Not for me, but if you don't mind those things, then enjoy your stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Cindy A.

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

Basic rental with little amenities

We stayed for the 4th of July week (price was jacked up for this week). The place was comfortable but with little amenities. No facial tissues, no spices except salt and pepper, no games or beach chairs. It’s a basic rental. We ran out of hot water after one shower. The propane tank ran out. Only one towel bar in bathroom for a four person rental. No nightstand for your phone or glasses in either bedroom. No place to set your suitcase in one bedroom except the game table. Just a few hangers in closet. No wifi. The kitchen floor was a hot mess. The kitchen subfloor was flexing as you walked so the ceramic tiles and grout would make a crunchy sound as you walked across like it was cracking. I called the owner on our last day to tell him that we had issues with the hot water and propane. I was disappointed he didn’t even say, I am sorry this happened or maybe give a little discount for our next stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Beth B.

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

Perfect Get-away

Buena Vista was the perfect location for a relaxing weekend. The cottage was within walking distance of downtown Empire where we visited art galleries, ate at Joe's friendly tavern, purchased amazing chocolate at the Grocer's Daughter and walked to the Lake for beautiful sunsets. The cottage was a short car ride from other towns like Glen Arbor and activities like the Sleeping Bear Dunes. The cottage was quiet, comfortable and a peaceful for a much needed end of the summer vacation.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jessica E.

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

Perfect location

This is the 1st time we have stayed in town and we loved it. We come to the area yearly and usually stay in a cabin in between traverse and empire but decided to focus on going to the beach this trip. Quite location with a good size yard for our kids to play. Walked to the beach and town a few times a day. Did hike a few trails and went to neighboring glen arbor for a day. Only downfall which is no fault to anyone but the house is not ment for tall people. My husband had to duck thru doors and the shower was pretty impossible for him he showered on his knees. Even with this we would still rent again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Julie S.

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

Great place. Very clean.

Great location. Very clean. Nice house. Communication with owner very good.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gina S.

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

Vacation

We had a lovely time!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Teresa C.

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

Lovely cottage

A great place to stay. Quiet neighborhood. Walking distance to shopping and restaurants.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brian J.

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

Fantastic

Wonderful setting and house.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Angela T.

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

the yellow house

It met all our needs. House is close to everything. Empire Beach, Empire Bluffs, Dune climb etc.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

6/10 Okay

Laurie K.

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness

Super cute, needs some work.

This is a super cute cottage, great location, quiet, peaceful!! Needs a thorough cleaning. No sheets on the beds or in the house. Maybe a simple oversight but inconvenient nonetheless as we arrived late. Linens were provided the next day.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Oct 2021
So sorry about the inconvenience of no sheets. It has been very difficult to find help with housekeeping. I do have a new housekeeping crew that I have high hopes for. Thanks for staying and we hope we see you back next year. Dave
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Claire W.

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

Wonderful Stay!

We really enjoyed our stay at the house! We've come to Empire year after year during the summer. It's a great location, walkable to everything and we could bring our dogs which is a rare find in town. The house was clean and had everything we needed during the stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sue T.

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

Cute and quiet

We enjoyed our stay in the cute little yellow house. Liked the shade trees and back deck. Kitchen had all we needed to make meals. It’s on a quiet street but just a short walk to Front Street. We don’t usually watch TV on vacation, but with Olympics underway, it was great to have a TV with lots of channels.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathleen S.

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

Great town

Family stayed near by so perfect location for us

About the host

Hosted by David Taghon

Host profile image

Languages:

English
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