Charming Woodland, Garden Guest Home, Remodeled June, 2012

• A Nature Lover's Paradise

  A Nature Lover's Paradise

  • Guest Joy H.
  • Date of stay 05/25/12
  • Review Submitted 06/01/12
  This darling cottage and its location was everything we expected and then some. We came here for a couples get-away-threeday week-end. Roo and Larry welcomed us with fresh flowers on the table and fresh out of the oven "secret recipe" cookies. They are to die for!! The "boys" played golf....lots of courses nearby. We "girls" took advantage of a little down time to read, enjoy a little sunshine, shop and tour the area. The shops in Glen Arbor and Leland are interesting to browse through. We did a little "damage" to check books in a store called "Haystacks", that Roo had mentioned. There are two in Leland (one in Fishtown) and a new one in Glen Arbor. We went to The Sleeping Bear Dunes Park on Monday. This is a "must do". The views are breathtaking. Take time to read the information in Roo and Larry's big binder. Sadly it would take a month to visit and do all the things mentioned, but let's just say you have lots of area amenities to choose from. Roo works tirelessly in her gardens and you can tell that it is a labor of love. Larry is her righthand man and has figured out a way to make his life a little easier by installing automatic sprinkling systems to water gardens and flowers around the decks. This couple treats you like family. We hated to leave our little piece of "paradise". The birds are very " happy campers"....you can tell by their "sweet music".

  Owner response: We love our guest house, so when our guests love it too, it is serendipitious. Recently we asked our wonderful builder to solve a privacy issue for the downstairs bedroom, and his solution is well done. These 3 couples are the first to enjoy his work. From all the happy conversations we saw as they drove in and out and as they sat outside at one of the glass top tables, we were glad for their good time. We have encouraged them to stop with their families when they are next in the area. The birds are busy with their own happy talk: We recently received the National Wildlife Federation Certified Habitat Award. The birds had already established that. Last year ABC's contest determined the most beautiful National Park to be The Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore Park. To be opened June 22, 2012, is a special bike trail from the Dune Climb to Glen Arbor. We have learned it is unusually lovely, and we can hardly wait to ride it.

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• Beautiful Cottage in Woods - Bird Lover's Dream

  Beautiful Cottage in Woods - Bird Lover's Dream

  • Guest Marty Merrill
  • Date of stay 07/23/11
  • Review Submitted 08/17/11
  This cottage was very lovely in every respect. Very clean, well equipped, and very quiet. The beautiful gardens and grounds were an extra luxury. We were in the forest, a totally comfortable environment (there were 4 us - adults). Close to Glen Arbor, Glen Haven and Lake Michigan. The owners were so obliging. Everything was just perfect. We will go back. I highly recommend this perfect little cottage.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway, families with young children, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

  Owner response: We are thankful that our guests appreciate the extra time, cost, and effort that we expend to keep our Brook Song in good condition. The gardens are wonderful to work in, and it's fun to share extra produce from them with our guests. Some of our guests paint the gardens and take numerous photos. These guests appreciated many aspects that Brook Song offers.

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• Couldn't Be Better!

  Couldn't Be Better!

  • Guest Elaine M.
  • Date of stay 07/19/11
  • Review Submitted 07/31/11
  Our family chose Brook Song to celebrate our anniversary and to serve as our vacation home as our grown children had not been up north in some time since they were small children (they live out of state). I fell in love with it on the websites and hoped that we would not be disappointed. It was all that we had hoped for and more. The gardens and the property are amazing and absolutely beautiful, the home is lovely and recently redone...so it's like a brand new home. The master bedroom is like that at a luxury hotel. It's clear that Larry and Ruth put their heart and soul in Brook Song. They are lovely people who will do anything to make your stay comfortable. It was the first of many stays for us at Brook Song, and I would recommend it to anyone.

  Recommended for: People with disabilities, girls getaway, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

  Owner response: Larry and I are so pleased to have thrilled guests. This family nearly embarrassed us with their ecstasy about Heaven and other superlative exclamations. The origin of Brook Song was to be a home for my mother, but she passed before the home was completed. The benefits of that go to bless our guests. We wanted the home to be as complete as we could make it. Then last year we remodeled to make it more comfortable for our guests. We lavish time on the landscaping too. We think you'll like Brook Song also.

  Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 2/2

• Great, Lovely and Wonderful vacation spot.

  Great, Lovely and Wonderful vacation spot.

  • Guest steven b.
  • Date of stay 06/24/11
  • Review Submitted 07/08/11
  Brook Song is great place. You will feel at home immediately. You are in the middle of beautiful gardens with a back drop of forest. Every morning we listened and looked at the brook, heard and seen a variety of colorful birds, i.e., hummingbirds, blue birds, baltimore orioles, and an occasional deer. Ruth is a great host who really knows how to bake cookies. Ruth and Larry have a lot of knowledge about the local area, which includes a ton of hiking trails, beaches, fine restaurants, wineries, and lots of places to bike, canoe / raft / kayak. We spent nine nights at Brook Song, and it was very hard to leave. We hope to return.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+.

  Owner response: What a pleasure it is to have guests who love nature. Several bird watchers have seen birds here in Northern Michigan that they've added to their lists. We're also delighted that guests enjoy the gardens, cookies, and our Brook Song guest home. With love, Roo and Larry

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• Paradise Found!

  Paradise Found!

  • Guest Cindy
  • Date of stay 07/31/10
  • Review Submitted 08/17/10
  Our family of 5 recently returned from a lovely week at Brooksong. We felt like we were in the English countryside! The grounds are lovely, and Roo and Larry are most welcoming, as is Fletcher, the resident doggie. You will have a short drive to Glen Arbor and area beaches. My three adult/teen girls thought it was great fun to sleep in, go to the beach, and decide where to go for dinner in the evening. We canoed the Platte River out of Empire (great beach there, with a playground), and my husband and I snuck away one morning to Sutton's Bay for breakfast at the 45th Parallel Restaurant--it was wonderful. Also, don't miss the Cove Restaurant in Fishtown!

  Recommended for: Girls getaway, families with young children, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

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• R&R in Glen Arbor Heaven

  R&R in Glen Arbor Heaven

  • Guest Kim
  • Date of stay 07/17/10
  • Review Submitted 07/29/10
  I spent 10 summers in Glen Arbor as a child and when my family decided to stage a small reunion, I started looking for the place to house our little group. When looking on the internet, one never knows if the properties you see will be in as good as the pictures, stocked with all that's necessary, and if the relaxation you seek will be available in the environment provided. Brook Song exceeded all of our expectations. Greeted by Roo, her now famous cookies, and a sparkling home, we started to relax immediately. The house was truly a home in every sense of the word. Warm & inviting, the space was ample and pretty without being overdone, stocked from antique dishes and the table cloths to set them on to cable TV and acres of gardens and woods to explore. Roo and Larry have created a haven for their guests and themselves. I felt like I was visiting a friend that knew when I needed a hug or a little extra space. We stayed only 2 nights and when we go back, I will be visiting friends.

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, girls getaway, families with young children, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

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• Relaxing and Welcoming

  Relaxing and Welcoming

  • Guest MomFromOhio
  • Date of stay 07/25/09
  • Review Submitted 08/02/09
  Our family had a wonderful time at Brook Song. This guest home was inviting and and a good fit for our family of 5. The owners (and their dog) were very kind and helpful. They have created quite a sanctuary for visitors of all ages! The house was clean and well kept with nice appliances and the kitchen cabinets had plenty of dishes, etc. to use. The beds, linens, and towels were all very comfy. The gardens were breath taking. I have never seen so many humming birds! There is plenty of safe space for the kids to roam around outside finding frogs, playing with Fletcher the dog, and exploring the gardens and woods--giving Mom&Dad time to relax, too! :)

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, people with disabilities, girls getaway, families with young children, age 55+, families with teenagers.

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• my home away from home

  my home away from home

  • Guest sunshine23
  • Date of stay 09/26/08
  • Review Submitted 11/13/08
  I have been traveling to Brook song almost every year in late September since 2000. I am never disappointed. As I approach the drive it seems like layers of stress just vanish! I go for the rest and relaxation it brings to my inner being. The owners have become very good friends to me as I always look forward to seeing them. The fall colors are always a welcome sight. I love to bike and it offers some great roads to travel on. The best way to describe Brook Song is inviting warmth! Flowers and fresh cookies always await me after a long drive. Plus Fletcher,their golden retriever is usually the first to greet me! Even when it rains I have the comfort of curling up on the couch by a nice warm fire with a good book. It is placed in a great location as you are close to traverse City to the east and Lake Mich to the west. In the summer months you have all the beautiful gardens to enjoy. Ruth takes her gardening very seriously. What ever kind of vacation you are seeking you will find it at Brook Song. The cottage has everything to always make your stay very enjoyable. When you leave you will always have the wonderful memory of a great vacation!

  Recommended for: Sightseeing, people with disabilities, girls getaway, families with young children, pet owners, adventure seekers, romantic getaway, age 55+, families with teenagers.

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• Feels like home

  Feels like home

  • Guest Mom of Twins
  • Date of stay 08/16/08
  • Review Submitted 11/04/08
  Sometimes the hardest part of going on vacation is that the place you stay doesn't feel like home. This is certainly not the case at Brook Song. My family and I instantly felt at home the first time we stayed at this lovely and "homey" cottage in Glen Arbor in 2006. The owners are delightful hosts. The gardens and grounds are beautiful and peaceful. The cottage is located close to many sites, shops and restaurants. My children loved staying at Brook Song. One of their favorite attractions is the resident dog, Fletcher - what a great dog! We returned to Brook Song this past August and it was just was wonderful as we remembered it to be. I highly recommend this property.....you will not be disappointed.

  Recommended for: Girls getaway, families with young children, romantic getaway.

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