Entire home

Lakeside Cottage on Torch Lake

Lakefront holiday home in Alden with kitchen

Photo gallery for Lakeside Cottage on Torch Lake

North Cabin
AWESOME
Property grounds
Property grounds
Private kitchen

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 669.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Outdoor space
  • Barbecue

Explore the area

View map
alden, MI
  • Place, Torch Lake
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Clam River
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Boyne Mountain
    ‪48 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪47 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds and 1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden

About this property

Lakeside Cottage on Torch Lake

Lakeside Cottage on Torch Lake is a charming, 100-year-old lake cottage that offers families a relaxed, nostalgic Northern Michigan getaway right on the shores of one of the area’s most beautiful lakes. This quaint retreat is ideal for families looking to unplug, enjoy the water, and experience Torch Lake in a simple, authentic way—no frills, just timeless charm.

Located in a quiet, wooded setting just minutes from Bellaire and Alden, the cottage sits on a shared property with two other cottages and the main house. While neighbors are nearby, the cottage is set back enough to provide privacy and includes parking for two vehicles. Guests consistently describe the setting as peaceful, scenic, and perfect for relaxing.

Enjoy easy access to the shared dock, where shallow water allows for swimming and relaxing by the lake. Torch Lake’s beauty truly shines here, with gorgeous sunsets and sweeping water views just steps from the cottage. The property is also conveniently located—about a 15-minute boat ride to the sandbar and only one mile from The Dockside.

Inside, the cottage is clean, cozy, and larger than it appears from the outside. Guests love the spacious living room, comfortable beds, and thoughtfully laid-out sleeping spaces. Original fixtures and vintage details remain, adding to the old-fashioned charm that makes this cottage a “blast from the past.” The photos accurately represent the space, so families know exactly what to expect.

Outdoor living is a highlight, with your own fire pit for evening gatherings and a charcoal grill for lakeside meals. The cottage is dog-friendly with a nightly pet fee; pets must be leashed due to other guests on the property.

Please note: this cottage does not have heat or air conditioning. For non-family groups, all guests must be 25 years or older.

Lakeside Cottage on Torch Lake offers a beautiful setting, classic character, and a welcoming atmosphere—perfect for families who value time together, lake days, and unforgettable sunsets.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Outdoor space
Barbecue

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
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 less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
$20 per night pet fee
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
All renters must be at least 25 years of age, except families with small children.
A Security Deposit hold is required prior to arrival and will automatically be released 14 days after check out unless there are damages or other issu
All guests must sign a rental agreement for every reservation.

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Alden

Located in Alden, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Elk Rapids District Library and Historic Elk Rapids Town Hall are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Short's Brewing Company and The Chief Golf Course.
Map
alden, MI

What's nearby

  • Torch Lake - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Clam River - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Torch Lake Park - 8 min drive - 8.3 km
  • Front Street - 46 min drive - 51.9 km
  • Boyne Mountain - 48 min drive - 72.1 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 38 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Oasis Tavern - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Short's Brewing Company - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪The Dockside - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪M88 Morning Grind - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lakeside Cottage on Torch Lake pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Lakeside Cottage on Torch Lake?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lakeside Cottage on Torch Lake?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Lakeside Cottage on Torch Lake located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within 2 miles (3 km) of Torch Lake, Clam River and Clam Lake. Lake Bellaire and Torch Lake Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.6

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. 6 out of 7 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 7 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 7 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Adele G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved our stay at the cottage! Very relaxing and beautiful sunset views.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Casey C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome property! Torch Lake never disappoints!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dan F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent place to stay. Even though the weather did not cooperate we enjoyed our time at Northern Lights cabin. Great view of the sun set right off the dock. Tressi was very accommodating with our stay. Thank you for a very enjoying cabin to stay in. We will definitely be back for another visit.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Javin H.

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

Great weekend

Was a great weekend and the location was ideal!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Judy H.

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

Torch Lake fun

It was a cozy and inviting cabin. The location on the lake was beautiful. We relaxed and enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Crystal G.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location, but daughter got swimmers itch

I had a great time with my family at the cabin. It has an authentic cabin vibe aith limited amenities (no AC, no tub, limited utensils, etc.), which was accurate to what was described in the listing. However, the cabin had a musty smell, including some of the bedding and most towels. There was also A LOT of small black flies in the cabin when we arrived, but they didn’t persist. The cabin quirks were all things that could be tolerated, but my daughter got terrible swimmers itch from swimming in the lake. It was a bummer because she really loves the water and it made her extremely uncomfortable for a couple days until we figured out what was causing her to have welts/hives all over her body (we’re from Northern Minnesota and have never had to deal with swimmers itch). After giving her Benadryl and A LOT of topical hydrocortisone things calmed down. I found some pretreatment that allowed her to swim if she took a shower immediately after getting out of the water. All to say, it didn’t make for the best swimming/water sports experience. But we made the best of it!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brenna M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was a beautiful spot, had a great dock with shallow water you can swim in. The host replied very quickly and was very helpful!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

About the host

Hosted by Tressia Mooney

Host profile image
All guests must be 25 or older, unless families with small children. A refundable $500 security deposit is required and will be refunded after departure, if there are no issues.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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