Entire home
Charming, quiet, country retreat 1890's Centennial Farm house
Holiday home in Empire with kitchen and patio
Photo gallery for Charming, quiet, country retreat 1890's Centennial Farm house





Reviews
10 out of 10 
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 9179.9 sq m
Popular amenities
Explore the area

- Place, Brooks Lake
 - Place, Glen Lake
 - Place, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
 - Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
 
Rooms & beds
4 bedrooms (sleeps 9)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 2
2 Single Beds
Bedroom 3
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 4
1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed
2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom
basement bath
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
main floor bath
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
upstairs bath
Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden
About this property
Charming, quiet, country retreat 1890's Centennial Farm house
 The "Ivy House" is a freshly remodeled 2-story 1890's farm house on a Centennial farm.  With great country views and awesome star gazing, it is located on a quiet paved road that families and couples alike will enjoy.  It is peaceful and quiet, yet close to the wonderful attractions of Northwest Michigan.  Located 20 minutes from Traverse City, Glen Arbor, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore, and a short 30 minute drive to both Frankfort and Leland, there is something for everyone. With four bedrooms, 9 people can sleep comfortably. Please take note that 5 guests are included in the posted rent fee.  For guests 6 thru 9 a $10 per guest per night  fee will be added to the rent.  The house has two full baths and one half bath with a bathroom located on each floor.  On the second floor, bedroom  #1 has a queen bed and bedroom #2 has two twin beds.  In the basement, bedroom #3 has a queen bed and bedroom #4 has a full bed (sleeps 2) and a Victorian 3/4 bed (sleeps 1). Both rooms have large egress windows. All beds have new mattresses and bedding. Please note that ALL the bedrooms are NOT handicap accessible. You must be able to go up and down stairs.  A spacious kitchen with shiplap walls, subway tile, new appliances, and an island seating area is a joy to cook in.  The formal dining area has a large antique dining table.  Hardwood floors are throughout the house including some of the original floors.  A formal living room with TV is on the main floor and a family room with a large screen TV is in the basement.  Outside is a patio under a gazebo with a dining table, extra seating and a gas grill. A fire pit with seating off to the side in the lawn has been added for roasting marsh mellows and hot dogs.  Roasting sticks are provided along with one bundle of wood for your first fire.  More wood is available for purchase at any of the many, many road side wood stands in the area. Two horseshoe pits are set up in the yard and a cornhole game is available for friendly family/friend tournaments.  Wildlife frequently visits the yard, usually deer, turkeys, and rabbits.  I frequently hear in the distant the call of loons as they travel to and from one of the many inland area lakes that are all within a mile of the house.  There is lots of parking, but please note no campers, tents or RV's are allowed.  WE ARE HAPPY TO HOST THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR A PEACEFUL OR FAMILY ORIENTED VACATION.  WE CANNOT HOST HEAVILY SPIRITED PARTIES OR GETAWAYS.  We also cannot host bachelor or bachelorette parties or family reunions.  Gatherings with guests other than those staying at the house is allowed with prior permission from the owner.  Pets of any kind are strictly prohibited and if found, you will be asked to leave. The person renting the house MUST be one of the guests staying.  The Ivy House is your perfect "home away from home" for your next getaway to Northern Michigan.  Please note the house sleeps 9 guests maximum! I want to be upfront with you regarding guests over 9.  If you decide to come with more than 9 guests, you will be asked to leave. Upon reserving a stay, you will be required to state the total number of guests arriving.  If this number changes before your reservation date, then please notify me of the change and edit your booking with VRBO.   Additionally, there are outdoor security cameras on the premises.  A quiet destination awaits you at the Ivy House.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
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9.6 out of 10, (143 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 3:00 PM 
Minimum age to rent: 25 
Check out before 10:00 AM 
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17 
Events
No events allowed 
Pets
No pets allowed 
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 and a deadlock 
We should mention
This property does not have any lifts 
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Empire
Located in Empire, this holiday home is in a rural area. Mistwood Golf Course and Lake Ann Brewing Company are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. Burnett Park and Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum are also worth visiting. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including fishing, golfing and winery tours. 

Empire, MI
What's nearby
- Brooks Lake - 6 min drive - 2.1 km
 - Glen Lake - 13 min drive - 14.3 km
 - Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 17 min drive - 23.0 km
 - Great Wolf Lodge Water Park - 23 min drive - 29.9 km
 - Front Street - 24 min drive - 29.9 km
 
Getting around
Restaurants
- Light of Day Organics - 10 min drive
 - Lake Ann Brewing Company - 10 min drive
 - Pegtown Station - 9 min drive
 - Papa J's - 7 min drive
 - Red Door Coffee House - 10 min drive
 
Frequently asked questions
About the host
Hosted by Sandra Noonan
I am retired after 30 years with the USPS.  My husband is a full-time farmer.  We have 3 married children and 8 grand children.
Why they chose this property
I inherited this property from my father (who was born in this house) and he inherited this from his mother.  It was in very bad shape when we decided to restore it.  My grand father purchased this property in 1899 and the house was already here.   I lived here as a child until I was 3 years old.  In 1999 we made application to have it registered as a "Centennial Farm" and my husband still farms it.
What makes this property unique
No close neighbors, always a breeze blowing, country beauty and privacy.  It is a wonderful place to relax and unwind.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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