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Fish, swim, sun and relax!

Photo gallery for Fish, swim, sun and relax!

A small, single-story house with a front porch, a mailbox, and a small garden area with potted plants.
A single-story house with a front porch, a small table with a potted plant, and a grill.
A wooden staircase leading to a building with a window and a door.
A lake with a dock and a yellow flag.
Interior

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • On the beach
    A rare beachfront property in the area - enjoy direct access to the sand and sea.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View in a map
Marcellus, MI
  • Place, Gravel Lake
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Place, Lawton Golf Club
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Place, St. Julian Winery
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Airport, Kalamazoo, MI (AZO-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Intl.)
    ‪34 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed and 1 Crib

Bedroom 2

1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Fish, swim, sun and relax!

Cottage overlooks beautiful Hemlock Lake. Hemlock Lake is 68 acres and is a clean, sandy bottomed lake. It is stocked with blue gills and trout. You can sun or sit in the shade. Swimming is a delight in our clear, sandy bottomed lake.

Relax on the deck overlooking the lake or swim to your heart's content!

There are two (2) bedrooms. One has a twin bunk beds and the other has a full size bed. The sofa pulls out into a queen size bed. There is a bathroom with a shower. The kitchen is well stocked with most everything you will need. Beach and lounge chairs are available.

There is a dock. (Must provide your own life vests). Please contact us if you want to bring a boat. Maximum length of Twenty (20) feet. Surf or wake boats that create large wakes are not allowed. The lake is not large enough to withstand these boats and they damage sea walls and erode our beach area. Contact Host for information on Pontoon Rental.

Make sure you review our Rental Agreement. We want to make sure this is the right venue for you!



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9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, (127 reviews)
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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
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 is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 4749300
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 and a first aid kit
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

Marcellus

Located in Marcellus, this cottage is in a rural area and on the beach. Lawton Golf Club and Swiss Valley Ski Area are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Justin's Marsh and Al Sabo Preserve. Carnegie Center for the Arts and Scidmore Park and Petting Zoo are also worth visiting. Snorkelling, waterskiing and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling nearby.
View more Cottages in MarcellusOpens in a new window
Map
Marcellus, MI

What's nearby

  • Gravel Lake - 7 min drive - 9.2 km
  • Lawton Golf Club - 12 min drive - 18.2 km
  • Miller Lake - 13 min drive - 19.6 km
  • St. Julian Winery - 16 min drive - 24.6 km
  • Warner Vineyards Winery - 17 min drive - 24.9 km

Getting around

  • Dowagiac Station - 41 min drive
  • Kalamazoo, MI (AZO-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Intl.) - 36 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Rock at Big Fish Lake - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Wakey Jake’s - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Johnny's Pizzeria - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Amy’s Fabulous Diner - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Drop Anchor Tavern - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Fish, swim, sun and relax! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Fish, swim, sun and relax! ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Fish, swim, sun and relax! ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Fish, swim, sun and relax! ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Fish, swim, sun and relax! located?

Situated on the beach, this cottage is within 9 miles (15 km) of Gravel Lake, Miller Lake and Paw Paw Lake. Paw Paw Prairie Fen and Lawton Golf Club are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 31 out of 35 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 35 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 35 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 35 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

April H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful week at this charming little lake cottage! It was clean, cozy, and the perfect place to relax. The neighbors were incredibly friendly, and the owners were so kind, responsive, and helpful throughout our stay. If you’re looking for a peaceful lake getaway, this is the perfect spot. We would absolutely stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Jul, 2026
We enjoyed having you! Thank you for your great communication. Thank you for leaving our property so tidy and clean!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Christian S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We (4 adults and an infant) had a wonderful week at Karen's lake cottage. The house was equipped with everything you need: from kitchen utensils to water toys for kids. The beds were comfy and the AC easy to use for a good night sleep.From the house there are quite a few stairs leading down to the lake but secured with a gate for child safety and a romantic place to sit for two half way down. Our little one had a blast to practice stair climbing. The lake is warm and clear. In front of the house the first meters and it's perfectly shallow for kids to play in with a sandy ground. Our one year old happily sat in there for a long time playing.There is little to no traffic on the street in front of the house and we could easily walk to the public lake access within 2 minutes to have a little beach. There are even foldable chairs to carry down to the beach.We briefly met Karen and her son Jodi. They are wonderful people and were so kind to help out with some FedEx problems even after we already left.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Jul, 2026
Thank you for your review. It was so nice to meet you. We are glad you enjoyed your stay at our family cottage. Karen and Jodi
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Samantha D.

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

Great little cottage!

Our family of four had a great time relaxing at this cottage. It had everything we needed for our stay. We swam, fished and kayaked every day. Thanks!
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Jul, 2025
We are happy that you enjoyed your stay!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lance B.

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

Leisure at the lake

The house is perfect for a couple that needs a place to rest their heads at night. The location is a walk from the back door to the lake for a morning swim, paddle board, kayak.
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay B.

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

Cozy cottage

We had a lovely time at this cottage. My kids loved it! They thought the bunk beds and 3-season porch were the greatest!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug, 2024
We are glad your family enjoyed our cottage.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jessica P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cabin was cozy, fit the 4 of us comfortably. Lake was calm and beautiful- the sunset views were spectacular. Having access to the dock to park our boat was a major perk. We learned quickly not to leave any food/soda on the countertop as small ants will find it quickly! Other than that, we had a wonderful stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Jul, 2025
Thank you for your thoughtful response!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sara M.

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

True to the listing!

Our stay was enjoyable and we found the property true to the listing. We were very appreciative of the owner going out of their way to ensure we had a kayak to use during our stay also, despite some minor repairs needed due to normal wear and tear!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kristy S.

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

Good memories

We absolutely loved this little cottage and it’s location. Karen was absolutely amazing and such a sweet soul. We are a family of 5 and fit completely comfortable. The cottage was cozy and very welcoming. The view from the back porch is amazing as well as the neighborhood. We made so many good memories and will definitely be booking again next year.
Stayed 15 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jul, 2024
We enjoyed having you and your family.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Scott K.

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

relaxing getaway

we loved being in the water floating, fishing and just talking to each other. The wineries were wonderful to visit and do some taste testing, the farmer markets had some good deals with home made cheese and jerky. The neighbors were friendly and we enjoyed talking to them and petting their friendly dog, thank you for the use of your cottage we needed the break from the rat race called life. Thank You till next time
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Aug, 2024
We are so glad you enjoyed your stay. Thank you for leaving the cottage in such great shape! Hope to see you again! Karen and Jodi
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Cindy E.

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

Beautiful location on crystal clear lake

Wonderful layout of cottage with screened porch overlooking lake made for a terrific vacation even on rainy days. Sunsets enjoyed from the multi layer decks as well as from the new boat ramp. Water so clear one can see the small fish and visits by blue heron. Huge shade trees made it comfortable on hot days. Will return next year!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Jul, 2021
Hi Cindy, I am so glad you and your family enjoyed our family lake house! Thank you for leaving our property in such good shape! Karen
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

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

Cute Lake Cottage

This lake cottage was quite on a beautiful lake. It has everything you need for a long stay. A new air conditioner was installed and cooled the whole cottage. I didn't use it much because the breeze off the lake was awesome. I stayed the 3rd week in June. Your hosts are very receptive to your needs. Will book this cottage again in future travels to Michigan. Thanks Karen and Jodi. Nancy Ball
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Jul, 2022
Nancy, Jodi and I enjoyed having you. You left our cottage in immaculate condition! We hope you will come and stay! Karen
Verified review

8/10 Good

Erin S.

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

Lakeside Relaxing

The property was small but had all the amenities we could need. There was a mix up with the WiFi password and the tv had issues, but Karen and Jodi were super helpful and quick to respond. Karen even stopped by to check on us during our stay which was so thoughtful! The house was super clean and had all the things we needed for our week long stay! I will say the lake was busier during the weekend than I imagined so we had to stay close to the dock as we weren’t boating, just swimming. The hosts provided tons of floaters (we had brought our own though) and even complimentary drinks in the fridge! I would definitely stay again and highly recommend the hosts as they are wonderful!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Jul, 2024
We are glad you and your boys enjoyed your stay. Thank you for helping us get to the bottom of our wifi issues! Hope to see you again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

William T.

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

Wiers Cottage - Delightful! A+ for sure

What a wonderful, relaxing vacation at the cottage! We had all we needed and more. Our neighbors were kind and helpful. The weather was gorgeous! So happy with the kitchen supplies and amenities. The kitchen and living area were clean and bountiful with seating in and outdoors. The decks and beach area were perfect for the grand kids. Swimming here was a joy. Bill caught fish every day and we had two big fish fries. He was a happy guy! We have many fond memories of our life for two weeks on Hemlock Lake in Wiers Cottage! Thank you so much! Mary and Bill Trinklein
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jacob B.

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

Relaxing Lake Vacation

Me, my husband, and our 5 year old stayed at the lake house over the 4th of July weekend. We wanted a laid back, relaxing vacation this year and this rental for perfect for that. The location on the lake is just wonderful. It’s up on a hill so you get beautiful views of the lake all day long. The water was warm and sandy-bottomed, and as long as the dock is available you’ve got full access to fishing and swimming, which we did practically all day for the entire week. We knew the 4th would get busy, and it did, at which point we had to move our activities from the dock on property down the street to the small public beach. Everyone we met was extremely friendly and the neighbors were especially kind. My son loved the bunk bed and the “funky” decor in the bathroom. This is a very family friendly rental. The host has equipped the kitchen and bathroom extremely well. We had everything we needed to cook and clean for our entire stay, as well as plenty of clean towels and toilet paper. The property runs on a septic system, so the water pressure isn’t the best, but that wasn’t an issue for us. A note for families with small children - there isn’t a bathtub, only a standing shower (which was fine for us) and there’s no on-site laundry either. There’s a clothes line to hang wet swim clothes and towels, which we appreciated. The host was easy to reach and communicate with. Overall we enjoyed our stay and had a nice relaxing week.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Melinda T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a very nice time. The property was very clean and the hosts were great!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Jun, 2026
Thanks Melinda! It was great having you!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Orietta G.

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

Amazing position, comfortable home

We’ll fournished, with all the needed amenities. Amazing position. Perfect Karen very kind We’ll come back
Stayed 16 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

8/10 Good

Marcia J.

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

nice cottage on lake

Cottage was small but the outside being by the lake made up for it. Property manager was quick to respond to issues. View of lake was great from cottage. Nice little beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Tatiana K.

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

Beautiful lake!

It was a great stay, the most we loved is the lake. The water was very warm and had very nice, sandy bottom. The house did not come to my standards, but overall I enjoyed my stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Deanna A.

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

Beautiful lake

Cute little cabin on a small clean lake, beautiful setting, we had a great time relaxing, fishing and swimming . Hosts were great, prompt at answering questions, and had a basket with supplies for S’mores waiting for us when we arrived. Would definitely rent again.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Coleen L.

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

relaxing time

My sons and I enjoyed our stay. It was nice weather and staying by the water made it comforting. I had visited nearby towns that my family used to live in and enjoyed seeing that again. The cottage was very tidy and had a lot of the essentials that we needed. I used the kayak and a couple of the flotation devices. When I had a couple of questions they got back to me quickly. Overall had an enjoyable time.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Dawn K.

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

Hemlock Lake

The cottage was quaint and Hemlock Lake is a great spring fed lake. The temperature was ideal and relaxing. We were able to visit fun locations within 45 minutes of the cottage and could be back to the lake to cool off. Kitchen was well stocked for cooking dinners. The hosts very receptive to questions with quick response. We enjoyed the fire ring out front for s'mores in the evening.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kate C.

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

Lake house

My family of three had a nice week at the cottage. The cottage was clean and cozy upon arrival. The lake was beautiful, with crystal clear water and a sandy bottom. We had fun paddling around the lake in the kayaks provided, fishing and swimming. Check in was contact free, and they checked in on us and answered any questions promptly via phone or text.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Larry P.

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

4th of July Vacation

Usually stay with friends but we wanted some privacy. The cottage provided everything we needed. Coffee in the morning down by the dock and sandy beach for swimming. Very relaxing atmosphere, would recommend this place anytime for a spring, summer or fall getaway.
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Jul, 2021
Thanks Pete! We were glad you enjoyed your stay! Hope to see you again! Karen
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Emily M.

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

This was a lovely getaway!

I had a much needed escape for a week!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

James D.

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

An August escape

Got away for a week to this nice little place. Very compact. Owners seemed very nice.

About the host

Hosted by Karen or Jodi Bainbridge

Host profile image
Karen Bainbridge grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan and enjoyed many summers at this family cottage. Jodi was born in Ramstein, Germany where his father served in the US Army. He grew up in Marcellus, Michigan and spent much of his childhood with his grandparents on Hemlock Lake. Jodi loves scuba diving, spending time with his family and traveling. Jodi lives 5 minutes away from the cottage. Karen lives in Kalamazoo and enjoys camping, traveling, reading and exploring healthy alternatives.

Why they chose this property

Karen Bainbridge and her son Jodi have spent most of their lives on Hemlock Lake. Karen's father Donald Wiers began building the cottage in 1959. Karen's parents sold this cottage and bought the cottage next door. Karen and Jodi have been blessed with the opportunity to purchase this property and hope to share this with other families and hope with the hope that they will get as much enjoyment as we have had through the years. (Campfires, swimming, sunning, playing cards, cookouts, reading and just relaxing!)

What makes this property unique

You can swim in a clear, sandy bottomed lake. If you like fishing it is stocked with blue gills and trout. You can relax in the enclosed porch or relax on the deck overlooking beautiful Hemlock Lake.
Grill out and enjoy a campfire.

Provided:
Dishes, cookware, dinnerware, storage containers, crock pot, coffee pot, mixer, toaster, stove, microwave, refrigerator, dish/hand soap, kitchen towels, (12) bath towels and wash clothes, bedding, gas grill.

Languages:

English

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