Vacation Rentals by Owner

Good value for the price....

Guest: Toddkrista2000 (Midland, MI)
Date of Stay: 10/07/11 Review Submitted: 10/13/11

Beautiful sunrise and sunsets from the dock...and an even better view from the kayaks! The cabin was outdated to be sure, but clean overall and to my relief-no spiders or webbies! We stayed in cottage 1. One disappointment is that the firepit is a community one. Each cabin does not have their own. The only other disappointment is that they do no allow pets in the cottages (only the log cabin). Everything else was very satisfactory. Ester was very kind to us and made us feel right at home. There was no rush to get out by a certain time and the whole weekend felt quite relaxing. Plenty of fun for those on a budget. Advice for visitors to the area.... Must eat: Doughnuts at crescent bakery in Frankfort, a full breakfast at bay view grill in Frankfort, and a salted truffle from Grocers Daughter Chocolates in Empire. Must see: pierce stocking scenic drive (warning call ahead to check when traffic is slow) and the view from alligator hill hike in glen arbor... Gorgeous!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

Sleeping Bear Dunes and sleeping on the porch !

Guest: smiths (grand rapids mi)
Date of Stay: 09/03/11 Review Submitted: 09/25/11

We have enjoyed staying at "the Cottages" both in-season and off-season. Great base for a family ski-trip to Crystal Mountain, complete with stargazing out on the iced-over lake in the winter. In the Spring, the kids enjoyed fishing off the dock on Little Platte, warming up on the chilly afternoon with a campfire, and of course hiking in the area. Summertime fun is obvious - got a speed boat? Try tubing and enjoying the company of other boaters at "the Sand Bar". Kayaking, canoeing, swimming and rowboating , basketball, etc, kept the kids busy when the adults were taking a break on the shore. In the fall, we've enjoyed more fishing, hiking the Sleeping Bear Dunes trails, visiting the nearby small towns and of course, more campfire time for fish stories. Pick up some bacon at the Honor market and roast bacon wrapped potatoes on the fire for a great supper ! We're hoping to have a cross country ski weekend this winter at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. All the cottages have good living area for cardgames on a rainy day, well equipped kitchens for making great meals, (even electric skillets for pancakes !) and plenty of picnic/seating areas for relaxing. Favorite place to sleep in each cottage is on the porch - fall asleep to the waves .

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Perfect for a Family Vacation!

Guest: NRebel21 (Charlotte MI)
Date of Stay: 08/22/11 Review Submitted: 12/28/11

We spent a week last summer in August in these perfect little summer cottages. If you want to experience a vacation with your family like the one you had when you were a kid, I highly recommend this place. Great location, nice cottages and just a great time! These cottages are right on Platte Lake which is great for swimming if you just want to hang around the cabin; they are also only 5 minutes from Lake Michigan if you enjoy fishing or just relaxing on the beach. Sleeping Bear Dunes is about 10-15 up the road, what I can say it has a little bit of something for everyone. Can't wait to head back next year!!! Thanks VanHamens for a great family vacation :)

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Just as we had remembered...

Guest: HickoryKat (MI)
Date of Stay: 08/06/11 Review Submitted: 08/14/11

As we pulled in the driveway my first thought was, it is just as I had remembered. This was our second summer in the log cabin and we've decided to make it an annual getaway. We love it! There is so much to do and no one complains about nothing to do. Fishing, swimming, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, quietly observing wildlife or resting in the sun is an option everyday. The log cabin is rustic but with indoor plumbing, it's not modern, but that's not what you'd expect in a log cabin. If you want a great place to make family memories, this is the place. If you want lots of things to do for your little ones or teens, this is the place for you. If you want to relax and enjoy being near the water yet in a log cabin in the woods, this is the place for you. Thanks for another great year! See you next summer.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway.

Platte Lake

Guest: Sam (Ohio)
Date of Stay: 08/21/10 Review Submitted: 08/31/10

Beautiful view. Very nice people. Housekeeping - not good.

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Our Log Cabin Vacation

Guest: HickoryKat (MI)
Date of Stay: 08/14/10 Review Submitted: 08/24/10

This was our first stay with the Van Hammen's and we rented the Log Cabin, which is across the road from the 2 cottages right on Platte Lake. The Log Cabin was clean and very 'up-north' in its overall feeling. It included a fireplace & pot-bellied stove, lots of room for all 6 of us and our dog. A great back porch area and access to all of the canoes, kayaks, boats and swimming in both lakes....Platte Lake & Little Platte Lake. Great fishing too! A very restful week and everyone wants to return again next summer.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great place for a family

Guest: GR family (Grand Rapids, MI)
Date of Stay: 08/14/10 Review Submitted: 08/19/10

We are here for our 2nd year and will be booking again for next summer. The cottages are simple but nice with lots of extras like row boats, kayaks, and a play area for the kids. The Van Hammen's are very nice hosts. Overall a great experience.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

Thirty -five years and counting...

Guest: fran (Marquette, MI)
Date of Stay: 08/02/10 Review Submitted: 08/02/10

As one of the longest returning guests, we highly recommend this resort. All the cabins are on the shores of beautiful Platte Lake with access to the dock for sunning, swimming out to the raft, or tying up your boat. There are also use of row boats, kayaks and canoes for each cabin. The beach area is sandy and shallow for young children or soaking your toes from a lawn chair. The spacious yard offers picnic tables, swings and yard furniture, horse shoes, a sand-play area and swing, and large fire pit. We start our days with breakfast at the picnic table and end with a roaring fire. Easy access to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore provides no end of activities for all ages and interests. These are just some of the reasons we have returned almost every summer for the last 35 years exclusively to the Van Hammen’s Cottages and hope for 35 more!

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Excellent Place

Guest: CF (Ann Arbor)
Date of Stay: 07/31/10 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

This was our family's first visit to the VanHammen's cottage. We have 2 kids (2 and 5) and were joined by our 7 and 10 year old niece and nephew. Everyone absolutely loved the place. It is now easy to see why people keep coming back. It is a great set up, on the beautiful Platte lake, close to so many things to do. There is a little sandy area by the dock where the kids spent lots of time. Waking up and looking out of the window to find oneself so close to the water was priceless. Our kids were happily exhausted by the end of the day and my son was sooooo sad to have to leave. The sunsets from the dock are amazing too and so is looking at the stars by the fire. Esther and her sons are really sweet and helpful. I could not recommend a place any more highly.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, people with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Terrific Lake Getaway

Guest: S Wells (Chicago)
Date of Stay: 06/04/10 Review Submitted: 06/13/10

My hysband and I stayed here and loved the proximity to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the available boats on property. We canoed twice, going out on the lake and meandering along the Platte River at the west end of the lake - a great paddle! One day we read in the sun on the dock. The hosts live on property (in summer at least) and were full of good information. The house was very clean and comfortable. I would highly recommend a stay with the Van Hammen's.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, girls getaway.

Guest: Shannon46 (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Date of Stay: 08/13/09 Review Submitted: 08/13/09

My cousin comes up from Florida each summer to spend a week at Platte Lake. One year my sister and I came up and visited for a day. We liked the area so well that the next year we came up and were going to stay a couple of days in the log cabin. We loved it so much that we ended up staying 4 days in the cabin. I could easily have spent the whole summer there. What a quaint and cozy dwelling (love the hostas)! Even though it’s not “on the water” it was just a short walk across the street to the cottage (with the log swing I love so much) where my cousin was staying on the water or a short walk through the woods to the smaller lake associated with "our" log cabin. We walked to a little store for ice cream daily. The Cherry Hut is an awesome place to eat in nearby Benzonia. Gwen Frostic Gallery is just a short distance away in Benzonia. We shopped and dined in nearby Traverse City and Fish Town (Leland - one of my favorite spots in Michigan). I was shocked (to say the least) at how much Charlevoix has been developed since I was up there last (too much so, in my opinion)…and I finally got to visit the Bull Frog Candle Company! We went “lighthousing” at Old Mission Point, Frankfort, Charlevoix, Northport. I’ll definitely be back…I’ll bet it is gorgeous up there in the fall…

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Guest: Joy Johnson2 (-)
Date of Stay: 09/04/08 Review Submitted: 09/04/08

As a mom of three kids, 7, 4 & 2, we have a checklist that we hope to meet when we go on vacation. Stuff that makes our life easier, safer and more fun. The VanHammen's cottage met every check on the list. Beach front to play on, Shallow water to play in, Grocery store relatively close by, Plenty to do in the area (Sleeping Bear, Cherry Bowl Drive In, Point Betsie lighthouse), Public access to water and somewhere to keep the boat, Not too woodsy - but not too busy with cars. Good cell phone coverage, too. It was very nice. The view of the stars from the dock was so worth sneaking out when the kids were sleeping! The kids do miss feeding the friendly ducks that came by every day. We will definitely be back next year. Thank you - -

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Guest: Joy Johnson1 (Macomb, MI)
Date of Stay: 08/31/08 Review Submitted: 08/31/08

As a mom of three kids, 7, 4 & 2, we have a checklist that we hope to meet when we go on vacation. Stuff that makes our life easier, safer and more fun. The VanHammen's cottage met every check on the list. Beach front to play on, Shallow water to play in, Grocery store relatively close by, Plenty to do in the area (Sleeping Bear, Cherry Bowl Drive In, Point Betsie lighthouse), Public access to water and somewhere to keep the boat, Not too woodsy - but not too busy with cars. Good cell phone coverage, too. It was very nice. The view of the stars from the dock was so worth sneaking out when the kids were sleeping! The kids do miss feeding the friendly ducks that came by every day. We will definitely be back next year. Thank you - -

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Guest: Lisa27 (Jacksonville, FL)
Date of Stay: 02/22/07 Review Submitted: 02/22/07

VanHammen Cottages on Platte Lake is my Heaven on earth! I've been creating precious family memories with my two children for the past several years - they are the fourth generation in our family to enjoy this peaceful haven. My grandparents took my Mom and her siblings, my Mom and her siblings took their children, and now my cousin and I meet here each summer with our families. I drive all the way from Florida because it's so worth the trip! I hope to one day - in the far off future - visit with my children and their children, my grandchildren. The VanHammen's are the warmest hosts you could imagine. Everything you need, to have an incredible time, is available on site - and there is so much to do locally as well. On a scale of 1 to 10, VanHammen Cottages scores a 100 in my book! I would strongly recommend this quaint and cozy little piece of Heaven on earth for your next family getaway!

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Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 02/03/07 Review Submitted: 02/03/07

This is truly a wonderful family run group of cottages. My parents took our family there, I took my family there and now the tradition continues with my family. One of my children travels all the way from Jacksonville, FL to rekindle the wonderful memories of her childhood and I will guess that her children will one day do the same. There is not much if anything that one would miss by spending a vacation in such a breath-taking area of Michigan. I hope to enjoy some time back in my haven this coming fall and maybe even the spring. Don't miss this opportunity to build wonderful family memories.

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Guest: Amy Pegg (Allegan Michgan)
Date of Stay: 12/23/06 Review Submitted: 12/23/06

This is a great place to stay. i grew up going to The Van Hammens and had a chance to bring my own children up this past year(2006). We loved it and the Van Hammen Family are great.

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