Come enjoy our cottage nestled in the Manistee National Forest on the sunny north shore of upper Hamlin Lake. The cottage is only 13 years old with like new furnishings and is very neat, CLEAN, and disinfected after/before each guest. You will enjoy a panoramic view of the entire upper lake and awesome sunsets over the dunes right from shore. Fishing is great right off the 40 foot dock which is also available to tie up your boat. Boating, swimming, skiing, hiking, wine tasting, and other fun activities are waiting just for you! There is also a shared lakeside firepit for your use. Lake Michigan is minutes away for an afternoon picnic or swim. Golfing at some of the state's finest courses is close by. Or, for those who like more physical activity, bring your bikes for riding on the miles of trails in the National Forest. If you prefer peace and quiet, bring a good book to read while sipping on your favorite beverage in a provided lounge chair by the lake! If you are looking for 2 cottages in close proximity, this cottage sleeps 2-3 and The Shadows 2 on Hamlin Lake sleeps 2 comfortably! (See separate VRBO listing #367496) Great for friends and/or families who like to vacation together but sleep/stay in different quarters. It all awaits you at The Shadows on Hamlin Lake. We live on the property, adjacent to this cottage which is approximately 200 feet from the waters edge. The last 5 miles of your journey to our cottage will be on a gravel road where you will see only nature at it’s finest, no houses or street lights. Age requirement for staying at our cottages is 16 years and up.
Property manager
Deb Hulst
Premier Host
Languages
English
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Children 16 yrs of age and up welcome with parents
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Events
No events allowed
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Pets
No pets allowed
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Ashtray provided for outside smoking
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Free Soil
Located in Free Soil, this cottage is on a lake. Manistee National Golf Course and Hemlock Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Douglas Park and Amber Elk Ranch. West Michigan Fairgrounds and Sandcastles Children's Museum are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Free Soil, MI
What's nearby
Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
Stearns Park Beach - 47 min drive - 42.9 km
Ludington Waterfront Park - 48 min drive - 41.4 km
S.S. Badger: Lake Michigan Carferry - 48 min drive - 41.8 km
Hamlin Lake beach - 54 min drive - 49.3 km
Getting around
Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 43 min drive
Restaurants
Barnhart's Resort & Marina - 43 min drive
Boathouse Grill - 30 min drive
Ma and Pa's Gluten Free Cafe & Mini Golf - 20 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Upper Hamlin Lake Cottage 200 ft from waters edge pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at Upper Hamlin Lake Cottage 200 ft from waters edge?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Upper Hamlin Lake Cottage 200 ft from waters edge?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Upper Hamlin Lake Cottage 200 ft from waters edge located?
Situated on a lake, this cottage is within a 15-minute walk of Huron-Manistee National Forest, Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness and Hamlin Lake. Nordhouse Lake is 1.7 mi (2.8 km) away.
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We had a great stay. The property owner was very responsive and helpful. The area is beautiful and the house was super clean. I hope we can come back again.
This was an absolutely beautiful stay! Wish the weather has been better but the cottage and setting were stunning. No detail forgotten. There was even a cart available to gather firewood from the property. These hosts are A+
Very nice house. Super clean and had everything we needed. Love the lake view! It was very cool to see 2 foxes the first morning. The sunset was beautiful as well.
My wife and I both thoroughly enjoyed our stay here. The property is perfect for a quiet weekend getaway. The sunsets over Lake Hamlin were gorgeous.
You can also easily spend time in downtown Ludington or visit the state park easily. Both are only a short drive away
Charming 1-bedroom, 1-bath rustic apartment-style cabin—perfect for a solo getaway or a couple’s retreat. The space is clean, cozy, and simply furnished, with comfortable seating and a relaxing atmosphere. The private balcony offers a lovely view of the lake, making it an ideal spot for morning coffee or a quiet evening.The kitchen comes stocked with essential cookware, dishes, and glassware, but you’ll need to bring all your own ingredients aside from salt and pepper. The bathroom is spacious, though the shower itself is on the smaller side. Note that the rental is not handicap accessible.The location is fantastic—just a 5-minute drive and 30-minute hike to the dunes and beach. The nearby national forest adds to the peaceful, nature-filled experience. The host was extremely communicative and helpful, always available when needed but respectful of privacy. Firewood isn’t provided, so be sure to bring your own if you plan on enjoying the fire pit.Overall, a quiet and scenic escape for one or two guests. Highly recommended—I’ll definitely be booking again.
Nestled in the woods, but the cottage itself self has a beautiful view of the lake. Our nightly bonfires with the sun setting off the water was amazing. The property owner was very attentive and informative. My boyfriend and I look forward to returning soon.
Angel T.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Renee S.
31 May 2011
Wonderful place to stay!
My family recently stayed here for a few days and we had a wonderful time. The owners are very kind and welcoming and we had a wonderful time exploring the woods and enjoying the beautiful lake view.
The cottage directions is a must. DO NOT FOLLOW GPS, it will take you to a labyrinth in the woods!!
The cottage was clean and cozy, my self and my wife enjoyed the stay of relaxation and the cozy cottage.
A very well cared for, very well equipped, and beautiful cabin. Our stay was one of the most enjoyable that we have had. I would recommend this cabin to anyone.
We had a perfect weekend. The cottage was cozy and clean, and the setting was perfect. Our hosts were so sweet and accommodating. We plan to return as often as we can!
Cabin was clean, comfortable, well equipped and everything worked. Bed was comfortable. Beautiful lake front. They had a dock for our boat. We enjoyed our stay. Note, it is a long drive to town so make sure you stock up before going out to the cabin. There is great hiking at the end of Nurnberg road. Hike out to lake Michigan! It is awesome!
I a quiet place to relax and get away from the city
Jerome A.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
About the host
Hosted by Deb Hulst
I was raised on Hamlin Lake and have always loved it here. Our family came to the cottage for every family vacation, enjoying the wildlife, fishing, swimming, walks in the woods, climbing trees, feeding the swans, enjoying a glass of wine by the fire,and the list goes on and on. Now it is time to share this with others. We moved to the lake in 2000 and now live on the property year round. Your cottage is approximately 200' from the lakeshore.
Why they chose this property
Grandma and Grandpa wanted to get out of the City of Chicago in the 1930's. They summered on the North Shore of Upper Hamlin Lake several times and realized that this is where they wanted to live. When this property became available in the 1930's they jumped on it. We added the vacation rental in 2005, only beginning the rental of it in the spring of 2009.
What makes this property unique
We enjoy watching the hummingbirds in the morning, sitting on the front porch with our cup of coffee. The lake always offers beauty and entertainment, whether it be fishing, boating, skiing, tubing, or just riding in the pontoon boat to the dunes. Living on the lake year round is awesome. All seasons are fun and exciting! Snowmobiling right out our backdoor....who could ask for more! We take our winter vacation in places where it is warm, but the sunsets never come close to the beautiful colors right here in Michigan. Icefishing, too, is great on Hamlin Lake!
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests