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Historic Glen Lake Cottage with Private Waterfront & Dock

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Blue Jay Cottage
Steps leading to entrance
Front outdoor area
Screened porch. Dining area seats 12.
Screened porch views

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Outdoor barbecue
  • Deck or patio

Explore the area

View map
Glen Arbor, MI
  • Place, Glen Lake
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Little Glen Lake
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Place, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital)
    ‪44 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Blue Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Brown Bedroom

2 Single Beds

Pink Bedroom

2 Double Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom #1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Bathroom #2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

Historic Glen Lake Cottage with Private Waterfront & Dock

This cottage was built 100+ yrs ago and is the last remnant of a large resort from the 1920's. We fondly refer to it as the 'Blue Jay' and/or 'Kids' cottage. Rich in character and rare to find, you have stumbled upon a gem. Nestled in a beautiful wooded and private setting right across the road from Glen Lake. Guests will enjoy 100 feet of PRIVATE lakefront on Big Glen Lake with a shared dock to use for swimming and boating. We also have four kayaks available to rent for the duration of your stay at an additional fee. Please let us know if you’re interested! Sunrises on the dock are delightful and you will find spending the rest of the day on the lake easy and enjoyable.

Glen Arbor is less than 2 miles driving distance away with its many shops and restaurants. You are also minutes from Sleeping Bear National Park and other public outdoor amenities in Glen Arbor and the surrounding Leelanau County. Stunning dunes, hiking & biking trails, Lake Michigan beaches, public tennis and racquetball courts, and more. Wine and beer enthusiasts will also find plenty of local wineries and microbreweries close by.

The cottage itself is a three bedroom, two bathroom space with a kitchen, living room, and large screened porch that provides a lovely view of the lake. The cottage is stocked with everything you might need during your stay, including kitchen/cooking items as well as bath products, first aid, etc. The kitchen also has a pass through to the screened porch which includes a large table that easily seats 12. Guests will find a smart- TV with streaming services to login to as well as WIFI for any rainy days or relaxing evenings/movie nights. We have lots of games and puzzles as well.

So many activities around and yet it is also perfect to do nothing. Whichever you choose, we know you will enjoy your stay at our Bluejay Cottage.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Not child-proofed, please mind your little ones!
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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
Refer to checkout instructions please.
Over 100 year old wood floors and dock so protect your feet please.
Use of beachfront, dock/hoist, and other water sports activities at your own risk. Property owner is not responsible for safety/injuries.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Glen Arbor

Located in Glen Arbor, this cottage is on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, or try out other outdoor activities such as snowmobiling and sledging.
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Map
Glen Arbor, MI

What's nearby

  • Glen Lake - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Little Glen Lake - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 3 min drive - 4.4 km
  • Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station Maritime Museum - 10 min drive - 8.3 km
  • Traverse City Beach - 42 min drive - 58.6 km

Getting around

  • Traverse City, MI (TVC-Cherry Capital) - 51 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cherry Republic - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Mill - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Art's Tavern - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Foothills Cafe - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪La Becasse - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic Glen Lake Cottage with Private Waterfront & Dock pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Historic Glen Lake Cottage with Private Waterfront & Dock?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Historic Glen Lake Cottage with Private Waterfront & Dock?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic Glen Lake Cottage with Private Waterfront & Dock?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Historic Glen Lake Cottage with Private Waterfront & Dock located?

Nestled on the beach, this Glen Arbor cottage is within 3 mi (5 km) of Glen Lake, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Lake Michigan. Little Glen Lake and Crystal River are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

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. 22 out of 22 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 22 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 22 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 22 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 22 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karen M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely historic cottage, comfortable, well equipped and perfectly located on beautiful Glen Lake. Close to all area attractions yet still feels tucked away.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It is a very nice, cozy cottage!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

nicole m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Cabin on Glen Lake! Cindy is a fantastic host- helpful and responsive!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing to stay at a historic cottage with such a rich history and so much charm. Perfect location, private dock to enjoy, close to the marina, Sleeping Bear Dunes, Glen Arbor and other destinations within a close drive. Great host as well!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bruce S.

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

Lots of character and great location

Beautiful Glen Lake beach access, charming cottage with 100 years of character and, responsive hosts sums up our experience. Thanks Cindy and Morgan, for helping us and making our stay so enjoyable!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pamela S.

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

Michigan Family Week

We had a great time! Everything was beautiful and Glen Lake was warm and lovely as always!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert W.

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

Rob

The rustic cabin had a great vibe that screamed summer camp! The cottage was very clean. The owner assisted us throughout our stay to make sure we had everything we needed.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

morgan k.

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

Slice of Heaven

From the rustic, cozy cabin complete with everything you need for a comfortable stay, to the dreamy sunrise reflections off the lake, to Kris's attentive and kind hospitality, made the Blue Jay an exceptional experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carol R.

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

Vacation

The property was just as described.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

William S.

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

vacation

excellent
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Missie A.

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

25th Anniversary trip with the Family

It was nice! Had just about everything we needed and more. Ate meals there most days & loved the dining space. This location is one of our favorite spots in Michigan. Enjoyed the lake with a boat & jet skis. Went to many nearby beaches, had nightly fires either at the cottage or at the beach. Even had the northern lights show up in some of my night pictures on the dock. We had plenty of space and Cindy was very attentive to any messages/questions.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Angelle B.

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

Historic Delight

Thank you so much for providing an escape from our daily responsibilities to spend a nostalgic week of smells, sights and memories of our summers spent on beautiful Big Glen. Robin was attentive and quick to address our needs, and the cottage was equipped with what we needed. We did what we wished, cooked or didn't cook as we pleased, and watched cousins enjoy the company of each other. Thanks for the memories, and we hope to return! -Nannette Boulet Dahlquist
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

mark g.

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

Glen Lake Getaway

My great aunt has been coming up to Glen Lake for 70 years (but not for 5 years), joined my father, me and my wife to escape the heat. The cottage reminded my aunt of all the quaintness of cottages around the lake. We enjoyed the very comfortable 3 bedrooms and spent most of the time on the front porch admiring the lake view. We were 5 minutes from Glen Arbor and 15 minutes from the many trails and views from the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park. Kris was a great host communicating with us regularly as needed and anticipating our needs
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M.

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

Family Cottage

Wonderful! This cottage was in my family from 1940s until 1980s. So wonderful to experience this place with my family! We came from WA state to experience my dads memories and make our own. Robin was wonderful as our host!! This is part of her family memories for decades and means a lot to her and it shows. A great time sharing and reminiscing. Awesome that some cottages are left as they were from 100yrs ago!! Robin and her brother are working hard to make this a place to enjoy again and again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lora M.

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

Beautiful, quaint and clean.

Loved this cabin. Kitchen drawers were labeled and very well stocked. Plenty of towels and great location. Even the toilet paper was better than most hotels! Will definitely come back.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Great place to stay

Great location close to Heritage bike trail and Glen Arbor, rode our bikes to both. Cottage is historic and rustic but very comfortable. Beds are comfortable, and Kris provides really nice good quality towels. The awesome front porch overlooking Big Glen across the street was a great place to read a book. We had a wonderful time and Kris was an amazing host, she literally thinks of everything!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Richard H.

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

Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful ad infinitum

WOW...probably not enough space here for all the great things that could be said. The cabin was a perfect place for a late summer stay. Everything we needed (except food) was provided and well stocked. From TP and paper towels to condiments in the fridge. Gas grill and a nice gas fire pit just outside the cabin were all set to be used (which we did!). All of this was extremely important to us since we were coming from San Diego. Kris and Mitch met us when we arrived and gave us a walk-through from the lake dock to the cabin. Explaining everything we needed to know and answering any and all questions. Friendly, nice, warm people. Truly a pleasure to deal with. The cabin is approx 100 years old and sends you back in time to easier days. It's rustic, but with the modern conveniences of WIFI and Smart TV for watching Netflix etc. Beds were comfy and cozy. Quilts and extra blankets were on hand for the nights that got a bit chilly...which made for good sleeping :) Oh...and I can't forget the thick hotel quality towels in the bathrooms. What a nice touch. Weather is always a big question mark during late summer, but we got lucky and had low to mid 70s all week long with sunshine and a few clouds. Picked up a bit of a lake tan from sitting on the deck situated near the dock. All in all....this is a repeat place to stay. Plenty of room to accommodate a few family members that visited us while we were in Glen Arbor. Quick access to the town of Glen Arbor and again, easy access across the street to the big Glen Lake. Thank you so much Kris and Mitch!!!! I know our paths will cross again.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lori O.

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

Wonderful location

Cute rustic cabin! We enjoyed our stay at the Blue Jay cabin. So much to do around the area and Glen Lake is awesome! The property manager, Kris, was always available and so sweet! Can’t wait until next summers vacation😉!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary J.

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

Lake life at it’s best!

We had an amazing stay at Bluebird Cottage. So clean and stocked with everything we needed. Loved looking at Lake from porch, kitchen and bedroom! Kris was so helpful and was right there if we had any questions! Large beach area to play in sand or have beach fires and kids loved the floating raft pass the dock! Easy access to Glen Arbor and Heritage trail, even on our bikes! Large table in screened in porch was wonderful for entire family to eat and play games We grilled out on nice gas grill few times! Wonderful mems made.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Adrienne s.

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

Lakeside Retreat

We love Blue Jay Cottage! This was our second year renting and will be back next season. Our kids love the lake, water sports, and especially the tree swing! They have a great deck and bonfire by the lake and an additional gas fire pit sitting area near the cottage. The house is over 100 years old and has a great laid back homey feel. The kitchen, towels, and bedding were well stocked with many upgrades from our previous trip. Welcome goodies we’re waiting at arrival as well as thank you ones before leaving. The property manager Kris made our trip fabulous and convenient, especially when my husband accidentally cracked the coffee pot! A new one was on the porch within hours! A vacation to remember. Thanks for having us and already excited to for next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ken S.

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

wondeful owner

everything went great
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ashley B.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

About the host

Hosted by Cindy Robertson

Host profile image
My name is Cynthia (Cindy) and I am a life-long resident of this area. I grew up on a farm in Traverse City and currently live in Cedar. I love the beauty of Leelanau County and this lake property and area was my husband and sister-in-law's favorite place to be. I enjoy sharing our family’s property with all who appreciate Northern Michigan’s beauty and charm. My family and I manage this property so please let any one of us know of any questions, concerns, or how to make your stay better!

Why they chose this property

Multi-generational family roots in the larger Traverse City Area. Leelanau County is a gem and this property has been family owned and operated since the 80’s.

What makes this property unique

The history and charm! We are proud of maintaining this little piece of history here on Glen Lake and hope you enjoy stepping back in time at the cottage just as much as we do.

Languages:

English

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