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Crystal Mountain is a family-owned, four season resort destination located 28 miles southwest of Traverse City and a short drive from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The resort features 260+ lodging units, great shops and restaurants, 59 downhill trails and 25km of cross-country skiing, two championship 18-hole golf courses, award-winning Crystal Spa, Michigan’s only alpine slide, the Park at Water’s Edge–an outdoor pool and water playground, Michigan Legacy Art Park, weddings, conference center for meetings & banquets, specialty market, coffee and wine bar and a rooftop terrace overlooking the surrounding village. Crystal Mountain guests can discover an abundance of northern Michigan activities including Lake Michigan beaches, kayaking and canoe trips, charter boat fishing, wineries, and much more. Nearby commercial airports include Manistee Blacker Airport (26 miles) and Traverse City Cherry Capital Airport (31 miles).
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HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Modern
Languages Spoken
English
Location
12500 Crystal Mountain Dr, Thompsonville, MI 49683-9742
Crystal Mountain
952 reviews
Getting there
Somewhat walkable
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travellers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
Best and biggest experience we have had in our four family ski trips. We came in late morning on a Sunday and left late afternoon on a Wednesday. We called ahead on the drive and requested an early check-in, which was given. It didn't appear that the resort was very busy so everything went very smoothly and lines were fairly short. We stayed in The Hamlet and only saw a handful of other families there. Our room was plenty big and served its purpose well as a rest/sleeping area with space for a small blowup mattress on the floor for our fifth person. The location made getting on and off the slopes very convenient as there are lockers outside to store skis and poles and you could ski directly into the locker area. The main lift (Clipper) was 150 feet from the lockers. We rented all our gear so it was a bit pricey but we knew that going in. All food on the resort also hit the pocket book hard. We had pizza from the resort once and ate lunch at The Lodge twice. It was good and convenient but you paid for it. There are a few food options off site and we ate at one twice for dinner. The other happened to be closed that night for a private party. The skiing was very good but we would have liked to have access to more slopes. Only about 1/3 were open the week before Christmas so that was a bummer. There weren't many other activity options open yet so we were on the slopes from open to close with just a lunch break each day. We covered all open slopes many times so more variety would have been great the last two days. We had decided to cut the trip short a day and are glad we did for that reason. I could see advanced skiers getting bored sooner with that limited number of runs.
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Date of stay: December 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
The units are strategically placed in the woods. It gives a sense of peace and restfulness. The unit was well stocked from kitchen essentials to bathroom soap, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion. Easy check in/out.
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Review collected in partnership with RCI
Date of stay: June 2024
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Sleep Quality
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
My wife and I spent two nights at the Crystal Colony, which is one of the smaller buildings in the core of the resort, and everything is within a 2-3 minute walk. Except for one grumpy barista at the Bru Bar one morning, the staff was friendly and efficient. We especially liked Blue, the resort dog, who was greeting people in the check-in area. He seemed to recognize dog people and would approach them, while keeping a polite distance from non-dog people.
Pros: Our room was large, with a nice gas fireplace and a view of the mountain. Full kitchen with dishes and cookware. Comfortable bed and seating. Extra USB ports. Everything worked.
Cons: No desk/work area (I guess that's a pro if you're there to relax). The shower floor is embedded stones and isn't very comfortable on the feet. We ended up laying two towels on the floor while showering. It was quiet at night, but the beeping trucks, snowblowers, and shovelers start before 7 a.m., just so you know.
The breakfast restaurant (Wild Tomato) isn't open for breakfast every day. Check hours and days so you know if you'll be making breakfast in your room.
We loved Crystal Mountain will definitely visit again, probably trying a different building with an upper-level room next time.
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Date of stay: January 2025
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip:Â Check which restaurants are open for breakfast on the days of your stay.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I understand this is a ski resort, but I went just to relax, enjoy the scenery do a few outdoor winter activities with my daughter etc not ski. We had a room at the inn at the mountain which was pretty decent. My biggest complaint is the food and food choices. There’s only 3 restaurants which are all in the same building. Out of the 3 restaurants some are only open on the weekend . There’s no room service for food unless you order from the pizza place. If you’re not skiing there’s really not much to do. I would’ve stayed the full time I booked the room for if I had good food and drink choices. I was bored and hungry. The food is very overpriced at the cafe and not good quality. I don’t think you get your money worth. Spending $1500 for a room and can’t even get good quality food is ridiculous. I left 2 days early and will never go back
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Date of stay: February 2024Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Brittany Roberts, Marketing at Crystal Mountain
Responded 18 Feb 2024
Hello – We’re sorry to hear about your difficulties during your recent visit. We do have a variety of food choices available at the Bru Bar, Mountain Market, Vista Lounge, Waffle Cabin, The Thistle, Wild Tomato, Clipper Cafe, Betsie River Pizza & Subs, plus our new Wild Tomato Igloos which are all open during the winter season. We do hope you’ll try us again someday.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We visited here the weekend of March 11,2022. We took this trip as a mini getaway and to relax there were several reviews that said this place was amazing and we saw the spa was one of the top spas. As a couple we travel often and have been to other ski resorts. Upon checking in after driving 4 hour hours and getting to the resort at 4pm our room was not ready, the lady at the desk offered very poor customer service. We were hoping to be settled into the room before our spa appointments and that did not happen. The spa was very nice, massage therapists very good, even had some of the best massage tables however we were some of the last appointments so we were rushed out by the rest of the staff. We had also called previously to book and asked about other services to be told they didn’t have them and then realizing they did after we were there. For dinner that night we ended up with a bone in the sausage. Then there’s the beds, horrible horrible mattresses, we should have waited until the last day for massages because after sleeping on such horrible beds the long ride home was painful. And you also have the noise, if you stay in a hotel room be prepared to hear stomping at all hours. The breakfast buffet was ok but not really living up to the cost. Big plus is all restaurants carry gluten free options. If you are wanting private time for the hot tub be prepared to call way in advance. We are used to resorts where you call tell them what you are looking to do and they make reservations for it all and have your trip perfect, this is not that place, you must make several calls and attempts to book everything you would like to do on your own. Needless to say if we want to come back to this area we will stay in a neighboring city and just book golfing or skiing.
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Date of stay: March 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Brittany Roberts, Marketing at Crystal Mountain
Responded 16 Mar 2022
We are sorry to hear that your recent visit to Crystal Mountain did not meet your expectations, and will share your comments with the members of our leadership team. Crystal Mountain prides itself in producing exceptional experiences throughout the resort and your feedback is important to help us continuously improve. Thank for staying with us, and we hope you’ll check back in with us again one day.
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We love the location, the skiing, and WinterGreen Condos at this resort having stayed and skied here for years with our children and grandchildren. In addition to golf and skiing, they have very nice hiking and biking trails. There is a nice spa area. They offered a 25% off season fall discount on lodging, so we decided on a romantic mid-week get-away at the Crystal Colony. The room was very spacious with a fire place, a complete kitchen, and had been nicely remodeled not too long ago. Otherwise the building is dated, the outside security lock broken, unsuited for handicapped access without an elevator, and the hallways are dark. The discount was appropriate, since the staffing is drastically reduced right now. Our stay was delightful, because of the beautiful weather and fall colors outside our window but traffic outside our window was loud with dump trucks starting to pass by constantly starting before 6 AM. Staff was very helpful when available.
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Date of stay: September 2021
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Room Tip:Â WinterGreen Condos are much quieter but also a little further away from the slopes
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed here as part of my husbands work retreat. We stayed in a Wintergreen 2 bedroom 2 bathroom condo. Everything was included; linens, soap, dishes, bakeware and cookware, utensils etc. We had breakfast at the wild tomato and the buffet was unsurpassed by anything I've experienced at a hotel before. I really enjoyed the fact the whole resort felt like a small village. The shop was a bit pricey but manageable.
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Date of stay: September 2022
Value
Location
Service
Trip type: Travelled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We stayed in Chalet Wintergreen 536. Absolutely wonderful next to a stream and water feature. A small wooden bridge took you to a walkway then to a dock with a Christmas tree. 2 bedroom 2 bath. Fishing themed chalet. Comfortable beds. Full kitchen. Microwave, stove, oven, dishwasher, refrigerator with ice maker in freezer. Nice outdoor deck, facing golf course. Hot tub/shower in main bathroom. Shower with dual heads in master. Fireplace with logs. Will stay here again. Indoor and outdoor pools, jacuzzi outdoor. Bike rentals. They were making snow during our visit. This rental allowed our Aussiedoodle
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Date of stay: November 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Stop at St. Ambrose cellars. A must stop. Try the meads. Good food. At Crystal mountain, walk...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Crystal Mountain is one of the best ski resorts in Lower Michigan. It’s great for anyone still learning to ski, and experts alike. There is a abundance of easy and intermediate runs, so it’s great for families. One ride up the high speed lift awards you with a good portion of the runs in the park. The trails are well manicured and very well marked. The lifts are very efficient, so even though it was relatively busy when we went, we never waited more then five minutes for a lift.
We stayed in the hamlet. It’s literally like ten steps from the hamlet ski lockers to the high speed lift, which is extremely convenient. The room was clean and spacious, and we loved the abundance of hooks for hanging winter gear. The only downside to hamlet is that the parking lot is on the small side, and we had to park pretty far from the actual hotel.
We booked three nights in the hotel and four days of lift tickets. Unfortunately, on the second day, one of the people in our party hurt his knee, and we needed to leave. Once ski patrol verified that his injury was legitimate, we revived a full refund for our remaining two nights and two days of lift tickets, which was definitely unexpected. All in all, Crystal Mountain was great.
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Date of stay: February 2022Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip:Â Hamlet has great ski lockers extremely close to the slopes.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Seems like a great place except. Make sure you understand the cancelation/transfer policy. Didn’t get to go bc it’s 50 degrees and no snow. Trouble is there re-schedule policy states you must cancel 14 days before your stay. I read into this with the understanding that if you transferred your stay to a different time you would be charged a holiday fee but your deposit would transfer to your new stay dates. Why would I drive 6 hours to a destination trip for skiing and snowboarding when there’s no snow? I work with people that have been here and they loved it but I wont go after this. I realize the weather isn’t their fault but you have to find common ground to KEEP people coming in or back. Sorry Crystal you failed, I’ll find another place to bring the family.
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Date of stay: December 2023Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Brittany Roberts, Marketing at Crystal Mountain
Responded 27 Dec 2023
We apologize for the difficulty you experienced with our cancellation policy. Please contact our Reservation Sales Manager, Sophia Hogarth at your earliest convenience. Sophia is expecting your call and can be reached directly at 231-378-2224.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
We don't have any rooms with private hot tubs, but some accommodations have soaker tubs. We would suggest calling our Reservations Department to help you find exactly what you are looking for: 855-843-1603.
"Stop at St. Ambrose cellars. A must stop. Try the meads. Good food. At Crystal mountain, walk the art trail or ride fat tire bicycles around the resort. "
There are more places to choose from in the Thompsonville area.
PRICE RANGE
S$195 - S$423 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
ALSO KNOWN AS
crystal mountain hotel thompsonville, crystal mountain resort and spa, crystal mountain michigan lodging
LOCATION
United StatesMichiganBenzie CountyThompsonville
NUMBER OF ROOMS
260
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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