Renters BEWARE!!!! I would not recommend renting the Aspen cabin from Jeff with Crystal Adventures!…read moreWe had a horrible experience at this cabin. Upon arrival, we discovered a lady bug/beetle infestation. The dishes in the kitchen cabinets were dirty and also had beetles on them. The kitchen is also not a full kitchen as advertised. of the two bedrooms, one of them does not have heat, and the other one has a hidden baseboard heater which you are not made aware of. This resulted in us sleeping without heat before the first night. The bathrooms are absolutely filthy. Only 2 of us (out of 6 people) showered the entire weekend as the showers were very unclean. We had dog hair in the sheets of our bed. We realize mistakes can happen with cleaners so tried to work with the property owner, Jeff in hopes of working something out and issuing a partial refund for everything we encountered last weekend. He was very unprofessional and left us no choice but to contact AirBNB for help. After seeing our photos and videos, they agreed that we deserved a partial refund. I just wanted to help inform others to avoid renting from Crystal Adventures at all costs! It was a very unfortunate situation for our family.

The staff at Crystal Adventures were very friendly and helpful. They helped us get our canoes and…read morekayaks into the river and explained what to expect (portages/timing etc.). The river was just beautiful and less busy than others in the area. In hindsight I wish we had each gotten our own kayaks instead of doubling up in canoes as the river is tricky to navigate in the larger sized vessel at times. I'll definitely come back to Crystal Adventures.

After kayaking down Platte River, Riverside Canoe Trips was a great spot to pick up some souvenirs…read moreand sweet treats! The hard serve ice cream is incredible, especially after a hot day. We enjoyed the blackberry chocolate chunk and the brownie batter cookie dough. If you're camping near Honor, definitely worth checking out!

Rented some individual kayaks for a trip down the Platte River which runs through the Sleeping Bear…read moreDunes National Park area. This was an amazing trip which ends close to where the river flows into lake Michigan. The water was super clear and I highly recommend this trip. Pack some lunch and drinks in a small waterproof cooler and add the extra time so as not to be rushed. Riverside canoes has a nice shop and good equipment. You do have to pay for parking though when you drop off your vehicle which stinks.

The staffperson working yesterday (Sunday) was very nice, but the rental bikes were not in good…read morecondition. My wife and I each rented hybrids, and it took me several tries to find a bike that seemed functional. Multiple had loose front wheels that wouldn't tighten, but after a few attempts the attendant was able to get one tightened. Sizing and fitting aren't really part of the process -- this was more of a "just pick whatever bike you want" situation. Soon after we left, I realized that my tires were underinflated, so we had to go back for air. And midway through our ride, huffing and puffing to maintain speed, we realized that most of the brakes were rubbing -- both wheels on my bike, and the front wheel on my wife's. At $40 for a half day per bike, this was a disappointing experience. If you're looking for a rental bike to bum around for a few hours, this might be fine, but if you want to go for a real ride I'd recommend renting elsewhere, or making sure that River Outfitters improves their maintenance practices.

WENT ABOVE AND BEYOND! Short version of the story: We rented out bikes and stopped at Hotel Indigo…read morefor a drink and parked our bikes out front. Hotel Indigo rented out our bikes to some of their guests so they were gone when we came downstairs. It was the last night of our trip and so we couldn't get the bikes back from the hotel to return them. The hotel said they would drop them off and didn't. The River Outfitters actually went to the hotel and retrieved the bikes for us and didn't charge us anything for going over time or the inconvenience after hearing our story. They were super understanding! I wish more companies would treat their customers like this.

Honor Trading Post was our go-to for kayaking down the lower Platte River! Everyone was so nice &…read morehelpful, it really made the trip down the river a memorable experience. The livery had all the essentials for your trip; water shoes, sandwiches, cold drinks, ice, souvenirs, and so much more! They were stocked with whatever you needed. The team unloaded our kayaks & brought them down to the river with us, along with our paddles & life floats. For the record, they have plenty life jackets for whoever needs them. Any child under the age of 6 is required to wear one. The river flows gently & most of the trip is shallow enough to touch, I never felt in danger without a life vest. My favorite parts of the river were paddling through Loon Lake, the crystal clear water, and the end of the trip where the Platte meets Lake Michigan. The dunes were breathtaking & the kids absolutely loved it! We will definitely be back. Honor Trading Post was my livery of choice!

I booked a kayaking trip on the Platte River for my (almost) 10-year-old son and I. It was easy to…read morereserve everything on their website (we actually booked the morning of our trip.) The staff was super friendly and knowledgeable. My son had only been kayaking one other time, and he loved being in his own kayak. The river was slow and calm, perfect for a child to learn how to kayak. Parts of the river did get quite busy (we went on a beautiful Saturday) - there was one area where we navigated around a group of about 50-60 "innertubers." We packed up a couple of sandwiches and purchased some drinks and a cooler at the Trading Post before parking our car at the end of the river (at Lake Michigan.) I loved how at the end of the trip, we could hop right out of the river and into our car. One of the staff members drove us back to the drop-in spot (they had already prepared our kayaks for us to hop right in!) Note: there is an extra $25 fee involved to park your car in the lot at the end of the river. Would highly recommend booking with The Trading Post for anyone looking to check out the Platte River! We were staying in Glen Arbor, and it was only a 30-minute drive away.

I took my 8 year old son winter river rafting in February. We were in town for a wedding, but…read morewanted to use our free time to do something different/ unique. It was the perfect activity. The guides were great and luckily we were paired with another family we had small kids, making the experience even more fun for my son. We usually go to MI in the summers, so we'll be back to JVO for some summer fun too.

Winter rafting with Jordan Valley Outfitters was an incredibly wonderful experience. It was by far…read moreone of the coolest experiences I've ever done! Reserving my party's spot online was easy. I received an email with all of the information and directions I needed beforehand. The bus ride to the river's start point was comfortable. On the way, we were briefed on what to expect and safety information. The winter rafting ride was magical. We were lucky enough to have just gotten a fresh snowfall. The views truly looked like a scene out of a movie. The Jordan River was a stable flow therefore little paddling was required. The snow's heaviness weighed some branches down over the river so some ducking was in order! Our guide, Sam, was outstanding. He was knowledgeable about the river, area, and provided great local recommendations! Partway on our journey, our guide led us off the river. Where we were treated to homemade cookies and hot drinks. Run don't walk to Jordan Valley Outfitters!

Stayed here in July with my two kids. Friendly front desk, comfy beds, nice strong AC in Cabin 9…read more I've stayed in lots of cabin places like this, in this price range, and this was by FAR the cleanest. It was small and basic but had everything we needed. Towels were actually fluffy! The pool was an excellent bonus. Seriously though, the cabin was so spotless I think they must have done updates recently. And the location was convenient to a few places to eat and an easy drive to Sleeping Bear Dunes. I don't fish but they seemed to have a nice set up and it's right on the river.

I recently spent a week at Betsie Riverside Resort, a charming escape nestled alongside a tranquil…read moreriver. The cabins and facilities are undoubtedly the highlights of this place. Each cabin is well-maintained, offering cozy interiors that perfectly complement the serene natural surroundings. The resort's attention to detail is evident, with clean and comfortable accommodations that provide a genuine sense of relaxation. The communal areas, including the indoor pool/spa, playground, and fire pits make for a perfect family getaway. However, it's worth noting a few aspects that potential visitors might want to consider. The owners are quite vigilant, with surveillance cameras placed throughout the property. While this does contribute to a sense of security, it feels intrusive, particularly if you're looking for a more laid-back and private getaway. The owners make it no secret they actively watch the cameras and will provide real-time feedback of guest's activities. The owners also have extreme cleaning requirements for checkout. If you do not meet these requirements they will send you a followup email containing details and pictures of your transgressions. For example, there is an unwritten expectation to clean the toilet before leaving even though a toilet brush is not provided. I have never encountered such expectations at other resorts, vacation rentals, or hotels. Additionally, the owners have a clear preference for individual cabin rentals. Large groups and children are discouraged, which might be a consideration if you're planning a family vacation, reunion, or a group trip. This focus on maintaining a serene environment may not suit everyone's vacation plans. However, if you're a retiree looking to go fishing or kayaking this is your place. This was our second summer at the resort and will be our last. Our family group rented 6 cabins, some traveling from out of state. Our group ranged from grandparents to young kids. We are a fairly quiet group that doesn't "party", nor do we stay up late. We did our best to stay out of other guests way and share the communal areas. The owners made us feel like a bother and unwelcome during our stay. We cleaned up after ourselves and cleaned the cabins before we left. Even still, we received emails after our stay indicating toilets were not cleaned and a couple of crumbs were left on a counter. While I can appreciate the owners' high standards for cleaning and grounds maintenance, they do not have enough staff to maintain those standards and instead push the responsibility onto their guests. Overall, Betsie Riverside Resort is a lovely destination for those seeking a peaceful retreat in well-kept surroundings. Just be mindful of the owners' preferences, expectations, and the presence of active security camera monitoring if you're looking for a more relaxed and private experience.

Claims to be in the business 22 years. One star only for convenience of boat launch location…read more(launch just north of Sutton's Bay public beach), boat we rented was trailered there. We spent 35 minutes of our time listening to the owner give instruction and prep and launch the boat. Time was from 10-5, boat should have been in the water waiting for us, but we waited on him. Boat was in terrible condition, both pontoons had significant scratches/dents. Seating was in good condition and floor was nice (not carpet). Not informed ahead of time, but do not allow fishing from their boats. Boat listed very hard to our right the entire day and a check engine oil light came on shortly after we launched. Owner knew the boat was damaged and admitted it was recently repaired. No reparations were given to us, just told he resented being told this issue was known to him (stated so himself and pointed out the damage to the pontoon where it was repaired). Would not recommend this rental company when so many others are available in the area and take good care of their boats.

My guests have had great experiences with Get Outside Rentals for SUP Boards, Kayaks, Bikes, and…read moreespecially brand new pontoon boats! They are located in the village near the grocery store, and just off the bike trail, with plenty of parking for easy access. They also provide convenient drop-off and pick up services. I would highly recommend Get Outside Rentals in Suttons Bay!