Entire home

Beautiful lakefront setting with pontoon boat available to rent.

Photo gallery for Beautiful lakefront setting with pontoon boat available to rent.

Outdoor dining
Interior
Property grounds
TV, fireplace, DVD player, books
Exterior detail

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathrooms

Popular amenities

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

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Beautiful lakefront setting with pontoon boat available to rent.

Five star rated property. Total capacity of 8. Our cottage is located on Starvation Lake, one of the cleanest lakes in the Midwest. Situated close to the water, yet tucked into the forest. Resort areas of Traverse City, Petoskey and Charlevoix within a 45-minute drive. Golf, casinos and shopping, are all nearby. Go for a swim, or go fishing, use our new sit on top kayak, or simply relax on the deck and relish the view. No wake restrictions guarantee both quiet evenings and relaxing early morning coffee. Primary bedroom has private deck overlooking the lake and is now air conditioned. The entire lower level is mobility friendly with garage, main floor living, deck, and two bedrooms, all on the same level. Main floor bathroom has a 5 foot walk-in shower. Additional full bathroom upstairs.The outdoor deck wraps around the cottage, has two eating areas and expansive sitting areas. A wide, well lit, multi-level deck and stairway leads down to the dock and small sitting area. Free wireless internet available. At the north side of the lake, there is the popular Hide-Away bar and a gas station next to a party store. Much of the surrounding area is state and federal land with snowmobile and RV trails, as well as hiking trails. Our property is over 14 acres with a private road to Sunset Trail, and convenient area to park trailers or extra vehicles. The area has sandy soil and a lack of standing water which contributes to the fact that there are few biting insects. . No pets, please. Non-smoking only. Over the years, our family has enjoyed many years of fun-filled, relaxing moments at our cottage. It has often served as a sanctuary for us when we needed a "get-away". Check out is Saturday at 9:00am which allows for scheduled cleaning and disinfecting before our next guests arrive. We look forward to your visit and are confident you will enjoy your stay. PLEASE NOTE the following : Pontoon boat only available from early June to mid September. Our swim area is clean hard sand, however due to extreme high water levels we currently have limited dry sand beach.. ATV are allowed with certain restrictions which you must review with the owner before booking.

Property manager

Sam McFarland

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • TV
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Visual alarms in hallways
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Phone

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near an outlet shopping mall
  • On a lake
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Boat
  • Golf
  • Kayak
  • Water sports equipment
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Double-glazed windows
  • Recycling
  • Unit size: 1,900 square feet
  • Water-efficient showers
  • Water-efficient toilets

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 9:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Map
Mancelona, MI

What's nearby

  • Lake Bellaire - 35 min drive - 35.4 km
  • Torch Lake - 39 min drive - 41.3 km
  • Torch Lake Park - 42 min drive - 44.1 km
  • Otsego Lake State Park - 45 min drive - 34.7 km
  • Hartwick Pines State Park - 48 min drive - 40.4 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Hide-A-Way Bar - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Scenic Windmill Farms Family Dining - ‬24 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Beautiful lakefront setting with pontoon boat available to rent. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful lakefront setting with pontoon boat available to rent. ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful lakefront setting with pontoon boat available to rent. ?

Check-out is at 9:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful lakefront setting with pontoon boat available to rent. located?

Nestled on the beach, this Mancelona cottage is within 16 mi (25 km) of Grandview Golf Club, Au Sable River, and Schuss Mountain. Twin Birch Golf Course and The Legend are also within 20 mi (32 km).

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Beautiful lakefront setting with pontoon boat available to rent. Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 42 out of 43 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 43 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 43 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 43 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 43 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Chunling Z.

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

Good view , relax

We are enjoyed the view, beautiful foggy that we got on the last day.The peaceful lake and comfortable cottage. The host was nice and helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Debra P.

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

Comfortable and lovely

What a beautiful property. The house was comfortable, lovely, and well equipped. We went to make memories and we did!
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erin L.

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

Cozy Cottage

Sam was a wonderful host and answered all of my questions. He was kind and communicative. The lake was clean and so quiet! We had such a relaxing time. While we stayed, we rode the boat each day, grilled, watched movies, did some puzzles, and laughed a lot! We would love to come again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

James G.

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

Great stay at quiet lake

Beautifully maintained and spotlessly clean cottage. The lake is clean, quiet and great to float in. The owner was very responsive to questions both prior to the arrival and during our stay. We would definitely return to this wonderful home.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gail A., Clawson

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

Relaxing getaway

We had the most enjoyable week, and the weather was beautiful. A lovely home nestled in a wooded area on a nice lake was just what we wanted, and this property delivered it all. The pontoon boat was a big plus, we spent almost all of our time on it. The owners are very nice and accommodating. You won’t be disappointed with this rental, we highly recommend.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Rita D.

Perfect for a family get away

This was our first time renting a cottage. If you want to pack light, this cottage is perfect since it has everything you need. We rented the boat which was great! The cottage is unique and comfy and the deck is amazing with the perfect amount of shade and sunlight. The owners were great to work with. This vacation stay exceeded my expectations.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2016

10/10 Excellent

Gayle N.

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

Great Escape

My husband and I had a quiet, relaxing fall vacation at the property. The small lake was peaceful, and the surrounding woods provided a great display of fall colors. I especially enjoyed long walks on the property and sitting on the deck observing the lake. The cabin was nice and clean, plenty of space and amenities, and Sam was helpful whenever we had questions or needed advice.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

ANSHU S.

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

Beautiful Fall gateway

We wanted to escape cabin fever and enjoy fall colors and this place had it all.... lake, fall colors, location are amazing. The house itself is very beautiful and things ate planned keeping the comfort of the guests in the mind. We enjoyed the house and 3 year old nephew didn’t want to leave the place!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Mike F.

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

Great

Went really well. Love the property and location. Had everything we needed. Sam was very reachable and responsive. Will do it again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

sarah s.

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

Serenity

We loved our mini family reunion at the lake. The property is beautiful and the house is perfect. My only thought to improve it would be a fire pit you could sit around but that’s such a minor detail. We’d love to come back again. Thank you for everything Sam!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Andres C.

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

Lake house getaway

A very unique lake house off the main road with no traffic noise. The lake was beautiful and clean. Can accommodate many people. We had a good time fishing, boating and swimming. The owner contacted us and was easy to reach for any questions. Other destinations are close by, Kilwins on the way to Petosky (on US 31). Traverse City and Mackinaw City are good day trips as well.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

CrookedFinger, New Hudson, MI USA

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

House in the Woods on the Lake

House was very clean and well stocked. Spacious enough for each of my 3 kids to peel off to do some homework in their own spaces, and for the 5 of us to come back together for family meals and play board games. The location was right on the water with great views and felt secluded. However groceries and restaurants were just a short hop away to Mancelona or Kalkaska. We cooked every meal. The host was very accommodating and accessible. Overall, the place was perfect for us for a long Fall weekend. I would recommend this place.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nancy S.

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

Starvation Lake Home

Sam was a great communicator! We have rented many homes through VRBO and he was the most responsive owner I have ever dealt with. The home is exactly as described. So many personal touches through out! We had four children and my mom with us yet we all had our own space and our own beds. The location is pretty remote so if you are looking to escape the busy life, this is a great place for that!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kristi K.

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

Simply Wonderful

Another repeat stay at this property. The home is very comfortable and relaxing. The views from the house and the deck of the lake are meditative in their beauty. This is one of the cleanest lakes in Michigan and it is crystal clear. We rented the Pontoon Boat and went fishing in the evening. Beautiful rainbow trout. There are cozy eating options in town, but the home is also a short drive to Traverse City and Leelanau region. Sam is a wonderful host - very communicative and accommodating. He even went out of his way to mail us back our pillows that we had forgotten. Much appreciated! I look forward to returning.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

kara o.

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

Peaceful getaway

What a wonderful week! My spouse, two teenage daughters and seven year old son spent the week at this lovely home on peaceful Starvation Lake. The home is just a few stairs away from great dock fishing and swimming. Our son caught 17 in an hour (lil rock bass and sun fish)... A great way to hook them early. We rented the pontoon and enjoyed cruising the lake and fishing the deep. We unplugged and played board games, puzzles, ate smores, and rocked on the deck with the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. Not a mosquito in sight! Oh, and don't miss our on Rooted..a short drive away for great ice cream and fun local gifts!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kristi K.

What a wonderful find!

This was the most relaxing vacation I have had in some time. House is on a quiet lake in a wooded setting. Many large windows bring the outside in. There was wonderful multi-tiered deck space and seating to also enjoy the views. Everything you need is at the house including nice cookware, staples and linens. It is obvious that the owners use the home as their personal lake house as well. Use of the pontoon boat was an added plus. The home is also approx 30 minutes to Traverse City. We spent a nice day on the wine tour and then enjoyed our purchase on the boat. :). Communication with the owners was also quick and pleasant. They provided a wonderful list of local things to do and instructions regarding the house. Sam was always quick to respond to any questions. I look forward to spending many summer vacations there in the future.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2016

10/10 Excellent

Gregory C.

Starvation Lake Sanctuary, loved the cabin!

Wake up at sunrise to the sounds of the Loons and the mist hovering over Starvation Lake. This cabin faces east so as the sun rises, the mist burns off like a movie unfolding before your eyes. No place to post pictures here, but this scene is unbelieveable. The cabin is very clean and neatly decorated. You cannot deny nature calling you outdoors. But just in case, there's two full bathrooms to choose from. Our group of 10 ranged in age from 13 to 91 and everyone slept comfortably. The way the cabin sits above the lake, with the windows open, the cross winds blow right through so it was never hot in the cabin even though it was 90+ degrees during the day and 55+ for sleeping. A lot of nook and cranny places were built in so that kids and adults can have their own space. I don't suggest you bring computers or other electronic gadgets, but if you're waiting on an important phone call or e-mail message, the service, though spotty sometimes, worked enough to communicate with work and loved ones. If you can, turn the electronics off and enjoy nature with your guests, you will be rewarded with that thing you always seek on vacation: a moment to reflect and reclaim yourself from the rat race. If you have a good set of binoculars, this place will turn you into a bird watcher while you sip your morning tea or coffee on any of the four decks. You don't get this kind of exposure to nature back home. The cabin is as beautiful in person as the pictures suggest. Rent the pontoon boat and take a stroll around Starvation Lake as the sun goes down. Take the canoe out in the morning and commune with nature. If you want excitement away from Starvation Lake, there's all sorts of things to do for kids and adults within an hour's drive in any direction. Groceries can be gotten 10-15 minutes away in Mancelona or Kalkaska. While there for one week, we enjoyed the lake, but we also visited Mackinaw Island, went sightseeing from a small plane over Traverse City, canoed the AuSable, had a great meal in Gaylord, wandered about Charlevoix and Petosky, hiked, water skied, tubed, ate forbidden food like fudge, ice cream, and chocolate covered cherries. The owners called shortly after we arrived and shortly before we left just to establish contact if we had any questions. We never did. We've been to some of the nicest places in Cape Cod, the Adirondacks, and the Outer Banks, but this one has us yearning to come back here. Enjoy!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2016

10/10 Excellent

Kristi F., Porter, IN

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

Beautiful cottage on Starvation Lake

My family of 7 vacationed at this cottage on Starvation Lake this summer and we absolutely loved it! It's secluded enough to relax yet close to great places to visit. We loved the lake - It's clean, not super busy, and great to swim in. We also docked at the boat launch and walked over to the general store for ice cream, drinks, and snacks. We vacation up north every summer and we all agreed that this has been our favorite spot! The house was roomy and we had a lot of outdoor area to spread out. I'd highly recommend this for your next up north vacation rental!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Linda B.

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

a week in paradise

The property is spectacular with very clean and serene lake and fabulous woods. We loved every minute of it.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amber K.

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

Nice cottage

We had a nice stay. The cottage was very clean. Sam was very responsive. There were plenty of towels and everything we needed to cook and clean up. The lake was refreshing. The kids enjoyed fishing and swimming and going for rides on the boat. The location is a little remote but not far from a lot of popular spots. Anything you might need is in town about 10-15 minutes away along with a convience store right around the corner. We visited Elk Rapids, Gaylord, Mackinaw, and Beulah while we were there. All in all great trip!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Benjamin S., Granger, IN, USA

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

Great Week with Family

We had an excellent week at the cottage. We took day trips to Mackinac Island, Traverse City and Petosky. We also rented the pontoon boat and took one of the kids tubing. My son in law used the available fishing gear to introduce my 7 year old grandson to fishing from the dock. They caught and released several fish. Sam was very engaged and made sure we had everything we needed.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Janet A.

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

Absolutely Lovely

Beautiful cottage and lake. Loved the openess of the cottage and the quiet quiet!! Just myself and my husband loved it!! Close to Kalkaska for supplies etc.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brandon W.

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

Nice place

The owner was great and helpful. Location was quiet. Neighbors was very nice too. Lake is so clear. Great time to come in October with the fall colors.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Patrick and Laura M.

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

July 2021 stay

Loved it! Cute place, very peaceful and quiet, and the renters were great!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Chris C.

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

Relaxing

Rained most of the stay, but was very happy to relax and enjoy the house and the views of the lake. Looking forward to staying again.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2021