Clean, neat & attractive cottage on Michigan's most beautiful Lake

Photo gallery for Clean, neat & attractive cottage on Michigan's most beautiful Lake

A forested area with a dirt path leading through tall trees.
A wooden staircase leading to a covered outdoor area with a brick wall and a wooden deck.
A two-story wooden house with a balcony and a chimney.
A living room with a sofa, a wooden chair, a small table, and a door leading to a balcony.
A kitchen with a central island, wooden chairs, a dining table, and a window with blinds.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.

Popular amenities

  • Balcony
  • Dog-friendly
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet

Explore the area

View map
Hillman, MI
  • Place, Avalon Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Grand Lake
    ‪45 min drive‬
  • Place, Ocqueoc Falls
    ‪48 min drive‬
  • Airport, Alpena, MI (APN-Alpena County Regional)
    ‪30 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed and 1 Child Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed and 1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Dining area

Add dates for prices

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About the area

Hillman

Located in Hillman, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Clear Lake State Park and Avalon Lake. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling.
View more Cottages in HillmanOpens in a new window
Map
Hillman, MI

What's nearby

  • Avalon Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Grand Lake - 45 min drive - 78.9 km
  • P.H. Hoeft State Park - 46 min drive - 66.1 km
  • Ocqueoc Falls - 48 min drive - 67.9 km
  • Onaway State Park - 49 min drive - 73.6 km

Getting around

  • Alpena, MI (APN-Alpena County Regional) - 37 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Black Squirrel - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Chauncey's Pub - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪On Top Of The Hill - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Jimmers Hi-Way Bar - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Clean, neat & attractive cottage on Michigan's most beautiful Lake pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

How much is parking at Clean, neat & attractive cottage on Michigan's most beautiful Lake?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Clean, neat & attractive cottage on Michigan's most beautiful Lake?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Clean, neat & attractive cottage on Michigan's most beautiful Lake?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Clean, neat & attractive cottage on Michigan's most beautiful Lake located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is 0.4 mi (0.6 km) from Avalon Lake and 2.3 mi (3.7 km) from Long Lake. Clear Lake and Clear Lake State Park are also within 16 miles (25 km).

Reviews

9.6

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. 36 out of 42 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 42 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 42 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 42 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 42 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.2/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
The lake is beautiful and Gil was very helpful whenever we needed anything.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was the cleanest lake that we have ever stayed at. Although the property did not have a walk in shoreline, it did have a private dock with ladders to access the water. The depth of the water was only 6 inches at the seawall and only 2 feet deep at the end of the dock. It was perfect for swimming with small kids. The rental was well stocked for cooking our own meals and had plenty of towels. The hosts were very friendly and knowledgeable about the area. We had an excellent stay with our son and his wife and two grandkids (6 of us total). Plenty of space for everyone.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful Lake and Area

My husband and I enjoyed our stay. The area is really nice and the lake is beautiful. Check in was easy and the hosts were nice.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 12 August 2022
We certainly enjoyed having you here. Hope to see y'all down the road.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Relaxing Cabin

The location of the cabin is fantastic, and Lake Avalon is beautiful!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful lake and excellent property

Avalon Lake is just beautiful - the water is so clear. We enjoyed eating and shopping in Hillman and in Alpena. The house was great - always cool downstairs and all the amenities we needed.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful

Avalon Lake is absolutely beautiful! Gil and his wife were wonderful hosts, we had many of great conversations with them and their family. We had a wonderful time and look forward to the next visit!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Peaceful, restful experience

Clean, quiet home on a beautiful, quiet lake. Great Lake for swimming..the sand bottom makes it very clear. Wonderful hosts.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

2024 (August) Lake Avalon

The lake was beautiful and only a short walk from the house. The listing was as advertised and Gil was very helpful in his recommendations of what to do in the area.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lake Avalon Stay

The house is clean and most everything you'd need is available. I've never seen so many linens and towels! The area on the property is kept up with multiple seating areas and the hosts are super flexible & accommodating. The lake is beautiful, we would visit and stay here again for sure!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

The best people ever!

This was by far the best time me & my partner & have had in a long time! The owners were freakin awesome!! The lake is beautiful! Cabin is very nice, we already plan to go next year! Love Gil & Laurene potter so happy we went!
Stayed 12 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 1 October 2022
We really loved having these folks at the Lake. I don't think there is any thing they can't do. Very respectful of the property and treated it like their own. Can't wait until next year
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

everything was right on point, as far as teh description. this is the best lake in all of Michigan!!

NICE!! YOU'LL NEVER WANT TO LEAVE!!!! YOU WILL BE BACK FOR SURE.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

4th of July stay

Overall great stay , clean house great location beautiful water. Just took much noise from boats and watercraft for the 4th of July. Maybe some other time of the year would be better.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Doesn't get better than Avalon Lake

Kind, loving owners made this stay pleasant on a lake that is absolutely unforgettable! The home serves as a guest quarters for the owners, and worked well for a friend get together on the lake. The location is nice as it's an hour drive from a lot of other popular destinations like the Sturgeon and Au Sable rivers for an avid paddler like me.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 17 August 2023
It was good to deal with folks who absolutely embraced Northeastern Michigan's version of the Water Wonderland. A lot of folks come here to get a rest from everyday life; these folks must have gone home and rested for days from their activities. Love to see such active people.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great Property Beautiful Lake !

We enjoyed our stay at the property. The home was very clean. The home was well appointed and contained all the necessary items for a fun and stress free vacation. . We really enjoyed meeting the property owners and the conversations we had with them. Avalon Lake is beautiful and offers a shallow entry for swimming in the crystal clear water. The area has a lot to offer as well. Overall a great visit.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 25 August 2022
Loved this family. They enjoyed themselves and even gave us some hints on places nearby that they enjoyed visiting. Fun folks
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful Stay!

Gil and Laurene are wonderful - the most accommodating hosts we’ve ever had in our VRBO experiences. The house is simple and clean and the bed was super comfortable. The short little walk down the hill to the lake leads you to what looks like Caribbean water - amazing!! Beautiful and clear - straight down to the bottom. The water is shallow and great for small children. We look forward to returning!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 26 June 2022
You are very kind and we certainly enjoyed your little family.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lake Avalon

Me and my family had a great time visiting this property on Lake Avalon. It was very cozy and had everything we needed. The lake was a thirty second walk from the back door. The lake was very clear, clean, with a sandy bottom, perfect for the kids to play. Would definitely recommend and would visit again. Gil met us as we arrived and was very nice and pleasant.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2021
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

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

Hickory House

not as stated in the property information.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 7 September 2024
Mary, We found a hair dryer, Nautica Shirt, laundry bag & various other articles. Are these yours?
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Good

The cottage overall was fine. First level was very cold. View to lake wasn't very good, and we were asked to make the beds for the next guests. Thought that was strange.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Summer vacation with the family

What can I say….Our family enjoyed our time at Hickory Hollow cottage. With the great weather all week, we took advantage and spent lots of time together on Lake Avalon. In the evenings, played games, caught up on the Olympics, and had a couple of bonfires for s’mores. Our furbaby had a blast in the water too. The cottage was comfortable. The lake and sunsets were beautiful. Gil and his wife are very nice and helpful. Overall our family had a pleasant time together at your cottage. Thanks again for everything ☺️
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Mostly as expected

Clean and spacious home. Kitchen was bigger than expected. Nice deck as well. Newly rebuilt dock so have own area in water. Use of the fishing boat was nice as well. Beautiful lake. Overall nice place to stay. To clarify a few things: the house is not on the water but has access to it. The room in the basement is the basement itself so do not be surprised by that. Gil was very nice and checked in with us as he does live next door. I would stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Nice quiet location with a nice lake

Unfortunately we had to cut our vacation short due to illness. Hosts were nice and accommodating. I think the parking of the boat trailer needs to be included in the listing. The trailer was taken offsite to a different residence. If you bring a pontoon, the dock situation isn’t ideal but we worked with Gil to insert polls to tie our 22 ft pontoon to during our stay. The water is perfect for swimming but somewhat shallow for our toons. We tried fishing a few times but didn’t get a bite. It may have been too warm for fishing. The house was clean. Many stairs to climb if you are looking for handicap accessibility to the house or lake you may find this challenging. Thanks to the host for providing a pillow for our long ride home. It really helped with the back pain. Fun house for two couples.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was very clean and well kept. Gil and Laurene were awesome and available anytime. The lake was beautiful and crystal clear. Even though there was no beach, the water was shallow enough that even the 1 year old could play standing up. My family had a blast.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Everything we wished and more!

We had a grand time at the Hickory House Cottage! We could tell it was not our host's first rodeo renting vacation places - We did not want for anything! Everything we needed was there ...it was nice n cozy , clean , and peaceful. We loved looking out every window to see trees...and being so close to them on the deck. It was just a short walk down to that most BEAUTIFUL lake...and having our own dock was perfect! Although we are 60-something we played in that water like a couple of kids...and as soon as we left , we missed it! Our hosts were kind and gracious even when we had a little issue, and Gil and Laurene were so kind and understanding. It was so very nice to meet you both...and to return to the amazing "Lake Avalon". We pray for continued Blessings to you and yours!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Thank you

Thank you Gill and family for a wonderful stay. The property is so clean and has everything you need. Lake Avalon is so pretty and clear. Great place to stay
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

All good

All good
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
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