What changes have been made since the cottages were part of Reed’s Resort?
Almost every room has undergone major renovations, which will continue into the Spring. When you set foot in the cottages, you might not recognize them if you stayed at Reed’s Resort previously. Each cottage has been redone with knotty pine walls, wood floors, new kitchens, new appliances, and new furniture. The former Lakeview and Lakeside Cottages have been connected with a stairway and now rent as a single cottage. The partition wall in the family room of the Lakeview Cottage has been removed, creating a larger family room. New sliding doors and windows have been added providing a better view of the lake. Soon, decks will be expanded and log siding will be installed. See the Renovations page for more details and pictures.
Is a vacation at Bart’s Bear Lake Lodge OK for small children?
Of course kids of all ages are welcome at Bart’s Bear Lake Lodge. The cottages lie along US-31, however, so kids must be supervised at all times. Given that the cottages are on a lake, along a road, have a firepit, and are rustic in nature, the property cannot be completely “child-proofed,” despite anyone’s best efforts. The road, boats, lake, boat lifts, dock, firepit, and other features that make the cottages fun can also be dangerous if children are unsupervised. Parents must supervise children at all times.
Can I bring pets?
Sorry, but pets are not allowed. As much as Bart’s Bear Lake Lodge loves cats and dogs, they can cause damage to screens and furniture and cause allergy problems for future guests.
Are linens provided?
Comforters, blankets, and bed spreads are provided, but guests must bring their own sheets and towels.
Which parts of the property are common, i.e. shared with the other cottages?
The patios belong to each cottage. The yard, firepit, and dock are shared.
Where should I park?
Cars should be parked along the front of the cottages by the road.
Is there laundry on site?
No, but there are multiple laundry mats within close driving distance.
Are outboard motors included with the fishing boat?
No. Each cottage comes with one fishing boat, but no outboard motor.
Is there refuse collection service provided?
Yes. Allied Waste picks up refuse each Wednesday morning. Each cottage is provided with a large garbage container that must be placed curbside for Wednesday morning collection.
What responsibilities do I have for cleaning the cottages?
We ask that you leave your cottage as you found it. While you do not need to scrub floors or vacuum, we do ask that you clean all dishes, leave no food in the refrigerator, clean and bail out fishing boats, and sweep the floors. Guests who leave the premises dirty or in disarray will not be allowed to return in subsequent years. If excessive cleaning is necessary, costs will be taken from your security deposit.
Can I rent cottages for periods shorter than a week?
During the summer season, no. Cottages must be rented on a weekly basis. Offseason, cottages can be rented for weekends. Contact Crystal Vacation Rentals at (231) 864-4020 to inquire about offseason rates.
Are any parts of the cottages off limits to guests?
Yes. Closets on the ground floor of the Sunset Cottage contain personal items of the owner and must remain closed and locked at all times. Guests may not use the ski boat and must stay off of the boat lifts and ski boat.
What amenities does each cottage have?
Each cottage comes fully furnished, comes with a fully equipped kitchen with coffee makers, pots, pans, utensils, dishes, and cooking ware, and comes with a 37-42 inch flat screen TV, cable and DVD player.
Who do I contact if there are any problems during my stay?
The cottages are managed by Crystal Rentals, located in downtown Bear Lake. If you have any problems with plumbing, heating, appliances, etc., Crystal Rentals will provide service.
Can I bring more people than the occupancy limits stated here on the website?
No. Although extra people may be willing to stay and sleep on the floor, in tents, etc., occupancy limits are regulated by city, county, and state authorities and will be strictly enforced. Overuse of the septic system will also cause septic system failure, which is not fun for anyone.
Are the cottages air conditioned?
No. Each cottage has ceiling fans to improve circulation. Summer nights are generally cool and days are generally spent outside, so we have found that the cottages can easily be kept cool when occupied.
What if I have to cancel my reservation?
Please contact Crystal Rentals for policies on cancellation.
How long of a drive should I expect in getting there?
From Chicago, 4.5 to 5 hours. From Detroit, 4 hours. From Grand Rapids, 2-2.5 hours. From Lansing, 3 hours.
What kinds of wildlife are in the area?
Deer, black bears, foxes, wild turkeys, coyotes, bald eagles, swans, Canadian Geese, Winter Geese, ducks, cranes, swans, herons, plus typical smaller wild animals like raccoons, beavers, muskrats, and (unfortunately) skunks.
Should any precautions be taken with respect to wildlife?
Local wildlife typically stay clear of humans, but you should avoid leaving food, marshmallows, drinks, smores, etc. outside, as this will attract skunks, raccoons, and other animals.
Are we allowed to use the firepit?
Yes. The firepit is there for your use and enjoyment. Please be sure to keep the area clean and free of debris. As always, be safe around fires. Never leave children unsupervised around the firepit. Always thoroughly douse fires at the end of the night with two large buckets of water.
Where can I get firewood?
Firewood is available by the bundle at Saddle-Up Gas and Grocery just down the street from Bart’s Bear Lake Lodge.
Where does the property end?
The East property line is approximately halfway along the beach part of the lakefront. The West Property line is approximately at the end of the rock sea-wall. Do not leave any personal items on neighboring property.
Are there any rafts, boats, kayaks, canoes, or recreational equipment available for use?
There are two kayaks on site for use. Guests must bring their own rafts, life jackets, fishing equipment, etc.
Where can I get groceries?
The Saddle Up just down the street. The IGA just south of downtown on US-31. The Shop & Save in Benzonia.
Is the ski-boat available for use?
No. Guests are not permitted to use the ski boat. Guests must stay off the ski boat and boat lifts.
Where can I rent boats and boat motors?
Contact Bear Lake Marine at (231) 864-3667.
How crowded is the lake?
It is never crowded. Unlike many other area lakes that become dotted with boats on summer days, Bear Lake stays wide open. Even on July 4th weekend, there are typically fewer than 20 boats on the entire lake.
Can I bring my boat and/or outboard motor?
Yes. There is plenty of dock space for mooring extra boats. There is also a buoy in the water to which boats may be anchored.
What is the lake like at the cottages?
The lake is 3-5 feet deep with a sand bottom out to about 150 yards from shore. It is ideal for swimming and water sports. Water temperatures are usually between 70 and 80 degrees in the summer.
What kind of fish are in Bear Lake?
Bass, Pike, Walleye, Catfish, Bluegill, Rockbass, Sunfish, Carp, Perch, and Sturgeon.
Do I need a fishing license?
Adults must have a license to fish in the State of Michigan. Licenses are available at the Saddle Up Gas and Grocery and at Bear Lake ACE Hardware in town.
What are the most popular attractions in the area?
Sleeping Bear Dunes (1/2 hour north), Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club (5 minutes West), Little River Casino (10 minutes south), Manistee River canoeing, Platte River canoeing, downtown Frankfort, downtown Manistee. Most guests are happy just relaxing on Bear Lake though.
What is the best time of the year to come?
Anytime, but two summer weeks in particular offer some extra fun -- July 4 features many area fireworks shows, carnivals, etc., and the second weekend in July is Bear Lake Days, featuring a weekend full of family events in and around Bear Lake. In the fall, the whole month of September and first two weeks of October feature world-class Salmon fishing in local rivers and outstanding scenery as the leaves change color.
Who can I contact if I have more questions about the cottages?
For questions related to reservation policies, contact Crystal Rentals at (231) 864-4020. For questions about the property features, feel free to contact Brian with Cabin One LLC (the owner) at (773) 701-1832.
For Reservations Contact Crystal Vacation Rentals at (231) 864-4020
