Entire home

The Sleeping Bear Hemma

Photo gallery for The Sleeping Bear Hemma

A modern kitchen with a large island, dining area with chairs, and a living space with a sofa and fireplace.
A modern house with a large glass facade, a covered patio, and a well-maintained lawn.
A spacious living area with a large sofa, a dining table with chairs, a kitchen area, and a TV mounted on the wall.
A modern kitchen with a large island, wooden ceiling, and a dining area with a dark wooden table and chairs.
A modern kitchen with wooden cabinets, a black refrigerator, a central island, pendant lighting, and large windows.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Wildlife at your doorstep
    Guests love spotting wildlife right on the property grounds.
  • Garage parking available
    Enjoy the convenience of garage parking - a rare offering in the area.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 9

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Barbecue
  • Electric vehicle charging point
  • Air-conditioning
  • Garage parking available
  • Refrigerator

Explore the area

View map
Empire, MI
  • Place, Glen Lake
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Little Glen Lake
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪37 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

Bunk Room

2 Single Bunk Beds

Primary Bedroom

1 King Bed

Queen Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Primary Bathroom

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Shared Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area

About this property

The Sleeping Bear Hemma

Hemma is a Scandinavian word for HOME—and that’s exactly how this space feels. Welcome to The Sleeping Bear Hemma, a thoughtfully designed, Scandinavian-inspired retreat tucked into the peaceful woods of Empire, right in the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

This brand-new construction home blends clean Nordic design with modern comfort, creating a calm, cozy atmosphere surrounded by nature. Despite its serene, wooded setting, the home is centrally located—perfect for exploring beaches, trails, dunes, and charming nearby towns.

Spend your days adventuring through Sleeping Bear Dunes, hiking, biking, or enjoying Lake Michigan, then return to The Hemma to relax and unwind in the quiet of the forest. With abundant amenities, a tranquil setting, and an inviting, home-like feel, this unique space is designed to help you slow down, recharge, and truly feel at home.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
ABSOLUTELY NO PARTIES OR EVENTS!
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Check-in 4:00 PM, Check-out 10:00 AM, $100/hr charge for late check-out, max occupancy is 8 adults or 9 with children, only registered guests allowed
Only park in the driveway or garage, no hunting or discharging firearms, no fireworks, no smoking/vaping inside
No pets, sauna use at own risk, do not tamper with exterior security cameras

Important information

You need to know

Property # 5070447vb
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
Note from host: ABSOLUTELY NO PARTIES OR EVENTS!
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 and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Empire

Empire is home to this holiday home. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Burnett Park and Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum are also worth visiting. Kayaking and waterskiing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and mountain biking nearby.
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Map
Empire, MI

What's nearby

  • Glen Lake - 8 min drive - 7.9 km
  • Philip A. Hart Visitor Center - 8 min drive - 10.5 km
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 9 min drive - 10.9 km
  • Little Glen Lake - 10 min drive - 11.1 km
  • Empire Bluff Trail - 12 min drive - 12.7 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 40 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cherry Republic - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Art's Tavern - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Pegtown Station - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Boonedocks - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪River Club Glen Arbor - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Sleeping Bear Hemma pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at The Sleeping Bear Hemma?

As of 30 September 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Sleeping Bear Hemma on 4 November 2026 start from NZ$1,804, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at The Sleeping Bear Hemma?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Sleeping Bear Hemma?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Sleeping Bear Hemma?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Sleeping Bear Hemma located?

Situated in Empire, this holiday home is within 6 miles (10 km) of Glen Lake, Garey Lake and Polack Lake. Philip A. Hart Visitor Center and Little Glen Lake 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. 7 out of 7 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 7 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We absolutely loved our stay in Empire! The house was clean, comfortable, cozy, and perfect for our girls’ weekend. Our host was wonderful and had great communication throughout our stay. We enjoyed every minute and would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 14 September 2026
Thank you for taking such great care of The Sleeping Bear Hemma. You are welcome back anytime.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property and home! Everything was immaculate, great communication from the host, and an overall wonderful experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Amazing

We spent an incredible weekend at Hemma! They had every amenity you could think of. There was nothing that I needed for my stay. The beds were so comfortable. It was such a nice chill relaxing weekend. Highly recommend staying here. Plus it’s so close to everything! Perfect weekend away!
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Very cozy and very inviting

It was a very cozy place very inviting felt like home to us. We really enjoyed our stay for our honeymoon. Thank you for a great experience
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Cozy northern MI retreat

We really enjoyed our stay at Sleeping Bear Hemma! The house is beautiful, comfortable, clean and it had everything we needed. The sauna and heated floors were awesome during a cold winter weekend!
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Perfect Family Retreat

Our family stayed at Sleeping Bear Hemma for 10 nights, and truly could not have asked for a better experience! I would never have dreamed that it would be even more beautiful than the photos. We've stayed in a lot of rental properties, and have decided this was our most favorite. The kitchen is well stocked with everything you need to cook at home, the beds were very comfortable, and the firepit and sauna were bonuses. Eric was very responsive and helpful during our stay. I hope we'll be back!
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Cozy Modern/Scandinavian Getaway

We went up as two families, eager to be close to some skiing and peacefulness. This place exceeded our expectations. From the lovely view, peaceful surroundings, and amazing amenities, we found ourselves able to relax and connect. Some of our favorite things about this place was the winter-wonderland view from the main room, the radiant heating in the floor, the kitchen supplies, and the design of the house (bedrooms and bathroom off of the main hallway and the living room/space/kitchen at the end. The garage could easily fit a truck and a SUV with a topper as well which was nice in the winter. All in all, while we were here in the winter, we could all easily imagine it being just as lovely in the summer and look forward to staying here again!

About the host

Your host

Host profile image
We are Jill and Eric Hune. We live in Rockford, MI with our 2 kids. Eric is into building and mountain biking. Jill is into home design and early morning workouts. We fell in love with the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore many years ago. We decided to take a risk and build a new home in Empire to share with our family and friends new and old.

Why they chose this property

First is the atmosphere...the home is nestled in a private development featuring large secluded wooded lots. The home sits on almost 3 acres with tons of wildlife, tall trees, and peace and quite. Next is location. We are 5 minutes to Empire Beach in downtown Empire, 10 minutes to Glen Abror, 30 minutes to both Traverse City and Crystal Mountain.

What makes this property unique

• True Scandinavian-Inspired Retreat – Hemma means “HOME,” and every detail reflects cozy Nordic design that feels warm, calming, and intentional.
• Prime Location in Sleeping Bear Dunes – Stay right in the heart of the National Lakeshore with easy access to beaches, dunes, trails, and nearby towns.
• Peacefully Secluded, Yet Central – Built in the quiet woods of Empire, offering privacy and nature without sacrificing convenience.
• Brand-New Construction – Modern, clean, and thoughtfully designed with comfort and quality in mind.
• Perfect Balance of Adventure & Relaxation – Explore all day, then unwind in total tranquility surrounded by trees and wildlife.
• Amenity-Rich for a Stress-Free Stay – Fully equipped for short or extended stays so you can truly relax and feel at home.
• Designed to Refresh & Reconnect – A space that encourages slowing down, unplugging, and enjoying nature—inside and out.
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