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Charming, quiet, country retreat 1890's Centennial Farm house

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became a Michigan Centennial farm in 2000
Interior detail
front of house looking north
back door looking southeast
west side looking east

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 91936 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

Map
Empire, MI
  • Glen Lake
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Front Street
    ‪21 min drive‬
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪22 min drive‬
  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪35 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Twin Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Twin Bed and 1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

basement bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

main floor bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

upstairs bath

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Charming, quiet, country retreat 1890's Centennial Farm house

The "Ivy House" is a freshly remodeled 2-story 1890's farm house on a Centennial farm. With great country views and awesome star gazing, it is located on a quiet paved road that families and couples alike will enjoy. It is peaceful and quiet, yet close to the wonderful attractions of Northwest Michigan. Located 20 minutes from Traverse City, Glen Arbor, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lake Shore, and a short 30 minute drive to both Frankfort and Leland, there is something for everyone. With four bedrooms, 9 people can sleep comfortably. The house has two full baths and one half bath with a bathroom located on each floor with new towels. On the second floor, bedroom 1 has a queen bed and bedroom 2 has two twin beds. In the basement, bedroom 3 has a queen bed and bedroom 4 has a full bed and a Victorian 3/4 bed. Both rooms have large egress windows. All beds have new mattresses and bedding. Please note that all the bedrooms are not handicap accessible. You must be able to go up and down stairs. A spacious kitchen with shiplap walls, subway tile, new appliances, and an island seating area is a joy to cook in. The formal dining area has a large antique dining table. Hardwood floors are throughout the house including some of the original floors. A formal living room with TV is on the main floor and a family room with a large screen TV is in the basement. Outside is a patio under a gazebo with a dining table, extra seating and a gas grill. A fire pit with seating off to the side in the lawn has been added for roasting marsh mellows and hot dogs. Roasting sticks are provided along with one bundle of wood for your first fire. More wood is available for purchase at any of the many, many road side wood stands in the area. Wildlife frequently visits the yard, usually deer, turkeys, and rabbits. I frequently hear in the distant the call of loons as they travel to and from one of the many inland area lakes that are all within a mile of the house. There is lots of parking, but please note no campers, tents or RV's are allowed. WE ARE HAPPY TO HOST THOSE WHO ARE LOOKING FOR A PEACEFUL OR FAMILY ORIENTED VACATION. WE CANNOT HOST HEAVILY SPIRITED PARTIES OR GETAWAYS. We also cannot host bachelor or bachelorette parties or family reunions. Gatherings with guests other than those staying at the house is allowed with prior permission from the owner. Pets of any kind are strictly prohibited and if found, you will be asked to leave. The person renting the house MUST be one of the guests staying. The Ivy House is your perfect "home away from home" for your next getaway to Northern Michigan. 2025 rental dates will soon be opened up for your next trip "Up North".

Property manager

Sandra Noonan
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 3:00 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
No RV's, campers or tents 11 pm to 7am is quiet time The mowed area on the property is the only area you are permitted.
Camp fires allowed only in fire ring. Do not leave fire unattended. Always use water to extinguish fire before leaving the premise or retiring to bed
Note that this is not a gathering location for other family or friends who may also live or be visiting this area.

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 indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Empire

Located in Empire, this vacation home is in a rural area. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Burnett Park and Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including fishing, winery tours, and golfing.
Map
Empire, MI

What's nearby

  • Glen Lake - 10 min drive - 12.0 km
  • Village at Grand Traverse Commons - 20 min drive - 24.1 km
  • Front Street - 21 min drive - 25.1 km
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 22 min drive - 17.9 km
  • Great Wolf Lodge Water Park - 22 min drive - 27.4 km

Getting around

  • Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) - 35 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Peg Town Station - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Papa J's Pizzeria - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Light of Day Organics - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Lake Ann Brewing Company - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Sunset Bar & Grill - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Charming, quiet, country retreat 1890's Centennial Farm house pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Charming, quiet, country retreat 1890's Centennial Farm house?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming, quiet, country retreat 1890's Centennial Farm house?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Charming, quiet, country retreat 1890's Centennial Farm house located?

Situated in a rural location, this vacation home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Holden Lake, Brooks Lake, and Armstrong Lake. Courson Lake and Wiltz Lake are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 63 out of 63 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 63 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 63 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 63 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 63 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Deborah P.

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

Perfect location

We had a short stay but wish we could have stayed longer. House was clean and comfortable. Location was perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda S.

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

Long weekend stay

Absolutely loved the farmhouse and it was perfect for our family! Great location close to Sleeping Dunes, the beach, Traverse city, wineries, and great Polish shop! Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Keith S.

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

A beautiful house and a wonderful stay

Our large family enjoyed a great time together in the Sleeping Bear Dunes region. The Ivy House was the perfect place for us to stay. It was clean, comfortable, had everything we needed and more.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Debbie J.

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

Wonderful and Welcoming

Ivy House was a perfect home base for exploring the area. I the home and grounds exceeded our expectations in every detail!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melissa B.

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

Immaculate home and peaceful setting

Immaculate home and property with a rich history. We enjoyed every minute of our stay and hope to come back again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Keyon G.

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

Traverse City Getaway

The property was beautiful and the location is ideal for a quiet getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gary P.

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

Great location and property

The property is a great location- about 20 minutes from Lake Michigan and 20 minutes from Traverse City. There is a great outdoor space with patio furniture and a grill that we ate at multiple times. The house has been really well renovated. The kitchen was great. The rooms were comfortable and everything was very clean.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tara H.

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

Perfect Getaway

Very good location!! The cleanest house we have ever stayed!!! (Clean enough to let infant crawl on floor with no worries) Own had quick response times with easy communication through text message. We enjoyed our family time and games were soo fun at night.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hannah R.

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

Great

Great property! We enjoyed the stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Judy S.

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

The Ivy House is a beautiful!

This century old house is absolutely perfect. It is out in the country and very secluded, which we love! This is our second stay there. The owners think of everything you might need and the accommodations are very very nice. We will definitely stay there again!!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nannette L.

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

Great place

Perfect location! Loved the history about the home it’s beautifully renovated. We definitely plan on returning. This place is a gem!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Delores M.

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

A Little Bit of History with a Peaceful Twist

We enjoyed this property. It was immaculent and provided everythingbyou need. No neighbors with a peaceful setting. The history of the home and family, provided by the owner, made it especially interesting. The location was.perfectly central to all the best spots. The restoration of this home is amazing and atrue labor of love @
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rae K.

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

Ivy House

We enjoyed staying at the Ivy House. The location was convenient to visit the Glen Arbor area, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and Glen Lake. The house is newly renovated and has a very nice kitchen that is stocked with all you need to prepare meals. The house is very clean. The host was very responsive to any questions we had during our stay. No complaints.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dawn A.

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

A slice of heaven

This property is the perfect getaway! Sandra is a very thoughtful, responsive host, and the house itself is everything you need for a luxury home away from home! The beds and towels are comfortable, the kitchen is gorgeous, and there is a view money can’t buy. The house itself is set into a picturesque countryside estate while being 15-20 minutes away from everything. We will be back again!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Teri M., Clarkston, MI

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

Short summer vac

Thank you for having us. The house was just as described and matched the listing. Extremely clean and had everything we needed. Beautiful renovation. Will definitely stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

allen w.

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

Photos don't do it justice

Amazing house, great for families, very quiet area with no other neighbors visible. If you looking for a quite get away just to relax this is the place
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alysha R., Brookfield, USA

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

Just like home

We absolutely loved this property! Check in process went very smooth, lots of room for our family to stretch out and play. Such a beautiful house, every detail thoughtfully arranged. Wish the weather was better for us to enjoy the outside areas but will definitely be staying again if we are in the area again. Hosts very attentive and responsive.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah L.

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

The cleanest house we have ever stayed in

The house was fantastic. It was cleaner than my own home. The furniture was comfortable. The location was perfect. The owners were super communicative. We were instantly comfortable in the home. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Colleen W.

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

The perfect home!

Our families came to Michigan for the first time for a wedding. The Ivy house is perfection. This home sits back off a quiet road but conveniently located to all the sites! We all enjoyed the outdoor seating for morning coffee, dinners and stargazing! Will definitely return!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melanie H.

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

Secluded paradise

The Ivy House was a perfect place to vacation for my daughter’s surprise engagement at Empire Bluffs. The house was impeccable and everyone that walked into house said “wow” to the craftsmanship and attention to detail. Everything was very comfortable and the kitchen is a dream to cook in. It was a central gathering spot for the whole family, from cooking, eating to playing games. The newly engaged couple took their first picture in the kitchen once they came back to the house…such a sweet memory in a beautiful space. The outside patio was our favorite spot for the night and the fire pit was a great addition. We loved the history and will definitely be back! Thank you for a wonderful experience.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Judy S.

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

Beautiful , comfortable and peaceful!

We decided on this home because it was in a central location to travel to Traverse City as our daughter was running the Bay Shore Marathon. Close to Sleeping Bear Dunes and Glenn Arbor and other peninsula locations. It was perfect for that….easy drives to all locations. We were not sure how we felt about booking a place out in the country. We quickly fell in love with the house and the peacefulness of its setting. We had all age groups with us and everyone agreed that we loved the location! The house is absolutely beautiful and the hosts thought of everything you might need. The beds are super comfortable, bathrooms are very nice and kitchen is well stocked. The outdoor patio/gazebo is so nice for sitting outside with really cool lights and the 2 person swing was a big hit with all. The kids enjoyed having lots of room outside to run around and everyone enjoyed the bean bag game they provided! The hosts are super attentive…they even have a notebook they made up with the history of the house including pictures. Very interesting. We would absolutely stay there again, it was wonderful…better than we ever imagined!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nannette L.

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeff G.

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

IVY house Michigan

House and location were perfect. We picked a great time if year and because of the location of the property we're were able to see a good deal if the sights. Highly recommend this property.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jill W.

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

Wonderful home! 5 stars!

What a beautiful home! We loved it so much we didn’t want to leave. Seriously if I could live here I would. The cleanliness was top notch, very roomy, and had everything we needed. The area was nice, secluded and spacious. Just a lovely lovely home.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Raymond E.

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

Beautiful home. I will for sure rent for a longer stay to enjoy this beautiful area of Michigan.

Easy process . Clear instructions . I highly recommend to stay at this lovely house
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

About the host

Hosted by Sandra Noonan

Host profile image
I am retired after 30 years with the USPS. My husband is a full-time farmer. We have 3 married children and 8 grand children.

Why they chose this property

I inherited this property from my father (who was born in this house) and he inherited this from his mother. It was in very bad shape when we decided to restore it. My grand father purchased this property in 1899 and the house was already here. I lived here as a child until I was 3 years old. In 1999 we made application to have it registered as a "Centennial Farm" and my husband still farms it.

What makes this property unique

No close neighbors, always a breeze blowing, country beauty and privacy. It is a wonderful place to relax and unwind.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests