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The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly

Alto cottage in Alaska area

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Property grounds
Smart TV, books, offices
Property grounds
Property grounds
Exterior

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 61100 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Alto, MI
  • Place, Davenport University
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, MSA Fieldhouse
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Airport, Grand Rapids, MI (GRR-Gerald R. Ford Intl.)
    ‪9 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Alto

Alaska stay.Your stay at this Alaska cottage places you within 6 miles (10 km) of Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe and Davenport University. Also within 9 miles (15 km) are MSA Fieldhouse and Patterson Ice Center.

What's nearby

  • Davenport University - 4 min drive - 4.2 miles
  • Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe - 4 min drive - 4.7 miles
  • Patterson Ice Center - 9 min drive - 10.2 miles
  • MSA Fieldhouse - 10 min drive - 9.5 miles
  • Calvin College - 12 min drive - 12.6 miles

Getting around

  • Grand Rapids Station - 23 min drive
  • Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Circle K - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Culver's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬6 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.

The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly

Welcome to the River House of Alaska, Michigan, 'A Retreat for the Mind, Body, and Spirit.' A unique Pure Michigan destination!

ATTENTION: It is wise to plan ahead and book your Spring and Summer 2026 vacation NOW! Thank you to all of our great guests for making the River House a successful vacation rental! We have been VRBO Premier Hosts and renting the River House since 2006 and it has been a great experience! Thanks for considering our most excellent riverside retreat for your vacation! We are near site managers and we manage and clean the River House ourselves. The River House is the ideal location to get away from the city and relax by the river. You will be able to sit outdoors by the riverside and have a bonfire and enjoy the wildlife. We hope you decide to stay with us!

The River House of Alaska, Michigan, is located in the historic Village of Alaska, Michigan, located 15 miles southeast of Grand Rapids on the Thornapple River and 30 miles from Lake Michigan. This classic Cape Cod cottage, with vintage 1940 interior design, is situated on the Thornapple River in a park-like setting. The River House is well maintained and has been restored to its original beauty both inside and out.

This is a great getaway from the city but also close to all the city conveniences. If you are planning on vacationing, attending seminars, weddings, visiting relatives in Grand Rapids, visiting ArtPrize, and/or touring the #1 Micro-Breweries in America, this rental may be the ideal getaway. The on-site manager is nearby for recommendations and assistance. Note: pictures of the road proximity to the River House not shown pictorially. Please use Google maps to go to the property and see the road. Guests with pets are encouraged to keep pets on a leash for their pets safety. The River House is 420 Friendly.

The River House is a beautifully landscaped riverside cottage that is a great place to relax and has excellent river access. The cottage has a concrete pier that juts out into the river for excellent smallmouth bass fishing, canoeing, tubing, kayaking, and swimming.

The interior of the cottage features master bedroom (upstairs) that features a California King size bed, antennaTV and side room with 2 twin beds. The main floor bedroom features a queen-size bed and dresser. The main floor living room has a pull out queen-size sleeper couch and Futon couch. The Cottage has air conditioning, Android OS TV, Wifi High-Speed Fiber -Optic Internet access and is fully furnished. Note: The Wifi system is the best wireless technology available featuring dual band 2.4 and 5.0 Mghz service. If you are a work-from-home employee you can meet all your daily work internet based connectivity requirements and utilize the desk and office setup to work remotely while at the River House.

The river has easily accessible rapids that are excellent for fly fishing. The Cottage also features a riverside patio with a fieldstone barbeque grille, an excellent place to relax! There are also many public golf courses in the general vicinity.

Make your dream vacation a reality at our unique riverside vacation rental, and experience a piece of heaven on earth. The River House has a heart, soul, and spirit that will satisfy your desire to find that unique vacation destination that will provide a relaxing environment and inspire memories to last a lifetime.

Your River House experience will give you that precious and most-elusive commodity, time. Time to relax with loved ones. Time to think about your future. Time to reflect on your past. Time to contemplate the meaning of life. Time to fish. Time to swim. Time to canoe. Time to read. Time to catch up on sleep. Time to love. And most importantly, the environment to assure a good time.

Our goal is to provide a vacation experience that will leave a lasting impression. We want you to experience Total Vacation Satisfaction and leave with a sense of ownership, leading to a strong desire to return. Your vacation experience at the River House of Alaska, Michigan will leave a lasting impression in your Mind, on your Body, and on your Spirit.



Keywords: Cottage, Fishing, ArtPrize, Alaska, River, Vacation, 420 Friendly

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

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

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Office

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Safe

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Kayak
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

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)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,100 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

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
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • 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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Frequently asked questions

How close is The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly to the airport?

This cottage is 6.6 mi (13-min drive) away from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this cottage.

Does The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly offer free breakfast?

This cottage does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly?

No, there is no casino at this cottage.

What time is check-in at The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly?

Free parking is not available at this cottage.

Does The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly have a pool?

This cottage does not have a pool.

Does The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this cottage.

How close is The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly to downtown Alto?

This cottage is 5 mi away from Alto.

The River House of Alaska, Michigan located Southeast Grand Rapids, pet friendly Reviews

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 187 out of 220 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 25 out of 220 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 6 out of 220 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 220 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 220 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jason M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful place to relax, comfortable and safe.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Angie R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sweet little place by the river for R and R.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

mary z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property. Very peaceful and great views of the river.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tom E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Such a great place to enjoy the river from. Accomdations were very nice for our family and Wally was very helpful when we arrived. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jessica N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
They have worked with me through moving my stay due to a medical emergency. Grateful for their flexibility.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kaitlin G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great weekend at the river house. There is a great outdoor space to enjoy and we were able to get out on the canoe for some fun!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Leah H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We stayed at the River House for our wedding weekend! It was truly the most special place to stay. The river was so calming and relaxing and the grounds were stunning. Linda and Wally are incredible people - we will 100% be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sara M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a beautiful property! We were very comfortable and loved spending time in the yard by the river!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shelly M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gorgeous peaceful property

The hosts communicated extremely well with us and were super nice. The property is beautiful with many amazing views. The river was so tranquil and we absolutely loved our get away weekend! We will definitely be booking this gem of a spot again.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Holly J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was the perfect little home in property to disconnect. My kids had a blast playing on the property and fishing in the river.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Chele M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice place to stay

We stayed for our daughters wedding near by. It's a nice little place on the river.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Rebecca S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice little old cabin

My family stayed here for a week getaway to kayak, golf, eat out, play games and relax.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The owners were very friendly and helpful, we arrived just a little early and having met us outside checking out the grounds welcomed us! The view is amazing! The riverside stay in such a beautiful home with such nice work having been done was a pure pleasure. We plan to come back during the summer with our kayaks and son! It was close to everything to escape to a nice restaurant or leave the bustle and find a trail.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Winona D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful vacation

Very nice and peaceful property
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pam J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Exactly as advertised. Amenities were abundant. The house possesses a rustic charm that takes you back in time and encourages relaxation. It’s It was just what we were looking for. Hosts were friendly and available when needed.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tony F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful, quiet location with abundant nature. The river provides a tranquil start and end to every day - complete with a cup of coffee or tea. Deer, birds, and squirrels keep the eyes busy outdoors, and if that’s not your thing then fishing and boating options are there too. Overall a very relaxing experience
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Noreen W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to host family and friends near Grand Rapids!

The River House was a clean and comfortable place for our stay near Grand Rapids. We enjoyed sitting by the river and bonfire.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing quiet and relaxing

The entire family enjoyed a wonderful weekend of relaxing fishing.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marcy J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Girls time

Adorable cottage. Could’ve stayed longer if had the time. Accomodations great.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Trina R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
5 StarsWe had a wonderful stay! The home had that perfect “up north cabin” feel — cozy, inviting, and full of charm. The view of the river was absolutely breathtaking and incredibly peaceful; it was exactly what we needed for a relaxing getaway. Wally was super friendly and welcoming, which made our stay even better. We’ll definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

River house

We had a very nice relaxing time beautiful property on the river!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Susan H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The River House

Beautiful scenery!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jessica T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

It's so peaceful here!

We were in town for a concert and only stayed a couple of nights but it seemed longer because of this wonderful property. The river is so peaceful and beautiful, we would stay again for sure!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alice E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect getaway

The whole group loved this cozy and cute cottage. The natural setting was beautiful and the host was easy to work with and very friendly.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Susan C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Alaska, MI ❤️

Beautiful property! Enjoyed our stay of just rest and relaxation. The house is quaint and has a fascinating history.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024