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Lake Michigan Waterfront Cottage on 7 acres--Labor Day Weekend Still Available

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185 feet of frontage, beach 2022.  Wider today as water continues to receed.
Galley kitchen behind farm table, main house entrance right of kitchen.
Main floor facing Lake MI. Farm table fits 12-14.  Facing southwest.
Interior
Main floor living/dining area.  Michigan stone fireplace, facing Lake Michigan

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6120.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Pentwater, MI
  • Charles Mears State Park
  • Pentwater Lake
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Silver Lake State Park
    ‪14 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1, Main floor, next to bathroom

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2, Main floor, next to bathroom

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3, ground floor, two windows, close to bathroom

1 Double Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

Lake Michigan Waterfront Cottage on 7 acres--Labor Day Weekend Still Available

The Pentwater dunes along Lake Michigan offer the most beautiful, pure hard-packed sandy beaches in the United States. White, silky sand welcomes you to 185 feet of private frontage with this cottage. Nightly, you will be lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves gently lapping against the shore. Start each morning with a stroll along private Lake Michigan frontage for 1.5 miles to the Pentwater Channel where you will see watercraft heading out for a morning sail or first catch of the day.

If you enjoy biking, you can enjoy a quick, easy 3.5 mile bike ride into town for a good cup of coffee and a scone at the local bakery. Or, for a longer tour, start at the Hart Montague Trail Head in Hart, MI (8-10 miles from the cottage by car), and bike 52 miles round trip, through agricultural fields (mainly fruit trees and asparagus) and past our local Country Dairy where you can stop for lunch. Country Dairy offers grass-fed beef hamburgers, sandwiches, and unlimited cups of fresh-made white or chocolate milk! Plus, homemade ice cream for dessert. The Hart-Montague bike trail is the first rails-to-trails conversion in the state of Michigan. It's flat and often tree-covered.

Regarding our cottage, there is nothing between our cottage and Lake Michigan except 160 stairs, through the woods and down to the beach. Completely private and secluded. You will not be able to see or hear neighbors. Our view is unlike other cottages (which are located farther down the dune, and thus much closer to the water), as we have a 180 degree view.

We offer 2 sea kayaks, a paddleboard and a very long canoe! They are stored at the beach. You can launch the kayaks either on Lake Michigan, paddle down to the channel, take out at the public dock in Pentwater to enjoy the city or visit the farmers' market at the village green. Another option is to take the canoe to the public launch at Pentwater Lake for a nice, leisurely paddle around Pentwater Lake. Lastly, you can transport the kayaks to either the Pentwater River launch or the Pere Marquette RIver Launch (you'll need to sign up for a permit for the day).

There is no phone or internet at the cottage. However, your mobile should easily get service. Both AT&T as well as Verizon cell service works. This is a place where you escape from technology to enjoy nature. However, the Pentwater Library (in town, about 3 miles away) has computers for public use, as well as wireless internet that can be accessed even when the library is closed.

Having enjoyed so many of our weekends at Lake Michigan, we spent 5 years trying to find the right place -- secluded, with acreage of wooded land. We wanted a place perched high on a dune to offer pristine views of Lake Michigan, and plenty of private frontage.

Please be aware that while there is nothing but sand dune (covered with trees) between our cottage and Lake Michigan, there are wooden steps (with a railing) that lead down from the cottage to the beach -- there are roughly 160 steps, with small seating areas along the way.

Come and enjoy your private get away!

Sincerely,
Janet Cocciarelli and Alan Fanta

Keywords: cottage, cabin, house, acreage, woods, dunes, beach, sand dunes, walking trails, private, beachfront, waterfront, secluded, wooded, trees, nature, natural, quiet, tranquil, sailing, kayaking, paddleboarding.

Property manager

Janet Cocciarelli
Premier Host

Languages

English, French

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Outdoor space
Parking available
Beach view

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Please be advised there are 150 steps to beach.
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Events

No events allowed
The property designated as critical dune.
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Pets

No pets allowed
No pets under any condition.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking in cottage or on beach

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
If you will please leave all garbage in brown plastic bins labeled Mark’s Waste at Ridge Road, that would be great. Please leave wet towels in laundry room.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Please know that no more than 6 people are allowed to stay at the premises and two daily visitors. No campers, RV’s or other overnight vehicles.
Due to the fact that we have neighbors (you cannot see them, noise does travel through the woods), we do not allow loud music or parties, camping, etc
For the safety of children, we ask that no children under the age of 12 be left unsupervised in the cottage, and never on beach. Be mindful of steps.

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: The property designated as critical dune.
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 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

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Pentwater

Located in Pentwater, this cottage is in a rural area and on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Silver Lake State Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Pentwater, MI

What's nearby

  • Pentwater Lake - 2 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Downtown Pentwater - 9 min drive - 3.6 km
  • Lemon Lake - 13 min drive - 9.3 km
  • Silver Lake State Park - 14 min drive - 15.4 km
  • Silver Lake Sand Dunes Area Chamber of Commerce - 16 min drive - 20.3 km

Getting around

  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 59 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Open Hearth Grille - ‬17 min drive
  • ‪Murphy's Tavern - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Hart Pizza - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪The Golden Eatery - ‬17 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Lake Michigan Waterfront Cottage on 7 acres pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Private Lake Michigan Waterfront Cottage on 7 acres?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Lake Michigan Waterfront Cottage on 7 acres?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Private Lake Michigan Waterfront Cottage on 7 acres located?

Nestled on the beach, this Pentwater cottage is within 3 mi (5 km) of Lake Michigan, Pentwater Lake and Cedar Point Park. Charlie's Marine and Snug Harbor Marina are also within 6 miles (10 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. 70 out of 71 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 71 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 71 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 71 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 71 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Julie G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The beach is private and absolutely beautiful. Our boys had a great time in the water and we were able to enjoy the fireworks right there on the private beach! The views from the cabin living room is something we looked forward to every evening. The cabin itself is clean and well stocked - we were able to enjoy BBQ and home cooked meals every day. The hosts are absolutely wonderful with great communication. This was our best VRBO experience so far!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mike and Ruth P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Communication with Janet (the owner) was timely and very useful. Property was clean and welcoming. The deck provides a great view of Lake Michigan and has plenty of seating and table for outdoor meals. The beach was fantastic and worth the 153 steps down/up. Long walks north and south on the beach every day except for the two stormy days (which we enjoyed as well). Great jumping off site for visits to Pentwater, Ludington, Hart, Manistee for day trips. Great selection of books to enjoy. Would highly recommend that you consider this property.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Corey L.

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

Michigan Getaway

This cabin was perfect for our relaxing week at Lake Michigan. So close to the town, and just a stairway path away from the shore. They had everything we needed, and we really enjoyed the outdoor views! The owner was super communicative, and getting there was so easy thanks to their directions. Highly recommend this property.
Stayed 6 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Juan Carlos B.

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

Amazing place

What a truly wonderful stay we had! The views and sunsets were absolutely magnificent, creating such a breathtaking backdrop for our time there. Our host was simply great, making us feel so welcome.The cottage itself is a gem – cozy, comfortable, and wonderfully secluded, it was the perfect setting for a relaxing getaway. Yet, we loved that there were still plenty of activities nearby to enjoy whenever we felt like exploring.We genuinely hope to return someday!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Summer S.

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

Exceeds Expectations

As soon as we walked in, all of us agreed this place exceeded our expectations and was better than the pictures. We thought it was a typical grandma Michigan lake house. What we got was an artistic California style jewel, filled with great views, art, architecture, and everything was well appointed. The kitchen had everything we needed, the sleeping arrangements were great, the outdoor seating sublime and the book collection was the chefs kiss. Janet was great at communicating, and we are so thankful she shared this beautiful home with us. We all agreed to come back year after year!Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jacob S.

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

Great cottage on the lake

Pentwater is a great town with plenty to do. Cottage is off the beaten path and great for a secluded getaway. Beautiful views of Lake Michigan with access to a great section of beach. Would love to stay here again in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joe S.

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

Relaxing Vacation

We enjoyed our stay at the house and walking along Lake Michigan. My family wants to come back again next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Timothy M.

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

Lovely cabin on a wooded dune above Lake Michigan

This is a very comfortable, cozy cabin perched on a steep wooded dune above Lake Michigan. The view from the cabin in beautiful, and there are safe and sturdy steps down to a broad and perfectly sandy beach. The setting is very private. Even in late November the cabin was cozy, a perfect post-Thanksgiving getaway for my wife and I.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joel R.

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

great place that is nice rest and relaxing

great place that is nice rest and relaxing. It is close enough to the action but far enough away from the dunes that you have seclusion.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Macey H.

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

Charming house with great beach

We really enjoyed our stay. The house was really cozy and clean. Wonderful memories were made!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Greg M.

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

Nice place to get away from it all.

This is very a secluded and extremely quiet place to stay. Loved the amazing view and easy access to a private beach on Lake Michigan. The Village of Pentwater is close by with many unique shops. Overall, a really great place to relax and spend time with friends and family.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

scott t.

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

Sweetly refreshing and stunningly beautiful.

The house was exactly as advertised. The private beach was stunning. Janet was incredible and serving us and yet giving us the space we wanted for our time. It was a marvelous experience. We would recommend it to anyone.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mike C.

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

Will come again!

Was looking for solitude and I found it with access to the big lake.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2020

10/10 Excellent

Fara C.

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

Lovely cottage

Very nice cottage. The stairs did get easier! Beautiful views.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christopher G.

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

Awesome Lake Retreat!

Restful, quiet time. Stunning lake view, world class beach. Property very well maintained. Located close to town. Will be back!🙂☀️🙏
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

James V.

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

Relaxing

My family and I had a wonderful time. Thanks again for sharing your home with us.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sean M.

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

Spectacular getaway

Hosts were incredibly considerate and accommodating. The place is clean, serene and comfortable, with stunning treetop lake views and plenty of room to relax down on secluded beach. A perfect escape.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Devan G.

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

Family Vacation in Pentwater!

We had a wonderful stay here! Me, my husband, and three kids (7, 5, & 1) spent the week at the end of June and we loved it!The private beach was beautiful and we loved having so much room to ourselves for our kids to explore and not have to fight crowds. It made it easier to watch our 1 year old who is ALL over the place. There was so much to do in Pentwater and the surrounding areas with kids! Our favorites were Mac Woods Dune Rides (Silver Lake), Up North Farmers Market (Pentwater), Waterfront Playground, and Sandcastles Children's Museum (Ludington). As well as exploring the shops and towns and beaches.Some things to be aware of:The trek up and down the stairs doable for my 7 & 5 year old, we did use a baby carrier to get our 1 year old up and down. Me and my husband are in decent shape and didn't have any issues, but I am 26 weeks pregnant and wouldn't have wanted to be any further along hiking up and down. It does help that you can leave your umbrellas, beach chairs, and toys down in the wooded area before the sand dune so you don't have carry them every time.There's no AC, normally isn't a problem until it's 95 outside. It got up to 86 in the house that day. Once it cooled down to normal temps the house was comfy at 70-75 inside. If it's going to be crazy hot, pack a fan! (if you need more than the 2 included)It's an old cabin in the woods. There going to be bugs. Didn't bother us at all but keep in mind!All in all a WONDERFUL stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

David G.

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

Privacy and spectacular sunsets!

We were looking for a getaway spot on the big lake and Janet's place delivered. The cottage was cozy, the kitchen well-stocked with the essentials, and the views from the deck were spectacular. We especially appreciated the privacy - there may have been neighbors' cottages nearby, but all we saw was the woods and the lake. Will definitely stay here again if we are in the neighborhood.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Shannon E.

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

Spectacular view

Such a nice private location with beautiful views of Lake Michigan from the deck. Pictures don’t do it justice! Amazing walkout to the beach! Janet was a pleasure to rent from.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heather A.

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

Lovely beach cottage

Our family had a really lovely week, the location and beach were perfect. The stairs to the beach are no joke (coming back up), but we didn’t care as it helped us get our workouts in for the week. Janet was great to work with and even checked in with us during the week. The cottage is just as described and very cozy! It had everything we needed.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

John D.

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

Amazing Secluded Cabin on the beach

We couldn’t have enjoyed our stay more. The cabin is amazing. Beautiful wood work and a stone fire place surrounded by views of the lake and a deck where we spent each evening listening to the water. The beach is quiet and we found ourselves alone in the water each day. The seclusion and quietness of the cabin cannot be overstated. We loved our time and plan to return.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Perfect family vacation

We had an absolutely wonderful week and could not have been happier with the entire experience. Not only is Pentwater a great area along the lake, but this property is perfectly located to many local attractions. Most importantly, this property provides privacy and a tranquil setting. We were able to relax while our boys explored. It was exactly what our family needed to escape the crazy day to day and reconnect. Thank you for Sharing such a wonderful home!

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie G.

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

Stay Here!

We had an absolutely wonderful time staying in Pentwater. The house is welcoming, lovely and rustic. There are also a number of books, if you like to read (I happened to find one by my favorite author!). We enjoyed the secluded location, large deck, and beach. We played in the incredibly clear water, built sandcastles and a bonfire. We even saw deer on the beach. Highly recommend staying here. Communication with Janet was excellent and she was very accommodating. Thank you Janet & Alan!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cheri H.

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

R&R

This place was amazing. The view was spectacular. The waves could be heard all the way at the cabin and were very soothing. We never saw another soul and that was exactly what we wanted. Kitchen was well appointed and we didn't need anything. Owners were just a text away if we had any questions. We will be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

About the host

Hosted by Janet Cocciarelli

Host profile image
We really enjoy being at the cottage with our children -- it's so secluded, safe, and they can run through the woods, down to the beach, play in the little tree fort. It's quiet and peaceful to sit on the deck and watch the various hawks, eagles and other birds that soar. Huge freightors, fishing boats, and sailing craft will pass by on a regular basis. The best part is that we can't see any neighbors!

Why they chose this property

We purchased in Pentwater because it is very convenient to a major airport (Grand Rapids), and it boasts the most beautiful white sand beaches in Michigan. There are also two major ferries that you can take from Muskegon and or Ludington to Wisconsin.

What makes this property unique

If you are looking for seclusion, privacy and peace, our cottage is the perfect answer. We start every morning with a run from our cottage, down our two-track through the woods to the main road, left on Ridge Road to the Pentwater channel, past the lighthouse and then back to our cottage along the beach. It's a wonderful 5 mile jog that includes woods, beach, water and dunes. While our children play in the woods, we sip our morning coffee on our deck with an 180 view of Lake Michigan, watching the water craft. You can spend the day playing in the water, enjoying the Hart-Montegue Bike Trail, picking fresh fruit in the nearby orchards, visitng lighthouses, hiking through Ludington State Park or shopping in Pentwater. Our public library is wonderful as well and there are moving theaters just 20 minutes north.

In the evening, you can play games outside around the cottage, enjoy a beach fire on our 185 feet of private frontage, or simply enjoy the stunning sunsets from the deck. From the beach, you can't see our little nest, tucked at the top of the dune in the trees.

Languages:

English, French

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests