La Maison de l'Alaska, Michigan River (Sud-Est de Grand Rapids)

My husband and I enjoy quaint BUT comfortable quarters when we vacation. We generally find a small place on a body of water and spend a time with our dogs away from the pressures of work. From the website, this place fit the bill.

When we drove up to the house we found a shack/garage with a parking space in front that it was seriously, feet away from a busy highway. The house, too is very, very close to the highway and as both bedrooms are located on the highway side of the house, there was constant noise. This house looks like it is in the woods, it is not. Just the opposite.

The river is beautiful and we truly enjoyed it. Unfortunately all of the outdoor seating was so uncomfortable that it was difficult to spend too much time sitting outdoors. The deck is in the perfect spot, but it appears that it might fall off of the house at any minute, it even shook when our 8 pound dog walked across it...the house is in desperate need of repair.

The kitchen was a very inefficient space and ill-equipped..I could find only one 10" skillet, the cupboard smelled as if a mouse or something had died. The stove was not self igniting. The outdoor grill should be trashed, I almost blew myself up trying to light it.

The living room had no side tables or table lamps, only lots of little sconces around the room. Impossible to read in there since all of the walls are knotty pine and the ceiling is wood tile. DARK. The bathroom is small and water pressure does not exist, the shower is some sort of pasted together mess and the shower head just trickles water, it does not shower.

The beds were decent but the bedding was POLYESTER! Who puts polyester sheets on a bed for guests? It was like sleeping in a ziplock bag. Again lighting an issue.

Beds have been crammed into every square inch of this tiny house, but having more than 2 people at one time would not have worked very well considering the kitchen and bathroom conditions.

Outdoor space was weedy but nice enough, the dock is concrete and has a big hole in which my chair fell into while I was fishing and I scraped my knee. Hazard.

Wally, the owner, was very nice but both my husband and I work in the legal profession and there are many things about this house that are a lawsuit waiting to happen, especially the outdoor grill.

This place was a big disappointment, it was like staying at your old maid aunt's worn out, out dated house on the river. It was just so uncomfortable we left a day early.

We loved waking to the sound of the gentle river rapids amid the various bird calls! The house is lovely, with pretty much everything you will need for a weeks stay other than food and clothes. It is close to a plethora of things to do and see and we found two great restaurants within a couple of miles, Mike’s Pizza and Nighthawk Restaurant are both wonderful!

Our stay @ "The River House of Alaska" was a wonderful reminiscent back to FUN & youth!I grew up in Alaska, MY ol' Stomping grounds:):).S

Some things have changed, as to be expected still, so much remains the same!

The cottage itself was sweet.With a few needed updates it'd be delightful but, all in all it is adorable and the outside grounds are AWESOME! The RIVER itself is MAGICAL & made up for everything!

We do hope to come back sometime and actually experience more outside activities (our stay was late Oct:)

We did leave a few items there, not of to great importance just used a lot (beloved, inherited items ) they are/were in the drawer by stove. the wooden handle Chefs knife, big old white spoon, green spatula & blk can opener also, my Curling brush & wht Conair straightener are in the bathroom hanging behind the door, they are fairly new

so maybe, possibly if any way someday we can make a trip out there to retrieve these things? Or, you could leave them in a bag someplace? Actually , it's really not a big deal..just to me,ya know?.lol! Not a pressing issue at this time. Just be nice to have back .

Anyway..

Wally & Linda, Thank you much for keeping in touch.

Your contact & concern with things ment/ means a-lot!.

Jo & David Allison

11/10/2017

For me this was the perfect place to relax and be renewed. The swing by the river was very peaceful and enjoyable. The charming home had wonderful views of the river. A great location to Grand Rapids. We could enjoy small day trips and still enjoy the beautiful setting of the "River House." Thank you Linda and Wally for sharing your beautiful treasure! Looking forward to our next stay:)

My brother and I traveled from California to Grand Rapids for a family reunion in October. When we saw the photos of the property, it brought back great memories of Sunday drives along the Thornapple River with our dad when we were kids.

The trees were just beginning to turn color, and we are so glad that we chose the River House as the base for our visit. We enjoyed the relaxing setting listening to the birds singing and the water rippling over the rocks while watching the fish jump and the ducks swim.

The house is clean and comfortable, and Wally & Linda are the best owners/hosts ever! This is where we will stay again the next time we return to Michigan.