See all properties
Entire home

1938 Lakeside Cottage - Big Glen Lake Waterfront, Historic 30's Modern Cabin

Photo gallery for 1938 Lakeside Cottage - Big Glen Lake Waterfront, Historic 30's Modern Cabin

Panoramic Lake Views from Living, Porch, Deck
Bright Living + Dining
Private Dock + Raft, Great Swimming
Dining table for 8 with view to screen porch
Fireplace seating with dining table and kitchen beyond

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Fireplace
  • Outdoor space
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Glen Lake, MI
  • Glen Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪48 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Soap · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining Area

About this property

1938 Lakeside Cottage - Big Glen Lake Waterfront, Historic 30's Modern Cabin

RECENT AVAILABILITY! Arrive on a Monday for 7 days at our family summer retreat to display open weeks. COME for a week beginning August 12th.

Water & Views! Our lakeside summer cottage sits on the south shore of Big Glen Lake. A comfortable family retreat with panoramic views over turquoise water, a private dock, & raft for your water-based activities.

We look forward to sharing with you open Monday/Monday weeks which will be posted in January after family members have secured their dates.

The 1938 Modern cabin was designed by eminent Chicago architect Harry Weese for his parents while in architecture school. It is a notable early example of a style that became popular and known as mid-centry modern. The wall of glass embracing the lake is the focal point for open-plan living, dining & cooking. Furnishings have been updated in keeping with its historic character.

Down a private drive, a short distance east of the Narrows Bridge, it is Ideally located adjacent to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Relax, enjoy your vacation at our bright, comfortable cottage. The large living area with fireplace has a dining table for 8 and a selection of comfortable seating. The adjacent screen porch has teak furniture & a table for snacking, dinner or games. Step out to the ample deck with lounge chairs. All areas overlook the crystal clear, spring fed lake. Four cozy bedrooms will accommodate 5-8.

The Cottage: Enjoy the peace of water lapping at the shore or the breeze passing the birches while reading in the hammock or rocking in a chair on the porch. A crackling fire will welcome you after an early morning or evening dip in the lake. Whatever your inclination, a variety of activities abound and you will have a memorable vacation at our family summer home.

Waterfront: The cottage has a private dock and floating raft, and fixed raft shared with our two adjacent cabins. The water is shallow at the shore with minimal beach. There is ample sandy shallow water swimming between the dock and raft. Kayaks, canoes & windsurfers can be easily accommodated, however we have no facilities for launching or mooring larger or motorized watercraft and the driveway cannot accommodate trailers. Public launch ramps are nearby. Kayaks & bikes may be rented in town.

Property manager

Ann - Member since 2000

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available
Barbecue grill
Lake view

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

Historic log cabin lakeside view with Deck & Screen Porch

1936 Lakefront Log Cabin - Historic Big Glen Lake Family Retreat Dunes Lakeshore

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
10.0 out of 10, (11 reviews)
1936 Lakefront Log Cabin - Historic Big Glen Lake Family Retreat Dunes Lakeshore

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 35
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Well behaved & supervised children are welcome.
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
We maintain smoke-free premises
There is no firepit on the premises and there are to be absolutely no fires, except in the fireplace when attended.

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Glen Arbor

Located in Glen Arbor, this cottage is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum and Burnett Park are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Glen Lake, MI

What's nearby

  • Glen Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Little Glen Lake - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Crystal River - 6 min drive - 6.0 km
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 6 min drive - 6.1 km
  • Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum - 11 min drive - 10.0 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 48 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cherry Republic - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Arts Tavern - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Boone Dock's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Shipwreck Cafe - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Blu - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is 1938 Lakeside Cottage - Big Glen Lake Waterfront, Historic 30's Modern Cabin pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at 1938 Lakeside Cottage - Big Glen Lake Waterfront, Historic 30's Modern Cabin ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 1938 Lakeside Cottage - Big Glen Lake Waterfront, Historic 30's Modern Cabin ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is 1938 Lakeside Cottage - Big Glen Lake Waterfront, Historic 30's Modern Cabin located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is within a 15-minute walk of Glen Lake and Little Glen Lake. Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive is 2.5 mi (4.1 km) away.

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. 20 out of 23 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 23 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 23 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Very Special Spot

Precious and unique cottage on beautiful Glen Lake. Suzy is attentive yet very respectful of your privacy. Beautiful view of lake from living room and spacious screened in porch. We had 8 people in our group, rode bikes to town, great location and cottage.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn J.

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

Amazing cabin on Big Glen

This place is absolutely wonderful and the views are breathtaking. Vintage cabin that comfortably slept 8 people, the kitchen is well stocked and the place is very well maintained.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dustin B.

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

Amazing cottage and location!

My family and I had the best vacation. We couldn't have asked for a better cottage or a better location. Glen Arbor and Empire are both conveniently nearby as are numerous beaches. Waking up to the views of Glen Lake were better than a cup of coffee!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brendan F.

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

Great week in a great location

They don’t make them like this anymore, but they should! A charming cottage with a beautiful view and easy access to the whole SB lakeshore area.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Rae H.

Beautiful cottage, great access to Sleeping Bear

We had a fantastic time at the Weese cottage! The wooded surroundings are serene, and the cottage is clean and comfortable. The Dune Climb is just over 5 minutes away, perfect for evening climbs with our kids before bed. Glen Arbor is also 5 minutes away, which we appreciated for quick runs into town for groceries (we also found inflatable tubes at the Totem shop for swimming on the lake). We did lose power one day to a lightning storm but despite the cold weather that followed were able to keep warm with the fireplace. Note that there is no heat or AC in the cottage so you may want to check the nighttime lows before you go and plan accordingly. I do wish we had packed more sweaters or there had been a space heater for the nights that were in the 50s as we were quite cold but perhaps this is a fire risk. We swam almost every day in Glen Lake (no problems with swimmers itch at all!) and drove to Good Harbor Beach for playing in the sand and swimming in the big lake. Note that there is no beach at the cottage as the water goes all the way up to a small bluff you have to ascend/descend to get to/from the lake. All in all we had a lovely week - we drove to Mission Point, Grand Traverse lighthouse, and hiked Empire Bluffs and Pyramid Point with our three children ages 4-11. Our kids loved the sliding wall between the living room and the screened porch. We only had one housekeeping issue and that was that our bedding was not clean when we arrived (the beds were made, but the sheets were definitely not clean) which made for an unpleasant surprise when we climbed into bed the first night, so we did end up washing those in the laundry next door ourselves. A note for the house keeping service perhaps. Thank you Ann for a lovely cottage and stay!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

8/10 Good

john l.

A charming and thoughtful house in an area of great beauty and calm. A very special haven.

Ann was a thorough and gracious host who is a steward of a special legacy. Their family compound is a beautiful spot that they have maintained with simplicity and elegance and reminded of a time when northern Michigan was truly an escape from the cares of the world. The three houses are wonderful; our modest cabin showed that great intuitive sense of space and light that made the house a powerful presence while being as simple as a Japanese farmhouse. And Glen Lake is magical in every way. I could not stay out of the water!! When you add all these things to the beauty and charm of the area you have an ideal holiday spot. We loved our time there.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Aleta K.

Perfect in every way.

Our group of 7 had a wonderful time here. Staying in this beautifully designed, architecturally significant cottage was a privilege we all enjoyed. It's equipped with everything you need for a comfortable, relaxing, lakeside vacation. Ann is responsive to any questions; her wonderful mother was just next door, and a brother with family in the cabin on the other side were lovely and helpful to us as first-time visitors to the area. The location is perfect; Sleeping Bear Dunes is very close, and we enjoyed going into Glen Arbor, Glen Haven, Empire, and Traverse City as well. But what we enjoyed most was just being there; on the deck, setting up an easel and canvas to paint on the path in the woods, doing puzzles on the porch, cooking burgers on the grill, floating around on the lake, kayaking, and just enjoying the sounds of the water and the breeze through the trees. You will sleep like a speckled pup here. We loved every minute and will return.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Kim C.

We loved it!

We have gone to the Traverse City area for several years and have stayed on many different lakes. Glen lake has been our favorite! The lake is clean, Caribbean blue and shallow--great for swimming! It's not too busy with boat traffic. The cottage was clean and you can feel the love the family has for it. Our only disappointment was the fact they did not allow outdoor campfires. It wasn't that big of a deal, but we would've enjoyed one. There was not a TV, so my family reconnected with board and card games. We had a great vacation!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lesley P.

Cottage design maximizes functionality and the feeling that you are immersed in nature

We returned again to enjoy this perfectly designed cottage, nestled in the trees, with a great view of the lake. It is well equipped and Ann was terrific to deal with, even when we booked at the last minute. Our family members all agree that returning again this year was the highlight of a great summer.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Erich M.

Special Place

We stayed at this cottage on Glen Lake last week. My family and I had a wonderful stay. The cottage was built in 1938 and has real architectural significance, as it was a Harry Weese design. It is literally like stepping back in time to a relaxing slower pace of life. There is not TV, which I thought might be a problem, but it really wasn't at all. It was good to get away from that, too. It did have wireless internet service, which was important, as I need it in my line of work. It's still 2017 outside of the property. The lake and frontage are simply outstanding. I posted some pictures of our stay on my FB page and people were awestruck. I really recommend this place, if you are looking to rekindle that relaxing feeling that only the past can sometimes bring. Very nice!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Shara L., Inverness IL

Beautiful vintage cabin on an amazing body of water

We had a wonderful stay at the Lakeside Cottage. We are a family of five...three boys 8, 10 and 12. Great living space! The cabin had everything we needed. Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

cheyenne n.

Best vacation ever!

First, I just really want to say that Ann is great and non intrusive and answers questions right away. To say we had the best vacation ever is saying a lot as on our first day me and my children got duck/water itch really bad and my 3 month old was bit by some bug at dinner (I only saw a cricket and a flying ant thing the whole time there) and her leg turned bright red and swollen and she was screaming for an hour and we spent our first night in the e.r. But, we left after three hours as she went back to normal and smiley and has had no issues since. Even though we couldn't get in the water, the crashing waves were enough. We have 3 small children and just bought a blow up pool for the deck. It is just so beautiful and relaxing it is hard to have a bad time. If you don't have small children and you boat, you'll be fine. Our neighbors went out everyday on their boat and seemed to have great time. For the days we wanted to be in the water with the kids, we drove 20 minutes to the Pratte inlet beach. This is literally the most beautiful thing we have ever seen. Breathtaking. Warm lazy river inlet water you can swim in and kids can play in the low water OR you can sit on the sandbar with access to warm inlet swim water AND also get in Lake Michigan with the beautiful crashing waves and you can sit and stare at the huge dunes in the background that look like misty mountains. The cabin is amazing. The floor to ceiling windows, screened in porch, deck, location are great. Great restaurants in Traverse city. Everyone had the best time and we all want to come back next year for 2 weeks if we can. I am not an outdoorsy person or like camping. This place lets you have that feel, but a clean mostly bug free experience. The water is beautiful to look at and the waves make you feel like you are at the beach. Best vacation we've ever had :)
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Andy H.

Great place to stay and perfect location on Big Glen!

Very well maintained and updated nicely given the age of the cabin. Location is perfect. I would highly recommend this property to anyone visiting the area and would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Beautiful and rustic living

We loved this little cabin which was perfect for our family with 4 teen boys. I was a bit worried about just one bathroom, but thankfully we juggled it nicely (I did pray in advance!) The water was beautiful for a very cool and clear swim--but watch out for shallow spots. We were able to bike right from our cabin, and Sleeping Bear dunes and some awesome restaurants were just a short drive away. Great stay! FYI Be sure to let them know if you will be arriving after dark so they can turn the light on for you. Challenging to find right cabin after dark
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Sue C., Batavia IL

Timeless Cottage in the Woods

This is a historical, timeless cottage in the woods surrounding Big Glen Lake. The bedrooms are small with not much room for more than the beds. The common areas are comfortable and nice with an absolutely beautiful screened in porch that almost doubles the living space. Our stay was shortened by the arrival of the Storm of the Century on August 2, 2015 but we hope to return again some day soon. The Glen Arbor and Sleeping Bear Dunes area is a stunning part of our beautiful country but shhhhh - don't tell anyone!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Marjorie M., Chicago, IL

My favorite annual destination is still the BEST !

OK, I am terribly biased. This is one of my favorite places to visit and I don't believe we have missed a year since writing my first review 12 years ago! We straddled the equinox and made the most of sunny days and moonlight nights in the wonderful water. The water, air, colors and changing light on the textures of the landscape delight a painter's eye as does the active art community in the area. This has flourished with an increasing number of classes offered by the Glen Arbor Art Association as well as a representation in the gallery of some of Michigan's finest artists. You'll not want for things to do so close to this comfortable, light filled, classic cottage. We've enjoyed the full seasonal spectrum from early spring when the water is cooler & the light crisp, to the height of summer activity with its hot days, to the cooling peace post Labor day with lingering warm water and mellow light. That's what we look forward to this year. Wee worth a visit, or two, or.....
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Harry D.

Ideal family vacation spot!

Spent a wonderful week relaxing in this unique summer cottage. So many activities to choose from - mountain biking the Vasa Trail near Traverse City, conoeing several local rivers, hikes in the National Park (especially across the sand dunes), swimming and sailing on the incomparable Glen Lake, reading, playing games, visiting farmer's market in Glen Arbor to select ingredients for cooking delicious meals, biking to Cedar for tasty tacos, wine tastings at nearby vineyards, and so on. Glen Lake offers it all and our cabin was the perfect place to enjoy it all. Thanks so much. We are coming back!!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

More than you would expect

Wonderful cottage tucked in the woods & on the lake. Clean, bright & well furnished. Bedrooms a bit small but open living/dining & screened porch are awesome. Just reserved again for this year, prompting this review! Thanks
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lucy B., Evanston

Super COOL! Designed 75 years ago & Modern Style!

I am an architecture & design junkie. That's why I was attracted to this cottage. Of course, the BIG windows, super view & my own path to the lake were also the BIG attraction. Hosts wonderfully helpful (sister of architect has cute little "modern" cottage next door of similar vintage & offered me a book of Weese houses to peruse - SUPER). Bedrooms are basic in keeping with design & not intended for much more than sleeping. Beds are comfy, linens nice & it was great to find beds made upon arrival. Could sit for ages & visit at dining table with the tilt-back chairs. Also hard to move from the leather sling chairs in front of the fire at night. Loved being among the 3 family cabins privately strung along the shore. We were only 3 miles to Glen Arbor with the great food offerings. Rented a bike to charge around the lake one day. The hills can be a challenge when out of shape. Also rented a kayak to paddle the Crystal River. There was a lot I wanted to do & didn't get to. Great location for everything. Would love to return, but can't in '15.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Perfect cabin in the woods on a gorgeous lake!

The cabin met our needs in every way. It has floor to ceiling windows in the living room letting in light on even the occasional gray day. There is comfortable seating inside, on the porch and outside on the deck, which allows for everyone to gather or find their place of quiet solitude. A fully equipped kitchen made it possible to prepare hearty meals after all the days activities! A dock and raft for water access and play and countless hiking, biking and other activities in the area made for a special vacation for all.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nell T.

Love this cottage!

I could look out at the changing light on the lake all day and the moonlight at night (even took a couple of warm night swims). The soothing lake is always present whether in the kitchen preparing a meal, at the table eating it, lounging in the living area or screen porch reading and playing games. No TV? who cares. It's so great to be away, but never fear wifi is good if you have withdrawal. If well provisioned, I could easily stay a week without leaving the this special piece of the lake. However, since it was my first visit to the area, I had to explore and was very pleased there were so many things to do. Glen Arbor is about 3 miles and a nice walk or quick bike ride. Kayaks are available to rent and we had a fun paddle on the Crystal River. Had to hit the local coffee shop and check the wonderful offerings at the local market which included a great selection of wines. Took a couple of hikes in the National Park (there are many) and swam every day, reserving some time to enjoy sunning on the raft. Back to the cabin, the bedrooms are spare (beds comfortable) and the bathroom functional. It's all in keeping with the early modernist design. Just a note if you have really young ones: there is no space in the BR's for portable sleepers - believe the ad description. It was especially nice to arrive after a long drive and find beds made and ready to slip in after an early dinner. Great vacation!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

2/10 Terrible

Very disappointed-pass this one by

I will say first that the view is breathtaking. The cottage on the other hand is not. We arrived to find numerous holes in all of the screens. This included the living area and the screened in porch which connects to two bedrooms. Also the screened in doors did not sit flush with the door frame, leaving large gaps for bugs to get in. It was extremely hot but we could not leave the windows open due to the holes and bug concerns. We had a baby not yet able to walk and after a day of crawling on the wood floor, her hands, feet, and clothing were black-no exaggeration. The breaking point was making coffee the 2nd day and finding ants floating in the water tank of the coffee maker. We are a large family on our one family vacation per year and could not afford to eat out the entire vacation. We left immediately thereafter. The owners did not refund any money other than our deposit. We are good people who tried to have a nice vacation with our kids. We don't need "new", but we do require clean, especially with a baby. For the amount of money they charge, they should update the cottage and be more truthful in the description. We rent a different house every year and this has never happened. Disappointed that the family that owns the cottage took an extended period of time to respond, and when they did they were rude and advised had they known about the issues, they could have done something. Really? They acknowledged knowing about the holes in the screen the day we got there. Regardless, the doors need to be updated to keep bugs out and it needs a thorough cleaning. I really thought they would do the right thing but they didn't refund a dime. Ever hear of Karma?
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Sarah M.

early summer in glen arbor

An absolutely incredible place in every aspect--gorgeous views and amazing quiet, woodland retreat but still very close to town. The cabin was idyllically situated right on the lake with lovely quiet woods and was also incredibly comfortable, well-stocked for guests, and easy to reach. The owner was incredibly helpful in providing directions and information about the area, as well as very responsive and kind. It was very hard to leave the cabin at all while were there given how comfortable and beautiful the house itself was; but it's very easy to get to the dunes, to Glen Arbor town, and to other sites in the area--a perfect location. But no beach in the area is as calm, private and stunning as the water access you have from this house. All my friends who saw my photos want to come next year, and we want to make this an annual retreat!

About the host

Hosted by Ann - Member since 2000

Host profile image
We are some of the grandchildren (in our youth) who own, manage and vacation at this wonderful cottage built by our grandparents. Our children and grandchildren are carrying on the 5 generation tradition.

Why they chose this property

Our grandparents visited this area to fish in the 1910's and made the great decision to build this cottage. Our parents, we, our children & theirs have made a seasonal sojourn ever since because there is so much the area has to offer.

What makes this property unique

Take a step back in time and unplug at this classic 1930's modern cottage with floor to ceiling views of sparkling Glen Lake. Contemporary comforts, but absent all the high tech bells and whistles except for quality internet.

Languages:

English
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback