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Torch Lake Exceptional Lakefront Cottage and Guest House - with Sandy Beach
Beachfront cottage with kitchen and balcony
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Reviews
9.4 out of 10 
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10172.3 sq m
Popular amenities
Explore the area

- Place, Torch Lake
 - Place, Torch Lake Park
 - Place, Clam Lake
 - Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
 
Rooms & beds
4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)
2nd Upstairs Bedroom
2 Single Beds
Guest House
2 Single Beds and 1 Single Bunk Bed
Master Bedroom
1 Queen Bed
Upstairs Bedroom
2 Single Beds
3 bathrooms
Cottage Bathroom
Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer
Guest House Bathroom
Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer
Master Bedroom Bathroom
Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Hair dryer
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
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
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
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Similar properties

Charming Lakefront Cottage on Torch Lake - walking distance to Alden
Charming Lakefront Cottage on Torch Lake - walking distance to Alden
- Kitchen
 - Washer
 - Dryer
 - Free WiFi
 
9.0 out of 10, (14 reviews)
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 
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out: 
Load and start the dishwasher 
Strip any used beds 
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish 
Turn off the lights and lock the doors 
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
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 are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances 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 first aid kit 
About the area
Alden
Located in Alden, this cottage is on the beach. Twisted Fish Gallery and Guntzviller's Spirit of the Woods Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at The Chief Golf Course and Short's Brewing Company. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching. 

Alden, MI
What's nearby
- Torch Lake - 1 min drive - 0.0 km
 - Torch Lake Park - 4 min drive - 4.3 km
 - Grass River Natural Area - 4 min drive - 6.5 km
 - Clam Lake - 7 min drive - 8.7 km
 - Lake Bellaire - 17 min drive - 17.7 km
 
Getting around
Restaurants
- Oasis Tavern - 20 min drive
 - The Dockside - 8 min drive
 - Shanty Creek Resorts - 16 min drive
 - Kritters Hide Away - 8 min drive
 - Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen - 23 min drive
 
Frequently asked questions
About the host
Hosted by Nan Reed Twiss
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.  
Languages:
English
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