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'Spare Nichols' 1880s Lakeside Cottage

Photo gallery for 'Spare Nichols' 1880s Lakeside Cottage

Terrace/patio
Exterior detail
Terrace/patio
Living area
Private kitchen

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedroomsSleeps 674.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor barbecue
  • Balcony
  • Internet access

Explore the area

View map
Lakeside-Marblehead, OH
  • Place, Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Kalahari Waterpark Resort
    ‪25 min drive‬
  • Place, Cedar Point
    ‪33 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Front Bedroom

1 King Bed

Rear Bedroom

2 Double Beds

Downstairs Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony

About this property

'Spare Nichols' 1880s Lakeside Cottage


MINIMUM THREE-NIGHT STAYS, CHECK-IN/OUT ONLY ON MONDAYS OR THURSDAYS.

Please note; This property is within the gates of Lakeside Chautauqua. GATE FEES apply during the summer season; Memorial Day weekend -Labor Day weekend. Please familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations of Lakeside Chautauqua before booking this cottage.

Please be aware of the community rules-
https://community.lakesideohio.com/rules-regulations/

We offer very specific booking dates ....please carefully read below before you book;

Our rental dates are Thursday to Thursday. Or Monday to Monday. You may also rent Thursday-Monday, or Monday-Thursday. Checkout can be Tuesday for Memorial Day and Labor Day, with an added day's rent. Outside these dates the pricing and rental period is more flexible, just ask!

We supply bathroom paper, cleaning supplies, and kitchen products such as paper towels, plastic wrap, plastic bags, dish soap, etc. Don't bring your own kitchen when you stay in our cottage!

Cleaning service and linens are extra. Cleaning service is required, linens are optional.

Beautifully furnished and decorated, 441 Central is located steps from Hoover Auditorium and is easily accessible to South Auditorium, and the Grindley Aquatic & Wellness Campus.

This airy two bedroom cottage features two front porches and a charming back porch with louvered windows.
Enjoy family dinners and cards in the comfortable dining room. Wi-Fi is available. We provide a monitor for your use with your own technology (laptop, streaming, Roku). We do not provide cable television. Sip your coffee and watch the world pass by from your own private second floor balcony. The upstairs master bedroom offers a comfortable king bed. The second upstairs bedroom has two full size beds. Off-street parking for one car.
Ample air conditioning from window units.

Play a game of Frisbee while you use our grill in the backyard.

Dining room seats 4-6 beautiful back porch is open to kitchen.

Add dates for prices

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 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
Must abide by Lakeside Chautauqua rules and regulations.

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
On-site 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 not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Lakeside

Marblehead is home to this cottage. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Erie and popular attractions include Cedar Point and Kalahari Waterpark Resort. The Watering Hole Safari and Waterpark and Island Adventures Family Fun Center are also worth visiting.
View more Cottages in LakesideOpens in a new window
Map
Lakeside-Marblehead, OH

What's nearby

  • Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
  • African Safari Wildlife Park - 12 min drive - 12.4 km
  • Kalahari Waterpark Resort - 25 min drive - 41.0 km
  • Castaway Bay Waterpark - 27 min drive - 39.0 km
  • Cedar Point - 33 min drive - 43.2 km

Getting around

  • Sandusky Station - 26 min drive
  • Toledo, OH (TOL-Toledo Express) - 71 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Red's Lakehouse - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Cleats Club Seat Grille - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Beach Glass Lounge - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Big Boppers Restaurant - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪The Wave at Marblehead - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is 'Spare Nichols' 1880s Lakeside Cottage pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at 'Spare Nichols' 1880s Lakeside Cottage?

As of 10 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at 'Spare Nichols' 1880s Lakeside Cottage on 30 April 2026 start from NZ$300, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at 'Spare Nichols' 1880s Lakeside Cottage?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at 'Spare Nichols' 1880s Lakeside Cottage?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 'Spare Nichols' 1880s Lakeside Cottage?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is 'Spare Nichols' 1880s Lakeside Cottage located?

Situated in Marblehead, this cottage is 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from Lake Erie and within 3 miles (5 km) of Lakeside Daisy State Nature Preserve and Marblehead Lighthouse State Park. Marblehead Lighthouse is 2.4 mi (3.9 km) away.

Reviews

9.6

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. 42 out of 50 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 50 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 50 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 50 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 50 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Heather S.

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

Sweet cottage in perfect Lakeside location

Well taken care of historic lakeside cottage. Very cozy beds with bright and cheery interior. Perfect location for all Lakeside activities, boutiques and eateries. We loved everything about our stay here!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Randy T.

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

Fun Peaceful Getaway

We loved the coziness of Spare Nichols. The kitchen was stocked with all necessary items for yummy meals at home. And the new grill was a fun bonus. We loved the quaintness and friendliness of Lakeside! Purchasing parking pass and guest day passes online was an easy process and the best option for us
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Jerry J.

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

Unique and fun.

We loved the town. So much to do and it felt very safe and friendly. A true gem.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tara C.

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

Lakeside summer 2023

This was our 3rd stay at Spare Nichols. The house is clean and in a fantastic location! It was another great stay!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jacque U.

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

Wonderful stay, as always

Second year renting Spare Nichols and just as good as last year! The location is amazing and the space is just right for our family of 4. Owner was so good at communicating with us.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 11 July 2023
Thank you, so happy to have you return!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amy L.

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

Quintessentially Lakeside!

The cottage is darling! It has the Lakeside feel to it. We absolutely loved it. The front porch and swing were our favorite parts. The location is perfect- close enough to downtown and the pool to walk. We can’t wait to go back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 11 July 2023
Thank you for your kind words! We hope you come back soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tessa C.

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

Sweet little cottage in the perfect location!!

This cottage is airy and cute. Very clean. Perfect for a family. We enjoyed sitting on the porch, walking to nearby parks, and eating in the cool dining area. My kids said they wanted to live in the cottage forever! We will definitely be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Margaret S.

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

Cozy and Convenient Cottage

Spent a week during the Fall at this lovely vintage cottage. Cozy and clean living spaces. Perfect for a couple or small group. Kitchen has all you need - and a cute dining space too. Peaceful and quiet in the Fall after the season is over - just a quick stroll to lake as well as a small convenience store -- a perfect location. Will certainly return!
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kerry W.

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

Quaint Little Cottage

I did not want to leave this adorable cottage. It may be tiny, but it has everything you need to enjoy a simple stay in Lakeside. The bedrooms were spacious and comfortable and the 3 different porches were perfect for enjoying the outdoors. My favorite part was being able to sit on the front porch and hear the music from Hoover Auditorium. I will definitely be back!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kate M.

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

Lakeside stay

Very clean and organized. The beds are very comfortable and the 2 porches (especially the one off of the master bedroom) made it great for me and my daughter. I loved sitting up there with my coffee. Im so happy the tree is there too, to provide shade. The location is great, and the lists Gwen put together took the guesswork out of trying to find any supplies, as well as making checkout easy. I do wish the check-out time was later than 10 am. It just seemed a bit too early. 11 or noon would have worked better for us, especially since the fee paid at the gate gave us until 7 pm.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Nora S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location

Lakeside

The property was nice and close to downtown lakeside. We enjoyed our stay but feel that the gate fees should be posted in the listing. It's $35 dollars per person per day. Plus parking outside of the gate.It adds up if you stay several days. The link for fees is listed in the description but not clickable. Communication could have been better as well. Overall, beautiful community but not thrilled with the extra charges.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 20 October 2024
Nora, thank you for sharing your experience. Our listing clearly mentions the gate fees. They change based on the days of the week, the number in your party, and where you park your car. We don’t charge the fees, therefore the exact amounts cannot be in our listing. Lakeside’s website with a full list of seasonal offerings and fees can be found via Google search. Lakeside is a nonprofit with a mission to provide experiences in the four pillars of religion, education, cultural arts and recreation. Our cottage is within these grounds.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Susan C.

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

Nice, traditional Lakeside cottage

This cottage was perfect for our family of four. The location - near Hoover Auditorium and the Rhein Center for the Arts - is great if you like being close to the action. It's also a quick walk down Central to the park, restaurants and shops. The cottage has that vintage feel that so many people love about staying in Lakeside. We were thrilled with a few modern amenities, including good quality mattresses on the beds, newer carpeting on the second floor to keep things quiet at night, an updated bathroom, and enough AC units to keep the whole house cool on hot days. We also really appreciated the quality window shades on every bedroom window....critical for keeping the kiddos (and their parents) asleep past sunrise! Gwen is very responsive and helpful, and a pleasure to deal with. Other Lakeside cottage owners could take a cue from her, because she has managed to retain the vintage feel while adding some welcomed features that enhance guests' comfort. My only caution about this cottage is that the stairs are VERY steep, and would not be easy for someone with mobility challenges to navigate.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 11 July 2023
Thank you Susan, it was a pleasure to have you and I so appreciate taking the time to review our cottage!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bill B.

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

Anniversary Getaway.

This property served our needs in a great location. Lakeside is peaceful and really beautiful. Very nice people.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brienne A.

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

Wonderful

We had a wonderful time in Lakeside for our first family vacation. We hope to make it a yearly tradition. Spare Nichols is a beautiful little cottage in the most perfect location. We can’t wait to go back again, hopefully next year.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey K.

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

2022 Vacation

An amazing place to stay. Spare Nichols is located in a prime spot to be able to get to everything quickly and has all the cleanliness and amenities you could want.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Eric J.

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

Wonderful stay!

House was lovely and owners were very responsive to questions. We love Lakeside!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Denise E.

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

Weekend getaway.

We enjoyed our stay at this perfectly located cottage at Lakeside. Very quaint and comfortable. Easy to access, all amenities that we needed. The beds are very comfortable. Our only downside was the smell of skunk emanating from the kitchen area. We enjoyed the screened porch very much! Perfect for weekend getaway, as we love Lakeside
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Verified

6/10 Okay

Ken and Jeannette W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in
Disliked: Communication, listing accuracy

Misrepresented and over-priced

We were disappointed that the owners did not disclose that a laptop was needed to use the TV. There was a storm the day we checked in and we had no TV and there is no radio. The 'linen service' was extra so you had to make the beds as the beds had no sheets or pillowcases. Also, only a couple of the heaters worked. The place was tired looking. We felt this property was misrepresented and over-priced.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 11 July 2023
As our listing clearly states, we provide wifi and a monitor, no TV. Yes, you must make your own bed with the linens we provide. This is a summer cottage, not a hotel. We have wall heaters on the first floor. Also, we do not offer refunds if you don’t like the weather.
Verified

8/10 Good

sybil c.

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

Kitchen area and back porch very nice!

Enjoyed the back porch. Area was quiet except for neighbors 2 doors down. Cleaning staff needs to check when light bulbs out.. We changed bulbs in kitchen. Bathroom shower handle is stripped, luckily partner was knowledgeable about moving handles to turn on off cold and hot,
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michelle H.

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

Great location

Easy walk to all the amenities that Lakeside has to offer
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Colleen M.

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

Cutest Cottage

Perfect cottage for our family of four with all we needed for a long weekend get away. Great location - close to the town center. We will be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jacque U.

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

Great Little Cottage!

This property is so cute! The space worked perfectly for our family of 4. The location is great and the cottage had literally everything we needed for our stay in Lakeside. I would absolutely stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Barbara L.

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

Great little cottage

The cottage was clean and well equipped with supplies we might need during our stay. It was cute and in a great location We had a wonderful stay
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Donna G.

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

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION

This is a wonderful home to relax in. The location is close enough to walk to the center to town but far enough away from the activities to enjoy quiet time. The front porch and the balcony off the master bedroom were great.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tara C.

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

Lakeside Getaway

The house was perfect for our Lakeside trip. It was clean and stocked with everything we needed. The location is great- a short walk to everything.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

About the host

Hosted by Gwen Nichols

Host profile image
We are life-long Lakeside lovers, so grateful to be able to share it with our guests. Our kids spent summers with us and are now off to college/the real world. We are around most weekends, stop and see us at our home cottage, 208 Maple.

Why they chose this property

Probably the most comfortable beds in Lakeside...very peaceful space.

Languages:

English
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