Experience waterfront living at this exceptional Frankfort property. Enjoy stunning water views from the 5 bedrooms, living room, and kitchen, or take a short walk to downtown Frankfort and Lake Michigan Beach. With kayaks and a canoe for exploring Betsie Lake, plus super high-speed WiFi for remote work or streaming your favorite shows.
Reviews
9.89.8 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
5 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 10239 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air-conditioning
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About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Open year round for adventure and relaxation. Cozy winter escape less than 20 minutes from Crystal Mountain!
This is a truly exceptional waterfront property in Frankfort! It was built in 2003 and was just purchased by the new owners in December, 2020. The new owners have made a number of great upgrades to the property in terms of furniture, appliances, and amenities!
INTERACTION WITH GUESTS:
We check-in all guests in person, provide them with an overview of the house and answer any questions that they may have, and from there we are available locally to answer any questions or address any issues.
NEIGHBORHOOD:
The location of the home is wonderful in that, in addition to being a great waterfront property, it is only about 1 mile from the start of downtown Frankfort and it is only about 2 miles from the house to Frankfort Public Beach on Lake Michigan. With the bike trail, it is a scenic and pleasant walk or bike ride from the property to downtown Frankfort and the beach. Downtown Frankfort features a wonderful and very family-friendly array of shops, restaurants, and cafes as well as Stormcloud Microbrewery and the beautiful and historic Garden Theater. Both in the summer and, particularly in the winter, Crystal Mountain Resort offers a wonderful variety of family activities including downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, golf, chair lift rides, and an alpine slide. Crystal Mountain is only about 16 miles (a 22-minute drive) from this vacation home!
There is an abundance of natural beauty in the area with much of it residing publicly in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. This large and beautiful national lakeshore features incredible views of Lake Michigan from pristine dunes, miles upon miles of hiking trails, and extremely fun kayaking, tubing, paddle boarding, and/or canoeing excursions on the scenic Platte River. The start of Sleeping Bear Dunes is only about 10 miles north of this vacation home along beautiful M22, which itself provides for a great time driving up through the Leelanau Peninsula and exploring the charming little beach towns along the way.
If bigger city activities are desired, downtown Traverse City is only about a 1-hour drive from the property. Traverse City is the economic, cultural, and entertainment hub for all of northern Michigan and features a vast abundance of charming shops, great restaurants, and wonderful nightlife and entertainment.
GUEST ACCESS:
Guests have access to the entire house except for one or two owner storage closets.
THE SPACE:
This property has a number of great features that are difficult to find in the area:
* 2575 Square Feet in Size, 5 Bedrooms, and 3.5 Bathrooms! The house is very large and, with 3.5 bathrooms, it can easily and comfortably accommodate up to 10 guests. The bedrooms have also been beautifully designed around Betsie Lake with all 5 bedrooms having water views!
* Lakefront! This vacation rental home is right on Betsie Lake, which connects the naturally beautiful Betsie River with Lake Michigan. The location of the property along with boating access to the Betsie River, Betsie Lake, and Lake Michigan really make this property a dream destination for boaters, fishermen, and nature lovers!
*Water Views Galore! The home is specifically designed to provide water views not only in the 5 bedrooms but the living room, and the kitchen!
* Boat Dock! This vacation rental home has its own private dock. The boat dock allows guests to dock their own small boat(s) and Betsie Lake provides access not only to Betsie Lake itself, but also to the Betsie River as well as Lake Michigan. (Please note that Betsie Lake is not ideal for swimming, but the beautiful Frankfort Lake Michigan Beach is less than 5 minute drive from the property. Crystal Lake is less than 15 minutes away. Please also note that the dock is only guaranteed to be in place from Memorial Day weekend until November 1 each year.)
* Kayaks and a Canoe! The rental includes free usage of two single kayaks, a tandem kayak, and a canoe!
* Incredible Master Bedroom! The large and elegant master bedroom features incredible views of Betsie Lake, a king-size bed, and its own private en suite bathroom with a jacuzzi tub!
* Central Air Conditioning! The property features a brand new central air conditioning, which is a rare find in the area.
* Large Family Dining Table! In addition to having a cozy gas fireplace in the dining room, the dining room features a nice large dining table that seats 10 people.
* Large Kitchen! The house features a large modern kitchen with all appliances (including a dishwasher) and there is even a kitchen island that has seating for two with a lovely view of Betsie Lake.
* Purified Drinking Water! The kitchen faucet is supplied with water purified via reverse osmosis from a Culligan water purifier. The water tastes great and is great for cooking!
* Tons of Closet Space! Built in 2003, the home has large closets in each bedroom as well as other closets that provide plenty of storage space for up to 10 guests.
* Washer and Dryer! This vacation home comes equipped with a new extra-large capacity washer and dryer in a main floor laundry room.
* Super High-Speed Wi-Fi! The property is equipped with super-fast 940 Mbps cable wi-fi, which allows this vacation home to work great if multiple individuals need to be working or studying from home.
* Desk! There is a nice desk with a great view of Betsie Lake in the living room if you need to do any serious work.
* Streaming Television! The Smart TV is equipped with Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime and Disney Plus.
* Biking Access! There is a wonderful 22-mile biking trail, the Betsie Valley Trail, that runs right next to the house. The portion of the trail that runs next to the house (from Frankfort into Beulah) is fully paved.
* Outdoor Fire Ring! A lovely outdoor fire ring with chairs is provided next to the lake for having wonderful lakeside family bonfires and s'mores together.
NOTE: Please note that there are two cameras located on the property and they are outside cameras only. One is located at the side door facing the street and the other is located at the front entry door. For guest privacy, there are no indoor cameras.
TRANSIT:
It is recommended that guests have their own vehicle.
PLEASE REVIEW THE GUEST RULES BEFORE MAKING A RESERVATION.
PLEASE ALSO NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
(1) EXTERIOR CAMERAS: There are two cameras located on the property and they are outside cameras only. One is located at the side door facing the street and the other is located at the front entry door. For guest privacy, there are no indoor cameras.
(2) PRIVATE DOCK: Please note that the private dock is only guaranteed to be in place from Memorial Day weekend until November 1 each year.
(3) GAS FIREPLACES: Please note that the 2 gas fireplaces are both currently not working and are not to be used by guests.
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Kitchen island
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
5 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
3.5 bathrooms
Hair dryer
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Entertainment
Smart TV
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Garden
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Work spaces
Desk
Desk chair
Office
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Welcoming dogs only
2 pets total
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
On a lake
On the waterfront
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
* Smoking: There shall be no smoking of any kind inside the home. Smoking is only permitted outside at least 25 feet away from the house!
* Cleaning Fee: There is a $295 cleaning fee per stay for each reservation.
* Shoes: Outdoor shoes are not allowed to be worn inside the home.
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total pets
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property on the number on the booking confirmation
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
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
Frequently asked questions
Is Open year round for adventure and relaxation. Cozy winter escape less than 20 minutes from Crystal Mountain! pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much is parking at Open year round for adventure and relaxation. Cozy winter escape less than 20 minutes from Crystal Mountain!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Open year round for adventure and relaxation. Cozy winter escape less than 20 minutes from Crystal Mountain!?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Open year round for adventure and relaxation. Cozy winter escape less than 20 minutes from Crystal Mountain!?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Open year round for adventure and relaxation. Cozy winter escape less than 20 minutes from Crystal Mountain! located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is steps from Betsie Lake and 1.3 mi (2.1 km) from Lake Michigan. Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts and Frankfort Beach are also within 2 miles (3 km).
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Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
The location of the house is great. Right on the bike trail, close to town and some great golf courses in the area. We’ve already recommended to many of our friends.
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Sunset Bay. Gorgeous views and spectacular sunsets, close to everything. The house is very clean and comfortable and the property manager, Jean, was super responsive and helpful. The house had everything we needed, including kayaks. My husband had to work the week we were there (unfortunately) but WiFi was awesome and he enjoyed the view from his "office" away from home. We will be back!
Wonderful home, beautiful area, nicely located - close to downtown Frankfort and Elberta, easy access to long trail, close to Lake Michigan and nice hiking/walking trails. Really nice views from the home. Home is cozy and clean. Easy to communicate with friendly and professional property manager.
Excellent home environment for our destination family vacation week. Wonderful beds. Great size bathrooms. LOVED the dining room table for family meals. Serene view of the water and sunsets. Large, fun firepit. Close to Up North towns, beaches, restaurants and breweries. THANK YOU for the great memories!
We've rented a house every October for the past 25 years and this one was spectacular. Roomy. Cozy. Extremely well equipped kitchen. Comfortable beds. And just a pleasant, laid back vibe. The incredible fall color was the icing on top of this most delicious cake.
This house is great! We had adults using every room and found the beds to be comfy, the towels are terrific and the whole property is very clean.
The house is well stocked with soaps, kitchen items and lots of extras like coffee and snacks.
We loved sitting on the deck at night. There was a full moon and the fish were jumping in the lake. Lots of birds to see in the day too.
We found this to be a very convenient home base for Sleeping Bear Dunes, Frankfort beach, the Arcadia marsh and lots of hiking trails.
Laura F.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Carrie P.
4 Aug 2024
Sunset Bay
If I could rate this higher I would! Fantastic property- the space was amazing and just as described- if not better! Beautiful deck off of the kitchen with scenic views of Betsie Lake- wonderful to enjoy morning coffee and/or an evening glass of wine! Kayaks are provided, along with life jackets, which was awesome- we enjoyed several morning and evening kayaking trips- taking in so much nature - including multiple sightings of an adorable deer family! Communication was terrific - Jean was great to work with! So many amenities- from a fully appointed kitchen to numerous games! We can’t wait to come back- one of our best vacations ever!
This is our second time staying in this location and we absolutely love it. Cannot wait to stay here again!
Rachel Hyerim S.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Jon
14 Sept 2025
Second year here, still great!
We loved our stay at Sunset Bay so much last year that we came back again this year, and once again it did not disappoint. The house is spacious, comfortable, beautifully maintained, and perfectly located. We hope we’ll be able to return again next year!
Jon
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Kathy L.
8 Jun 2025
Gorgeous
We loved the house! The location and views were great. The firepit and kayaks were really a bonus.
We will definitely consider rebooking next year!!
Great location and beautiful view of Betsie Lake! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. Lots of room to stretch out and relax with the whole family. So much thought has been put into the amenities at the property - the kitchen was well stocked with everything we needed, and we really appreciated the games and activities provided when the weather was cold and windy. The fireplaces were not available due to being serviced, and we would have liked to use the one in the living room on a couple of the cold nights, but overall a minor inconvenience in an otherwise wonderful property. Would definitely stay here again.
A beautiful home right on the Betsie Lake. The lake is shallow, so no boats, but lots of birds and wildlife. The second floor porch right off of the kitchen is a great place to have a morning cup of coffee. We spent several nights around the fire pit while stargazing. The bike trail goes right past the house and is perfect for a walk. We took advantage of the kayaks and paddled up the river several times. The house was clean, bright, and had everything we needed. Lots of space for hanging out together. Would come again!
Excellent property. We loved it. The only thing I would recommend is bikes. Many other properties include family bikes. Other than that it was a perfect house—very well stocked—in a perfect location.
We thoroughly enjoyed your beautiful home and all the provided amenities. It was very clean and welcoming with your provisions that you supplied. The area has so much to explore and experience like the trail that runs next to your house that connects so much between Frankfort, Elberta and Benzonia. Our grandkids enjoyed the Frankfort park for pickle ball and ball playing. Your home was especially nice for my husband and others to kayak from. And I can’t forget your lovely fire pit area at night.