My Husband, our dog, and I stayed 12/25-12/27. Originally we were going to check in on 12/24, but…read moredue to a storm taking out power in much of the area, we were delayed one day. The owner, Steve, gave us a call before we drove up there to let us know power was out. He offered to help us make other arrangements, but we decided to wait to see if power would come back. Luckily the power was restored that evening. Steve made sure we could get in to Cottage #1 (closest to the lake) when we made our way up on Christmas day.
The cottage was as described on their webpage and then some. Definitely cozy, but perfect for us. 2 bedrooms with full size beds, Linens provided. The bathroom was small, but clean and functional. A couch and a chair were in a sitting area with a small TV. The big picture windows were nice because you can see the lake from cottage #1.
One of the main reasons we booked here was the kitchen. The other is that they are pet friendly. The kitchen is small, but I made it work. A big sink, a few feet of counter space, an electric apartment stove/oven, a 12 cup coffee maker (bring your own coffee and filters) and a full size fridge with top freezer. No microwave. Some cooking equipment was available (a few pots and pans, a colander, mixing bowls, cutting board, plates, bowls, cups, silverware) as well as dish soap. If you are going to cook meals during your stay, I would advise bringing paper towels (only one dish towel), foil, trash bags, a small baking sheet or 2 (half the size of a regular one), any spices you may want to cook with, a chef's knife, and paring knife. There is a table and chairs, and out the back door is a picnic table.
The furnace is old, and made pinging noises when it was not running (the metal in it cooling down) but kept the whole cottage comfortable. Just keep the bedroom doors open if you want heat to reach them. There is no air conditioning, so I'm not sure how it is in the summer.
Overall, the place had a real "Up North" family cottage feel. The off season rates are great and you can stay by the night. In the peak season, you need to book a whole week, but rates still seem reasonable. Right next door is the state park with beach, playground, and picnic tables (must have a recreation passport or can buy day passes). On the other side is a produce market. Lakeside Charlie's (local restaurant, even though I am from Cadillac I have never been there, but hear good things) is a short walk away. The office is in the bait shop, which is great if you fish and they also rent boats and ice shanties.
For what we paid (~$80 per night in the off season) this place worked great for my family. We needed a place to stay we could bring our dog, cook our own meals, and not break the bank. There was a nature trail nearby that was great for walking the dog (on a leash, please!). If you forgot anything or realize you need something, Meijer and Walmart are just across town.
Not sure if we would come back in the summer, but in the off season we will surely be back.
A few recommendations for improvement to the owners: A carbon monoxide detector would be good to add, as the furnace is older. There seemed to be some water damage along the back wall of the cottage in the kitchen near the baseboards that needs fixed. it was purely cosmetic and did not really detract from our stay, but needs attention.
