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Book ahead: Indian Summer, fall colors, winter skiing! 4 season Bright Lake Home

Photo gallery for Book ahead: Indian Summer, fall colors, winter skiing! 4 season Bright Lake Home

Watch the lake from bed or your private deck with a cappuccino or beer
A guest looks out over the lake from her private bedroom deck
Eat at the glass table, bring out a larger wooden table, or sit at the counter
Open plan w/ lake view, 50" sTV, stocked kitchen, games, DVDs, PS3, books
Ah, the beauty of a quiet fall evening

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Parking available

Explore the area

Map
Central Lake, MI
  • Intermediate Lake
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Torch Lake
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort
    ‪25 min drive‬
  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪63 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Double Bunk Beds

Convertible bed(s)

1 Queen Futon

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Toilet

Spaces

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

About this property

Book ahead: Indian Summer, fall colors, winter skiing! 4 season Bright Lake Home


Relax at home with a complimentary bottle of wine or a home-made cappuccino and gaze out at the tranquil lake and the woods beyond through floor-to-ceiling windows. Roast s'mores at the fire pit under a sky full of stars.
You'll be perched on a 100-mile chain of lakes with 110 feet of private lakefront. Enjoy:
-two decks and floor to ceiling windows.
-Centrally located for golf and ski resorts, quintessential up north towns, wineries, shops, and the renowned Short's Brewery.
-Ten minutes to Grand Traverse Bay, Torch Lake beaches.
-Easy walk to town for a meal, drink, ice cream or fudge.
-Kayaks, canoe, SUPS, dock, fire pit.
-Fully stocked home, with staples, linens, CDs, books, DVDs and toys, WIFI, 50" smart TV, TVs in each room, and streaming services.
-Fully outfitted kitchen with gadgets ranging from an Instant Pot, espresso machine, Keurig, Kitchen Aid mixer and electric pancake griddle.
-Freshly laundered robes and lounging-around socks.
Visit Michigan's largest water park, or nearby Bellaire (with the renowned Short's Brewery), Wander through Petoskey, Charlevoix, and East Jordan or explore shops and restaurants in Traverse City, Alden and Elk Rapids.
Tucked into a glacial valley and nestled in the hills of northwest Michigan, it's a peaceful place to enjoy every season. Nothing to do but relax.
Bring your pooch if you like (just $15/night per dog for up to two). You'll be located on a country road less than a mile from the village of Central Lake. Our neighbors are a mixture of vacationers and year-round residents and have been rarely heard or seen. You're down a curving driveway from the village road so the "traffic" you notice will be occasional passing cars plus the occasional passing fishing boats (ice fishing in winter!) or, weather permitting, passing pontoons.
Three seasons of the year, enjoy your 100-mile chain of lakes with child & adult kayaks, a canoe and SUPs, or rent a pontoon or motor boat nearby. Paddle past kingfishers and great blue heron, turtles nestling in the tall grasses, and weeping willows along the shore.
(And before you forget, like & follow Hanley Lake Hideaway on facebook for pop-up specials!)
In spring, go morel hunting. Meander along country roads and breathe in the greening of the hills, valleys, woods and lake shores. Go for a bike ride or take out one of our kayaks, canoe or SUPs. Go antique shopping or enjoy the village and nearby towns and cities.
In summer, swim, boat, visit farmer's markets and Grand Traverse Bay's beaches. Or just nap on one of your private decks or by the water.
In the fall, meander rolling hills flush with autumn colors. Visit apple orchards. You'll be close to wineries, galleries, antiques, golf and the renowned Short's Brewery.
In winter, go downhill or cross-country skiing nearby at Schuss and Boyne Mountain, tubing (down hill at Schuss or even on the lovely Jordan River with a guide bringing hot chocolate!). Ice skate on our lake or at nearby rinks. Ten minutes away at Barnes Park on Grand Traverse Bay, climb frozen waves and cross-country ski on groomed trails.
(We have a 40+-page welcome letter with details about the area.)
Located on a 100-mile chain of beautiful lakes, we're halfway between the Equator and the North Pole on the 45th Parallel.
Year-round, enjoy the lake and the rolling hills of Antrim County beyond from inside your cozy cottage.
So about the cottage...
In the master bedroom, enjoy a queen bed with an antique headboard, new mattress (flannel sheets and down comforter in winter) while looking out at the lake through sliding glass doors. In the second bedroom: two solid wood twin over full bunk beds (flannel and down there too if you're planning for next winter!). Both rooms have flat-screen TVs and CD players for our collection of many dozens of movies. Enjoy our completely updated bathroom.

Here's a quick tour. Fully remodeled in 2007 with yearly updates since, the light-filled single-level open-plan design includes a:
• Master Bedroom: Queen bed looking out sliding glass doors to a private deck and the lake beyond; ceiling fan and window a.c. unit; Flat screen TV and DVD player, and a comfy chair. Linens included.
• Second Bedroom: Two sets of bunk beds each with a double and single bed; window AC unit; DVD player, flat screen TV and cable, toys and children's books.
• Living Room: Three sets of sliding glass doors stretching across the lakefront wall. They lead to a deck w/a gas grill, picnic table, and a glorious view of the lake a few dozen steps away; two couches and comfy chair; ceiling fan and air conditioning unit; 50' flat screen, high-def TV, DVD player, stereo, a large collection of movies, music, books, toys and games.
• Dining Room: Sliding glass doors; queen couch/futon; dining table(s); ceiling fan and a library.
• Kitchen: Open to the living and dining rooms with a lake view and a breakfast bar with seating. Fully equipped and well stocked.
• One and a half bathrooms: ceramic tile floor; shower/tub & double sinks in primary bath, completely remodeled in December 2013, and a second small bathroom. We supply towels and supplies.
Come on up to what our son lovingly named 'Our Hanley Lake Hideaway' and a repeat guest calls 'Our Little Slice of Heaven!'

Keywords: Family-friendly; pet-friendly; dogs welcome; private lakefront all-season cottage; year-round vacation home; sunny guest home, country house with walls of windows, Hanley Lake Hideaway; up north cabin; northern Michigan retreat; private lake; boats; kayaks and canoe; dock; private decks; birding; morels; skiing; fall colors.

Property manager

Laurie
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No exceptions.

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

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Central Lake

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

What's nearby

  • Intermediate Lake - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Torch Lake - 13 min drive - 10.9 km
  • Short's Brewing Company - 17 min drive - 17.6 km
  • Lake Bellaire - 22 min drive - 21.6 km
  • A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort - 25 min drive - 25.7 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 55 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Torch Lake Café - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Tapawingo - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪The Blue Pelican Inn - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Side Door Saloon - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Front Porch Cafe - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Book ahead: Indian Summer, fall colors, winter skiing! 4 season Bright Lake Home pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Book ahead: Indian Summer, fall colors, winter skiing! 4 season Bright Lake Home?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Book ahead: Indian Summer, fall colors, winter skiing! 4 season Bright Lake Home?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Book ahead: Indian Summer, fall colors, winter skiing! 4 season Bright Lake Home located?

This Central Lake holiday home is on the beach, 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Intermediate Lake, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Torch Lake and Bauer Nature Preserve. Sixmile Lake and Beals Lake 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. 124 out of 131 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 131 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 131 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 131 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 131 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Robyn W.

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

Beautiful

It was very relaxing. It was closer to neighbors than I thought it would be based on the pic of a wooded area. I thought there would be more space, but it was really just a little patch of trees. Other than that, the property was clean, we had a great time and I would definitely go back.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melissa T.

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

Hanley Hide Away

We keep coming back here because it's such a great place. Cozy vibes and everything you need to make the stay enjoyable. The host Laurie is gracious and we appreciate her having us. My husband and I bring our dogs to play in the snow and do some ice fishing. Thank you as always.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joe P.

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

Great place, great host. Will definitely stay here again!

Stayed with our family of 6. The kids really liked the bunk room, and the games. The house had everything we needed for as a base camp to explore the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jan F.

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

Fall Getaway

Such a Beautiful property, comfy cottage and So many amenities. Our host was gracious, welcoming and provided detailed instructions regarding the home and surrounding areas to explore.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cindy K.

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

Return vacationers!

Laurie and John are amazing hosts. This home has everything you need in a peaceful, idyllic setting right on the lake. We highly recommend it for a great family vacation.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

david k.

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

Great lakeside home with wonderful host

We enjoyed our week long stay. Laurie's communication was outstanding and she provided everything we needed. Boat launch is nearby and we enjoyed both Hanley Lake and Intermediate Lake.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joanne B.

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

Hanley Lake Hideaway

We had a great vacation. Loved the location. The house had everything we could think of. My son and my pup throughly enjoyed their vacation! We will be back for sure.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patti S.

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

Relaxation

We had a wonderful stay, enjoyed all the rental had to offer and wanted for nothing!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lorey M.

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

Short getaway to Hanley Lake Hideaway

We enjoyed our short stay at Hanley Lake Hideaway. Beautiful location, well-stocked house, and very pleasant, caring owners checking in on us. Would definitely recommend renting H.L.H!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kevin S.

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

Perfect

Wonderful. Everything was provided as stated. Our dog wants to live here permanently!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Robert L.

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

Lovely stay in Central Lake Michigan

This lovely lake house sits right on Hanley Lake in the charming town of Central Lake. Water views are delightful and there are kayaks and canoes to enjoy the lake up close. Don't miss Bachman's General Store in town, or King Orchards which has the best cherry pies! Also be sure to visit the Bellaire Smokehouse to stock up on whitefish dips, sausages and fresh fillets! This house is centrally located, only 20 mins from Charlevoix, 30 mins from Traverse City and Petoskey, and 10 mins from Bellaire (and Short's Brewery!).
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michele M.

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

Up North getaway

We had a wonderful long weekend at Hanley Lake Hideaway! The property is beautiful, and very clean! Our pups enjoyed the lake and we spent an afternoon just kayaking around the lake. Property owners are very easy to work with and extremely accommodating. It’s an easy trip to other area attractions, but also plenty to do locally.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chad H., Chicago, IL

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

Up North by the water

Great week in Central Lake. Secluded enough enjoy the quiet but close enough to get to beautiful places up north that we love to visit like Sleeping Bear Dunes, Charlevoix, Petosky, & Traverse City. Also played a lot of golf. Would stay again.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas O.

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

Great views and comfortable

We had a wonderful time for my son's 9th birthday the house has everything you can think of that you might forget to pack. All you need is to pack your clothes and head out to the lake this house has everything you need!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie T.

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

Relax and unwind

Enjoyed being right on the water. My kids loved playing in the lake, using the kayaks and paddleboards. We enjoyed the fire pit also. The owners had anything and everything for you to enjoy your stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Peaceful and comfortable....

Peaceful and comfortable. A surprising amount to do within an hour's drive of this cozy, well-kept place. Tahree Lane Toledo, Ohio

10/10 Excellent

Kathy H.

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

Perfect last minute get away!

Laurie was very accommodating! The process was smooth and easy. We normally don’t travel with our dog but were able to bring her to this property…it was super comfortable and a perfect last minute rental for our ski weekend!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Zachary H.

Cozy and Clean

This is the second time I've stayed here and for the second time I very much enjoyed my stay. The place is small but doesn't seem so. It is very well stocked has a wonderful view of the lake. Great for fishing if you're into it. The thing to consider when coming here (and the owner does warn her guests) is that the driveway is steep so if you come in the winter (I always do because I love to ice fish) have good snow tires or just park up on the street with the garage.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2017

10/10 Excellent

Kelly S.

Awesome cottage with tons of fun activities!

We had a blast at this great cottage on the lake! We came during mid-winter break, so tons of snow and the lake was frozen. Met some really nice kids who let us ice fish with them and sled together. The cottage itself was stocked with so many fun things -- after a day of snowboarding, our kids played board games and watched movies at night. This cottage offered everything we could possibly need for our quick getaway! Great place to stay and we definitely recommend it to anyone thinking of staying in the area!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Laurie- Your house was...

Laurie- Your house was fantastic, we had a great time. It snowed the entire time we were there, letting us take advantage of snowshoeing in the Jordan River Valley, snowboarding at Shanty Creek and sledding on your backyard hill as well as the large sledding hill on the way up to Shanty Creek. The house had more to offer than we could possibly need.

10/10 Excellent

Cindy K.

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

At Home on the Lake

We cannot say enough about Laurie, our host, and this lakefront property. Every detail of our stay at this lovely home was well thought out and provided for. The weather turned cool during our stay and Laurie texted us to be sure we knew how to turn on the heat. She also sent us information on a fall harvest festival and some other fall activities nearby. Rain or shine, this home provided everything we needed for a relaxing vacation. On the lakefront, there was a hammock, canoes, kayaks, a great dock for viewing sunsets and a firepit...complete with a big pile of wood for campfires. Inside, we had board games, an extensive collection of dvds and cds, comfy couches and an amazing view of the lake. The kitchen had everything we needed, mixer, blender, baking and cooking pans, Keurig coffee maker...I felt like I was in my own kitchen! We always carefully consider where we will stay during our Michigan vacations and we plan to return to this property, it made our trip amazing! Thank you, Laurie!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Alecia J.

Thanksgiving Getaway 2018

Our family enjoyed a VERY relaxing time at "The Hanley Lake Hideaway". Thanksgiving Day we watched the Macy's Day Parade and The National Dog Show while cooking our Thanksgiving feast in a very well equipped open concept kitchen. The views of the frozen Hanley lake made for a holiday feel and this home is very cheery and bright. With our belly's full we headed out (less than a 10 min.drive) to explore Barnes Co Park/Beach and walk our dog Macy. So beautiful how the Pine trees reach all the way to the shoreline.Very Picturesque! When evening came with so many indoor options (shelves are stocked full of games and movies) we watched "The Notebook" and enjoyed our homemade pumpkin pie. The next day we headed out to explore the nearby towns of Charlevoix and Petoskey (about a 20 minute drive). Charlevoix has such beautiful water views and is a scenic wharf side town where Petoskey has such unique architecture and is a great place to shop. It really was like stepping into a Norman Rockwell painting for the weekend. We loved our stay. Thank you Laurie for sharing your home! Sincerely, Steve,Em,Alecia and Macy
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

Michael W.

A great property for an active family vacation in beautiful northern Michigan.

My family of four, including two 11-year-old boys, plus a dog, visited the property in August 2018 and stayed for a week. We came for outdoor activities and spending time on the lakes (Hanley Lake, Torch Lake, and Lake Michigan). The house was spacious and had plenty of amenities to keep us comfortable. There are window-unit air conditioners in the living room and master bedroom, but even in mid-August we didn't need them with nice breezes and temperatures mostly in the mid-70s and low-80s. Our boys used the bunk beds in the second bed room and enjoyed having lots of books, DVDs, and even PS3 video games to keep themselves occupied when we had a little downtime in between activities. We loved the property backyard on Hanley Lake and used several of the kayaks and the stand-up paddle board to travel up and down the lake. We fished from the dock with worms bought from the corner store down the road and my boys caught many panfish and had a blast. We used the backyard fire pit several times for s'mores and star watching. In town we enjoyed the ice cream and fudge shop, and the pizza diner. We swam at the beaches at Barnes Park and Fisherman's Island State Park...very nice beaches for Lake Michigan swimming. We took daytrips to Traverse City, Charlevoix, and Petoskey. Overall, we had a great week and this property was a wonderful summer vacation. We would recommend this property to others.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Michelle P.

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

This place is awesome

They are so nice and welcoming! We also very much appreciated the fact that they had so many toys for the kids already there. It was one less thing that we had to pack. Highly recommend this place to stay!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas O.

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

Amazing

Just pack the family up and go. This house has everything you need for a get away and an awesome spot for pets with privacy.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

About the host

Hosted by Laurie

Host profile image
Your hosts are two self-employed parents. We live full-time in Ann Arbor and visit up north whenever we can sneak in between guests. One of us adults is originally from North Wales and the other is originally from New York. For many decades now we've been permanent Michiganders, enjoying the joys of our glorious retreat on Hanley Lake.

Why they chose this property

We love the beauty of this northwestern Michigan chain of lakes nestled among gentle rolling hills. We were ecstatic to find a tranquil lake we can see from almost every room (thanks to our renovation) in the cozy year-round house. (Note from Laurie: my gold standard for vacation heaven was a place where I could take a cup of coffee out onto the deck and see--and be in--the water within seconds.) We can draw or eat breakfast on the dock or in the dining room, play in the sand, take out a canoe, kayak or SUP, swim in warmer waters (instead of waiting until the end of August for the chill to subside in the big lakes), and fish. We can sled right out the back doors to the lake and cross-country ski nearby. We wander into a welcoming village to play and eat without being swarmed by overdressed tourists and overpriced food. We were delighted to find this peaceful little retreat, which offers the pleasures of an all-sports lake without the noise and chaos of one. The passing 'traffic' is generally kayaks, pontoons, and people fishing (including ice fishing in the winter).The fresh, clear water in Hanley Lake flows 75 miles thru a chain of 14 lakes. All-sports lake without the usual traffic of one! We were thrilled to discover we're just a few miles from the long sandy beaches and waves of Lake Michigan, which are great fun in every season.

We're glad to do day trips to fudgey towns like Alden, Charlevoix and Petoskey, to wander Traverse City or even more nearby Bellaire. But we love coming home, whether it's raining, snowing, or blazing hot: to play outdoors, or hang out inside doing jigsaw puzzles, playing games, making soup or brownies, or drawing the changing colors of water, sky and trees. We love going out on the placid water and paddling past kingfishers and great blue heron, turtles nestling in the tall grasses, and weeping willows along the shore, or watching the water from our comfortable cottage. It always refreshes us to get away here.

What makes this property unique

Thanks to our renovation, we relish the fresh, open-plan kitchen with views outside almost everywhere. We went window-crazy, creating four sets of sliding doors in the connected living and dining rooms. Each year we add something (or some things!) new. Recent additions include a new fridge with ice maker and stove, a private deck and sliding doors off the master bedroom; tempered glass deck panels for safety and an unobstructed view of the lake; a fully renovated bathroom; a 50 inch smart TV and DVD players, sturdy wood bunk beds in the second bedroom, a new master bedroom mattress, upgraded driveway, and window air conditioners for the bedrooms and living room.

We're constantly updating and adding CDs, DVDs, games, kids' toys and books, and a host of comforts for our guests--and for us! We're in heaven in the summertime, plus we keep discovering new enticing treats during the other three seasons. In winter we can watch people ice fishing on the lake; I like sketching the winter scenes from a deliciously warm, light-filled living room. We can climb frozen waves at nearby Grand Traverse Bay, or go tubing, downhill and cross-country skiing at nearby Schuss Mountain (or tubing down the lovely Jordan River--every season!). Or take in Michigan's largest indoor water park and visit sweet and peaceful up-north cities and villages.

Springtime brings Morel mushroom hunting, birding, bike rides and walks in a lush landscape; summer brings kayak rides, swimming, and playing; fall leaves are stunning and apple orchards and color tours beckon.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests