Cabin

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

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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 10148.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Thompsonville, MI
  • Crystal Mountain
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Mountain Ridge Golf Course
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Michigan Legacy Art Park
    ‪14 min drive‬
  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker)
    ‪43 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

Melissa Balavitch
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

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

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed
Pre-approval required
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Pets

Pets allowed
Pre-approval required
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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
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. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Misty Acres Preserve, while Michigan Legacy Art Park and Benzie Area Historical Museum are cultural highlights. 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 - 6.6 km
  • Mountain Ridge Golf Course - 13 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Misty Acres Preserve - 13 min drive - 7.7 km
  • Michigan Legacy Art Park - 14 min drive - 8.0 km
  • Arcadia Bluffs Golf Course - 38 min drive - 29.5 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Geno's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Thistle Pub & Grille - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Iron Fish Distillery - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Rosie's Country Cafe - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Laughing Horse Saloon - ‬11 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?

Situated on the waterfront, this cabin is within 6 miles (10 km) of Crystal Mountain, Misty Acres Preserve and Michigan Legacy Art Park. Glovers Lake 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.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 149 out of 163 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 14 out of 163 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 163 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 163 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 163 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Rodney M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful property!
Winter was in full effect and the Betsie River was Spectacular! The property was wonderful and cozy!!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lori B.

Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anthony V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Brian K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

T H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great north trip
Place was awesome, we'll be looking forward to coming back 😀
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karl J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fishing vacation
Had a great time. Clean cottage lots of salmon, caught a few, great location!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shaun L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fish Camp 2024
Good time, good friends and great cabin to spend time at. Everything that you need is here!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ted L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Even better than advertised
Undersold and overdelivered. Beautiful North woods setting! Loved the clear, cold water of the fast moving, shallow river. Bald eagle swooped down to 20 feet for a closer look. Kids caught dozens of crayfish and played in the calmer spots. Humble exterior belies the spacious, clean and very well equipped interior. We had perfect weather but there are so many games to play and places to curl up with a book that it wouldn’t have mattered. Multiple TVs and entertainment options. Ample linens, towels, and supplies. Only need to bring food! Crystal Mountain very close and short, pretty drive to Lake Michigan and many hiking trails. Iron Fish Distillery is a must visit … it’s not even 5 min away. Perfect family cabin. Responsive hosts that made us feel welcome. We all just loved it!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Greg W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Up north is a way of life
Love everything about being up north this location is perfect for all of it!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dan P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Second stay as great as the first
Great time as usual
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

George Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Betsie River
The property itself was an exceptional indoor/outdoor experience. The children took advantage of the river. The house was a comfortable arrangement for all. Downside: noisy neighbors next door downstream, first a group of women, then several families playing loud ethnic music and setting off firecrackers. The acoustics in the woods is too good.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
great, chill place
Clean, chill, accomodating location for our family and furry friend. Right next to Iron Fish distiller, which was lots of fun!
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michelle K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Family Get-Away
This is our third stay at this property. It is always clean and well stocked for all our needs. The amount of sleeping options fit all the needs of our group. We look forward to staying here again in the future.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joshua B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Off The Beaten Path
Overall great location, nice home, pleanty of room. I had no issues cooking food for over 100 people for a graduation party due to the well stocked kitchen. Only thing we missed was bandaids, shampoo, but close enough to make a quick purchase. The property is nice but neighbors who also appear to rent had a large frat party two of our nights.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

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

10/10 Excellent

Mary H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Comfortable, cozy , fun for all ages
Perfect. Plenty of room, property, parking, and privacy. Nicely decorated and clean. All the conveniences needed were there. Already booked for next year! Great fishing too!
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shaun L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Good Friends and Good Times!
The House has plenty of space for a large group, has all of the necessities included. The only down fall is there is only 1 full bedroom, the other 2 bedrooms are bunk beds. You cannot beat the secluded location, right on the Betsey River, out in the woods. Sit around the fire and get lost in the peaceful serenity.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jamie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Life Is Better Up North
We had an amazing time at this delightful home on the Betsie River. Impeccably clean and stocked with everything one could possible need, the stay met every expectation. The sheer enormity of games and entertainment, from darts, ring toss, foosball, and pretty much every board/card game known to man, doing things with our kids in the quiet hours was abundant. The riverside location is magnificent. A deep water bank for fishing, splendidly landscaped, and even a natural clay bed for my wife who is a potter. About 1.5 miles away is Iron Fish Distillery, with excellent food, cocktails, and live music. 10 minutes to Crystal Mountain for hiking, an alpine slide, golf, and several upscale restaurants and bars. Proximity to Arcadia and Frankfort was equidistant a about 20 minutes. Honestly, our only complaint was that we had to leave. We will assuredly be back. This place is really wonderful.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

michael G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful river setting
Gorgeous location on the Betsie River. Enjoyed a very comfortable and relaxing stay at this well equipped home. The home is a nice size and had everything we needed for our stay. The backyard has a nice fire pit and chairs that we Enjoyed one of our nights there. Will definitely look to book this home again my next time in the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michele J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful!
This property had everything we needed. It was exceptionally clean, comfortable, and well appointed with plenty of room for 5 adults and a senior dog. We especially loved the outdoor space with river views, fire pit, hammock, and plenty of seating. Great location that feels secluded but is an easy drive to many area sights and restaurants. We would definitely stay again!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mandy E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent experience
By far the best property we have stayed at! The layout if the home is great! We loved sitting outside in the evening and listening to the river!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by Melissa 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.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests