Arbutus Lake-King Suite-Pontoon Rentals

Sun-dappled, freshly renovated, and tucked into a canopy of hardwoods right on Arbutus Lake — this Traverse City cottage rental is a quiet retreat that punches well above its modest footprint. The white-painted board-and-batten exterior sits on a compact lot shaded by tall maples, with a low wood deck out front fitted with a four-seat dining table where lake breezes follow you through breakfast. A second, larger deck off the side wall catches the afternoon light and doubles as an outdoor living room on warm evenings.

Step through the door

Inside, the open-plan living area feels immediately calm, warm oak-toned LVP floors, three pine-framed windows in a row, and a sectional sofa angled toward the entry. A vintage canoe paddle mounted on the wall is the only decor, and it's enough. The kitchen runs along the left wall: grey shaker cabinets, white countertops, a stainless gas range, and a full-size refrigerator, compact but genuinely equipped, with a mounted flat-screen TV above for lazy-morning viewing. A dark dining table and chairs sit just inside the front door, ready for meals after a day on the pontoon.

Where you'll sleep

Two bedrooms sleep four comfortably. The king suite is the showstopper, a reclaimed-wood headboard in deep espresso, pine-framed windows looking straight into the trees, and its own en-suite bath plus a wall-mounted AC/heat unit. The second bedroom fits a queen with the same clean-lined headboard treatment and a bright window onto the forest. Both bathrooms are crisp and white.

Outside your door

The deck is the heart of summer here, set a snack on the slatted table and watch the light shift through the maples. The lake and pontoon access are steps away, making this one of the most relaxed spots on the Arbutus Lake chain.

What's Nearby

You're about fifteen minutes from downtown Traverse City's waterfront restaurants, wineries, and the Sleeping Bear Dunes corridor. Arbutus Lake itself connects to a small chain of lakes, making it ideal for a full afternoon afloat.

Perfect For

Couples or a family of four craving a no-fuss lakefront escape, the king suite and private dock access make this especially attractive for two couples sharing costs or parents with one child in tow.