Hess Lake Retreat - Pontoon Boat Available Onsite

Experience the ultimate lakeside retreat at this relaxing 2-bedroom +loft, 2 bath home in Grant, Michigan. Enjoy picturesque views of sunrises & sunsets on Hess Lake. This family-friendly home offers a private fishing dock, paddle boat, outdoor dining, game room, gas grill, lawn chairs and a fire pit right by the water. Enjoy foosball or air hockey in the game room, or opt for a quiet puzzle or book by the fireplace. Fully stocked for fun and relaxation! Contact owner for pontoon boat rental.

The space:
Two story custom home decorated in a very natural, "up-north" manner. Main floor boasts a custom tiled kitchen with granite counters and a chef's kitchen including 5 burner gas stove, keurig and drip coffee makers (coffee, filters, k-cups, and sugar are provided). Kitchen includes breakfast bar, and expansive views of the yard and lake. Open floor plan to the dining room.

Dining room has engineered hardwood floors, large bay window overlooking the yard and lake with beautiful sunrises and sunsets, and a large dining table with seating for 10 guests (plus 2 at the breakfast bar). A side table is perfect for buffet style serving and is a good drop area for guest belongings upon arrival.

Also on the main floor is the living room with a pine accent wall and beautiful stone fireplace. The living room also features large bay windows providing panoramic lake views. This is the perfect place to snuggle into the cedar log furniture/futons and read a book or sip coffee and enjoy the view. Michigan themed books and travel magazines are displayed on the fireplace for guest enjoyment, and a small lending library (borrow or trade books) is located in the canoe shaped shelving unit in the living room as well.

a 55" TV with ROKU and Spectrum Charter cable streaming is also on the living room. The log couch and single chairs fold down into one full and two twin/single beds with extra linens in the adjacent closet.

One guest room on the main floor has a desk and full bed with a new mattress. A pack-and-play is provided in the guest room closet. Please bring any desired linens for the pack-and-play.

The main floor also has full bathroom with shower. Towels are stocked and the shower features a body wash, shampoo, and conditioner dispenser. Makeup wipes are also provided (please use instead of towels for makeup removal).

Lastly, a laundry room is located on the main floor which is convenient for longer stays or even just drying your beach towels. The washer and dryer are free to use, and a limited number of washer pods and dryer sheets are provided.

Upstairs is the master bedroom with en-suite bathroom. The bathroom features a shower unit and separate corner jaccuzzi tub.

Across from the master bedroom is a large open loft area with a desk space for remote work, small inkjet printer, full bed futon, and couch. This loft primarily serves as a game room with a foosball table, air hockey, and a card table. Puzzles, family games, and board games are also stored up there for guest enjoyment. This large loft/rec room is spacious and perfect for rainy day activities.

The yard is large and flat. It can be soft due to the high water table, but a concrete path to the dock provides solid footing all year. Yard games including corn hole and ladderball are provided.

6 adirondak chairs encircle a lakeside fire pit. Firewood is not supplied, but the guest book lists nearby places to buy it. The kitchen supplies include roasting forks for cooking hotdogs or s'mores over the campfire. This is a beautiful place to enjoy the lake, especially at night.

Please remember that sound carries on the water, and be respectful of neighbors and quiet hours.

Fishing off the dock is fun and guests can catch perch, bluegill, and catfish along with the occasional bass on lures or worms. The area to the right of the dock has a sandy bottom and gradual depth change so it can be a great place for supervised kids to play in the water. Because the home is on a bit of a point, boats sometimes cut closer to the end of the dock than they should. When the dock is in (Memorial Day to Labor Day) a floating raft is anchored deeper to discourage boats from cutting in close. Use caution if using the raft since its main function is to act as a buoy to keep boats away from the dock, and boats may come close to it.

For more enjoyment of the lake, contact the owner to inquire about pontoon boat rental. ($250/day $1500/week booked separately) from VRBO. Please familiarize yourself with Michigan boating rules and regulations prior to renting. Guests will be required to sign a release of liability and attest familiarity with MI boating rules prior to rental.


If there is any way to make your stay more comfortable and relaxing, please reach out to the owner or guest contact. Our family loves to vacation at this home, and it is our hope that you will love it too.

Guest access:
Rental is for the full home, large yard, dock, and driveway with ample parking for 6+ vehicles. Garage/outbuilding and a locked supply closet are the only areas inaccessible to guests.

Other things to note:
Free Wi-Fi.