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BJ's Retreat | On Torch Lake | Waterfront

Lakefront holiday home in Alden with kitchen

Photo gallery for BJ's Retreat | On Torch Lake | Waterfront

Exterior
Exterior
3 bedrooms, WiFi
Dining
TV

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 9

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Lake view

Explore the area

View map
Alden, MI
  • Place, Torch Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Front Street
    ‪43 min drive‬
  • Place, Boyne Mountain
    ‪46 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪44 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

Alden

At this holiday home you'll be steps from Torch Lake and 3.8 km (2.4 mi) from Clam River. Highlights at this holiday home include a kitchen. .Home features a sofa bed, a TV and a coffee/tea maker. In-room dining is easy with a kitchen that comes equipped with a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. .With a stay at this Alden holiday home, you'll be 26.6 km (16.5 mi) from Lake Michigan.
View more Holiday homes in AldenOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Torch Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Turtle Creek Casino - 25 min drive - 33.5 km
  • Front Street - 43 min drive - 50.1 km
  • Boyne Mountain - 46 min drive - 70.0 km
  • Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark - 46 min drive - 70.7 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Oasis Tavern - ‬21 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Short's Brewing Company - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪The Dockside - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Shanty Creek Resorts - ‬16 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.

BJ's Retreat | On Torch Lake | Waterfront

Summary:
BJ's RETREAT - 2 Bedrooms, 1 bath.  This home sleeps 8-9, which includes the unfinished bunk house. Sitting on the east side of Torch Lake, just a couple miles north of Alden.  This cottage is peaceful and offers a large yard featuring a fire pit for enjoying your s'mores, views of the lake and beautiful sunsets.  Relax while talking about what a great day you had or making plans for the next day's fun.  The cottage does sit back from the water a little ways - See drone picture for property outline.  Water access is about 300-400 feet south of the house. (You cannot see the water access from the cottage but you CAN see the Lake!) There is a mooring anchor to tie up a boat which also cannot be seen from the house.  Don't have a boat, no problem. There are several marinas in the area that rent a variety of watercraft and we are happy to provide you with information and phone numbers for these.  The fact that this cottage is situated between the towns of Alden and Bellaire gives you easy access to both.  In Alden, you can grab an ice cream cone, visit some of the quaint shops, hike at Coy Mountain Preserve, wine taste at Vista Ridge Winery, grab some muffins for breakfast at the Muffin Tin or have breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Torch Lake Beer Company.  In Bellaire, there are also some neat shops, a movie theatre, Glacial Hills Natural Area for Mountain Biking and many options for dining.  Bellaire is also the original location of Short's Brewery, an award-winning Craft Brewery.  Enjoy a craft beer with your meal.  The food is as good as the beer.  Along these same lines, you are able to visit Bee Well Meadery and do some tasting or Mammoth Distillery for a taste of locally made liquor.  The house has 2 bedrooms, 1 bath.  There is a separate unfinished bunk house, with sleeping for the youngsters with 2 sets of twin bunk beds.
A reasonable way to stay. It offers you a large open back yard that runs along the water and you have your own water frontage just a short walk from the house. Sheets and Towels ARE provided!
With owner's approval, they may allow 1 dog (50lbs or less). If you are bringing a pet, they are to be crated if you are not in the home with them.

Other Things to Note:
We do require that our renters be at least 25 years of age. 
Sorry no air conditioner. NO SMOKING

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

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

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Shower

Entertainment

  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Service animals only (pets not allowed)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • On a lake
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Optional golf privileges
  • Casino nearby
  • Cycling nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 9:00 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

  • No pets allowed, but service animals are welcome

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
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. On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a smoke detector in all accommodation.

Property is also known as

6823a8ec798aca0011a1f09f

Frequently asked questions

Are there any beaches close to BJ's Retreat | On Torch Lake | Waterfront?

The closest beach to BJ's Retreat | On Torch Lake | Waterfront is Dam Beach (10.3 km).

Does BJ's Retreat | On Torch Lake | Waterfront have a pool?

No, this holiday home doesn't have a pool.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at BJ's Retreat | On Torch Lake | Waterfront?

No, BJ's Retreat | On Torch Lake | Waterfront does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at BJ's Retreat | On Torch Lake | Waterfront?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 9:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at BJ's Retreat | On Torch Lake | Waterfront?

No, only service animals are allowed.

Reviews

BJ's Retreat | On Torch Lake | Waterfront Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

9.6/10

Cleanliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 16 out of 22 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 22 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 22 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 22 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 22 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Benjamin M.

Liked: Cleanliness
We had a nice time on the lake and the house is conveniently located and meet our needs.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Dawn J.

Liked: Cleanliness

4th of July holiday

My family from Boston joined us at this lovely property for the holiday. It is very spacious and private. We anchored our pontoon at their moor anchor and used the dock for loading/unloading. This was our 1st time using a moor anchor, it was a different experience but successful. We were able to see our pontoon from the dining room window. The home is also spacious. The bunk house is not attached. No a/c meant we needed to be very diligent about opening windows/doors and closing curtains throughout the day. The weather was mid 80s. Cool nights were helpful! Some fans were available. The kitchen was well stocked with basics. The yard was nicely lit with solar lights. The floor tile in the hall needs to be replaced for safety. The hardware on the beds needs to be tightened to ward off the noisy squeaks of the beds through the night. While the bunk house had to be well vented for comfort, the mattresses were actually more comfortable than those in the house. While I expected to pay a premium price for this place on the lake for a holiday, I still find it shocking and very inconvenient when linens are not included, especially with standard cleaning fees attached. The property management and owners were very attentive and accommodating for a couple unexpected minor issues we had arise. The property is 15 min by boat north of the sand bar and 10 min south of the Dockside restaurant. We enjoyed visiting both places. Thanks for the memories and sharing your property with us!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Pryce B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Torch lake

We absolutely loved this place! The kids thought the bunk house was the “coolest thing ever”…we had a wholesome time enjoying the beautiful lake, taking our kayaks out on the water, and enjoying one another. I like how this house isn’t a rich looking mansion….I liked how it felt like you were walking into great grandmas to grab a bite to eat and hit the water!! We appreciate those things in places! Don’t change a thing! It was perfect!!! I also adored all the artwork painted by the original owner. How cool that a railroad ran through the property years and years ago! Our children enjoyed unplugging and being with one another! Thanks for having us! We hope you will have us back!
Breathtaking sunsets!
Fire by sunset! S’mores for the win!
How cool is this bunkhouse? Mom this is the coolest thing ever!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

L R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Very enjoyable stay

Clean and quiet. Close to lots of thing to see and do but very nice if you just wanted to relax. I liked the info packet we were given when we arrived, very nice touch. Also ate at the Dockside just down the road, good food.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Michael S.

Great and Not so Great

Great location and we did enjoy our stay however there is no AC and it was hot--we ended up leaving early rather than stay the last night in the heat. Also the place could use some maintenance and updating. Bathroom lav needs replacement, grille was too dirty to use, salvation army furniture and general maintenance was not up to standards we expect. That said, we did enjoy ourselves because it is a great location on a fabulous lake. Just have reasonable expectations if you rent this place.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rose P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect Retreat

We needed a place to unplug and enjoy nature. This home is clean, simple and perfect for a long weekend retreat. It's on Torch Lake with a beautiful view from the dining room window. We enjoyed evening breezes and quick trips into Alden. Thank you for a terrific weekend!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect Getaway

We very much enjoyed our stay! The house was great, and we loved the fire pit and access to the lake. There was a lot to do in the area, and we would definitely stay there again!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Jennie P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Lakeside was nice

It’s a cute house and lovely to have access to the water. The view from the dining table was beautiful. We didn’t use the fire pit but also a nice touch. I always list the negatives to help other renters. The bunk house had very little electric, and no heat. There’s no a/c anywhere but we don’t need it. There were no sheets (even fitted sheets), just big comforters. Check out is at 9 am which I’ve never heard of. King bed is very creaky when you move. With all the plus and minuses, I’d stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy P., Grand Rapids, MI

Liked: Cleanliness

Great

Beautiful piece of property! Close to everything.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jacki K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful Vacation

The lake was gorgeous and the house was quaint. Great stay and a wonderful vacation week!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cindy G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Relaxing week on Torch Lake

We spent a week with family here. The house is as pictured, kitchen stocked with everything we needed and the view of the lake was gorgeous. It was very relaxing and we had a great time on the lake, golfing and exploring Traverse City and Bellaire.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kellie P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Every clean great view not far from the sand bar nice fire pit

We had a great time
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Danielle G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Torch

Beautiful place. Lots of outdoor space, perfect if you are traveling with a pup
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lance K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family vacation

Loved the view of the lake. Loved the size of the property. Great location. No do they leave. Would rent again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sarah W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful cottage in a beautiful lake

What a beautiful cottage! Absolutely loved our stay at Torch Lake!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Tracey S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family getaway

The property is on a beautiful piece of land. It was the most relaxing and peaceful vacation we have ever experienced. Highly recommended.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kristina K.

Liked: Cleanliness

It was a great stay

Amazing stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Hope S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect

The entire weekend was beautiful and perfect!! Should redo your pictures online cause the place looks WAY better in person!!

8/10 Good

Sinda Lou C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Little piece of paradise

Although our weather didn’t cooperate until the day before we left, the house and property gave us a lot of room to spread out. The walk down to the lake and the view from the house were wonderful. The kitchen was full stocked with pots, pans and utensils.Thanks to the property management for the ease of check in and communication prior to our arrival.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Janet t.

Liked: Cleanliness

Torch Lake Cottage

The property company was fantastic to work with. Beautiful Torch Lake can’t be beat! And the home and it’s ground were perfect for our small immediate Family wedding. Plenty of sleeping places, room to play games outside, a large fireplace with benches, a mooring to bring our boat down and the vest view in town. Sunset wedding was perfect!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jenny B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Long weekend

We spent a long weekend with friends at this beautiful property. Spent a lot of time outside despite a few pop up showers the kids loved the bunk house as they are older and enjoyed having a place to hang out and play games. Would definitely rent again!!!

10/10 Excellent

Priscila M., New Hudson

Liked: Cleanliness

Beauitful views of the lake

We really enjoyed our stay at BJ's retreat. The house itself was clean and comfortable. Everything was as advertised. The location is ideal and the view of the lake is amazing from the fire pit and dock. Would definitely recommend and return for a rustic and relaxing trip to Torch Lake!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019