Courtesy HomeAway.com
By Emily Bingham | MLive.com
Sure, you'll make some great memories on that next big family or gather-all-the-friends trip. But what if the place you stay -- the house itself -- is so spectacular that it could be memorable unto itself?
To fill that niche, here's a list of Michigan vacation rentals around the state that are architecturally unique and can fit anywhere from six to 20 guests. From a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home (!) to a treehouse with its own private Lake Michigan beach, these spots promise to be the unforgettable backdrop to your next vacation in the mitten.
Courtesy HomeAway.com
A Frank Lloyd Wright house in Ann Arbor
Mid-century architecture lovers will lose their minds over this listing in Ann Arbor. The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home, known as the Palmer House, embodies all that the acclaimed American architect was known for: angular lines, organic design, seamless transitions to the natural environment outside. Bonus: You're just a short walk from Ann Arbor's scenic Nichols Arboretum, laced with hiking trails and home to North America's largest herbaceous heirloom peony garden.
3 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms / sleeps 6
$410/night
Courtesy HomeAway.com
"The Pink House" on Lake Michigan
If stunning Great Lakes views are your thing (and really, how could they not be?), then check out this multi-level beach beauty in Douglas. There's decks on three levels, plenty of space for a few families to stretch out, and, of course, the glorious Lake Michigan shoreline just steps away.
4 bedrooms / 3.5 bathrooms / sleeps 10
$1000 per night
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Mid-century beach palace in Holland
The listing for this mid-century stunner describes the home's vibe as "West Coast cool" -- yet, even better, it's right here on the shores of America's fresh coast (the best coast, frankly). We're picturing simple post-swim suppers al fresco on one of the home's wrap-around decks or kicked back in the light-filled open interior.
6 beds / 3 baths / Sleeps 14
$817 per night
Cost per person, per night: $53
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Glorious waterfront property in Mears
The photos in this listing are wow-worthy: A grand cabin anchored by a wall of windows that overlooks Lake Michigan, on 23 acres not far from Manistee National Forest. Brand-new mattresses might tempt you to sleep in if it weren't for the fact that three of the five bedrooms have lake views, beckoning you to the beach as soon as you rise.
5 bedrooms / 2.5 bathrooms / sleeps 11
$714/night
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Castle near Silver Lake Sand Dunes
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Ann Arbor architectural wonder
A unique pad in Ann Arbor's Burns Park neighborhood, this spot boasts proximity to both downtown and Michigan Stadium (though the home has a 60" TV with cable if you prefer to watch the game from the comfort of a couch).
4 beds / 2.5 baths / sleeps 20
$1,500 per night
Cost per person, per night: $75
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Can we call this place luxe-rustic? Situated on a ranch in Evart (less than an hour northwest of Mount Pleasant), this former hunting camp sits on its own pond and includes a billiards room, a bonfire pit, arcade games and more. Chances are, though, that if you're booking this place, you're not much of an indoorsy person, so you might want to inquire about the property's target shooting facility, guided hunting excursions, and even helicopter fishing trips that will deliver you by air to the Pere Marquette, Ausable, Manistee, or Pine Rivers.
Note that this property comes with catering; the fee automatically includes a private chef to prepare your meals. (The quoted nightly rate covers accommodation and meals for one person, with additional guests $200 per person per night.)
4 beds / 4.5 baths / sleeps 20
$1,400 per night
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
This Stevensville home is all our treehouse dreams come true: A bright and breezy light-filled space with its own private Lake Michigan beach near Grand Mere State Park.
3 beds / 3 baths / sleeps 12
$1,000 per night
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
Courtesy HomeAway.com
NASA image via Wikimedia Commons
More posts about Michigan vacation rentals:
25 adorable tiny houses to rent in Michigan
You can spend the night inside these Michigan lighthouses
15 rentable Michigan river cabins for a relaxing escape
The coolest uncommon places to spend the night in Michigan
The ultimate Michigan getaway? Rent a private island (it's cheaper than you think)
Charming A-frames to rent for your next Michigan vacation
Hidden gem hobbit-type mushroom houses you can rent in Northern Michigan
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