Escape to the Boardman Monarch, a unique 3-bed, 3-bath riverfront lodge near Traverse City. Perfect for families or groups, this upscale retreat features stunning river views, a cozy gas fireplace, a private hot tub, and direct access to the Boardman River. Enjoy a serene, private setting just 15 minutes from downtown's vibrant attractions. Comfortably sleeps up to 14 guests in beds, with additional Pack 'n' Play available.
We respect our guests' privacy and offer a seamless self check-in process. While we will not be present during your stay, we are readily available via the messaging app or phone if you need any assistance or local recommendations.
Our private road consists of homes with Boardman River frontage, private and serene, with easy access from the 55-mph beltway (Hammond Road) to anywhere in Traverse City, Interlochen, and Williamsburg. Especially great for access to Interlochen Arts Academy.
WATER RECREATION: Boardman River - Boardman Valley Boat Launch (7 miles), Silver Lake Recreation Area (7 miles), Duck Lake & Green Lake (10 miles), Grand Traverse Bay - Keith J. Charters Traverse City State Park (10 miles), Long Lake (13 miles).
TRAILS: We are very close to lots of trails. The Brown Bridge Quiet Area offers miles of hiking trails. The Boardman Valley Trail System has 81 miles of trails! The Vasa Single Track is a great mountain bike trail system. The Vasa also is home to 25 km of groomed cross-country ski trails. Mount Holiday is only 11 minutes away, a local downhill ski hill that also offers snow tubing and zip lining. Crystal Mountain Ski Resort is only 27 miles away.
TRAVERSE CITY AREA: Downtown (7 miles), micro-breweries, wineries/vineyards, tall ship Manitou, parks, boat rentals, art galleries, The Village at Grand Traverse Commons, Historic Barns, National Cherry Festival, Traverse City State Park Beach (9.5 mi), Turtle Creek Casino & Hotel (17 miles), Mission Point Lighthouse (27 miles)
TEE OFF: The Crown Golf Club (8 miles), Interlochen Golf Course (10 miles), Bay Meadows Family Golf Course (11 miles).
FAMILY ACTIVITY: Incredible Mo’s (5 miles), Lucky Jack’s Bowling Center (7 miles), Pirate's Cove Adventure Park (10 miles), Cherry Bowl Drive-In Theatre (23 miles), Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (37 miles), Mackinac Island (122 miles to Mackinac Island Ferry Company).
AIRPORT: Cherry Capital Airport (7.8 miles)
Distance to:
• Meijer (7.4 mi)
• AMC Classic Cherry Blossom 14 (6.8 mi)
• Munson Medical Center (9.1 mi)
• Interlochen Center for the Arts (11 mi)
• Chateau Grand Traverse Winery (17 mi)
• Traverse City Horse Shows at Flintfields Horse Park (26 minutes)
Guests will have exclusive and private access to the entire 3,335 sq ft lodge, the surrounding yard, and the private riverfront area. You are not sharing any spaces with other guests or the host.
Key access features include:
- Private entrance
- Ample free on-site parking
Retreat to the Boardman Monarch, a unique 3,335 sq ft riverfront lodge offering a serene, upscale atmosphere for your Northern Michigan family getaway or business retreat. Enter through unique tree trunk pillars into a spacious great room with a field stone gas fireplace, a Smart TV with surround sound, a game table, and massive windows with stunning river views.
This getaway features 3 Smart TVs, a fully equipped kitchen, and a spacious living room for your group with AMAZING views. An awesome sunny patio, fire pit for roasting s’mores! Fish, tube, or kayak (byo)! Curl up on our cozy couches near the beautiful gas fireplace! Two bedrooms offer ensuite bathrooms. Master offers a comfortable desk. There is also a stocked laundry room and beach towels for the swimmers. (Feel free to log into your own streaming service.)
Step outside to your private waterfront oasis:
- Furnished deck with an acacia wood dining table, 2 gliders, and sun loungers.
- Gas grill
- Shady private hot tub
- Wood-burning fire pit
- Riverfront seating area
The fully equipped kitchen includes a breakfast bar and most everything needed for your culinary adventures.
- Drip coffee maker
- Keurig coffee maker
- French press
Sleeping Arrangements:
- Bedroom 1 (Main Floor Master): King Bed, a desk, massive river views, and an ensuite bathroom with a low-clearance walk-in shower.
- Bedroom 2 (Upstairs Suite): Two Queen Beds, a large walk-in closet, and a spacious ensuite bathroom with a low-entry walk-in shower.
- Bedroom 3 (Main Floor): Two triple-twin bunk beds (sleeps 6).
- Additional Sleeping: A pull-out couch in the living room and a Pack 'n Play (located in the upstairs closet).
The southern exposure means lots of light throughout the day! This setting is perfect for relaxing riverfront vacationing away from the hustle of town.
A second large master suite is up the log staircase. The suite has two queen beds, a large walk in closet (where Pack 'n' Play is located), and a large ensuite bathroom with loads of counter space and low-entry walk in shower. (The Pack ‘n’ Play is the mini crib amenity.)
As nice as this house is inside, you'll want to spend all your time outside. The Boardman River flows right by your spacious deck and fire pit. The deck is equipped with an acacia wood outdoor dining table, a beautiful grill, and two gliders to sit and soak it in. And of course, the hot tub. This house is perfect for a large family gathering, a weekend getaway, or company retreat with a special customer.
This setting is perfect for relaxing riverfront vacationing away from the hustle of town, with easy access to all the fun activities this great area has to offer. Traverse City is well known for its lakefront, with countless shops and restaurants. The greater Traverse City Area is nationally recognized for Old Mission Peninsula's and the Leelanau Peninsula's many wineries, as well as the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.
Festivals abound in this area, including Traverse City Film Festival, beer, music, and wine festivals, and The Cherry Festival. Terrific shopping in waterfront villages and towns.
Welcome into your many happy memories!
There is a lot of parking. The short River Drive is a 15mph private road with hidden driveways, mostly single lane. PLEASE tell your family to drive slowly as a courtesy to everyone.
Wildlife: Our home is in a beautiful rural forest area. You may encounter wildlife like deer, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, turtles, mice, insects, raccoons, bears, and bobcats (among others). Please keep doors closed (including garage doors) to help keep them outdoors. For this reason, if we notice the garage doors open for long periods (from the driveway cameras), we may contact you to request you close them. We do not offer refunds for wildlife sightings.
River: Boardman River is fairly cold, but many people enjoy fishing, paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and tubing! Please bring your own kayaks or paddleboards. We provide river tubes of various sizes for your enjoyment. (Small tube 32" and “is suitable for 50- 90 lbs”. Medium tube inflates to 36" “suitable for 120 lbs or less”. Large tube inflates to 40" “suitable for 120-200lb.” And 44” tubes handle “250lbs”.)
The neighbors on River Drive appreciate the quiet, calm setting. Please help keep it that way.
Sister Property: Need more space? Our sister home, The Firefly Lodge, is next door. Together, the properties can accommodate up to 28 guests. Please inquire for availability, as it books far in advance.
Pet Policy: $125 for the first dog. Additional dogs $50 each. (Dogs only.)
Discount for Two Guests: We offer a $100 discount on the cleaning fee for 2-person bookings. (This is already reflected on the 2-person listing.) If you book on the full-capacity listing, please contact us after booking to claim the discount.
Short stays, weekly and monthly, are available.
House Rules:
• Non-smoking. (There will be a $1000 penalty for smoking inside the premises.)
