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Water Front Cottage - Golden Coast of Houghton Lake, MI

Photo gallery for Water Front Cottage - Golden Coast of Houghton Lake, MI

Backdoor--roadside
Property grounds
View from living room
Beach
Miscellaneous

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Top-rated comfy beds
    Guests liked the comfy beds here.
  • Fireplace
    A rare find - cosy up in front of a warm, inviting fireplace.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to Houghton Lake
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Deck or patio
  • Barbecue
  • Internet access
  • Kitchen
  • Refrigerator
  • Onsite parking available

Explore the area

View map
Houghton Lake, MI
  • Place, Houghton Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Houghton Lake Flats Flooding State Wildlife Management Area
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Au Sable River
    ‪20 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Guest Bedroom

2 Single Beds

Living room

1 Double Futon

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

1/2 bath

Toilet

Main Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Water Front Cottage - Golden Coast of Houghton Lake, MI

Beautiful newly renovated 2 Bedroom, 1 1/2 Bath Lakefront Cottage on Michigan's largest inland lake! Over 52 feet of private frontage for our guests to enjoy and experience. Fish or swim from the dock. "The Pickled Pike" sleeps up to 6 guests - Master Bedrooms has a king bed, Bedroom 2 has 2 twin beds that can be made into a king. Sofa sleeper in the living room. Fire pit outside. Please bring your own wood.

Great fishing year round. Check out the photos of our fishermen.

If bringing a boat, please tie up at the designated area by the bumpers as the dock is reinforced there. There are no cleats attached to the dock, however the dock posts stick up well enough to tie off too. Please understand you are responsible for properly docking your boat in the designated area (by location of the boat bumpers). The welfare of your boat is your responsibility, and we recommend your boat be pulled out during rough weather.

Many Houghton Lake family attractions nearby including miniature golf, go-carts, and batting cages.

Convenient to many mid Michigan attractions, including Higgins Lake State park, Clare County Fairgrounds, Mt. Pleasant casino, Traverse City, and more.

We have 4 outside cameras for security purposes.
Camera 1 is located on the SE corner of the cottage monitoring the deck and backdoor
Camera 2 is located on NE corner of the cottage monitoring the dock.
Camera 3 is located on SW corner of the cottage monitoring the side yard
Ring doorbell camera is located by the front door to monitor the front deck and driveway

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 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

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
*no smoking *no fireworks, *no pets, *No Parties, *no drugs *no illegal activities on premises *no tents or campers, *no outdoor sleeping
*no sub rental to others *noise to be held to a reasonable level *no grease in sinks *Renter must leave property as it was found upon arrival
*no overnight unregistered guests

Important information

You need to know

Property # 4312915
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

About the area

Houghton Lake

Located in Houghton Lake, this cottage is on a lake. Houghton Lake Marina and Brian's Lakeside Marina are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Houghton Lake Flats Flooding State Wildlife Management Area and Houghton Lake Wildlife Research Area. Enjoy the area's slopes with skiing, and don't miss out on the sledging.
View more Cottages in Houghton LakeOpens in a new window
Map
Houghton Lake, MI

What's nearby

  • Houghton Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Houghton Lake Flats Flooding State Wildlife Management Area - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Houghton Lake Marina - 4 min drive - 4.0 km
  • South Higgins Lake State Park - 15 min drive - 20.8 km
  • Au Sable River - 20 min drive - 43.9 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 80 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪The backdoor saloon - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪MJ's Eatery - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Spikehorn Restaurant & Lounge - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Little Boots Country Diner - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Water Front Cottage - Golden Coast of Houghton Lake, MI pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Water Front Cottage - Golden Coast of Houghton Lake, MI ?

As of 21 June 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Water Front Cottage - Golden Coast of Houghton Lake, MI on 3 Sept 2026 start from AU$493, 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.

How much is parking at Water Front Cottage - Golden Coast of Houghton Lake, MI ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Water Front Cottage - Golden Coast of Houghton Lake, MI ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Water Front Cottage - Golden Coast of Houghton Lake, MI ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Water Front Cottage - Golden Coast of Houghton Lake, MI located?

Situated on a lake, this cottage is within a 15-minute walk of Houghton Lake and Houghton Lake Flats Flooding State Wildlife Management Area. Houghton Lake Marina is 1.7 mi (2.7 km) away.

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. 67 out of 71 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 71 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 71 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 71 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 71 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

jeanette k.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I was reluctant to share my review because I selfishly do not want others to find out about this secret gem! :-) The Pickled Pike is absolutely adorable, fully furnished, & cozy. The king size bed was very comfortable. The driveway was long enough for our truck & boat trailer, plus an additional (2) vehicles if needed. Tom & Michelle were available & communicated with us throughout our stay - although we never needed anything because their cottage was perfect. The neighbors are wonderful people too! Angelo's is a party store just down the road if you forget anything. You won't be disappointed if you book. We look forward to staying again next year.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nicole G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house is exactly as described. Perfect location right on the lake. We enjoyed our stay and will be returning!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Janet & Larry S.

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

VERY ENJOYABLE

VERY RELAXING PLACE TO STAY
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christopher G.

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

Awesome stay

Very nice spot! Clean! Will look to stay here again in the future!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2020
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Sarah M.

Wonderful lakehouse!

We enjoyed our stay greatly! Great location with our small kids from the shallow water for swimming around the dock to the decreased boat traffic for tubing and fishing with them. The cottage is just fantastic...we loved our end of summer getaway!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar 2020
Glad you enjoyed your stay! Thank you for the review!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jason C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our family had a great Labor Day vacation at the Pickled Pike!! The vacation started with great communication with the host and continued to not disappoint the rest of the vacation. The house was exactly as described and the lake front was awesome for swimming and relaxing. The neighbors were extremely nice and their dog Henry was my sons best friend for the entire vacation. Thank you Tom and Michelle for allowing us to enjoy your vacation property. We will definitely return when our busy schedules allow us to. Thanks again!!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Dave D.

What an awesome place, highly recommmended.

The setting out the back door couldn't be any more peaceful, the fire pit, the lake and that fantastic dock with the adirondack chairs. The home is close to all of the amenities of Houghton Lake, including a great little market just down the road. We absolutely enjoyed our stay and and would recommend it to everyone.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar 2020
Thank you for the great feedback! We also love the view of the lake and spend a lot of time on the dock ourselves. Hope you will stay with us again.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Debera M.

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

Our third visit to this property twice during the Summer and once during the the winter.

The faculty is clean, well equipped and maintained, and centrally located. The checkin process is smooth and efficient.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 17 June 2022
Thank you for the nice comments!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stacy L.

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

Relaxing Getaway

This place is exactly as described. It is very cozy. This is my second time renting, and it is just as clean as 6 years ago! Do not hesitate to book, you will not be disappointed. The hosts thought of everything to feel like home. Thank you Michell and Tom!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer W.

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

TuT 2020

This home is quaint, peacefully, beautifully decorated, and furnished. The neighborhood was great, with easy access to town. We loved the fire place. The owner Michelle was very attentive and sweet. We will keep this home in mind when traveling to the Houghton Lake area again. Thank you!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020
Verified

8/10 Good

Irina s.

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

Lovely place. Well taken care off.

The house is very clean and cosy . Plenty of space. Two bath rooms are a big plus . Lake view is beautiful in a different way every part of the day. Sunrise , sunset, moon watching , starry skies- all were amazing !! I only wish the beds were not as soft. And I personally could not find a tea kettle . But everything else was provided in abundance. Thank you for a lovely time. We felt at home.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar 2020
Glad you felt at home in our cottage! We have added a tea kettle to our well stocked kitchen for your next stay.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa B.

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

First day of retirement

My husband and I spent my first day of retirement at this amazing property. I wanted to spend time doing a puzzle, reading, and really didn't want to do anything that required much thought. The Pickled Pike was the perfect location with great views from the inside and perfectly placed deck chairs for reading and relaxing. From communication to cleanliness, I cannot rave enough about the experience. The Mayflies did greet us upon arrival, yet their life cycle is VERY short and when these creatures arrive is unpredictable and doesn't just happen at Houghton Lake. One of the things that really impressed me was the dock and the dock chairs--neither were splintered--both were weathered and smooth. It was my favorite spot to read. The water level around the dock would be perfect for launching a kayak, which is what I would like to do on a return trip. If I wished for anything, it would have been for the deck chair back to be a bit higher to lay my head back to take a nap. Thank you for sharing your property.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 15 June 2022
We are so glad you had a great time at the Pickled Pike enjoying the start of your retirement!! We look forward to having you back again soon!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Adam L.

No Stress Vacation Getaway With Great Owners

We'd like to complement the owners, Tom and Michelle, for making our week long vacation very memorable. Their cabin is spacious enough to sleep 3 adults and a 12, 3, and 1 year old very comfortably and the fully stocked kitchen had all the pots, pans and utensils needed to prepare meals. The richly decorated and renovated house made us feel like home and for those who miss their electronics, you'll be happy with the speedy wifi, Blueray movie selections and cable tv. If you stick around the cabin, you'll enjoy fishing off the pier (we caught some bluegill) wading, swimming or boating. The pier has an easy stair access into the lake. At night you can watch the sun set and make smores over the firepit. You are a short ride to golfing, Higgins Lake State Park complete with a sandy beachfront and a selection of local pub type establishments or fast food. 60-90 min. in each direction got us to Grand Rapids and Mackinac Island for a day trip. I have to give a special shout out to the owners who were very responsive to my questions and helped provide a worry-free vacation. They even immediately responded to a suggestion from a previous reviewer and supplied box fans for us! Suggestions for visitors: As previous reviewers mentioned, wear shoes on the deck as it weathered but structurally sound. Consider heading the 8 miles to Walmart if you are looking for budget groceries. Otherwise you can get top quality meats, dips and cheeses at a higher price at the local meat market/grocer. Bring some mosquito spray if you are going that time of year. The property is safe and comfortable for small children to get around, but don't forget to bring plug covers and move some of the nice decorations out of way of small hands! Also - no need to overpack since there is a washer/dryer on site! We'd definitely rent from Tom and Michelle again!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar 2020
Thank you for the great review! We are so glad you enjoyed your stay at the Pickled Pike and hope you will stay again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jim S.

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

Very Up-to-Date

Very impressive place! Well supplied, cozy, and cheerful! I'd definitely stay here again. The owners were exceptionally accommodating and attentive!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Lovely lakeside stay

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in this lakeside home. The water is just steps away, and we loved taking our kayaks with our kiddos. Also loves using the fire pit for s’mores. The home was clean and comfortable and came with all the necessary amenities. The property owner is great with communication and even helped us find a cabin nearby for friends who were looking for a last minute place to stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephen H.

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

Great Cottage and Beautiful View

Very nice, clean property. Well stocked kitchen. Beautiful lake that's great for fishing and kayaking.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ernest P.

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

Great tome

Great time for me and my wife’s 50’th anniversary
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kris K.

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

A relaxing week

Nice quiet week on the lake. Perfect
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura E.

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

Very nice

Everything, except food, was at the cabin and ready for us when we arrived. New concrete seawall guarded the shallow, sandy beach. Beautiful dock with steps to water, seating area at the end for great views of the lake. Fishing off dock for pan fish was fun. Little guys were biting on worms. Weather was fantastic and lots of miniature golfing and ice cream were experience. All in all, had a great time.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Debera M.

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

Wonderful!

We totally enjoyed our time at your cottage. The location is perfect and we spent many an evening sitting at the end of your dock watched the evening approach!! Will stay at your cottage again, soon!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephen H.

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

Beautiful Waterfront

This is a clean and cozy cottage on the lake. A wonderful place to stay!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chen

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

great experience

nice house, perfect location. We enjoyed a lot. will definitely come back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nanette W.

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

Perfect spot on the lake!

Pickled Pike was clean, well stocked, and nicely decorated. Located conveniently near stores and restaurants. Owners were friendly and available to answer questions.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Great as always

This is our fourth stay. We love it and will be back!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jean C.

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

Great property!

What a nice place to stay! We really enjoyed our time there.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

About the host

Hosted by Michelle and Tom Wagner

Host profile image
Tom and Michelle Wagner
We purchased this property in August of 2016 but have vacationed in the Houghton Lake area for more than 40 years.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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