Entire home

Above Crystal Lake - Hot Tub and Panoramic Views

Cottage in Frankfort with kitchen and fireplace

Photo gallery for Above Crystal Lake - Hot Tub and Panoramic Views

Hot tub overlooking the lake
Sunrise
Entry and side yard
Front yard
Screened porch

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4950 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View in a map
Frankfort, MI
  • Place, Bellows Public Beach
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Betsie Lake
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, Frankfort Beach
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Airport, Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker)
    ‪45 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Living Room

1 Double Sofa Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Above Crystal Lake - Hot Tub and Panoramic Views

Escape to this serene hilltop cottage with sweeping views of Crystal Lake, five minutes to downtown Frankfort. Rustic yet comfortable, it keeps its original charm while offering a few modern touches so you can truly unwind in nature.

Inside, enjoy an open living area with the original fieldstone fireplace and large windows framing the view. Cozy bedroom has a new queen Tempur-Pedic mattress and A/C. Outside, you will find a hot tub with an incredible view overlooking Crystal Lake.

Guests love the spacious screened porch — perfect for morning coffee, reading, or watching the sunrise and moonrise over the lake. It’s an inviting outdoor living space, rain or shine. Step outside to enjoy a fire under a star-filled night sky.

Boaters will appreciate the circular drive with ample trailer parking and quick access to several nearby boat launches.

This cottage is an easy base for exploring Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Our host and caretaker (my father) led interpretive programs there for more than four decades, helping design many of the programs and places you can experience today. He’s happy to share insider tips so you can make the most of your visit.

Fall here is stunning, but the cottage is seasonal with limited insulation and baseboard heat in the living room and bedroom. To enjoy Northern Michigan’s cool autumn days, bring warm layers and cozy slippers.

Whether your days are filled with dune hikes, fishing trips, fall color tours, or simply sitting quietly with a book, this cottage offers a peaceful base that feels both private and connected to everything that makes Northern Michigan special.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot Tub
Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor Space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Absolutely no smoking in the house or on the scree

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Store extra beds
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights
Please make sure you have all of your personal items.
You do not need to strip the beds, take the trash out to the dumpster or gather your towels. This is your vacation. We just ask that your trash is in a can, not strewn around the house.
There is a bin for recycling on the back porch off the kitchen.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
We require a signed rental agreement within 48 hours of booking.
$300 security deposit is required. Hold will be placed on your card 2 days before arrival, released 7 days after departure.
There is a $250 additional charge if the hot tub has to be specially serviced after your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Frankfort

Located in Frankfort, this cottage is in a rural area. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Frankfort, MI

What's nearby

  • Bellows Public Beach - 5 min drive - 5.5 km
  • Betsie Lake - 6 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Betsie Valley Trail - 8 min drive - 9.1 km
  • Frankfort Beach - 8 min drive - 8.7 km
  • Point Betsie Lighthouse - 11 min drive - 11.2 km

Getting around

  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 40 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Stormcloud Brewing Company - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪A&W Restaurant - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Cherry Hut - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪A Papano's Pizza BEULAH - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Above Crystal Lake - Hot Tub and Panoramic Views pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Above Crystal Lake - Hot Tub and Panoramic Views?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Above Crystal Lake - Hot Tub and Panoramic Views?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Above Crystal Lake - Hot Tub and Panoramic Views located?

Situated in a rural location, this cottage is within 6 mi (10 km) of Frankfort Beach, Lake Michigan, and Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital. Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts and Betsie Lake are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 2 out of 2 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 2 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 2 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 2 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 2 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Robert G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a lovely, cozy cottage for a week in paradise! We loved the location, the view, the furnishings and of course, the hot tub. We hiked local trails, watched sunrises and sunsets, enjoyed campfires, listened to birds, played games and celebrated our daughter's birthday. We cooked all but one of our meals and found everything we needed for easy and efficient meal prep. Made the best berry crumble in lieu of a birthday cake and found the perfect baking dish to bake it in. There was even a pot big enough to cook a dozen ears of corn! (and a colander to rinse things). The host is very responsive to questions and helpfully provided suggestions for local attractions and restaurants. The bathroom was SPOTLESS and the bedroom mattress very comfortable. There was even a s'more making kit waiting for us on the dining table. We normally camp when we visit the area, but it was nice to have less stress not pulling the teardrop, and having a great cottage in which to relax and rewind. We made forever memories and were grateful this gem was available. p.s. Our only eating out experience was The Farm in Traverse City, a farm to food restaurant that exceeded our expectations! It's worth the 35ish minute drive. My husband saw it profiled on a PBS show and thought we should give it a try. OMG, get the Farm Board, their charcuterie board, to start! You won't be disappointed. 10 stars to Above Crystal Lake (and the same to The Farm)
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kyle B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

About the host

Hosted by Laura Herd

Host profile image
In 2023, I was given the opportunity of a lifetime to buy a slice of my favorite place in the universe. With the generous hands-on support of my partner, family, and friends, we actively worked on restoring the cottage from the fall of 2023 until June 2025. I am thrilled to finally share this beloved space with family and friends. I live in Traverse City, and my parents are next door to the cottage. I am steeped in information about visiting the area and enjoy helping guests plan their vacations. I love traveling throughout Northern Michigan and try to stay North of Manistee from May 15th until November 1st.

Why they chose this property

If you love nature, a great view, or a charming cottage, this is a great fit for you. Before my family moved to this hilltop, locals would picnic and stargaze here. They referred to the spot as "the top of the world".

What makes this property unique

Elevated setting with panoramic views
Unlike many Crystal Lake rentals that are right at road or lake level, the cottage is perched on a hillside. Guests get sweeping treetop and water views, plus more privacy and a true “above it all” feeling.

Private hot tub with a lake-and-treetop canopy backdrop


Authentic fieldstone fireplace
Original character + functional coziness. Many modernized rentals lack that authentic Northern Michigan charm.

Spacious screened porch
Big enough for lounging, dining, and watching both sunrise and moonrise — a signature feature that extends the living space.

Star-filled skies and dark-sky stargazing
Being above the lake with less light pollution makes it an exceptional place to see the Milky Way, meteor showers, and moonrises.

Boat-friendly circular drive
Not every cottage accommodates boats easily — ample parking + nearby launches make it convenient for boaters who want lake access without being directly on the shoreline.

Insider connection to Sleeping Bear Dunes
Guests get access to authentic insider tips and stories about the park they won’t find in a guidebook.

Location balance: private yet close to town
Guests are tucked away in a private, quiet setting but only 3 miles from downtown Frankfort for restaurants, coffee, and beaches.

Languages:

English
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