Minutes away from historic Traverse City, this unique cottage offers a serene retreat with an elevated deck overlooking 1200 feet of river frontage. Inside, you'll find a fully-stocked kitchen and comfortable amenities like wireless internet and DIRECTV. Explore miles of state land right out the front door or tube down the river for endless adventure.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire chalet
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 7158 sq m
Popular amenities
Spa pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air-conditioning
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.
Riverwalk Chalet: HotTub
Escape to Riverside Charm: Your Winter Retreat Near Traverse City Discover a charming cottage just minutes from Traverse City, offering a peaceful year round getaway with 1900 feet of river frontage. Enjoy stunning scenic views from the elevated deck, perfect for intimate meals prepared on the gas grill. Cozy Comfort and Vintage Charm: This chalet blends vintage charm with modern comforts, creating a warm and nostalgic atmosphere. The main level features a bedroom with a Queen bed and a Twin-over-Twin bunk, a bathroom with attached laundry, and an open living room and kitchen. Upstairs, you'll find two additional Queen bedrooms and a second bathroom. The kitchen, a delightful nod to the 70s, boasts green laminate countertops, a wraparound counter with bar seating for four, and solid wood cabinets. Fully equipped with modern appliances, including a microwave, dishwasher, and 12-cup coffee maker, along with all the necessary cookware and dishware, it's ready for all your culinary creations. Winter Wonderland and Outdoor Adventures: Step outside and explore 6,500 acres of scenic state land adjacent to the property, offering hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails right at your doorstep. Enjoy winter activities like tubing, hiking, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and more. Relax by the firepit at the river's edge, listen to the soothing sounds of the flowing water, or unwind on the elevated deck or private balcony while watching for wildlife. After a day of adventure, soothe your muscles in the private hot tub. Amenities and Convenience: Free Wi-Fi and Cable TV Fully stocked kitchen All bedding, pillows, sheets, and towels provided Complimentary starter pack of essential supplies Firewood available for purchase nearby On-site laundry Gas grill Private hot tub River access and frontage Access to state land and trails Guest Services: Our team is dedicated to ensuring a seamless and enjoyable stay. While respecting your privacy, we're just a message or call away for any assistance or recommendations. Our local team is available to help with parking or any other inquiries during your stay. Booking Information: After booking, you'll be asked to sign the rental agreement. Upon completion, you'll receive all the details for a smooth check-in. Highlights: Riverfront property with private hot tub Access to state land and snowmobile trails Vintage charm with modern amenities Pet-friendly
Property amenities
Pool/Spa
Hot tub
Internet
Available in the accommodation: WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Toaster
Bedrooms
3 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
3 bathrooms
Hair dryer
Towels provided
Living spaces
Fireplace
Living room
Separate dining area
Entertainment
DVD player
TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Gas grill
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
On a river
On the waterfront
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)
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
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
About the area
Located in Traverse City, this chalet is on the waterfront. Shoppers can check out Front Street, while everyone can enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Michigan and Traverse City Beach. Centre Ice Arena and Great Wolf Lodge Water Park are also worth visiting. Visit our Traverse City travel guide
What time is check-in at Riverwalk Chalet: HotTub?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Riverwalk Chalet: HotTub?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Riverwalk Chalet: HotTub located?
Situated on the waterfront, this chalet is within 6 miles (10 km) of Forest Lakes, Arbutus Lake and Spider Lake. Grand Traverse Natural Education Reserve and Turtle Creek Stadium are also within 9 miles (15 km).
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Riverwalk Chalet: HotTub Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
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.
Came to get away from the daily grind looking for peace and relaxation. It delivered! The seclusion, wildlife, fire on the river was exactly what we all needed. The house was cleaned very well and the AC was great during the hot weather.
Clean and cozy. Location is gorgeous! A lot of steps to get to the cabin but it’s worth it for the view! We weren’t sure if we were at the right place when we got there. An address at the bottom of the stairs would have been helpful. Otherwise, the place is beautiful. We enjoyed our stay.
Donna K.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Laura G.
8 Nov 2013
Great place!
This cottage was wonderful. We stayed with another couple here and loved it. It was really clean and had everything we needed including an unending supply of firewood!! Photos were accurate, surroundings were beautiful, owner was wonderfully helpful. We did lots of wine tasting and hiking along with horseback riding at a nearby stable. The weather wasn't the best but it didn't slow us down. I would recommend this listing.
The outdoor space is amazing. We loved fishing from the bridge, sitting by the fire and laying in the hammocks! The house is a great location to get to hiking trails and into Traverse City. Richard the host was so nice. He did a kayak trip for us where he dropped kayaks for us up the river and we kayaked back to the house. It’s a beautiful river for kayaking. We had a great time spending family time here.
Very clean. Beautiful location. Accurate listing. Would recommend. Would rent again. You do have to walk across a bridge over the river and go up some steps to get to the cottage. Was not a problem for my wife and I, we are in our 60's. The location is worth a few steps.
STEVEN V.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021
Archival
8/10 Good
Jeanne E.
30 Oct 2012
Secluded, outdoorsy cottage
We enjoyed our girl's two night away stay in Traverse City here at the Boardman River cottage. We loved the real wood fireplace as well as the outdoor fire pit by the river. The beds were all very comfortable & clean. Enjoyed the deck off the bedroom looking over the river as well as sitting with our coffee in the morning on the front door deck. Obviously, a lot of steps up to the cottage since it does sit above the river but something to consider. Close to Mission Peninsula and Traverse City and not so bad getting to things farther west in the area. Pretty well located. Places we visited that we recommend: Gill's Pier Vineyard, the drive between Glen Arbor & Empire on M~22, Pierce Stocking Drive, Apache Trout Grille for lunch.
The only improvement this comfortable cottage needs is a dishwasher esp for those who intend to eat in. Perhaps Richard has this addition in mind for 2013.
This is our 2nd stay at the Boardman River Cottage and the place is very clean and well maintained. The grounds and the river add much to the experience. Communication with the owner was easy. We would easily come back. Thanks Richard!
I stayed here with a group of guys for my brother's bachelor party, and this spot was fantastic. The bonfire pit is right next to the river, and there's a hot tub right out back. The place was immaculately clean, and had a very nice cabin charm. The showers were both very nice and clean, and the kitchen has everything you need. Thanks Richard!
Such an peaceful stay. We loved being by the river and seeing the kayakers go by Enjoyed daily grilling and campfires. The house is stocked well. Met the nice owner upon arrival to sign paperwork. Don’t forget the bug spray.
This is a relaxing, rustic cottage on the river--you can hear the river current when windows are open. Entry to cottage is a lot of steps, just something to consider. Beds were comfortable. Kitchen is small but functional. It could use a few more serving utensils such as wooden spoons. Nice hot tub in back of property. Two downsides: one is the wifi--listing says wifi available--it turns out it is a hotspot and you are allowed 1G per stay. With two younger kids that love to watch videos that was not enough. Second the gas grill is dirty and we were unable to turn on the propane. It was a great base from which to explore Traverse City and would gladly return for another stay.
We stayed here for a week while exploring the area. What a beautiful setting! The river views are amazing. We loved sitting on the hammocks enjoying the views. The house is very comfortable. We loved the decor and everything we needed to prepare meals was provided. Also the location is great for exploring the area. Communication with host was very good. We will definitely stay again.
This beautiful property was spotless, spacious for our 3 teens, 8 year old and two adults. The beds and pillows were very comfortable.
Everything you would need were available! The views were magnificent. The owner was a pleasure to talk to and very helpful.
What a beautiful property right on the bend of the board man river. The views exceeded our expectations! The cabin was very clean and had everything we needed. Thank you!
We really enjoyed our stay. Richard was an incredible host, very good communication. He walked us through the house at check-in and gave us a straightforward please do and please do not list, all very reasonable requests. We loved the house/cabin you feel like you are right over the river in a treehouse. Wood was available for us, which is great as motorcyclists, though that may have just been good luck on our part, for the incredible fire ring just feet off the river. The drive on google earth showed as gravel, but has since been black topped, there is only a very short stretch of gravel that was well packed and easy to ride on as was the parking area. I was initially concerned about the amount of stairs from the pictures, but once you arrive you are so busy taking in the views that they were a non issue, and I do not like stairs. Initially you will feel like the upstairs bedrooms do not cool very well, but following Richards advise with some fan placement we were completely comfortable at night and our daytime highs were in the 90's. If I could change anything it would be to move the hot tub to the front for a river view, easier said than done I realize, and to put in some stairs to access the river, the banks are steep and to get in there I had to do some climbing. Incredible stay, THANKS RICHARD!
We enjoyed a quick weekend getaway at this house. The sound of the Boardman River while relaxing either in the hammocks, or on the deck, or by the firepit was awesome! Richard was very responsive and a great host. Highly recommend!
This place allowed us to relax and get away from the day to day rush of life. The rippling sounds of the water and fresh air was so relaxing. The house is very clean and had that cozy feeling.
This place was everything we needed! We were looking for a nice relaxing spot to get away from the world a bit. This spot exceeded our expectations. The house is beautiful, surrounded by trees and water. We wine tasted Saturday, but we could’ve just stayed at the house all weekend. We’re going to make this an annual friend trip and hope to get this house every fall!
We came with friends for a weekend to celebrate my birthday, and we cannot stop talking about how beautiful the view was. The photos for the listing do not do the view of the property justice! Richard was an amazing host that goes above and beyond to make sure you are happy with your stay. We will definitely be back in the future!