In our favorite spot in Michigan, Harbor Springs and Nubs Nob/The Highlands, there weren't enough nice, modern places to stay where the dog could be with the family. So we found one, and now we're sharing it with you! The Black & Tan Chalet is a quality custom home built in 1996 and remodeled in 2023. It is located in the beautiful, family-friendly neighborhood of Hamlet West, less than 1 mile from both resorts and just a few miles to Harbor Springs and Petoskey.
View of the Challenger side of The Highlands from the front deck (lit up beautifully in the winter months!). Hear the Westminster bells chime the hour in the distance. Even if you're not a skier or golfer, the neighborhood has a charming resort feel under a canopy of tall trees.
Enjoy the natural light from the south-facing wall of windows. Have drinks by the woodburning fireplace. Keep cozy with the constant, pleasant baseboard heat. Some of the group wants to stay up later? The ground floor, with its large sliding glass door, has another TV with a soundbar, comfortable sofa, and a table and chairs for playing cards or games.
One of the bedrooms on the main floor (pictured set up as a king bed) can be separated into two extra-long twins if that's what your group needs. Just let us know when you book your stay. All mattresses and pillows throughout the house are completely encased with allergy protectors. Each bedroom has a dresser, closet, and mirror.
Don't worry about your dog scratching the new luxury vinyl plank flooring throughout the house. The new plush carpet on the stairs and upstairs bedroom is pet-friendly, too. One large dog crate and set of stainless dog dishes are provided, as well as a bin of dog towels downstairs.
Great water pressure from the community well system and a large hot water tank means everyone in your group can enjoy a nice shower or bath.
There is fast WiFi from a 5 GHz router with coverage tested throughout the house.
We tried to make the kitchen as functional as home! Beyond the essentials, you'll have quality chef's knives, a Ninja blender, electric kettle, a slow cooker, salad spinner, a large stock pot, enameled dutch oven, and more to serve some good meals. There is a propane gas grill on the back patio.
The garage and large ground floor mud room has ample space for whatever gear you want to bring and keep safely locked and dry indoors. Open up the wall of closets for all your gear to dry. There is also a laundry room on the ground floor.
For anyone who enjoys a nice outdoor walk or hike, the North Country Trail runs through the area and can be accessed 3 miles away from the chalet. The Offield Family Forest Reserve is another 390 acre preserve nearby with four miles of wooded trails where dogs are allowed on leash. Its trailhead is 2 miles from the Chalet. The Sally Stebbins Nature Preserve is less than a 1 mile walk from the chalet and is known for bird watching. (For that reason, dogs are not allowed at that site.) And anyone with a Nubs Nob daily or season pass (cross-country or downhill) can access their beautiful trails for hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing, less than a mile across the road.
Cyclists! The deep garage also has a water spigot with hose and drain you can use inside the garage April through October. There are plenty of nicely paved roads in the area to take you to the Tunnel of Trees. The Little Traverse Wheelway path is 4 miles from the chalet and can get you to Petoskey, Bay Harbor, and Charlevoix. On your way back, toast your ride at the hopping Teddy Griffin's Road House (a half mile from the chalet). Then return to the quiet serenity of Hamlet West.
If you haven't been to this corner of Northern Michigan before, or it's been a while, there is really something for everyone. Excellent restaurants, even some surprisingly good ethnic food, and the best brunch of your life at Small Batch. There are foodie grocery stores and bakeries, bookstores, art galleries, boutiques, breweries, pubs, farms, and views that will take your breath away. Take a drive or ride through the famous Tunnel of Trees when the trillium is in bloom and the floor of the woods are covered in white flowers. See if you can spot Beaver Island 35 miles out into Lake Michigan. In the winter, go snowshoeing at Petoskey State Park right on the shore of Little Traverse Bay. See the latest release or a "$2 classic" at the beautiful Lyric Theater in downtown Harbor Springs. This area of Michigan also has great dark skies. Serious stargazers can visit the Headlands International Dark Sky Park, less than a 40 minute drive north, near the Mackinac Straits. You could spend weeks and not experience everything this region has to offer!
POLICIES:
While we love the pooches, we ask that they're not on beds or on the furniture. If you're not willing to crate the dog(s) when you're gone or there's no way you can keep dirty paws off the couch, another place may be better.
Sorry, for allergy reasons, cats and ferrets are NOT allowed. By booking, you agree to this policy and agree to pick up all of your dog's poo (even if it "was in the woods"), bag it, and put it in the bin in the garbage shed by the road before you leave.
There is an alarm system on the premises. It has motion sensors but no cameras. It is set up so that you won't need to do anything with it during your stay.
In the winter, the plow service clears every driveway in the neighborhood if there was more than 3" of snow. If your vehicle fits in the garage, that helps them clear the driveway. If a light snow falls less than 3", and/or if a storm blows it under the deck by the garage door, or you need out early in the morning before the plow comes, there is a snow shovel provided for you. Please know that the driveway is sloped and you're coming to Northern Michigan! Snow tires on your car are highly recommended. If there was snow or ice accumulation and you have summer tires or tires with not much tread, you will have a hard time, not only on the driveway of the chalet but on the hilly streets of the area.
The chalet has a rustic terraced entry path up to the deck and side entry door. It can't be cleared of snow as it's loose stone and lumber that is slippery when wet. In snowy weather, the garage level entry is the safe way in and out of the house.
This is a blissfully quiet neighborhood with awesome neighbors. If your group wants to be able to party hard outside into the night, this is not the place. If your group is pretty chill and respectful and wants to be able to go to bed to the sounds of nature - book now!
Hamlet West Association Requirements for Renters
i. No more than five (5) vehicles may be parked in the driveway at any time. No parking on the streets at any time.
ii. Tents, campers, recreational vehicles, motorhomes and the like are prohibited.
iii. There shall be no outdoor fires, whether or not there is a fire-pit on the property.
iv. There shall be no outdoor parties, celebrations, games or other activities that create offensive amounts of noise.
v. There shall be no noise audible on adjacent properties after 10 pm.
vi. Trash must be placed in covered containers and the containers must be kept in the garage or in property’s designated trash storage place, so they are not visible from the road.
