East Tawas Lakefront Getaway w/ Kayaks + Deck

Reviews

• Needs Improvement

  3/5

  VRBO doesn't have an 'Issues' category. I provided a detailed list to Evolve. A/C remote batteries were dead so I had to borrow from a TV remote. Deck was full of pine cones and needles which I cleaned. Second Kayak was 'sunk'. No dish soap or sponge to clean dishes. Dirty pans in the cupboard. Grill middle burner doesn't light and no grill tools to be found. No kitchen exhaust fan, so open a window and hope for the best. Overall, a nice property but isn't up to the standards we have grown to expect from VRBO.

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

  Manager's Response:

  Dear Kenneth,
  
  Thank you for your detailed feedback. We appreciate you bringing these
  issues to our attention.
  
  -We’re glad the A/C remote issue was resolved. Thank you for your patience
  as we addressed this.
  -We regularly clean the deck, but please understand that the presence of
  pine cones and needles can be influenced by nearby trees and weather
  conditions.
  -We were unaware of any issues with the second kayak. There are three
  available for use, and we’ll inspect them to ensure they are in good
  condition.
  -Dish soap and sponges are provided and routinely replaced. If you had any
  issues with these and let us know, we would have been happy to supply more
  during your stay. We already check and replenish these supplies regularly.
  -We did not find any dirty pans after the last cleaning, but we will take
  your feedback into consideration and investigate further.
  -The grill issue was not reported during your stay, but we will replace it
  with a new charcoal grill to avoid future problems. We’ll also update the
  listing to clarify what grill tools are provided.
  -Regarding the kitchen exhaust fan, we understand this can be a concern.
  While the property does not have an exhaust fan, we encourage guests to
  open windows for ventilation. We’ll look into potential solutions to
  improve this aspect of the kitchen.
  
  Thank you again for your feedback. We value your input and are committed to
  making improvements to enhance our guests' experience. We hope to have the
  chance to host you again and provide a stay that meets your expectations.

• Great for vacations!

  5/5

  A nice little cozy cabin with peaceful sights and kayaks to use as well. The cabin was great and very comfortable.

  We will be coming back again next year!!!!

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

• Would not rebook this home

  1/5

  Upon arrival outside was was unkept. Pine needles all over deck. Leaves in driveway. Yard could use a clean up. Inside was ok. Beds are very uncomfortable. Televisions in rooms did not work. Floors were dirty. Bathroom was very narrow but lots of counter space. We had to go purchase a broom since the only was an outdoor broom. We made the best of it…the kayaks were a plus and our family caught fish. Close to town and the state park. We would be back to Tawas but not this home.

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

  Manager's Response:

  Dear Natalie,
  
  Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We’re pleased to hear that
  you enjoyed the kayaks and the proximity to town and the state park.
  
  We apologize for the concerns you raised. The yard work, including pine
  needles on the deck and leaves in the driveway, can sometimes be impacted
  by the surrounding trees and weather conditions. We regularly maintain the
  property, but please understand that external factors can occasionally
  affect the yard’s appearance.
  
  The TVs were checked before your stay, and we would have been happy to
  assist with any issues if they were reported.
  
  There was indeed a broom available for indoor use. If you had trouble
  finding it, we would have directed you to it or provided additional
  assistance if needed. Unfortunately, we were not informed of this issue
  during your stay.
  
  We are sorry to hear that the beds were uncomfortable. If we had known
  about this concern during your stay, we would have taken immediate action
  to address it and ensure your comfort.
  
  Regarding the bathroom, we understand it may not meet everyone’s ideal
  size. Unfortunately, the property’s layout limits our ability to expand the
  bathroom, but we appreciate your feedback.
  
  If any issues arise during your stay, please notify us or our property
  manager immediately. We are committed to addressing concerns promptly and
  ensuring our guests have a pleasant experience. Future guests, please note
  that reporting issues as they occur allows us to provide the best possible
  service and resolution.
  
  Thank you again for your feedback. We wish you the best in finding
  accommodations that better meet your needs.

• it is what it is

  1/5

  When we first got there the key pad wouldn't work, thank god it finally did but it was unreliable, thus resulting in leaving the sliding back door open. The dumpster was already full of the previous guests trash, we didn't have another place so we had to place it in the shed which also had garbage in it from previous guests. Once inside the house it was less than desirable with no trash bags, no hot pads, and no dish or laundry soap though we were expected to clean all dishes and laundry before we left. There was no first aide kit, though it was needed. There was no way to shut off the air conditioning and the days we stayed were quite cold. There were also issues with the televisions in the two bedrooms, the remotes wouldn't connect, the only working television was the one in the living room. When we arrive the back porch was completely filthy, loads of pin needles everywhere. We had to clean it ourselves. The grill looked very unclean with very minimal tools, and there were no cushions for the outside furniture. We were promised two kayaks but they were both broke and dirty, a clear hazard being on them and getting them into the water. There was also only one life jacket available. We had asked for help and they just told us, "it is what it is." All in all this place was less then exemplary and we would recommend staying in a better house.

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

  Manager's Response:

  Hi Heather, thank you so much for taking the time to review your stay. We appreciate your feedback and wanted to address a few points:
  - We did not encounter issues with the keypad before or after your stay. We will ensure it functions properly for future guests.
  - We do not have a dumpster; we only have a garbage barrel that is routinely emptied. Storing garbage in the shed is not standard practice, which did create extra work for our cleaning team.
  - Our homes are regularly stocked with trash bags, dish soap, and laundry detergent. We weren't aware of any shortages during your stay; we would have resolved the issue if we had known it. 
  - As indicated in the welcome book, a first aid kit is available. 
  - The remote can adjust the air conditioning, with instructions provided. We didn't receive any communication about difficulties; we're here to help anytime.
  - All TVs and remotes are functioning correctly, and we didn't get any reports of technical issues during your stay.
  - The deck is cleaned regularly, but pine needles can accumulate quickly due to the natural environment. 
  - The grill is cleaned regularly, and necessary tools are provided. All outdoor furniture has cushions; we will verify and replace any missing items.
  - Our kayaks are inspected regularly and were found to be in working condition before your stay. We didn't receive any communication about kayaks or life jacket issues.
  We strive to provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all our guests. We take your feedback seriously and will use it to improve our services. We encourage guests to communicate any issues during their stay so we can address them promptly.

• Not ready for rental

  2/5

  Property was a mess. Grass over a foot tall, old leaves everywhere, old plant pots all over deck (no flowers). No outside pickup at all. Cannot fish out back, the kayaks were on the property next door. Not a good 1st impression. Went inside & it got worse. No bedding on the bigger bed. It was thrown on the bed in the other room and there was a bag of dirty towels by the front door. So it was obvious the place was not cleaned between guests. I was VERY upset. Rent places up in Tawas all the time & have never seen this. I called the # and it was a 3rd party cleaning company, not the owner. He said he would send someone to clean it. He did cash app me some money towards dinner. When we got back the beds were made. But there was a cabinet full of old dirty linens. The place needs a good deep clean & some major work outside. I spent a lot of money for not being able to use kayaks or be able to fish. I feel ripped off. I would never stay here again, nor recommend this house. There are plenty of other great choices to pick from with accurate descriptions

  *This review was originally posted on Vrbo

  Manager's Response:

  Hi Michelle, we take it seriously when guests let us know that we missed the mark, and after sending your feedback to the homeowner, they’d like to share the following:
  - Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We deeply empathize with the issues you encountered during your stay. It's our utmost priority to create a clean and welcoming environment for all guests, and we're truly sorry that we didn't meet your expectations.
  - We have a regular lawn care schedule to keep the grass at an acceptable length. It’s possible your stay coincided with a scheduled maintenance visit. We'll ensure our lawn care team adheres to a more precise schedule to prevent future issues.
  - The planters on the deck are part of the outdoor decor. While they may not have contained flowers, we haven't received comments about this in the past. We'll review this aspect to ensure the outdoor area meets our high standards.
  - The welcome book explains that the kayaks are shared between both houses on the property. We apologize if this was unclear and caused confusion. Fishing is accessible, and we'll make sure the instructions are more straightforward for future guests.
  - We regret to hear about the state of the property upon your arrival. There was a miscommunication, but once we were notified we dispatched our cleaning crew to address the matter immediately. We're taking steps to ensure this doesn't recur. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we worked to correct this and provided compensation for your inconvenience.
  - Our cleaning team performed a deep clean and made the beds after your outreach. We don't have a cabinet of old linens on the property. However, we'll re-inspect the house to ensure all areas meet our cleanliness standards.
  We value your feedback as we're committed to continuously improving our services. We sincerely apologize that your experience didn't reflect the high standards we set for our properties. Thank you for bringing these concerns to our attention, and we hope you consider staying with us again so we can provide the exceptional experience we're known for.