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Secluded Cottage on the Boardman River w/ Hot Tub & Fireplace

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River Bend Cottage
Front of Cottage - Facing River
Main Living Room
Wood Burning Fireplace, Main Living Room
Dining Room from Living Room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Traverse City, MI
  • Arbutus Lake
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Turtle Creek Stadium
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Spider Lake
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪18 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Downstairs Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Downstairs Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Downstairs Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Downstairs Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Upstairs Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Secluded Cottage on the Boardman River w/ Hot Tub & Fireplace

Situated about one half mile off of the main road on a 12 acre parcel of land is River Bend Cottage - your home away from home. Nestled between the river and the base of the hills in the Boardman River Valley, this cozy cottage is located in as Feng Shui and pristine a place as it gets. Let the sounds of the nearby streams carry your stress away. Feel the rejuvenating energy that only nature can provide, and the peace that comes with being completely surrounded by state forest. When you are ready to venture into downtown Traverse City, it's a leisurely 10-15 minute drive.

Cottage Details
• 4 Bedrooms
• 3 Full Bathrooms
• 2 Spacious Living Room Areas
• Gorgeous Fireplace
• Full Kitchen
• Screened-In Walkout Basement
• Large Deck Overlooking the Boardman River
• Private Balcony off of the Master Bedroom
• Laundry Room – Washing Machine & Dryer

Amenities
• Satellite TV
• Wireless Internet
• Air Conditioning & Heat
• Complete Kitchen - Cooking Utensils, Cookware, & Dishes Provided
• New Appliances – Refrigerator/Freezer, Stove/Oven, Dishwasher, & Microwave
• Filtered Water – Reverse Osmosis
• Bonfire/Campfire (Firewood Provided)
• Picnic Table(s) and Chairs in a Park-like Setting
• Indoor Hot Tub

Activities
• Kayaking – (Please feel free to bring your own)
• Tubing/Rafting (Please feel free to bring your own)
• Hiking – Access to Nature Trails
• Fishing
• Swimming
• Bird Watching

The Boardman River is a scenic river with abundant Trout - a Fisherman's paradise. The serenity of this place is truly mind-settling. It is truly a ''getaway'' but yet very close to Traverse City with all of its amenities.

Property manager

Wayne & Evan Kiley

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Please supervise at all times. Thanks!
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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

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

Traverse City

Located in Traverse City, this cottage is on the waterfront. Centre Ice Arena and Grand Traverse Distillery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Great Wolf Lodge Water Park and Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf. Great Lakes Children's Museum and Music House Museum are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Traverse City, MI

What's nearby

  • Arbutus Lake - 10 min drive - 6.2 km
  • Turtle Creek Stadium - 14 min drive - 10.7 km
  • Spider Lake - 14 min drive - 8.8 km
  • Traverse City Beach - 19 min drive - 17.8 km
  • Front Street - 22 min drive - 21.8 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Culver's - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Samsara - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Secluded Cottage on the Boardman River w/ Hot Tub & Fireplace pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Secluded Cottage on the Boardman River w/ Hot Tub & Fireplace?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Secluded Cottage on the Boardman River w/ Hot Tub & Fireplace?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Secluded Cottage on the Boardman River w/ Hot Tub & Fireplace located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is within 6 miles (10 km) of Forest Lakes, Arbutus Lake and Spider Lake. Grand Traverse Natural Education Reserve and Turtle Creek Stadium are also within 9 miles (15 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. 97 out of 102 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 102 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 102 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 102 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 102 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Nicole F.

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

Amazing once again!

This was our second time staying at this property and it did not disappoint again! We had a bonfire, relaxed in the hot tub, fished, played games on the screened in porch, enjoyed coffee on the deck in the morning. This place is amazing and a definite must stay. If you want an up north cabin close to town but put far enough to be quiet, this is it! Already looking forward to booking for next year.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nathan T.

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

Serene property

Loved the property. River right there, tons of space for kids to explore, secluded and quiet. All the appliances you need (bring your own kcups or coffee). Comfortable beds and furnishings- slept like a baby!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erin B.

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

Would Stay Again

We had a girls weekend here the past summer, and this place was great for it. It was spacious and clean, and the area was very private and quiet. The outdoor space and hot tub were great additions. Would stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa D.

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

Girls wine weekend

Beautiful home and setting, we would highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gerardo Y.

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

Spacious in a friendly private setting

Property owners were easy to contact, the home was clean, spacious, plenty of parking and had all the necessary necessities. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cindy A., Ceresco

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

Wedding Retreat

We needed a place to stay while celebrating our daughter's wedding nearby. I found the River Bend Cottage on VRBO. It was so perfect for me and my family to all be in the same house instead of multiple hotel rooms. The cottage is cozy and quaint and the owners made check in very simple. We could definitely see ourselves coming back!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn M.

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

Girls trip

I do have to admit I was a bit nervous at first because it was like a cabin per se, but such a beautiful place it was in a beautiful location. Very peaceful and enjoyable yes I would recommend this place. And let me is not a cabin it is much more.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah F.

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

Traverse City excursion

The property was beautiful. Lots of land, beautiful stream right off the deck (above) and screened porch (below). I was worried the 25 minute drive to the wineries would be too far but it was very easy (and quick!) to get to where we were going. We loved using all the amenities too - hot tub, fire pit outside. Very relaxing!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Justin E.

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

Best vacation Property/Host

Place was very beautiful! The cabin aesthetic combined with all of the wonderful amenities created a memorable experience that we will all treasure for the rest of our lives. Host was absolutely phenomenal, friendly and quick to respond to all my questions. The place was stocked with everything you need to enjoy yourself. The natural beauty of the property is unparalleled. I would give it 10 stars if I could!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kathy H., Dearborn Mi

Fabulous place

We just spent the weekend here with another couple and had a wonderful stay. The home is even more beautiful than the photos. Very comfortable, quiet with all the benefits of being at home. I could not have had a better time. I will be back and tell everyone to consider staying here. Reasonable drive to Traverse City and the wine region.

10/10 Excellent

Nicole F.

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

Amazing!

This property is located right on the river and absolutely gorgeous! The photos on the listing do not do it justice. It is so peaceful and relaxing. This is by far the best rental we have ever stayed at with our friends and we certainly hope to be able to rent this property again. Everything was cozy, warming and comfortable. The towels even smelled fresh and amazing! A definite 5+ star place to stay if you love cabins and the river like we do!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

lynn f., seminole, fl

We loved this place!!

One of our most perfect vacation rentals! The cottage is nicely decorated, clean, well maintained and very accommodating. The view of the river from the lower and upper decks is beautiful, relaxing and the perfect setting for morning coffee and cocktail hour. The grounds are beautiful and fun... between the bridge, the river and the fire pit, we created the most fabulous memories with our granddaughters. My cousin came to visit and within 24 hours had rented it for a week next summer. What a find!!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Michael L., East Lansing

Fall colors in wine country

We absolutely loved staying here! We were in town for a wedding, and we brought a few family members with us to enjoy the fall colors around Traverse City. Everyone was very comfortable and the home was clean and full of 'Up North' touches that we appreciated, including the indoor hot tub and fireplace. The river is beautiful, with big views, and the wooded hills out back provide great seclusion and a nice place to hike. We were about 10-15 min. from downtown. Our hosts made the trip even more enjoyable, and we can't wait to return. I'm telling friends and family to meet us there again!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

DHYANESHWAR M.

Simply superb!!!

Hey All! Whoever reading this, you already know this cottage never got rating less than 5 stars. It's been 5 years since I moved to the US and this is the best vacation cottage ever. Go for it. Mr.Wayne and Mr.Rob were really patient in answering our questions. Have fun!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Margaret S., Muskegon

Fabulous Place and Great Hosts

Had a wonderful time for our family get together! The "cottage" is awesome and was roomy enough for all of us. We enjoyed sightseeing, relaxing, cooking, campfire, kayaking, hot tub, etc. The cottage is fully equipped - just bring food and clothes. Wayne and Evan are great hosts. They couldn't have been more helpful and personable. We were just sorry to see our week come to an end. Thanks again Evan and Wayne!!!!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Peaceful!

My husband, friends and I had a wonderful time. It is hard to discribe to people how peaceful it is out on the river. Just sitting on the deck reading and watching the river and kayakers go by is wonderful. Even more wonderful is being one of the kayakers! What a great river! The campfires were great and I guess we were very lucky and had wonderful weather too. We all felt so at "home". I was very disappointed when our time was up and we had to leave. Thanks so much for being such excellent hosts!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Zack B., Chicago, IL

Weekend Adventure

Had an awesome time at the cottage this past weekend. The property itself was perfect and the weather made it that much better. Far enough away to feel secluded but only a short 20 min drive to the downtown TC lakefront. Spent tons of time on the back deck just grilling and relaxing, chilled out at the firepit at night. The huge field at the front of the property is great for activities too. Afterwards you can take a short (cold & fast) swim down the river back to the house. All and all I was very impressed by both the area and most of all the house. Thanks again!

10/10 Excellent

Shannon K.

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

Great Summer Family Vacay

The location on the river felt secluded but was close enough to all the things we wanted to do. Dinners on the deck, s'mores around the fire, a bit of hammock time by the river, card games, hot tub time, and lots of touring around the Traverse City area made this a great vacation. When wi-fi issues arose, the owner was responsive and sent the caretaker to follow up. The issue was not resolved while we were there, but not because of lack of attention. And hey...we were on vacation, so we didn't want to check in with work anyway! All in all, this house was a good fit for our group. We only wish we had more time to relax here.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Mandy C.

Perfect weekend getaway

Me and my friends from college stayed for a weekend at River bend. The location was beautiful, and the cottage was amazing. Everything was very clean and felt cozy. The kitchen was very well stocked with anything we might need, except we couldn't find a toaster. We had plenty of room for all of us, and everyone fell in love with it. Rob was very good to work with. Responded right away and was very funny. He came over to check that we had enough firewood and everything was working well. We will all definitely come back. This cottage was beyond all expectations.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Annamaria G., Macomb, MI.

Love It!!!!!!!

Well, I don't know where to start, the house was just beautiful, awesome and comfortable and very clean. The weather was not very good but that didn't stop us from having a GREAT time. I was there with my daughters and her bridesmaids (7 total) for a 3 day get away. We were very sad we didn't get to have a bonfire (that darn RAIN) but did use the hot tub! Evan (Wayne's son) was there to greet me when I arrived, he was very friendly and helpful. Make sure you keep him around. I can't wait to bring the family there for a vacation, I believe I have found a true "GEM" of a place to stay up north. Thank you for the great place!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Wonderful home on the Boardman

We spent a week (mid October, 2012) in this lovely, private home on the Boardman River. The house is very comfortably furnished, has the master bedroom, bath and a second bath as well as dining room, kitchen and living room on the first floor. Downstairs are three more bedrooms, a bath, laundry and a second living area for TV. The property is wonderfully quiet and private. Frankly, the home seemed nicer to us than the photos on the web. Everything was very clean, the owner and his wife were charming and very attentive. We have already recommended this property to several friends and family members. Traverse City is full of great restaurants (Red Ginger, Sorrelina, La Cuisine Amical, Trattoria Stella, The Cook's House) and has easy access to the upper peninsula and the Mission peninsula. Beautiful, well-maintained hiking trails, gorgeous countryside.....all in all, a great vacation. We highly recommend this property and would love to return.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Steven K.

Very cozy and nice, up to date, river sounds are relaxing.

At first I was a bit hesitant because the outside of the home looked a little worn and the inside looked like it was covered in other peoples' blankets. However, the inside was actually very nice and the outside was in decent shape as of this year (summer 2016.) The beds were cozy and they use a maid service seemingly to wash everything and clean up after each stay. The reverse osmosis was broken due to issues with winterizing, so I would have brought distilled water for the coffeemaker if I had known. The reverse osmosis feature is currently unavailable as far as I know, but it isn't an issue. A few days of tap water won't do any harm. The drive to Traverse City isn't bad. It's a very clean town. Lots of nice people. There is a building across the driveway where the groundskeeper stays, probably 100-150 ft from the cabin. He was very cool and helpful, you can text him and he responds pretty quick. The grill worked, the dishwasher apparently works well, and it was nice to have three full bathrooms. Everybody in our group was pretty impressed. Definitely beats a hotel both in experience and, most likely, in pricing.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ideal home and surroundings

We just returned home from our family vacation at the River Bend Cottage (hardly a cottage -- it's a beautiful home). This place far exceeded our expectations and the photos above don't begin to show the true beauty of the house and its surroundings. There were 6 of us: my husband and I, my son, his wife, a 4 1/2 year old, and a 16-month old baby. There was so much room in this house that we were able to spread out with a lot of room to spare. The beds and bedding were high quality and very comfortable. The kitchen was well equipped, with beautiful appliances, lots of dishes, pots and pans, every appliance you could think of, and even a crockpot! One of my favorite parts of the day was relaxing outside on the deck which overlooked the Boardman River. The brook/creek on the side of the home had several places where there were benches and a gazebo so we could sit and read while listening to the water (very tranquil). There were swings for the children and a firepit which we enjoyed several times. The firepit area has very nice chairs and benches with backs on them, some rocking chairs -- all in all, it's the nicest firepit area I've ever seen. It even has a picnic table close to it for all of those supplies that you need for a weiner roast. Wayne was so patient and helpful with all of our questions before reserving the house. And upon our arrival, Evan was very helpful in showing us around the house and helping us with kayak tips. He even brought us a bottle of wine and 2 packages of coffee...a very nice welcome indeed! We have rented a lot of vrbo homes and this was, by far, the best! Thank you Wayne and Evan for sharing your lovely home with us. We look forward to another vacation at your home with our entire family!!

10/10 Excellent

Kristin D., Livonia

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

Exceeded Expectations!

Pictures do not do this property justice!! Our group came up for a wedding and we were all amazed at the gorgeous views, and the spacious rental! We all wished we could have stayed longer! This property has everything you need, we were thrilled when one of the group needed an iron and there was an iron and ironing board in the laundry room. Spacious, well maintained, very clean and inviting! Firepit was amazing! The host Evan was great to work with and very accomodating. I would definitely stay at this property again and again!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Samantha L.

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

Fun family weekend

Serene, relaxing place in the great outdoors.

About the host

Hosted by Wayne & Evan Kiley

Host profile image

Languages:

English
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