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Cozy Lakeside Cottage, North Shore, Upper Hamlin 40 ft from waters edge

Lakefront cottage with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Cozy Lakeside Cottage, North Shore, Upper Hamlin 40 ft from waters edge

Lake/dunes view.. 40 ft dock for your use. Removed mid september
Cottage deck, grill, lake
Relax by the lake
Cottage and deck
Cottage deck

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 258.1 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, Hamlin Lake
  • Place, Ludington Waterfront Park
  • Place, S.S. Badger: Lake Michigan Carferry
  • Airport, Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker)

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Cozy Lakeside Cottage, North Shore, Upper Hamlin 40 ft from waters edge

Come enjoy our like NEW cottage nestled in the Manistee National Forest on the north shore, sunny side, of upper Hamlin Lake. As you travel down the last 5 miles of the wooded gravel road, you won't see any houses, just an occasional deer, opossum, raccoon, porcupine or squirrel. Nature at its finest. The cottage was built in the 1940’s and has been totally renovated/updated inside and out. The furnishings, cabinets, appliances, linens, etc. are all like new and are still very neat, CLEAN, disinfectected after each visitor, and well maintained. You will enjoy a panoramic view of the entire upper lake and awesome sunsets over the dunes right from your deck or the shore. Fishing is great right off the 40 ft dock where you can also tie up your boat. Docks removed mid September. Boating, swimming, skiing, hiking, wine tasting, and other fun activities are waiting just for you! There is also a shared lakeside firepit. Lake Michigan is minutes away for an afternoon picnic or swim. Golfing at some of the state's finest courses is close by. Or, for those who like more physical activity, bring your bikes for riding on the miles of trails in the National Forest. Or, if you prefer, bring a good book to read while sipping on your favorite beverage in a lounge chair by the lake! If you are looking for 2 cottages in close proximity (200 feet apart), this cottage sleeps 2 adults and The Shadows on Hamlin Lake #1 sleeps 3 adults! (See VRBO listing #236973.) Great for friends and/or families who like to vacation together but sleep/stay in different quarters. It all awaits you at The Shadows on Hamlin Lake #2. We live on the property, adjacent to this cottage which is approximately 20 feet from the waters edge. Because it is so close to the lake, we provide you with a garden cart to take your belongs to the cottage, as you cannot drive to your back door. You may hear the water lapping on the break wall or on the attached boathouse wall. For some this may be a relaxing, soothing sound. For others……. Cottage is located 5.5 miles down a gravel road. Children 16 years and older welcome. NO ANIMALS/PETS. No contact checkin but available by cell 24/7. Keys on kitchen table, door unlocked for your arrival.
Keywords: cottage, lakeshore, lakeside

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Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Lake view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
16 minimum age required
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Events

No events allowed
Please inform us of any visitors
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Pets

No pets allowed
NO PETS
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights
Leave bed unmade. Key on kitchen table. Have a safe trip home.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
No Fish cleaning in house.

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
Note from host: Please inform us of any visitors
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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Free Soil

Located in Free Soil, this cottage is on the waterfront. Manistee National Golf Course and Hemlock Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Douglas Park and Amber Elk Ranch. West Michigan Fairgrounds and Sandcastles Children's Museum are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Free Soil, MI

What's nearby

  • Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Hamlin Lake - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Ludington Waterfront Park - 40 min drive - 47.1 km
  • S.S. Badger: Lake Michigan Carferry - 41 min drive - 47.5 km
  • Hamlin Lake beach - 45 min drive - 55.0 km

Getting around

  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Perch At Hobby Crest - ‬44 min drive
  • ‪Barnhart's Marina Resort - ‬43 min drive
  • ‪Ma and Pa's Gluten Free Cafe & Mini Golf - ‬20 min drive
  • ‪Boot - ‬36 min drive
  • ‪Pirate's Pub - Hamlin Lake - ‬43 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cozy Lakeside Cottage, North Shore, Upper Hamlin 40 ft from waters edge pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Cozy Lakeside Cottage, North Shore, Upper Hamlin 40 ft from waters edge?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cozy Lakeside Cottage, North Shore, Upper Hamlin 40 ft from waters edge?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Cozy Lakeside Cottage, North Shore, Upper Hamlin 40 ft from waters edge located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is steps from Huron-Manistee National Forest and 2.9 mi (4.7 km) from Lake Michigan. Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness and Hamlin Lake are also within 15 minutes.

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. 132 out of 138 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 138 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 138 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 138 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 138 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Truly stunning location on Hamlin lake and just a few minutes from Nordhouse Dunes. Cabin was comfortable, clean, and host was very attentive.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Yes, cozy little lakeside cottage! So relaxing with some exciting fishing. Hosts were wonderful…very helpful and always available.
Majestic eagle and eaglet below on branch.
Beautiful mornings!
Beautiful day’s ending!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jill and Joel B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay at this charming cottage! It was cute, clean, and felt very welcoming from the moment we arrived. The view of the lake was absolutely beautiful and made for a peaceful, relaxing getaway. We especially appreciated the quiet and the natural beauty that surrounded us — it was the perfect place to unwind. The location was ideal for outdoor activities, with great opportunities for biking, hiking the nearby Nordhouse Dunes, and kayaking from a convenient public boat launch. We would definitely love to come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Steve T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very good
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie S.

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

Great getaway

We had a wonderful stay! Perfect location for all sorts of exploring.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Cindy D.

Very clean cottages, friendly and helpful hosts. Quiet and secluded- perfect for us. Thank you!ver

Wonderful!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2017

10/10 Excellent

Marilyn S.

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

Incredible sunset

What an adorable little cabin! It was perfect for what we were after. It was so quiet and peaceful!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Tim D.

Very nice and clean

Loved our stay it was very relaxing. It’s a great place to stay if u want relaxation, and that is exactly what we did. Thank you
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2017

10/10 Excellent

Ronda K.

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

Heaven on Hamlin

Super clean! Very Cozy! Stunning view! Perfect weekend for my husband and I!! Fishing was great!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Anne M.

Impeccably clean property, gracious hosts, peaceful

I stepped out of the car and promptly said, "I'm never leaving." The property is beautiful and CLEAN, inside and out! We had absolutely everything we needed. Deb and Mark were friendly and gracious. We are already planning a return trip for next year!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Tammy S., Swartz Creek, MI

BEAUTIFUL, RELAXING and FUN!!!

We had a very relaxing time at The Shadows Cabin. Our children (ages 12 & 13) has a great time in the lake. While my husband and I enjoyed morning coffee overlooking the sunrise on the lake. The cabin was very nice and in excellent condition. Mark and Deb were very helpful and provided us with everything we could need. Thank you sharing your beautiful cabin and lake with us, we hope to come back again!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ann O., Haslett, MI

Weekend Getaway

I will start off by saying the cottage is very clean! The owners were very nice and very accommodating! You are about 20-25 minutes from downtown Manistee, which has good food and cute shops. You are about 20-25 minutes from downtown Ludington, which is one of our favorites for walking around, eating and shopping! This is a nice getaway place, that is not right in the middle of town. Very quiet and calm.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Diana R., Livonia, MI

Quality time

Deb & Mark, what wonderful folks!!! We have been coming to the Ludington area for 20+ years and this was one of the most wonderful experiences we have had in a long time. The cabin was perfect, clean, spacey, beautiful view of Lake Hamlin right from our balcony. Our grand daughters were able to experience thier first trip to Ludington and they loved the house and fishing off the dock. Oh speaking of the dock....we actually were able to catch fish and this hasn't happened at any of the other places we have stayed at. BONUS!!! I could go on forever with all the fun things, but I won't bore you. We didn't want to leave, but we know we will be back again. I will call soon to book our next trip. Thank you for sharing the beauty of your home. Keith and Diana

10/10 Excellent

Anthony L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a great adventure getting to cabin, but it was worth it. This was one of the nicest properties we've stayed at. Everything was perfect. The cabin was well stocked and very peaceful. We went into Ludington and Manistee during the days and sat at the waters edge at sunset. The birds kept us company and we were visited by an eagle.Deb and Mark were incredibly friendly and welcoming.Looking forward to our next stay
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Anna W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This place is like a piece of heaven on earth. So peaceful and relaxing!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julia G.

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

Perfect cottage

The cottage, location and experience were perfect. The cottage is just right for two. Clean (spotless) comfortable and so well appointed. Enjoyed fishing off the dock, building a fire and enjoying the beautiful sunsets. Cannot wait to come back.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Linda W.

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

The best place to stay.

Peaceful! So quiet.Beautiful little cabin.The surroundings beyond gorgeous with the lake and the colorful trees. We loved it!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nathan S.

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

Lovely Cottage

The cottage was very nice and cozy. There's enough room for you and your significant other, but don't expect to have anymore than 3-4 adults in total. Fantastic view for stars with very very minimal light pollution. Nicely secluded away from the general population, mostly private, and just all around a very nice cottage to stay at. Very nice fire pit, amazing view over the lake, and just a very relaxing place. We'll definitely be back in the future. One thing I would like to tell everybody, the GPS tries to take you through Federal Forest 5706 Rd, do NOT take it, go further west to West Pleasant Hill Rd. Deb will give you excellent instructions on how to get to the beautiful cottage.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tami B.

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

Serene and Beautiful

The property was remote and located on the lake. It was absolutely beautiful and calming. Especially enjoyed the wildlife, having met one of two foxes that inhabit this location. The owner's home was right behind the cottage. They were very friendly and available as we needed them.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

robert k.

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

Drs Rob/Bernadette

Beyond expectations cozy quiet charming delightful warm ambience w light house nautical theme, easy to relax on porch and dock lake view w tree line ray on your eyes. Wanted to stay longer but not this year
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shelly B.

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

Incredible place, every detail taken care of, couldn’t ask for anything better!

Owners were AMAZING, every detail thought of and taken care of. Cottage was adorable, well stocked and so clean!! We already booked for next year!!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

wally g.

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

A Happy Place

Personal hosts, quiet/peaceful, open water view, clean cabin, HVAC works, boat dock, want to come back
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karin M.

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

Little slice of Heaven

The property was breathtaking, the cabin was amazing, and the hosts were so thoughtful and helpful. We cant wait to come back next summer!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steven C.

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

Peaceful

It was wonderful would go back again
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Richard H.

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

Hamlin kake

Loved this cottage , updated ,great location perfect size definitely intend to come back
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

About the host

Hosted by Deb Hulst

Host profile image
My family came here for summer vacations from Chicago starting in the 1930's. When I was born, we moved here. We lived here year round until I was 12 years old then we moved to GR, MI. So it went back to being a cottage for weekends and vacations. I moved back with my husband and daughter in 2000. Decided in 2009 that it was time to share this beautiful spot with others.

Why they chose this property

My Grandparents chose this perfect location, out of the winter's cold winds, but basking in the summer breezes, set deep in the Manistee National Forest, very private, quiet and serene. So different from Chicago where they came from!

What makes this property unique

Ability to be part of nature, hummingbirds are fed on the property, pileated woodpeckers also dot the forest, the peace and quiet from the city hustle and bustle.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests