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 488.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Hot tub
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View map
Frankfort, MI
  • Place, Betsie Lake
  • Place, Frankfort Beach
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Point Betsie Lighthouse
    ‪11 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

Above Crystal Lake is more than just a place to sleep — it’s a front-row seat to northern Michigan’s natural beauty.

Highlights:

Panoramic Crystal Lake views from the living room, kitchen/dining, and screened porch

Brand-new hot tub facing the lake + firepit for starry nights

Easy boat/trailer parking with a circular drive; close to local launches

Fast fiber Wi-Fi for remote work or streaming

Bedroom A/C and a Tempur-Pedic queen for great sleep; sofa bed for extra guests

Short drive to Frankfort (salmon fishing, Lake Michigan beaches) and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

The space

This single-story, 1-bedroom, 1-bath cottage blends rustic charm with modern comfort. An original fieldstone fireplace anchors the living room, while large windows frame the lake and treetops. The screened porch is the go-to spot for morning coffee and evening wind-downs.

Bedroom: Tempur-Pedic queen mattress, window A/C.

Living Room: Sofa bed, fireplace, stunning lake views

Kitchen & Dining: Fully stocked with cookware and grilling essentials for easy meals.

Bath: Fresh towels and basics provided

Out front, a hot tub overlooks Crystal Lake—perfect after a day on the water or dunes. Step into a truly dark night sky: on clear nights you can see the Milky Way, and from mid-July to late August the Perseid meteor shower puts on a show. There’s also a fire pit for stargazing nights.

For boaters & anglers

Bring the boat—our circular drive makes trailer parking simple, and you’re minutes from Crystal Lake and Frankfort launches. Anglers appreciate the quick trip to Frankfort for salmon fishing on Lake Michigan.

Whether you’re hiking Sleeping Bear Dunes, beach-hopping on Lake Michigan, chasing fall color, or settling in with a good book, this is a quiet, convenient base that feels private yet close to everything that makes northern Michigan special.

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 to 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
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 and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

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. Make sure you get close to 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
  • Frankfort Beach - 8 min drive - 8.7 km
  • Crystal Lake Golf Club - 11 min drive - 11.9 km
  • Point Betsie Lighthouse - 11 min drive - 11.2 km
  • Platte Lake - 19 min drive - 20.6 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
  • ‪A Papano's Pizza BEULAH - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪The Roadhouse Mexican Bar & Grill - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

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

No, pets are not allowed at this 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?

Checkout 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 miles (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 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 1 out of 1 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 1 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 1 reviews

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

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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