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Lake Michigan beachfront on Sleeping Bear Bay Glen Arbor

Photo gallery for Lake Michigan beachfront on Sleeping Bear Bay Glen Arbor

Front door entrance to house from woods side of property.
Lakeside view of house with upper balcony and lower deck.
Wooden boardwalk offers easy access to the beach.
Picnic table and Weber grill convenient for outdoor dining.
Upper deck is accessed from the two queen size bedrooms.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Private garden
    A rare find — relax in the peaceful, private garden space.
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Balcony
  • Toys
  • Barbecue
  • Pet-friendly
  • Internet access

Explore the area

View map
Glen Arbor, MI
  • Place, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Place, Glen Lake
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, beach near Glen Haven
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪47 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

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

About this property

Lake Michigan beachfront on Sleeping Bear Bay Glen Arbor

Three bedroom, 2 bath, 2 story townhouse with private sandy beach, beautiful views of Sleeping Bear Bay and the Manitou Islands. Bedroom 1 has king size bed, Bedroom 2 has queen size bed, Bedroom 3 has two twin beds. Spacious kitchen has stainless appliances and under cabinet lighting; dining room has seating for 8; comfortably furnished family room with cable TV and DVD; wireless high speed internet service; laundry with washer and dryer; ceiling fans throughout. Large lighted closets in lakeside bedrooms plus large hallway closets on both floors. All linens and towels provided. Lakeside decks on upper and lower floors have comfortable outdoor furniture. Picnic table, Weber gas grill, and outdoor shower conveniently available. Beach fires permitted. Kayaks, paddle boards, beach chairs, beach umbrellas, and life jackets available on the beach. Pets considered. The nearby village of Glen Arbor is just a short walk or bike ride away. Easy access to the Sleeping Bear Dunes Heritage Trail for hiking, biking, and jogging. Local bike rentals readily available.

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10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (21 reviews)
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House Rules

Minimum age to rent: 25
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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: limit 1 total
No aggressive breeds. Pet fee due.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 556075vb
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

Glen Arbor

Located in Glen Arbor, this holiday home is on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and snorkelling nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with horse riding and hiking.
View more Holiday homes in Glen ArborOpens in a new window
Map
Glen Arbor, MI

What's nearby

  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • Crystal River - 2 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Glen Lake - 3 min drive - 3.7 km
  • beach near Glen Haven - 4 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum - 6 min drive - 3.7 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Art's Tavern - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Cherry Republic - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪La Becasse - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Trattoria Funistrada - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Leelanau Coffee Roasting Co. - ‬2 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Michigan beachfront on Sleeping Bear Bay Glen Arbor pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 1 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at Lake Michigan beachfront on Sleeping Bear Bay Glen Arbor?

On-site parking is available at the property.

Where is Lake Michigan beachfront on Sleeping Bear Bay Glen Arbor located?

Nestled on the beach, this Glen Arbor holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Crystal River and Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum are also within 2 miles (3 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. 20 out of 20 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 20 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dustin W.

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

Amazing vacation!

Property has an amazing beach and close to town, but is in a very private, secluded location. We look forward to staying again next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Aug 2020
We love our beach and we're glad you do as well. It is special. We are also pleased to hear you are coming back again. Thank you!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Loraine C.

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

Wonderful!

This was a well appointed home and had everything we needed. The owners were very kind and helpful and made our stay delightful. This is also a perfect location: close to town, bike trails and the beach. Can't wait to return!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 22 June 2021
Thank you for your warm and thoughtful comments. It was a pleasure having your visit, and we look forward to your return!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Norm H.

Great location and great amenities

The location and beach is great as expected. The surprise came when you walked inside. The kitchen was fully stocked and everything worked. Comfortable beds and a relaxing living area. There were small things that added to the experience such as phone charging stations in the bedrooms and some logs, including a starter log, at the beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
We do worry about the big things here, but we also try to go beyond the most obvious concerns, to manage the smallest details. Even little things can help make the difference in a more comfortable, more interesting visit. We believe we are that kind of rental property.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary Anne B.

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

Paradise on Lake Michigan

Our family has stayed in a number of places in northern Michigan but this one may be our favorite. The view of the lake and access to a private beach were priceless. We also enjoyed taking the kayaks and paddleboards out — a great way to experience the shoreline on a calm day. You also can't beat the location. We were within a few minutes' drive of village of Glen Arbor, the Sleeping Bear Dunes, hiking trails and other attractions. The house was clean, well-appointed and equipped with anything and everything one might need. The beds were extremely comfortable and two bedrooms afforded their own balcony with a lake view. We never tired of sitting on the deck with a cup of coffee watching a spectacular sunrise. My husband and I and our adult children highly recommend this house as an ideal spot for a relaxing, memorable family vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Sept 2020
Happy to hear you enjoyed using our kayaks and paddle boards... Sleeping Bear Bay is a terrific venue for them. We are also pleased that our beach remains wide and sandy despite the impact some places have seen with the rising lake levels.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Patti C.

Wonderful place to stay, in a great area to visit!

This was truly a great place to stay. Gary and Carolyn were gracious hosts, making the entire process seamless - from initial inquiries and questions, to payment, directions to the property - all was timely, concise and spot on. As stated in previous reviews, the house is well-stocked with all the amenities (plus), and is very spacious, with plenty of room congregating for meals/games, as well as sneaking off for naps. The short boardwalk to the beach will spoil you, and having the benefit of beach chairs, kayaks, etc, was wonderful, which we definitely put to good use. Watched freighters (and got info on each via boatnerd.com, thanks Gary!), biked, did the Dunes and even found some Petoskey stones as we waded in the shallows. Ice cream cones at the Pine Cone were a daily occurrence, a quick drive to town and back in time to watch the sun set. We have rented in the Glen Arbor area before, and Gary/Carolyn have most certainly spoiled us with this rental home - we look forward to returning soon to "our place".
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
Thank you so much for your very kind review. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting your family. This region has so many beautiful sights to share. It means a great deal to us to know you had a terrific experience visiting here. Please do come back whenever you can!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Byron V.

Lake Michigan Vacation

This was our family's second visit to this property. We think it's probably one of the best rental locations on Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Bay. The view of the bay and the Manitou Islands is just stunning. Both the beach and the townhouse are perfect, everything we wanted for a week long vacation.The owners keep the house shiny clean and comfortable, and for the beach there are kayaks with lifejackets, paddleboards, and plenty of lounge chairs and sun umbrellas. We tried something new this year, a day trip to South Manitou Island. We found a great hiking trail that took us to a secluded lake where we had a completely private picnic lunch and watched wildlife...including deer and bald eagles. A ferry returns in the afternoon and takes you back to the mainland. My family loved this trip. Glen Arbor has several good restaurants, but we generally prefer to grill out. The house includes a beautiful Weber Gas Grill, and the local market features excellent fish and meats although they are a little pricey. Probably our favorite hike in the National Park is the one to Pyramid Point, just north of town. It climbs to an elevation some 500 ft above the bay that is a truly breathtaking view, one I will remember all winter!
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. We are so pleased that you enjoyed your return visit.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bill W.

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

Glen Arbor vacation

Absolutely awesome time! Gary & Carolyn are fantastic host, very friendly! The townhouse was immaculate. If you’re new visitor to Glen Arbor, they put together this huge booklet of things to see and do. The view is perfect, sit on the deck, relax & watch the world go by! Two of the bedrooms overlook the lake, lay in bed & listen to the waves. What made it even better the weather was perfect for mid/late June. Also it’s pet friendly, my dog made a new girl friend with their dog. Spent a week playing together, LOL!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rachelle C.

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

Fantastic Stay!

Our week at Woodsmere was everything we had hoped it would be—relaxing and quiet. The townhome was clean and comfortable; it was the most well-appointed vacation home we have ever stayed in. The private beach was perfect for us and our two old dogs to enjoy, and we spent each evening on the deck luxuriating in the sun and views of the water. We would highly recommend to anyone interested in spending time in the Glen Arbor area and hope to return next summer!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 28 June 2021
Thank you very much. We really appreciate your comments!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dan R.

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

Glen Arbor vacation home

The Glen Arbor Vacation Home is absolutely beautiful and matches exactly the description on the site. Gary is an amazing host, and it is apparent that he takes great care of his property. The home is beautiful and everything is in great working order, clean and comfortable. The views of Sleeping Bear Bay are amazing and it is just steps away from the home. We greatly enjoyed our stay and we look to return on our next trip to the area. Exceptional experience and vacation home!! Dan Rice
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 28 June 2021
Thank you so much for your generous comments. It was a pleasure having your family visit here!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cindy D.

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

Perfection

Every aspect of our vacation exceeded our expectations. The townhome was lovely and supplied with all that we would possibly need. The owners were excellent communicators and incredibly thoughtful. The view was beautiful, and we all enjoyed our peaceful stretch of beach...especially our dog! We are hoping to make it an annual family vacation. Perfection!
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Nov 2020
We think it's so important to offer a property that our guests can rely on to provide a fully comfortable, satisfying vacation...it's what we strive for here. Thanks for coming!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Linda R.

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

Beautiful lake Michigan stay

Beautiful property on Lake Michigan. Well stocked kitchen as well as water equipment. First time we travelled with our two cats, they loved the natural grasses on the property. Hosts were extremely kind and helpful. We enjoyed our stay and would return.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Aug 2020
We are very happy that you had a great vacation. It's a pleasure having guests that enjoy our special beach, the sunsets, and the unique beauty of Lake Michigan. Thanks again for coming!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sally Z.

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

Great place to stay!

This is a very welcoming townhouse with a good level of amenities. The owner (on premises) is unobtrusive, very cordial and helpful with any questions. If you want to be on Lake Michigan and close to Glen Arbor, this is a great choice!
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
We were delighted to have you. Thanks so much for coming. You are welcome back here anytime.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pam B.

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

Everything We Hoped For and More

Perfect location on a quiet - breathtakingly gorgeous beach! Delightful condo with many thoughtful and personal touches by the hosts who take pains to keep the property beautiful and spare no effort to ensure the comfort and enjoyment of their guests. Beautiful views of the Manitou Islands and spectacular sunsets only minutes from the Sleeping Bear Dunes and Glen Arbor, MI. Will definitely return!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments. It was a pleasure having you here.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

William S.

Glen Arbor gem

The property was as described except the beach was even closer than expected and there are no steep stairs to get to it.The views and the lake were beautiful. The home is well off the road and through the woods so no road noise, very serene. Carolyn has a hummingbird feeder by the lower deck and they were great fun to watch. There are chairs and kayaks already in place on the beach.The little village of Glen Arbor has several restaurants and shops, Glenn Haven and Sleeping Bear are very close and Leland and Sutton's Bay aren't far. Gary has a well prepared and indexed book in the unit that answers almost any question about the unit and the area. Our stay was late August. & early Sept. 2018.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
Thanks for your thoughtful comments. We are pleased you enjoyed your visit here. We are fortunate to have one of the best beaches on Sleeping Bear Bay. It's wide and sandy with easy access to the lake. It's also simple for launching our complimentary use kayaks and paddle boards. Most visitors also appreciate the safe and gradual drop off for swimming and boating. It's ideal for young and old alike.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

barb d.

beautiiful retreat

We were so lucky to have perfect weather, making this comfortable, well-equipped, "home-away-from-home" an extremely comfortable vacation on the beach!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
We are very proud of our wide, sandy beach and Sleeping Bear Bay is among the best. Included in our house rental is free access to both kayaks and paddle boards. With them we also make available adult and child size life vests for maximum safety.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Mary T.

Sleeping Bear Bay Beauty

My husband and I spent a wonderful fall weekend at this lake front home. Trust me it is the best view of Lake Michigan, you won't want to leave. The home is comfortable and well appointed. We cooked our dinners in, as you won't want to leave and miss the sunsets. We will definitely book again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
Thank you for your generous comments. We are so very pleased to hear you had a pleasant stay. We do put a great deal of effort into trying to understand, and then provide the lodging and recreational experience we believe our guests desire. Hope you can return soon!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Janet G.

Family from Indianapolis

My family thoroughly enjoyed our stay....the view of Sleeping Bear Bay was outstanding! The home was immaculate, very well equipped with comfortable furniture and beds. The owners were very friendly and helpful. The location was just a short distance from Glen Arbor, Sleeping Bear Dunes and Empire. We enjoyed several scenic day trips to Leland, North Port and Suttons Bay. My family loved the fire pit, kayaking, collecting rocks on the beach and biking the local trails. The lake water is clear and beautiful. The beach has many chairs, kayaks, paddleboards and lifejackets. Just the best location! We hope to return in the next couple of years!
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
Hi Janet...just rereading your review from 2015. You were very generous. Thank you!- Gary Ballou
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Kelly M.

Wonderful property and owners

We spent a wonderful two week vacation here with our young daughter. The house is very well appointed and clean. The owners live in the attached house. We saw them daily and are very friendly, but definitely give you your privacy. They are extremely attentive and helpful. We most enjoyed the beautiful, quiet, and relaxing Lake Michigan beach.
Response from VrboOwner on 9 May 2020
We are fortunate to have such a beautiful beach, and we're so pleased to hear how much your family enjoyed it! Thanks so much for sharing your impressions.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Ray P.

Great stay

This is a terrific house, very well furnished and comfortable. The beach is gorgeous too, perfect sand and clear refreshing water. And what an incredible view...Sleeping Bear Bay and the Manitou Islands just a few miles away. We also saw freighters in the distance as they move silently through the Manitou Passage. It's such a relaxing beautiful location, a really great place to spend a week with friends and family.
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
We are so pleased you had a nice stay. We try to make the house as comfortable as possible so that guests can really relax and completely enjoy the surroundings of the area. Thanks for your thoughtful comments.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Byron V.

Glen Arbor Vacation

We recently stayed at Woodsmere and thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience. If you are looking for the perfect Lake Michigan/Glen Arbor vacation destination, this could be it! My family and I had the opportunity to stay in this beautiful home for an entire week and were amazed at how many things there are to do around the area. The house is extremely well furnished, beautifully decorated with comfortable furniture. There are several decks with lots of outdoor furniture, and a new Weber gas grill we used frequently. Just off the front deck was a terrific play area where our young granddaughter could play in the sand. If you are just wanting peace and quiet, that’s here too. They also provided our beach chairs, kayaks, and paddleboards so that my husband and adult children could kayak daily along the Sleeping Bear Bay shoreline. The location is perfect, you can walk into the village of Glen Arbor or ride your bikes there. We did both. Lots of interesting shops, and a newly expanded supermarket that has everything you might want or need. We also found a couple of delightful lunches and an excellent dinner at various restaurants there, but most evenings we had a beach fires, told ghost stories, and roasted marshmallows or s’mores on the beach. The sunsets here are unbelievable: you have the bay , the dunes, and the islands all coming together in a truly unique place. The house is very open so it’s a great spot to gather for meals or after a long day on the beach. After dark it was fun just stargazing or searching the Milky Way. We found the owners most accommodating, couldn’t have been nicer. We now have a year’s worth of fun times and memories to enjoy until next year. I would highly recommend this property to friends or family.
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Mar 2020
Thank you for your very thoughtful review!

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Hosted by Gary Ballou

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