Summer doesn’t just arrive at Lakemore Lodge, it’s prepared for, step by step, well before the first guest walks through the door. Behind the scenes, there’s a rhythm we return to each year: checking, cleaning, setting, and resetting. It’s a process we know by heart, and it’s what makes the lodge feel so ready the moment you step inside.
Vacation rental prep is more than wiping down surfaces or changing the sheets. It’s about creating space for connection, a place where families can relax, where mornings start slowly on the deck, and evenings end by the fire pit. Everything we do ahead of time is designed to make those moments possible.
Over the next few sections, we’ll show you how we prepare for summer at Lakemore. From deep-cleaning routines to thoughtful guest details, outdoor setups to indoor resets, every part of the lodge gets attention. The goal? A stay that feels effortless, from the very start.
Deep Clean, Then Deeper Still
Once spring begins to fade and the summer calendar starts filling up, the Lodge gets its annual refresh from top to bottom. Every corner, surface, and shelf receives attention, not just to make things shine, but to ensure guests walk into a space that feels calm, clean, and truly ready. This is more than a turnover. It’s a reset.
A Cleaning Routine Built for Guests
We don’t stop at vacuuming and wiping down counters. Our lodge cleaning routine is detailed and seasonal. Windows and screens are washed to let in the full view of Arbutus Lake. Baseboards, vents, and ceiling fans are dusted after a long winter. Outdoor furniture is scrubbed, and the grill is cleaned and ready for use.
We also use eco-conscious cleaning products whenever possible to ensure the space feels as fresh as it looks.
“We treat it like we’re getting it ready for family,” says one of our long-time prep team members. “Because in a way, we are.”
Resetting the Rhythm of the Space
Once the deep clean is done, it’s time to bring the space back to life. Linens are rotated, throws and pillows get fluffed, and each room is carefully staged to feel open and uncluttered. Trail maps and information about the Brown Bridge Quiet Area are refreshed in the Lodge, connecting guests to nearby nature just steps from the property. Bookshelves get a quick refresh, and puzzles and games are restocked so they’re easy to find on a rainy day.
It’s subtle, but it matters. Guests may not notice every detail, but they feel the result: a place that’s been cared for with intention.
The Details That Stay With You
Some of the most memorable moments on vacation come from the little things: a note on the counter, a perfectly placed beach towel, a s’mores kit waiting by the fire. These aren’t afterthoughts. At Lakemore, they’re part of the plan.
Each season, we refresh the details guests have come to love. These small touches aren’t flashy, but they make a lasting impression. Whether it’s your first visit or your fourth, the Lodge always feels thoughtfully prepared and quietly personal.
Small Touches, Big Impact
Every space inside the Lodge is arranged with a purpose. Beach towels are included, surfaces are clean and clear, and guest-use items like board games and area maps are set up for convenience.
The kitchen is fully stocked with cookware, serving dishes, and pantry staples like salt, pepper, sugar, and soaps, so guests have what they need to settle in right away.
Outdoors, Ready and Waiting
The outdoor spaces at Lakemore get just as much attention as the inside. The fire pit is cleared, and chairs are placed in a cozy, welcoming circle. Kayaks and paddleboards are inspected, rinsed, and lined up at the dock. The BBQ grill is cleaned and ready, while paddleboards, canoes, and other lake accessories are positioned by the dock for easy access.
By the time guests arrive, the whole property feels settled. Nothing is rushed. Everything’s in place. It’s the kind of quiet readiness that lets you start relaxing the moment you pull into the driveway.
From Spring Trails to Summer Shores
The shift into summer doesn’t happen overnight. It starts slowly, when the snow melts along the shoreline and buds begin to peek through the trees. That’s when we know it’s time. The Lodge begins its transition from a cozy winter escape to an open, airy summer basecamp.
Our team walks the property as soon as the ground is dry enough, checking trails, cleaning up fallen branches, and bringing outdoor spaces back to life. Porch furniture is pulled out of storage, scrubbed down, and arranged with fresh cushions. Inside, heavy blankets are swapped for lighter throws. The air smells a little more like citrus and linen, and the whole space begins to breathe again.
We talked more about this seasonal reset in our post, Spring in Northern Michigan: Discover Trails & Wildflowers Near Traverse City. What we find out on those early walks; the color of a blooming wildflower, the feeling of sun on damp ground—often inspires the small details we bring indoors. You’ll see it in the floral prints, the trail maps in the welcome binder, and the open, light-filled layout we create to reflect the season.
Why It’s Never Just a Clean
There’s a certain feeling guests describe when they arrive at Lakemore. The phrase we hear most often is, “It just feels ready.”
That’s not an accident. Vacation rental prep here is part hospitality, part ritual. Of course, everything is clean, but more than that, everything is placed with purpose. It’s how the towels are folded. It’s how the porch invites you to sit. It’s the view through the windows that have just been cleaned, and the dock that’s ready for a morning paddle.
This kind of readiness doesn’t come from a checklist alone. It comes from pride in the space, and from knowing that the Lodge is where so many people come to reset, reconnect, and relax. We prepare each summer stay like it matters, because it does.
Let Summer Begin
Everything’s in place: towels are folded, rooms are refreshed, and included lake gear, like paddleboards and canoes, are ready for use. The Lodge is cleaned and organized with comfort in mind, offering guests a lakefront setting that’s equal parts practical and peaceful. As summer approaches, Lakemore Lodge is carefully prepared, cleaned, and organized with comfort in mind. The goal is simple: to welcome guests into a space that’s calm, inviting, and ready for whatever kind of lake day they’re dreaming of.
Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, we want it to feel just as special every time. We’re already looking forward to welcoming you.
Explore more seasonal stays or check availability to experience summer at Lakemore for yourself.
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Each stay is prepared with care, following a consistent seasonal routine that includes deep cleaning, organizing, and stocking essentials like linens, towels, paper products, and soaps.
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The Lodge is stocked with kitchen basics, including dish soap, paper towels, and other essentials. If something is unexpectedly missing, guests are encouraged to reach out using the contact information provided in their reservation details.
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Prep begins in early spring as the property transitions from winter. By late spring, lake gear and outdoor amenities are staged and ready for the summer season.
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Yes. Canoes, stand-up paddleboards (SUPs), and other lake accessories are included with your stay and are available for guest use upon arrival.
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The Lodge includes a fully equipped kitchen, beach and bath towels, laundry and dish soaps, salt, pepper, sugar, a fire pit, grill, and access to the dock with lake gear such as canoes and SUPs
