Escape the pace of daily life with a visit to the Lake Leelanau Retreat House! You will feel a sense of Up North serenity the minute you pull into our drive. The winding lane will first lead you past our large, open field which is perfect for a family start-up football game or kids soccer match, and then the open trail leading you to explore our 12 acres of woods. After the road curves, you will hear the peaceful sounds of Artesian spring flowing into our beautiful ponds and spy the Lake Leelanau Retreat House sitting tall and grand, just waiting for your family and friends to enjoy. This is the moment you will let out a sigh and a “WOW” and your vacation will truly begin!
Outside
It is quite possible you will love the outdoor areas even more than inside the home. The extra-large deck is perfectly located off the kitchen and living room making it the best spot for family and friends to gather for meals, selfies, and wine-filled evenings ~ Cheers! We want you to have the best guest experience, so of course, you will find a large, teak family table, ample seating, and a Weber grill waiting to help your cookout be easy, comfortable, and delicious. Below the deck, you can relax on the shaded porch just outside the lower-level walkout and admire the multiple ponds and stunning No. Michigan sunsets. Kids, old and young, love our large yard for playing lawn games. As the sun goes down, everyone can gather around the fire pit for endless hours of stories, sing-alongs, and s’mores. We provide twinkling, starry skies, ample seating, and all the firewood you will need. For our and our guests’ safety, an outdoor security camera located on pole barn directed toward the driveway.
Inside
Our 3-story, 3100 sq ft home is the perfect space for groups of families or friends to spread out. The main floor is where the foodies in your group will find a spacious, fully-stocked kitchen to create some delicious, vacation meals. Wake up the scent of coffee (Keurig pods provided) and pancakes on our griddle or cook chili in our crockpot all day while you are exploring the local shops. You will find an extensive set of indoor and outdoor dishes and glasses, wine glasses, cookware, serving dishes, basic pantry supplies, and many small appliances, including a blender to mix up your favorite frosty beverage. Make memories gathered together in the open kitchen/dining/living room floor plan. The spacious master bedroom is a special, quiet retreat space that has also a makeup table and master bathroom.
When you head upstairs, you will discover our extra-large, entertainment zone. Grab the popcorn, movie candy, and sodas and snuggle in for a movie on the 55″ TV on Dish Network or from our DVD library of favorites. Everyone can gather at the large conference table for hours of game and puzzle time. Kids of all ages love the upstairs as it also features 2 woodlands creature-themed, kid bedrooms (each with a twin over full bunk bed), a full bathroom, and open play space. There are also 2 queen bedroom areas with new beds, high-quality bedding, and luggage racks.
More family fun awaits you on the lower level of the home. Small children (and parents) appreciate the kids’ toy area we have set up with books, toys, a train table, and even a teepee. Kids can play for hours giving mom and dad a much-needed break! Older kids and adults will find another 55″ TV zone, more games, poker chips, cards, and a table to get the poker night started. The lower level also features a wood-burning stove, kitchenette, full bathroom, and a queen bedroom area that looks out on nature and wildlife.
At the end of your stay, you will feel relaxed and reconnected to nature and to each other and you will book to stay with us again!
With Gratitude,
Karen and Terry, Your Hosts
The Location
Lake Leelanau Retreat House is the perfect hub to return to after a day of exploring small-town shops and lighthouses, sampling wineries and breweries, playing on the lakes, and searching for Petoskey stones. Located far enough on the Leelanau Peninsula to give you a pure Michigan getaway, but centrally located enough to zip over to Sleeping Bear Dunes for the morning or wander around downtown Traverse City all afternoon.