House in Alden, MI

Torch Lake Exceptional Lakefront Cottage and Guest House - with Sandy Beach

Torch Lake Exceptional Lakefront Cottage and Guest House - with Sandy Beach

Photo gallery for Torch Lake Exceptional Lakefront Cottage and Guest House - with Sandy Beach

Our Deck overlooking the water
Our Beach
Final sunset :-)
The Cottage as seen from the Dock
Living Room

Overview of Torch Lake Exceptional Lakefront Cottage and Guest House - with Sandy Beach

9.4 out of 10 Exceptional
4 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 101855 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Outdoor Space
  • Lake view

Check out the area

Alden, MI
  • Popular LocationTorch Lake1 min walk
  • Popular LocationTorch Lake Park4 min drive
  • Popular LocationClam Lake9 min drive
  • AirportGaylord, MI (GLR-Gaylord Regional)53 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

2nd Upstairs Bedroom

2 Twin Beds

Guest House

2 Twin Beds and 1 Twin Bunk Bed

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Upstairs Bedroom

2 Twin Beds

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Cottage Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Guest House Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Master Bedroom Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Torch Lake Exceptional Lakefront Cottage and Guest House - with Sandy Beach

Located on breathtakingly beautiful Torch Lake, this non-smoking property has been owned by the same family since the late 1800's. The cottage features natural wood interiors, two wood burning fireplaces, shelves of books, gorgeous views of the lake, coziness, and simplicity.

Equally suitable for families with young children or older couples, it comfortably sleeps six people in the cottage plus four more in the Guest House.

We have 150 feet of lakefront, including a sandy beach, a private dock, boat hoist, and mooring buoy. The lake's sandy bottom is shallow for a fair distance, making it ideal for children and adults.

The cottage sits at the end of a private road in a secluded setting thick with mature trees. Its location on the east side of the lake affords spectacular views of the setting sun, especially from the large open air deck which overlooks the lake, and the near-constant lull of water lapping at the shore. There is also a smaller private deck, complete with a hammock swing (one of several on the property), off the master suite.

Note: all three bathrooms were completely renovated in 2021!

TORCH LAKE was named the third most beautiful lake in the world by National Geographic Magazine. The water is so clear you can see the sandy bottom all the way out to the 'drop-off.' On sunny days, the lake has ribbons of turquoise color that are reminiscent of the Caribbean. Torch is the largest lake in Michigan (19 miles long and about two miles wide) and is part of a chain of lakes which allows boating from Elk Rapids to Bellaire. For a good overview and some great pictures, you can look up the article "Torch Lake is Michigan's own slice of the Caribbean."

A 15-minute stroll takes you to the small and charming village of ALDEN. It has one of Torch Lake's four public boat ramps, a number of restaurants (both casual and fine cuisine), art galleries, a variety of shops, a playground, a public tennis court, and a library. Green woods and broad fields extend out from the town, offering great cycling and walking.

Popular tourist destinations such as Traverse City, Charlevoix, the Leelanau Peninsula, and Petoskey are all within an hour's drive. Should you choose to venture further afield, Interlochen National Music Camp (offering excellent concerts), Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, Mackinac Island, or Hartwick Pines are well worth visiting.

Because the cottage is a family heirloom, we request great care and consideration from our renters. We also ask that you be very respectful of our neighbors – the cottage is in a residential (not rental) area. For that reason, we don't allow jet skis in order to preserve the peace. Thank you for your understanding!

Note that we also own the cottage next door (VRBO #2452978, built by my grandmother's brother). You could consider that cottage if this one is already booked or, if you have a very large group, you might combine the rentals – a "family compound" that could accommodate up to 20 people.

Keywords: Cottage

Property manager

Nan Reed Twiss
Premier Host
Premier Host

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor Space
Lake view

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No jet skis allowed on the property (out of respect for our neighbors and the peaceful area)
Outside quiet hours 11pm-7am
Must have a verified government ID registered with VRBO

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit

About the neighborhood

Alden

Located in Alden, this cottage is on the beach. Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area Trailhead and The Chief Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Schuss Mountain and Guntzviller's Spirit of the Woods Museum. Flintfields Horse Park and Music House Museum are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Torch Lake - 1 min walk
  • Torch Lake Park - 4 min drive
  • Clam Lake - 9 min drive
  • Schuss Mountain - 17 min drive
  • Lake Bellaire - 20 min drive

Getting around

  • Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) - 41 min drive

Restaurants

  • Oasis Red Bull Tavern - 20 min drive
  • Dockside-Torch Lake - 9 min drive
  • Shanty Creek Resorts - 17 min drive
  • Pearls New Orlean Kitchen - 24 min drive
  • Torch Lake Beer Co - 3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Torch Lake Exceptional Lakefront Cottage and Guest House - with Sandy Beach pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Torch Lake Exceptional Lakefront Cottage and Guest House - with Sandy Beach?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Torch Lake Exceptional Lakefront Cottage and Guest House - with Sandy Beach?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Torch Lake Exceptional Lakefront Cottage and Guest House - with Sandy Beach located?

Nestled on the beach, this Alden cottage is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Torch Lake and 1.9 mi (3 km) from Torch Lake Park. Grass River Natural Area and Clam River are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 47 out of 66 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 15 out of 66 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 66 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 66 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 66 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kate W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A perfect getaway!
The house, property, and views are beautiful! It felt like home in the best way and had all the amenities we needed including a variety of water toys. I will return as often as I can!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Caryl S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best location on Torch Lake
The lake access, deck and beach area are great at this property. The house is nestled within some gorgeous trees and ferns, great views!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Halle M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property to get away from it all...
We were a group of two families with four teenagers (14-17) and a child under 10; we all enjoyed every minute of our stay. Nan is highly responsive to any issue and the property is lovely in a great location on the lake. We spent the vast majority of our time on the lake, beach or deck. The cabin gave the teen girls a place to stay with more independence and their own bathroom. At the end of our vacation, all the teenagers told us they want to come back because there was so much to do. If you are on the fence, book it; you'll really enjoy your stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

j k.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Rustic on a beautiful lake
Overall, we had a wonderful week on Torch lake and the house was passable. Thank you to Nan who was extremely pleasant, available, and helped us check in early and get access to the water toys which were locked up. The good: Access to the lake is excellent, the beach area is nice, and the outdoor deck area has a great view of the lake. It is nice to sit on for coffee etc. The house is pretty and rustic and the Wi-Fi was good. Beds were comfortable. The not as good: The house is partially updated and has very old bones as advertised. It is also well used as a rental. The kitchen appliances, instruments, and dishware would belong more in a much less expensive rental. There were a number of cleanliness issues. The well water smells strongly of sulfur. The master bathroom shower curtain was totally molded with black mold. In the kitchen pantry there was a waffle maker with previously cooked waffles left in it for months, covered in a smelly moldy slime. The bushes and ferns around the house are quite impressive and frankly need to be trimmed back. There are a few safety issues which were present. The stone walkways are all covered in moss and very slippery as described in the welcome packet. I slipped carrying a couple of bags and injured my pride. The dock has a broken board that is dangerous. There are ant and spider friends inside and out. We had two days near 90° and temperatures in the house were really unmanageable despite numerous fans and everything being open.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

lori h.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Location
This was the second time that we have stayed at this property and we loved it!! The location is absolutely beautiful, perfect for sunsets and moonsets. The cottage is thoughtfully equipped. The lovely family room stocks a cupboard of board games and puzzles. The master bed was really comfortable and combined with the peace and lakeside tranquility helped us have the most restful nights sleep. The owner was most helpful and made staying here a delight.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by Nan Reed Twiss

Host profile image
My great grandparents bought this property back in the eighteen hundreds, and it's been the beloved summer home to generations of my family (my children are now the fifth generation). The cottage which was left to me was built by my grandmother during the 2nd world war, and even though I've lived on both coasts of the US, in Europe and in Asia, I've never missed a summer. Birchwood cottage remains my favorite spot in the world...I just wish I could still spend all summer there as I did as a child. Now our family of five treasures the three weeks we save for ourselves, and scared though I was to share the cottage with strangers, so far, renters have treated the place beautifully.

Why they chose this property

I was lucky enough to inherit this gem. But why I would buy it (and I would!) is that Torch Lake is an extraordinarily beautiful lake, more beautiful than any I've ever seen. The colors are like the Caribbean, and the water is so clear you can see the bottom all the way out to the drop-off. The sandy bottom makes it especially beautiful. The area is so peaceful if it's peace you're looking for... and yet, if you want activity, you don't have to go far at all for inland entertainment. There are lots of artist's towns nearby, nice shops, some great restaurants, golfing, hiking...and the town of Alden is a brief walk away.

What makes this property unique

Our cottage is right on the water, so we sleep to the sound of waves lapping the shore. We watch the sunsets from our deck that overlooks the water or from one of our three hammocks placed throughout the property. The beach is perfect for small children since it stays shallow for a long way. In addition to the obvious sand-castle building, the kids also love to explore the woods and build forts with the driftwood or play on the raft. We love to swim, sail, walk or bike into town. There's so much to do in the area, but honestly, we're so happy at the cottage and on the lake, we generally just stay there.

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