Cabin

Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More!

Photo gallery for Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More!

120' of gorgeous Betsie River frontage
Welcome to Life is Better North!
Ample seating with deck overlooking the river and roomy fire pit area.
Deck overlooking the river with charcoal grill and chiminea.
Firepit area with ample seating space
Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10149 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Check out the area

Map
Thompsonville, MI
  • Popular LocationCrystal Mountain11 min drive
  • Popular LocationMountain Ridge Golf Course13 min drive
  • Popular LocationMichigan Legacy Art Park14 min drive
  • AirportManistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker)42 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

3 Single Bunk Beds

Bunk Room (2)

1 Single Bunk Bed

Porch

1 Double Futon

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining Area

About this property

Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More!

This cozy cottage in a secluded, wooded setting has easy access to many of northwestern Michigan’s favorite attractions. Life is Better North offers a true “up north” getaway for groups of 6-12 people. Accommodations include:

• over 1600 square feet of comfortable, roomy living space
• master bedroom with king sized bed
• 2nd bedroom with full-sized bunk bed and 3rd full-size trundle bed
• NEW FOR 2022 - 3rd "bunk room" style bedroom with twin bunk beds
• porch area is furnished with a queen-sized futon couch, converting to a fourth, private, sleeping area for 2
• additional sleeping accommodations include a full-sized sleeper sofa in the living room, as well as twin-sized sleeper sofa in the sitting area.
• NEW FOR 2022 - 10x25 bonus room with XL sectional couch, smart TV, & games
• 2 full-sized baths
• fully furnished kitchen with refrigerator, stove, and microwave.
• wood burning fireplace
• satellite television
• high-speed internet
• DVD player
• washer and dryer
• ample parking (outdoor, hardwired outlets are available for additional RV parking for large groups. Please inquire with owner.)
• pets considered

Winter activities:
Life is Better North is located just 4 1/2 miles from Crystal Mountain ski resort, offering 39 trails and 5 state-of-the-art lifts. Groomed snowmobile trail system access is less than a mile away. Snowmobile rentals are available just 4 miles away at Crystal Adventures. And with over an acre lot, there is plenty of room for sleds, trailers, and vehicle parking.

Iron Fish Distillery is located just over a mile up the road.

Local lakes and trail systems also offer snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, ice-fishing, and more for the winter sports enthusiast.

Spring, Summer, and Fall Fun:
Enjoy world-class salmon and fly fishing with 120 ft of river frontage at one of the deepest bends of the river! Or relax and enjoy the serene beauty of the Betsie with a kayak or tube trip. In the fall, experience the gorgeous foliage and fabulous winery tours on Leelanau or Old Mission Peninsula, and the quaint shops and restaurants of nearby Traverse City. Incredible hiking and biking is available nearby with the Betsie Valley Trail, Betsie River Pathway, Manistee National Forest trailheads, and many more local trail systems.


Local attractions include:
Crystal Mountain ski and golf resort & spa – 4.5 miles
Iron Fish Distillery - 1.5 miles
Arcadia Bluffs golf resort – 18 miles
Lake Michigan beaches – 15 miles
Empire Beach (an awesome beach for families) - 22 miles
Beulah: brewery, groceries, and shopping - 15 miles
Frankfort: quaint town with great restaurants, shopping, beach - 22 miles
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park – 25 miles
Traverse City shopping, restaurants – 37 miles
Winery tours – 40 miles
Casino- 25 miles
Interlochen Fine Arts Center – 19 miles
Betsie Valley Trail system – 5 miles

Property manager

Jason Balavitch
Premier Host
Premier Host

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 24
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

Events allowed
Pre-approval required

Pets

Pets allowed
Pre-approval required

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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
Parties and events are allowed on site
Note from host: Pre-approval required
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Thompsonville

Located in Thompsonville, this cabin is on the waterfront. Michigan Legacy Art Park and Arcadia Area Historical Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Kresge Auditorium and Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Thompsonville, MI

What's nearby

  • Crystal Mountain - 11 min drive
  • Mountain Ridge Golf Course - 13 min drive
  • Misty Acres Preserve - 13 min drive
  • Michigan Legacy Art Park - 14 min drive
  • Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course - 38 min drive

Getting around

  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 43 min drive

Restaurants

  • Geno's - 9 min drive
  • Iron Fish Distillery - 5 min drive
  • Thistle Pub & Grille - 12 min drive
  • Rosie's Country Cafe - 7 min drive
  • The 231 Bar & Grill - 7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More! pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Pet-Friendly, Betsie River Retreat - Sleeps 10 - Ski, Fish, and More! located?

Located on the waterfront, this family-friendly cabin is within 6 mi (10 km) of Crystal Mountain, Misty Acres Preserve, and Michigan Legacy Art Park. Arcadia Dunes and Chestnut Hills Golf Course are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 137 out of 149 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 12 out of 149 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 149 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 149 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 149 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Anne G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Winter ski trip
We had a great time overall! Clean accommodations and just an at home environment. I would love to come back in the warmer months to enjoy the river and the beautiful outdoor spaces!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ryan C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Clean and Comfortable
Great find for our family ski trip to Crystal Mountain. House was clean, well stocked, and plenty of room for our party of 6.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Scott R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fall Getaway
Property was as described and very nice. Cold nights were perfect for having a fire in the fireplace. Proximity to Ironfish Distillery was fantastic.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anthony V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fall fun
Great location. Close to outdoor activities
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dale D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful location
Loved the location. Hope to book again when we have more time to enjoy
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

About the host

Hosted by Jason Balavitch

Host profile image
Our family enjoys skiing, hiking, kayaking, tubing, boating and the relaxed atmosphere of northern Michigan. Our primary residence is in Spring Lake, MI and this is our winter retreat from school and work.

Why they chose this property

We purchased this property because of its proximity to Crystal Mountain Resort as well as the peaceful riverfront setting.

What makes this property unique

With this 1600 square feet ranch style home, it is easy to find a space of your own to relax. Whether it is the four season front porch, front deck overlooking the
Betsie River, or on one of the benches built into the stairs leading down to the river, you are sure to find your own private place.

Premier Host

Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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