Mid-century family retreat with a breathtaking view and a private beach!

4.8

Outstanding(47 Reviews)

House in Crystal Lake, MI

24 guests · 8 bedrooms · 5 baths

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating

Great for petsBring all your friends and family, even the furry ones

Top-tier experienceOne of the higher cost properties in the area

About this house rental

Welcome to High Birches, where serenity meets adventure on the shores of Crystal Lake. Our 8-bedroom retreat, nestled 125 feet above the water, offers natural beauty and a vintage cottage core charm. Enjoy 400 feet of pristine lake frontage with a private sandy beach, perfect for lounging, swimming, and water sports. Guests can unwind on the expansive lakefront patio, ideal for hosting meals al fresco, or explore the private woodland trails spanning 22 acres of lush woods. For those seeking recreation, our amenities include a tennis/pickleball court, outdoor games, and biking trails around the lake. Perfect for relaxation and outdoor fun in Northern Michigan.

Some popular amenities we offer:
* Recently remodeled kitchen is well equipped
* The beach features a long dock, with space to sit over the water, a swimming raft,
paddle boards, beach chairs, and toys for all
* Two boats available for rent with boating experience or license (more below)
* There is a sunfish sailing boat (no rental charge)
* Comfortable campfire locations by the house and the beach
* A tennis court with a garage full of outdoor activities
* Hammock for afternoon relaxation
* A swing set for the younger crowd
* Internet for those work from home folk and a television for non-favorable weather
* Winter Activities such as sledding (down our half-mile driveway), skiing, and skating
* Dog Friendly

Nearby Attractions:
* Golf courses
* Fishing / Hunting
* Hiking and trails
* Mushrooming
* Point Betsie Lighthouse (Highly Recommend for a beautiful sunset)
* Sleeping Bear Dunes
* Frankfort Lighthouse and beach
* Crystal Mountain

Amenities

Pool

Pets allowed

Kitchen or Kitchenette

Internet / Wifi

Fireplace

Parking

Laundry

Balcony or Patio

Dishwasher

Family friendly

Map of Crystal Lake, MI

Nearby attractions

Sleeping Bear Dunes Overlook

$$$$

Mid-century family retreat with a breathtaking view and a private beach!

$$$$

4.8

Outstanding(47 Reviews)

House in Crystal Lake, MI

24 guests · 8 bedrooms · 5 baths

Reasons to book

Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating

Great for petsBring all your friends and family, even the furry ones

Top-tier experienceOne of the higher cost properties in the area

About this house rental

Amenities

Pool

Pets allowed

Kitchen or Kitchenette

Internet / Wifi

Fireplace

Parking

Laundry

Balcony or Patio

Dishwasher

Family friendly

Map of Crystal Lake, MI

Nearby attractions

Sleeping Bear Dunes Overlook

Reviews

4.8

Outstanding(47 Reviews)

5.0

Sep 2024

12 guys in our 60's who have been together since college. Annual trip that has been all over the country. What was great is to easily accommodat all of us in one building and allowed us to not have to be crammed into a group of condo's etc.

5.0

Aug 2024

We had a group of eight guys for a golf trip. We were looking for something central to the courses we played. (Bluffs north and south, The Bear and Kingsley). The location was perfect and the rooms comfortable. Great evenings at the fire pit. Didn’t get to enjoy the lake, but hope to return sometime in the future. Would work great for large families.

4.0

Aug 2024

I give this stay 8/10. Many of my family would have given lower due to the beds being in rough shape and no AC. But the location and view is what you come for. Unreal spot. The house is a long hike down the hill to the beach across the road. The basement also smells terrible like it has mold and we could not use it. It also had old women’s clothing from the 1900’s in many of the closets that was very odd. The house hasn’t been set up to be a rental like most on this site. With that said I would stay here.if you’re someone who cares more about the location like I do.

5.0

Sep 2023

The pictures do not do this place justice! What an amazing view from so far up! Very private very secluded. It's not very often that you are above the eagles and swans. I rented this place as a surprise to my family we had 19 people ranging in age from 6 months to 69 years old. Plenty of room for everyone. If I could rate it higher than 5 I most definitely would!

5.0

Jun 2023

We absolutely loved our time at this house! As our family has grown we had to go to renting 2 houses for vacation until we found this one. Plenty of space for the 10 adults and 11 kids aged 1-11 to spend together and not feel cramped. Enough space to spread out and have alone time too when needed. The private beach had something for everyone and our time spent there=priceless. Our only critique would be it could benefit from a good spring cleaning before opening it up for the summer season. (Windows/screens/baseboards/beach shed broken toy check, you know the stuff that only needs doing once a year) We will definitely be back again someday!

5.0

Oct 2022

What a blessing to find this property to hold our large family (17 of us) for a wedding weekend! Enough rooms and beds for everyone. Plus, plenty of bathroom space so we all were able to get ready for the wedding in plenty of time. Beautiful views of Crystal Lake and a perfect location. Then Linquists are lovely hosts. Thank you for sharing your home with us.

4.0

Oct 2022

Everything about this place is beautiful and wonderful, except the cleanliness. Just needs a good “ spring cleaning”

5.0

Sep 2022

Stayed with a group of 12 guys for our annual golf trip. This house is huge. We were all able to hangout in the living room without issue. The back yard has a ton of seating and a fire pit. But the view! At any time you could catch 5 or 6 of us out there talking just enjoying the view.

4.0

Sep 2022

This place was absolutely perfect for our large family getaway. We had 8 adults and 7 kids (ages 1-11) and there was more than enough room for everyone. Plenty of bedrooms and beds and tons 3 full floors of living space. The property was amazing. A stunning view of Crystal Lake, and 30 acres of woods surrounding it with trails to wander. The beach area was very nice but we had more fall weather so didn't use it as much as one would in the summer. We did get to take the pontoon boat out a few times and the kayaks as well. Overall, the space was lovely and we would recommend over and over again.

5.0

Sep 2022

We loved this place! The view was wonderful, the weather was great.....we enjoyed just sitting outside. The house was perfect for a large group. We've been hiking together for years and this was a nice place for us....checked off all the boxes!

5.0

Sep 2022

We had a fantastic time at this beautiful lake house. You cannot beat the view! The private beach is perfect for kids and they have it fully stocked with toys for both grownups and kids.

5.0

May 2022

We have a group of 16 guys that take a golf trip every year. We’ve been doing this for over 20 years. This is one of the best spots we’ve stayed. The view was awesome and we enjoyed the fire pit and the outdoor space. The house had everything we needed.

4.0

Mar 2022

Let me first start off by saying George was always fast to respond to any questions we had. The house was large and spacious. Definitely that cottage home feeling out in the quiet woods over looking the lake. Plenty of beds and plenty of bathrooms for everyone to use. Really nice updated kitchen area. George was not lying when he recommended AWD or 4WD vehicles because parts of the driveway can get steep. The home definitely served it purpose for our wedding weekend event and being able to have the whole family under 1 roof was amazing. My 2 only small complaints were my mother in law had to go around and clean simple things like windows and window sills because they must have been missed but with an amazing view thru the large windows, it was hard not see the dirt and smudges everywhere. Like I stated before we had a large group so we had to utilize the tennis courts for parking, but when I called Bob the "maintenance guy" to plow or clean it up because of the amount of people we had, he huffed and sounded like it was a problem coming out. He said "I'll see what I can do" and just never showed up. Apparently there were supposed to be sand bags or barrels somewhere for us to use for ice but never found it so I just ran into town to purchase salt bags for the top of the driveway that everyone had problems with. But overall a good stay.

2.5

Feb 2022

This house was ideal for a winter long-weekend getaway. The house was spacious with plenty of room for the 16 guests in my party. The living room contains a large wood-burning fireplace that we enjoyed sitting in front of playing cards. The house is perched atop a large hill with outstanding views of Crystal Lake and the surrounding area. While the driveway is steep in parts, it was well-plowed and was even attended to after we received a few inches of snow during our stay. The surrounding area provides plentiful winter activities. We went skiing at nearby Crystal Mountain ski resort, which was a short 15-minute drive away. We also enjoyed the proximity to Traverse City which made air travel easier for some of the guests. Overall this house had everything we were looking for in a winter-destination cabin. I would highly recommend.

2.5

Jan 2022

Great place to stay with a large group of family or friends! We stayed in the winter and the view was just beautiful!!

2.5

Dec 2021

This was an ultimate top of the dune retreat. On the second day a comment could still be heard, "hey, I found another room!" For our group of 19 from 2 months to 66 years, everyone enjoyed themselves. From making our way down the "trail" to the lake to watching the bald eagles to playing table games and ping pong or finding a nook to catch up on some reading, it was a very enjoyable three days. It was a blessing to find accommodations where everyone had a bed and spacious enough for the different activities could take place without bothering others. George and Mary provided a complete information packet for the workings of everything and they were accessible and prompt in answering our questions.

2.5

Dec 2021

The photos on the website do not do justice to this property. The house sits upon its own dune rising about 100-150 feet over Crystal Lake. To say the view is spectacular is an understatement. To top it off two eagles kept us company over the weekend in the trees in front. The house itself is simple and fully furnished. With many rooms and bathrooms and an extraordinarily large family space, it was perfect for the family reunion.

2.5

Oct 2021

Beautiful views with plenty of beds for the whole family

2.5

Oct 2021

The house is set up nicely for large gatherings. The view of the lake is absolutely beautiful! Any questions I had were answered quickly and everyone had a great time here!

2.5

Sep 2021

Had a wonderful time in this large rustic retreat. Plenty of rooms and bathrooms to accommodate our large group. Beds and pillow were very comfortable with beautiful quilts on the beds. All the bedrooms had a woods or lakeview window. Plenty of hot water for all. We have never stayed in a place that had such a well equipped kitchen. It made meal preparation very easy. We were here only for a weekend to attend a family wedding. We are all hoping to come back and spend an entire week. Views were gorgeous of the lake up on the bluff. We even saw some eagles.

2.5

Sep 2021

We had a wonderful time enjoying the beautiful surroundings and we appreciated the special touches the host provided to make the stay extra special and memorable.

2.5

Sep 2021

This lovely cottage is perfect for large families who want to get away to a secluded cottage in the heart of Michigan’s “up north”. The cottage had all we needed to make meals, relax on the outdoor bluff, and have restful sleeps. You can tell this cottage has a lot of history to it and that was a huge plus for my family.

2.5

Sep 2021

House worked very well for our family of 10 adults and 2 dogs! Plenty of room, great kitchen, incredible view of Crystal Lake, great beach front with raft and all the ammenities. We will return!

2.5

Aug 2021

Four generations of my family spent a wonderful week here and loved every minute! George's place is a great place to gather as a large group and enjoy each other's company. We loved spending time at the lake swimming, boating, tubing, paddling, playing in the sand and lounging under the pergola. We also loved retreating to the relaxing shade up at by the house. It's the perfect combination of beach and forest, and the house has everything we needed to take turns making our meals. Thanks again for a wonderful stay. We hope to be back again next year!

2.5

Jun 2021

Perfect home for a family gathering; lots of beds, private beach just down the hill. Downstairs is traditional knotty pine paneling with “retro“ fixtures. Upstairs is a newer addition. Kitchen has been totally renovated and is extremely well equipped. Tap water tastes great! Fire pit in the backyard and play set above a $1 million view of spectacular Crystal Lake. It is truly crystal clear to about 7 feet. Private beach is 1/3 mi. walk down the hill and across the road. While a little steep in sections, the great grandmother was driven down and back ( she could also handle the 4 steps into the house and stayed on the main floor). Great “toy room” for the little ones. Good WiFi. Loved waking up every morning and coming down and seeing the view. Quick 2-3 miles to fresh produce/ grocery store. Windows/ screens will hopefully be cleaned for the season. Great spot!

2.5

May 2021

Rustic and beautiful

2.5

May 2021

Fabulous view of lake. Could just sit and look at it all day!Wonderful to have so many bedrooms so all our family could have their own room . Used almost all the beds. It was cool so didn’t spend time on the beach , but it looked awesome too.

2.5

Feb 2021

The cottage is quant, versatile, and overall amazing. From beach access to your own 5 star view of Crystal Lake, there is not a better place to stay.

2.5

Feb 2021

We loved our ski weekend get-away. House was large, but homey with lots of warm wood and quilts on every bed. The view out over Crystal Lake is gorgeous! Only issue was a long, slippery driveway. Make sure you have an all-wheel or 4-wheel drive vehicle if coming during winter. Otherwise, this was a perfect stay.

2.5

Dec 2020

This home worked great for our family of 14 - plenty of space and a beautiful view. Loved watching the eagles!

2.5

Nov 2020

We had a wonderful time with friends. The house is nice, clean and we didn’t have any issue during our staying. The house has an amazing view. You can see the sunset in the lake from the backyard or even in the main room. We were luck to went on the fall so we could also enjoy the wonderful view of the trees color change, we could took a wonderful pictures there. I recommend this place and we will rent again in the future for sure.

FAQs

How much does this house cost compared to others in Crystal Lake?

The average price for a rental in Crystal Lake is $407 per night. This rental is $1,028 above the average.

Is parking included with this house?

Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Mid-century family retreat with a breathtaking view and a private beach!. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.

Is there a pool at this house?

Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at Mid-century family retreat with a breathtaking view and a private beach!. Enjoy the water!

Is Mid-century family retreat with a breathtaking view and a private beach! pet friendly?

Yes! This house is pet-friendly. For more information, we recommend contacting the booking provider about animal policies.

What amenities are available at Mid-century family retreat with a breathtaking view and a private beach!?

We found 11 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, pets allowed, kitchen or kitchenette, internet / wifi, and fireplace.

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$$$$

Mid-century family retreat with a breathtaking view and a private beach!

House in Crystal Lake, MI

Reasons to book

About this house rental

Amenities

Map of Crystal Lake, MI

Nearby attractions

Mid-century family retreat with a breathtaking view and a private beach!

House in Crystal Lake, MI

Reasons to book

About this house rental

Amenities

Map of Crystal Lake, MI

Nearby attractions

Reviews

FAQs

How much does this house cost compared to others in Crystal Lake?

Is parking included with this house?

Is there a pool at this house?

Is Mid-century family retreat with a breathtaking view and a private beach! pet friendly?

What amenities are available at Mid-century family retreat with a breathtaking view and a private beach!?

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