Notes from the host
Hanley Lake Hideaway
Send an inquiry to get 15 per cent off the nightly rate or get seven days for the price of six through April! Centrally located for adventures in quintessential up north towns and cities. Two minutes to the village of Central Lake takes you to several delightful shops, a pub, Mammoth Distillery for choice cocktails and music and a couple of great restaurants. Tucked into a glacial valley and nestled in the hills of northwest Michigan, it's a peaceful place to enjoy early spring erupting--outdoors or in.
Visit nearby Bellaire 15 minutes away, where you'll find the renowned Short's Brewery. Take in Traverse City, Charlevoix, Elk Rapids, Alden, Gaylord and Petoskey. Visit Michigan's largest water park nearby or wander the woods and beaches of Grand Traverse Bay. (We have a 40+-page welcome letter with details about the area.)
Maybe you just want to relax at home with a complimentary bottle of wine or a home-made cappuccino and gaze out at the tranquil lake and the woods beyond through walls of windows. Then roast s'mores at the fire pit under a sky full of stars. Drift away on flannel sheets with down comforters in your toasty lake home.
You'll have privacy and comfort: a 50-inch smart TV with cable, WIFI, a PS3, many dozens of CDs, DVDs, books and games, a fully-stocked kitchen and more.
Get cozy in freshly laundered robes and lounging-around socks. Nothing to do but relax. Bring your pooch if you like (just $15/night per dog).
Located on a 100-mile chain of beautiful lakes, we're halfway between the Equator and the North Pole on the 45th Parallel.
Heading out? You already know that you'll be centrally located between a handful of quintessential up north "cities" and sweet towns. Drive 10 minutes to Grand Traverse Bay, where you can wander the beach, swim (if you're brave), or wander the trails. Visit multiple parks along Lake Michigan.
Year-round, enjoy the lake and the rolling hills of Antrim County beyond from inside your cozy cottage. In winter, go downhill or cross-country skiing nearby, tubing (down hill or even on the lovely Jordan River!). Ice skate on our lake or at nearby rinks. Ten minutes away at Barnes Park on Grand Traverse Bay, climb frozen waves and cross-country ski on groomed trails.
In spring, go morel hunting. Meander along country roads and breathe in the greening of the hills, valleys, woods and lake shores. Go for a bike ride or take out a kayak or SUP. Go antique shopping or enjoy the village and nearby towns and cities.
In the summer, enjoy your 100-mile chain of lakes with child & adult kayaks, a canoe and SUPs, or rent a pontoon or motor boat nearby. Paddle past kingfishers and great blue heron, turtles nestling in the tall grasses, and weeping willows along the shore. Swim, boat, visit farmer's markets and Grand Traverse Bay's beaches. Or just nap on one of your private decks or in one of the hammocks.
In the fall, meander rolling hills flush with autumn colors. Visit apple orchards. You'll be close to Michigan's largest water park, wineries, galleries, antiques, golf and ski slopes and the renowned Short's Brewery.
(And before you forget, like & follow Hanley Lake Hideaway on facebook for pop-up specials!)
So about your cottage...
In the master bedroom, enjoy a queen bed with an antique headboard, new mattress, flannel sheets and down comforter while looking out at the lake through sliding glass doors. In the second bedroom: two solid wood twin over full bunk beds (flannel and down there too!). Enjoy our completely updated bathroom.
Eat out or cook in with our fully outfitted kitchen-- with gadgets ranging from an espresso machine, Keurig, Kitchen Aid mixer and electric pancake griddle to fresh herbs and tomatoes growing outside the front door summer through fall.
Here's a quick tour. Fully remodeled in 2007 with yearly updates since, the light-filled single-level open-plan design includes a:
• Master Bedroom: Queen bed looking out sliding glass doors to a private deck and the lake beyond; ceiling fan and window a.c. unit; TV and DVD player, and a comfy chair. Linens included.
• Second Bedroom: Two sets of bunk beds each with a double and single bed; DVD player, flat screen TV and cable, toys and children's books.
• Living Room: Three sets of sliding glass doors stretching across the lakefront wall. They lead to a deck w/a gas grill, picnic table, and a glorious view of the lake a few dozen steps away; two full couch/sofabeds and an overstuffed chair; ceiling fan and air conditioning unit; 50' flat screen, high-def TV, DVD player, stereo, a large collection of movies, music, books, toys and games.
• Dining Room: Sliding glass doors; queen couch/futon; dining table(s); ceiling fan and a library.
• Kitchen: Open to the living and dining rooms with a lake view and a breakfast bar with seating. Fully equipped and well stocked.
• One and a half bathrooms: ceramic tile floor; shower/tub & double sinks in primary bath, completely remodeled in December 2013, and a second small bathroom. We supply towels.
• Garage: for storing your bikes, fishing rods, snowmobiles.
You're located on a country road less than a mile from the village of Central Lake. Our neighbors are a mixture of vacationers and year-round residents and have been rarely heard or seen. You're down a curving driveway from the village road so the "traffic" you notice will be occasional passing cars plus the occasional passing fishing boats (ice fishing in winter!) or, weather permitting, passing pontoons.
Come on up to what our son lovingly named 'Our Hanley Lake Hideaway' and a repeat guest calls 'Our Little Slice of Heaven!'
Keywords: Family-friendly cottage; pet-friendly retreat, dogs welcome; secluded lakefront all-season cottage; year-round vacation home; sunny guest home, country house with walls of windows, Hanley Lake Hideaway; up north cabin; northern Michigan retreat; private lake; boats; kayaks and canoe; dock; private decks; birding; morels; skiing; fall colors.