Perfect Location for Bridge Area Vacation

Bonita A. ()
Review submitted: August 23, 2012   Date of arrival: August 14, 2012

Skip the pricey hotel rooms in Mackinaw City and stay here instead! Very comfortable clean affordable 2-bedroom home tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood a short hike up a hill from Mullet lake. Our goal was to enjoy a bicycling vacation and the location could not have been more perfect. A short drive over to catch the ferry to Mackinac Island filled one day, one day we left straight from the cottage and spent a couple of hours bicycling on the smooth hard-packed crushed rock trail along Mullet lake that runs south to Gaylord and north to Mackinaw City. The last day we drove over to Petosky and bicycled the paved bike trail along the bay down to Charlevoix. Would have liked to rent kayaks and paddle the Indian river; perhaps next time.

We appreciated the washer & dryer, full kitchen stocked with everything we needed to prepare meals and comfortable beds. We spent much of our time outdoors enjoying what the area has to offer and did not miss not having cable TV or internet access. Local stations provided news and weather; VCR & DVD player with a variety of movies, several puzzles and games are also provided. The gas station market within walking distance has most anything you need for groceries, nearby bar/ restaurant has good burgers and pizza.

One lovely surprise were the busy hummingbird and yellow finch feeders on the dining room and kitchen windows. We would highly recommend this rental to anyone who wants a "home base" in the area for an active vacation.

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Helpful votes: 0 / 0

Clean cabin with nice amenities

TwoPeopleAndADog (Southeast MI)
Review submitted: July 2, 2012   Date of arrival: June 28, 2012

We had a very enjoyable stay at the cagin. It was easy to find, clean, and offered some nice amenities. They were able to accommodate our dog, as well. Two public access beaches were a short work down the road, although the southern one was kind of a joke. The more northern beach (across from the marathon station) was MUCH nicer!

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Helpful votes: 1 / 1

Clean, comfortable, home-away-from-home!

Susie (Chula Vista, CA)
Review submitted: June 22, 2012   Date of arrival: June 10, 2012

I wholeheartedly recommend Topinabee Pines Cottage to fellow travelers! Drive right up to the side door, climb two steps, and enter this clean, comfortable, charming home-away-from-home. The beds (1 queen, 2 twins) are comfortable; the bedding is fresh and new. There is a generous closet, chest of drawers, good lighting, and attractive decor in each bedroom. The single bathroom (tub/shower combo) contains all the niceties of home--even a cute nightlight! The living area houses a comfortable sofa and three upholstered chairs (two of which recline) along with tables and good lighting for TV viewing or reading. The kitchen/dining room is spotless, with beautiful cookware and dishes, a full-size range, dishwasher, refrigerator, drip coffeemaker, toaster, garbage grinder, and microwave oven. Great lighting and windows in the kitchen/dining area--watch the birds at their feeder or gaze out at the beautiful trees past the backyard picnic table. The washer and dryer (hidden behind folding doors in the dining area) are very helpful to travelers on the go--and laundry products are provided for your use. Clean towels, bedding, and beach towels as well as games and jigsaw puzzles can be found in the hall closet. In the entryway, you can find resource guides for the area--very helpful.

From Topinabee Pines, we explored northern (lower) Michigan from Traverse City to Alpena. Of course, we visited Mackinac Island--an absolute must! We also drove up to "Soo" St. Marie and saw the great locks in action. Petosky and Harbor Springs are charmers. History and beauty abound--and water is never far.

Recommended for: age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, sight seeing

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Helpful votes: 1 / 1

Comfortable and Clean

lakefan (indiana)
Review submitted: September 23, 2010   Date of arrival: July 25, 2010

This was a great place for my family to stay. The cottage was clean, comfortable, and conveniently located. Everything was in good working order. We plan to rent it again next summer.

Recommended for: adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers, sight seeing

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Helpful votes: 6 / 6

Small Town Stay with Convenient Commutes

Jo Ellen (Indianapolis, IN)
Review submitted: August 16, 2008   Date of arrival: July 10, 2008

During a 3 week stay, this immaculate home in the woods provided a wonderful stopping point for many events in the small towns that line the famous Inland Waterway. From Mackinaw City to Petoskey and Harbor Springs, no commute is over a half hour, short of stopping at all the attractions along the way. Nearby runs for groceries in Topinabee and Indian River provided supplies for a well-appointed kitchen. The owners take pride in ownership here. Return home at night to cozy rooms dotted with nightlights, comfortable beds and skies full of stars. This location would be convenient to the many winter attractions too. I would recommend this rental to persons who visit the area and want to feel like they are at home when they pull in the drive. Don't miss the US Coast Guard cutter in Cheboygan, the gaslight distric shops in Petoskey or the pizza at Vivios in Indian River!

Recommended for: age 55+, families with young children, pet-friendly, sight seeing

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Helpful votes: 16 / 17