Private Sandy Beach on Torch Lake • Cottage + Guest House • Walk to Alden

Photo gallery for Private Sandy Beach on Torch Lake • Cottage + Guest House • Walk to Alden

A wooden deck with outdoor seating, overlooking a lake.
Property video
A wooden deck with a railing, surrounded by trees and a body of water.
A wooden dining room with a table set for six, candles, and a window with a view of trees.
A spacious living room with wooden walls, a chandelier, a television, a cabinet with glass doors, and a large window with a view of greenery.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • On the beach
    A rare beachfront property in the area - enjoy direct access to the beach and sea.
  • Unmatched views, unforgettable moments
    Guests like the location for the scenic views.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Walk to Torch Lake

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Balcony
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet

Explore the area

View map
Alden, MI
  • Place, Torch Lake
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Torch Lake Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Boyne Mountain
    ‪42 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪38 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

2nd Upstairs Bedroom

2 Single Beds

Guest House

2 Single Beds and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Primary 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

Primary 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

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About the area

Alden

Located in Alden, this cottage is on the beach. The Chief Golf Course and Short's Brewing Company are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Guntzviller's Spirit of the Woods Museum and Music House Museum. Kayaking and waterskiing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain biking and cycling nearby.
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Map
Alden, MI

What's nearby

  • Torch Lake - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Torch Lake Park - 4 min drive - 4.3 km
  • Traverse City Beach - 31 min drive - 43.6 km
  • Front Street - 36 min drive - 49.0 km
  • Boyne Mountain - 42 min drive - 69.7 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Shanty Creek Resorts - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Oasis Tavern - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Johnny's Torch Riviera - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Coffee Bar - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen - ‬23 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Sandy Beach on Torch Lake • Cottage + Guest House • Walk to Alden pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Private Sandy Beach on Torch Lake • Cottage + Guest House • Walk to Alden?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Private Sandy Beach on Torch Lake • Cottage + Guest House • Walk to Alden?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Sandy Beach on Torch Lake • Cottage + Guest House • Walk to Alden?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Private Sandy Beach on Torch Lake • Cottage + Guest House • Walk to Alden 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. Thayer lake and Grass River Natural Area are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

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. 50 out of 70 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 15 out of 70 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 70 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 70 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 70 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great location! Cool place!

Great location on Torch Lake. Older home with character and charm. Really enjoyed our family stay there!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The property was in a great location with a variety of outdoor spaces to spread out and choose from. The home was well stocked with all supplies needed. The owner was very responsive and had lots of recommendations for fun during our stay. The scenery was spectacular! Would highly recommend.
The sandbar
Local vineyards
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Archival

8/10 Good

Cozy Cottage in a wonderful location on Torch Lake.

The cottage was very cozy and clean. The view of the water was incredible. Especially the sunset! The beach area was clean and the kids loved it. Just a few minute drive and you could grab groceries or a bite to eat in Alden. We had a few very minor issues when we arrived to the cottage but the owner was very responsive and prompt to our request to get handled. She was also very polite! Our only disappointment was the master bedroom did have a "musty" kind of stench. Maybe could use some fresh paint to clear that up. And also the water is very hard (It's well water). So definitely bring bottled water to drink. We would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 28 August 2023
Our guest is absolutely right about the water... we DO have a water softener, but I learned AFTER he left that it was not working. I immediately called the water softener company and it is now working once again :-) As for the master bedroom, I will certainly look into this. We had the bedroom painted two years ago, so that is not the issue. Maybe it was a particularly humid period? I don't know, but I am grateful to these guests for bringing this issue to my attention.
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Liked: Check-in
Disliked: Listing accuracy
Guest house was damp, strong mildew smell, linens on bed dirty, dusty, dead bug, damp and smelled. No ventilation. Bathroom floor sopping wet. Owner notified and I was told the linens were placed three weeks ago. Water from condensation due to rain and humidity. WE had to dry the floor and place “pebble mats” to help with condensation. Due to the condition, everyone stayed in the main house. That night, family wanted showers and no hot water was available. Contacted owner and she stated she forgot to turn the hot water heater on…..was given offer to go to another house on the property to shower or go back in the guest house. She finally gave me the instructions to turn on hot water heater. Later that evening, family sat down to unwind watching a movie and after 5 minutes there were sparks flying from behind the TV. Needless to say that was the last straw and owner notified that we would be leaving the property. We stayed 2 nights as I was fortunate to find another property to go to. The morning of our departure after taking a shower in master bathroom, I noticed the shower curtain was heavy and noticed black mold on the bottom of the shower curtain. The owner is going to tell you she did everything she could to accommodate our issues. I could not stay in that property any longer for safety and health concerns. I completely lost trust and confidence in property and the owner. She is dishonest. Only reimbursed us one night. I have more but running out of roo
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 18 June 2026
I am sorry that this guest's stay did not meet her expectations. For prospective renters, I encourage you to read our many other reviews, which have been overwhelmingly positive over decades of hosting. While I respect that this guest was dissatisfied, I do not agree with several characterizations in this review and do not believe it presents a complete picture of the stay. Rather than engage in a point-by-point response, I'll offer some context for future guests. One issue she reported was the lack of hot water upon arrival. This was my mistake, and I responded immediately by providing instructions to restore hot water and offering alternative shower facilities that were available right away. I remained available throughout her stay and responded promptly to each concern she raised. After two nights, the guest chose to relocate to another property. Although our rental agreement does not provide refunds after check-in and the remaining nights could not be rebooked, I nevertheless provided a goodwill refund equivalent to one night's stay in recognition of the hot-water issue. Our cottage is an older seasonal Michigan lake cottage and may not be the right fit for travelers seeking the experience of a newer home with central air conditioning and a tightly sealed building envelope. For guests who appreciate the character of a traditional lake cottage, I invite you to read the experiences shared by our many previous guests.
Verified review

8/10 Good

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
Response from VrboOwner on 28 August 2023
We wish we could have made your stay more comfortable! We work hard to make our cottage hospitable, clean, and welcoming. We could have easily fixed most of these issues (fresh shower curtain, waffle iron, more salt in the water softener to address the mineral smell from the well water, dock plank—all now taken care of). Communication is key, and we are always quick and responsive to any concerns our renters have. Next time, if something isn’t up to par, we hope you’ll reach out to us during your trip so we can address it ASAP and help you have the best stay possible.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was my hope that I could provide for my grandchildren, for my daughter, and wife, a northern cottage experience. This property accomplished that in spades. We sat on the beach almost every night with the fire pit and made s’mores. We paddleboard and kayaked on the lake everyday. Everyone had plenty of room to create their own private space. And at night we gathered as a family and watch movies (The Great Outdoors, ET, and The Waterboy). The fun thing for me was to occasionally be missing a person only to find them relaxing in the hammock. Everyone left relaxed and filled with memories. Thanks to our host. Also, who was helping me with suggestions on things to do while in the area since I was not local.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Absolutely amazing!

Had my family vacation at this beautiful property. Everything was perfect. Home is very clean and the kitchen has everything you could ask for. The private beach area was our favorite,new beach chairs were available for us to use. Portable fireplace was very nice.plenty of swings and patio furniture for my family of 10. It's was a bit chilly but we still had a great time. Sunsets are beautiful and seem like they last for hours! Best vation ever!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Gorgeous!

This cottage was amazing! The views were breaktaking, the house was perfect, and the owner is extremely responsive and helpful! I will absolutely book here again when returning to Torch Lake!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Very nice location, beautiful view of the lake and the beach area was very nice.

Bathrooms were all just renovated, but they were very small. Kitchen was very well supplied. The guest house was very nice. The deck was a very nice to sit out on in the mornings and the evenings. We used the beach area too, even though there had been a bad storm before we got there we were still able to use it. Lots of living, and dining space and windows with the view of the lake. We had cool mornings and cool evenings, there is no air conditioning which could be an issue in the heat of the summer. There were plenty of fans that were in all the bedrooms. We enjoyed our stay for sure! Nan was available when we needed to get in touch with here before the trip and during our stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Not just a house

This gem on the lake combines the sense of happy history you get from, say Edison's grandparents' house at Greenfield Village--with space, comfy furniture, and board games and books. We can vouch that the piano works for everything from Chopin to Elton John, so take a pianist if you can. The house smells like good old wood and cozy fires. We put the charming and handy kitchen through its paces, the baths are new and pretty, the common areas are gracious. The place has been accumulating its own spirit for a long time. If you are looking for something miles beyond the cliched beach house with Live, Love, Laugh signs on the walls, I highly recommend this cottage-house. It's a true Place.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

A special place

This classic cottage was a great place for our family to spend a return visit to Torch Lake. We had a wonderful stay - enjoying the beautiful lake and all of the cottage's outdoor space, including a boat dock/hoist, deck perfectly placed to watch the sunsets, sandy beach and shady lawn with picnic table and hammocks. The location is perfect for privacy, quiet and a walk into Alden. Our adult children loved staying in the guest house - a charming spot just steps from the cottage with a brand new bathroom. The main cottage had everything we needed for great family time (and the two new bathrooms are fabulous)! Nan was a pleasure to work with. We can't wait to return!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great house, great location

Great location, the outdoor s pace is incredible, great sunsets
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful property on Torch!

Our stay was great over the 4th! Close boat ride to the sandbar and we loved traveling the Torch River to Elk Lake. We walked into town a couple of mornings for the best breakfast and coffee at the Muffin Tin. We also visited Elk Rapids…such a cute downtown! The cabin is rustic and offers all the up north charm one would expect in Michigan! We all slept great throughout the week. The beds were comfy (I always worry about that when we rent) and peaceful mornings on the deck. Everything was clean and fresh towels were on the bed upon arrival. The owner was extremely responsive and easy to contact! Thank you for a great week!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lovely stay on the beautiful Torch Lake

Lovely cottage on the East side of the lake, great for sunsets. Cottage has some recent upgrades but still maintains the "Old" charm. Nice large deck overlooking the water with a small beach area for swimming and evening campfires for making smores. Located within walking distance to park, tennis/pickleball courts and Alden for a nice ice cream treat. This was our third stay and will always consider it for future visits to the area.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Good place for families

We had a good time despite the less than desirable weather which was no ones fault. Furnishings inside the house were good. Loved the big dining room table. Outside deck and beach were very nice. Children did get a bit of swimmers itch, but again no ones fault. Wish someone could come up with a solution for that!! We love vacationing in Michigan. Made a lot of good memories.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Spectacular and serene

When we arrived at the property, we were shocked at how beautiful and peaceful it was. I’d love to live in a home like this. The landscaping was so gorgeous. It is nestled in the woods on the lake and though there are other houses, it feels so private. It is right on the lake and has amazing views of the sunset. The house was perfectly clean and had all the amenities and items we needed for our stay from cooking in the kitchen to playing in the water to extra blankets for the beds. The hosts communicated very well with us and always responded very quickly. They were very accommodating to us and our needs. I am excited to return to this house and stay again! The town was wonderful and had everything we needed as well. We also loved the beach that was just a few feet away. I can’t say enough good things about our stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Four sisters

My three sisters and I spent three days at Torch Lake. Beautiful cottage. It has a small kitchen but it had everything we needed to cook. The nearby grocery was wonderful! The location of the house is great. We could walk to town easily to shop and eat lunch. Will definitely return
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family Vacation

Just what our family was looking for! Great beach location and cozy cabin. Wonderful stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place and great owner

This was a lovely cottage with a great location, we would highly recommend this to others.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2021
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Torch Lake Vacation

Owner was very responsive and helpful. Great location on a beautiful lake.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Nice place

Owner was very helpful and cooperative
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
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