Skip to main content

Large studio suite w/ private back porch entrance one block from the beach.

Photo gallery for Large studio suite w/ private back porch entrance one block from the beach.

A waterfront property with multiple buildings, including a large white house with a red roof and a smaller blue house.
A compact living space with a sofa, a small table, and a kitchen area including cabinets and a microwave.
A marina with docked boats, a house with a porch decorated with flags, and a hill with trees in the background.
A two-story house with a porch, a sign indicating it is a house of worship, and a small garden area.
A porch with a wooden bench, a table, and a chair.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Highlights

  • Beach equipment
    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Frankfort Beach
1 bedroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Laundry
  • Air conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Deck or patio

Explore the area

View in a map
Frankfort, MI
  • Place, Betsie Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Frankfort Beach
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Airport, Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker)
    ‪44 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

2 Queen Beds and 1 Crib

Nannybird is private with 2 queen beds & loveseat

2 Queen Beds

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Large studio suite w/ private back porch entrance one block from the beach.

Located in Frankfort, Michigan, Serendipity/Nannybird offers five charming suites just steps from Lake Michigan beach.

Pack your beach gear and turn right to enjoy Lake Michigan's beaches and spectacular sunsets. Cross the street to bike the 22-mile Betsie Trail. Or turn left to enjoy downtown Frankfort's unique shops and restaurants and craft brewery, or the restored Garden Theatre. Then come back for fall colors, winter skiing, and spring awakenings.

We're especially well-suited for wedding parties, family reunions or for sharing vacations with friends. Special prices when you stay with us after Labor Day or before late June.

We've listed the Nannybird studio suite, but if the dates you'd like are not available, please check out our other four suites: Betsie #195186; Manitou #180215; Lakeview #188035; or Sandune #178405.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

View of Serendipity House from Betsie Bay.
Enjoy a view of Betsie Bay from your studio suite a block from Lake Michigan
Frankfort
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, (20 reviews)
Enjoy a view of Betsie Bay from your studio suite a block from Lake Michigan

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
We have a Pack n Play available. Please ask for it
default

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Wedding parties and family gatherings allowed.
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking in common areas or in house/ on porch

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Leave keys on kitchen counter.
Turn off a/c & fans.
Leave sheets on bed
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 186194
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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 6
Note from host: Wedding parties and family gatherings allowed.
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

About the area

Frankfort

Located in Frankfort, this holiday home is in the city centre. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling and ice skating.
View more Vacation homes in FrankfortOpens in a new window
Map
Frankfort, MI

What's nearby

  • Betsie Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Frankfort Beach - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Betsie Valley Trail - 7 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Frankfort Light - 15 min walk - 1.3 km

Getting around

  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 42 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪A&W Restaurant - ‬20 min walk
  • ‪Stormcloud Brewing Company - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Villa Marine Bar & Grill - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Stormcloud Brewing Parkview Taproom - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Birch & Maple - ‬9 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Large studio suite w/ private back porch entrance one block from the beach. 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 Large studio suite w/ private back porch entrance one block from the beach.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Large studio suite w/ private back porch entrance one block from the beach.?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Large studio suite w/ private back porch entrance one block from the beach. located?

Located in the heart of Frankfort, this vacation home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Betsie Lake and Lake Michigan. Frankfort Beach and Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts are also within 5 minutes.

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 18 out of 27 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 27 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 27 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 27 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 27 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Nick F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location!

Great property, very charming can’t wait to go back next year!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 8, 2022
Thanks Nick, you and your family are welcome anytime!
Verified review

8/10 Good

Charles H.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Short weekend

Great location
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on Oct 21, 2021
We couldn't agree more! Thanks.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Angela A.

Fabulous location in a great vacation town

Serendipity house is perfectly located within 2 blocks of the beach and the downtown area. Lots of good restaurants nearby. The Nannybird suite is dated but clean and comfortable. Classic "up north" cottage lodging. Enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2017
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 24, 2020
We appreciate a straightforward review that captures our style of lodging: comfortable, eclectic and guest friendly. Looking forward to your next visit. -Tim Bannister, Host
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mitch O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Northern MI

Great trip, beautiful weather, and great accommodations in Frankfort. We would love to come back.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Deborah M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Frankfort efficiency apartment

The Serendipity served our purposes for the weekend. It is centrally locates and within walking distance to town, beach and parks. It’s a little on the older side but very clean and our hostess was great!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 1, 2020
Thank you! We're glad you enjoyed your stay and we welcome your return the next time your vacation plans include Frankfort.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tom & Shelly S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay/Charming place

We are already looking forward to a return visit! The Serendipity was perfect for our Frankfort visit...walkable to beach, stores, restaurants. And we really appreciated that it was dog friendly. The interior was comfortable and clean, with everything we needed. Great communication. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 24, 2020
We’re so glad you enjoyed your stay! We agree Serendipity House is located right in the middle of the best Frankfort has to offer. Thank you for your nice comments. We look forward to your return!
Archival

8/10 Good

Noell S.

Enjoyed Frankfort over the 4th of July!

We enjoyed our stay at the Serendipity in Frankfort over the 4th of July! The town, being close to Lake Michigan and Crystal Lake is a premiere Summer spot! We enjoyed the location of Serendipity on the main strip of Frankfort, all Guest staying were very nice and friendly, same with the owner. The over all feel of the room was a very campy feel... I had hoped it was a little more up to date on its furnishings however we would stay there again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2016
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 24, 2020
So glad to hear nice things from our new guests. As the real estate folks are fond of saying: "Location, location, location." Situated on Frankfort's Main Street a block from Lake Michigan and a block from the downtown makes it easy to enjoy both beach time and some retail time. And directly across the street is the start of the 26-mile Betsie Bay Bike Trail. This is a place to wind down from your day job and genuinely enjoy some off-time. Come try us out! Tim Bannister, Innkeeper
Archival

6/10 Okay

Don and Pat J.

Love the location but disappointed in lack of updates.

We visited this property twice before and have not been there for three years. I guess we expected that more improvements would have been made to the house. Badly needs updating!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2017
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 24, 2020
Thank you for your comments. We continue to update every season. In 2018, we removed the old carpeting and now have freshly painted wood floors in the two upper units. Come back and give us another try, we'd love to have you.
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Tami E.

Liked: Check-in, location

Great location

The location was perfect! However, the suite left a lot to be desired. The musty smell made me feel uneasy to sleep here fearing some kind of respiratory issue. Waking up everything felt damp. The surfaces were all clean and tidy. Just wish the ceiling tiles, AC unit and ventilation were more updated for the price. Also missing some promised items and broken microwave. Still made the best of the trip overall.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 28, 2021
Thank you for your review Tami. I know you had trouble finding the four beach chairs which were located in the closet of the suite and I regret the inconvenience that caused you. Had you let me know you were unable to locate them earlier I could’ve helped you find them instead of waiting until the day you checked out. The microwave definitely was broken and we have since ordered a new one. As for the musty smell I wasn’t aware of that but because of all the rain we’ve had it’s been incredibly humid and damp in Frankfort this summer, so we purchased some damp rid products that really helped. Now the suite is ready for our next guests. Thanks again for taking the time to write a review. We welcome you to visit again the next time you’re in town.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Daniel K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for Ironman 70.3

This is THE perfect spot for Ironman Michigan 70.3. Location is about 0.5 mile from transition and one block from the finish. It was clean, spacious, quiet, and everything I needed for a successful weekend.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Nicole B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful weekend!

We had a wonderful stay in the Nannybird Suite! Our two boys were very comfortable in the second bed, we had enough space for our luggage and other things we brought along. The bathroom was very clean and the shower was really nice after a long day outside!! We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

Cynthia H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Perfect location

Everything was great except I didn’t understand when I was renting the property that I would be renting just a room in a big house. There were many other rooms also being rented so in the morning you could hear loud footsteps overhead. I was looking for more than just a room. It was cozy but I had a bigger space in mind. We did Have one personal bathroom to go with it. You might want to label the refrigerator also LOL we thought for a longest time it was the dishwasher :)
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Oct 7, 2020
Dear Cynthia, We're so glad you enjoyed your stay in the Nannybird Suite at Serendipity House, where we offer five charming individual suites just steps from the beach and downtown Frankfort. Each of our five individual suites has a private bathroom, kitchen and entrance. The Nannybird Suite is one of two studio suites and has a kitchenette complete with microwave, cook top, sink, disposal, mini-fridge, pots, pans, dishware and utensils and it is perfect for quick meals. There are also two private entrances: one off the back porch and the other on the side deck. Thanks for booking with us and we're glad you enjoyed your stay!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Julie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous location

We stayed in the Nannybird apartment, which is a great option for a couple. The studio apartment has a spacious bathroom, and a small kitchen area that makes it easy to prepare simple meals. Being at the back of the building, it is a quiet retreat but still very close to everything. One block from the beach and one block to restaurants and shops.
Response from VrboOwner on Oct 4, 2020
We’re so glad you enjoyed your stay in the Nannybird suite at Serendipity House. We agree that our location between the beach and downtown is ideal. We welcome your return. Thanks.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Frank P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Weekend at the Beach

Great time and Serendipity House made it great yet again. Recommend to all!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 28, 2020
Dear Frank, Thank you for your review. We’re glad you enjoyed your stay with us and lol forward to seeing you again the next time your travels bring you to Frankfort. Sarah
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kara L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent

Worth every penny!
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 20, 2020
Kara, thank you for your note. We’re glad you enjoyed your stay at Serendipity House our charming vintage home just steps from the beach and downtown Frankfort in one of the best locations around. We welcome you visit us again!
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Christine T.

Liked: Cleanliness, location
Disliked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Not a Suite More of a Rustic “Cottage” Setting

Great location near the beach and restaurants. The room was clean but did not provide soap or shampoo. For the price we would rather forgo the microwave popcorn for these basic amenities. The beds were only fully sized (not queen) and the frames they were placed on did not provide a steady/firm place to sleep. The bedding could have been upgraded.
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 1, 2020
Dear Christine, Thanks for taking the time to write a review. We agree that our vintage 1800’s home and location just steps from the beach & downtown is hard to beat. The welcome letter we sent stated there is no soap or shampoo provided, I’m sorry if you didn’t take time to read it prior to your arrival. I am pleased to inform you that the all the beds are definitely queen size beds here at Serendipity House. The queen beds and bedspreads were replaced in 2019. Many of our return guests have commented since then on how firm and comfortable the new beds are. Thanks so much for your note and for staying with us. We hope the rest of your summer is enjoyable! All my best, Sarah
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tim B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend Getaway

My wife and i had a great time in the Frankfort area. the accommodations at The Serendipity House where great. The suite was just as described. Frankfort is a fun little town and we will be back for sure.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 24, 2020
Thank you Tim we welcome your return to Serendipity House!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Diane G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Frankfort Get Away

Clean comfortable suite closely located to the beach, restaurant and shops.
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 24, 2020
Diane, Thank you for your review. We’re glad you enjoyed your stay at Serendipity House and welcome you to visit us again!
Verified review

8/10 Good

Bill K.

Great location. Close to beach and downtown.

Owners were very helpful
Stayed 2 nights in May 2019
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 24, 2020
Thanks Bill- we aim to please. Please come back and visit, we'd love to have you.
Verified review

8/10 Good

Frank P.

Excellent!

Quaint and homey place. Would recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 24, 2020
Dear Frank, Thank you for your review, we’re glad you enjoyed your stay and welcome you to join us again. All my best, Sarah
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Tammie D.

Weekend Getaway

Very clean, close to everything, beach restaurants shopping. Easy access had everything we needed.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2017
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 24, 2020
Location is everything Tammie and we're glad you enjoyed your stay! Come back soon.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

michael k.

Great location

Right on Main street next to all the shops and restaurants. 2 blocks to the beach. Wonderful beach area. Pet friendly.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2017
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 24, 2020
Gee, we should use this in our advertising. Our recent guest's review nicely summarizes what makes us unique! -Tim Bannister, Host
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Theresa R.

Wonderful!

We stayed here for 2 evenings last weekend and had a wonderful time. The Nannybird is a lovely suite and more spacious than I thought it would be. Beds were very comfortable and the quality of the towels was excellent not to mention the nice cute little kitchen area which had lots of dishes and glasses to choose from. Owner also provided coffee and a package of microwave popcorn to enjoy while watching movies. Lovely place and we would definitely recommend it in a heartbeat and will be back next fall for another wonderful color tour.. Thanks Tim!
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 24, 2020
We aim to please, and appreciate the compliments. Tim Bannister, Innkeeper
Archival

10/10 Excellent

A Spectacular Place to Get Away from It All

My husband and I were looking for a place to get away from it all to celebrate his new job and promotion and give him a long weekend before he started his new career. We found Serendipity House awhile back and bookmarked it as it looked like a great place to go and they allow dogs (we have three). So we booked our April weekend and made our journey to Frankfort. Serendipity House is everything it says it is and more! And the owner is a terrific person to work with. We booked the Nannybird and it was perfect for two adults and three dogs. We didn't have the greatest weather on our weekend (sleet, hail, freezing rain, snow - but did get some sunshine here and there), so it was great to have a wonderful place to chill in when we didn't want to be outside. We were very cozy and the atmosphere of Serendipity House truly gave us a lovely place to relax and have some special quality time together. We were right in downtown Frankfort and even though a lot of places weren't open yet for the season, we truly enjoyed what was open and walks on the beach. It is a beautiful town! We would definitely recommend Serendipity House in Frankfort! We look forward to going back later this year with extended family and in years to come.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Elise O.

The Most Pleasant Weekend Getaway

The Serendipity House was such a wonderful experience. We were given a living area that went above and beyond our expectations, actually having more beds than people. The owner, Tim, is gracious and attentive to little details such as leaving a card on the coffee table and providing tapes to watch for a quiet night. The house is within 1 block of quality restaurants and within 4 blocks of a beautiful beach. The towels are high quality. The quality of the mattresses and bedding was better than any chain hotel/motel I have encountered. If ever going back to Frankfurt, we will definitely stay at the house again.

About the host

Hosted by Sarah Bannister McCallum

Host profile image
Tim Bannister got into innkeeping accidentally, when his stepfather surprised his mother with the purchase of a resort in nearby Arcadia with a motel and 12 cottages. It was a long, colorful and rocky road until the resort was sold off in 2007, but Tim learned a great deal as an innkeeper and decided to build off that experience.

Why they chose this property

Pierside Lodging had been a bed-and-breakfast that was closed and mothballed for 4 years when Tim purchased it and changed the name to Serendipity House. Built in 1890, the house had always served as an inn, going back to hosting the workers who built the nearby Frankfort Pier.

What makes this property unique

Today, Serendipity House is a one-of-a-kind inn designed for vacationers who want a unique experience that includes their accommodations. Situated on Main Street a block from Lake Michigan and at the edge of Frankfort's charming downtown district, the inn recalls an earlier time when residents would call out greetings from their front porch to passersby.

Serendipity has the big front porch and updated living space with all the amenities for vacationers who enjoy something unique.

Languages:

English
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback