I just spent a really wonderful 4 days with my young children (aged 9 and 7) at this property in July 2022. The location is a lovely, though dense, neighborhood of lake-homes and cottages on Crystal Lake. While the homes are close enough that you'll likely interact with the neighbors if they're out on the deck, the neighbors we experienced were lovely folks. And yet there is enough yard space for a modicum of privacy and for kids to run around and play. The property itself is clean and well-maintained with a vintage knotty-pine interior look. Thankfully the technology is minimal with cable TV and the requisite wireless access. Well-maintained, basic bathroom with a vintage but functional shower stall consistent with the cottage experience. As noted in other reviews here, yes, if you have more than two people in your group, your shower time needs to be limited and purposeful or you'll run out of hot water. Bedrooms good. Kitchen clean and functional with your basic amenities. No dishwasher, no problem; I did a lot of my own dishes but was assured by property managers Vacasa that the small pile I left in the sink when we left was covered by the cleaning fee. The lack of A/C is fairly well-compensated for by open windows and ceiling fans. I had to let Vacasa know about a minor carpenter-ant intrusion, however the problem lessened over the 4 days we were there. The waterfront access is perfect for a family vacation: the lake has an extended rim of shallow bottom around its perimeter that is sandy and rocky (not mucky), and great for swimming, and on this property is largely free of rocks. The road is fairly quiet with minimal local traffic and easy for kids to cross with some supervision. Good dock for tying a small craft if you have one, and fun to jump off for the kids with the shallow water. There is a lakefront marina on the west end of the lake that will rent you a fishing rowboat with an outboard (and more sophisticated crafts) if you want to fish. The firepit is functional with logs provided, though you'll need to be handy with tinder and kindling to get it going, and we enjoyed multiple evening bonfires. It's admittedly a breathtaking location and just a gorgeous lake. Close to Lake Michigan beaches, Sleeping Bear Dunes, and much more. Only reason I'm not giving 5 stars is the vintage nature of the property versus what else is out there. I'd gladly return, and recommend it, for the type of vacation I've described.
