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Hills School - Historic Comfort in SW MI Wine Country

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Hills School 1916, a unique experience.
K-8 rural school from 1916 to 1956, fully renovated in 2020, refreshed 2024.
A special place to hang your hat after a day of exploring or wine tasting.
This original staircase carried many small feet up to their daily lessons.
View to the front entry...

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Buchanan, MI
  • Tabor Hill Winery
    ‪15 min walk‬
  • Round Barn Winery
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Warren Dunes State Park
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Niles, MI (NLE-Jerry Tyler Memorial)
    ‪31 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Hills School - Historic Comfort in SW MI Wine Country

Historic Hills School is a 1916 brick schoolhouse completely renovated in 2020 to create a dramatic but cozy home away from home. Original details of the structure and classrooms have been maintained or re-purposed where possible, and the decor showcases photos and stories of the days when this beautiful property was filled with the shouts and laughter of local K-8 students.

Hang your hat in the period-tiled front entry that features wainscoting from the original cloakroom and step up to an awe-inspiring space. Soaring 12' ceilings and magnificent large windows capture the changing country light morning to night in the spacious bedrooms and open living space. Modern amenities are incorporated to anticipate your every comfort in this quiet, relaxing wooded setting.

Bedrooms feature queen beds with heated mattress pads, ceiling fans, and large closets. Curl up with a good book and cozy throw. Bathrooms have new tile, modern fixtures, and large glass-enclosed showers. One has a restored claw foot tub.

Gather round the 10' island and gas fireplace in the fully equipped SS cook's kitchen, where you can cook and bake - or just warm up those leftovers! Share a cup of coffee, glass of wine, or full meal at the island, seated on original desk seats - or take a seat at the large dining table (seating 6-8) in front of the original chalkboard.

Staying several days or here for a special occasion? A full service laundry room with large washer and dryer, detergent, iron and ironing board is provided for your use.

The house includes high speed internet and WiFi, as well as wireless charging stations for phones in bedrooms and living room (USB charging jacks are in lamp bases of one bedroom).
65" smart TV with sound bar, books, magazines and games. The sound bar is Bluetooth so you can play your favorite music from your mobile device.

Outside, enjoy the new back deck, outdoor eating area, gas grill, and fire pit (wood provided) with views to woods and neighboring farmland. Walk to nearby wineries or take a short drive to restaurants, wineries/breweries/distilleries, beaches, parks, and shopping.

Come to Hills School 1916 any time of year, and make your own memories to add to those of the many children who entered these doors from 1916 to 1956. I look forward to welcoming you!

Property manager

Ann
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 28
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Open stairs may be unsuitable for young children.
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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
Quiet hours are from 10pm to 8am local time.
No commercial photography.

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 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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Buchanan

Located in Buchanan, this holiday home is in a rural area. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Warren Dunes State Park. Round Barn Baroda Tasting Room & Estate and Free Run Cellars are also worth visiting. Power boating and swimming offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and cycling nearby.
Map
Buchanan, MI

What's nearby

  • Tabor Hill Winery - 15 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Round Barn Winery - 2 min drive - 1.7 km
  • Lemon Creek Winery - 11 min drive - 9.6 km
  • Red Bud Track-N-Trail - 16 min drive - 13.1 km
  • Warren Dunes State Park - 18 min drive - 14.5 km

Getting around

  • Niles Station - 28 min drive
  • South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.) - 35 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Wolverine Gardens - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Baroda Party Store - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Lydia's Down Home Cooking - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Getaway Cubbie Bar - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Hills School - Historic Comfort in SW MI Wine Country pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Hills School - Historic Comfort in SW MI Wine Country?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Hills School - Historic Comfort in SW MI Wine Country?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Hills School - Historic Comfort in SW MI Wine Country located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Hickory Creek Winery, Tabor Hill Winery and Round Barn Baroda Tasting Room & Estate. Round Barn Winery and Boyle Lake State Wildlife Area are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

10

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. 40 out of 40 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 40 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Susan F.

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

Unique!

The owner did such a wonderful job of restoring the property. Very modern but keeping the historic features of the school. The beds and furniture were very comfortable. The location was close to so many things. Cherry Beach was only a 15 minute drive. The owner left information on lots of things to do and places to eat. This property is very family friendly and would also make a great place fora smaller group. The owner was quick to respond and also left wine and goodies.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diane V.

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

Wonderful stay

We loved our stay. The owner was very responsive during our stay and made us feel welcome. We would definitely stay again if we in the area again.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daniel B.

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

Too Cool for (a) School!

Terrific property! This converted school is incredibly amazing! So well kept and rehabbed. Two great bedrooms and a huge living area with very nice, updated kitchen. Highly recommended and would definitely stay again.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandy H.

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

Perfect Birthday Celebration

Wow, what an amazing stay! The school house is so beautiful and we loved reading the history & looking at the school house/children’s pictures. It was the perfect spot for our month long November birthday celebrations 😊 Had a great time visiting the wineries, as well! Ann, thank you so much for sharing your school house and for your warm hospitality 💜
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amber H.

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

Great Property

The house was great and better than expected. The pictures were accurate and the host was great. I would definitely stay here again. 10/10
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Vikas D.

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

Tucked away school house with modern amenities

Pristine property and secluded feel yet just minutes away from the vineyards and 15 minutes by car to the beach. Highly recommend for you next family get-a-way.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Eric N.

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

Great Getaway

Beautifully restored schoolhouse, Ann was beyond helpful. We loved our stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janet D.

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

Beautiful home

What a great experience staying at the schoolhouse! The space is exactly as pictured. The kitchen is well equipped with everything we needed. Ann was a pleasure to work with! She was very responsive to any question I had and even suggested an outing for us. We’ve stayed at plenty of VRBO’s, and this one is one of the very best. If you are considering staying here, don’t hesitate- book it!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kendra W.

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

Wedding Weekend Stay

The Hills School House is a BEAUTIFUL property and just what we were looking for with our wedding being at Tabor Hill. Ann was super accommodating and prompt answering any questions/concerns we had. My husband and I along with our families have already talked about booking again in the future!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth P.

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

Quiet and comfy

The old school house has a sense of history, but it is also cozy, functional and elegant all at once.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joe W., Louisville, ky

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

Amazing Property!

The host was awesome and the "school" was amazing! The setting, decor, cleanliness, location, did I say perfect! Would recommend and stay again and again! Complements to the owners and host! WE Loved IT!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Holly H.

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

Unique, spacious property with lots of charm

We had a wonderful stay at the schoolhouse. Spacious living area, well-appointed kitchen with everything you need & two comfortable bedrooms. Charming place with a unique history & memorabilia throughout. Great location near wineries. Communication with the host was excellent. Highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christina C.

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

Our favorite place

The schoolhouse is our absolute favorite place to escape to in the summer. It is immaculate and comfortable, equipped with everything our family needs. Working with Ann is always a treat, so accommodating and communicative. We look forward to coming year after year!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jacob W.

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

Beautiful place in a great location

One of the coolest places we've ever stayed. Recently renovated, the Hills School House has all the modern comforts while preserving the history . We enjoyed checking out the "lesson plan" with some before and after photos of the reno, info of the art, and recommendations around town. Walking distance from great wineries. Ann was very nice and easy to reach!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karleen C.

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

One of the best

Each year I usually stay in 2-3 vacation rentals and have had a wide variety of experiences. The Schoolhouse is one of the best out there. Amazingly restored—I can’t believe all the details considered. So comfortable (everything you need in the kitchen!), great beds/bedding, couches for reading and chatting, peaceful deck. Ann had waiting for us a bouquet of flowers from the yard, local cherries and beverages from a winery less than a mile away. Without hesitation I would come back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patti H.

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

Experience Hill School

A 1916 school turned into a very comfortable VRBO. Had a wonderful weekend with friends, great location. Visited wineries in the area. Reading the history of Hill School was very informative and interesting. Our host was great with any concerns or questions. Great experience and would love to return again!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brandon Z.

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

Great place to stay!

I stayed here with my wife and 2 boys. This was a great place to stay. The house was super clean which made my wife extremely happy. Everything is updated and nice. The attention to detail on all the amenities was top notch. They thought of every possible thing you might need. The old school pictures and knickknacks was my favorite part. You got to see the history of the building. We definitely plan on staying here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen S.

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

Fabulous!

Great mix of history with modern convenience. The property was spotless and comfortable. Quality linens and bedding. The kitchen was roomy for gathering and cooking, we found all the equipment we needed. So many areas of the house, inside and out, to enjoy. The history of the building was fun to see and learn about. Fabulous stay - highly recommended! Many thanks to Ann, our gracious host!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth C.

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

Excellent Escape

We thouroghly enjoyed our stay at the Hills School. It has been beautifully renovated, is comfortable and welcoming. The kitchen is the best equipped one we have seen in a rental! The linens were fresh and cozy. Even in the off-season, we found things to do in the area. The owner was very helpful when we needed to extend our stay, and accommodating all around. I highly recommend Hills School and hope we can make it back soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sergey S.

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

Beautiful house with history

Recently remodeled and very nicely decorated house. A lot of things are well thought to make staying comfortable. The house has a backup generator, so it will keep the tenants with electricity and heat even in the unfortunate event of power outage. There is a winery nearby and the property manager welcomed us with a bottle of wine (pretty good one) from that winery and a fresh produce. There are other wineries in the area, which is a plus. The house is just 15 min away from the beach and just 25 min away from St.Joseph with lots of cafe/restraunts, small shops and some entertainment for the kids. Even Chicago is not out of reach for a day trip. It was a very good week long vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robin T.

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

A Unique and Wonderful Stay

My husband and I fell in love with this beautifully renovated Schoolhouse. The stunning décor of this home made us feel like we were staying in a lovely boutique hotel with loads of historical charm. The house was so comfortable, clean, and extremely well equipped with everything we could possibly need. During our two-night stay we especially enjoyed walking the hiking trails at nearby Tabor Hills Winery. We also loved walking around nearby downtown Three Oaks, MI where we played the unique Welter’s Folly 18-hole putting green at Journeyman Distillery. We also had a delicious casual dinner at Round Barn Brewery and Public House in Baroda, MI. Our review would not be complete without acknowledging Ann, our host, for making our stay so wonderful. Ann is an exceptional host and communicator. Not only did she provide helpful information prior to and during our trip, but she also had a ‘Lesson Plan’ book. This book included the history of the extensive home renovation, including photos, along with very helpful information about local restaurants and activities.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Corey S.

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

Wonderful House with History

My wife and I booked this house to get away and explore the southwest Michigan wineries, distilleries, and relax. The house is huge, clean, updated, and overall wonderful. There is so much history of the school house and how it got to what it is today. We spent the first hour reading and checking out the information about the old school house, past owners, and the renovation that was done. The kitchen is great. We cooked breakfast each morning and also grilled out one night and sat by the campfire. Ann was awesome! She is very accommodating, gave recommendations about places to visit around, and responded immediately to all of our questions. If you are looking for a large place in southwest Michigan, that would accommodate 4 people easily, and is immaculate then you found it. Also, several wineries just minutes down the road. 5 star all the way.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth R.

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

What a dream!

What an amazing stay we had at the Hills School! So much history and good “juju” and special touches - we can’t wait to return. The house was immaculate with unbelievably comfortable beds and bedding. The kitchen was very well stocked and the care and attention Ann put into the renovation can be seen everywhere. It was perfection.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Douglas H.

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

School House stay.

Everything about School House experience was picture perfect!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Barbara G.

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

Wonderful location and host

The schoolhouse was amazing. All the little details, beautiful decor and gracious host made for a fantastic weekend!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

About the host

Hosted by Ann

Host profile image
I love providing a comfortable but luxe experience for my guests that reflects the amenities, quiet location, design aesthetic, comfort, and cleanliness that I look for when I travel at home and abroad. Communication is also a big part of that, and I strive to understand what each guest is looking for to provide the best possible stay - the first time, and every stay after that. What started as a design-oriented project quickly became a relationship-oriented part of my life thanks to all the wonderful people I have had the pleasure of meeting during these last few years, as my guests and in the community.

Why they chose this property

I fell in love with this century+ old rural schoolhouse when I first saw it in the late 90's. I imagined how I would redesign the interior to make a unique living space. I finally had the opportunity to purchase it in 2015, and by the end of 2020 I retired from my previous career and focused on welcoming guests into the newly renovated and repurposed space situated in a lovely agricultural and residential community within walking distance of wineries and a restaurant. I have been delighted at how the property speaks to so many guests in the education community, as well as lovers of architecture and preservation of old structures.

What makes this property unique

This is a large and stately brick building built in 1916 that was a K-8 school until 1956. The rental space includes the entire main floor which has been maintained as an open airy space that reflects the original layout of two large classrooms and a center cloakroom. I've incorporated many original details and pieces of history, but it was also designed to be a modern space that I would happily call my own. Now I offer it to you for a unique and memorable stay.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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