About Mackinaw Timbers Cabins
Mackinaw Timbers Cabins is located on a quiet, rural country road just 8 minutes from local attractions and events in downtown Cadillac, Michigan and surrounding areas. Our 10 cabins and 2-bed, 2-bath house, are each thoughtfully decorated with their own unique theme, all with a nostalgic, vintage vibe.
Vintage Vibe + Modern Amenities
Each of our private cabin rentals has modern amenities including comfy new mattresses, air conditioning and heat, smart TV, Wi-Fi, mini kitchen, private bathroom, and designated outdoor picnic table and charcoal grill, ensuring a comfortable stay. You can also enjoy our community fire pit, horseshoe pit and vintage yard games during your stay.
To keep our cabins reasonably priced, we don’t have a 24/7 front desk, but when you call us you’ll either reach the owner, Kim, directly or her voicemail and she'll call or text back asap and is always happy to help.
A Unique Stay
We take pride in the unique, charming vintage-themed decor in each of our cabins. You'll enjoy relaxing in the simple comfort that our cabins provide.
Rates and Availability
Our rates vary depending on the season, with discounts available for longer stays. Check our availability calendar for up-to-date information on rates and cabin availability for your desired stay.
On-Site Amenities
We offer a variety of on-site amenities to make your stay with us as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. From outdoor fire pits to free Wi-Fi, we have everything you need for a relaxing vacation.
Explore the Area
There are plenty of local attractions and events in downtown Cadillac, Michigan, just minutes away from our cabins. Visit our "Explore" page to learn more about the area and plan your vacation itinerary.
Our Story
Mackinaw Timbers Cabins is a place born out of love and a journey that began long before we even realized it. As we reflect on the years gone by, we can't help but see how our aspirations to create something special aligned with our daughter's dreams, leading us on a path we never expected.
So, sit back, grab a coffee and let us share a little bit of our story with you.
In my childhood, our family embarked on numerous trips, seeking shelter in little cabins or cottages. These rustic lodgings were my dad’s favorites, offering each family their own private space, the convenience of parking right at the door, the ability to make simple meals and save money on dining out, and above all, affordability. However, I must admit, I despised those cabins. They were musty, dusty, and often inhabited by a few unwelcome creatures. I would beg my dad to stay at a Holiday Inn instead, but we only indulged in that luxury later in my childhood, and even then, it was only due to the unavailability of rooms in the small "motor courts" we passed by. I write all this to emphasize that these types of properties never appealed to me and I turned into somewhat of a hotel critic; seeking out only the newest/cleanest hotels wherever we traveled.
Years later, after having been involved in various aspects of real estate for most of my working life, it was time to focus on a single venture: small, long-term multifamily rentals. However, soaring prices made it seem unattainable. But life has a way of surprising us, and an opportunity to purchase Mackinaw Timbers Cabins unexpectedly presented itself.
It’s funny, I still hold onto a drawing that Maygan (our daughter) and Kirk (our oldest son) made when they were kids, dreaming about, the hotel they hoped to build someday. However, Kirk, now a physicist, has shifted his focus to backpacking with a hammock or small tent, while Kollen, our youngest, has developed a fondness for hostels and can find comfort in almost any accommodation. Our interests in the lodging world don't always align.
Ok, back to our unexpected cabin purchase. Maygan was instantly onboard, despite her career in the Air Force, which stationed her six-plus hours away from Cadillac. Nevertheless, she eagerly embraced the challenge. Thus, in the spring of 2018, we embarked on the laborious journey of preparing the site for guests.
The property was cluttered with several truckloads of tires and various debris scattered across the one-acre plot. We had to glaze windows, build screens, and tackle countless other tasks before moving on to the enjoyable part: adding old screen doors, window boxes, vintage red and white metal chairs, planting flowers, reviving the horseshoe pit, and creating a fire pit.
Simultaneously, we started the restoration of Cabin #10, which was to be our first cabin available to guests.
We enlisted the help of a friend, and from that point onward, every other week, Maygan, Joe, and I spent three-day weekends, totaling nearly 40 hours, restoring this property one cabin at a time. This process also included months of work on the main house. Brent (my husband) and John, the Mayor of Mackinaw Timbers Cabins (more about John in a future post), played key parts as our demolition and cleanup crew between weekends.
Cabin #10 became our experimental cabin, teaching us valuable lessons along the way. Its cramped layout, with a mini kitchen in the main room, posed a significant challenge. However, during a visit, our son Kirk suggested relocating the mini kitchen to the closet, instantly transforming the space. This modification influenced the design of our other cabins.
Each cabin at Mackinaw Timbers Cabins has took on its own unique personality, and all the furnishings were carefully handpicked to complement the ambiance resulting in each cabin earning its own, unique name. For example, Cabin #10, also known as "Snow Day," is a cozy retreat with carefully chosen items that embody its wintery charm. On the other hand, Cabin #8, known as "The Hemingway," was designed as a writer's cabin, complete with live edge wood shelves filled with books, a vintage typewriter, and other writing-related accessories.
Every time we completed a cabin, it became our new favorite, and before opening it to guests, I would spend at least a weekend staying in that cabin, ensuring it met the strict standards set by Maygan and myself. Even to this day, when I step into each of these cabins, a wave of nostalgia washes over me.
Our goal was always to create a place that captures the warmth and rustic charm of a traditional log cabin, transporting our guests to a bygone era and allowing them to leave the weight of the world behind. We aimed to evoke a carefree sense of stepping into another time, where the slamming of the screen door serves as a reminder that you've entered a different realm.
We sincerely hope that your stay at Mackinaw Timbers Cabins provides you with this experience. Sometimes, I can't help but think that my father is chuckling from heaven, knowing that we now own a property with the very same cabins I once failed to appreciate. Perhaps he saw their potential all along, and I'm glad I finally understand and bring his vision to life.