Cabin

Torch Lake Dream Cottage

Photo gallery for Torch Lake Dream Cottage

A lakeside view with a dock extending into the water, surrounded by red chairs and a covered seating area.
A cozy cabin interior with a wooden interior, a purple sofa, a rocking chair, a bookshelf, and a painting of a landscape.
A cozy room with wooden walls, a floral sofa, a chair, and a rug.
A compact kitchen with wooden cabinets, a sink, a refrigerator, and a stove.
A house with a porch, a lawn, and a large evergreen tree.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
Perched on the lake, this 2-bedroom cabin accommodates 4 guests and features 1 bathroom. It includes 1 separate living room and offers a deck, porch, and patio for outdoor enjoyment. Enjoy activities like kayaking and motorboating nearby, with attractions such as Torch Lake and Torch River close by.

Highlights

  • Scenic water view

    Relax and unwind with top-rated water views, offering a scenic experience.

  • By the lake

    Guests love the beautiful lakefront location.

  • Discover nearby landmarks

    Near Torch Lake
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue
  • Deck or patio
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Balcony or patio

Explore the area

View map
Rapid City, MI
  • Place, Torch Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Torch River
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, Boyne Mountain
    ‪56 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪41 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Living Room 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Number of living rooms
Dining area

About this property

Torch Lake Dream Cottage

This is a completely non-smoking property. If there are smokers in your party, please select another property that allows smoking.

Cozy and quaint lakefront Dream Cottage has two bedrooms, one with a queen and one very small room with a full. All linens are provided. In the living room is a sleeper sofa and large screen wall-mounted TV. The bathroom has small shower stall. Towels are provided although you may want to bring beach towels.

The small galley kitchen is also completely equipped with pots and pans, and small appliances incuding blender, mixer, can opener, toaster, microwave, Mr. Coffee, and mini-keurig. A propane gas grill is right outside the kitchen door.

Read or play games on the covered porch while you take in the lake or sit on the Adirondack chairs on the lawn.. Wade to your own boat moored in front of the cottage. Take the kayaks out. No boat? Rent from Torch River Marina or Alden Marine one mile away.

Note that boat mooring and kayak paddling are at your own risk. Owner assumes no liability.

This cottage was built circa 1930 and is up to date, but not modern. It is a non-smoking property with a maximum of 4 overnight guests and a limit of two vehicles. We ask that you recycle to reduce Northern Michigan landfills and we make it easy.

Streaming TV and wifi is available.

The owners live next door, but leave you to enjoy your stay unless you have questions. However, consider whether you are comfortable with owners nearby.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Check out before 10:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Family friendly.for small families

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Events

No events allowed

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Pets

No pets allowed

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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Non-smoking and no fireworks property.

Important information

You need to know

Property Registration Number VR 2026-15 Markley
Property # 699224vb
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 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

Rapid City

Located in Rapid City, this cabin is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Torch Lake and Lake Michigan. Guntzviller's Spirit of the Woods Museum and Music House Museum are also worth visiting. With kayaking and power boating nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.
View more Cabin rentals in Rapid CityOpens in a new window
Map
Rapid City, MI

What's nearby

  • Torch Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Torch River - 6 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Torch Lake Park - 12 min drive - 9.0 km
  • Traverse City Beach - 35 min drive - 43.7 km
  • Boyne Mountain - 56 min drive - 81.5 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 42 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Johnny's Torch Riviera - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Oasis Tavern - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪The Dam Shop - ‬19 min drive
  • ‪Riverwalk Grill and Taproom - ‬18 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Torch Lake Dream Cottage pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Torch Lake Dream Cottage?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Torch Lake Dream Cottage?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Torch Lake Dream Cottage?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Torch Lake Dream Cottage located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cabin is within 3 miles (5 km) of Torch Lake, Torch River and Lake Skegemog. Elk Lake is 3 mi (4.8 km) away.

Reviews

9.4

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. 31 out of 37 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 37 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 37 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 37 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 37 reviews

8.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cute, quaint cottage. An original cottage in the lake. Had all the necessities and great location.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful stay

This is an amazing location and a beautiful family cottage on Torch Lake. Great porch to watch the lake all day, and boat mooring less than a mile from the sand bar. Couldn’t be better.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Dream Cottage

Very beautiful property. Owner very informative and helpful. Everything needed for an enjoyable stay was provided.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 28 March 2020
We're glad that you enjoyed your stay at Dream Cottage. We hope you return.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family Vacation

This was the most relaxing and enjoyable vacation we've had in a long time. The cottage was prefect and so charming! Gary was super friendly and always available to answer any questions if needed.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Classic cottage on turquoise Torch Lake

This is a cozy and remarkable well equipped cottage in a peaceful setting. The owners were responsive and helpful when we had questions. Perfect for a couple or two friends. We kayaked, swam and floated in the sparkling water. Most lake users were boaters or waterskiers. Like many lakes, this one contains the type of snail that creates swimmers itch. We were careful to wear sun protective clothing and were minimally bothered but small children would be more impacted.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 22 August 2024
Thanks for your nice review. We'd be happy to have you back again any time.
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness

Torch Lake Dream Cottage

We were the first ones to stay at cabin for this summer. I had to vacuum and clean bathroom before unpacking. The floors were dusty and bathroom dirty. It stated no air conditioning. There were only 2 fans. It could use more. And we had a heatwave that week. Had to leave in the middle of week, to hot in the cabin. Would probably stay again if they put in a window air conditioner since it is a very small cabin. The cabin was cute with lots of historic characters. The owner was nice and answered any questions.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 23 June 2024
Thank you for your feedback. The cottage was prepared for your arrival. I'm sorry if there was still dust. We recently had it insulated and found that more dust was created in the process than anticipated. It seems it is still surviving despite cleaning and vacuuming. June weather here can be changeable, but your arrival corresponded to the historic Heat Dome that sat over Northern Michigan for three days. Had we known that you wanted more fans, we would have provided them. We were told you were leaving early not because of the heat but because the next few days were forecasted to rain. Thank you again for your important feedback.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

This place is AMAZING!!!

Wow is all we can say. We had the BEST time and made so many memories. Gary the owner was absolutely wonderful. The lake is beautiful, the cabin was clean and full of rustic charm. We loved everything about the cabin. The location is prime and just a few minute boat ride to the sandbar. We watched the beautiful moon come up every night and saw the beautiful sunrise every morning. We took our 2 little ones with us and they begged us not to leave. One thing I would recommend to anyone is bring your boat or rent one. You get the full experience when you’re on the lake. The water is as blue as the Caribbean and you can truly see straight down in the shallow spots. We ate breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the beautiful front patio that overlooked the lake. We sat out there at night and had a few cocktails and laughs. The Dream Cottage is a rare find. We will definitely be coming back. This was the perfect family getaway to escape the hustle and bustle of every day reality. We did have a few cooler days and a little bit of rain, but we found some trails nearby and checked out some of the smaller towns in the area. There is so much to do and so much to see, a week wasn’t long enough for us to explore everything. Thank you again for letting us rent the Dream Cottage! We can’t wait for next year!!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 28 March 2020
We're delighted that you enjoyed your stay and hope you will return.
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cottage has a beautiful lake view and a great porch that we enjoyed even in the rain. It has the basics you need and the second bedroom is very small with a full-size bed. It has laundry hookups, suggesting it was previously a laundry room. It was our experience the sleeping space is a tight fit for four adults.The biggest concern was the lack of privacy. The owner currently lives across the street and owns the adjacent lot. He was on the cottage property daily and often right around the cottage, which made us feel like we are being watched. It appeared he was doing yard work or some sort of general maintenance. The owner indicated we were the last renters of the season so it seemed like the work he was doing could wait until after our stay. After checkout, we received an email from the owner indicating items were missing that we never saw during our stay. They had asked if we moved or seen these items (a power strip from the larger bedroom, two paintings of value from the smaller bedroom and a poster from the back of the door of the smaller bedroom that had sentimental value from Gary’s childhood). This was uncomfortable and disappointing, especially since we take pride in respecting every rental we stay in.While the cottage has charm and a great location on the south end of the lake, the overall experience left us feeling uncomfortable, and unfortunately, we would not choose to stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 17 September 2025
We're sorry the guests were uncomfortable with the owners nearby, which is why we note it in our listing. In no way did we interfere with their stay and yard maintenance was only done in the backyard and not by the lake. We also note the small size in our listing and again when confirming that guests understand this and wish to rent anyway. As to the missing items, the guest assured us they had nothing to do with this, although the bedroom television had no power strip and the cord was hanging from the TV, which of couse does not work when not plugged in...
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Would stay here again definitely! Charming cabin and perfectly located. Hosts are wonderful and have everything you need including kayaks, life jackets and paddles. They even mailed a charging chord I forgot at no charge. May have to make a visit an annual tradition!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 5 July 2026
Thank you so much. It is a pleasure to host guests who appreciate the cottage, the lake, and the local area,as you did. You're welcome back any time!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful location and View

Cabin and location as described. Enjoyed our stay and area. Owner very easy to work with throughout process. Lots to do in area as well ( hiking, swimming, and shopping in local stores).
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Exactly as we expected. Lovely location!

Very quaint cottage. Perfect getaway spot. Beautiful lake. Many great local restaurants nearby.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

PEACEFUL GETAWAY

RELAXING AND ENJOYABLE
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Relaxing Vacation

We’ve rented Gary’s Dream Cottage on and off for years. It’s a cute small place but has enough space for my family of 3 plus my Dad and my Aunt. We love Torch Lake and this was the perfect space for us! Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

The Dream Cottage in a Torch Lake Dream Location

This is an older cottage that has been updated and make extremely comfortable. It is just steps from the lake and has a beautiful porch to enjoy.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Very special place

The porch is a great place to relax and view the water. It is also a wonderful place to have your meals while listening to the soft waves and enjoying the gentle breeze. The property is in a quiet neighborhood that is far from the hubbub of the sandbar but close enough for a quick paddleboard or kayaking trip if one would like to visit it. The beds are comfortable and all the basic amenities you would need is provided for. A great place to stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

a dream cottage

We had a great time. The cottage was clean, ample room for the 3 of us. A beautiful view of the lake. We learned the surrounding area quickly, for stores, restaurants etc. A great little cottage.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Unforgettable Trip and Beautiful Cabin

From the beginning of the booking process, Gary was quick and thorough with communication and made sure that his property would be a good fit for us. There were four of us total, including two friends, my mom, and myself. Some reviews have complained about the size of the cabin but it was more than enough for us! Very well kept and adorably decorated. There's a lot of history just with the cabin that added extra enjoyment to our trip. We moored a rental jet ski to one of the two buoys in front of the house and frequently took the kayaks out for early morning trips to the sand bar and expeditions down Torch River. Gary was very friendly and accommodating and we appreciated his knowledge about the area. Overall I'd highly recommend this property as a way to experience Torch Lake!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Loved it!

This was the 3rd time my daughters and I have rented this cabin and we absolutely love it. It’s in a great location on the lake and convenient to Alden. The cabin has everything you need for your stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place to get away from covid 19!

It was such a relaxing, stress free vacation away from crowds and the worries of 2020. Gary was very welcoming and the cottage was exactly what we expected from the listing. Can’t wait to go back!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Location location location

Great rental property in a prime location. The owner is on site all of the time and was very accommodating to our needs. I would definitely recommend this property.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place!

Very nice place!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Beautiful porch view and old charm

This was a nice spot but you must be prepared for rustic. The views of the property were great. Some things were a little too uncomfortable like the small shower with hard water and smell of iron. Tight kitchen. Messy unorganized kitchen drawers. Owner lives next door so not much privacy feeling like your being watched. If that doesn’t bother you, you might enjoy it.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great location on Torch Lake

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our week at Dream Cottage. The cottage is well-equipped and clean. The photos and description of the cottage were spot on. The lake is amazing. Owner was right next door and very accommodating. We would recommend staying at this cottage.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cozy cottage

The cottage is very cozy and the view is beautiful.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Liked: Location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

SMALL SPACE

If you are expecting to have more than 2 people stay here you will be VERY disappointed. The couches were small, old and borderline dirty (we didn't try to open the sleeper sofa). The "master bedroom" had a TV in it which would have been nice if it was mounted so you could actually see it from the bed. The 2nd bedroom appeared to be the old laundry room, so basically just enough room for the bed. I you are a larger person beware of the small bathroom! The stand-up shower was a tight squeeze for any person over 5 ft tall. I am 5'3 and was constantly hitting my elbows on the sides while trying to shower. The shower also leaks water onto the floor when you are showering. The owner lives next door which I guess could be nice if you had any issues, but every time we came outside it seemed like he was right there. Not much privacy. The house was very old and dated and owner has very strict rules on smoking ANY WHERE on the property (yes, that means no smoking outside)! Also, very specific on recycling your trash, ect. Overall, I would not recommend to stay here for the price. The only nice thing about the property was that it was located right on the lake. However, the weather was bad so we didn't even get to enjoy that part. The dock is also small, so the fact that the description says you could "lay out" on it is laughable.
Response from VrboOwner on 28 March 2020
This guest did not enjoy the best weather, which may have colored her review. Dream Cottage is accurately described in the property listing, including the size, non-smoking status, and that the owners live next door. Once guests are greeted on arrival, we leave them to their business. It is summer though, so we are also outside at times too. We have to correct misstatements of fact. The dock is standard width, as is the two six-foot sofas, and shower stall. The shower stall is not a spa, but the 6’2” owner has showered there with no issues. Neither sofa is dirty; one was new last year. We wish that every guest enjoy the cottage and lakeside living. We’re sorry that a guest was not satisfied, but did not let us know during their stay so we could try to rectify any issues.

About the host

Hosted by GM

Host profile image

Gary's family is one of the oldest families on the lake. His Grandfather was a Presbyterian Minister in Bartlesville Oklahoma who took summers off to come all the way to Torch Lake to fish, eventually retiring here and serving the Elk Rapids Presbyterian church. Gary's Dad retired as an MD here. Now it's Gary's turn.

Why they chose this property

One of the first cottages on the south end of the lake, it was acquired around 1930 because it was next door to the family cottage. It was renovated about 1955. It has a knotty pine interior, hardwood floors, and ceramic tile in the kitchen and bathroom.

What makes this property unique

You will fall in love with this cottage and the lake from the large covered porch. This is the spot to be on the lake, close enough to the sand bar if you want to spend time there but far enough away to not be bothered by all the boats and activity.

Languages:

English

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