This traditional cottage holds large families beautifully, yet can be a cozy getaway for couples. Five bedrooms sleep 12 guests. The first floor master bedroom has a queen bed, large dresser, and ample closet space; it opens off the craftsman living room. Upstairs brings three small bedrooms and a huge loft room. Two bedrooms have a sturdy single bed each, and the third bedroom holds two bunk beds (four singles). The spacious loft offers four single beds and a full-sized crib, skylights, and bead board throughout. Plenty of dresser space for an entire season of clothes. Ceiling fans serve all of the bedrooms, so even at the height of the season, the rooms stay pleasant.

The new kitchen was designed for large gatherings in mind. Its farm sink and custom concrete penninsula allow you to provide for all your guests. Dishwasher and disposal make clean-up easy. Full-sized refridgerator, electric range and oven, and microwave complete the appliances. The adjacent eating area is equipped with a central table, small game table, and side buffet. Just out the back door you will find a fully screened-in porch with a long picnic table for more indoor dining and comfortable soft seating for morning coffee or evening wine. The back porch leads to a small grilling deck with a larger charcoal grill, and there is a fire ring in the back yard for s'mores and cottage night life.

Two full bathrooms serve the guests, one with an enclosed shower and one with a full tub-shower combination. Unusual for this cottage area is a complete laundry room, housing a high efficiency washer and dryer and a lots of counter space for folding.

The kitchen, bathrooms, laundry, screened-in back porch, and upstairs loft are new additions made ten years ago. The master bedroom, three upstairs bedrooms, and living room are all 1901 originals with the original hardwood floors, cherry trimmed windows, and oak staircase with birch log railing. Living room has a charming corner stone fireplace. Use it with the door open for a crackling fire, or close the ventilator insert and crank the output fan for an effective heat source. Ample woodpile off the front porch.

The Woods Cottage is situated a block off the now-famous M22 state road that runs along some of the best property in Michigan. For pristine dunes and forests, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is right up the road. For the best shore for rock-collecting, bonfire-building, or storm-watching, Point Betsie Lighthouse is even closer. Take M22 five minutes south into the resort town of Frankfort for shopping, restaurants, ice cream, a beach day at Lake Michigan, or a beer at the popular local brewery.

Cycling enthusiasts will find themselves enjoying the five-star, 22 mile route around Crystal Lake, starting one block out the cottage front door. We provide two double kayaks to launch at any of the many public accesses in the area, and the laundry room supplies life jackets in all sizes, from adult XL to toddler. If a daily walk or jog starts your day right, you can choose the back roads in the woods, the flat and shady M22, or the sunny South Shore Drive along clear blue Crystal. Family floats down the Betsie or Platte River can be a fun day trip. If the weather calls for inside activities, plenty of games and puzzles are provided for all ages, and the local library has a fantastic selection and view; great coffee shop across Main Street. A small tv and dvd player is situated in the cottage kitchen corner to keep little ones occupied, if needed. Free wifi is always flowing, so work can still get done.

The Woods Cottage was bought and renovated for our family of six kids, plus friends. We host an annual fall retreat here, too. Our family has been vacationing at the west end of Crystal Lake for six generations. As our kids grow up, more school and sports activities tie us to our home in Grand Rapids, but our time spent in this cottage each summer is treasured the whole year through. We hope that you will find the same peace, joy, and rejuvenating rest that our family finds here within these walls.

Feel free to contact me with any questions about the cottage or the area. I would be glad to help.

Emily Brew