10/10 Excellent
Dawn G.
13 August 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Dawn G.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Entire home
Charming lake house combines rustic ambiance with modern amenities.
Photo gallery for Charming lake house combines rustic ambiance with modern amenities.
Reviews
10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 12190.5 sq m
Popular amenities
Explore the area
Cedar, MI
- Lake Leelanau1 min walk
- Bel Lago Winery7 min drive
- Front Street32 min drive
- Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
Rooms & beds
4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)
Bedroom 1
1 King Bed
Bedroom 2
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 3
1 Double Bed
Bedroom 4
1 Double Bed
Living Room 1
1 Double Murphy Bed
Office 1
1 Double Futon
2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom
Bathroom 1
Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer
Bathroom 2
Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer
Bathroom 3
Soap · Toilet
Spaces
About this property
Charming lake house combines rustic ambiance with modern amenities.
Welcome to the beautiful rolling hills of wine country.
Tucked along the sparkling shores of Lake Leelanau, this beautifully updated 4-bedroom cottage is your perfect getaway—a charming blend of rustic character and modern comfort. With breathtaking lake views and direct access to a soft sandbar and dock, you’ll quickly discover why this hidden gem has been beloved for generations.
Inside, the cottage sleeps up to 12 guests comfortably with 1 king, 1 queen, 2 full beds, a cozy murphy bed in the living room, and a futon in the sunroom that’s perfect for hanging out or a bedroom (this was my room until I was 40). With 2.5 bathrooms and an infinity water heater, everyone can refresh and recharge with ease.
But let’s be honest—the magic is outside. Spend your days relaxing on the dock, wading in the warm, shallow waters, or rowing out in the complimentary boat. When you're ready to explore, you’re just minutes from Sleeping Bear Dunes, historic Fishtown, the vibrant shops and eateries of Traverse City, and some of Michigan’s best vineyards and farm stands.
Traveling with kids? You're in for something special. This lakefront neighborhood was once a family resort, and while most of the cottages are now private homes, a few—including this one—still welcome guests. That means you get the charm of a resort community with the quiet and space of a private retreat. Your little ones will love the playground, volleyball net, basketball hoop, giant sandbox, and wide dock with benches (great for fishing). There’s even a fish-cleaning station for your daily catch! Best of all, there’s a good chance they’ll find instant playmates—just like I did as a kid.
From morning coffee by the lake to sunset wine and dockside laughter under the stars, this is a place where memories are made.
Please note: No pets are allowed. Bonfires shown in photos were taken at nearby Good Harbor Beach—open fires are not permitted on the property.
Tucked along the sparkling shores of Lake Leelanau, this beautifully updated 4-bedroom cottage is your perfect getaway—a charming blend of rustic character and modern comfort. With breathtaking lake views and direct access to a soft sandbar and dock, you’ll quickly discover why this hidden gem has been beloved for generations.
Inside, the cottage sleeps up to 12 guests comfortably with 1 king, 1 queen, 2 full beds, a cozy murphy bed in the living room, and a futon in the sunroom that’s perfect for hanging out or a bedroom (this was my room until I was 40). With 2.5 bathrooms and an infinity water heater, everyone can refresh and recharge with ease.
But let’s be honest—the magic is outside. Spend your days relaxing on the dock, wading in the warm, shallow waters, or rowing out in the complimentary boat. When you're ready to explore, you’re just minutes from Sleeping Bear Dunes, historic Fishtown, the vibrant shops and eateries of Traverse City, and some of Michigan’s best vineyards and farm stands.
Traveling with kids? You're in for something special. This lakefront neighborhood was once a family resort, and while most of the cottages are now private homes, a few—including this one—still welcome guests. That means you get the charm of a resort community with the quiet and space of a private retreat. Your little ones will love the playground, volleyball net, basketball hoop, giant sandbox, and wide dock with benches (great for fishing). There’s even a fish-cleaning station for your daily catch! Best of all, there’s a good chance they’ll find instant playmates—just like I did as a kid.
From morning coffee by the lake to sunset wine and dockside laughter under the stars, this is a place where memories are made.
Please note: No pets are allowed. Bonfires shown in photos were taken at nearby Good Harbor Beach—open fires are not permitted on the property.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Washing machine
Dryer
Air conditioning
Parking available
Barbecue
Fireplace
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House Rules
Check in after 4:00 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
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds, gather used towels and store extra beds
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
If you use the Blackstone please turn off the gas and cleaning the cooking surface. If you use the cooler, please clean it out. The cleaning crew will not clean either.
Please allow lifejackets to dry before returning them to the bin. If you leave them in there wet, they will become moldy.
Please clean all fish in the fish cleaning room located in the pole barn.
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 is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
About the area
Cedar
Cedar is home to this holiday home. Shoppers can check out Front Street, while everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Traverse City Beach. Burnett Park and Great Lakes Children's Museum are also worth visiting.
Cedar, MI
What's nearby
- Lake Leelanau - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
- Bel Lago Winery - 7 min drive - 4.2 km
- Village at Grand Traverse Commons - 31 min drive - 30.3 km
- Front Street - 32 min drive - 31.4 km
- Traverse City Beach - 40 min drive - 38.3 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- Hayloft Inn - 15 min drive
- Elderberry Farms Estate - 14 min drive
- Pegtown Station - 9 min drive
- Brengman Brothers - 24 min drive
- Cedar Tavern - 5 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
10
Exceptional
10/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
10/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Jen B.
3 September 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Jen B.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Christopher K.
19 August 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Christopher K.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
About the host
Hosted by Laura Richardson
I’ve been visiting here since 1980. This place is my second home. My entire family has been vacationing here for years. If you are a returning guest and you have seen someone doing yoga on the dock at sunrise in their pajamas, that was me, Laurie.
I raised my boys, Jack and Jude, here. My husband, Dennis, proposed to me on the dock in 2015, and we held our rehearsal dinner here in 2016 before getting married at 45 North Vineyard. My mom passed in 2019 and asked that a portion of her ashes be spread on the south end of the lake. If my dad had been cremated, he’d be there too.
I raised my boys, Jack and Jude, here. My husband, Dennis, proposed to me on the dock in 2015, and we held our rehearsal dinner here in 2016 before getting married at 45 North Vineyard. My mom passed in 2019 and asked that a portion of her ashes be spread on the south end of the lake. If my dad had been cremated, he’d be there too.
Why they chose this property
Our family's love story with this cottage began in 1980, when my parents first rented here. I can still hear my mom declaring, “We’re never staying anywhere else again!” She was a nurse and immediately fell in love with how clean and well-kept everything was—sparkling lake, tidy grounds, and a home that balanced modern comfort with that classic “rustic up north” charm. My dad? He was hooked from the moment he caught a fish.
There’s nothing quite like that magical moment when you crest the hill from Cedar and catch your first glimpse of the lake below—especially under a glowing full moon.
Our cottage sits on the widest part of Lake Leelanau, nestled along a soft, clean sandbar that’s perfect for swimming, jumping off the dock, or just relaxing with your toes in the water. Being near the southern end of the lake, the area is peaceful and just a little wild at night, thanks to the surrounding preserved lands. Nature lovers, rejoice—you’re in for a treat.
Looking for adventure? You can drop a kayak into the river in Cedar and paddle through Michigan’s only freshwater “everglades,” where wildlife abounds and bass practically beg you to cast a line with surface bait. It’s one of our favorite local secrets.
But the fun doesn’t stop at the water’s edge. A short drive (or boat ride!) takes you to some of the best spots in the area:
Good Harbor Beach is our go-to for unforgettable sunset bonfires.
Wineries are everywhere—you can boat to some or drive to others, each one more charming than the last.
We love curling in Maple City, exploring the quaint shops and smoked fish in Fishtown, and enjoying the vibrant food and craft beverage scene nearby.
Our son takes the boat to South Manitou Island every summer to do a little rustic camping—he swears it’s the highlight of his year.
And of course, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and Traverse City (just 25 minutes away) are all close by, offering hiking, biking, shopping, dining, and more.
There’s nothing quite like that magical moment when you crest the hill from Cedar and catch your first glimpse of the lake below—especially under a glowing full moon.
Our cottage sits on the widest part of Lake Leelanau, nestled along a soft, clean sandbar that’s perfect for swimming, jumping off the dock, or just relaxing with your toes in the water. Being near the southern end of the lake, the area is peaceful and just a little wild at night, thanks to the surrounding preserved lands. Nature lovers, rejoice—you’re in for a treat.
Looking for adventure? You can drop a kayak into the river in Cedar and paddle through Michigan’s only freshwater “everglades,” where wildlife abounds and bass practically beg you to cast a line with surface bait. It’s one of our favorite local secrets.
But the fun doesn’t stop at the water’s edge. A short drive (or boat ride!) takes you to some of the best spots in the area:
Good Harbor Beach is our go-to for unforgettable sunset bonfires.
Wineries are everywhere—you can boat to some or drive to others, each one more charming than the last.
We love curling in Maple City, exploring the quaint shops and smoked fish in Fishtown, and enjoying the vibrant food and craft beverage scene nearby.
Our son takes the boat to South Manitou Island every summer to do a little rustic camping—he swears it’s the highlight of his year.
And of course, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and Traverse City (just 25 minutes away) are all close by, offering hiking, biking, shopping, dining, and more.
What makes this property unique
We decided to name our cottage Wahoo in honor of the beech tree across the street, twisted many years ago by local Native American tribes to mark a sacred place of worship. The view from the tree looks out over our place. I remember visiting it when I was younger. A few years ago, it was struck by lightning and caught fire—truly making it a “wahoo.” You are on sacred land. Enjoy.
Languages:
English
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