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Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location

Holiday home with kitchen, 10-minute walk to Lake Michigan

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TV, books - Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location (Empire)
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop - Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location (Empire)
Outdoor dining - Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location (Empire)
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop - Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location (Empire)
Property grounds - Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location (Empire)
Experience the charm of Carol's Cottage, within walking distance to Empire Beach and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Inside, unwind in the colorful open space with a full kitchen and cozy firepit perfect for roasting marshmallows or enjoy family cookouts.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4950 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location

Holiday home with kitchen, 10-minute walk to Lake Michigan
Along with laundry facilities, this smoke-free holiday home has a garden and barbecues. The holiday home provides a kitchen with a fridge, an oven, a stovetop and a microwave. Guests can appreciate conveniences, such as a washing machine and a coffee/tea maker, and other amenities include a patio and a TV.
Guest accommodation at this holiday home offers coffee/tea makers. Rooms open to patios. Kitchens offer fridges, stovetops, microwaves and kitchenware and utensils.
The recreational activities listed below are available either on-site or nearby; fees may apply.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Internet access

Parking and transport

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.

Location highlights

  • In a village

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 950 square feet

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Interior
Steps to Beach! Dog-friendly Suttons Bay Cottage
  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Note from host: Dogs only. Max of 2.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the premises.

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
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

92079

About the area

Downtown Mmpire, a neighbourhood in Empire, is home to this holiday home. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum and Burnett Park are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching. Visit our Empire travel guide
View more Holiday homes in Empire
Map
Empire, MI

What's nearby

  • Landscape at sunrise of sand dune, clouds, and waters of Lake Michigan, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan, USA
    Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
    8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore featuring general coastal views
    Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    17 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Fall color tour in Northern Michigan. Endless beauty. #OnTheRoad
    Empire Bluff Trail
    19 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Pie is Life!
    Front Street
    32 min drive - 46.7 km
  • Lake cabins abandoned on coast during winter with frozen lake
    Crystal Mountain
    36 min drive - 49.1 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    43 min drive

Restaurants

  • Joes Friendly Tavern
    3 min walk
  • Shipwreck Cafe
    6 min walk
  • Empire Village Pizza & Spirits
    7 min walk
  • Food For Thought
    7 min drive
  • The Manor on Glen Lake
    7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location located?

Located in Downtown Mmpire, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Philip A. Hart Visitor Center and Lake Michigan. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is 0.8 mi (1.3 km) away.

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Dog-friendly cottage with fenced yard, firepit, W/D, & WiFi - walkable location Reviews

Reviews

Excellent

All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 25 out of 42 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 42 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 4 out of 42 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 42 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 42 reviews

8.6

Cleanliness

10

Location

9.0

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lisa K.

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

Quiet, clean great location

Great location to explore Sleeping Bear Dunes, walkable to local beach and a couple of local eateries.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

Heather N.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

Great place to stay if you have 1-2 kids or a dog like we had. Great location to walk to grocers daughter chocolate! The place is outdated and busy with decorations, but if you can see past that, it’s a comfortable stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Patricia b.

Cute little house convenient to all

Great location, very quiet, well appointed, easy to access, comfortable beds and furnishings. Pet friendly with a fenced yard and dog bags!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gary E.

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

Our stay

A cozy cottage with all the essential amenities. It felt very “Empire” in ambiance. Conveniently located close to all the best of the Natl. Lakeshore
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy W.

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

Lovely cottage with all we needed!

Nicely furnished with high quality. Comfty beds. Good location for visiting Frankfort to the peninsulas.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Dolores A.

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

Cute Comfy Cottage

Spacious rooms, walking distance to Front Street. Quiet residential area. Close to beachfront at Lake Michigan. Dog friendly.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

David M.

FALL SPLENDOR

Perfect place for a little r&r during the fall foilage season. Easy walk to the beach, easy walk to the corner hamburger joint. Very comfortable and welcoming.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathy K.

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

Traveling with 2 dogs

This was the perfect place to stay as we traveled with 2 adult golden retrievers. So grateful that property owners allow pets. The dogs and humans had a wonderful stay and we will book again next year.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary R.

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

Great location. Dog friendly.

The property worked well for us. We enjoyed being able to have our dog in the fenced yatd to chase balls. The location was great. Close to the beach, trails and a restaurant. Just a note - there is no air conditioning which was probably stated. There are fans.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cindy W.

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

Comfy cottage great location in Empire MI

For a visit to Empire this is a great cottage Well equipped with everything needed. Towels plentiful and thirsty. Quiet neighborhood. Regular basket style coffee maker, toaster and microwave. Best of all fire pitans back patio to relax
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Laurieanne R.

Cute Cottage

Clean…clean….and clean! Had everything we needed. Close to Lake Michigan. Comfy and safe.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris K.

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

Nice place to stay

Great location quiet neighborhood. Loved the fenced in backyard. I did a 4 out of 5 stars for cleanliness because i think the outside of the house should be cleaned a little better get the webs and bugs off the house especially since theres no AC and you have to rely on windows being opened for air flow. The inside of the house was clean no problems there. All in all great place to stay especially if you have a dog with you.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Lisa C.

Beautiful home and great customer service

We initially booked a stay and arrived to find that the heating system was not functioning. With a phone call to customer service, they had someone out to look at it within a couple hours. When it turned out to not be an easy fix, they found a different property for us to move to, which was an even lovelier location and home. It turned out to be a clean and well appointed home with all the amenities to stay comfortably and with easy, close access to so many activities in the area! Thank you Vacasa!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Eric C.

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

Great location

My wife and I had an enjoyable trip. A few comments on our stay and the reason for not giving a 5 star rating. This is admittedly some of my fault. This is a pet friendly place, not being a pet owner, I should have considered that there would be remnants of pet hair. I had to vaccum the living room furniture prior to sitting on it. Also cleaned up the the throw rug. House could use some updates. Either way, not a horrible experience. I can say its in a perfect location for taking part in the area attractions and close enough to Traverse city if you want plenty of options for dinner
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

6/10 Okay

Katherine M.

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy

Great location, needs some work

We are return guests and love this spot, although the house could use some maintenance since our visit last year. As someone noted in Aug 2023 the front door is very hard to open from inside when it’s locked. We are landlords ourselves and this is a major fire hazard. The loose cabinet door for the cupboard under the sink, which was noted in a review last fall, has simply been removed, leaving household chemicals open to small kids. The house inside was clean but the outside porch and deck were filthy and covered with leaves, dirt and spiders, which may explain the thriving indoor earwig population (not present last year). Aside from that, the house is cozy, the beds are comfortable and the location is perfect. Vacasa is based in Oregon and texts to mgmt are answered with sincerity and no action, as are these reviews.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Becca M.

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

Great Spot for a Michigan Getaway

We loved our stay in Empire. The house is very close (walking distance) to one good restaurant (Joe’s) and an ice cream shop. Driving distance to two more good restaurants (shipwreck cafe and pizza place). The house has adequate space to relax, good beds, a nice laundry room, and a great backyard with a fire pit. We were very comfortable and would stay here again. The beach is incredible, it’s 4 blocks away and the water and sand are beautiful. We enjoyed our daily trips to the beach very much. Make time to spend a day exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Stop in the visitor center first and learn more about it all. Love our National Park Service so much. The ONLY complaint we have is there were a LOT of spiders in the house. We are fairly thick skinned people who are mostly pacifists when it comes to bugs in our house. This, however, tested our ability for tolerance. I’m not exaggerating when I say we “eliminated” at least 100 spiders in our week there. A few were very large and we found them within inches of where our heads were on our pillow just moments before. It was… a lot. They were under the beds, in every corner of every room, under the bathroom counter. I did let the management know via text when they checked in on how we were doing but I didn’t want any fumigation while we (and our dog) were there. That was our choice. I don’t know what they normally do to combat this issue but hopefully they will see this review and address it. A partial refund? :)
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Beverly W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
Property was pet friendly. Very nice walkable neighborhood. Great location to everything.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

William B.

Best location and pet friendly!

Walk to the beach! Close to the national park.
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jon G.

Nice little home!!

Everthing was great,comfy beds,and furniture,close to Empire Beach
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jessica E.

New house for us

We try and stay once a year in Empire and typically rent the same house. This was a last min trip and our usual place was full. We really enjoyed the cottage better than our normal place as it was slightly bigger and the kitchen and bath were a better fit for our family. Will definitely stay again

10/10 Excellent

Amy S.

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

Love this cottage!!!

So cozy!!! Will stay here again!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Karen P.

Great location and very comfortable

Private, proximity to Lake Michigan and other area attractions. WiFi / TV excellent. Met our needs perfectly!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Carol S.

Location location location

In great proximity to many good places to hike, walk to the beach, empire sleeping bear dune races and short drive to eating establishments and breweries.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rachael Z.

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

Great Little Getaway

We loved staying at this cozy little cottage in Empire. It had everything we needed.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Elizabeth C.

A cute little house at the beach

The proximity to “downtown” Empire was super and it is an easy walk to the beach. Our dogs enjoyed the back yard and it was easy to walk them around the neighborhood. We neglected to notice that there is no A/C. We opened the windows due to record high temps during our stay and there are a lot of fans in the closets but do note it got very hot inside. Bring a sheetpan/cookie sheet or 9x13 - I forgot mine for dinner prep and cooking and the kitchen didn’t have one.