Cabin

Comfort in Natural Surroundings

Photo gallery for Comfort in Natural Surroundings

Front view of Cabin on private lake
Front of Cabin From Dock
Private deck on Lake Michigan's sandy shoreline
Sunset on Lake Michigan Over Calm Water
Cabin Dock & Lake Michigan to West

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6111 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi
  • Lake view

Explore the area

View map
Manistee, MI
  • Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Orchard Beach State Park
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Little River Casino
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker)
    ‪10 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Living Room 1

1 Queen Futon

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Sleeping Loft

2 Double Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

Comfort in Natural Surroundings

Pets are welcome!

This privately situated cabin on a spacious estate and wildlife sanctuary, offers one of the best vacation locations available in Michigan if you are looking for a more rustic setting. Dine while looking out a large picture window, over a beautiful section of an inland lake only 25 feet from the front door, and just behind that a view of Lake Michigan.

This spacious, fully furnished, beautiful knotty pine cabin with cathedral ceiling and loft, is decorated with antiques from the logging industry and a historic sawmill, that operated on this site up to 30 years ago.

A dock with kayaks & canoe are located out the front door for your use to explore or fish our inland lake. Great bass and pike fishing available, or enjoy salmon fishing in Lake Michigan by charter. A deck and private beach on the Lake Michigan shoreline are yours to enjoy.


Walk, cycle or run along scenic Lakeshore Rd. bike path that winds along Lake Michigan, or visit the Audubon Society Center and Nature Trails, both within a couple minutes walk. White Tail Deer frequently move around on the property in the early morning and the evening hours. A bird watcher's paradise!

The Cabin is located only 5 minutes north of downtown Manistee, allowing for easy access to shopping and activities sponsored by our Victorian City. If you feel lucky, try the 'Little River Casino' just north of Manistee on US 31 & M 22.

One lower bedroom and an upper loft sleeps 6, with room for 2 more on a queen-size sofa/sleeper. Just bring personal belongings, beach towels & food, as everything else is provided; linens, bath towels, front deck, & back patio w/table & chairs, picnic table, gas grill, microwave, gas fireplace, cable TV/VCR and stereo.

It is a terrific place for kids to occupy themselves, explore by boat or canoe and learn about our natural environment. Our private lake is nearly a mile long and offers much to see in waterfowl and other wildlife. While those who would take a more casual approach can be reading and sunbathing on our spacious Lake Michigan beach. There is easy access to our Lake Michigan beach, as we are on low bank relative to the lake. The beach is spacious with a lot of privacy to the south along the Audubon property. Although the lake bottom topography changes continually, quite often you can find sandy bottom to swim fairly close to our lake access and deck.

The yard is very spacious. There is plenty of room to park your travel trailer, RV, boats or other.

We welcome well-behaved pets. I have a Gordon setter named Duncan that roams the property that is very friendly with other dogs and people. He seldom spends time at the cabin, just to come down and greet you. I've never had a complaint about him. As a matter of fact I hear only good things about him.

We are Pet Friendly

Property manager

Charlie Ganss

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Parking available
Lake view
Barbecue

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Parties and events are allowed on site
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 and a first aid kit

About the area

Manistee

Manistee is home to this cabin. Manistee County Historical Museum and Ramsdell Theater are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include WaterWorks Museum and Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including wildlife walks.
Map
Manistee, MI

What's nearby

  • Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Orchard Beach State Park - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Manistee Lake - 4 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse - 8 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Little River Casino - 10 min drive - 8.3 km

Getting around

  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 8 min drive

Restaurants

  • Culver's
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪China Buffet - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Jailhouse Bar - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪A&W Restaurant - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Comfort in Natural Surroundings pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Comfort in Natural Surroundings?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Comfort in Natural Surroundings?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Comfort in Natural Surroundings located?

This family-friendly Manistee cabin is within 1 mi (2 km) of Lake Bluff Bird Sanctuary and Lake Michigan. Orchard Beach State Park and S.S. City of Milwaukee are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 28 out of 33 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 33 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 33 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 33 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 33 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

8/10 Good

Stephanie C.

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

Cozy stay

The beach was wonderful and everyone we encountered was really friendly. Caught some fish for dinner in the lake.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daphne D.

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

Location, Location, Location!

Beach, Lake, Pond, Hiking trails all steps away. The cabin has all that you need for a peaceful stay. Many lovely local restaurants in town.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Devin H.

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

Family Get Away!

Great cabin and location! We loved it!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Douglas W.

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

Old mill cabin weekend

Great experience, great facility
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ben S.

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

Perfect

Perfect august michigan stay. Great location, wish it was a longer trip.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen H.

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

Great cottage

We loved the Old Mill Cabin cottage. Lots to do in the area.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lisa W.

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

Cozy rustic cabin in a convenient location.

Our host was very friendly at check in and check out. We fell in love with Duncan, the owner's dog who visited us nightly. This property is a birder's paradise.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kim B.

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

Cabin

Very cozy! Next to lake!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nathaniel M., Detroit, Michigan

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

Hidden Gem

A wonderful rustic cabin just steps away from Lake Michigan.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah W.

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

Sweet Manistee Getaway

We loved staying at this cabin near Manistee; we had great access to hiking and it was a beautiful part of MI to explore. The host was very nice and accommodating -- he thought of everything! Thank you for a fantastic weekend!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alexandra S.

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

Relaxing time

Charlie was a very kind and wonderful host. The cabin itself offers a great package for a relaxing vacation. This place has a great view of the lake for observing wildlife and canoeing. The cabin has a beautiful site on Lake Michigan. All together, we had an amazing time.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Haley R.

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

Amazing hidden gem!

First, Charlie is a great host, and we really enjoyed Duncan's visits! The cabin is perfect and theres so much to do with in walking distance. My kids loved the kayaks and canoe and loved that the beach was a 2 minute walk away! Absolutely breathtaking views, tons of wildlife, and a cozy and comfy cabin! Definitely saving this for future trips!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lena S.

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

Weekend getaway

Charlie is an awesome host, Duncan was a wonderful surprise! Nice little spot for a get away, great sunsets! Thank you for the great memories 😊
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Katy T.

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

Family vacation

We had a great family vacation at the cabin. Plenty of room for two adults, two children and two dogs. Location is fantastic. Close to downtown, private beach, walking distance to larger public beach. The lilly pads and weeds made canoeing out onto Bar Lake a challenge but a fun adventure! Plenty of wood for fires. Cabin is very well kept. Hot water shower outside was such a convenience after coming back from Lake Michigan. Highly recommend. Would return!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Larry H.

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

Relax as Listed

What a wonderful out of the way & beautiful cabin on a peaceful lake and so close to Lake Michigan. The inside of the cabin was nicely decorated & very comfortable. The gas heater warmed up the cool lake nights, the firewood was plentiful, and the propane grill worked right away. The "boat house" had everything you'd need to enjoy the lake while the cabin itself had so many extras in case we forgot anything! The property manager was there to meet us when we arrived anð was so thorough with his instructions we never had to contact him until we left. The location was perfect, near Orchard Beach SP, across the road from a beach and Lake Bluff Farm, (a real jewel), and near charter fishing & downtown shopping & restaurants. What a relaxing and eventful vacation at such a cute, clean cabin!!!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robert L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful week at the Old Mill Cabin. The cabin is rustic, cozy and very comfortable with a back deck overlooking a lilly pad bay on Bar Lake. There are many types of birds and critters to watch on the pond and around the large yard and wooded area. The cabin sits back off the road.Lake Michigan is very short walk down a path and across the street. Beautiful beach!!Downtown Manitee is only a few minutes away as is the Arthur St boat launch. We did very well fishing and had a great fish dinner on our last night. Charlie, the owner, was a pleasure to meet and a great host.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daphne D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Deborah O.

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

Great location

Wonderful
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark N.

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

Serenity

Perfect getaway cabin & will definitely be back! Access to walk Lake Michigan beach with our dog was awesome. Charlie & his dog Dunkin were best host ever had. Thanks for having us!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

ELIZABETH F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location

Beautiful Location and property

Property is in an ideal location, beautiful wooded lot, minutes from Lake Michigan and downtown Manistee. There is also access to a lake right outside the cabin. Cabin was clean and well maintained. My only complaint is that we did not know that a free roaming dog that lives on the property and visits the cabin. The dog is very cute and friendly, but it’s something we didn’t know before we arrived. If you have pets or people in your party that are not comfortable with that, this is not the place for you. We were also asked to pay more money outside the VRBO app after we arrived because we had more than one dog with us even though we disclosed this prior to booking and we’re not asked any follow up questions.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary Lou M., Shepherd, MI

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

A welcomed weekend in Pure Michigan

Comfortable, cozy, private and near to so much. Would recommend this home to couples and families looking for a quiet getaway close to Lake Michigan.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brian P.

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

Great Place

Really cool place with a good location close to Lake Michigan beaches and downtown Manistee. Owner allowed our small dogs and a short minimum stay, which was great. My kids enjoyed it and so did we.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Lisa P.

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

Lakebluff Audubon Sancutary a short walk down the street.

The cabin sits a couple of acres, so there is lots of elbow room. There is a bricked fire pit, room enough for a volleyball net, and several boats (a canoe, an ausable boat, and a kayak). It is unfortunate that M22 is on the opposite side of the pond, but a walk into Audubon's Sanctuary cures and there is private Lake Michigan access just across M22 with a small deck and bench perfect for watching sunsets. The public access still has a sandy beach in this year of historically high lake water. Inside, there is a bedroom with a double bed and a center full height loft with 2 double beds. The dining and livingroom are fully open to one another and is quite roomy, with enough seating for a gathering. The cabin is very clean and the linens and upholstery is crisp. With in the installation of an attic fan and gas stove (fireplace) the cabin is likely very comfortable for 3 seasons....and maybe 4.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Sarah V.

Perfect Getaway Place

We were looking for a place to stay that was close enough to town to be convenient but that still had some privacy, and that allows pets. We found this cabin to be just what we were looking for! We hope to visit Manistee again, and would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ross M.

Perfect Labor Day Weekend Getaway

Couldn't have asked for a better stay at the Old Mill Cabin! We will definitely be returning in the future if all goes to plan. I booked this trip last minute for labor day weekend and I now feel so it wasn't spoken for. My girlfriend and our Golden Retriever Sadie enjoyed everything about this place; the privacy, the cabin, Bar Lake, the proximity to Lake Michigan and Downtown Manistee. We also really liked the nice walking path to the private deck on Lake Michigan. The beach was very private and was the perfect combination of sandy and rocky. We pretty much covered it all on this trip. Swimming in lake Michigan with Sadie, fishing on bar lake, cocktails on the private deck for sunsets, late night S'mores on the campfire, gazed at the Milky Way from the dock and even found a few Petoskey's! We had to pretty much drag Sadie out of the Lake when we left. She had the run of the land the entire trip and loved playing with Charlie's dog Duncan. The cabin was very clean and comfortable. The few things that we forgot were already in the kitchen when we arrived. The A/C unit in the main bedroom was nice the last night (hot and humid). It was very nice to have the whole cabin to ourselves, but plenty more people could stay here comfortably if needed. Charlie could not have been more accommodating and it was a great pleasure meeting and chatting with him. He made sure we were comfortable and had everything needed (and then some). I hope sometime soon I can own such a beautiful piece of property in Northern Michigan. If you're looking for a quiet rustic getaway, with just the right amount of modern amenities and a short walk to the beach, this is the perfect place.

About the host

Hosted by Charlie Ganss

Host profile image
Retired businessman & sportsman, I spent my formative childhood through high school years in the immediate area participating in a multitude of outdoor activities. Attended college downstate as well as running a business for 30 years. I made plenty of trips up from metro Detroit to see family and friends, and share in outdoor activities. I actually worked through high school here at the old saw mill on the property as the assistant to the owner that was also a high school teacher here at Manistee High. I live in a residence on the property, adjacent to but out of sight from the rental cabin. I am around if you need, but other wise leave you to your privacy. I suffered an accident shortly after purchasing this property and wound up wheelchair bound. In spite of that I get around pretty well here to maintain things.

Why they chose this property

As I explained above, this is my home town. I had the opportunity to purchase this property, and was thrilled to have the opportunity. As the saw mill operator's hand here, I had the run of the property, great memories mainly on Bar Lake as kids. The property is uniquely situated as you will find out, with a year-around home and a seasonal guest cabin located on a parcel with a large section of wetlands, and adjacent to the Lake Bluff Michigan Audubon Society. I have rented the cabin on the property since purchasing it, so I have things pretty well worked out after 15 years.

What makes this property unique

The fact that is located on a spacious piece of property, a small inland lake, next to a marsh, and Lake Michigan access. Lots of wildlife.

Languages:

English