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Quiet Retreat in the woods, near Empire Beach

Photo gallery for Quiet Retreat in the woods, near Empire Beach

Welcome to Hughthir's Artist Retreat! Photo by John Finn, 2015
Main-floor Kitchen. Lots of counter-space, gas stove. Photo by John Finn.
View of Kitchen/Dining Rooms and Living Room in background. Photo by John Finn.
Photo by John Finn
Photo by John Finn

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1+ bathroomSleeps 4111.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
12745 S. Temenos Rd, empire, MI, 49630
  • Glen Lake
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Crystal River
    ‪24 min drive‬
  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Quiet Retreat in the woods, near Empire Beach

Our retreat is located on 120 acres of beautiful wooded land in Leelanau county. To arrive you drive on a well maintained two track through a lovely woods. When you step out of your car, you truly understand the notion of 'getting away.'

House is a 1200 sq ft timber frame,mortice and tenon frame, with stress skin panels. Custom made cabinets. House is a simple yet elegant design.

The kitchen is nicely equipped, with a nice collection of cook books. Also a nice collection of reading books. A good place for quiet contemplation.

The house comfortably sleeps four guests.

There is good hiking right out the front door!

We are located 9 miles to Empire Beach, and 18 miles from Traverse City.


This region is renowned for its natural beauty, the spectacular sand beaches of Lake Michigan, the vineyards and cherry orchards of Leelanau County. The closest golf course is four miles away. Empire is the gateway to the 70,000 acre national park, Sleeping Bear Dunes. No shortage of skiing, hiking, beach combing, canoeing, fishing and peace and quiet.

We are located only twenty minutes to Traverse City, which offers many fine dining possibilities as well as the newly renovated State Theater, home of the Traverse City Film Festival.

An additional timber framed guest cabin is available, a stones throw from the house. For an additional $75 you may have use of this cabin.

There is a cordwood sauna also available. It is wood fired. You can take advantage of a nice hot sauna by arranging with your host, for an additional rate of $60.

If you are looking for the peace and quiet of the woods, this is an ideal place to be.

Property manager

Hughthir White

Languages

English, Italian

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Outdoor space
Barbecue grill

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

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 and on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. Burnett Park and Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with scuba diving and waterskiing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and hiking.
Map
empire, MI

What's nearby

  • Glen Lake - 12 min drive - 10.3 km
  • Philip A. Hart Visitor Center - 14 min drive - 13.3 km
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 15 min drive - 13.3 km
  • Crystal River - 24 min drive - 19.3 km
  • Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum - 31 min drive - 24.0 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 41 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Peg Town Station - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Papa J's Pizzeria - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Sunset Bar & Grill - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Broomstack Kitchen And Taphouse - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪The Foothills Cafe & Motel - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Quiet Retreat in the woods, near Empire Beach pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Quiet Retreat in the woods, near Empire Beach?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Quiet Retreat in the woods, near Empire Beach?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Quiet Retreat in the woods, near Empire Beach located?

Situated on a lake, this holiday home is within 3 miles (5 km) of Garey Lake, Courson Lake and Armstrong Lake. Wiltz Lake is 3 mi (4.9 km) away.

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 97 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 97 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 97 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 97 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 97 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Shannon D.

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

Perfection!

Our second visit was even better than the first! From the peaceful surroundings with lots of wildlife to Hughthir’s excellent ability to be available but not intrusive to the feeling of peace one gets when immersed in architectural greatness this place doesn’t disappoint.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly R.

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

Unplug in the woods

This was a beautiful experience for myself and 8 yr old grand daugher. Shes a budding artist. Lol. She loved the cabin which oozed of love and artistic qualities. While we werent out exploring the surrounding areas of Sleeping Bear Dunes attractions, she was engulfed in quietness to work on her arts and crafts non stop. Great bonding for us. I also enjoyed the environment to unplug and read.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

David D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

John E.

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

A beautiful retreat in the woods

This is a unique stay with a deep family history. My wife and I loved staying here. It was quiet and very peaceful...a perfect get away! The owner who built the house, cabin and sheds was an incredible host who made himself available and was both helpful and a pleasure to talk to. We look forward to going back!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katherine L., Grand Rapids, Michigan

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

Five Star Rave

Our family Fall Getaway in Hughthir’s lovely place was one of THE BEST experiences we’ve had in a VRBO—setting, property, home feng sui, convenient location (between our beloved Empire and the activity of Traverse City) and Hughthir’s hospitality ALL converged for this “rave review”.!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ellen W.

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

Quiet Getaway

Beautiful cabin in lovely surroundings. Hughthir has crafted an amazing cabin, which he graciously shares with the rest of us. All other reviewers have eloquently and accurately described this charming cabin and attuned host. Our stay was a welcome balm during a difficult year.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jason S., Madison, VA

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

Another lovely stay

Uniquely comfortable and charming house sited adjacent to a small lake is a wonderful and relaxingly calm place to stay. Hughthir is a relaxed, but prompt and attentive host.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lanie S.

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

Cabin in the woods

The online pictures do not do justice to this home. We absolutely loved our stay and can’t wait to go back next year. Everything about this home is perfect and provides the perfect spot for a relaxing vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Josh S.

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

Great Scenic Getaway!!

My wife and I had a great time here! Location is perfect and property is nice and cozy. Hugh was great!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Laura P.

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

Fantastic base for exploring the area!

Thoroughly enjoyed this property. The cabin is more stunning in person and was a great base to explore the area! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay, the friendliness and hospitality of Hughthir was above and beyond. Everything was perfect!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Libby S., Chicago, USA

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

Dreamiest cabin ever

Hughthir is the coolest and went out of his way to make our stay comfortable. We had so much fun chatting with him. The cabin was built for his mother and you can feel the love that went into every detail. The books and records were enjoyable to browse through. Definitely try to arrange a sauna session (the Theragun and essential oils were the perfect touch)! The surroundings were beautiful and peaceful. This cabin was a dreamy and relaxing retreat from the city. We definitely plan to visit again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Emma R.

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

Quiet cabin in the woods

We enjoyed a quiet stay at this lovely cabin in the woods. You feel far away from it all but still only about 10 min from Empire and the Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was a great spot for our family. We enjoyed sitting out on the porch amongst the beautiful front garden and taking a short hike down to the lake. We had a peaceful rest and even heard an owl one night! Definitely a great spot to get away in northern MI!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Marcia J., Oberlin Ohio

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

Nice secluded get away.

Just what we expected. Beautiful, peaceful setting. Host was friendly and very responsive. Will plan to stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Laurel B.

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

Beautiful home in an idyllic setting

We rented this space for the in-laws and they loved their stay. The setting is beautiful, and the ability to enjoy disconnecting and “unplugging” from the amenities of modern life was lovely.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Richard H.

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

Beautiful and special cabin

Really great place, very relaxing and beautiful surroundings. Comfortable cabin with everything you need.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Pamela L., San Antonio

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

Handmade Home- Work of Art and Relaxing Retreat

Hughthir is an outstanding host who built this beautiful home with his own hands. The quiet, the garden, the views, the lake, gorgeous master bedroom with Star filled skylights, artistic tiled soaking tub- entirely perfect. How soon can we get back?!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Greg H.

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

Spectacular Northern Michigan/Leelanau Peninsula Location

My wife and I just spent a fabulous week at this site. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in the secluded and beautiful cabin that was nestled in the woods with it's own private lake. I cannot say enough about the cabin with its many hand crafted features, it's scenic views provided by the windows and sky lights. We enjoyed our privacy but were still close enough for short drives to the many attractions of the Leelanau Peninsula and surrounding area. The cabin was extremely clean upon our arrival and was well appointed to meet all our needs during our stay. Hughthir was a wonderful host and we are already making plans to visit this location in the future.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christy M.

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

Amazing get away!! Quaint cabin in the woods. Wonderful family retreat !

What can I say, this property and cabin is breathtaking. I feel so blessed we were able to stay at this beautiful property on Gilbert Lake. As we drove through the lush woods leading up to the cabin we knew immediately that this was the family retreat we were looking for. We definitely hope to stay here again to take in nature’s beauty and surroundings. We enjoyed hiking the path and sitting by the lake listening to the loons and star gazing. The skillful art of carpentry can be found in the many details of the cabin. If you are looking for a slightly rustic getaway in the north woods this is your place. My family gives this cabin 5⭐️‘S!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rachel J.

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

Breathtaking

Hughthir’s retreat is clearly made with love, full of books and light. Secluded, wooded property with lots of wildlife. There’s a pond you can see from inside, with a deck where you can take your beverage and watch the sun go down. The kitchen is spacious and well-equipped, plenty of pots and pans and staples. At night you can see the stars from the skylight over the bed. Bring an eye mask if you like to sleep in: everywhere you look is a window looking out on trees or a skylight. We also enjoyed the fire pit outside and grilling out on the deck. My parents spent a couple of nights in the sweet guest cabin. Hughthir himself comes and goes, left us to our devices, and was very attentive to requests. Ten minutes’ drive to Sleeping Bear and a short enough drive to other good stuff like lighthouses, shops and restaurants. And farmstands selling asparagus, as it was in season.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer T., Three Oaks, MI

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

Lovely Retreat

My second time here- a wonderful place tucked in the woods, but very convenient to Sleeping Bear and other attractions. Very comfortable, beautifully built. Best-equipped kitchen of anyplace I have rented. Hughthir is very responsive, friendly and helpful. We will be back again!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Joanna W.

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

Incredible stay

The three of us had a lovely cozy weekend at Hughthir’s retreat. The cabin is beautiful and has so many delightful architectural and decorative elements. Everything is gorgeous. The wood stove was cozy — lit by Hughthir for our arrival — was so nice and the sauna was fantastic our second night. If you’re thinking of visiting, you absolutely shouldn’t hesitate! We can’t wait to return.

10/10 Excellent

Jason H.

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

Great place to stay

Had a great time celebrating our anniversary. Weather was not the best but we made the best of our time enjoying the stay in the quite retreat in the woods house. When weather was decent we enjoyed sleeping bear dunes, hiking trails and visiting other towns around. Hughthir was a great host and thank you for sharing you home!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Maribeth G., Chicago

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

Perfect Weekend Getaway

We had the pleasure staying at Hughthir's cabin this past weekend, and we were absolutely delighted, not only with his hospitality, but also with the peace and tranquility of the property. The cabin feels secluded, and we were able to truly relax and unwind. The wood burning stove and record player were especially charming. We loved the sauna option as well and would highly recommend. We look forward to coming back in the future!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Amy M.

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

Perfect getaway!

Beautiful retreat in a remote, wooded area. Perfect for outdoor exploring, close to Sleeping Bear Dunes. The property is clean and charming. The craftsmanship is so impressive. Loved listening to the old LP’s and the sauna was the perfect way to unwind.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020

About the host

Hosted by Hughthir White

Host profile image

Languages:

English, Italian
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