Charlevoix Cottage: 150ft Lake Michigan Beach, Spectacular Sunsets & Dark Skies.
150 feet of Lakefront beach on Lake Michigan + 3 Bedroom, 3.0 bath cottage makes for a great place to spend a week or much of the summer--or fall--or spring. Sunsets are amazing and after sunset the dark sky above the lake allows amazing views of the stars and milky way. Charlevoix mailing address but south of Fisherman's Island so you can enjoy all of Charlevoix's charm, ' but be far enough away that it is a true summer retreat. Guests are entranced with Lake Michigan from this contemporary and private lakeside home. Home is located in a birch and hemlock grove, the home looks out over Lake Michigan and south to Grand Traverse Bay. Guests can beachcomb and hunt for Petoskey or Charlevoix stones, swim or canoe on the lake. Others jog or walk the country lanes.
The property is architect designed. The master bedroom has a separate entrance, full sized bed, sliding doors to deck overlooking the lake and its own bath. A quiet and private spot, even if the kids and in laws are in the other rooms.
Another bedroom has its own bathroom and is located at the opposite end of the house from the master bedroom. It has sliding doors to the large lakefront deck. This room has bunk beds and can sleep 4 people. It is quiet and light. It has an additional art and drawing room attached which looks out over the nearby woods. The drawing room also has a washer and dryer.
There is a quiet library/TV viewing nook off the living room with a DVD player, 42 inch HDTV, and streaming high speed internet video interface. Also a wide selection of books with an emphasis on northern Michigan. In the library area is a new queen sized sofa bed which sleeps 2 comfortably. This sofa has a great view of the big lake by day, and waking up on the sofa bed to see the lake is a wonderful experience.
There is a large living room/dining room which is associated with a sitting area and which has cathedral ceilings and large glass windows and sliding doors which open to a large deck overlooking the lake with many chairs and tables for eating, sunbathing, reading, or watching the lake and sunsets. Outside, greenery including evergreens frame the lake view and provide shelter from excess breezes. Off the living room is a full bath (shower) which has unique barnwood paneling, a real 'up north' experience.
The kitchen is extremely well-stocked with dishes, utensils, pans, pots, and has a work area which overlooks the lake. There is a dishwasher and a gas grille for BBQ (outside).
An ideal room for children is at the top of the spiral staircase which is the 3rd bedroom which has room for two in a full sized bed.
There is a full complement of kitchen applicances, dishes, etc to allow one to prepare gourment meals while looking out at the lake. Have your breakfast and meals overlooking the lake as well, either in the combined LR/DR or on the deck.
Keywords: 2200 sq ft cottage with separate MBR suite. Direct Lake Michigan Waterfront. Beachfront. West facing windows and cathedral ceiling LR. Quiet, beautiful, near Antrim Dells Golf Course and near Historic Village of Norwood 8 mi s of Charlevoix. 3rd bedroom is on upper level accessed by spiral staircase. TV, DVD, Internet (wireless). Huge new deck overlooking Lake Michigan. Dark Sky. A few steps to a warm and sheltered beach. Near county park. Great for walking on the beach or on nearby quiet lakeshore road with excellent lake views.
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Luxury Lake Michigan Retreat with Unmatched Sunset Views
Charlevoix
Luxury Lake Michigan Retreat with Unmatched Sunset Views
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
About the area
Charlevoix
Located in Charlevoix, this cottage is on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Torch Lake. Consider Castle Farms for a night out or Charlevoix Circle of Arts if you're travelling with kids. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and power boating nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with hiking/biking trails and cycling.
Fisherman's Island State Park - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
Norwood Township Park - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
George & Marion Light Nature Preserve - 4 min drive - 2.6 km
Banks Township Park - 5 min drive - 2.9 km
Antrim Creek Natural Area - 6 min drive - 3.3 km
Getting around
Pellston, MI (PLN-Pellston Regional) - 69 min drive
Restaurants
Bier's Inwood Brewery - 13 min drive
Friske Orchards Farm Market - 10 min drive
Pigs Eatin' Ribs - 8 min drive
Antrim Dells Restaurant - 15 min drive
Atwood Restaurant Equipment Brokers - 11 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Charlevoix Cottage: 150ft Lake Michigan Beach, Spectacular Sunsets & Dark Skies. pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Charlevoix Cottage: 150ft Lake Michigan Beach, Spectacular Sunsets & Dark Skies.?
As of 7 May, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Charlevoix Cottage: 150ft Lake Michigan Beach, Spectacular Sunsets & Dark Skies. on 11 May, 2026 start from S$1,057, 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 Charlevoix Cottage: 150ft Lake Michigan Beach, Spectacular Sunsets & Dark Skies.?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Charlevoix Cottage: 150ft Lake Michigan Beach, Spectacular Sunsets & Dark Skies.?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Charlevoix Cottage: 150ft Lake Michigan Beach, Spectacular Sunsets & Dark Skies.?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Charlevoix Cottage: 150ft Lake Michigan Beach, Spectacular Sunsets & Dark Skies. located?
This family-friendly Charlevoix cottage is located on a lake, within 1 mi (2 km) of Fisherman's Island State Park and Lake Michigan. Norwood Township Park and George & Marion Light Nature Preserve are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
The setting is beautiful! The house is very well stocked and comfortable for a large group. We really enjoyed our stay! Only 2 of the 3 bathrooms were in working order, though.
Rosemary B.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Aug, 2025
Thanks for staying at the cottage. We are happy you enjoyed your stay and regret your inconvenience. The bath tub in the 3rd bathroom had to be shut off due to a leaky supply pipe, but the sink and toilet remained functional in all 3 bathrooms. Plumber was called and we had expected this would be repaired before your stay. It should be repaired shortly. Very sorry for the inconvenience. GLMCC.
Stunning views from the excellent outdoor deck with plenty of seating for everyone to watch the beautiful sunsets and listen to the waves crashing on the rocks. The cabin offered lots of space for sleeping and relaxing. Disapointing only part of the gas grill worked and appears time for a replacement. We also didnt realize there was no central air, our fault for not asking. Only a window unit in one bedroom and with the extra hot weather not sufficient to cool the rest of the house. But we made due and still managed to have a great time. If it wasn't so hot I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem. Everyone felt the beds could use an upgrade. The family enjoyed all the quirkiness of the house and the nice library. Had a great time together and visiting sites in and around Charlevoix!
Pamela B.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Aug, 2025
Thank you for your thoughtful comments. Yes, the house does not have central air (nor does it claim to). Typically the reliable breeze from Lake Michigan cools the property well but you came during what were among the hottest few days of an historically hot summer. We are exploring buying another room air conditioner to help in such instances. The grill had new burners placed last fall and was working well for prior guests, but may need adjustments or replacement. Thanks for this input. The mattresses on the large beds are relatively new and mattress choice is highly personal. We were delighted that you were excellent guests and took time to help us make future guests enjoy the property even more.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
TJ B.
3 Aug, 2016
Great Week!
We really enjoyed our week in Norwood. The cottage was perfect for our group - my wife and I along with two of our daughters and their boyfriends. The place is bigger than it appears in the pictures. It was clean and well appointed. The deck on the back is worth the rental price all by itself. We practically lived out there when not enjoying the beach. We know the area very well, so the slightly remote location was not an issue. The beach is rocky, but we really enjoyed it and found about 100lbs of Petosky stones! The public beach just down the road is very sandy if that is what you're looking for. Perfect sunsets and very relaxing. We would highly recommend.
TJ B.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Mar, 2020
We are glad you enjoyed your stay. This was a great week as re. weather. The lake keeps washing up Petoskey stones, but you your bounty was remarkable. Perhaps the beach is a bit more sandy as a result of your stay. We are glad you pointed out the large deck. It runs the full length of the long cottage and has many chairs, rockers, an eating table, a cable railing, and is a great space to spend the entire day, if you choose not to go down to the beach.
Archival
8/10 Good
Maria M.
10 Aug, 2016
Beautiful view on Lake Michigan
The cottage has a beautiful view from the deck and great room. Home is enough big to accommodate 8 people. I went with my daughter and her girlfriends, they have a lot of fun, however the tide was high so they were unable to do fire pit due to beach was cover with the water but they went kayaking and canoeing so they were very happy. I have do one comment about the bugs and insects , was a lot of them so be prepared to take some sprays and the water at home had very heavy odor so just take a lot of water bottles with you. Overall we enjoyed our stay and have a lot of good memories, the sunset is unforgettable.
Maria M.
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Mar, 2020
I'm glad you enjoyed your stay. When Lake Michigan has waves, they can be powerful, and I'm sorry the water interfered with beach bonfires. Being next to a lake, bugs can on occasion be a problem. Normally the sandy soil and breeze off the lake will keep them away, but bringing insect repellent is a good idea if they are about. The house has a well and there is some iron in the water. There is a large water purification/filtration cartridge which is changed regularly. This likely needs to be changed again as we have had a lot of happy guests who have showered regularly this summer. Thanks for staying and your constructive review.
Verified
6/10 Okay
Mary D.
2 Aug, 2019
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy
Our Time in Michigan
The check in communication with the owner was a little challenging. The house is a funky grandma's cottage vibe filled with knickknacks and could do with a deep clean and updating. The showers are tiny. The location is beautiful. Unfortunately the lake is high so we did not have beach access at the house. There is a small public beach about 5 min (by car) down the road. We kept the windows open and the temperature was lovely. We tried grilling but couldn't get it lit. We bought and donated a charcoal grill for the deck. The toaster did not work. We made a game of figuring out the lights and the switches.
Overall, it was a positive experience in a breathtakingly beautiful location.
Mary D.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Mar, 2020
We appreciate the thoughtful review. Yes, when traveling in Northern Michigan, cell phone service can be spotty in the nicest places. Fortunately, we were able to connect to get you into the cottage on time. The house had indeed belonged to a grandma who furnished it will collectibles from local and international locations. It is eclectic, but with its large collection of books including those from Northern Michigan, it is a true "up north" cottage experience. The cottage is popular and the party that stayed before you was not as tidy as we would have preferred (you were great guests btw)... and it took our cleaning crew twice normal time to get the cottage ready for your visit. A deep cleaning was done last week, after your stay. The toaster was broken during the stay of guests who immediately preceded you. A new toaster is now in place. The other was, literally, toast. There are three bathrooms with showers and the one in the master suite is somewhat smaller than the other two, which are of standard size. As re the lake, it is very high vs historical standards. When the wind blows from the west there can be little or no beach right now. However, the beach is accessible from the grassy yard, so we simply placed our beach chairs on the grass above the beach. Hopefully the water levels will decline this year. And, we have done shoreline mitigation to improve the path to the lake, which is now closer to the back deck than it used to be. Grill should be working, and we will check on it. Sometimes when there is substantial breeeze from the Lake, it can be harder to light a grill. We appreciate your comments and your being great guests.
We loved the "Grandma's cottage" vibe, home-like with great window views, great deck with tables, and private outdoor space. Sinks, showers, toilets all very clean. Lots of towels and blankets, all clean. However, a spring cleaning is badly needed. I swept away many cobwebs, not currently used spider webs, empty dusty cobwebs. Very musty, probably old books, furniture, and carpet contributing to that. Grill didn't work when we arrived so tried to broil in oven; however, it is in the bottom drawer of the old gas stove and door is partly broke off and very greasey so didn't use. Gas tank for grill turned out to be empty and owner did tell us where spare tank was when we asked next day. Gas stove oven cooks extra hot. Kitchen is very well stocked. All of Grandma's cookware seems to be there still: silverware, spatulas, fry pans (probably old teflon), pots, knives, pasta cutter, crockpots, china,... Only shortage is soup/cereal bowls, 3 plastic ones available. Kitchen has a pantry closet but can't put food in it because it has poisonous bug sprays and household cleaners in it that smell strongly. There is a shelf on the wall though that works great. Also many spices available. All in all it was what we were looking for and we had a nice time.
Jeffrey M.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Aug, 2024
Thanks for the thoughtful review of the "Grandma's cottage" with dark skies. We have hired new cleaners and they will be guided by your comments including attention to the stove and cobwebs.. Sorry re the gas running out but was glad we could get you a new tank. Guests love to cook on the grill overlooking Lake Michigan so apparently have used more gas than expected this season as the cottage has been occupied quite extensively . As re the musty smell, some of the older books may need to go, but our experience is that the lake breeze quickly clears the air. The humidity by the lake is high so a "stuffy" smell can be present in the house when the house is entered before the large glass sliding doors with screens can be opened. The bug spray you refer to should be in a separate hall closet, so apologies on that issue. Only with well-considered reviews can the guest experience be optimized and your comments are much appreciated. You were great guests and we would welcome you back to reassess after your suggestions are implemented.
This place was great! Views and sunsets cannot be beat! Owner is very responsive and proactive. The water was super high at the property (owner pre-warned us) but we still had fun there finding Petosky and Charlevoix stones. There is also a secluded and sparsly-populated beach 1.5 miles North with easy access and a lot of sand. Property is roughly 20 minutes from downtown Charlevoix for dining and shopping options.
Only downsides:
1) SPIDERS! But yo, you’re in a wooded area with a bunch of bugs, it’s like a spider dream buffet.
2) Address doesn’t show in NAV system or Google Maps. My college-age daughter came up a day after us and we got around this by telling her to search for 4## Lake Shore Dr (not Lakeshore Dr, because it makes a difference) and then just keep going. Once you hit the county line, the road changes to dirt and the numbers change to the 11### format. It’s a mile past that.
TIPS:
1) Bring a snorkel and mask for any geology nerds looking for our state stone.
2) There IS a tv, but it’s in a closet by the blue sofa. Don’t tell your kids. We taught them Euchre and Rummy and have created monsters who now understand the importance of strategic thinking.
3) Stop at a fresh fruit stand on the way up. I have never had better strawberries or blueberries in my life.
4) Master bath shower: 3 o’clock is a good starting point for warm enough to not scald you.
The deck and the setting was heavenly! Beautiful Lake Michigan. The home is cute and eclectic, but could use some tlc.
Joan M.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Heather S.
18 Aug, 2016
Lovely home on beautiful beach
We loved our stay! We had fun hunting for petoskey stones on the beach. We drove to Charlevoix and Petoskey for visits. The home was lovely and fit our family well. We had a family of 2 adults and 3 young kids, and couple, and another adult. The three bedrooms worked well. It was nice to have a long table to sit at and eat altogether. Great deck too, though we didn't use it much due to weather.
Heather S.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Mar, 2020
We are delighted that you enjoyed your stay at the cottage. The large dining room table is great for family gatherings. We have also added an additional table on the deck, so there is a comparable amount of seating for dinners on the deck watching the sun set. Two new wicker rockers were added to the back deck, which are ideal for watching the lake, waves and the larger ships passing between the Leelenau peninsula and South Fox Island in the distance to the west.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Nicole B.
11 Aug, 2014
Awesome House on Lake Michigan
The pictures do not do this place justice! The rooms are huge, the deck is amazing and the views are fantastic. We spent every night sitting outside watching the sun set. It was also really cool to have access to the kayaks. We paddled out a ways and took in the crystal clear Lake Michigan water. We are looking forward to coming back!
Nicole B.
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Mar, 2020
We are very glad you liked the cottage. Some of the pictures have recently been updated, but you are right, it is hard to capture the grandeur of Lake Michigan with pictures.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
20 Aug, 2013
Comfortable cottage close to many attractions
We loved our stay in this private cottage retreat. It is steps away from the beaches of Lake Michigan. We enjoyed long walks along the shore and the relaxing sound of the water. Experience beautiful sunsets from the large windows overlooking the lake. This cottage was centrally located and just a short drive away from many northern Michigan attractions including Sleeping Bear Dunes, Traverse City, Petoskey. After a long day exploring we were so happy to crawl into the comfy beds. I would recommend this rental to my friends and family.
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Mar, 2020
I"m glad you enjoyed your stay. The beach walking has been very good this year and one can go miles in either the north or south direction. Petoskey stones, eagles, fish, driftwood and an occasional crustacean are all there for those who are observant. Drives to Short's brewpub in Bellaire are also easily accomplished from this convenient location which well help one sleep even more soundly.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
27 Sept, 2012
Northern part of the Lower Peninsula
Wonderful vacation!
This was our base for exploring the local area which is Hemingway country as well as mackinac Island, Sleeping Bear park and Traverse City.
Stop #9 at Sleeping Bear is the best view I have seen and moves the Cliffs of Moher down a notch.
The owner recommended Friske for pies and baked goods and we had some there and took some home with us.
The Lake behind the cabin has a rocky bottom which can be slippery so I recommend some footwear to prevent slipping but the water was exhilarating.
The house is packed with books - many have a local connection - this is a great touch.
Wonderful vacation.
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Mar, 2020
Hemingway fished near here but didn't stay in the cottage (it is too new). The thought on swim shoes is a good one. There is some dark shale rock which extends from the beach out hundreds of feet into the lake on the lakefloor. This dark rock keeps the water near the beach warm and is quite flat and smooth. But, swim shoes are always nice for walking on the lakebed. The cottage is within minutes of Friskes and Sleeping Bear Dunes is a nice day trip--especially if a trip to a winery (even for the grape juice ) is included on the way there or back. 45 north is a good choice.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
14 Aug, 2012
Beyond our expectation ...
Our family came to this place to use it as a base for exploring northern Michigan - and ended up staying "at home" for most of the time simply because we were enjyoing ourselves so much. This cottage was beyond our expectation. Beautiful located, spacious, cozy and comfortable, well stocked and full of atmosphere. We didn't miss anything at all. We loved sitting on the deck with it's great view over Lake Michigan for breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, reading, napping, playing and much more. It was hard to leave all the unhunted Charlevoix and Petoskey stones on that that lovely little beach, and to get the kids out of the shallow and warm water of Lake Michigan, which is perfect for swimming for children in this area. We envy the owners for this property and would love to return!
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Mar, 2020
We are glad that international travelers like the cottage. The beach is long so there are lots of spots to find Petoskey and Charlevoix stones. The water is indeed warm due to the shallow bay near New York point and the dark slate/shale below which captures the heat of the sun on long summer days. Unlike the oceans of Florida, there are no sharks in the waters of Lake Michigan.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
22 Jan, 2012
Lovely Waterfront Setting
We like to play on and in the water, and this location, with it's clean and fairly shallow water was wonderful for swimming and paddling. The sunsets are to die for, yet the house is protected from hot sun by the many tall trees surrounding it. We enjoyed combing the beach for Petoskey and Charlevoix stones. The house is fascinating, full of books, all kinds of dishes, and art objects collected by people who clearly led full and interesting lives there. It is an unpretentious, lovely home, comfortable in both the physical and emotional senses. It is very difficult to avoid relaxing there, yet it is only 10-15 minutes from interesting shopping and good restaurants. We visited lovely out-of-the-way nature areas, quiet enough that we almost stepped on a beautiful little green frog in the reeds. It's a good base for visiting the many "up north" Lake Michigan tourism sites. The kitchen is small but complete, and cooking for 8 people was not a problem. The deck is big enough that we could gather our group out there, or sit separately and have personal space. Viewing the big lake under the moon and stars wasn't too shabby, either. We will definitely return.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
30 Aug, 2011
Cozy Charm with a View
Comfortable cottage with room for family to spread out. Old-fashioned character with modern conveniences. Three spacious bedrooms. Master suite is especially charming! Lots of large windows for a great view of lake. Deck along back of house with steps to beach. We loved the sunsets! We had a lovely weekend and would love to return!
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Mar, 2020
Glad you liked the cottage. What you may not know is that the cottage is within the line of sight of the shipping channel from the Straits of Mackinaw to the Lake Michigan Ports of Milwaukee and Gary, IN. So, while on the deck, you may see between the Fox Islands and Leelenau peninsula some 1000 ft long + lakers traversing this passage. While miles away, it is a majestic site from the deck. In addition, sailboats of all sizes are seen from the spacious deck.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
26 Aug, 2011
We hope to return
Great house on Lake Michigan. We especially enjoyed the deck, the bedroom above the spiral stairs, the woods, the beach, the views, stone skipping and Petoskey stone hunting. Nice location, plenty of room, lots of waterfront, well stocked kitchen, and lots of interesting art and knick-knacks on the walls. We hope to return!
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Mar, 2020
A little known fact about this property is that there are large deposits of slate in the lakebed. The native Americans came to this region to find chert and slate for arrowheads and tools. In addition, a fascinating set of rocks found only in this part of Lake Michigan are seen off the nearby shore, are called "anthraconite concretions", a form of calcite. This highly unusal formation is apparent if one takes out the canoe on a calm day. So, nature at its finest at the GreatLakeMichiganCottageCharlevoix.
About the host
Hosted by Richard Great Lake Michigan Cottage
My wife and I bought this place as a retreat and for possible retirement (at least in the summer). Since we are both still working we cannot be there as much as we would like and want to share this special property with the right renter. We purchased this property after many many trips to northern Michigan in which we had hoped it would be possible to buy. ..We finally did--and believe you will enjoy this spot.
Why they chose this property
The property is located near the village of Norwood which is about 8 miles south of Charlevoix. This is an ideal location as it is near commercial air transport (Traverse City); relatively near a major highway, easy to reach from southern Michigan in 3 to 4 hrs (with a radar detector), quiet and beautiful, yet close enough to Charlevoix to make use of the city amenities with just a 10 minute drive. The location on a small bay on lake Michigan with some dark stones on the floor of the lake makes the water warmer than some other aeas.
What makes this property unique
Sunsets, quiet, varying light off the lake, reading quietly on the deck listening to the wind in the trees, watching the birds, sleeping soundly with a breeze off the lake keeping temperatures comfortable, a quiet master suite with a door that locks so privacy can be maintained even if there are other guests--including a separate entrance. A huge deck on essentially the entire lake side (west) of the house. Opportunity to take hikes and walks and enjoy nature and continued lake views. Access to the internet at high speed if the need strikes you! Go play golf at Antrim Dells or many of several nearby courses. Go buy a home made pie at Friske's orchards, cherry is very good or some pastries. There are 2 nice 1 person Kayaks and a canoe for activities on the lake on calm days.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests