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Lake Leelenau Waterfront Cottage-close to Traverse City, Fishtown & Suttons Bay

Lakefront cottage with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Lake Leelenau Waterfront Cottage-close to Traverse City, Fishtown & Suttons Bay

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Property grounds
Beach
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 690.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Lake Leelanau
  • Place, Ciccone Vineyard and Winery
  • Place, Front Street
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

2 Bedrooms

1 Queen Bed

Sitting Room

2 Large Single Futons

1 bathroom

1 Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Lake Leelenau Waterfront Cottage-close to Traverse City, Fishtown & Suttons Bay

Willow Tree Cottage is the perfect location for getaways with family and friends! Situated on spacious tree-lined property, this newly renovated cottage offers private lakefront views and breath taking sunsets over Lake Leelanau. Enjoy swimming in the crystal clear water or kayaking, paddle boarding, and fishing with provided equipment.

Enhance your stay on the Leelanau Peninsula Trail, featuring 17 miles of paved trails for biking, dog-walking or exploring nearby vineyards. Located 15 miles from Sleeping Bear Dunes, and just a 10-minute scenic drive to downtown Traverse City, Suttons Bay, and historic Fishtown in Leland.

New renovations (Spring 2022) include fully renovated bathroom; new flooring and furniture; central air and furnace heat; spacious new kitchen w/ eat-in island; exterior paint, fresh landscaping and much more! There are 2 bedrooms- each with a queen bed. There is a sitting room with 2 chair/ottomans that covert to twin beds. Amenities include wifi and smart tv; board games; DVD player with movies; fire pit; large deck for grilling; and an indoor porch, perfect for family meals and game nights. Provided equipment includes 2 kayaks, 2 paddle boards, life vests for all ages, and yard games.

IMPORTANT NOTES:
- We allow no more than 2 non-shedding dogs, under 50lbs. There will is a $100 charge per dog.

-There is a $100/day charge to dock a watercraft. Due to the shallow shoreline, there is a lot of wear and tear on the dock. Do not trailer the boat to the property, as we have a very steep driveway with a sharp, narrow turn. There is boat launch 1/4-mile south of the cottage, with a wash station to help protect against invasive species.

- We highly recommend that our guests purchase the VRBO Cancellation Protection, as unforeseen circumstances arise often and we advise protecting your vacation investment.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Gym
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 27
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 2 pets total)
Non-shedding dogs only. $100 charge per dog.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels and store extra beds
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Leave all sheets and blankets on the beds, and place used towels in the bathtub. Run the dirty dishes thru the dishwasher, flipping the magnet to CLEAN. Empty the food from the fridge & cupboards.
Please tie up the umbrellas & cover the deck furniture and grill. Ensure all doors and windows are closed and locked. Turn off all inside/ outside lights.
Leave us a VRBO review! Our hope is that you enjoyed your stay at Willow Tree Cottage worthy of FIVE stars!
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
No boats and trailers on the property.

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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Traverse City

Located in Traverse City, this cottage is in the city centre and on the waterfront. Shoppers can check out Front Street, while everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Michigan and Traverse City Beach. Great Lakes Children's Museum and Great Wolf Lodge Water Park are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Traverse City, MI

What's nearby

  • Lake Leelanau - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Ciccone Vineyard and Winery - 9 min drive - 9.4 km
  • Village at Grand Traverse Commons - 14 min drive - 21.6 km
  • Front Street - 15 min drive - 22.0 km
  • Traverse City Beach - 23 min drive - 28.5 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 25 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Farm Club - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Brengman Brothers - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Paradise Cove Bar & Grill - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Bisto Polaris - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Cedar Tavern - ‬20 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lake Leelenau Waterfront Cottage-close to Traverse City, Fishtown & Suttons Bay pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

What time is check-in at Lake Leelenau Waterfront Cottage-close to Traverse City, Fishtown & Suttons Bay?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lake Leelenau Waterfront Cottage-close to Traverse City, Fishtown & Suttons Bay?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Lake Leelenau Waterfront Cottage-close to Traverse City, Fishtown & Suttons Bay located?

Located in the heart of Traverse City, this cottage is steps from Lake Leelanau and within 6 mi (10 km) of Lake Michigan and bigLITTLE Wines. L. Mawby Vineyards and Brengman Brothers are also within 6 miles (10 km).

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. 57 out of 58 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 58 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 58 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 58 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 58 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tracy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful time enjoying the cottage and surrounding area. I would highly recommend this property!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diana D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had an amazing 5-day stay at the Lake Leelanau Waterfront Cottage! The lake view was gorgeous, the Wi-Fi was fast, and check-in was a breeze. The owner communicated wonderfully and made sure we had everything we needed. We especially loved that it’s pet-friendly—our furbaby Moe, a German Shepherd, got to celebrate his 9th birthday here! Honestly, he might’ve enjoyed it even more than we did. This trip was for him, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Highly recommend for a relaxing getaway with your pup!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

kim M.

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

Beautiful Cottage

What a beautiful property and a great location for exploring Traverse City, and the surrounding areas. Loved spending time on the front porch gazing at the beautiful sunsets! Bonus that we could bring our dog and not only did we have plenty of space for him to enjoy, we felt right at home with dog bowls provided.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cristie I.

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

Perfect Up North Lakeside Getaway!

Our family loved our stay at Willow Tree Cottage! Truly, the perfect Up North escape. We enjoyed access to Lake Leelanau, the beautiful sunsets and stars! It was the perfect location to explore Traverse City, Sutton’s Bay, Leland and the Great Bear Dunes! Our two year old daughter was in love with the sand pit, and we enjoyed taking in the lake view. Can’t say enough about this special cottage and hope to visit again soon!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Maggie K.

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

Great stay on Lake Leelanau!

Nichole and Frank did such a beautiful job renovating this cabin. We spent the most wonderful long weekend exploring the Leelanau peninsula using the Willow Tree Cottage as our jumping off point. When we returned from our adventures we would take the kayaks/paddleboards out or unwind with a fire and the sunset. Our family of 5 slept here comfortably, with our 8 and 6 year old fighting over the futons. I’ve already recommended their place to two people and hope that we can return in the future!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chad P.

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

Great Lake cottage!

If you are looking to get away as a couple or small family, this place was relaxing and special. The place has recently been remodeled, so cute. A little tight on space in the bedrooms and bath, so made 10 days with two teenagers a little tight, but hey, this house makes you want to be out on the lake. There is a great little sandy beach where you can put your chairs, kids can play in the water, and lake entrance is sandy with a few rocks. We rented boats and jet skis for the week and enjoyed it thoroughly. You have access on the lake to multiple restaurants. The place is 12 minutes from groceries and town. The host was great, communication was fantastic, and kitchen was pretty well appointed for cooking meals in if you are lucky enough to catch some fish for dinner. Our dogs loved the beach access and fire pit at night was a way to end the day. Only drawback was no washer and dryer which we needed over the 10 day trip. Very nice VRBO, highly recommend.
Stayed 10 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

julia c.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous place inside and out!!! The cottage/home was wonderfully decorated and appointed. Beds were comfy, great sleep and linens top notch. Kitchen well supplied modern great space with island to gather. family room area cozy. LOVED the outside waterfront deck, with beautiful amazing views. We took full advantage of the kayaks for many paddles as well as the firepit with the great andirondeck chairs. would definitely stay here again!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Jocelyn H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Communication
This was our second week-long stay at this property. Our first visit was great with no issues but also no owner interaction. During our second stay, however, we had a very poor experience with the owner.On our third night, a loud septic alarm went off at 1:45 a.m. from a locked closet we couldn’t access. It continued until morning, preventing any sleep. The owner did not respond until 7:30 a.m., when she explained what it was and told us it was a septic holding tank alarm and we could not unplug it (even though we had no more info to gain from it) and it wouldn't go off again for 6 hours. Less than two hours later, it went off again as we were trying to get back to sleep. I unplugged it to rest and received a sharp text from the owner saying she could tell it was unplugged. When I explained, she offered no apology.That evening the alarm went off yet again. The owner didn't know if the tanks had been serviced and only then told us we could unplug it. The next day, she confirmed the tanks had been emptied but implied I had not followed instructions, even though I had not been told the issue was resolved.We lost an entire night of sleep due to an alarm we couldn’t access or silence, and the owner offered no acknowledgment or resolution beyond saying it was “part of lake life.” While the location itself is nice, this experience and the lack of support left us very disappointed, especially for a property of this price and as a repeat guest.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Breon W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It's my opinion that this is the very best spot- this will have been our 3rd visit to this beautiful cottage on Lake Leelenau. Close enough to any adventure you want to take but secluded enough to feel like you have the lake to yourself. They have provided absolutely anything you could need (even kayaks and padfle boards!) THE BEST VIEW for sunsets and star gazing. We had a bon fire every night and enjoyed the sunshine big deck and yard during our days. Close enough to downtown traverse city where we found the most wonderful market (Burrits! A must see) cooked beautiful meals and used the grill too! We had three adukts and our pup with more than enough room. They have made this so beautiful that its our favorite place to visit, hard to consider anywhere else. WE WILL BE BACK. Thank you and sincerely some very grateful guests
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Whitney A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Willow Tree Cottage is a cute, comfortable little place in a great central location. Our family of 5 with 3 young kids had a great week exploring the lake and nearby towns. The lake bottom is quite rocky in front of the cottage, so I recommend bringing water shoes if you plan to spend time swimming there. Overall a great place to stay!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nancy G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful week at this beautiful cottage on Lake Leelanau. The location was perfect—right on the lake, yet close to wineries, Suttons Bay, and just a short drive to Traverse City, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Northport/Leelanau State Park and Moomers!We were grateful to find a dog-friendly place that was private, and peaceful. We especially loved the many spots to take in the stunning sunsets over the lake—the bench on the dock, the furnished deck, and the glassed-in porch all offered incredible views (even through the haze from the Canadian wildfires). Kayaking and paddleboarding were highlights of our trip, and it was a bonus to have them provided (along with life vests and beach towels.) Tip: early mornings and evenings have the calmest water.The hosts were great communicators and let us know about the very steep driveway ahead of time. We also enjoyed flipping through the photo book showing the cottage renovations—what an amazing transformation!All in all, this was a lovely spot for a relaxing and scenic getaway.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelly K.

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

Great place to stay

We really enjoyed our stay at the cottage. It’s a really cute cottage with amazing sunset views. The location allowed us to easily explore the Leelanau peninsula early each day and to return to enjoy some lake time in the afternoon. All of the extra toys (kayaks, paddle boards, fishing poles) were a nice bonus. The size of the cottage worked out well for our family with 2 kids under 10, but I imagine we may have needed a bit more space if they were teenagers or if we had a bigger group. Overall, we had a great time and already miss relaxing on the deck watching the sunset.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julie F.

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

Perfect!

We truly enjoyed our week at the Willow Tree cottage. The renovations that have been done are spectacular. Such a great location on the lake with all needed amenities. We hope to be back. Our family made more memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeff W.

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

Awesome

The cottage and scenery exceeded our expectations. The renovations were amazing. Not sure how you did it but it felt contemporary but still had that original cottage vibe. It was clean and well stocked with all the essentials. The hosts were quick to respond with any questions. We will be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Breon W.

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

Perfect northern Mi getaway

Willow Tree Cottage has it all! The owners have you wanting for nothing- the most well appointed cottage stay i have ever experienced- breath taking views and privacy. The thoughtfulness and attention to detail did not go unnoticed. This place is a treasure and we enjoyed our stay so much that we booked again for next year. Cant wait!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Sweet little cottage!

What a lovely little cottage on the west side of Lake Leelanau! We enjoyed the deck every day of our week long stay. The kitchen was fully stocked including spices which was nice to have (many vrbos don’t provide these simple amenities). This cottage is best for four adults. The extra sleeping room is basically a sealed in porch with two tiny beds. Maybe good for littles only. The bedrooms are very small—one doesn’t have anywhere to store clothing to unpack, but there is a little dresser in the hall closet that we used. We loved the use of the paddle boards and kayaks. We rented a 19’ Four Winns and fully enjoyed the lake. This is a special cottage! Thank you for opening it to others to enjoy!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Frank N.

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

Great cottage to experience northern Michigan

Location is great and the renovations completed on this cottage are fantastic. It was the perfect distance from Traverse City and a number of other landmarks. We would stay again in the future.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tim M.

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

Great Lake House

Our family of five and dog had a nice time. House is comfortable and stocked with everything you need. Situated perfectly in the area with a short drive to most towns.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Marsha H.

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

Relaxing lake cottage

We really enjoyed kayaking and paddle boarding . . . And the lovely sunsets.
Stayed 10 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Luther D.

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

Perfect getaway spot

We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this property. It was the perfect location on Lake Leenanau. It had everything we could want and the place was nicely renovated. Would definitely stay here again if it was available when we vacation next.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

CHARLES R.

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

Lake Leelanau tranquility

The cottage was everything as stated in the listing. A beautiful location and updated cottage with all amenities needed. The property owner was outstanding to work with. We rented a pontoon at The Narrows which made our stay even more enjoyable. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bridget K.

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

Wonderful cottage!

We loved our stay - such a comfortable and charming cottage on a beautiful lake! The location was wonderful between Suttons Bay and TC. The cottage was so well stocked with water toys, towels, games, movies, kitchen tools, and so many other things. Thank you for a fantastic trip!
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christian B.

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

All you need

Had a great time staying. Loved the level of detail on everything from instructions to supplies.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Casey G.

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

Willow tree

This is a fabulous property. Right on the lake, fantastic sunsets!!!! Two lovely bedrooms, and a cozy living room. Very close to the Leelanau trail and short drive to Sleeping Bear Dunes. They thought of everything, from coffee pot, toiletries, cleaning supplies, spices, lots of dishes and kitchen supplies. I have never been in a VRBO so well stocked with everything!!! This is a wonderful property, we had three days of rain but still loved our vacation… the BEST!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heather C.

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

Fall Stay at Willow Tree

We had a lovely stay in this cottage. Its location is excellent. It is on Lake Leelanau and close to Suttons Bay, Traverse City, Old Mission Peninsula, and The Leelanau Trail. We visited all of these spots! The cottage is well stocked, very neat and comfortable.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

About the host

Hosted by Nichole Ranka-Weith and Frank Weith

Host profile image

Languages:

English, German

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests