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Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location

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Living area
Outdoor dining
Living area
Living area
Private kitchen

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 488.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Washer
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Empire, MI
  • Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪17 min walk‬
  • Empire Bluff Trail
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪47 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location

Carol's Cottage

Our calendar is updated in real-time & our nightly rates are accurately displayed. Simply enter your desired dates and click 'Book Now!'

With charm to spare and a great location within walking distance of Empire Beach, hiking and biking trails, quaint local restaurants and shops, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, you’ve chosen wisely with this adorable cottage. The kids and family dog will love the fenced back yard, and you’ll love the cozy firepit, perfect for roasting marshmallows at the end of the day.

Inside, you’ll find a colorful, open space, ideal for reconnecting with family and friends. Use the full kitchen to prepare snacks for the beach, or sit down for a meal together at the sunny dining room table. After a day of exploration, grab a board game for some more together time, stream the latest release on either TV, or use the free WiFi to post pics of the day’s dune climb to your social media. End the day with a family cookout, and drift off to sleep dreaming of the next day’s adventures.

Please note that this property does not have A/C.

THINGS TO KNOW
There is no dishwasher in the kitchen.
This property is managed by Vacasa Michigan LLC

If you are bringing a dog on your trip, the pet fee is already included in your quote when selecting ‘Yes’ to pets. If you would like to add more dogs, please contact us.

Parking notes: There is free parking available for 2 vehicles.



Damage waiver: The total cost of your reservation for this Property includes a nightly damage waiver fee, plus tax if applicable (the “Damage Waiver”). (A discount may be applied for stays of 28 nights or longer, if permitted.) The Damage Waiver covers you for up to $3,000 of accidental damage to the Property or its contents (such as furniture, fixtures, and appliances) as long as you report the incident to the host prior to checking out. The Damage Waiver fee eliminates the need for a traditional security deposit.
More information can be downloaded from the "Rental Agreement" on the checkout page.

Due to local laws or HOA requirements, guests must be at least 21 years of age to book. Guests under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian for the duration of the reservation.

Property manager

Vacasa of Michigan

Languages

English, French, German, Italian, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
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 only. Max of 2.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.
For information about quiet hours, please refer to the listing description.

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 and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Empire

Empire is home to this holiday home. 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. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Empire, MI

What's nearby

  • Philip A. Hart Visitor Center - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 17 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Empire Bluff Trail - 19 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive - 7 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Little Glen Lake - 9 min drive - 9.4 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 43 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Shipwreck Cafe - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Empire Village Pizza & Spirits - ‬7 min walk
  • ‪Food For Thought - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Friendly Tavern - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Tiffany's Ice Cream - ‬4 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location located?

Situated in Empire, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Philip A. Hart Visitor Center and Lake Michigan. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is 0.8 mi (1.3 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. 22 out of 36 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 36 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 36 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 36 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 36 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.6/10

Check-in

9.0/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

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

10/10 Excellent

Jon G.

Nice little home!!

Everthing was great,comfy beds,and furniture,close to Empire Beach
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

2/10 Terrible

Alyson H.

Do Not Recommend

This house has a great location. The yard is nice. It has a fire pit, a grill and table and chairs. However, the negative far outweighs the positive. We did not receive a code when we got there. The property was wide open. Between that, no AC, rodent droppings, and the general dingy look of the property it was not worth the cost.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Elizabeth C.

A cute little house at the beach

The proximity to “downtown” Empire was super and it is an easy walk to the beach. Our dogs enjoyed the back yard and it was easy to walk them around the neighborhood. We neglected to notice that there is no A/C. We opened the windows due to record high temps during our stay and there are a lot of fans in the closets but do note it got very hot inside. Bring a sheetpan/cookie sheet or 9x13 - I forgot mine for dinner prep and cooking and the kitchen didn’t have one.

10/10 Excellent

Amy S.

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

Love this cottage!!!

So cozy!!! Will stay here again!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Carol S.

Location location location

In great proximity to many good places to hike, walk to the beach, empire sleeping bear dune races and short drive to eating establishments and breweries.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Karen P.

Great location and very comfortable

Private, proximity to Lake Michigan and other area attractions. WiFi / TV excellent. Met our needs perfectly!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rachael Z.

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

Great Little Getaway

We loved staying at this cozy little cottage in Empire. It had everything we needed.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gary E.

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

Our stay

A cozy cottage with all the essential amenities. It felt very “Empire” in ambiance. Conveniently located close to all the best of the Natl. Lakeshore
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jean K.

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

Empire

It’s such a nice little town!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Patricia b.

Cute little house convenient to all

Great location, very quiet, well appointed, easy to access, comfortable beds and furnishings. Pet friendly with a fenced yard and dog bags!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Nick S.

Great location, bad experience

First, let me say that the location of Carol’s Cottage is fantastic—an easy walk to the beach and just behind the heart of Empire. Unfortunately, that’s where the good news ends. We were notified just four days before our trip that there would be a power outage for one night. Then, upon arrival, we discovered that the internet and cable were out for our entire stay. Despite the cable lying in the street and on the curb, Vacasa seemed unaware of the issue until I notified them. But the final straw was the presence of mice in the house. I first saw one scurry across the kitchen floor into the living room while I was having early morning coffee. I hoped that would be the last sighting and that my family wouldn’t have to know. Unfortunately, by the end of the trip, everyone had an encounter. We even found mouse droppings on the towel where I had left “clean” dishes to dry, as well as inside the cupboards. When I reported all three issues to Vacasa, they apologized—but that was the extent of their response. I explained that I didn’t feel we received the home we paid for and requested a partial refund. I’m still waiting to hear back from “local management.”

10/10 Excellent

Mary R.

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

Great location. Dog friendly.

The property worked well for us. We enjoyed being able to have our dog in the fenced yatd to chase balls. The location was great. Close to the beach, trails and a restaurant. Just a note - there is no air conditioning which was probably stated. There are fans.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy W.

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

Lovely cottage with all we needed!

Nicely furnished with high quality. Comfty beds. Good location for visiting Frankfort to the peninsulas.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

Great cottage

Easy to walk everywhere
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cindy W.

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

Comfy cottage great location in Empire MI

For a visit to Empire this is a great cottage Well equipped with everything needed. Towels plentiful and thirsty. Quiet neighborhood. Regular basket style coffee maker, toaster and microwave. Best of all fire pitans back patio to relax
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Dolores A.

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

Cute Comfy Cottage

Spacious rooms, walking distance to Front Street. Quiet residential area. Close to beachfront at Lake Michigan. Dog friendly.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shawn B.

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

Nice little house

The place was exactly what we expected, super clean, and had everything we needed. A great home base for exploring the northwest lower peninsula!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

David M.

FALL SPLENDOR

Perfect place for a little r&r during the fall foilage season. Easy walk to the beach, easy walk to the corner hamburger joint. Very comfortable and welcoming.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathy K.

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

Traveling with 2 dogs

This was the perfect place to stay as we traveled with 2 adult golden retrievers. So grateful that property owners allow pets. The dogs and humans had a wonderful stay and we will book again next year.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Laurieanne R.

Cute Cottage

Clean…clean….and clean! Had everything we needed. Close to Lake Michigan. Comfy and safe.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris K.

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

Nice place to stay

Great location quiet neighborhood. Loved the fenced in backyard. I did a 4 out of 5 stars for cleanliness because i think the outside of the house should be cleaned a little better get the webs and bugs off the house especially since theres no AC and you have to rely on windows being opened for air flow. The inside of the house was clean no problems there. All in all great place to stay especially if you have a dog with you.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katherine M., Ann Arbor

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

Lovely getaway

Close to everything, very homey. Waze and google sent us down a dead end so be aware there is a gap in this street. Everything else was wonderful.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

4/10 Poor

Dolores A.

Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Cleanliness

High Fees and Needs a Thorough Cleaning

I don’t understand the fee structure between, VRBO and VACASA. A 253.87 fee is charged for what purpose? There is a 98.00 fee for customer service? Why charge so much? The cottage wasn’t super clean, crumbs on the coffee table and mouse poop in the kitchen drawer from a packet of Parmesan cheese. The cob webs need to be cleaned from the corners of each room.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2024

8/10 Good

Eric C.

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

Great location

My wife and I had an enjoyable trip. A few comments on our stay and the reason for not giving a 5 star rating. This is admittedly some of my fault. This is a pet friendly place, not being a pet owner, I should have considered that there would be remnants of pet hair. I had to vaccum the living room furniture prior to sitting on it. Also cleaned up the the throw rug. House could use some updates. Either way, not a horrible experience. I can say its in a perfect location for taking part in the area attractions and close enough to Traverse city if you want plenty of options for dinner
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

Katherine M.

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy

Great location, needs some work

We are return guests and love this spot, although the house could use some maintenance since our visit last year. As someone noted in Aug 2023 the front door is very hard to open from inside when it’s locked. We are landlords ourselves and this is a major fire hazard. The loose cabinet door for the cupboard under the sink, which was noted in a review last fall, has simply been removed, leaving household chemicals open to small kids. The house inside was clean but the outside porch and deck were filthy and covered with leaves, dirt and spiders, which may explain the thriving indoor earwig population (not present last year). Aside from that, the house is cozy, the beds are comfortable and the location is perfect. Vacasa is based in Oregon and texts to mgmt are answered with sincerity and no action, as are these reviews.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

About the host

Hosted by Vacasa of Michigan

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Languages:

English, French, German, Italian, Spanish
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