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

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Entire home

Upper Herring Lake is good for fishing and swimming, BUT our shoreline is mucky.

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 12204 sq m

Popular amenities

Washer

Pet-friendly

Barbecue grill

Kitchen

Air conditioning

Dryer

Check-in time

4:00 PM

Check-out time

11:00 AM

Explore the area

Arcadia, MI

Arcadia Dunes19 min walk
Inspiration Point9 min drive
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course18 min drive
Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker)34 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bunk Bed Room

1 Single Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Bunk bed room 2

1 Single Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Family Room

1 Double Futon

Main Floor

1 Queen Bed

Main floor living room

2 Double Futons

Top floor with spiral stairs to bell tower

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Lower level bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Main floor Bath

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Balcony

Separate dining area

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

- 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

Premier Host

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check out list: -Start a load of laundry -Wash dishes & put away -Put back furniture that was moved -Trash out to receptacle -Clean all dog hair & poo

Smoking damages the the home. If smoking has occurred inside the home, there will be a $200-$500 Cleaning Repair Fee depending on the level of damage.

Quiet time: 10PM - 8AM. No parking on rd. By booking guest agrees to VRBO and host's (sent by VRBO after booking is complete) Terms and Conditions

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

Long-term renters welcome

This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products

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 deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Arcadia

Located in Arcadia, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Crystal Mountain and Chestnut Hills Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore 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.

Arcadia, MI

What's nearby

Arcadia Dunes - 19 min walk
Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve - 8 min drive
Inspiration Point - 9 min drive
Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course - 18 min drive
Point Betsie Lighthouse - 23 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
‪Hill Top Soda Shoppe - ‬17 min drive
‪Cabbage Shed - ‬13 min drive
‪Lighthouse Cafe - ‬11 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!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

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

This family-friendly Arcadia holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 3 mi (5 km) of Arcadia Dunes and Lake Michigan. Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve and Chestnut Hills Golf Course are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Kristeen J.

9 Nov 2023

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

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.

19 Aug 2023

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

Great week!

House was perfect for the 11 of us. Great location.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ryan M.

21 July 2023

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

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.

31 Jan 2023

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

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.

26 Dec 2022

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

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.

1 Dec 2022

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

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.

11 Oct 2022

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

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.

17 Sept 2022

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

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

28 Aug 2022

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

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.

26 June 2022

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

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

18 June 2022

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

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.

27 May 2022

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

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.

24 Feb 2022

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

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.

28 Dec 2021

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

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.

29 Nov 2021

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

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.

22 Oct 2021

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

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.

22 Sept 2021

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

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.

23 June 2021

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

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.

19 June 2021

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

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.

23 May 2021

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

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

30 Mar 2021

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Lori P.

16 Feb 2021

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

The Schoolhouse was the best VRBO that I have rented! It was very clean, spacious and comfortable!

There was more than enough space for the 9 of us and we could have added more comfortably. The kitchen was GREAT! It had everything we needed and more. The space in the kitchen was great so that a few of us could prep meals together. The open kitchen, dining, and living area made sure we all stay connected. The lower level that included the pool table/ping-pong table was a blast. This house has everything for all ages and the location to M-22 was perfect!

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Banu A.

14 Feb 2021

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

Quiet and away....

This is a beautifully maintained property with all unique details of the old schoolhouse. We went in January very quiet area. The only surprise was no cell coverage. There is no Wi-fi. If you go up to the conservatory, there is very low cell coverage. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our time.

Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rachel D.

18 Jan 2021

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

family get away

the school house rental was amazing! plenty of room...super clean and cozy!! kids loved the pool table,look out tower and hiking to the lake! easy drive to crystal mountain was a bonus!! highly recommend this rental house!

Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie M.

8 Jan 2021

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

Absolutely wonderful winter getaway

GREAT! Hope to be back soon.

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2020

About the host

Hosted by Lizzie B

I am Lizzie. My Dad built this home and he and my husband take care of maintenance. My mom does all the computer work. We are a very small, family business. <3

Why they chose this property

I love the walks! Everyone has acreage here so it feels very private. Within 1/2 mile are orchards and cows. It is beautiful!

What makes this property unique

This home was built in 2006 to resemble an old school house from 1920. All the antiques in the home are from that period. Also, this is a dedicated vacation rental which means we don't have drawers, closets and cupboards full of our personal items.