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Ski Crystal! 4 FLOORS of FUN! Gameroom! PONTOON BOAT! Kayaks! NEW WIFI!

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Lake
Terrace/patio
Interior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Interior

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 12204 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet friendly
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Ski Crystal! 4 FLOORS of FUN! Gameroom! PONTOON BOAT! Kayaks! NEW WIFI!

- NEAR CRYSTAL MOUNTAIN!

- We now have WiFi!

- And as always, we never charge Host, Cleaning, Pet (up to two dogs), or Extra Guest fees!

Just when your kids thought they were safe from school . . .

Creatively designed and decorated to resemble an old classic school house, but modern, comfortable, and cozy with a touch of class. Cherry wood flooring, ceramic tile, custom woodwork, Pottery Barn style decor, a mix of antique, and custom furniture, are just some of the home's touches. Enjoy 360 degree panoramic views of Upper Herring Lake and surrounding countryside, from the 4th floor bell tower. 

The Home was also designed with the family in mind with separate spaces for grown-ups and little ones alike.

Located on all-sports, not all-crowded Upper Herring Lake, with 140' of private water frontage*. The Home sits on 2.5 acres and is on a quiet, peaceful country road. It is surrounded by a blend of rolling hills, woodlands, orchards, and vineyards. This 2100 sq. ft. home is in a word - FUN!

You will be just minutes from Lake Michigan beaches and the resort town of Frankfort. Not much further are many of Northern Michigan's premier vacation spots such as The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and Traverse City.

Also, just 2-3 minutes** walk down the boardwalk trail *through the protected natural area, await enough waterfront amenities to fill a school bus... make that two school buses! There is a row boat, 2 - kayaks, 1 - 12' x 6' Floating Foam Aqua-Play-Mat, life jackets in various shapes & sizes, full dock w/moorings for extra boats, fire pit w/chairs, rope hammock, chaise lounge, and as an extra bonus we include the use a ***pontoon boat free of charge ( a $1,000 value). Oh, and did we mention 10 gallons of free premixed fuel!

When these Amenities are available: Pontoon boat w/10 gal free fuel (Memorial week til early October), Floating Aqua-Play-Mat (Memorial Week thru Labor Day Week), kayaks (May 1st til Nov 1st), and row boat(April 1st til Nov 15th), dock (Mid-May til Nov 1st).

*Typical Northern Michigan soft mica bottom, NOT SANDY. The lakefront feels mucky near the shoreline.

**2-3 minutes for healthy adults and children, for those with health issues it could take a little longer. Home also sits on a slight grade so the walk back could be a concern for those with health issues.

***As a FREE bonus to our guests in our summer months, we offer you the use of one of a pontoon boats. They are nothing special. They are clean and well maintained. They range in size from 18-24ft. They range in age from 20-30 years old w/2stroke motors ranging from 25 - 35 hp. While these boats may not fulfill the boating dreams of some people, they are perfect for a sunset cruise or a family fishing outing. We even supply you with 10 gallons of pre-mixed gasoline!. To get the most enjoyment from these boats it is recommended that person with a knowledge of boating and two stroke motors be involved operating them. If not we do have full instructions, and technical assistance available if necessary. See photo of typical pontoon boat.

---- Also we provide a starter supply of paper/soap products which should be enough for a typical 2 night stay for smaller groups of 2 - 4 people. For a complete list of "what is provided" and "things to bring", check out "Using the property”, on your “My Trip” page.

- For our winter guests we recommend bringing an all-wheel-drive vehicle or at the very least a front wheel drive with good snow tires.

Keywords: School, Pontoon Boat, Family, Waterfront, Lakefront, Beach, Winter Getaway, Northern Michigan, Private

Property manager

Lizzie B

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach sun loungers

Ski

  • Snowboarding and cross-country skiing nearby

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Toaster
  • Blender
  • Electric kettle
  • Ice maker

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Towels provided
  • Toilet paper
  • Soap

Living spaces

  • Living room
  • Dining room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • Pool or billiards table
  • Arcade/game room
  • Video games
  • DVD player
  • Books
  • Video library
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Firepit

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near laundromat

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 2 total pets
  • Welcoming dogs only

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Area rugs in public areas
  • Cobblestone flooring in public areas
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • No elevators
  • 5 stairs to reach property
  • Thin carpet in public areas
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • On the lake
  • On the waterfront
  • In a rural location
  • Near a health or beauty spa
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Water sports equipment
  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Kayak on site
  • Boat on site
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Golf nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Double-glazed windows
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Energy-saving switches
  • No plastic coffee stirrers
  • Unit size: 2200 sq ft (204 sq m)

Similar properties

The Farm House Cottage

SKI CRYSTAL! Floating Aqua-PLay-Mat! PONTOON BOAT! Kayaks! NEW WIFI! Gameroom!

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet friendly
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (31)
SKI CRYSTAL! Floating Aqua-PLay-Mat! PONTOON BOAT! Kayaks! NEW WIFI! Gameroom!

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
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 deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Pontoonboat! Newer Home! Open ALL Year!
Open ALL Year! Water Trampoline! Pontoonboat! Gameroom! Kayaks!

About the neighborhood

Map
Arcadia, MI

What's nearby

  • Arcadia Dunes - 19 min walk
  • Inspiration Point - 9 min drive
  • Frankfort Beach - 16 min drive
  • Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course - 18 min drive
  • Crystal Mountain - 25 min drive

Getting around

  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 34 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪A&W Restaurant - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Lighthouse Cafe - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Hill Top Soda Shoppe - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Cabbage Shed - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Ski Crystal! 4 FLOORS of FUN! Gameroom! PONTOON BOAT! Kayaks! NEW WIFI! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Ski Crystal! 4 FLOORS of FUN! Gameroom! PONTOON BOAT! Kayaks! NEW WIFI!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ski Crystal! 4 FLOORS of FUN! Gameroom! PONTOON BOAT! Kayaks! NEW WIFI!?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Ski Crystal! 4 FLOORS of FUN! Gameroom! PONTOON BOAT! Kayaks! NEW WIFI! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this vacation home is 1 mi (1.6 km) from Arcadia Dunes and 2.3 mi (3.7 km) from Lake Michigan. Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve and Inspiration Point are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Ski Crystal! 4 FLOORS of FUN! Gameroom! PONTOON BOAT! Kayaks! NEW WIFI! Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 37 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 40 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 40 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

marlene k l.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fall getaway
I was very interested in this property for future family vacay’s, very fun place, loved how they include the school integrity with antique’s & decore, loved exploring the area ! Would be happy to stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bryan H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Summer Vacation
12 mostly adults stayed comfortable here. Close proximity to lots of things. Make sure you take kayaks to lower herring and kayak out to Lake Michigan.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristeen J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Best Vacation Ever
Everything was perfect with our stay. The home was very clean and the owner thought of everything we needed to enjoy ourselves. The home is decorated like an old school house. The "bell tower" was so amazing to sit up in the morning with coffee and just watch the lake over the trees. DH and I were able to watch movies while the kids played pool and the PS2 in another room. Plenty of cooking necessities to make all our meals. We went for drives during the day and tried out a few of the restaurants recommended in the info book at the house. We had several walks down to the lake and that all looked nice too though we didn't use the fire pit. We also all went for walks along the road with our dog. It's a very beautiful road with barns and orchards all over. Not much car traffic. Would have loved to see it during high color season.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great week!
House was perfect for the 11 of us. Great location.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ryan M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Rental!
Our extended family stayed for a week and had no complaints at all. The property was very clean on arrival and the instructions were clear and concise. The pontoon boat was an absolute bonus and the house itself is unique and well cared for. We would recommend a stay to anyone interested and would make plans to come back without hesitation.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tami S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful house!
This was a great place to stay with our 4 adult, 4 kid group. It had everything we needed, was comfortable, and clean. The telescope room is really cool and a unique part of the house. It was further than we'd hoped from Crystal Mountain, but the trip back and forth was manageable. We would love to go back in the summer and take advantage of the lake. No Wifi--my fault for not reading the description well enough to realize this. Not a big deal, as one of our group had a hotspot, and it was better to mostly unplug for the weekend anyway.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place
We had a great time on this stay. The property manager was very helpful and provided excellent communication. The propert was very clean, had a lot of things to do and was a great environment. Would definitely stay there again and we huge recommend it.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Barb A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Getaway w/ the Granddaughters
Beautiful home, beautiful area!! Our group was a little larger than originally planned yet there was space for all of us. One of my granddaughters is getting married next month so I thought I'd take all of the cousins on a quick getaway to bond and celebrate. What a blessing this home was! The home is decorated like an old school house. There is a bell tower at the top w/ a mini library. It's accessed by a spiral staircase. The kitchen is large and was stocked with everything we needed. We knew going in that there was no wifi and it ended up being perfect. We went for walks (saw cows) and watched DVDs at night. Some of the girls even watched their old favorite cartoons in the morning (while eating cereal) just like when they were little. We perused an old year book from 1930 in the home and drove into the little town of Frankfort for dinner one evening. We even tried Gravity Hill near the house. Put our cars in neutral and yes, rolled UPHILL. Thank you so MUCH!! I think we're all closer and we really want to come back sometime soon (maybe when I get news I'll be a great-grandma.). ;).
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

Dan O.

Liked: Cleanliness
5 Days in the Schoolhouse
The building is charming inside and out, and the area down by the lake with the pontoon, fire pit and chairs is lovely. Blue Lakes should know that one of the stools at the bar was completely cracked when we arrived so might not be safe to use and there was no battery in the smoke alarm in the main floor bedroom. Typically the standard of care for a property such as this is for toilet paper and trashcan bags to be included. The surrounding area is beautiful with trees and is close to several quaint villages.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Terry R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Welcoming experience
Beautiful schoolhouse property & very clean! Plenty of things in a & around the home to keep all ages busy! Having the pontoon boat was fun for cruising & fishing! We had precious family time! Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Scott J., Rochester, MI, U SA

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Generations Vacation
Nice accommodations. Enjoyed location and hike to water. Pontoon boat was wonderful add on. And the Aquamat. Great fishing (fish the zones shown on map included with cottage handbook). Close to Sleeping Bear dunes (note: Dune walk is quite a challenge!) and nice beaches. Spacious kitchen. Lack of wifi actually a bonus (got youth to spend time on family games). Everyone had a good time. Many thanks!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Terry L.

Liked: Cleanliness
school house
The school house is just as pictured on the website. There is plenty of room for family and friends.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kathy N., Holland, MI

Liked: Cleanliness
50th Anniversary Celebration with Family
Our family left the "Schoolhouse Cottage" with so many magical memories including: The quiet stroll down the wooded path to the lake listening to birds and rustling leaves blow. We loved having the pontoon boat to cool us off on warmer days. An eagle blessed us with its successful dive for a fish. We had plenty to do with games and the ping-pong table, chalkboard art, cooking contests, picnics on the deck, and much more. It is also located near Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve which a MUST for hikers. We canoed beautiful Lower Herring Lake which flows out into Lake Michigan - a sight to behold. Thank you for sharing your cottage with us and helping us to make these memories a reality!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Beverly P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family fishing trip
Great property! A lot of fun things to do. The kids loved it!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Chris M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Place
Was a nice place to stay while we had a ski weekend. Quite a bit removed from any of the local towns, but within easy driving distance. Kids really enjoyed the rustic-ness of the school house cottage.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

LORI A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Close to Crystal Mt
Great stay close to Crystal Mt. Wonderful host! Great with communication throughout the visit.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2021

8/10 Good

Dan W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet and peaceful
Nice location not to far from town. Quiet area where we could all relax.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Holly R.

Liked: Cleanliness
School House Vacation
Wonderful property with plenty of room for our group. Lake Perch were plentiful, and delicious. Exciting to hear the wildlife at dark and enjoyed the peacefulness of the surrounding county side by day.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Michele Q.

Liked: Cleanliness
Early Fall Getaway
We were very happy with this home away from home! It was centrally located to many fun areas and yet off the beaten path. The home was cozy and nicely equipped for cooking and relaxing. The only negative was the rickety walk to the lake and distance from the house to the fire pit. We decided not to have a campfire because of the long walk in the dark back to the house.

10/10 Excellent

asti-marie h.

Liked: Cleanliness
June 5 - June 12
The week was absolutely amazing! Everyone enjoyed themselves, also it was about 15 min from Frankfort which is such a beautiful little town!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Todd I.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fabulous location
We really loved the location and access to all the small towns. We enjoyed the peace and quiet and the use of boat, kayaks, and dock. Would love to come again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jesse A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peace and Quiet
Fantastic property! The lake is amazing! the house is amazing! You feel like your off the grid in what feels like a restored early American schoolhouse, but with a few towns only 10min away for groceries, restaurants and shopping. Didn’t hear a single car noise out on the lake (being from Chicago, it’s hard to escape the sound) would 100% book this property again. All the workings for a fantastic family get away.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Karen M., Northville, MI

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful stay!
We wanted a family-friendly place for a getaway. The schoolhouse cottage was perfect! Great location, just like photos, fun features like movies, pool/ping pong table, swing set, and a telescope, very comfortable and inviting. We’d love to stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021