Entire home

SPRING! Warm Private Lake Home-country living w/ modern comforts: fully stocked!

Photo gallery for SPRING! Warm Private Lake Home-country living w/ modern comforts: fully stocked!

Property grounds
Watch the lake from bed or your private deck with a cappuccino or beer
A guest looks out over the lake from her private bedroom deck
Eat at the glass table, bring out a larger wooden table, or sit at the counter
Open plan w/ lake view, 50" sTV, stocked kitchen, games, DVDs, PS3, books

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 6111.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Central Lake, MI
  • Intermediate Lake
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Torch Lake
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort
    ‪26 min drive‬
  • Gaylord, MI (GLR-Gaylord Regional)
    ‪62 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Double Bunk Beds

Convertible bed(s)

1 Queen Futon

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

SPRING! Warm Private Lake Home-country living w/ modern comforts: fully stocked!

You'll be perched on a 100-mile chain of lakes with 110 feet of private lakefront. Enjoy:
-two decks and floor to ceiling windows.
-Centrally located for golf and ski resorts, quintessential up north towns, wineries, shops, and the renowned Short's Brewery.
-Ten minutes to Grand Traverse Bay, Torch Lake beaches.
-Walk to town.
-Kayaks, canoe, SUPS, dock, fire pit.
-Fully stocked home, with staples, linens, CDs, books, DVDs and toys, WIFI, 50" smart TV, streaming services.
-Our fully outfitted kitchen has gadgets ranging from an Instant Pot, espresso machine, Keurig, Kitchen Aid mixer and electric pancake griddle.
-Freshly laundered robes and lounging-around socks.
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 floor-to-ceiling windows. Roast s'mores at the fire pit under a sky full of stars.
Visit Michigan's largest water park, or nearby Bellaire (with the renowned Short's Brewery), Wander through Petoskey, Charlevoix, and East Jordan or explore shops and restaurants in Traverse City, Alden and Elk Rapids.
Tucked into a glacial valley and nestled in the hills of northwest Michigan, it's a peaceful place to enjoy every season. Nothing to do but relax.
Bring your pooch if you like (just $15/night per dog for up to two). You'll be 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.
Three seasons of the year, 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.
(And before you forget, like & follow Hanley Lake Hideaway on facebook for pop-up specials!)
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 one of our kayaks, canoe or SUPs. Go antique shopping or enjoy the village and nearby towns and cities.
In summer, swim, boat, visit farmer's markets and Grand Traverse Bay's beaches. Or just nap on one of your private decks or by the water.
In the fall, meander rolling hills flush with autumn colors. Visit apple orchards. You'll be close to wineries, galleries, antiques, golf and the renowned Short's Brewery.
In winter, go downhill or cross-country skiing nearby at Schuss and Boyne Mountain, tubing (down hill at Schuss or even on the lovely Jordan River with a guide bringing hot chocolate!). 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.
(We have a 40+-page welcome letter with details about the area.)
Located on a 100-mile chain of beautiful lakes, we're halfway between the Equator and the North Pole on the 45th Parallel.
Year-round, enjoy the lake and the rolling hills of Antrim County beyond from inside your cozy cottage.
So about the cottage...
In the master bedroom, enjoy a queen bed with an antique headboard, new mattress (flannel sheets and down comforter in winter) 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 if you're planning for next winter!). Both rooms have flat-screen TVs and CD players for our collection of many dozens of movies. Enjoy our completely updated bathroom.

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; Flat screen TV and DVD player, and a comfy chair. Linens included.
• Second Bedroom: Two sets of bunk beds each with a double and single bed; window AC unit; 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 couches and comfy 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 and supplies.
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; pet-friendly; dogs welcome; private 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.

Property manager

Laurie
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No exceptions.

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 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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Central Lake

Located in Central Lake, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Torch Lake and Lake Michigan. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Central Lake, MI

What's nearby

  • Intermediate Lake - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Torch Lake - 13 min drive - 9.9 km
  • Lake Bellaire - 20 min drive - 18.5 km
  • A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort - 26 min drive - 23.9 km
  • Grand Traverse Bay - 58 min drive - 62.6 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 55 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Torch Lake Café - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Tapawingo - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪The Blue Pelican Inn - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Side Door Saloon - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Front Porch Cafe - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is SPRING! Warm Private Lake Home-country living w/ modern comforts: fully stocked! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at SPRING! Warm Private Lake Home-country living w/ modern comforts: fully stocked!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at SPRING! Warm Private Lake Home-country living w/ modern comforts: fully stocked!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is SPRING! Warm Private Lake Home-country living w/ modern comforts: fully stocked! located?

This Central Lake holiday home is on the beach, 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Intermediate Lake, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Torch Lake and Bauer Nature Preserve. Sixmile Lake and Beals 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. 121 out of 128 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 128 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 128 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 128 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 128 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Melissa T.

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

Hanley Hide Away

We keep coming back here because it's such a great place. Cozy vibes and everything you need to make the stay enjoyable. The host Laurie is gracious and we appreciate her having us. My husband and I bring our dogs to play in the snow and do some ice fishing. Thank you as always.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joe P.

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

Great place, great host. Will definitely stay here again!

Stayed with our family of 6. The kids really liked the bunk room, and the games. The house had everything we needed for as a base camp to explore the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jan F.

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

Fall Getaway

Such a Beautiful property, comfy cottage and So many amenities. Our host was gracious, welcoming and provided detailed instructions regarding the home and surrounding areas to explore.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cindy K.

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

Return vacationers!

Laurie and John are amazing hosts. This home has everything you need in a peaceful, idyllic setting right on the lake. We highly recommend it for a great family vacation.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kevin S.

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

Perfect

Wonderful. Everything was provided as stated. Our dog wants to live here permanently!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Robert L.

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

Lovely stay in Central Lake Michigan

This lovely lake house sits right on Hanley Lake in the charming town of Central Lake. Water views are delightful and there are kayaks and canoes to enjoy the lake up close. Don't miss Bachman's General Store in town, or King Orchards which has the best cherry pies! Also be sure to visit the Bellaire Smokehouse to stock up on whitefish dips, sausages and fresh fillets! This house is centrally located, only 20 mins from Charlevoix, 30 mins from Traverse City and Petoskey, and 10 mins from Bellaire (and Short's Brewery!).
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joanne B.

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

Hanley Lake Hideaway

We had a great vacation. Loved the location. The house had everything we could think of. My son and my pup throughly enjoyed their vacation! We will be back for sure.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tricia S.

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

The perfect hideaway

My family spend a quiet week at this pet friendly property and enjoyed every minute— the lake is perfect for paddle board and kayaking and the owner offers access to their 2 paddle boards, 2 single kayaks and 2 double kayaks. We prefer small lakes because they offer warmer temps for swimming. The house is fully stocked and they even offer things you might not think to bring. There are a few small towns nearby you can go to for groceries, restaurants, farms and sweets.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

david k.

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

Great lakeside home with wonderful host

We enjoyed our week long stay. Laurie's communication was outstanding and she provided everything we needed. Boat launch is nearby and we enjoyed both Hanley Lake and Intermediate Lake.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michele M.

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

Up North getaway

We had a wonderful long weekend at Hanley Lake Hideaway! The property is beautiful, and very clean! Our pups enjoyed the lake and we spent an afternoon just kayaking around the lake. Property owners are very easy to work with and extremely accommodating. It’s an easy trip to other area attractions, but also plenty to do locally.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cindy K.

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

At Home on the Lake

We cannot say enough about Laurie, our host, and this lakefront property. Every detail of our stay at this lovely home was well thought out and provided for. The weather turned cool during our stay and Laurie texted us to be sure we knew how to turn on the heat. She also sent us information on a fall harvest festival and some other fall activities nearby. Rain or shine, this home provided everything we needed for a relaxing vacation. On the lakefront, there was a hammock, canoes, kayaks, a great dock for viewing sunsets and a firepit...complete with a big pile of wood for campfires. Inside, we had board games, an extensive collection of dvds and cds, comfy couches and an amazing view of the lake. The kitchen had everything we needed, mixer, blender, baking and cooking pans, Keurig coffee maker...I felt like I was in my own kitchen! We always carefully consider where we will stay during our Michigan vacations and we plan to return to this property, it made our trip amazing! Thank you, Laurie!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patti S.

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

Relaxation

We had a wonderful stay, enjoyed all the rental had to offer and wanted for nothing!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chad H., Chicago, IL

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

Up North by the water

Great week in Central Lake. Secluded enough enjoy the quiet but close enough to get to beautiful places up north that we love to visit like Sleeping Bear Dunes, Charlevoix, Petosky, & Traverse City. Also played a lot of golf. Would stay again.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Esmeralda M.

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

Hanley Lake House

Wow, the property is amazing! We loved sitting on the deck to watch the sunset over the lake. Our kids loved sitting on the dock to watch our puppies play in the water. My mom who’s visiting from Germany enjoyed the lake house as well. We got to bond as a family over home cooked meals (thank God for the well equipped kitchen), movies, and games. The property is so close to many different attractions as well. We visited the Sleeping Bear Dunes and had a really great time. The Blue Pelican restaurant is nearby and didn’t disappoint! Laurie is a great host, Welcome Packet and complimentary wine is such a nice touch! The property is clean and has all the creature comforts you could hope for. Thank you for having us, and we hope to be back someday!! :)
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nicholas O.

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

Great views and comfortable

We had a wonderful time for my son's 9th birthday the house has everything you can think of that you might forget to pack. All you need is to pack your clothes and head out to the lake this house has everything you need!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark B.

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

Lovely Lake View

Great location. Lakefront. Had everything we needed and then some. We would love to stay here in the summer and enjoy the lake more.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Scott W.

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

Nice little getaway for anniversary!

The home was perfect for a relaxing short getaway, great lake view, home was as described!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

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

Wonderful place!

This was a wonderful place to stay. It was close to several quant towns and beautiful scenery! We got to see deer on the last morning which was a nice surprise.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jamie R.

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

Clean cabin on Hanley Lake

The property was very clean and extremely well stocked. We had everything we needed for a wonderful week on the lake. The large CD and DVD collections were a nice touch. The wifi worked flawlessly, which isn't always the case in that particular area.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer L.

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

Comfortable of home with lake views

Our stay was so relaxing, we had nearly everything we needed to feel right at home! So many things to do in the area, we checked out several beaches, mountain biking trails, and a few of the nearby towns.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Angie K.

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

Great quiet place to get away

Property was great for a quiet place to get away with our dogs. The waterfront had a dock and lots of water toys to use. House was clean, very comfortable and had everything we needed. We will be rebooking for next year.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Pamela S., Ferndale, MI

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

Great location and nice cottage

This place is very nice. The posting is very accurate, in fact it was bigger than we expected. Love that we could bring our dog. Centrally located and very comfortable. We look forward to coming back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shyla T.

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

Exactly what we needed

This property was picture perfect. We had our section of the lake almost completely to ourselves. It was close to several other lakes, too. Ideal for a laid back, water loving family. The hosts are the most responsive and thoughtful hosts I've experienced. The cleaning lady even shown kindness to my children with an the injured ground squirrel they found in the back yard. Michigan residents were all welcoming in the local towns. We ventured to Sleeping Bear Dunes and drove through Traverse City. We all agreed that we were happy to be away from the more touristy area. It's an easy day drive though! Book this property. You won't regret it.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

mark c.

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

Beautiful Lake views

Very clean, well kept, comfortable, quiet area and great views of the lake.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melissa T., Berkley Mi

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

Can't wait to come back!!

This house is super comfortable, we love it here. Ice fishing on Hanley was so much fun. Thank you for another wonderful visit :)
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2022

About the host

Hosted by Laurie

Host profile image
Your hosts are two self-employed parents. We live full-time in Ann Arbor and visit up north whenever we can sneak in between guests. One of us adults is originally from North Wales and the other is originally from New York. For many decades now we've been permanent Michiganders, enjoying the joys of our glorious retreat on Hanley Lake.

Why they chose this property

We love the beauty of this northwestern Michigan chain of lakes nestled among gentle rolling hills. We were ecstatic to find a tranquil lake we can see from almost every room (thanks to our renovation) in the cozy year-round house. (Note from Laurie: my gold standard for vacation heaven was a place where I could take a cup of coffee out onto the deck and see--and be in--the water within seconds.) We can draw or eat breakfast on the dock or in the dining room, play in the sand, take out a canoe, kayak or SUP, swim in warmer waters (instead of waiting until the end of August for the chill to subside in the big lakes), and fish. We can sled right out the back doors to the lake and cross-country ski nearby. We wander into a welcoming village to play and eat without being swarmed by overdressed tourists and overpriced food. We were delighted to find this peaceful little retreat, which offers the pleasures of an all-sports lake without the noise and chaos of one. The passing 'traffic' is generally kayaks, pontoons, and people fishing (including ice fishing in the winter).The fresh, clear water in Hanley Lake flows 75 miles thru a chain of 14 lakes. All-sports lake without the usual traffic of one! We were thrilled to discover we're just a few miles from the long sandy beaches and waves of Lake Michigan, which are great fun in every season.

We're glad to do day trips to fudgey towns like Alden, Charlevoix and Petoskey, to wander Traverse City or even more nearby Bellaire. But we love coming home, whether it's raining, snowing, or blazing hot: to play outdoors, or hang out inside doing jigsaw puzzles, playing games, making soup or brownies, or drawing the changing colors of water, sky and trees. We love going out on the placid water and paddling past kingfishers and great blue heron, turtles nestling in the tall grasses, and weeping willows along the shore, or watching the water from our comfortable cottage. It always refreshes us to get away here.

What makes this property unique

Thanks to our renovation, we relish the fresh, open-plan kitchen with views outside almost everywhere. We went window-crazy, creating four sets of sliding doors in the connected living and dining rooms. Each year we add something (or some things!) new. Recent additions include a new fridge with ice maker and stove, a private deck and sliding doors off the master bedroom; tempered glass deck panels for safety and an unobstructed view of the lake; a fully renovated bathroom; a 50 inch smart TV and DVD players, sturdy wood bunk beds in the second bedroom, a new master bedroom mattress, upgraded driveway, and window air conditioners for the bedrooms and living room.

We're constantly updating and adding CDs, DVDs, games, kids' toys and books, and a host of comforts for our guests--and for us! We're in heaven in the summertime, plus we keep discovering new enticing treats during the other three seasons. In winter we can watch people ice fishing on the lake; I like sketching the winter scenes from a deliciously warm, light-filled living room. We can climb frozen waves at nearby Grand Traverse Bay, or go tubing, downhill and cross-country skiing at nearby Schuss Mountain (or tubing down the lovely Jordan River--every season!). Or take in Michigan's largest indoor water park and visit sweet and peaceful up-north cities and villages.

Springtime brings Morel mushroom hunting, birding, bike rides and walks in a lush landscape; summer brings kayak rides, swimming, and playing; fall leaves are stunning and apple orchards and color tours beckon.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests