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Waterfront Lake Cottage w/ Private Beach - Kayak at the Hemingway Lodge!

Photo gallery for Waterfront Lake Cottage w/ Private Beach - Kayak at the Hemingway Lodge!

Exterior
Exterior
A building with a glass enclosure overlooking a body of water, with sunlight streaming through the windows.
Aerial view
Beach

Reviews

10 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.
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
Alto, MI
  • Place, Campau Lake
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Davenport University
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Airport, Grand Rapids, MI (GRR-Gerald R. Ford Intl.)
    ‪15 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

3 Single Bunk Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden

About this property

Waterfront Lake Cottage w/ Private Beach - Kayak at the Hemingway Lodge!

Escape to nature, unplug, and make memories that will last a lifetime at the Hemingway Lodge! This updated camp style home transports you into serenity with:

- Breathtaking waterfront views
- Large private beach
- Kayaks
- Paddle boat
- Beach bonfire pit
- Screened-in porch
- Boat launch (no motor/no wake lake)
- Fishing & Ice Shanty
- Arcade game
- Retro VHS w/ a closet full of nostalgic games & movies
- Vintage bikes
-Large Green Space

Relax and unwind as the sun sets on a day well-lived!

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House Rules

Check in after 3:30 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Please take off any used sheets, pillow cases, and towels and place in laundry room bin.
Return kayaks to beach and turnover so they don't fill with rainwater. Any beach toys, games or items return to breezeway.
Please clean all dirty dishes. Take trash bags to breezeway or trash bin next to the garage.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 3967844vb
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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
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

Alto

Located in Alto, this cottage is on the beach. Ada Township Covered Bridge and Fallasburg Covered Bridge and Village are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at E.O.Wilson Biophilia Center and Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve. Travelling with kids? Consider Lowell Showboat VI and Patterson Ice Center. With kayaking, power boating and fishing nearby, you'll find plenty of adventures in the water.
View more Cottages in AltoOpens in a new window
Map
Alto, MI

What's nearby

  • Campau Lake - 6 min drive - 8.9 km
  • Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe - 8 min drive - 12.2 km
  • Davenport University - 10 min drive - 17.5 km
  • MSA Fieldhouse - 13 min drive - 19.3 km
  • Amway World Headquarters - 13 min drive - 19.6 km

Getting around

  • Grand Rapids Station - 25 min drive
  • Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Culver's - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Alto Bar (AB) - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Nighthawk - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterfront Lake Cottage w/ Private Beach - Kayak at the Hemingway Lodge! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Waterfront Lake Cottage w/ Private Beach - Kayak at the Hemingway Lodge!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Waterfront Lake Cottage w/ Private Beach - Kayak at the Hemingway Lodge!?

Check-in begins at 3:30 PM.

What time is check-out at Waterfront Lake Cottage w/ Private Beach - Kayak at the Hemingway Lodge!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Waterfront Lake Cottage w/ Private Beach - Kayak at the Hemingway Lodge! located?

Nestled on the beach, this Alto cottage is within 9 mi (15 km) of Campau Lake, Golf Club at Thornapple Pointe and Lowell Showboat VI. Watermark Country Club and Fallasburg Park are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 13 out of 13 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 13 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 13 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 13 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 13 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer K.

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

Wonderful place to stay!

Very quiet and peaceful stay. Would definitely go back.
Beautiful view from the beach. Even caught a few Bass.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

will s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Overall, we enjoyed our stay. Even considering this location for an annual get together.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John T.

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

A great family escape!

An excellent place to get away and enjoy pure Michigan! The bird life, fishing and sunsets are everything you would want for a lake side lodge. This lodge was as advertised and has all the amenities needed for a great stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daniel P.

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

Great Place

Can’t say enough good things about this place. Loved the location of where it was at. No neighbors bothering you, it was very peaceful. Would stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kim C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The cabin was beautiful and exactly what we were hoping for. Our family had so much fun around the campfire and out on the kayaks. The place was very clean, comfortable, and well taken care of. We’d love to come back again—especially in the winter!”
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lorraine M.

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

Beautiful property

Very peaceful. We loved the view.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rachel C.

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

Peaceful getaway

The property was very nice, relaxing and clean. The owner was very responsive and helpful.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

martin g.

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

Paradise in MI

We’ve stayed at lots of properties over the years but rarely find a location so perfect and a property so clean and so well maintained. The property has everything you would need to have a great time. Highly recommended!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alexis V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Coffee pot needs to be replaced. View and tranquil environment was amazing
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Sept, 2025
Thank you! We will get that coffee pot upgraded! ;) Hope to see you down the road!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anthony C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Buddies and I had an amazing long weekend. The private beach and kayaks were wonderful. We really enjoyed the lake during the day, and the peaceful setting was just what we needed to relax and recharge. Evenings were spent playing board games around the large table, laughing and making memories with friends. The cottage was incredibly comfortable, spotless, and well-stocked with everything we needed. It truly felt like a home away from home.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary Ann C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This cottage is really nice, comfortable, tastefully decorated and accommodated the 6 of us very well. Kitchen and bathrooms are very nice, great screened porch, lots of games, videos etc. Beautiful inside and out. Location was lovely, out in the country on the water but a very quick drive into the city. A couple of the beds were comfortable, some not so much. But overall, a wonderful and very clean place to stay. Excellent owner communication. Highly recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Holly S.

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

Relax in nature

The property is beautiful and secluded and the house was amazing. The host responded to all messages quickly and was extremely helpful with any questions we had. We enjoyed playing games on the screened in porch, fishing on the dock, and taking the kayaks out at sunset. The internet connection was not the strongest, but we enjoyed watching a wide selection of VHS tapes. There is lots of wildlife to watch and beautiful landscaping. It’s a short drive to Meijer Gardens and John Ball Zoo. We would definitely stay again if given the chance!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was an amazing weekend at the Hemingway Lodge. Check-in and communication with the host was smooth, and the place was very clean. There are a ton of activities for all ages on the beach, in the water or in the cabin. Would highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026

About the host

Hosted by Ryan Dodgson

Host profile image
Ryan and Jenn value simplicity and being outdoors, fishing, snowboarding, and kayaking. The Hemingway lodge reflects this mentality and is the perfect place to get outside and enjoy nature. The decor transports you back to easy livin' with a boho, rustic, and effortlessly classic esthetic.

Ryan and Jenn were both raised in the Alto and have extensive knowledge of the local area - if you have any questions feel free to reach out to us!

Why they chose this property

Great community! Rural yet close to all the activities and town!

What makes this property unique

Large sleepy lake. No motors allowed. Enjoy the escape to the outdoors here. Beautiful lakeview with lake access, wonderful wildlife and nature viewing all from the porch or beach. Rental includes access to kayaks and a paddle boat to dive right in!

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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