The 9 Best Michigan Vacation Rentals of 2023

Best for Privacy: Secluded Retreat in Fennville

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Set amid leafy, flower-filled woodlands, this spacious wooden cabin has recently been renovated to provide modern comforts in a rustic environment. In addition to three bedrooms, the house has a living room with a stone-lined fireplace, two bathrooms, and laundry facilities. A wooden deck has outdoor couches, a coffee table, and a Jacuzzi tub. The deck also faces the lawns, a small vegetable patch, and a large fire pit surrounded by lawn chairs. There's a private pond for fishing in front of the house, and a game room with foosball, table tennis, a mini putting green, and other active games, as well as comfy couches and a widescreen TV. The property is less than a five-mile drive from Saugatuck and Douglas Beach, and only minutes from Fenn Valley Winery and Crane’s Apple Orchard. There's also a two-night minimum stay.

Most Unique: The Yurt at Spruce Hill Farm

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Located on a working goat farm on the Leelanau Peninsula, this cozy wooden yurt overlooks fields in a private patch of woodland. A small but modern bathroom has a large, glass-enclosed shower with a rainfall showerhead, and the kitchenette has a refrigerator and stove. The living space has a wood-burning stove, rugs, rocking chairs, and a pull-out futon couch that can be used as an additional bed. There is also a loft space with two single beds. On the property, guests can join in the daily goat milking, seasonal farm activities such as maple syrup harvesting, or simply watch the pigs, ducks, and other farmyard creatures go about their day. A BBQ area in front of the yurt is also available for guest use. Even more, there is a network of hiking trails to explore, where guests can discover trees clad in colorful, knit woolen sleeves and other hidden delights.

Best for Families: Luxury Estate in Iron Mountain

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This massive sprawling property, perfect for larger family or friend gatherings, features sweeping views over Lake Antoine and Iron Mountain City in the Upper Peninsula. The estate grounds offer a large infinity pool with a diving board, flower-filled garden beds, and extensive lawns. A hot tub is situated to provide lake views, and a sheltered gazebo has a large, wood-burning brick fireplace. At the top of the house, a scenic wine bar space is a great place to host evening drinks and other social gatherings. The house includes bathrooms with walk-in showers and bathtubs looking out onto the grounds, a spacious kitchen with an island bar, a sunken living room with a fireplace, a more secluded TV room, and laundry facilities. The décor is a tasteful blend of modern and rustic designs.

Best Lakeside: Ballein Family's Cottage in Glen Arbor

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Set on the shores of Lake Michigan, with close proximity to the shops and restaurants of Glen Arbor, this holiday home is ideal for family vacations or get-togethers in a beautiful, natural setting. Main bedrooms are spread over two levels, each with a bathroom, while the cozy loft space houses four single beds. A spacious living room with thick carpets is filled with padded armchairs and leather couches gathered around a fireplace built from rounded river stones. Its many large windows mean the house is flooded with natural light and lake views, which can be enjoyed from various places in the house. Outside, a wooden deck is furnished with tables and chairs, allowing parents to socialize while watching kids play in the surrounding dunes. Down on the beach, benches are set around a stone fire pit for s’mores toasting under the night skies.

Best Apartment: The Downtown Penthouse

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In the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, this stylish apartment is just steps from many restaurants, bars, and attractions such as the Van Andel Arena, Van Andel Museum, and the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts. The studio apartment has been artfully decorated to reflect its historic character, with hardwood floors, exposed brickwork walls, and oversize incandescent light globes. Retro charm is added by a neon-lit jukebox, a Coca-Cola fridge, and old-fashioned map prints adorning the walls. The space is also well lit, with sunlight streaming through tall windows and a glass door leading to a small balcony with chairs and a coffee table. Other amenities include a kitchen with a fridge, stove, and floating island bar, a living space with couches and widescreen TV, a dining area, and laundry facilities. Guests should note that the property is set on the fourth floor and there is no elevator available.

Heading to this Midwest city? Check out our guide on the top things to do in Grand Rapids.

Best City Stay: Little Paris Loft

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Located in the Brush Park neighborhood of Detroit, filled with heritage buildings, cafes, restaurants, and bars, this Airbnb Plus loft provides easy access to downtown Detroit and nearby attractions such as the Masonic Temple and Comerica Park. With exposed brick walls, distressed wooden fittings, and hardwood floors throughout, this airy studio apartment retains historic character without sacrificing modern comforts. A small loft space houses the queen bed, which has a pillow-top mattress. A couch in the common area also doubles as an additional bed in the evenings. The kitchen space has a fridge, stove, dishwasher, and microwave, with a small dining table set nearby. The highlight, however, is the outdoor terrace, which has armchairs, a dining table, and benches, as well as excellent views over the surrounding neighborhood. 

Best for Romance: Romantic & Luxurious Apartment

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With pink champagne and freshly baked artisanal bread awaiting guests, this Airbnb Plus property in Ann Arbor provides a vintage atmosphere with delicate furnishings and exquisite attention to detail. The main bedroom is beautifully decorated, with hand-carved bed frames, ornate gilt mirrors, and crystal chandeliers. The overstuffed lounge and bedspread are a soft pink (a color scheme seen throughout the property) and the widescreen TV offers Netflix. The bathroom has a shower/tub combo complete with bath bombs, and the full kitchen contains luxuries such as a Keurig coffee maker. The house comes with a sheltered porch with a stone garden bench and a unique ‘fairy garden’ art sculpture out front. Located just outside of downtown in a quiet neighborhood, the house is also close to shops, art galleries, cafes, and restaurants.

Best Cabin: Log Cabin on The Bay

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On the shores of Sutton Bay, this traditional log cabin is built from local timbers inside and out, giving a rustic vibe while also providing modern amenities and comforts. The cabin contains a large kitchen and dining area, plus a living room with couches and a decorative stone fireplace. Downstairs, there's a bar area with a variety of toys and games for children and a book selection for adults. Sleeping arrangements consist of an upstairs loft, two private bedrooms, and common areas with futon sofas. Outside, a large deck has a gas BBQ and is lined with glass panels to provide lake views, as well as a safe area for children. The property has its own private stretch of shorefront and provides beach necessities such as beach towels, umbrellas, and snorkeling equipment. Near the shore, there's also a fire pit with seating for social evenings spent under the stars.