I rented this lovely cottage based on the owner's description and one review, then held my breath. Well, not to worry, the cottage is as described. It is very clean, updated, nicely decorated, and quiet. Yes, the owners are next door, but are very respectful of renters' privacy, yet available if you need something. There are two cottages total that share the lake frontage with the owners. Owner Marian has taken great care (and a lot of work!) to create lovely gardens with a hint of whimsy. We had all the amenities we needed for preparing most meals in. The three bedrooms and one of the two baths are off the kitchen, separated by a door from the living areas, so if you are early to bed or early to rise, the quiet is a nice surprise. :) We were only four miles from the local Meijer and about 10-15 minutes from downtown Traverse City. So, we had the beauty and quiet of the lake, with the conveniences of downtown nearby.
We stayed for two weeks: week one with friends to explore the many wineries, and week two with family, including a four-year-old, who absolutely loved the sandy beach and water.
In addition to wineries, we explored Sleeping Bear Dunes, Pierce Stocking Drive, Glen Arbor, Leleand, the Art Park at Crystal Mountain, and the Dennos museum. We truly enjoyed our stay, and hope to return. . .the sooner the better!