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Sunset Lodge - right on Lake Michigan! Swim or watch the freighters go by

Photo gallery for Sunset Lodge - right on Lake Michigan! Swim or watch the freighters go by

A wooden deck leading to a cabin with a sign reading "MOONLIGHT".
A view of the ocean from a porch with two chairs facing the water.
A cozy living room with a sofa, chairs, a coffee table, and a fireplace.
A cozy living room with a black leather sofa, wooden chairs, and a bookshelf filled with books and decorative items. A sign above reads "SUNSET LODGE".
An aerial view of a lakeside property with a house surrounded by dense forest, clear water, and a sandy beach.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
With a beachfront view, this cottage accommodates 6 guests in 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom. Enjoy activities like swimming, parasailing, and mountain biking nearby. It features a patio for outdoor relaxation. Engage in golf at nearby facilities. Explore attractions such as Totem Village while enjoying the lakefront location.

Highlights

  • Top-rated lake views

    Relax with tranquil water views.

  • On the beach

    A rare beachfront property in the area - enjoy direct access to the sand and sea.

  • By the lake

    Guests love the beautiful lakefront location.
3 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Barbecue grill
  • Toys
  • Patio
  • Air conditioning
  • Washer

Explore the area

View in a map
St. Ignace, MI
  • Place, Totem Village
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Kewadin Casino - St. Ignace
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Mackinac Bridge
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Airport, Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional)
    ‪32 min drive‬

Where you'll sleep

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Loft sleeping area

2 Twin Beds

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Half bath in Moonlight cabin

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Sunset Lodge - right on Lake Michigan! Swim or watch the freighters go by

At Sunset Lodge, enjoy a lakefront home and sleeping cottage nestled in the cedars on your private beach on Lake Michigan. There is a primary bedroom with a queen bed and loft with 2 twin beds as well as a full bath (shower only) in the main house. Living room has a leather couch and recliner, a loveseat, a gas enameled cast iron stove on a granite hearth, dining area with bay window, and a fully applianced kitchen with granite counters, an office area, large deck, covered porches and fire pit on the beach.

Wi-Fi and cable now available.

The design is “cottage style” with white painted wood walls and ceiling that contrast with the hardwood floors, red birch cabinetry and granite countertops. Eclectic accessories make this the most unique cottage in the area. Enjoy the sun and watch the freighters float by from the deck or covered porch. For a special stay, “Moonlight” is a separate one bedroom cedar cabin with half bath a few steps from the cottage and right on the beach. Both cottages are included in the rental.

RATES: We rent weekly only with a changeover on Saturday, (even though VRBO displays rates on a daily basis.)

PLEASE NOTE: Limit 6 guests. Weekly rentals only - Saturday to Saturday.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Check out before 10:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Children welcome

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Events

No events allowed

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Pets

No pets allowed

Pets not allowed

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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Non smoking only

Weekly rentals from Saturday to Saturday

Parking is limited to 2 vehicles

Must comply with Moran Township Short Term Rental Ordinance

Important information

You need to know

Property # 638034
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the neighborhood

St Ignace

Located in St Ignace, this cottage is on the beach. Mackinaw City Ferry Terminal and The Jewel at the Grand Hotel are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Totem Village and Murdick's Fudge - St. Ignace are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking and ecotours.
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Map
St. Ignace, MI

What's nearby

  • Totem Village - 2 min drive - 1.1 km
  • Castle Rock - 7 min drive - 10.9 km
  • Kewadin Casino - St. Ignace - 9 min drive - 13.1 km
  • Mackinac Bridge - 9 min drive - 11.0 km
  • Headlands International Dark Sky Park - 17 min drive - 19.3 km

Getting around

  • Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional) - 29 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Keyhole Bar & Grill - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Dixie Saloon - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Clyde's Drive-In - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Wienerlicious - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Sunset Lodge - right on Lake Michigan! Swim or watch the freighters go by pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Sunset Lodge - right on Lake Michigan! Swim or watch the freighters go by?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Sunset Lodge - right on Lake Michigan! Swim or watch the freighters go by?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Sunset Lodge - right on Lake Michigan! Swim or watch the freighters go by located?

Nestled on the beach, this St Ignace cottage is within 1 mi (2 km) of Totem Village and Lake Michigan. Lake Huron and St. Ignace Golf and Country Club are also within 3 mi (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 44 out of 47 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 47 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 47 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 47 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 47 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful area with direct access to Lake Michigan. We loved being to put our kayaks in everyday and paddle the shoreline.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Vacation with friends

Wonderful place to stay! Very comfortable and great views of Lake Michigan.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a fabulous stay!! Comfy, cozy, and amazing views! The house was clean and beds were great. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is our third year staying at Sunset Lodge and never disappoints. The view of the straits is awesome and watching the freighters and cruise ships go by is great entertainment! The house itself is immaculate and had everything to make your stay enjoyable
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Birthday getaway

Amazing views, nice access to day trips and the house is lovely.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our 4th of July Summer vacation

Perfect
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 10, 2025
I'm glad you enjoyed your stay!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful place near Mackinac bridge

This was a perfect house next to the lake with a stunning view and was super convenient to get to nearby St Ignace and Mackinac city. It was a perfect amount of space for our family and was super kid friendly. We really appreciated all the amenities included with the house which made our stay so easy.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great getaway with beautiful views!

This house was perfect for our family. Plenty of space for adults and kids. The house itself is beautifully decorated and perfectly "Michigan" themed. The location was ideal for our day trips or just enjoying the views. Very happy with our stay, it was super clean and well equipped with kitchen appliances. Thank you so much!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stump family vacation 24'

Very charming, clean, well kepted home, with fully stocked kitchen and beautiful outdoor space. Great location, home is close to everything. Enjoyed a very relaxing week. Looking forward to booking again soon!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stunning location - Mackinaw Bridge and St. Helena views

Check-in was so simple, wi-fi worked great (important in the UP), beds were very comfortable, pizza delivered to this location (B.C. pizza was amazing), and we kayaked almost every day, the water was crystal clear and the rolling waves made it an adventure. Water shoes are a must! Bring your hair dryer, or air dry in the constant breeze. Lots to do nearby, but still very private.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Up North Vacation

Our group of 5 friends stayed at Sunset Lodge for second year in a row. We absolutely love the location because it’s directly on the water. Ideal for watching the sunset and freighter ships go by. The house is very comfortable with all the comforts of home. It’s very close to all attractions of the Upper Peninsula.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxation with a view

Our family thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The house had all of the essentials we needed. The view of the lake was spectacular! We relaxed and enjoyed ourselves at this great location. We even made s’mores over the outdoor beach fire one evening. Found some good restaurants nearby and visited Mackinac Island. Thanks for a great week!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

spectacular location

Even more wonderful than i hoped! lots to do, but why? You wake up to the lake filling the windows and it’s gorgeous. Wonderful, well-equipped home with a real “up north” feel.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

As advertised

Rental was right on the water. Even closer than the pictures made it look. We enjoyed ourselves.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect!

Arrival was smooth and house was perfect. Kitchen had everything you could ask for. Views were spectacular and home was very comfortable. Great place to relax on the beach (water shoes a definite). Bonfires on the beach are a great way to spend a summer evening. Our family gives this rental a 5 stars.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

UP vacation

The property and house far exceeded our expectations and online summary The cleanliness of the house was outstanding and the comfort of the house was superb. The Lake Michigan view was the best part. There’s literally a view from every room in the house. And the Moonlight cottage was adorable and also very comfortable with awesome views of the lake. Will be going next year also
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing and enjoyable

We enjoyed our stay and would love to return. The cottage and cabin were just as described. The kitchen is very well stocked with all the essentials to eat in. We especially loved sitting out on the deck and having a nightly fire on the beach. We highly recommend this property. I only gave four stars on cleanliness due to cobwebs in both the cottage and cabin. However, everything else was just perfect!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing cottage with amazing views!

By far the cleanest rental we have ever stayed in! The house had everything we could have asked for; wonderfully stocked kitchen, comfy and nice furniture, peace and quiet. My husband and I stayed a week and explored the UP while using Sunset Lodge as our home base. The location was perfect and we loved watching the freighters go by every day. It was a bit chilly during our stay so the heaters in the cottage and the extra blankets came in handy! We enjoyed cooking dinner in the kitchen that had every utensil and appliance you could ask for, including an air fryer! We loved being so close to the lake and hearing the waves, even while in the house. Thank you for a lovely week!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing!

I’ve rented 7 or 8 cabins over the years in Michigan to bring the family together. Mom wasn’t able to join us but I’m sure she would’ve loved this property! It was outstanding! I’ve always said we need to keep trying new cabins but I’m pretty sure I’m renting this one again! View spectacular, house outstanding. The pictures didn’t do this property justice! You will not be disappointed. The moonlight cabin was awesome but needed a built in heater! That is my only critique. Our stay was amazing! Plus I came up after the frankenmuth car show and saw something I would have loved to have seen closer. LOL! Also the past guest left us firewood so we did the same. If you need firewood go west on hwy 2 a few miles past the mystery spot and there is a place on the left with real wood that beats that crap they sell at the stores. Again this place was awesome and I plan to return again! Thanks for allowing us to experience your beautiful home.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 28, 2021
Glad you enjoyed your stay. I hope the electric blanket was enough for the cool nights. Its not as exciting as it appears - started life as a Tempest so it's a clone - but a good looking and fast one with 400 swap.
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

The location of Sunset Lodge is great and the property itself is lovely. The lakefront location is amazing…the views, the breeze, the sunsets, the big ships and proximity to the bridge are all amazing. The house is well stocked especially the kitchen and games. We had no problems during our stay. I will mention a few items that need improvement tho. The first is the shower. It’s terrible. It feels like a thousand needles hitting your skin. Second are the beds. We didn’t find them comfortable. And they were incredibly squeaky so whenever someone rolled over during the night, it in fact woke everyone else up. Third were the screens and screen doors. The screens in the kitchen and tv room sliders were either ripped or the frames were bent, thus allowing insects to come into the house. Who wants that? No one! Also, the kitchen windows on the first floor don’t lock. Some ppl care about that and some don’t…I do 🤷‍♀️
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 9, 2022
Thanks for staying and sharing your review. The shower is a low volume shower head which is required by code and necessary because the septic system is in close proximity to the lake. The faucets also have a volume limiter. No one else has ever indicated a problem with the shower or faucets. This is the first time we have ever had any negative comments on the beds so we will keep track of that. Most indicate the great rest they get sleeping here. I noticed that there are some tears in the screens near the handles to open the screen door. The screens are a perpetual problem and sometimes require repair because guests push on the screen instead of using the handle and they end up ripped where they are pushed on or the frames can be bent. We repair them as needed however we have never had any bugs enter the house. All the windows lock as I lock them frequently without a problem, however, we usually just leave them open all summer when we are here.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sunset Lodge (SL) was right on Lake Michigan. You can see part of the Mackinac Bridge from back deck. We saw many freighters go by.The water was fairly shallow out a good distance. Great for swimming or rock hunting.4 adults & an 8yr old. The married couple took Moonlight cabin and said it was wonderful and peaceful.Beds were comfortable - lots of windows to open and hear the waves & feel the breeze. (My daughter commented it would be nice to have a place to hang clothes up.)Lots of games & books provided.Kitchen was easy to work in and had the essentials.SL is very close to St. Ignace and ferries to Mackinac Island. We perused the shops which had a great selection of trinkets. A couple small grocery stores were close with a decent selection - prices a little higher than at home.The few contacts with host were positive and reaction time was quick.Highly recommend this location and the host. We had a very nice relaxing 7 days at SL. Would be happy to stay there again if traveling in same area.Thanks for providing such a comfortable homey place.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Little Slice of Heaven

From entry to departure, we couldn’t have been happier or more comfortable! The beds/bedding were wonderful, soft sheets, warm blankets. Enjoyed the Franklin Stove in the evenings, campfires on the beach watching the sunset. Every possible thing you could need for cooking! We will definitely return - host and management were responsive and clear. Would give Sunset/Moonlight a 10 star rating!
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved the UP

The pictures do not do this place justice. We spent 2 weeks here and loved every second. The location is a great home base for exploring everything in the upper peninsula. The upper rooms can be warm during the day but cool off fast in the evening. Not an issue as we were either outside or exploring. The Moonlight cabin is so peaceful with the windows wide open and the sound of waves coming in. The kitchen has absolutely everything needed. We had one hiccup when the cabin had not been cleaned on arrival. We contacted the owner who offer to send someone out. Luckily the people before us were not very messy so we just cleaned it up. The owner ended up refunded the cleaning fee without us asking. Thank you so much for sharing your home! We hope to come again someday!
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Cottage on the Lake

My family and I loved staying at this cottage on Lake Michigan. It is so clean and bright, and the water is SO close. I felt like I was sitting on the beach while sitting in the living room. The Moonlight cabin is very comfortable, too.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our stay on Lake Michigan

The view was beautiful. Lake Michigan was right at the back door and we could walk the beach a good ways in both directions. We were a couple miles from the Mackinaw Bridge and within an hour’s drive of most things we wanted to do, so the location was great. We rode the ferry from St. Ignace (10 min drive) to Mackinaw Island, which was very worthwhile. The property was convenient, but also private. The house and cabin was clean and well stocked and beds were comfortable. We stayed in the cabin and it was a little chilly for a couple of nights, but with all the blankets provided, we were never cold in bed. The owner was very responsive and provides a list of everything…places to eat, things to see and everything you need to know about the house and cabin. We had a great time and would definitely go back if we ever get to Michigan again!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

About the host

Hosted by James Walker

Host profile image

Our family is from this area and grew up in this neighborhood. This is now our family's summer get away when we can travel here. When we can't, we share it with others as a rental.

Why they chose this property

This property has been in my family for decades and benefited from a complete re-build in the late 1990's. It continues to be a favorite of our many guests offering private lakefront enjoyment, amazing views while being close to town, the Mackinac Bridge and area attractions.

What makes this property unique

Relax to the waves of Lake Michigan and watch the freighters float by. Watch the sunset over St. Helene Island. Day trips abound in the area for every interest, including nearby Mackinac Island.

Languages:

English

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