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Lilac Cottage, named for its several lilac paintings by a local artist, is located on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan less than two hours from Chicago and only 30 miles north of South Bend in the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor area. It is reminiscent of the summer resort cottages of your youth—but with modern conveniences. After entering the lace curtained front door, you can relax or change into your bathing suits to walk down to the private, white sand beach of the east Lake Michigan shore. Sunbathe, swim, kayak, or take a leisurely stroll on the sand for miles. On a clear day you can see the St. Joseph lighthouse. You can watch spectacular sunsets from a swing on the bluff.
The Cottage itself is comfortably furnished with oriental rugs, William Morris custom curtains, several rockers, a sleeper sofa, and a leather armchair and ottoman. A sleeping niche, complete with curtains to “cabin” it off, has a day bed and trundle. The bedroom, with French doors that can create a private space in the open floor plan, couldn’t be cozier with its own CD player and TV/VCR/DVD player that can be rolled into the living room. Satellite TV provides numerous movie channels in the event that you can’t find a video or DVD to your liking in the Cottage library. A wide selection of reading materials, along with numerous board games, are also provided. A complete music system, with diverse CD’s, is in the main room. For those chilly evenings, a Vermont castings wood-burning stove provides warmth.
The Bulthaup stainless steel kitchen is a cook’s dream. It is fully equipped, from an espresso maker to food processor. You are encouraged to pick fresh herbs from the raised herb beds at the main house next door. A Webber gas grill is also available on your south porch. The covered porch on the east side has table and chairs and is perfect for outdoor meals. A hanging double porch swing can create moments of tranquility.
Lilac Cottage is in the middle of Michigan orchard country where fresh fruit and vegetables abound. There are several local winemakers (and a "wine trail") as well as a “chocolate” garden nearby. St. Joseph boasts a topnotch small art museum, the Krasl. Benton Harbor has a rare public access glassblowing studio with a rich variety of week-end classes in glassblowing, bead making, and glass fusing, among other offerings. The Box Factory for the Arts, home to dozens of artist studios, has live entertainment on week-ends. Benton Harbor even has its very own microbrewery—The Livery.
Lilac Cottage is NON-SMOKING and is NOT suitable for children under the age of 14. A liability waiver must be executed prior to using the stairs to a private beach.
There are groomed cross-country trails nearby at the Sarett Nature Center as well as year-round activities and classes at the nature center. |
Pet Friendly
