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The Lodge in Manistee

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Escape to a serene forest setting, surrounded by nature and an outdoor space with a picnic table.
Cozy retreat with a single bed, table, and wall-mounted lamp.
Situated in a wooded area, this cabin features a front door, small window, and doorbell, with a pathway leading to the entrance.
Enjoy cooking in this kitchen with a sink, refrigerator, and coffee maker.
Relax in this inviting living room with a plaid-patterned sofa and dining table for meals or gatherings.

Reviews

8.0 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor Space
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Manistee, MI
  • Manistee Lake
  • Little River Casino
    ‪30 min drive‬
  • Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse
    ‪31 min drive‬
  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker)
    ‪29 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Manistee

On river.At this Manistee vacation home, you'll be within half a mile (1 km) of Huron-Manistee National Forest and 12 miles (20 km) of Manistee Lake. Timmerman Lake and Lake of the Woods are within 16 miles (25 km).
View more Lodges in ManisteeOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Orchard Beach State Park - 29 min drive - 18.5 miles
  • Little River Casino - 30 min drive - 21.0 miles
  • Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse - 31 min drive - 20.3 miles
  • Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary - 32 min drive - 19.2 miles
  • Portage Lake - 39 min drive - 28.5 miles

Getting around

  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 31 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Blue Slipper Tavern - ‬36 min drive
  • ‪Yellow Dog Cafe - ‬37 min drive
  • ‪Papa J's Ice Cream & Eatery - ‬37 min drive
  • ‪Douglas Valley Winery - ‬34 min drive
  • ‪Rapids Bistro - ‬30 min drive

About this property

Entire place

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

The Lodge in Manistee

The unique 1930 train caboose is nestled over looking the Big Manistee River in the heart of the Manistee National Forest. The caboose has been converted into a cabin, that offers sleeping of up to 6. It's location is close to hiking, canoeing, and fishing. Owners Michael & Jenni Tilmann have worked hard to make this a cozy and clean place to stay while enjoying your next rustic adventure. Capt. Michael is a river guide as well as a Charter Boat Captain, which makes for a great place to stay prior and post fishing trips. North West Michigan offers lots of activities such as Sleeping Bear Dunes, casinos, as well as the wonderful beaches of Lake Michigan! For further details please visit www.visitmanistee.com !

Property manager

Lodge Management

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Property amenities

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

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

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital
  • On a river

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks 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)
  • Fire extinguisher

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

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

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

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
Cashless transactions are available
Onsite 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 there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
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 private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector in each accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions.

Property is also known as

The Lodge in Manistee Lodge
The Lodge in Manistee Manistee
The Lodge in Manistee Lodge Manistee

Frequently asked questions

How close is The Lodge in Manistee to the airport?

This vacation home is 14.1 mi (31-min drive) away from the Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does The Lodge in Manistee have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

How close is The Lodge in Manistee to the beach?

This vacation home is 16.8 mi (31-min drive) from First Street Beach and 19.6 mi (34-min drive) from Manistee County Beaches. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does The Lodge in Manistee offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at The Lodge in Manistee?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home, but Little River Casino (4.1 mi) is nearby.

What time is check-in at The Lodge in Manistee?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

Is there free parking at The Lodge in Manistee?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does The Lodge in Manistee have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does The Lodge in Manistee have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is The Lodge in Manistee to downtown Manistee?

This vacation home is 8.5 mi away from Manistee.

The Lodge in Manistee Reviews

Reviews

8.0

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 12 out of 23 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 23 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 23 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 23 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 3 out of 23 reviews

7.2/10

Cleanliness

6.8/10

Staff & service

6.8/10

Amenities

6.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

6.8/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Ethan M.

Disliked: Cleanliness

Hot weekend

It was a hot weekend, and AC wasn’t running upon arrival had to turn it on to cool off the place. Old empty beer cans on back porch, and around fireplace. No hot water, and the floor is rotting in front of the shower. I came into town for a business meeting, and ended up driving home the same night. Wasn’t expecting it to be basically in the backyard of someone’s property too.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dave S.

Liked: Cleanliness

great time

quiet. beautiful view.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

natasha m.

Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen L.

Fishing cabin

Decent accommodation for a cabin fitting 6
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

chris s.

Liked: Cleanliness

Weekend trip

Really loved the location, Nice location over looking the Manistee River.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jason P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Roy A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

2/10 Terrible

Michelle N.

Disliked: Cleanliness

Slept in the car

I knew going in this had not-so-great reviews, but the property condition forced us to stay outside for the evening while the owner of the property next door within 30 feet had extremely loud music and yelling until 1:00 am. I know this because I slept in the car to get away from the mold. Evidence of extreme water damage within the walls.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Dan M.

It was OK

This is an ok property for a few guys for a fishing trip. Not a great place for a family stay. It is on the Manistee River, but you can barely see the river and there is no access to it. It is pretty clean inside, but definitely has a musty smell and the blakets and futon were damp from humidity. It worked ok for us(my wife, daughter and I) because we mostly just slept there and spent most of our time in Manistee, but we probably would not plan to return. It just depends on what you plan to use it for.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Caden H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great weekend of fishing with friends

Best fishing cabin we’ve stayed in on the manistee. We were very delighted to find the ohio state game on the tv! We will definitely be back! Thanks mike for letting us stay at your wonderful place!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Robert C.

fishing and friends

The purpose of this trip was fishing, friends, and relaxing. We fish first with our friends enjoying the water and area. We eat real good and have time to relax, sleep and then more fishing. This is not a place my wife would stay at but for us it worked out just fine. Thanks Mike.
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Eric A.

Liked: Cleanliness

Very Relaxing

This trip was great, the lodge was fantastic. If you want to relax this place offers that. Loved the whole atmosphere out there. The owner is very nice and friendly, would absolutely book again
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

2/10 Terrible

Mike R.

Disliked: Cleanliness

Musty ran down and nasty

Crusty
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nate L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Fish Camp

We had an excellent stay at fish camp! It is the perfect arrangement if you’re planning to visit Manistee and hit Lake Michigan. It is approximately 20 mins from the launch and has plenty of room to accommodate boat parking. We will definitely be staying again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

tammy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Susan C., Grand Ledge, MI

It was okay

The bed is not comfortable and the place smells like mildew and musty. Mike was super nice!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Mat D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice quiet getaway

Enjoyed our stay. Property manager was very helpful and made sure we were taken care of the entire weekend
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Robin H., Kalamazoo

Liked: Cleanliness

our stay.

We enjoyed our stay. We looked at the river every morning and enjoyed the view. It was quite which we liked.We would recoommend this to anyone.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Phil W.

Good location...nice stay

Great for a fisherman
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

April

Traveled with family and small children, Traveled with group, Traveled with partner, Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
THE LODGE, is amazing and so are the owners!! Mike and his family are great people!! Can't wait to go back.. Thanks again, The Mumas
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

4/10 Poor

Kevin Z., FLAT ROCK

Disliked: Cleanliness

Property has Issues.

Old run down. Needs updates and repairs. Very musty smell upon arrival. Found mouse excrement on bed/sheet. Barbecue Grills were nasty, grates very dirty and rusted. Freezer was full of frost and door in refrigerator would not close properly. Mosquitoes in yard were terrible. I would not stay there again.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kathy C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Brutus was the best!

The Lodge was very quaint and quiet, tucked back in the Manistee National Forest, overlooking the Big Manistee River. Everything was exactly as advertised. The property manager Nina was very informative, prior to arrival and during our stay. The couple of items that we needed, Nina brought to us immediately. Our visit with her was most memorable and we appreciate her! Thank you Nina and Mike Tillman for allowing us to stay at The Lodge!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveler

Traveled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property is not family friendly, there were bugs and no air conditioning so when you opened the windows more bugs came in. The oven was dirty and not usable. If you want to pay to “rough it” then stay here or save your money and keep from getting ripped off like I did and camp In a tent at home.Tent camping would be cleaner and safer. The property is right by the RV park it is not secluded in a national forest like I was led to believe. I have reported this as a false listing to Vrbo, because it has been falsely represented. I spoke with Captain Mike the property owner, I thought they would refund some money but didn’t stand by that either. Not sure how people and Vrbo would allow a property to be listed and NOT refund money when you arrive and see it is nothing as described. Stayed for 1 of the 4 nights, wasted over $500 for my family vacation to be ruined. DO NOT STAY HERE! Wish there would have been a review for me to know this. I hope I save someone money and from being ate alive by bugs like myself and kids were. So much for thinking the best in people to find out they aren’t honest and steal your money.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021