Entire home

A Great Up North Family Retreat

Photo gallery for A Great Up North Family Retreat

70 Acres with 1.5 miles of Mowed Trails
Large, comfortable 4 Bedroom 3 Bath home
Large Living Room with 4 Recliners and 50" TV
Master Bedroom with Tempur-Pedic King
Master Bath with Tub & Shower

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8260.1 sq m

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
Boyne City, MI
  • Peninsula Beach
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Boyne Mountain
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Gaylord, MI (GLR-Gaylord Regional)
    ‪42 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed and 2 Single Beds

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 2

Toilet ¡ Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet ¡ Shower only

Master Bath

Bathtub or shower ¡ Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

A Great Up North Family Retreat

Situated on 70 acres, which are accessible by mowed walking trails in summer and groomed ski trails in winter, this home can sleep up to eight people and their well behaved dog (pre-approval required for pets). A lovely renovated ranch style home with a walk out finished lower level, this home is perfect for a family get together. There is a master bedroom with attached full bath plus two additional bedrooms on the main level.
On the lower level there is bedroom and a full bath. Internet, Satellite television and full laundry are also included.

This property gives you the best of both vacation options - a lovely country getaway surrounded by lots of recreational and cultural options throughout the year. Enjoy Boyne City's many festivals and great shops and restaurants. Located 8 miles from Boyne Mountain with some of the best skiing and golf courses in the States. Only a couple miles to Lake Charlevoix and Walloon Lake so bring your boat
and enjoy a whole host of other great features to explore in beautiful Northwest Michigan.

Property manager

Bruce Janssen

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 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 35
Check out before 11:00 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 1 total)
Tell me about your family or group. Kids, & pets
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No Dogs allowed on Furniture or Beds Dogs need to be under your control when outside an walking the trails. Boat parking on front lawn, not on drive.

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 and a first aid kit

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Boyne City

Located in Boyne City, this holiday home is in a rural area. Boyne Mountain and Monument Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Michigan and Young State Park. Travelling with kids? Consider Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark and Castle Farms. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Boyne City, MI

What's nearby

  • Peninsula Beach - 7 min drive - 4.3 km
  • Deer Lake - 12 min drive - 8.6 km
  • Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark - 14 min drive - 12.8 km
  • SkyBridge Michigan - 19 min drive - 14.6 km
  • Boyne Mountain - 19 min drive - 14.8 km

Getting around

  • Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional) - 55 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪BC Lanes - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Eagles Nest - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Stiggs Brewery & Kitchen - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Forty Acres Tavern - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is A Great Up North Family Retreat pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at A Great Up North Family Retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A Great Up North Family Retreat?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is A Great Up North Family Retreat located?

This family-friendly Boyne City holiday home is located in a rural location, within 3 mi (5 km) of Lake Charlevoix, Young State Park and Peninsula Beach. Horton Bay and Bear River 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. 53 out of 54 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 54 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 54 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 54 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 54 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

mitchell s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mitchell S.

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

Good stay

We enjoyed the stay. Nice view of the nature area.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Albert L.

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

Feedback

Good time
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

mitchell s., fort wayne indiana

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

Brothers golfing trip

Second year we have stayed there and it is a perfect location to relax and enjoy northern Michigan’s beauty. The home reflects the same Michigan charm and is comfortable clean and well maintained - excellent place to spend some relaxing time!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rex M.

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

Michigan visit with four couples

Great place to stay, clean, spacious and Al the accommodations needed for a great stay. Host is great, communications were spot on, quiet, remote feeling yet only minutes away from down town Boyne City.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sean G.

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

5 Stars All Around

We loved this house! It is one of the best places we have stayed with our kids and dog. The scenery is amazing, and the hosts Bruce and Jodi made our stay even more terrific. We hope to be back to this gem!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lance G.

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

Ski Dog Heaven

Incredible property and great location!
Stayed 5 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rick M.

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

Tranquil Space

Lovely views from the deck with turkey and deer on walking trails. Quiet. Close to Boyne City, Walloon Lake, and Petoskey. Host nearby and welcoming.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kristin L., Chicago area

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

Stunning property

The house is equipped just like a home, so comfortable, and has the most amazing views and trails that spread over 90 acres, it’s so private it feels like they’re just your own. Bruce and Jodie are so kind, responsive and knowledgeable about the area, just wonderful hosts. We hope to be back to see this truly unique property in the fall.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sara T.

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

Beautiful retreat

We loved staying at Bruce’s place! The house is clean, spacious, and very comfortable. Bruce was a great host and was very responsive. The house is about 5 minutes from Boyne City, so was very convenient for running into town for food or other activities. The property is amazing! There is a fantastic set of trails that wind through a meadow and forest - beautiful views, lots of cool wild life, private, and very peaceful. We would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

mitchell s., fort wayne indiana

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

peaceful setting

great place and location.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ronald S.

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

A wonderful retreat

The property was easy to get to. We loved the country setting yet just a few miles to town. We enjoyed the peace and quiet as well as the serenity of walking on the trails and experiencing the wildlife. The home is spacious and inviting and easily accommodated my large family. It is very clean and well maintained. It is quite comfortable and felt like home. Our host was very kind and accommodating. We all had a wonderful experience and will not hesitate a second to come back. Thank you so much.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ken L., Columbia, Maryland

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

Unique and Exceptional Property

Spacious, well-equipped home situated on and with a large deck overlooking 90 acres of woods and meadows with well-groomed trails available for walking. It exceeded our expectations which were quite high from the description.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

STEVE S.

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

Family Retreat

Property was as advertised. Great location, plenty of space for the dog to roam, cross country ski trails available etc. Everything we needed was there. Great family getaway. Plan to be back. Bruce checked in a few times to make sure we didn’t need anything and plowed the driveway several times during our stay as a result of days of snow.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Timothy and Katie B.

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

Great for family Christmas

Met up with family for Christmas here. Great place to gather. Space was everything we needed and we loved the walking trails. Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan F.

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

Quiet getaway in a perfect location

Super clean home on a beautiful piece of land. No frills but everything you might want or need. Up north feel but only a couple minutes from downtown BC. Lots to do but house is comfortable enough to lay back and relax if desired. Will be coming back.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Merry K.

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

Older adults adding a wedding

We were four sisters over seventy with three of our husbands and one dog. It was so pleasant walking the trails. There was plenty room for sleeping and eating. Watching the birds on the feeders out the dining room window was a favorite for us. There was plenty space and several bathrooms for getting ready for the wedding. Boyne City and Charlevoix were pretty busy Labor Day weekend, this house in the country was a quiet oasis. The host was very pleasant and helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tina S., New York City

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

A gem!

The Janssen property is the perfect spot! Our family of 8 adults found the indoor layout of the home open, comfortable, and sleeping arrangements and bedrooms ideal for the group. All the extra touches added to our comfort...extra pillows, quality shampoo/conditioner, bar soap, fully stocked kitchen to prepare any meal, laundry needs, even a ping pong table! The property is gorgeous with walking trails fit for all levels. We wished we could stay forever. Thank you, Bruce...you enhanced our wedding weekend and we hope we can visit again soon. It was great meeting you!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sharon B.

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

Great property, great stay!!

We had a great experience at this property. Hoping to be back again next year.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Dan L.

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

Great host and home

I look forward to staying here again. I enjoyed chatting with Bruce.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Becky W., Eau Claire

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

Cleanest place ever!

Our family, including kids ages 17 & 20, had a fabulous stay at Bruce's property. It was probably the cleanest place I've ever stayed in all my years of travel and truly the best VRBO with attention to detail. Everything we could imagine needing was there, including cooking equipment, spices, cleaning supplies, extra blankets/towels, 2 kinds of pillows, extra toilet paper, outdoor games, grill with charcoal/lighter fluid, wood for a fire, and so much more. Bruce even brought over binoculars and made sure the birds were well fed. It was such a comfortable place to stay that we didn't do as much away from the house as we had planned. I wish we didn't live 8 hours away because we'd be "regulars" if it were possible!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

sally s.

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

Peaceful/ Relaxing

What a great space to relax and enjoy some much needed family time!! Literally everything is provided (obviously bring your own food) . Clean,comfortable, quiet, cozy..just what we needed!! Would love to come back in the fall to see all the beautiful colors of trees! Thanks again to Bruce and Jodie
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tina M., Dayton, OH

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

Great property

Loved the open feel to this property! Groomed trails right in the backyard, close to other hiking trails and Boyne mountain. House had everything we could possibly need for a comfortable stay and we appreciated the thoughtfulness of the owners by labeling all light switches, Board games provided and information about local areas and restaurants
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2021

10/10 Excellent

Amy C., Ann Arbor, Michigan

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

Winter Wonderland

We spent a wonderful President's Day weekend here, skiing the trails and enjoying the awesome view as snow fell in the valley. The house was clean and comfortable, with everything you could want, but the real magic of the place is the land-- it's like having your own private ski resort/nature preserve. Bruce was not only an excellent host, providing everything from a closet full of fluffy towels to extra birdseed for the feeders, but he got out every day to groom the trails just for us. It was the perfect winter getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2021

8/10 Good

Corey T.

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

Nice place

Place was clean and functional it worked great for us
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021

About the host

Hosted by Bruce Janssen

Host profile image
Bruce and Jodie Janssen have lived in Boyne City for forty eight years and are the proprietors of The Wood Shop, an award winning sign company. Active in the city's Main Street Program and various other civic endeavors they have taken a great interest in their adopted hometown and want those who visit to enjoy it as much as they have over the years.

Why they chose this property

In 1986, Bruce's parents purchased this lovely home as a summer home. Both parents have passed on and the home is now being used as a family retreat when it is not being rented and shared with others.

What makes this property unique

This is a lovely, solidly built home which was renovated in 2011. Ranch style with a hint of Mission styling, the home has a mix of hardwood, tiled and carpeted floors throughout. The kitchen is perfect for entertaining with its open floor plan and includes all cooking utensils, large refrigerator/freezer and dishwasher. A large screen television in the spacious living room can be used to watch movies while lounging in the great recliner sectional sofa or you can watch your favorite cable and network shows via the DirectTV satellite. Downstairs is roomy enough for games or just hanging out. The house is quite cozy with water baseboard heat throughout and air conditioned for those occasional too warm summer days. You can start your day with a cup of coffee watching the sun come up in the east over the valley or end the day with a drink while sitting on the deck. Any way you choose, this house has a great ambience and you won't regret spending your vacation here.

Languages:

English