Entire home

Sleeping Bear - Empire Retreat near Lake Michigan

Vacation home near Lake Michigan in Empire

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Photo gallery for Sleeping Bear - Empire Retreat near Lake Michigan

A modern kitchen with dark blue cabinets, a stainless steel refrigerator, and a white countertop.
A modern living room with a blue sofa, a white armchair, and a coffee table. A sign on the wall reads "GO JUMP IN THE LAKE".
A single-story house with a dark blue exterior, white trim, and a front door with a wreath.
A modern dining area with a wooden table, white chairs, and a bar with stools.
A modern living room with a blue sofa, a beige armchair, a wooden coffee table, and a fireplace.

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Entire home

3 bedrooms1 bathroom122 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Empire, MI
  • Place, South Bar Lake
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Place, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪43 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

Empire

Downtown Mmpire stay.Your stay at this Downtown Mmpire vacation home places you within 2 miles (3 km) of Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Also, South Bar Lake is within half a mile (1 km) and Philip A. Hart Visitor Center is within 2 miles (3 km).

What's nearby

  • South Bar Lake - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Philip A. Hart Visitor Center - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
  • beach near Village Park - 19 min walk - 1.7 km
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • beach near Downtown Mmpire - 3 min drive - 1.5 km

Getting around

  • Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) - 43 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Trattoria Funistrada - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Joes Friendly Tavern - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Shipwreck Cafe - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Empire Village Pizza & Spirits - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪La Becasse - ‬14 min drive

About this property

Entire place

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

Sleeping Bear - Empire Retreat near Lake Michigan

Enjoy small-town charm and natural beauty at this newly updated home in the heart of Empire—gateway to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Nestled on a spacious corner lot, this dog-friendly retreat is just a short walk from Lake Michigan, downtown shops, restaurants, and scenic hiking trails.

Inside, unwind in the bright, inviting living area where large windows fill the space with natural light. Cozy up on the plush sectional by the electric fireplace, stream your favorite shows, or share stories around the dining table. The well-equipped kitchen features stainless-steel appliances, a breakfast bar, and everything you need to cook up a hearty post-beach meal.

Outside, spend your evenings gathered around the firepit under the stars. The yard offers plenty of room for kids—or pups—to play, while the quiet neighborhood ensures a peaceful stay. With high-speed WiFi, a washer/dryer, and easy access to both the dunes and the lake, this home is ideal for families, couples, or friends looking to explore one of Michigan’s most beloved destinations.

Sleeping Arrangements
- Bedroom 1: 1 king bed (sleeps 2)
- Bedroom 2: 1 double bed (sleeps 2)
- Bedroom 3: 2 twin beds (sleeps 2)

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Stereo
  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Things to do

  • Kayak

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)

General

  • Unit size: 1,308 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

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 welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 2 pets
  • Service animals 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
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector and a smoke detector in each accommodation.

Property is also known as

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Frequently asked questions

How close is Sleeping Bear - Empire Retreat near Lake Michigan to the airport?

This vacation home is 30.3 mi (43-min drive) away from the Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Sleeping Bear - Empire Retreat near Lake Michigan have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

Does Sleeping Bear - Empire Retreat near Lake Michigan offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Sleeping Bear - Empire Retreat near Lake Michigan?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home.

What time is check-in at Sleeping Bear - Empire Retreat near Lake Michigan?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Sleeping Bear - Empire Retreat near Lake Michigan?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Sleeping Bear - Empire Retreat near Lake Michigan have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does Sleeping Bear - Empire Retreat near Lake Michigan have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is Sleeping Bear - Empire Retreat near Lake Michigan to downtown Empire?

This vacation home is 0.5 mi away from Empire.

Sleeping Bear - Empire Retreat near Lake Michigan Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 2 out of 5 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 5 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 5 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 5 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 5 reviews

8.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our family of 5 enjoyed our stay at this home. It was laid out well for gathering to play games, watch the World Cup, eating meals, and the backyard space was nice for relaxing/yard games. There was lots of outdoor furniture not reflected in the listing. The decor was fun a MI beach/cherry theme! Lots of towels, blankets, and space to prepare meals. The kitchen is well stocked for meals in. The walk to the beach was further than our usual 10 minute walk and we opted to drive, but none of us minded because we enjoyed coming home to this beautiful space. However, the Grocer’s Daughter was a short walk for coffee, cookies, and gelato! We would definitely rent this home again, thank you for having us.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026