Rental Rates and Seasons

The Michigan vacation cottage is available for rent from May through December by the week for $650. We require a deposit of $300 to hold the reservation, and in addition a damage deposit of $250 which is returned after 2 weeks, for a total deposit of $550.

Accommodation Details

This charming older cottage has 3 bedrooms/1 bath, and sleeps 9. The upstairs dormer area sleeps 5, the 2 bedrooms on main level each sleep 2. Living area has slider to large deck with a great view of the lake. The cottage has heat and air conditioning, deck, balcony, washer/dryer, TV and VCR. The fully-equipped kitchen has a coffee maker, microwave, dishes, and pots and pans. Linens and towels are provided.

The lakefront property has a sand beach, dock, picnic table, charcoal grill, and fire pit. A row boat is provided.

Pets OK with an additional $100 deposit. No smoking, please. The house is not handicapped accessible.

Surroundings

The home is on Nichols lake and is secluded and quiet, surrounded by many trees in the area. Water recreation includes swimming and fishing. Other nearby recreation includes golf, hiking, RV trails, snowmobiling, downhill and cross-country skiing, and hunting.

Nichols Lake is located in the Manistee National Forest. About 1/3 of the lake has cottages, the rest is federal land. The North Country Trail is within walking distance of the cottage and is a national trail system being developed for hiking and in some areas biking. The area is very wooded and quiet. There are loons on the lake and an eagle family has nested here also, so bring your binoculars for great bird watching. There is a small National Forest Campground across the lake with a beautiful sandy beach swimming area. This is about a 1 mile hike from the cottage. There is also a nice boat launch with a concrete pad available for bigger boats.

The cottage is in the town of Bitely - a very small town whose four corners consist of a tavern, gas/grocery store, a nice gift shop, church, fire barn, and post office. It is about 15 miles south of Baldwin (on M-37) which is bigger and has a number of small restaurants, a bigger grocery store, a golf course, and several gift shops and businesses.

Nichols Lake is 1 mile long by 1/2 mile wide and has a water depth of 60 feet. Motor size limit is 150 hp, reasonable speed. Fish include bass, pike, and panfish.

Additional Information