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BIRCH COTTAGE - Modern Lake House w/ shared Frontage on Thayer Lake

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A modern kitchen with a dining area, a ceiling fan, and a view to the living room.
A single-story house with a garage, a small front yard, and a driveway.
A bedroom with a bed, a desk with a TV, and large windows with a view of trees.
A grassy outdoor area with a small building, surrounded by trees.
A living room with a gray sofa, patterned rug, and a fireplace.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to Torch Lake
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet
  • Washing machine
  • Bathtub

Explore the area

View map
Alden, MI
  • Place, Torch Lake
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Thayer lake
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Boyne Mountain
    ‪45 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪41 min drive‬

Where you'll sleep

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Living Room 1

1 Queen Sofa Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

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

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Kitchen
Number of living rooms

About this property

BIRCH COTTAGE - Modern Lake House w/ shared Frontage on Thayer Lake

Discover the perfect blend of lakeside charm and the modern ambiance of Alden, MI. Conveniently located between Traverse City and Charlevoix Michigan, check out our updated Birch Cottage. This 3 bed/2 bath home features every modern amenity to comfort you and your guests. With direct shared frontage to Thayer Lake, you’ll enjoy a secret paradise for fisherman. The Cottage comes with shared use of our guest kayaks, canoes and access to our private sandy beach. You can see the lake from the kitchen and patio. As an added convenience, guests can utilize their own in-unit washer and dryer. The living room features the added bonus of a queen sleeper sofa for additional guests. Relax outdoors with your private bonfire pit, outdoor seating and grill.

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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

Property # 4011638vb
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

Alden

Alden is home to this holiday home. Twisted Fish Gallery and Guntzviller's Spirit of the Woods Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Elk Rapids District Library and Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall.
View more Holiday homes in AldenOpens in a new window
Map
Alden, MI

What's nearby

  • Torch Lake - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Thayer lake - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Traverse City Beach - 34 min drive - 48.3 km
  • Front Street - 40 min drive - 53.7 km
  • Boyne Mountain - 45 min drive - 73.6 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 40 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪M88 Morning Grind - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Shanty Creek Resorts - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Short's Brewing Company - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Johnny's Torch Riviera - ‬14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is BIRCH COTTAGE - Modern Lake House w/ shared Frontage on Thayer Lake pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at BIRCH COTTAGE - Modern Lake House w/ shared Frontage on Thayer Lake?

As of 22 Sept 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at BIRCH COTTAGE - Modern Lake House w/ shared Frontage on Thayer Lake on 22 Oct 2026 start from AU$1,015, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at BIRCH COTTAGE - Modern Lake House w/ shared Frontage on Thayer Lake?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at BIRCH COTTAGE - Modern Lake House w/ shared Frontage on Thayer Lake?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is BIRCH COTTAGE - Modern Lake House w/ shared Frontage on Thayer Lake located?

Situated in Alden, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Thayer lake and Torch Lake. Clam River and Clam Lake are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 47 out of 55 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 55 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 55 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 55 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 55 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful trip and enjoyed our stay here!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We were in the area for a wedding and this location was close by. There was plenty of room for my family and my brothers. We enjoyed taking the kids out on the kayaks and canoe and playing out front on the large lawn.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very roomy house. Very peaceful area.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Comfortable and clean with many special touches to make you feel at home. Host immediately responded to questions and needs. Only down fall for us was one air condition unit for the whole house. Location was perfect for our needs. We would rent here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was our third year in the location and things just keep getting better. We will be back for sure.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The only issues we had was one of the beds was very, very noisy if you moved around in it and another one, the mattress sagged on one side, but I don’t know if that was the mattress or the Support underneath. For the price and having all the comforts at home, it was worth it.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We love coming here every year. The hosts are wonderful. I would like a few more kitchen items. I donated a bread pan. Some pizza pans, cookie sheet and some mixing bowls would be nice.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beariful, comfortable, ean and spacious cabin. We traveled with 4 adults and one child for 4 nights. Thayer lake is just a very short walk away. Torch lake does have a few public access spots nearby, but not anything decent. The best public beach on Torch lake is on the other side of the lake. Ran into a few minor issues at the cabin, such as no extra batteries for the smoke detector, no bowls for cooking, need a toaster that works, and the hot water had to be fixed. Great coffee selection and a nice Keurig, but zero tea options, sadly. Would absolutely recommend the place and would stay there again.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Host was very quick to respond to any questions and give advice. One thing it’s in a great location and town is close by. Beds were comfy…pillows were very fluffy. Smaller bathroom could use some hooks for towels and maybe a smaller cabinet for personal items for guests. We did have some concerns when we arrived…like someone left a filled bacon grease cookie sheet in the oven and it didn’t look like they cleaned the top of the frig nor the inside. The back room has a few panels that had holes in it. Above kitchen table maybe water damage? Not sure? So, when we arrived we let her know of some of the things and she said they would have these issues looked at this weekend. Thayer Lake is in back along with smaller cottages in back too. We were still able to see the lake from the back window which was nice. This room can get a little toasty- keep blinds close and fans going and it was comfortable. Torch Lake is across the street but didn’t find any access points to walk over too though. Fire pit was fun one night. Until some dog started going crazy..they were unleashed. At least the owner was able to keep it away.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place to stay

Very nice place to stay. Owners are friendly and accommodating.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice property! Great location.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Easy access to many attractions
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay for our family. Husband and I enjoyed fishing off the many docks
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was immaculately, clean, very spacious, and comfortable. It was a perfect location. Would happily stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect Cottage!

We love staying here! Location is great, and the cottage is always clean and stocked with all the general supplies you could need!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful place to stay. Everything was clean and comfy. I loved the bed sheets and pillows. Kitchen had what we needed and it was great to have the washer and dryer. No major laundry issues when we got home.We went early in the season and it was truly peaceful and quiet at the lake. I read a book by the lake while young one played in the water. They have a flouting dock that grownups can walk to and the kids can swim to. We didn't get to test out the kayaks, maybe next time.Alden the small town, was quaint. Everyone was friendly. Be sure to check out Alden Mill House if you own a kitchen. They have fresh spices and locally made spice blends.I prefer Thayer lake because it's warmer. You can save Torch Lake for renting jet skies.Birch Cottage has a TV in every room, but I never turned one on. Sitting and watching the view of the lake was all I needed.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had a great time. Cottage was clean and comfortable.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful house and location. We had an excellent time at the Birch Cottage and will certainly be returning next year!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very clean, nicely decorated, perfect location ( just down from Butch's and Dockside ) Kids loved going down and fishing in Thayer lake. 2nd time staying here, 10 outa 10!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cute place in a nice location

We had a nice stay. It was very clean and close to all that we wanted to do.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Excellent location.

Great location for a torch lake stay. Excellent amenities! Host's even had a boat to rent!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Girls weekend trip

We had a wonderful stay. It was a quiet getaway and was in a great location to have short day trips to beaches and shops and be back at the house for the night.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We really enjoyed our stay at the Birch Cottage! The house and amenities were exactly how they were described. We had a blast taking out the canoe and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. If we are ever in the area again, we would book this cottage in a heartbeat!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a lovely stay at Birch Cottage. The house and grounds were exactly as described. We loved the peaceful environment with direct access to Thayer Lake and the close proximity to Torch Lake. We were traveling with little ones, so it was great to have a washing machine and lots of outdoor space to play.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderul trip! The owners were super helpful and quick to respond to questions! The house was perfect for us and just like the pictures. We really enjoyed jumping into the lake and loved that we could walk to it! Very peaceful and relaxing!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

About the host

Hosted by Rachael

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Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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