Quintessential UP NORTH Family Vacation (Sunday to Sunday)

We have stayed at this cottage a few times over the last several years. It is wonderful for big families with great living spaces for everyone together or individually. My favorite thing is that it sits on a part of the lake that overlooks state forest. The birds and wildlife are incredible. I love waking up to the sound of the loons. The pontoon is a definite plus, and the lake is gentle and warm for small children. It is one of the warmest lakes that I have ever been in, in Northern MI. There were Kayaks and a fishing boat and a nice dock to sun on. It is also in great proximity to shopping and golf. Beautiful hiking across the street at Ransom Lake and nice for cycling as well. We always choose to use it for our big family reunions when it is available.

We have stayed at this property several times during all four Michigan seasons. I would highly recommend this cottage to anyone with a singular family, an extended family, or to many adults looking for a great time. The house is in excellent condition and has always been very clean and provides everything needed to make it an easy, relaxed and enjoyable vacation. Not only does the house have a great layout to enjoy one another, the large yard provides an area for many fun activities. We have also taken pleasure in all the amenities that this place has to offer. Our favorites are waking up in the morning and enjoying the hot tub with the mist hanging over the lake, the wildlife, the kayaking into a small neighboring lake, hiking in the state forests, enjoying a great round of golf at Mistwood and of course enjoying a glass of wine on a nightly pontoon ride on Lake Ann. Our day trips usually end up with us touring the wineries of Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas. We will continue to recommend this property to our friends not only because of it’s proximity to Interlochen, Traverse City and Lake Michigan but also it’s charming characteristics.

The name of this cottage is Always and it is perfect in All Ways!! We stayed for a week with 12 people and 3 generations ranging from 3-70. The house is very spacious and welcoming. We appreciated that the owners even provided extra things like bug spray, firewood, basic kitchen supplies etc. However, it was the outside we loved even more.! Bonfires in the fire pit at night, plenty of room for yard games many of which the owner provided, hot tub on the deck where we ate every meal, fishing off the dock where the young ones caught their first fish, kayaking to mud lake, a great swing set facing the lake and having to almost "sign up " to get time in the hammock are just a few of our memories. We rented the pontoon (and also a speed boat from another supplier) so we spent our days tubing the lake and then anchoring the pontoon and swimming while others used the speed boat to ski. Even the 6 year olds "got up" on the skis! The lake is so private and calm that the 3 and 4 year olds were able to swim, with their life jackets of course, around the pontoon and play on the rafts. We went to the dunes one day and some golfed at Mistwood in the early evenings which was very nice. However, we really did not want to leave the lake. We would highly recommend this lake house. Thank you to the Jeff and Maureen for a wonderful week!

Spent a week at "Always" with friends and family. Home had everything we needed and was very accommodating for all four of the young children. Greatly enjoyed the pontoon, paddle boat, and kayaks! All of the fishershermen (experienced and novice) were successful in landing a few nice fish. Highly recommend taking the kayaks to Mud Lake and casting a worm into the lily pads. When not enjoying Lake Ann we ventured into Traverse City, Glen Arbor, Frankfort and Sleeping Bear dunes. The location was perfect! Thank you Jeff for making the process easy and inviting.

Our family returned to Lake Ann this summer and once again had a wonderful time! We love the huge yard with room for any activity, the large deck with seating for everyone , (we never used the kitchen table!) , the adjoining hot tub and the clean and spacious home. We rent the pontoon and spend many hours relaxing on it each day. We also rent a speed boat from a local company and the grandchildren tubed and skied all day! The house also has a wonderful bonfire area and plenty of wood which we use nightly. This year we used the kayaks provided frequently to go to Mud Lake. What a wonderful experience and the grandchildren ages 6-9 all loved it! We did go to Glen Arbor one day but once again did not want to leave the lake. If you are looking for a large comfortable house on a beautiful lake that includes so many extras and a very accommodating owner, look no further! Just don't book the week we want, because we will be back! Thanks Jeff and Maureen for another memorable week.

This Lake Ann cottage is a beautiful place to spend quality time with family and friends. Lake Ann is beautiful, and while the area near the cottage has a muck bottom, the dock is perfect for swimming from, or for launching one of the many kayaks (or the paddle boat) that are for the use of renters. While we did not rent the pontoon boat, I believe it would probably provide the best views of the lake and the sunset. The owners are very kind and accessible, and the neighbors are wonderful and helpful! If you decide to spend a week or more on Lake Ann, I don't think you could go wrong by selecting this place. The location is perfect, so close to Interlochen, Traverse city, and Sleeping Bear Sand dunes. Our family had a great time. Don't forget to buy the fixings for Smores and use the fire pit! It made for a really fun dessert after dinner from the Stone Oven and live music at the Lake Ann Brewery!

Place was super clean. Owners were really nice. Good place to stay.

My family of 6 adults and 3 children had an absolutely wonderful time at this property. Each morning, I woke up, sat on the couch and watched the lake! So restful. This house does not have air conditioning but we were there in the middle of July when it was 95 degrees downstate and we ended up using two blankets and had to close the windows at night! Just open the windows when you get there and get the air moving. The kitchen is well-stocked with just about everything you would need or think of. Definitely take advantage of the boat and the kayaks. The fishermen in our group caught lots of smallmouth out on the lake. this property is on the lower end of the lake. straight out from the dock on the other side, there is a huge nest with 2 adult bald eagles and two juveniles. Also, in the kayak, follow the shore around to the left and you will find a little path that will lead to another lake. It is quiet and scenic and beautiful. While you are in the area, we recommend doing the Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive at Sleeping Bear Dunes. It is $25 per carload. Do all of the stops. They are amazing!! For food, there is a Walmart and a few other big stores about 10 miles from the house. There is also a tiny grocery store just around the corner from the house that has the weirdest collection of everything you could want. I hope your family enjoys it as much as we did! Thank you to the Grey Family for your hospitality!