Location: Three Oaks, Southwest, Michigan, USA (Harbert, SW Mi (8 Mi. N of New Buffalo, 80 Mi from Chicago)) View Map
Accommodations: Cottage, 3 Bedrooms + No additional sleeping rooms avail, 2 Baths (Sleeps 6-7)
Keywords: Cottage, wooded,dog friendly, lake michigan
Welcome to Harbor Country and my woodsy cottage set on a 2 acre lot; just a short drive, walk or bike to several pristine beaches. Bike through wine country, enjoy local restaurants and stroll through the best of Michigan antiquing.
The cottage is in top condition, all one level, with a doggy door accessible through the screened-in porch leading to 3/4 acre fenced yard.
This cozy, colorful house is fully equipped with quality linens and kitchen accessories.
Enjoy rocking on the front porch that overlooks a neighboring red barn with ponies or gather on the rear deck for a bbq, badminton game and marshmallow roast over the fire pit.
Lots to do in the area...or just "be".
Join my Facebook Page to view many more pictures of cottage and become a "Fan": Itsa Dogslife
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Linens Provided
- Washer
- Dryer
- Off Street Parking : Circular front drive offers easy parking for 3-4 cars.
- Wood Fireplace
- Beds
- Queen Bed
- Double Bed : The third bedroom has a day bed that pulls out to a queen size.
- Twin/Single Bed : There are two twins in the 2nd bedroom.
- Entertainment
- Jetted Tub in Bath
- Cable/Satellite TV : Basic cable
- DVD
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Music Library
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Ice Maker
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Balcony
- Communications
- WiFi (Wireless Internet)
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly : $50 per pet fee.
- Handicapped Accessible (may have limitations)
- Kid Friendly
- Minimum Age Limit for Renters
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Cross Country Skiing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Miniature golf
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Sledding/Tubing
- Hiking
- Restaurants
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
June/July/August $1700/week (weekly rentals only)
Sept-Oct ... $450/weekend .. $1275/week
Nov-Apr ... $350/weekend .. $1000/week
May...$400/weekend...$1100/week
Housekeeping & Pet Fee Required Each Visit
Weekly rentals are 6 nights, 7 days (Friday to Thursday or Saturday to Friday)
3 night minimum for holiday weekend
Holiday Week Rates - To Be Advised
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Map & Owner's Profile
Year Purchased: 2004
Why the Owner Chose Three Oaks
I purchased this home because of it's easy access from the highway, yet you feel completely removed and isolated. I also wanted a home that was set back from the road, had a large yard for my dogs, offering them freedom in a secure environment. I love the open floor plan with high ceilings, yet feels cozy and warm. I also always wanted to "rock" on a front porch and have a screened in porch...I never tire of relaxing in these areas with a magazine, cup of coffee and dogs under foot.
The Unique Benefits at this Cottage
Although I seek the feeling of being "remote" while here, I love that within minutes you can be at the beach, satisfy a "purchase" urge at one of the many boutique style shops, and find a good meal at a small restaurant for breakfast. lunch and dinner. I don't feel the area is "touristy" or commercial, even though most people here are enjoying a vacation. A recent surprise was how fun the wineries are to visit...especially on bikes. The area is enjoyable each season and by no means is just "a summer home".
Owner's Map of Three Oaks
I live in downtown Chicago and I love the energy and everything the city has to offer; however, I live for the moment I can escape to Harbor Country in Southwest Michigan. Within an hour and a half I'm here...all the stress of everyday life melts away and I feel on "vacation" even when I'm here less than 24 hours. I also experience great joy in sharing my home with family and friends. And now that I'm renting my home, I feel the same happiness as my guests report in and recount how much they enjoyed the home, the nearby beaches and the country setting. I feel very lucky to be the owner of "It's a Dog's Life Getaway".
Property Photos
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- Lots of trees and shade surround the 2 acre property - Vacation Cottage in Three Oaks, Michigan with a Fire Pit
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- Front Porch; great for morning coffee & afternoon "rocking" in the warmer months - Vacation Cottage in Three Oaks, Michigan with a Fire Pit
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- Sign greets you when you arrive - Vacation Cottage in Three Oaks, Michigan with a Fire Pit
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- All seasons are enjoyable; currently it is a winter escape
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- Open Floorplan with Vaulted Ceilings and Skylights
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- Lots of Comfy Seating, 2nd bedroom behind french doors.
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- Gather 'Round the Island while Cook Preps the Meal...
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- Dining Area Leads To Screened In Porch...Leading to Large Deck
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- Master Bedroom with Large Master Bath and Secondary Access to Deck
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- Second bedroom with two single beds
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- 3rd Bedroom; Daybed pulls out for double size sleeping. Past dog guests pictured
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- Screen in porch leading to back deck & yard...with doggie door!
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- Back Deck...3/4 Acre of 2 Acre Lot Fenced in For Doggies
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- Back yard firepit and large completely fenced in yard
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- Kids enjoy visiting the horses who live in the red barn across the street
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- Enjoy all the surrounding beaches, just minutes away from "It's A Dog's LIfe"
Traveler Reviews (11)
Just as Good the Second Time!!!!!
Guest: Pam
(Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 09/10/11
Review Submitted: 10/03/11
Stayed at the "cottage" the second year in a row for our annual "Dog Vacation". Read my first review and add a few stars to it....we love it here. The house is perfect, the beautiful yard was fully hunted by our dogs and we loved the screened in porch for relaxing every evening. Thanks again, Pam, for making our vacation one of the best. We even built a few bonfires this year...mmmm...smores.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, sightseeing, pet owners, age 55+, girls getaway.
Two pitties in the city blog post
Guest: Claudia
(-)
Date of Stay: 07/16/11
Review Submitted: 08/22/11
Hi Pam, I'm a big fan of a local (with broader following) dog blog - two pitties in the city - they do a feature on being a tourist with your dog, and I submitted our July getaway. The feature ran today: http://pittiesincity.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-be-tourist-with-your-dog-series_19.html
Recommended for:
MY FAVORITE "DOG VACATION" EVER!
Guest: Pam
(Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 09/18/10
Review Submitted: 09/29/10
Just got back from a week in "Harbor Country" and the beautiful cottage in the woods! Beautiful furnishings, a wonderful screened in porch stepping out onto a relaxing deck and fireplace. Every year I try to find the perfect place to take the dogs so they can swim in the lake and run and play in the woods. I hit the jackpot this year! We liked Weko Beach for the dogs...no stairs. After Labor Day you can walk right in and not see any one! A two minute drive to beautiful Lake Michigan and a fenced in back yard that had my dogs hunting and playing like pups. The "doggie door" was so much fun, I am now going to put one in here at home. Plenty to do in the surrounding areas. Don't miss the "pork chops to die for" at the Red Arrow Roadhouse down the street (half price entrees Tue. - Thurs. after Labor Day) or the coffee cake fresh out of the oven from the Swedish bakery in Harbart. The Blue Plate Restaurant was our choice for breakfast. Wine tasting, antique hunting, exploring all the little shops and cafes. Saugatuk and St. Joe were wonderful day trips.....fudge and ice cream shops galore. Don't forget to go to New Buffalo to the Stray Dog Restaurant....everything was good. Then go back to the cottage...be sure to take your bottle of wine and some cheese & crackers and go out onto the deck or screenhouse and relax.....it feels like home. The best part.....you have your doggies with you too! I am looking at a calendar right now to decide when to go back....I can't wait!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, sightseeing, pet owners, age 55+, girls getaway.
Miles away from ordinary yet only over an hour from Chicago!Amazing!
Guest: Ivona
(Evanston, Illinois )
Date of Stay: 05/17/10
Review Submitted: 06/25/10
I needed to de-stress and was looking for a quick getaway yet wanted to feel like I was miles away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. And my two dogs were going with me - THAT I was not going to compromise on. It's A Dogs' Life cottage was heaven sent - I could have not picked a better place. Originally I was planning on staying a week, but extended - couldn't leave the place! The cottage is adorable, clean and has everything you could possibly need. The vaulted ceiling w/skylights in the open living/dining/kitchen area provides light all day long. The back screened porch is PERFECT for reading. I made a point to have a nice lunch almost every day of my stay on the deck overlooking the woods. The cottage is secluded and private yet just around the corner from the famous Swedish bakery in Herbert (gained at least 3 pounds but SO worth it!). Sawyer, Three Oaks, Lakeside and New Buffalo are only minutes away, so is the antiquing and the beaches. My dogs and I were going to Berrien Street beach in Lakeside as it was the only one without a steep staircase - which my shepherd would not be able to handle. The cottage was also located just a few miles from Spring Creek Equestrian Center where I was riding horses every day, could bring my dogs and they could run free with the farm dogs. The biggest surprise for Kapallua, the chocolate lab, wast the fact that she was humbled by the fact that there are, in fact, animals bigger than her, and Simba could not be happier after takin a mud bath right in the middle of the farm. The look on his face.... was priceless. Most of the time I cooked or grilled at the cottage, but also went out couple of times - I enjoyed a nice martini and calamari on the deck at Brentwood in New Buffalo, overlooking the marina. Had dinner at Wheatberry in Buchanan (about 20-25min drive - plug for my friends from Evanston who opened the place in August of 2009, already VERY popular, the scenery is gorgeous). Went for breakfast to Elm Street Bistro in Three Oaks, visited Acorn Theater, picked up some nice wines at the Wine Shop next door, went to Drier's butcher shop 4 times for the sausage I didn't need - because the butcher was soooo cute, oh and the fact that the store has been family operated since early 1900s - you literally feel like you stepped back in time. Stop by & say hi from Ivona :) I cannot wait to get back to the cottage - one could feel the positive energy from the moment you unlock the door. I felt awaited and welcome :)
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, adventure seekers, families with young children, families with teenagers, pet owners, age 55+, girls getaway.
Relaxing Honeymoon Getaway
Guest: ttmac
(St. Louis, MO)
Date of Stay: 07/25/09
Review Submitted: 05/15/10
My husband and I stayed at the 'Dog's Life' house last summer for our honeymoon. We just wanted a place where we could relax, go to the beach, hang out on the patio, be with our dogs, cook, or go out to a nice meal. This was the perfect place for us. The house is cozy and clean and had all the amenities for cooking. My husband loves to cook and the kitchen was equipped with everything he needed. It's a close drive to Cherry Beach which was beautiful. We also found a dog friendly beach nearby and during the week it was like having our own private beach. We spent one day at the Tabor Hill winery where we enjoyed an excellent lunch and brought back to St. Louis some very good wines. Be sure to check out the Sawywer Garden Center. They have a great market, garden shop, and gift store. We wished we had found it earlier in our trip. The house is nice and secluded but close to all the cute little towns, New Buffalo and Harbert. We saw a movie at the historic Acorn theater and enjoyed the Farmer's Market as well. The blueberries were amazing. My husband and I have traveled all over the world, but we can't wait to go back to our little home away from home in Three oaks.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, pet owners, age 55+.
5 visits and looking forward to number 6
Guest: ILoveVermont
(Vermont)
Date of Stay: 07/17/09
Review Submitted: 03/25/10
I have visited this this fabulous home 5 times and am going to be there again in June. The owner is MODEST in her description of the home - it is even better than she says. The town is also just a perfect getaway spot no matter what the season. I discovered the wineries on my last visit and found them to be an excellent addition to my vacation!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, girls getaway.
Guest: Jennifer183
(Chicago, IL)
Date of Stay: 10/13/09
Review Submitted: 10/13/09
This is a BEAUTIFUL home and in a great location. The beaches are great and we were really taken by the town of Three Oaks. It was our best midwestern vacation. The greatest asset, however, is the owner, Pam. She is a joy to work with, flexible, accommodating, and helpful. We really appreciated her list (with directions) of suggested resturants and things to do in the area. It is obvious that Pam loves this home and Harbor County and you will too.
Recommended for:
Guest: Terri23
(Cincinnati, OH)
Date of Stay: 09/13/09
Review Submitted: 09/13/09
Lovely, cozy cottage-made us feel right at home. Kitchen is top-notch and very well equipped (and I'm a cooking enthusiastic!)Perfect layout for our two large dogs, no crowding at all! Near lovely beaches, great restaurants and unique shops (with delightful owners! - check out B Books in Three Oaks!) Peaceful, country feel but just a few minutes drive to anything your heart desires.
Recommended for:
Guest: Emil O.
(Chicago)
Date of Stay: 08/31/09
Review Submitted: 08/31/09
Had a PHENOMENAL time at this place this past weekend. It was everything that my friends and I were looking for on our "weekend away from the city" trip. We are already discussing the trip back in the winter =)
Recommended for:
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #237347
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