Ethel's House--Your Home Away from Home--Downtown Saugatuck

"Beautiful," "close to everything," "comfortable," and "super clean"--in the words of some of our many repeat guests. One of the original Vrbo Saugatuck listings--we hosted our first guests in 2004--this popular home is made available each summer and fall. Perfect for 2 to 8 friends, 1 to 4 couples, and small family groups that include grandparents.

Walk to everything, even the beach if you're up for an adventure that includes a pedestrian ferry! You will feel like a local when you vacation in this lovingly restored home located just one short block from charming downtown Saugatuck, on The Hill, a leafy residential neighborhood. Walk to shops, galleries, cafes, pubs, a day spa, a yoga studio, an amazing playground, and the beautiful harbor boardwalks. Rent a bike and explore picturesque neighborhoods, country roads, and our world famous coastline. If you've never seen a Great Lake, you'll swear you've stumbled upon the sea, but--no salt, no sharks, no worries. Relax on the most beautiful beaches anywhere.

Perfect for eco-conscious travelers. Stunningly beautiful natural areas and one of Michigan's wildest state parks are right nearby. We make it easy to recycle and compost, if you'd like to. The gardens and lawn have been maintained without the use of toxic chemicals for nearly three decades.

Inside, relax in the living room, dining room, den/bedroom (with French doors), and eat-in kitchen, which all flow together, plus three bedrooms and two full baths. We collect art and books and have filled the rooms with both. We want you to be comfortable and have fun while traveling light. You'll arrive to find everything clean and made up for you, so all you have to do is unpack. Kick off your shoes and settle in!

Outside, lounge in the shade or sun of the large lush fenced yard while the kids climb around in the treehouse with slide. Fire up the charcoal grill or the fire pit on the lawn.

You'll find a basement laundry and detached garage (for storage, not parking). The yard is entirely enclosed--by a 3- to 4-foot picket fence on three sides and a six-foot privacy fence on the fourth.

Bike rentals are available nearby and the Interurban (a shuttle bus service) is on-call for short trips around town and to the beach. You'll want a car for family trips to the beach with gear, but note that it's just a three-mile bike ride, and it's also walkable if you're up for an adventure that includes crossing the river on the chain ferry.

We supply bed, bath, and kitchen linens, basic soaps (hand, dish, laundry, and shampoo), and enough paper products to get you started. Don't forget your beach towels and sunscreen.

We're available by phone when you need us, and often in person on checkin and checkout days. ***Covid-19 update: Contact-free check in***