Elk Rapids, Michigan
** note: this is our family home that we rent for a couple weeks a year, not a "rental" house. It's nice ;) Although we love and appreciate vacations with large rowdy groups, that's not the rental clientele we're looking for **
Our home is comfy, spacious, with great walk-ability to shops, restaurants, and a whole bunch of outdoor activities. Outside we have a great yard...wraparound deck, lots of lawn, plus patio area with frog pond, waterfall, and fire pit.
Beds/baths: two queens, one full, futon in the basement (although we're not looking for large groups). One full bath with tub, one with shower, one half bath.
Location: presumably if you're searching for a vacation in this area, you are familiar with all-things-glorious about the Grand Traverse region ;) Lots of great little towns, but in our biased opinion Elk Rapids is the best of them all. Proximity (as in, literally surrounded by) Lake Michigan plus beautiful inland lakes and rivers, proximity to the scenery and wineries of the Grand Traverse and Chain of Lakes regions, proximity to the hustle and bustle of happening Traverse City. All in a wonderful little beach town with great activities, shopping, and restaurants right along River Street.
Our home is in a quiet neighborhood just a couple blocks from both Elk Rapid's harbor and business district, and multiple Lake Michigan (and Elk Lake) beach areas and access points.