South Haven Rentals

Darling Cottage in Spectacular Lake Mich.Dunes! Rents Nightly! South Haven, Michigan Vacation Rental by Owner Listing 168621

South Haven, Michigan, 3 bedrooms, VRBO, FRBO, VHBO, VBO, Cottage rental by owner, South Haven rental Cottage, guestbook, South Haven South Haven, Michigan, 3 bedrooms, VRBO, FRBO, VHBO, VBO, Cottage rental by owner, South Haven rental Cottage, guestbook, South Haven

Location: South Haven, Southwest, Michigan, USA (Lake Michigan Beach Over the Majestic Dunes)

Accommodations:  Cottage, 3 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 2 Baths (Sleeps 6-10)

Keywords:  Cottage, air conditioning, fire pit, walk to beach, washer/dryer, DVD, cable TV

Why settle for just any beach cottage? Experience the best of both worlds: A very private little cottage in the woods on the corner of unpaved short roads that dead end into the dunes, nestled in the beautiful critical sand dunes of Lake Michigan; and yet just minutes south from downtown South Haven. It's a quiet place where families and husbands and wives can unwind from over-busy schedules, reconnect with each other, read stories together, roast marshmallows or pop popcorn over the campfire, or just swing in the hammock or the wooden canopied glider. You can climb over the unspoiled dunes or take a stroll on the meandering path through the woods around the dunes to get to that unsurpassed view of Lake Michigan where you can play in the Lake, on the beach or walk along the uncrowded, wide sugar sand beach.

Available all year long, experience all kinds of water activities in the summer, crisp fresh air and colorful leaves in the fall, sledding down the dunes in the winter (which can be breathtaking), wildflowers and delicate new leaves unfolding in the spring, and, of course, the Lake Michigan sunsets, which are painted uniquely each evening, no matter which season you are at the cottage. You won't be the same when you go home from this quiet, uncrowded and peaceful place. The cottage is situated in a small community of unpaved roads and is bordered on the south by a state park and backs up to undeveloped land on the north. Make this year the beginning of your family vacation tradition at this cottage in the woods.

It is the fourth cottage from the dunes and was totally renovated in 2008 with vaulted ceilings, new bathrooms, kitchen with granite countertops and a breakfast bar, hardwood flooring, appliances, mattresses, paint, decor, an outdoor shower with hot and cold water, etc. It has 3 bedrooms, sleeping six with a queen bed in the master bedroom and the second and third bedrooms. The living room has a leather sleeper which has a pull out queen bed and there is a twin leather futon and a twin roll away bed which can be put anywhere it is needed. So there are beds to sleep 10 people. The detached Summer House with its large windows adds about 200sf of additional seasonal living space providing a terrific place for bug-free and weather protected dining with a large table and 8 rocker chairs. It is also a great place to play games, read or take a snooze.

The town of South Haven is just minutes away, a great bike ride. There you will find many more people, the blue stairway to South beach, the lighthouse, concessions and the wonderful riverwalk along the channel, a great spot to sit with an ice cream cone and watch all the different kinds of boats coming and going. The downtown area has plenty of shopping opportunities, delicious restaurants, a bakery that can't be beat and a seasonal Farmer's Market which overflows with fresh local produce and flowers. The Good Ship is docked at the Maritime Museum and can be booked for sailings; jet ski, canoe and kayak rentals can also be found downtown. The Kal-Haven trailhead begins in South Haven and the Black River is ready for canoe and kayak use.

Life along Lake Michigan is an unforgettable experience, to say the least, but to have an opportunity to actually live amongst those pristine sand dunes along the Lake is beyond comparison with in-town rentals. This is the third year this rental property has been offered, so don't wait too long to make your plans to spend a week or more in the summer or even just a couple of days in the other seasons. Your time here can make a world of difference when you go back home to your everyday life. We are sure you will want to come back year after year to climb those magnificent dunes, roast marshmallows over the fire in the fire pit, play catch together in the yard, walk the beach, hike area nature trails, and whatever else you enjoy. Just imagine the memories!

It takes approximately 4-5 minutes to walk from the cottage to the dune access and then another 3-4 minutes to get through the stunning dune area to the beach. Most of us have to climb, rest, climb, rest, etc. to get to the top of the dunes. The exhilarating effort involved is well worth it once you get to the top, see the magnificent view and then get to go down the other side! It takes about 9-10 minutes to walk from the cottage on the path through the woods around the dunes to get to the beach. The times given above are based on my walking and I am 58 years old. Two other options for Lake access are South Beach which is just a few minutes' drive away in town and Van Buren State Park which is just down the road and there is a paved path that goes right down to the beach.

Our other cottage in this same neighborhood is VRBO #161098. They are about a 3 minute walk from each other. Consider renting both of our cottages for larger groups providing a sleeping arrangement for 16-20. What fun that would be!!

Check out the link to our website at the bottom of this listing.

Vacation Rental Features

  • Amenities
    • Air Conditioning
    • Linens Provided : We pay close attention to the condition of all of our linens and towels and they are replaced right away when necessary.
    • Washer
    • Dryer
    • Off Street Parking
    • Wood Stove : We have a beautiful blue Vermont Castings wood stove with double doors and a screen so it can be used as a fireplace. Some firewood is supplied to get you started on your stay. There is additional firewood to purchase just down the road. We request that you do not bring your own firewood.
  • Beds
    • Queen Bed (4) : Queen bed in the master bedroom, the second bedroom, the third bedroom, and the sleeper sofa in the living room.
    • Twin/Single Bed (2) : One of these is a futon and the other one is a Roll Away Bed which can be put anywhere it is needed
    • Convertible Bed (3) : This is a queen size sleeper sofa in the living room. Also there is a twin futon and a twin roll away bed which can be placed anywhere it is needed.
  • Entertainment
    • Cable/Satellite TV : this is in the living room
    • DVD
    • CD Player
  • Kitchen
    • Full Kitchen
    • Cooking Utensils Provided : All equipment was new in 2008. Quality stainless steel and glass, no plastic or aluminum. There is a family size electric griddle.
    • Refrigerator : Full size.
    • Microwave
    • Ice Maker
  • Outdoor Features
    • Charcoal BBQ Grill
    • Deck/Patio : This is covered with a pergola to provide some shade and lattice work on the side for added privacy.
    • Gazebo : We actually call this the Summer House which adds about 200 sq.ft of seasonal living space. It is more like a detached 3 seasons porch which is all enclosed with very large windows and a dining table with 8 rocker chairs for bug-free and weather protected eating enjoyment. It is also an absolutely terrific place to play games or do some reading or maybe even take a snooze.
  • Communications
    • Telephone : Local calls only.
  • Other Amenities
    • Our 'mountains' are made of sand! You can see the sand dunes from the cottage. There is also a great fire pit to enjoy. The cottage is equipped with family books to read and indoor games to play along with tetherball and horseshoes outside for some good old fashioned fun! There is a small cooler and 9 folding chairs (one is a child size) you may take to the beach.
  • Suitability
    • No Pets Allowed
    • Kid Friendly
    • Minimum Age Limit for Renters : We prefer not to rent to singles under the age of 25.
    • Smoking Not Allowed
  • Activities
    • Golf
    • Shopping
    • Kayaking
    • Sailing
    • Boating
    • Waterskiing
    • Parasailing
    • Jet Skiing
    • Swimming
    • Biking
    • Downhill/Alpine Skiing
    • Snowboarding
    • Snowmobiling
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Fishing
    • Antiquing
    • Live Theatre
    • Horseshoes
    • Miniature golf
    • Sledding/Tubing
    • Hiking
    • Restaurants
    • Fitness Center/Gym
    • Cinemas/Movie Theaters
    • Museums
  • Other Activities
    • Lots of seasonal festivals, many featuring the local produce from the area, wonderful outdoor ice skating rink in downtown South Haven, bowling, seasonal Farmer's Market

 

Rate Details (In US Dollars)

Personal Currency Assistant


Sep.5,2011-June 14,2012....weekly and nightly rentals...$1050/week or $200/night.
June 11,2012-Sep.3 2012....weekly and nightly rentals....$1800/week or $300/night.
$300 dep.holds following year dates until Jan.15 when 1/2 of the rent is due.
$300 refundable security deposit on all rentals. 3 night min.on holiday week-ends.
Deposit of 1/2 weekly rental to hold reservation, due within 7 days of booking.
Balance due 30 days before check-in. PAYMENT PLAN IS AVAILABLE.
Check-in after 6:00pm Friday. Check-out before 1:00pm Friday.

Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.

Dates available:Year Round
Before contacting us, please check our calendar for your desired dates

Links to more information:

Note: Each property is individually owned or managed.

Owner's Profile

Owner Description

Year Purchased: 2008

My husband, Alan, and I have five children, four sons and one daughter. We recently have increased the daughters to three since our two older sons are now married.
We have taught all our children at home all the way through high school, except for our fifth who is just 10 years old and currently working diligently at his school work.
We love traveling as a family and have covered a good part of the United States over the years. We also had the opportunity to go on a family missions trip to Moscow, Russia.

Why the Owner Chose South Haven

We choose to purchase this property in South Haven for several reasons. One is the proximity to Chicago and the main one is that we absolutely love Lake Michigan. As I grew up, my family went regularly up to Pt. Betsie, MI each summer and that cottage was right on the Lake. Since that location is too far for week-end trips, we decided on South Haven. The downtown area is lovely and it is not very touristy which we really appreciate.

The Unique Benefits of this Cottage

We enjoy being away from the bustle of downtown, yet being close enough to make quick trips for dining or shopping.
We always use the fire pit!

Property Photos

Traveler Reviews (32)

Guest Comment Entered by Owner

An Amazing Experience!

Guest: Robert (-)
Date of Stay: 08/26/11 Review Submitted: 10/18/11

The cottage was well equipped for newcomers to the area! The binder full of brochures was very handy when there was time not spent on the beautiful beach. The cottage interior was lovely and very homey! The beach couldn't be in better condition and the seclusion was nice. The dunes were breathtaking and getting to the beach provided a nice view and an awesome workout! Thanks so much for an amazing experience!!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No

Helpful votes: 1/1

Guest Comment Entered by Owner

View of the Water was Always Breathtaking!

Guest: Tom (-)
Date of Stay: 08/22/11 Review Submitted: 10/18/11

We had a great time staying in your cottage! This was our first time staying by Lake Michigan and we will definately be back. The walk/climb to the beach was so much fun and the view of the water was always breathtaking!! We saw some great sunsets and collected lots of interesting stones. The house is beautiful and comfortable and we appreciated the well equipped kitchen since we ate all our meals here. Thank you for the opportunity to stay here!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No

Helpful votes: 0/0

Guest Comment Entered by Owner

Adorable Cottage!

Guest: Shirley (-)
Date of Stay: 08/13/11 Review Submitted: 10/18/11

We had a great time in your adorable cottage! All the furniture - including the beds - were so comfortable! We loved the private beach for finding beach glass and beautiful rocks. The dunes were an added plus for their beauty and the exercise! The kitchen was so well equipped & we enjoyed the games and magazines you had. We had a great time....thank you for everything! Loved the cute chairs, curtains & pillows!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No

Helpful votes: 1/1

Guest Comment Entered by Owner

Private Beach is Amazing!

Guest: Joan (-)
Date of Stay: 08/05/11 Review Submitted: 10/18/11

Thank you for such a wonderful vacation! Your home is lovely and the private beach is amazing. Our 1 & 3 year old had the best time going to the beach everyday, exploring South Haven & Saugatuck, & going blueberry picking. The Summer House was perfect for the occasional rainy night. We can't wait to come back! Thanks!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No

Helpful votes: 1/1

Guest Comment Entered by Owner

Best Family Vacation Ever!

Guest: Joan (-)
Date of Stay: 07/29/11 Review Submitted: 10/18/11

Thanks to you & "Dune Hart", we had the best family vacation ever! We all walked to & had fun at the beach, had campfires, played games in the lanai, shopped & ate. Some of us also golfed, kayaked, bicycled to & from town, went blueberry picking, walked up the dunes & explored Douglas/Saugatuck, as well as our favorite, South Haven! Thank you for the amenities & especially thank you during this steamy week for having AC!! We love your home.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No

Helpful votes: 0/0

Guest Comment Entered by Owner

Comfortable Beds!

Guest: Constance (-)
Date of Stay: 07/25/11 Review Submitted: 10/18/11

Thank you so much for letting us stay in your cottage. We found great pleasure in the comfortable beds anad well organized kitchen. My family enjoyed climbing the dunes and going to the beach every day. We would also like to thank you for providing the fire pit. We built fires almost eery night. South Haven is such a great town and we will definately consider coming back.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No

Helpful votes: 0/0

Guest Comment Entered by Owner

90 pounds of blueberries!

Guest: Kathy (-)
Date of Stay: 07/22/11 Review Submitted: 10/18/11

Thank you for sharing this wonderful vacation spot with our family. We picked 90 lbs. of blueberries anad played in the sand dunes for hours & hours. Our 80 yr. old PaPaw climbed to the top of the dunes & enjoyed the beautiful view.

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No

Helpful votes: 0/0

Guest Comment Entered by Owner

It was immaculate!

Guest: Betty (-)
Date of Stay: 07/05/11 Review Submitted: 10/18/11

Thanks for the use of your beautiful cottage. Everything we could have wanted was provided, and I appreciated not having to worry about cleanliness when we arrived -- it was immaculate!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No

Helpful votes: 0/0

Guest Comment Entered by Owner

Peaceful

Guest: Carol (-)
Date of Stay: 06/19/11 Review Submitted: 10/18/11

What a beautiful, peaceful location where we could escape the day-to-day noises and stresses of life back home. It was a perfect place to come back to after a long day at the beach. Thank you!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No

Helpful votes: 1/1

Guest Comment Entered by Owner

Very Comfortable!

Guest: Herb (-)
Date of Stay: 02/04/11 Review Submitted: 10/18/11

Thank you so much for allowing us to stay in your cottage. We found it very comfortable!! Enjoyed the large bathroom. This week-end stay was a gift from our kids. Spent our days at the "Ice Breaker" festival in South Haven and our nights snuggled inside by the fire. Loved It!!

Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No

Helpful votes: 0/0

First (10) of (32). View all Reviews | Write a Review

Dates available:Year Round
Before contacting us, please check our calendar for your desired dates

Note: Each property is individually owned or managed.

Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #168621

There have been  visitors to this page since the counter was last reset in .
This listing was first published here in 2008.

Date last modified - Tuesday, January 24, 2012