Charming Lakefront Cottage on Torch Lake - walking distance to Alden - Antrim County

4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 111500 sq ft

Popular amenities

Fireplace

Free WiFi

Outdoor Space

Kitchen

Barbecue grill

Washer

Explore the area

Alden, MI

Torch Lake1 min walk
Torch Lake Park4 min drive
Clam Lake8 min drive
Gaylord, MI (GLR-Gaylord Regional)53 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 11)

East Bedroom

1 Twin Bunk Bed

Living Room

1 Double Futon

Master bedroom - south west corner

1 Queen Bed

Northeast Bedroom

2 Twin Beds

Northwest Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

Charming Lakefront Cottage on Torch Lake - walking distance to Alden

My grandmother's brother built this cottage in 1910 - and he got a prime lakefront location. Now with updated bathrooms and refinished wood floors the interior provides up-north cottage charm alongside all the modern amenities.

Everyone's favorite place to spend time indoors seems to be the screened-in porch which opens to the lake and shoreline on 3 sides. Here you can settle down in a comfy chair to enjoy Torch’s famous “Caribbean blue” stripes chase across the lake, or sip an evening glass of wine and watch the sunset pour molten light into the water.

The large living room with its central stone hearth is a great spot to gather around a fire on a cooler evening or around the TV on a rainy day. Bedrooms are cozy and simple, with 2 queens, 1 set of twins, and 1 double-single bunk and classic cottage antiques. The property features a dock, a firepit by the lake, a lakeside patio with chairs and an umbrella table, and another patio with a grill off the kitchen.

This is not a party spot, but it would be great for families or groups of adults seeking a relaxing getaway. Nestled in among majestic trees and private cottages, the location offers privacy and quiet. Sandy shallows extend for dozens of yards off the rocky shoreline; we also have a dock a mooring buoy for your motorboat or pontoon boat. (Jet-skis are not allowed.)

The charming town of Alden, with boutiques, dining, and public tennis courts and playground, is a 1/2-mile walk away. Nature preserves and well-maintained roads throughout the area also provide beautiful hiking and biking.

Note that we also own the cottage next door (VRBO #37825, built by my grandmother). You could consider that cottage if this one is already booked or, if you have a very large group, consider combining the rentals – a "family compound" that could accommodate up to 20 people.

Property manager

Nan Reed Twiss

Premier Host

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Outdoor Space

Water view

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

House Rules

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

No jet skis allowed on the property (out of respect for our neighbors and the peaceful area)

Outside quiet hours 11pm-7am

Must have a verified government ID registered with VRBO

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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

Onsite 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 not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

About the neighborhood

Alden

Located in Alden, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area Trailhead and The Chief Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Schuss Mountain and Guntzviller's Spirit of the Woods Museum. Flintfields Horse Park and Music House Museum are also worth visiting. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

View more Cottages in Alden

Alden, MI

What's nearby

Torch Lake - 1 min walk
Torch Lake Park - 4 min drive
Clam Lake - 8 min drive
Lake Bellaire - 20 min drive
Turtle Creek Casino - 25 min drive

Getting around

Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) - 41 min drive

Restaurants

Oasis Red Bull Tavern - 20 min drive
Dockside-Torch Lake - 9 min drive
Shanty Creek Resorts - 17 min drive
Pearls New Orlean Kitchen - 24 min drive
Torch Lake Cellars - 15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Charming Lakefront Cottage on Torch Lake - walking distance to Alden pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Where is Charming Lakefront Cottage on Torch Lake - walking distance to Alden located?

Situated in Alden, this golf cottage is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Torch Lake and 1.9 mi (3 km) from Torch Lake Park. Grass River Natural Area and Clam River are also within 6 mi (10 km).

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.

Learn more

9.0/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Amanda S., Ann Arbor

Aug 20, 2023

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

Windows windows and more windows

Wonderful stay in a Torch Lake cabin that was so much more than anticipated. Hidden away off the main road , every room had lake views from big windows, sitting standing or laying down you could see the lake. spacious rooms bigger than expected The porch was THE place to be. Windows galore, with unobstructed views, and great seating or you could be outside on the water deck lounging in chairs. I had planned to visit lots of local lakes , I did very little because I had all I needed right here . Kayaked or walked to lovely Alden village , total relaxation, with a bonus of nighty sunsets. An extra was that it was not like a property bought just to rent, they obviously stay here and leave everything they need , for guests to use , from books, spices, printers , lots of cookware, kayak and more . Very responsive to my questions about restaurants in the area. I like adventures and don’t usually go to the same place twice ,I would come back to this cabin for sure and already looking at availability for next year. this would be an excellent location for a company retreat renting this home along with the property next door.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

janet p.

Aug 1, 2023

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

Beautiful views

We enjoyed our stay at this cozy cottage on Torch Lake. The location was perfect as we spent most days on the water. The cottage was well appointed and comfortable. The views were amazing. Communication with owner was quick and friendly. We would return.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Judi S.

Jul 26, 2023

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

Gardner cottage

We enjoyed our week @ TL immensely. The Gardner cottage has a superb location--steps to the beach and a pleasant walk to Alden. We enjoyed good weather for the most part, tho a bit cooler this year. It was just the two of us this time--no problem settling in. You have thought of everything to supply the Gardner Cottage --such a treat to use the French china! Thanks so very much for your graciousness.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Marie L.

Jun 8, 2023

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

Torch Lake Garden Cottage

Our first VRBO get away with family. Enjoyed the large family room inside and the attached outdoor sunroom where we could enjoy seeing the lake and watch the sunrise and sunset. We enjoyed our stay, however the bedrooms and bathrooms had a few bug webs on lights and in wall corners, so just not quite as clean as I hoped it would be. Owner is very nice to work with.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jo G.

Sep 16, 2022

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

location

Beautiful location with amazing sun sets. The home was well stocked with everything you could possibly need. The property manager was very accommodating and wonderful to work with.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

About the host

Hosted by Nan Reed Twiss

My great grandparents, the Gardners, bought this property back in the eighteen hundreds, and it's been the beloved summer home to generations of my family. Although my grandmother's brother sold this cottage to the Comfort family in 1925, we are delighted to bring the cottage back into the family. We still own my grandmother's cottage next door, and even though I've lived on both coasts of the US, in Europe and in Asia, I've never missed a summer on Torch. It is without a doubt my happy place.

Although I can no longer spend every summer on the lake as I did as a child, our family of five treasures the three weeks we save for ourselves. Scared though I was to share the cottage with strangers, so far, renters have treated the place beautifully.

Why they chose this property

I was lucky enough to inherit the gem next door and couldn't resist bringing the Comfort Cottage back into the family. Torch Lake is an extraordinarily beautiful lake, more beautiful than any I've ever seen. The colors are like the Caribbean, and the water is so clear you can see the bottom all the way out to the drop-off. The sandy bottom makes it especially beautiful. The area is so peaceful if it's peace you're looking for... and yet, if you want activity, you don't have to go far at all for inland entertainment. There are lots of artist's towns nearby, nice shops, some great restaurants, golfing, hiking...and the town of Alden is a brief walk away.

What makes this property unique

The cottage is right on the water, so we sleep to the sound of waves lapping the shore. We watch the sunsets from our porch or patio that look out over the water. The swimming is great for children since it stays shallow for a long way. We love to swim, sail, walk or bike into town. There's so much to do in the area, but honestly, we're so happy at the cottage and on the lake, we generally just stay there.