Stewart's Folie on Lake Charlevoix

Ski season is in full swing and it's a winter wonderland here in Charlevoix. We are not far from Boyne Mountain and Nub's Nob ski resorts.

Welcome to Stewart's Folie, a renovated 1870s farmhouse on two acres on the north shore of Lake Charlevoix. A beautiful natural setting that is perfect for a vacation to be remembered. This heavily wooded shoreline property has been preserved in its natural state with rocky natural shoreline and native vegetation, and in the same family for over a century. A great location to get away and relax.

This historic farmhouse was moved in 1950 to its current location by the owner's parents and renovated as a summer cottage and later as a year-round home. Renovated again in 2013-2017, the home now has an open floor plan, wood cookstove, and geothermal heating and cooling. The large walk-out deck looks out over Lake Charlevoix for beautiful sunsets, great for family gatherings.

Walk down the path to the shore and private dock. The property includes 210 feet of natural shoreline along a private lakefront. The secluded setting is perfect for bird watching, swimming, boating, cookouts and evenings watching the stars. (No fireworks allowed). Attach your boat to our 75-lb mushroom mooring (summer only). Mooring is not available after Sept 1.

The house was renovated with alternative energy and old-fashioned quality in mind. The kitchen has a farmhouse sink and wood stove. A large island provides cooking and prep space, with a sink and two-burner Wolf induction cooktop. You can also cook and bake using the wood stove, Breville countertop electric oven, or out on the deck using the charcoal grill or Sun Oven solar oven.

A circular drive out front has parking for 4 cars. Enjoy the kitchen gardens filled with herbs and vegetables.

Guests may use the family tennis court for tennis or pickle ball. (There are pickle ball lines on the court, but only a tennis net). The court is shared with our family members. Pickle ball equipment for four, and two tennis rackets are provided, but please bring extra rackets, balls, and your tennis shoes.

Wifi is available throughout the house, and a desk workspace is in the living room.

Bedrooms: Three of the four bedrooms have lake views. Each bedroom has its own sink. The downstairs bedroom has a modified queen bed and door to the deck overlooking the lake. Three bedrooms upstairs have original 1950s wallpaper intact. The largest bedroom has an attached half-bathroom with tub/shower and sink. A separate water closet in the hallway has a toilet accessible to all three bedrooms. The two double beds and one (modified) queen bed are handmade luxury mattresses made locally by Beds By Design. In addition a blow-up air mattress (double) is available.

Fresh linens, towels, beach towels and some toiletries (toilet paper, tissues, paper towels, shampoo, conditioner, dish soap, and handmade natural hand soaps) are provided, but there is no maid service.

Downstairs, the main bathroom has a tiled walk-in shower and laundry with washer and dryer. Laundry detergent provided. Go solar and use the clothesline for fresh air-dried laundry. Iron and ironing board provided. Beach towels and hair dryer provided.

A detached "playhouse" is filled with toys for children, a bed for reading stories or relaxing away from the rest of your group, (no overnight sleeping permitted however), and extra outdoor folding chairs, an extra folding table, life jackets and paddles.

Pets are limited to two small or medium sized dogs. Sorry, no cats are permitted. We have our own small dog next door. For your dog's safety, at night and early morning, always use a leash as we have nocturnal animals in the woods. Please pick up after your pet.

The location is six miles from Charlevoix, and 12 miles from Boyne City.

Two kayaks with paddles, and some life vests for adults and children are provided. Please feel free to bring your own life vests for toddlers/infants, kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards. If you wish to bring a sailboat or other boat, please contact us ahead of booking. Our boat mooring is a 75-pound mushroom type. A dinghy is also available for shared use.

Guests can access the tennis court (shared with family members), surrounding wooded drives, and private lakefront with swimming and boating dock. (On July 4th, the tennis court is not available).

Please note we have a strict no-smoking policy anywhere on the property, (inside and outside).

We provide a variety of nature-related books for both adults and children.

This is a house in the woods on Lake Charlevoix. Please respect the lake and waterways, the wildlife and native vegetation, taking care not to damage paths, plant life and trees. Firewood is provided for the wood stove and campfires on the shore. Please make sure all fires are attended at all times and completely out when done. We've taken care to preserve the surrounding natural environment. Please leave only footprints.

We do not use insecticides or pesticides in or outside the home. We think it's important to keep these endocrine-disruptors out of the ecosystem and away from pets, wildlife, and our guests. This means you might see the occasional unwanted "guest" in the house. If you do, please let us know as soon as possible so that we may properly deal with it. We are surrounded by wild nature. If that's the place for you, please come visit.

Note: There is no dishwasher, microwave, or TV.

Thank you and hope you'll book Stewart's Folie for a wonderful time on Lake Charlevoix.