Entire home

Charming Lakefront Cottage

Photo gallery for Charming Lakefront Cottage

An outdoor seating area with wooden chairs and tables, a fire pit, and a view of a lake with boats.
A cabin with a deck and stairs leading to a porch, surrounded by trees.
A swimming pool with a clear view of the surrounding area, including trees and a distant building.
A cozy living room with a wooden interior, a sofa, a coffee table, and a fireplace.
A grassy park area with a small shed, a few chairs, and a toy vehicle.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • The great outdoors
    Guests love the outdoor space here.
  • On the beach
    A rare beachfront property in the area - enjoy direct access to the sand and sea.
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 7

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Hot tub on site
  • Onsite parking available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine

Explore the area

View in a map
Vandalia, MI
  • Place, Donnell Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, University of Notre Dame
    ‪35 min drive‬
  • Place, Notre Dame Stadium
    ‪43 min drive‬
  • Airport, South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.)
    ‪44 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed and 2 Single Beds

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Office 1

1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Spaces

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

About this property

Charming Lakefront Cottage

Here at The Cottage, life was made to be lived outside. Across our vast property are several seating areas for coffee or cocktails - including a stone patio with built-in bonfire pit, outdoor dining and enclosed deck overlooking the yard and lake, and an incredible patio/pergola with couches literally next to the water and beach. A hot tub, gas grill, and space for yard games round out a perfect vacation spent in the Michigan fresh air.

Winter fun included: perfect hill for sledding, ice fishing on Donnell Lake, snowshoeing trails, bonfires, hot tubbing, and Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area only 15 minutes away.

BONUSES:
*A million stars, and even more birds (including the nest directly below the porch!)
*The opportunity to walk out your door to the lake (we recommend a cup of coffee or glass of wine on the pier)
*Fishing and campfires. Hiking trails 5 minutes away. Swimming. Floating. Grilling. Lounging lakeside. Hot tubbing. Friendly neighbors.
*A lake full of fish, turtles, frogs, swans, geese, and deer nearby

-- THE PROPERTY --

1,400 Sq Ft | Large Deck & Patio | Multiple Desk Workspaces | Perfect for Families

Bedroom 1: King Bed, 2 Twin Beds | Bedroom 2: Queen Bed | 3 Seasons Porch / Office: Futon

OUTDOOR LIVING: Private dock with gorgeous Donnell Lake views, stone patio with fire pit, lakeside patio with pergola, outdoor dining area, gas grill, .5 acre yard, kayaks

INDOOR LIVING: Smart TV, wood-burning fireplace, 6-person dining table + kids table, sliding glass doors, books, board games, kids toys

KITCHEN: Fully equipped, drip coffee maker, blender, toaster, spices, dishware/flatware, no dishwasher

GENERAL: High-speed internet, heat & window air conditioning, hair dryer, linens, towels

FAQ: Outdoor stairs required for access, firewood not provided, bathroom on 1st floor, washer/dryer in basement

PARKING: Driveway (3 vehicles)

-- THE LOCATION --

OPT OUTSIDE: Donnell Lake (on-site), Stevens Memorial Park (7.4 miles), Swiss Valley Ski Area (8.2 miles), Rolling Hills Shooting Preserve (8.6 miles), Fred Russ State Forest (11.7 miles), Spirit Springs Sanctuary (13.6 miles)

THINGS TO SEE & DO: Pioneer Log Cabin Museum (7.0 miles), Southwestern Michigan College (13.7 miles), Spruce Ridge Golf Club (14.3 miles), Elks Golf Course (15.0 miles), Dowagiac Area History Museum (15.0 miles), Heddon Museum (15.6 miles), Four Winds Casino (17.8 miles), University of Notre Dame (27.0 miles)

NEARBY TOWNS: Vandalia (1.4 miles), Cassopolis (6.5 miles), Dowagiac (15.1 miles), Three Rivers (16.2 miles), South Bend (28.1 miles), Shipshewana (33.4 miles), Benton Harbor (39.0 miles), Kalamazoo (42.1 miles)

AIRPORT: South Bend International Airport (31.8 miles)

-- POLICIES --
- No smoking
- Small dogs allowed at owner's discretion
- No events, parties, or large gatherings
- Must be at least 25 years old to book
- Additional fees and taxes may apply
- Photo ID may be required upon check-in
- NOTE: The property requires stairs and may be difficult for guests with limited mobility

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 9 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
Dogs will be approved on a case-by-case basis.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Close and lock all windows. Ensure AC units are turned off. Confirm gas for grill is turned to OFF and grill is securely covered.
Leave all used sheets and towels (including kitchen, bathroom, and beach towels) in front of the washing machine in the basement.
Completely empty fridge / cupboards of food brought by you, leave trash in green trashcan. Ensure green trashcan is left on side of Donald Roadway (for pick up), and NOT left by the house.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
The outdoor shed remains locked for personal use and should NOT be entered.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 3216219vb
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
Long-term renters welcome
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Vandalia

Located in Vandalia, this cottage is in a rural area and on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Riley-Shurte Woods Nature Sanctuary and Elkhart Bog Nature Preserve, while Dowagiac Area History Museum and Beckwith Theatre are cultural highlights. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling and sledging.
Map
Vandalia, MI

What's nearby

  • Donnell Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • University of Notre Dame - 35 min drive - 57.3 km
  • Notre Dame Stadium - 43 min drive - 63.3 km
  • Four Winds Casino South Bend - 47 min drive - 77.3 km
  • Shipshewana Flea Market - 48 min drive - 65.7 km

Getting around

  • Dowagiac Station - 26 min drive
  • South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪The Twirl - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Porky's - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Subway - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪George's Cafe - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Charming Lakefront Cottage pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

How much does it cost to stay at Charming Lakefront Cottage?

As of 21 Aug, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Charming Lakefront Cottage on 9 Sept, 2026 start from S$2,194, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Charming Lakefront Cottage?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Charming Lakefront Cottage?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming Lakefront Cottage?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Charming Lakefront Cottage located?

Nestled on the beach, this Vandalia cottage is steps from Donnell Lake and 2.3 mi (3.6 km) from Paradise Lake. Diamond Lake and Curtis Lake are also within 6 miles (10 km).

About the host

Hosted by Ali Chard

Host profile image
Our family found The Cottage a year before the pandemic, as our reprieve from city-life. We ended up living there full-time for nearly 2 years, raising our son and dog on important life lessons like building a bonfire, learning to catch fish off a dock, and napping in an outdoor hammock. Now it has become a home-away-from-home again and we're hoping to share the magic with you!

Why they chose this property

The Cottage is an incredibly special place for our family and we hope you enjoy it, too. We fell in love with the lake itself, the people who spend time there, and how cozy the property is. We've spent the last 7 years upgrading and updating The Cottage, putting a lot of love into it's 1940s bones. It's the perfect set up for summer living, with plenty of outdoor spaces for relaxation or entertaining. It's also incredibly cozy for the winter, complete with a plush couch and wood-burning fireplace.

Languages:

English

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