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Beautiful Cottage on St. Martins Bay, Lake Huron, with Pontoon, Kayaks & Canoe!

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Microwave, dishwasher, coffee/tea maker, cookware/dishes/utensils
Snow and ski sports
Exterior
TV, fireplace
Interior

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8130 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Dryer

Explore the area

Map
Hessel, MI
  • Kewadin Casino - St. Ignace
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • The Jewel at the Grand Hotel
    ‪56 min drive‬
  • Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau
    ‪56 min drive‬
  • Mackinac Island, MI (MCD)
    ‪39 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

About the area

Hessel

With a stay at this vacation home in Hessel, you'll be on the waterfront, within a 15-minute drive of Lake Huron and Castle Rock. .This vacation home is 20.5 mi (33 km) from Lake Michigan and 23.1 mi (37.2 km) from The Jewel at the Grand Hotel.

What's nearby

  • Kewadin Casino - St. Ignace - 16 min drive - 20.0 km
  • Star Line Mackinac Island Main Dock - St. Ignace - 18 min drive - 25.4 km
  • Fort Mackinac - 56 min drive - 37.3 km
  • The Jewel at the Grand Hotel - 56 min drive - 37.3 km
  • Mackinac Island Tourism Bureau - 56 min drive - 37.3 km

Getting around

  • Mackinac Island, MI (MCD) - 39 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Ang-Gio's Restaurant - ‬2 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Beautiful Cottage on St. Martins Bay, Lake Huron, with Pontoon, Kayaks & Canoe!

This cozy up north cottage features a view of Lake Huron including Big St. Martin's Island, Mackinac Island and the Mackinac bridge. It sits on a large 2 acre clearing on the mouth of the river and lake Huron, with a boat well for easy access to water adventures. 2010 Sweetwater 50 horse power Pontoon boat included in 2022 summer season rental. (Memorial Day - Second week in September).

The only neighbors are on the far back side of driveway, the property is completely private on lake/deck side. Giant open yard is perfect for kids playing outdoors, lawn games, etc.

Sleeping arrangements include:
1 queen size master bedroom on the first floor, an upstairs bedroom with a twin over full bunk and and additional twin bed, and an open loft area with a full bed (and an optional twin trundle underneath) that includes a view of the Mackinac bridge. There are two full bathrooms on the property including a bathtub.

There is a huge wrap around porch and a large screened in porch with seating. Gas grill and table/chairs makes bbq'ing on the porch a must!

2 kayaks and a canoe also available for your use during all (non frozen) months.

We have WIFI and a smart TV with Netflix, etc.

This property is uniquely located near all kinds of Up North adventures including:

-less than 15 minutes to St. Ignace and the Mackinac Bridge
- 10 minutes to quaint downtown Hessel including small Hessel public beach (great for small children), the Les Cheneux islands (and culinary school restaurant) and under 30 minutes to Detour State park, beaches and ferry access to Drummond Island
- 45 minutes to Sault Ste. Marie, Lake Superior, and the International bridge to Ontario, CA
- 20 minutes to beautiful Lake Michigan sandy beaches
- Close proximity to many hiking, biking, and snowmobile trails
- An hour to Tahquamenon Falls, Whitefish Point
-Fishing
-Paddling
-Duck hunting

Sportsman- You can fish right off the bank at this property so bring your gear! Local fishing guides available if you are looking for a referral. This is one of the top Walleye fishing spots in northern Michigan, and one of the best Duck Hunting retreats in the state.

Bird watchers- bring your binoculars! You will see and hear many many variety of migratory birds at this special spot.

This property is located on a unique Great Lakes estuary (where the Pine River meets the waters of Lake Huron.) There is absolutely NO development as you boat to the west out the river's mouth all the way to the Carp River mouth (2-3 miles).

Boaters please note: Boat well provides ample room to launch and dock your vessel on site with cement ramp. (also, DNR ramp less than a half mile up river). This location is centrally located for day trips to Mackinac Bridge, Mackinac Island, St. Martin Island, Big St. Martin Island and the Les Cheneaux Islands including the port towns of Hessel and Cedarville.



Make yourself comfortable in this vacation home, which features a fireplace. There's a private patio. Conveniences include a microwave and a coffee/tea maker.
This smoke-free vacation home features rock climbing nearby, cross-country skiing nearby, and hiking/biking trails nearby. Recreational activities include kayaking nearby, sailing nearby, and rafting nearby.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

Lindsay Case Palsrok

Property amenities

Internet

  • WiFi available

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking

Food and drink

  • Microwave
  • Dishwasher
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Hairdryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Gas grills

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • On the lake
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Kayaking on site
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Golf nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Kayaking nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 1400 sq ft (130 sq m)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 10:30 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Note from host: $75 pet fee plus additional security deposit.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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 indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a first aid kit and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

Beautiful Cottage on St. Martins Bay, Lake Huron, with Pontoon, Kayaks & Canoe! Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 90 out of 106 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 14 out of 106 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 106 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 106 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 106 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Jill W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Location
We loved the location and the large grassy area was a 5 star for our dog. The house is a perfect layout for a vacation rental. Since there were only 2 of us, we didn’t use the upstairs. The bed was very comfy and the living area was a good layout with comfy furniture. We feel that there were things that a good maintenance review and cleaning company could help overall. Some of the outdoor furniture is broken, while other pieces seem to be brand new. One of the screens on the porch was held up with electrical tape and blew off during a very windy night. The closets were full of things that were not organized but just placed in there in a jumble. The bathroom shelves were full of things left behind by other guests and the towels were haphazardly folded. A little organization made room for all the towels and our things that we needed. The shower, sink, toilet were all functional and clean. The kitchen needs some cleaning and organization. The fridge was obviously old, but worked just fine, same with the stove. We appreciated having a dog friendly location and we thank you for that consideration. Overall we were happy to have this wonderful house for our first visit to UP.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tamara I.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Location!
My sister and her BFF and me and my BFF traveled to MI to see Mackinac Island. This was the absolute PERFECT LOCATION. So close to the Ferry and towns. I do wildlife photography and saw 5 bald eagles (one in tree right by back deck) 2 adults, one sub adult, and 2 juveniles. Also took photos of Blue Heron, Double Crested Cormorants, mallard ducks, gulls, Pileated woodpecker, Northern Flickers, awesome milkyway shots and beautiful sunsets. We went to the island twice, and then to Mackinac City to see the lighthouse and Fort, St. Ignace for shopping and food. A quiet, quaint Oasis. Thank you very much for helping us to make lifelong memories!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Angela S.

Liked: Cleanliness
U.P. Hideaway
A quick 20 minutes to the bridge and a relaxing ride to Sault Ste Marie. Northern lights viewing! House had everything we needed and was very comfortable. Didn’t use the pontoon, but nice feature for less windy days. Two bathrooms was amazing!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melanie C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Loveli
Very lovely
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Natalia P.

Liked: Cleanliness
discover upper peninsula
we love the place! and we were enjoying our trip!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tim K., Lewis Center, Ohio

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent Location - Beautiful Property
Excellent property and location. The location on the bay was excellent. The property was everything promised. It is actually prettier on the outside compared to the picture as it is now red which is great. Have access to the pontoon and kayaks was great and the Neighbor "John" was super nice and a great resource. We would stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Keith F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great base camp
Perfect place to stay with a larger group. Close to a lot yet secluded for down time.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Mike M., Maryville TN

Liked: Cleanliness
Really nice time
We enjoyed our stay here. Communication with the property owners was excellent. The house was as advertised. We really enjoyed the large yard and the privacy. The use of the pontoon boat was a nice plus. The kitchen was well equipped, although it's probably time to upgrade the refrigerator. tome to upgrade the refrigerator.
Stayed 20 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kim P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful lake house
This property was perfect for our family. The lake view from the deck were incredible! We viewed eagles, swans, and osprey all from the convenience of the porch. The house was stocked with everything we needed for our 1st trip to the UP. It was also conveniently located as a home-base to venture out and explore parts of rhe UP. Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ashleigh G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very quiet and relaxing house
The house was very clean and only had neighbors on one side who were a very nice older couple. The house was perfect for my husband, me, and our dog who loved the huge yard but could easily accommodate more people. It was so peaceful being on the water and very relaxing. Great house!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laurie H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing UP getaway
We really enjoyed our stay on St. Martins bay! Really the perfect location with access to canoeing and boating on the quiet river, with a view of Lake Huron and boat access if wanted! It was really nice to have access to the owners pontoon boat! We went for multiple rides during our stay. Quick 18 min drive to St. Ignace for dinner (highly recommend the gangplank) or to catch a ferry, as well to a quick drive to more boating access in Hessel and Cedarville. Only 40 minutes to Sault Ste. Marie to enjoy the locks and Lake Superior. Beds were comfortable and clean, and the windows and fans helped for a cool evening the few days where it was warmer. Kids enjoyed the bunk beds, and spiral stairs (my two pretty active 75 year old parents didn’t care for them, and stayed in the downstairs bedroom). Yard was well mowed and our two dogs loved romping. We would definitely stay again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bauera2 B., Fort Wayne

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome views!
This is a great little cottage with awesome views of the Bay and Mackinac bridge. We visited in the cold March months so did not get to try out the beach and kayaking but after this stay we plan to return to the area and if available this property.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dan S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relax
We enjoyed our stay-first time to the UP for us. This property is within a short drive to a variety of places depending on your interest. It is quiet and well maintained, the property owners are responsive if you have questions (we weren’t sure what their preference was to leave the thermostat at with colder air moving in). Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth C., Southwest Michigan

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful spot
Peaceful spot with lovely views of Lake Huron and the Pine River. It was a great base for exploring the eastern UP: all the preserves along Lake Huron and the St. Mary's River, Whitefish Bay Scenic Byway, the Hiawatha Forest, and the Hiawatha Highlands (Canada). We appreciated being able to have our dog with us. As other reviewers have noted, the spiral staircase to the second floor and lack of railings on the entry stairs and on the deck were challenging for one member of our family and could make it a challenging location for families with toddlers or anyone with balance and mobility issues.
Stayed 10 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paula K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful!
We needed a quiet, peaceful, relaxing vacation and we certainly found it here. Gorgeous views, beautiful weather, lots of room outside for our dogs to run. The house clean and really cool inside. Loved it! It was great. The time went by so quickly. Special thanks to Dottie for all of her help!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heidi L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Girls trip
Views, nice neighbors and close to everything!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

kimberly c.

Liked: Cleanliness
UP getaway
Comfortable. Lovely grounds.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Victoria G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family getaway
We had such a nice time at this property. I stayed with my parents and dog. We enjoyed the boat and screened in patio. We enjoyed the evening fishing, star gazing, and around a fire. The neighbors were friendly and we always felt safe. Thank you for hosting.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Kristina K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very nice!
The property was very well kept and so cute and cozy! The location and views were amazing! I went with my family and my dad tagged along and we were all comfortable in the home (3 adults, 3 kids) would highly recommend this home!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brenda R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location
Location is great as this property is located in the midst of travel to Canada as well as lower Michigan. The local quarry was our favorite swimming hole!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

6/10 Okay

Michelle H.

Disliked: Cleanliness
My 1st VRBO- not impressed
The description didn't have the information of what was there or what I had to bring like hand soap, paper products, wood for the fire, charcoal, etc. I found the place did come with many of these items but not all. We had to refill empty hand soap bottles or near empty bottles. The beds were comfortable and the sheets were clean. The upstairs bathroom facet handles were broke and sloppy, the upstairs shower had a high pitch squeal and on the last day, noticed a possible water leak from the shower door where it meets the tub. The downstairs room has a musty order to it. The fan upstairs has a huge layer of dust on it. Outside I was shocked to see no rails on the entire deck or for any stairs leading into the house. A weedwhacker was not used around the house at all and had grass/weeds growing through the steps. This was my 1st and prob my last VRBO. I have stayed many other places for less money and they had much better experience.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Place
We had a great family vacation here. Very nice location, the lake view and open yard are amazing. My husband and sons loved having the boats to fish and play with. House was comfortable and clean. Furnished well. My children did not want to leave.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rita A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Vacation
We had a wonderful stay at the cottage. Location was perfect, we were able to watch Bald Eagles flying over the bay every evening. If our travels bring us up to the UP again we wouldn't hesitate staying at this cottage.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
5 days with nature!
The first couple of days of our stay the weather wasn’t great for enjoying the outdoors at the cottage. We were out sightseeing those days and had some issues with the satellite when we got back in the evenings, but the owner was able to get that resolved for us. Prior guests had left the gas can for the boat empty and very little gas in the boat. The property manager had her husband bring gas the next morning to make things right, but we traveled to Picture Rock that day and got back to the cottage late. We weren’t really able to enjoy the boat like we had hoped. Overall when the weather is nice there is plenty to do right there at the property and the surroundings are beautiful.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous trip
Very nice place to stay for vacation with your family. I will definitely come back. Owner was very cooperative and easy work with.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023