In Frankfort .At this Frankfort chalet, you'll be within 3 miles (5 km) of Lake Michigan and 6 miles (10 km) of Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve. Elberta Beach and Betsie Lake are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Green Point Dunes Nature Preserve - 4 min drive - 3.8 miles
Betsie Lake - 5 min drive - 4.5 miles
Elberta Beach - 7 min drive - 5.4 miles
Betsie Valley Trail - 9 min drive - 6.8 miles
Frankfort Beach - 9 min drive - 6.8 miles
Getting around
Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 34 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 7 min drive
Stormcloud Brewing Company - 10 min drive
A&W Restaurant - 8 min drive
Cherry Hut - 11 min drive
A Papano's Pizza BEULAH - 11 min drive
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
The Hilltop Retreat - QUIET, PEACEFUL, & FAMILY-ORIENTED WITH GREAT VIEWS AND A/C!
The Hilltop Retreat is a beautiful chalet set on top of a large hill just outside of Frankfort. The home features a spectacular view for miles from the large deck, living room, and dining area. In addition to 2 bedrooms, there is an upstairs loft, an office area, and a finished basement. The home also features satellite Wi-Fi, a main floor washer and dryer, newly updated kitchen, and a new mini-split A/C unit in the living room! Provides for a great family getaway to northern Michigan!
NEIGHBORHOOD:
The property is in a rural hilly area just south of the cute little Lake Michigan beach towns of Frankfort and Elberta.
The property is only about an 8-minute drive from downtown Frankfort, which is larger than Elberta and has a very charming downtown area with a lovely collection of cafes, restaurants, shops, a vintage movie theater (the Garden Theater), and a microbrewery (Stormcloud). Frankfort also has a very popular public beach (Frankfort Beach) on Lake Michigan and a pier that goes out to a large, famous, and historic lighthouse. It's always fun to walk the pier out to the lighthouse! Downtown Frankfort is less than a 5-minute drive from the property.
Just outside of Elberta and Frankfort, there are also a great many things to see and do. The start of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is just a 20-minute drive from the property to the north. Sleeping Bear Dunes features a incredible collection of hiking trails, biking trails, scenic lookouts on Lake Michigan, and kayaking or tubing down the Platte River through the park and out to Lake Michigan.
Crystal Lake, Point Betsie Lighthouse on Lake Michigan, Crystal Mountain Resort, Arcadia Dunes Golf Course, and the cute beach towns of Arcadia, Beulah, and Empire are all also less than 30 minutes from the house. If you are looking for more excitement and culture, downtown Traverse City, which is the gem of northern Michigan for restaurants, nightlife, and shopping, is only about a 1-hour drive from the house.
THE SPACE:
The property has Wi-Fi, satellite television, a gas fireplace, an outdoor propane grill, mini-split A/C unit in the living room, and a washer and dryer. The kitchen was also recently updated in 2022 with new stainless-steel appliances.
Outside, there is also an outdoor bonfire ring. Being on top of a hill and facing west, the property has great sunset views! The natural beauty, quiet, and serenity provide for a wonderful northern Michigan getaway for couples or families!
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING CRITICAL POINTS:
1) NUMBER OF GUESTS: Reservations are strictly limited to no more than 4 adults and no more than 8 people in total. Please also note that our pricing is based upon the number of guests, with pricing being higher with each additional guest that is included on the reservation. Please make certain that the correct number of guests is specified on the reservation so that the pricing is correct.
2) PARTYING: The property is designed for couples and families to enjoy a peaceful, quiet, and relaxing setting in the midst of northern Michigan's natural beauty. It is not meant for partying. If you are looking for a place to party, please book elsewhere as your stay will not go well. We will involve police as necessary and will strongly and aggressively pursue reimbursement for any property damage and/or extra cleaning costs.
3) PET POLICY: Pets are explicitly NOT permitted at this property!
4) CHRISTIAN ARTWORK: The owners are Christians and there is some Christian artwork in the home.
5) WI-FI: The property has limited Wi-Fi via satellite Wi-Fi. It is okay for email and browsing the internet, but is NOT workable for Zoom meetings or live streaming.
6) TELEVISION: The property does have some movie channels via DirecTV. It does NOT have live programming though.
7) HEATING AND AIR CONDITIONING: The property has central heating (forced air furnace) and a mini-split A/C unit in the living room. Please note that the property does NOT have central air conditioning.
8) NO SMOKING: There is absolutely no smoking permitted anywhere on the property, including both indoors and outside. If you are a smoker or there are smokers in your group, please book elsewhere!
8) EARLY CHECK-IN: Our policy is to allow early check-in on the day of arrival if the property is available for check-in. We will not know until the day before arrival whether or not the property will be available for early check-in or not. You can check with our local property manager the day before arrival or on your arrival day to see if the property will be available for early check-in or not.
9) LATE CHECK-OUT: We maintain a very strict and structured cleaning schedule. As such, late check-outs are strictly prohibited.
Similar properties
Sandy waterfront near Traverse City on High Lake dock, kayak, firepit! Dog ok
Sandy waterfront near Traverse City on High Lake dock, kayak, firepit! Dog ok
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
Fire extinguisher
General
Unit size: 2,000 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Rules
PETS: All pets are strictly prohibited.
Pets
No pets allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome.
Events
No events allowed
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a smoke detector in each accommodation.
Property is also known as
066c2834-bcdf-4dd8-9e0f-e3c0d3c05bea
Frequently asked questions
How close is The Hilltop Retreat - QUIET, PEACEFUL, & FAMILY-ORIENTED WITH GREAT VIEWS AND A/C! to the airport?
This chalet is 29.5 mi (34-min drive) away from the Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.
Does The Hilltop Retreat - QUIET, PEACEFUL, & FAMILY-ORIENTED WITH GREAT VIEWS AND A/C! have an airport shuttle?
Airport shuttle services are not available at this chalet.
How close is The Hilltop Retreat - QUIET, PEACEFUL, & FAMILY-ORIENTED WITH GREAT VIEWS AND A/C! to the beach?
This chalet is 3.4 mi (6-min drive) from Elberta Beach and 5.7 mi (11-min drive) from Frankfort Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!
Does The Hilltop Retreat - QUIET, PEACEFUL, & FAMILY-ORIENTED WITH GREAT VIEWS AND A/C! offer free breakfast?
This chalet does not offer free breakfast.
Is there a casino at The Hilltop Retreat - QUIET, PEACEFUL, & FAMILY-ORIENTED WITH GREAT VIEWS AND A/C!?
No, there is no casino at this chalet.
What time is check-in at The Hilltop Retreat - QUIET, PEACEFUL, & FAMILY-ORIENTED WITH GREAT VIEWS AND A/C!?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
Is there free parking at The Hilltop Retreat - QUIET, PEACEFUL, & FAMILY-ORIENTED WITH GREAT VIEWS AND A/C!?
Free parking is not available at this chalet.
Does The Hilltop Retreat - QUIET, PEACEFUL, & FAMILY-ORIENTED WITH GREAT VIEWS AND A/C! have a pool?
This chalet does not have a pool.
Does The Hilltop Retreat - QUIET, PEACEFUL, & FAMILY-ORIENTED WITH GREAT VIEWS AND A/C! have a spa?
There are no spa services available at this chalet.
How close is The Hilltop Retreat - QUIET, PEACEFUL, & FAMILY-ORIENTED WITH GREAT VIEWS AND A/C! to downtown Frankfort?
This chalet is 3.7 mi away from Frankfort.
The Hilltop Retreat - QUIET, PEACEFUL, & FAMILY-ORIENTED WITH GREAT VIEWS AND A/C! Reviews
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 13 reviews
10 - Excellent
10
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 13 reviews
8 - Good
2
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 13 reviews
6 - Okay
1
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 13 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 13 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
9.2/10
Cleanliness
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
John H.
Oct 23, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Had a great stay at the Hillstop Retreat. Fantastic views—even better than the photos show. Very convenient location to all of the things we wanted to do and see in the area. We will be back!
John H.
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2025
8/10 Good
Chad S.
Oct 10, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Very nice get away. House was as advertised and well equipped and comfortable. Beautiful view of the surrounding area. Town of Frankfort is 10 mins away and a great coastal town with shops and restaurants. Property management quickly responded to questions throughout our stay.Would not hesitate to book this house again.
Chad S.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Donald H.
Jul 2, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Very accommodating
Beautiful area in June. Adequate and nice accommodation for a family .
Donald H.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025
6/10 Okay
Lynn F.
Sep 18, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Michigan IM Race weekend
Absolutely Beautiful view from the deck.
Very nice and cozy.
There was an issue with ants in the kitchen when we got there. Didn't spoil our time, just annoying.
Flies just from it being closed and didn't seem like anyone was there in a while
Im used to living up north and not a big deal but should be noted for others renting in the future.
Lynn F.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
10/10 Excellent
Jeanette U.
Oct 9, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Annual Girl's Week
Our first impression of the house sitting on top of the hill all by itself with the winding driveway leading to it was breathtaking! Once we got to the top and saw the view we were just blown away. Spectacular! The house itself is sparsely decorated but very clean and functional. The beds were comfortable and we all slept well while we were there. We only had 3 issues with the house. We were supposed to be a party of 4. The vrbo pictures showed 2 bedrooms on the main level, a bed in the loft area and a bedroom downstairs. When we walked into the house we realized the 1st bedroom with the piano in it did not have a bed as pictured in the ad. There was only a recliner. Thankfully we ended up being just 3 of us because the only other option would have been a very uncomfortable platform bed in the living area downstairs. We also discovered that the lights in the kitchen didn't work. We figured a breaker had been tripped. When the property manager was called, she did not know where the breaker box was and just suggested it was probably burnt out light bulbs and told us we could take one out and call her back with the type of bulb we needed. We tested the fixture with a bulb we knew was working and the light did not come on. Instead of calling the manager back we decided to just live with the dark kitchen since the light under the microwave was working. Lastly the downstairs bathroom needs a brighter light. Other than that we loved our stay! We're hoping to be back next year!
Jeanette U.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
8/10 Good
Karen E.
Sep 13, 2023
Beautiful Setting
The Hilltop Retreat was a most comfortable home with lots of room. We were a group of seniors who quite enjoyed our time in Frankfort, the retreat was very close to the Betsie River, small lakes and Lake Michigan, church, and restaurants.
Karen E.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023
10/10 Excellent
Keith D.
Jul 11, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Very nice!
Great views over the surrounding forests.
Keith D.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
10/10 Excellent
Mike L.
Jun 19, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Fathers Day Weekend
Great time exploring Frankfort to Northport - wonderful views from the hilltop deck
Mike L.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
10/10 Excellent
Patricia L.
Oct 4, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Frankfort House
The house and property were both beautiful! The view, spectacular!
Patricia L.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
10/10 Excellent
Dustin C.
Sep 5, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Will come come back here
The location was good the pics don't do justice definitely a lot better in person and great sunsets
Dustin C.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
10/10 Excellent
Laura C.
Aug 25, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Great Cabin, beautiful view
Little gem on hill. Private with beautiful view, lots of space, clean, and close to town. Property owner and manager were pleasant, communicated quickly. Has coffee maker, keurig, dishes, soap, paper towel, TP, lots of towels. Would recommend!
Laura C.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
10/10 Excellent
Markus M.
Aug 22, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Great house
This is a very nice house with a beautiful view. We visited with kids and they had a great time. There is a fireplace and a beautiful terrace for viewing sunsets. There is a projector in the basement. The internet was fast enough for us to stream Netflix on some evenings.
Markus M.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
10/10 Excellent
Kashmir A.
Aug 21, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent
Very clean and comfortable home. Amazing view! Very close to Frankfort. We highly recommend it!