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The Timber Lodge

Photo gallery for The Timber Lodge

Exterior
Property grounds
Exterior
Exterior
Terrace/patio

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3+ bathroomsSleeps 18

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Empire, MI
  • Glen Lake
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪36 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 18)

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Queen Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Queen Bed

Living Room 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

Master

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 4

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen

About this property

The Timber Lodge

The Timber Lodge is a spacious home located on a 5 acre wooded parcel in the middle of all the action. You're minutes from Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Lakeshore; Empire, Glen Arbor and only 20 minutes from Traverse City. This contemporary home includes 5 bedrooms, 3.5 bathroom, spacious 'bonus room' with bunk beds, large kitchen and dining room, multiple living rooms; one including a fieldstone fireplace. The Timber Lodge has a cozy relaxing front porch and large three level rear deck perfect for grilling and entertaining; conveniently decorated with lights for guest to enjoy long into the evening. Guest are close to endless activities; The Platte River or Crystal River for tubing/kayaking/canoeing, local restaurants, wineries, breweries, The Cherry Bowl Drive-In, Beaches, Golf Courses and local trails for hiking and/or biking. Explore what Northern Michigan has to offer during the day then come back to The Timber Lodge to relax, unwind and unplug from the high speed internet. It won't disappoint!

Property manager

Kasey Therrien
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
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

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is ONLY allowed outside.
NO operating motorized vehicles on lawn.

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

About the area

Empire

Empire is home to this holiday home. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. Burnett Park and Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum are also worth visiting. Kayaking offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and hiking/biking trails nearby.
Map
Empire, MI

What's nearby

  • Glen Lake - 7 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Little Glen Lake - 13 min drive - 12.7 km
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 14 min drive - 12.8 km
  • Crystal River - 17 min drive - 16.0 km
  • Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum - 22 min drive - 21.8 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 36 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Peg Town Station - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Sunset Bar & Grill - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Broomstack Kitchen And Taphouse - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪The Foothills Cafe & Motel - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Food For Thought - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Timber Lodge pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Timber Lodge ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Timber Lodge ?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Timber Lodge located?

Situated in Empire, this holiday home is 2.8 mi (4.5 km) from Armstrong Lake and 3.1 mi (4.9 km) from Glen Lake. Polack Lake and Garey 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. 35 out of 37 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 37 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 37 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 37 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 37 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Cody A.

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

Wonderful Home!

This house was amazing! Very clean and accommodated our large group perfectly. The property is a lot of fun! Great location!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura J.

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

Michigan vacation

The house is perfect for families-lots of room for everyone-well supplied with everything we needed, and a great yard. The house was close to everything we wanted to do.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dave L.

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

Great stay at Timber Lodge

We spent a week at TL, eight adults and four kids. plenty of room, very well located to the many places of interest in Leelanau County. The Lodge is very well equipped. it has everything. Hit three different Lake MI beaches in the area. Good Harbor Bay was our favorite. great stay. would definitely come back.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laurie A.

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

Weekend up north

We had an amazing stay! We came north for our boys football game and stayed the weekend and it accommodated our large group (16 teens and adults) very well! Plenty of rooms and beds. Very clean. Communication with owner/manager was very prompt and they were extremely friendly and helpful! Nice quiet neighborhood close to sleeping bear dunes! Would definitely recommend!!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ruthann M.

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

Great VRBO

My daughters and their spouses and children plus Gramma all enjoyed our stay. The house is spacious so smaller groups could be in separate locations or we could all be together for dinner and games. The backyard is beautiful with a great fire pit and is surrounded with tall trees and bushes. The location was within easy driving to all our activities. Would certainly recommend to my friends.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rich S.

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

Great place for a large family

Our group consisted of six adults and five small kids. The house easily accommodated us and is very well equipped throughout. Everyone loved it. The wooded surroundings are quite nice, the large grassy backyard offered plenty of room for games, and a couple of great Lake Michigan beached are only a short drive away. If you are bringing toddlers, be sure to bring a baby gate for the back hall stairway. We all highly recommended this VRBO property!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melissa W.

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

Hidden gem very close to Traverse City!

We loved this home! It had plenty of room for our family, & it was very well stocked. Beautiful location - scenic & we could do lots on the Leelanau Peninsula & Traverse City area. Great owners - very responsive. It’s a must stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly T.

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

Timber Lodge stay

Our family stayed at the Timber Lodge for a long weekend and had a great time. The house was EXTREMELY clean and had everything we needed and more. Every detail has been thought out by the owners of this very nice home. It is very comfortable and has multiple areas where you can enjoy your stay. The flat top grill was great to feed the family. There was a lot of family games for indoor and outdoor to enjoy. I would highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kecia W., Chicago

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

Wonderful stay at a beautiful home!

We enjoyed a relaxing week in this beautiful, well-furnished home! My parents, siblings, and our kids (aged 1-15) had plenty of space to spread out and be together, and the outdoor space was particularly beautiful! The hosts were attentive and immediately took care of any questions or needs - thank you so much!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jean F.

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

10/10!

There is nothing negative to say about this property. We have a large family and it was perfect for us! The house was clean and spacious. The kitchen was well equipped for a large family cooking experience. The host was very responsive to questions. The property was beautiful, with a large yard for the kids to run around in and a nice fire pit for gathering around after a busy day of activities nearby. Very private and ample parking for several vehicles. I highly recommend this property for your group!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cora S.

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

Beautiful and comfy stay with friends - perfect for large groups

The house was the perfect location for groups looking to enjoy a great middle point between Traverse City and the Sleeping Bear Dunes. It was so clean and roomy for all 14 guests. Phone network is limited but new fast stream Wi-Fi worked great!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kevin M.

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

The perfect house

This is such a great place to stay. It was well maintained and had everything you need to enjoy the area. Plenty of space to accommodate everyone. The amenities within the house are above and beyond. Everything you need to be comfortable is available for you. The kitchen contained everything needed to cook every meal at the house. Will be staying again in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Trevor L.

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

Great property, fully stocked!

This property was perfect for our multi-generational family vacation. The house was roomy and in great shape and has a FULLY stocked kitchen with lots of high quality pots and pans and utensils and appliances and just about anything you’d need. The house also has lots of games we all enjoyed playing and even a wii and a dvd library! The location was perfect too. The house feels remote and secluded but you’re super close to traverse and sleeping bear. One of the best VRBO experiences I’ve ever had!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Judith W.

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

Grandma's 80th Birthday

My family had a great stay at Timber Lodge! This beautiful property is in a fantastic location, and we were so happy to have found this rental. Our favorite parts were the decor, the welcoming vibe, and the outdoor games for the kiddos... so thoughtful! Unfortunately, the weather did not allow us to enjoy the spacious outdoor decks and excellent lawn fully, but we had plenty of room inside for the kids to play and the parents to relax. My one "opportunity for improvement" suggestion would be a different coffee maker. The provided ten-cup BUN was a bit small for my family, and it brews very slowly, but we managed. I highly recommend this property and look forward to booking another stay soon!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

kirt g.

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

Annual Golf/Fishing Trip for 65 Yr Olds

Great house that is extremely well kept, in the woods with great solitude, with a wonderful deck out back. We have rented MANY places in this portion of Michigan, and most were just fine. This was a step above - and I'd say for one reason. It lacked for "nothing". We found everything we needed! 90+% of the time when you go to a rental place, no sharp knives. No extra trash bags. No coffee filters. Etc.... This place? We started playing a little game about what we might NOT find. No winners! Great place that truly had everything we needed!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Heather S.

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

Spacious and relaxing!

We had a mother/daughter getaway with my mom and her 4 sisters and all the daughters. The house was absolutely beautiful and so spacious and relaxing. One of my aunt's actually left her Bluetooth speaker and phone charger and the hosts reached out to us very shortly after we had checked out! Thankfully we were still in town and they allowed us to come back and get our things! We were very appreciative as we all live 3 hours away. If we ever do a family trip in this area again we will definitely keep this house and hosts in mind!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marcae P.

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

Fantastic experience

This house had everything we needed and wanted plus more! The house was beautiful, clean, and fully stocked! We really appreciated the details big and small that the hosts offered us. We had the best VRBO experience staying here. Thank you so much for the amenities and for providing a safe and comfortable place for us to vacation. We loved the patio and back yard and were so thankful for use of the grill, the extra wood for the campfire, the extra refrigerator in the garage and the abundance of towels. We had a fantastic time at this property. It felt like a home away from home.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carol G.

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

This place is amazing!

We stayed at the house for a ladies trip with family and friends to celebrate my daughter’s upcoming nuptials. There were 15 of us and the house was perfect. The pictures don’t do it justice. There was plenty of room for everyone and it never felt crowded. It’s a quiet, peaceful property. The house itself was quiet even with that many people. If you were upstairs sleeping or watching a movie downstairs you couldn’t hear the people in the rest of the house. The location is perfect and close to several great places to visit. I would definitely stay there again with a large group!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ed M.

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

Relaxing and beautiful

Our party of 15 had a wonderful time! The house was very clean, spacious and well appointed. The hosts were very responsive and answered the few questions we had promptly. The backyard was also very spacious with a nice fire pit and a large deck that easily accommodated our family. The house is in close proximity to Empire, Glen Arbor and Lake Ann, all within a very short driving distance. Spend a day in Traverse City (also a short drive) enjoying Lake Michigan and all Traverse has to offer. The property comes highly recommended on VRBO. After our stay, we concur with the aforenoted recommendations and we also highly recommend the property for your group’s enjoyment.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tom S.

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

A successful family reunion

What a delightful home in a dramatically beautiful area! We have been familiar with the area for many years, and the property is close enough to easily get to all our favorite locations, like the dune climb, Pierce-Stocking Scenic Drive, Glen Haven, the Crystal River, etc. Our 3 children and their spouses, along with our 12 grandchildren (2 of whom are still crib sleepers), joined us for a week at Timber Lodge. The home is spacious, comfortable, and impeccably clean! We appreciated the separate gathering areas so kids could play while adults chatted. The smaller living room with a door contained the noise of early-waking little ones as they played. The picnic tables on the deck provided space for family meals. The kids loved playing kickball in the large back yard, and the bunk room was a great place for a lot of them to sleep. The hosts had thought of most anything we could possibly need during our stay. The supply of bathroom towels was impressive! The kitchen is completely supplied with quality pans, any needed cooking utensils and appliances, including slow cookers, rice cooker, air fryer, etc. There are indoor and outdoor games available, and the Legos were a hit for some of our grandkids. The host was quickly responsive to any communication, and we are totally grateful for finding this house. We would definitely recommend this property to others who are planning a family gathering.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sharon L.

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

Best Rental We Have Ever Used

We planned a trip to Empire. We wanted to stay close to Leland to visit sites around that area. Perfect place for these goals and for vacationing in this area. We had eight adults in our group. The criteria was a place with four or more bedrooms, large dinning table, comfortable seating in living room for all of us and large kitchen. The first thing to note was the pristine yard and garden. It is on a more remote road but very close to Empire MI. Our GPS kept taking us to Gilbert Road so if you use WAZE, it may take you there but the house is on Timber Road. Parking for all vehicles was spacious with a turnaround. The hosts allowed us to use the garage so we could bring the car in to unload it. The garage was meticulous also, just like every room in the home. There is a room with a bath on the basement level if there is a need for acessible access to the home. The main living area requires the use of stairs as well as the upper level where the bedrooms are. There are 3 bedrooms on the top level with a master bedroom with king bed and large ensuite. The other two bedrooms share a full size bathroom with shower. There is another large room with two queen beds, sharing the joint bathroom The living area has many places to sit and relax with TV. Outside are tables and a firepit with outdoor seats. This is the ultimate place to stay. I am giving this home the highest praises! Clean, quiet, beautiful with gracious hosts. The BEST. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. VERY CLEAN
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michele M.

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

The most perfect large home we have ever rented

First, the photos dont do the home justice. its absolutely gorgeous! Every square inch of the place is immaculate. We had 16 people comprised of 4 different families for two of the days and it housed everyone with plenty of space. The kitchen was perfectly equipped. We made meals every day and wanted for nothing yet plenty if pantry space for anything we needed to cook. the outdoor grill was excellent. plenty of extra propane and we grilled at least twice a day. indoor and garage fridge. The house had a wii and movies and games for chill times. The beds were RIDICULOUSLY comfortable (unless homes we rent from a local management company in GA). The only thing to know is the internet is slow and so two of us working from home was a challenge but its to be expected in the woods (just wanted to give anyone a heads up). We would rent the home in a heartbeat!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dianna M., West Bloomfield, Michigan

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

Absolutely perfect property

This was a perfect family retreat for us. The layout of the house gave everyone privacy, while giving us several gathering places to have meals, play games, even work for the few that needed to connect with their jobs. We had 2 two year old children, who loved the huge backyard. This place felt so secluded and private, yet we were short drives from beaches, restaurants, wineries, trails, art galleries, special shops and the sand dunes! Communications with the property manager were excellent. We had everything we needed, and cooked many evening meals in the beautiful kitchen. Anyone who wants to explore the Traverse City and surrounding peninsulas, should definitely choose this place. Loved it!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Michael K.

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

Beautiful property in Empire, MI

The house was very clean and well stocked with everything that you needed for the week. The property location was pretty far removed from all the places of interest that we wanted to visit. As forewarned, the wifi was weak, but passable for our family. We ran into no issues with our rental except for the weather. OH... one more thing...the lower level of the house was pretty cold at night. We could not turn on any heat with the AC running in the other zones.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Allison K.

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

Beautiful & Spacious

Large family vacation. The house and property are absolutely wonderful. Clean, spacious and full stocked kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms. Prime location for exploring all surrounding areas (dunes, drive, hikes, beaches, water activities, glen arbor, Sutton bay, mission peninsula, fish town, Leland, etc.) Would recommend to anyone with a big group. The house is so comfortable for multiple families. We had an awesome time and made so many wonderful memories for our family and little ones. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by Kasey Therrien

Host profile image

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests