With space for 6 guests, this vacation home features 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom. It includes 1 separate living room and a patio. The property is pet-friendly, making it suitable for families. Explore attractions like The Encore Theatre and Huron River during your stay.
Highlights
Made for relaxation
Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
Centrally-located
You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
Discover nearby landmarks
Near Huron River
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 6
Popular amenities
Onsite parking available
Dog-friendly
Kitchen
Washing machine
Air-conditioning
Barbecue
Explore the area
Dexter, MI
The Encore Theatre
Place, The Encore Theatre
3 min walk
Huron River
Place, Huron River
9 min walk
Dexter-Huron
Place, Dexter-Huron
11 min walk
Ann Arbor, MI (ARB-Ann Arbor Municipal)
Airport, Ann Arbor, MI (ARB-Ann Arbor Municipal)
16 min drive
Rooms & beds
1 bedroom (sleeps 6)
Bedroom 1
1 King Bed
Living Room 1
1 Queen Sofa Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Number of living rooms
Garden
About this property
Welcome to our charming 1850's cottage-style home - Frances House
This cozy retreat sleeps up to 6 guests. Situated within walking distance to local shops and restaurants, our home provides easy access to the vibrant community of Dexter. Step or ride onto the 35-mile Border-to-Border Trail or access kayaking/tubing on the Huron River. Just 9 miles away is the lively city of Ann Arbor, offering a wide array of cultural attractions, dining, and entertainment options.
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
default
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Laundry: When you’re checking out, please place all used pet throws, bedding, and dry towels on the bathroom floor near the washing machine.
Laundry: For wet dish towels and bath towels, kindly hang them on the hooks in the bathroom.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
It’s our goal to make your stay with us an exceptional one. Please message Jim with any questions, concerns, or ideas to help us achieve this.
Shoes: We kindly ask you to remove your shoes while inside the house to help keep everything clean and comfortable for everyone.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 4179941vb
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 and a first aid kit
About the area
Dexter
Dexter is home to this holiday home. Bel-Mark Lanes and Whispering Pines are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Ann Arbor Hands On Museum and Power Center for the Performing Arts. Travelling with kids? Consider University of Michigan Museum of Natural History and Leslie Science & Nature Center.
Ann Arbor, MI (ARB-Ann Arbor Municipal) - 17 min drive
Restaurants
Pilot Travel Center - 4 min drive
Starbucks - 8 min drive
Culver's - 8 min drive
McDonald's - 7 min drive
Arby's - 5 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Welcome to our charming 1850's cottage-style home - Frances House pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.
How much does it cost to stay at Welcome to our charming 1850's cottage-style home - Frances House?
As of 5 October 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Welcome to our charming 1850's cottage-style home - Frances House on 8 December 2026 start from NZ$870, 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 Welcome to our charming 1850's cottage-style home - Frances House?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Welcome to our charming 1850's cottage-style home - Frances House?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Welcome to our charming 1850's cottage-style home - Frances House?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Welcome to our charming 1850's cottage-style home - Frances House located?
This family-friendly Dexter holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of The Encore Theatre, Dexter-Huron and Huron River. Hudson Mills Metropark and Dexter Health Center are also within 1 mile (2 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Absolutely perfect in every sense. Jim has done a masterful job creating a great place- well equipped, comfortable, immaculate! The location is even fantastic as it is only a short walk to the beautiful little downtown of Dexter. Ann Arbor is a very easy and pleasant drive as well. Just wish we had a longer stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 2 October 2026
Here’s a polished, warm VRBO guest review:
Tony and Misti were excellent guests! They had great communication, took wonderful care of the house, and left everything looking amazing. We’re so glad our place—and downtown Dexter—were available for their anniversary celebration. It was also great to hear that the close proximity to Ann Arbor worked so well for them. We would be happy to host them again anytime and highly recommend them to other hosts!
A wonderfully comfortable home with all the amenities you could need. The attention to detail really stands out and makes the stay feel extra special. We will definitely return!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 30 March 2026
Thank you so much! We are so glad you liked the house. Hope to see you both again soon!
We were so pleased with our stay at this cozy cottage. The home is well-appointed; the hosts thought of everything to make our stay comfortable and the quality of the amenities were especially appreciated. The little details make a big difference!The location is terrific- we enjoyed walking into town for coffee and exploring the B2B trails. I hope to book the cottage in the future!
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 22 April 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your stay and felt comfortable in the cottage. It means a lot to us that you noticed the little details—we truly try to create a welcoming and well-appointed space for our guests.
We’re also glad you were able to take advantage of the location and explore the town and nearby trails—those are some of our favorite things too!
It would be our pleasure to host you again anytime. We look forward to welcoming you back for another cozy stay!
Wonderful, clean and comfortable home — perfect for two adults. Great location — easy walk to everything in Dexter and a 10 minute drive to Ann Arbor. Well equipped, everything we needed. No bathroom on same floor as bedroom. Dog friendly. Next visit to Dexter, we’d happily stay here again.
Why a wonderful space!! Located in beautiful downtown Dexter and only a few minutes to Ann Arbor. The home was well stocked with water, coffee, snacks, and all of the homey touches that made us feel comfortable on our stay. We will definitely be back!!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review
10/10 Excellent
Aydin
2 August 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
This was probably the mostly thoughtfully stocked house I've stayed in and we've stayed at a lot! Coffees, creamers, snacks, oil, little peanut butter, etc. So lovely. The house was perfect for us, just me and my husband and two dogs. We spent the week working from home and visiting with family. The kitchen was great, bedroom huge and comfortable and Dexter is adorable. Great time all around!
Our stay was 5 star in every aspect. James was an amazing host, so accommodating and communicated with us the whole stay. The home was well stocked with everything from toothpaste, to soap, to coffee, etc. The location was perfect as we were there for the Holiday Hustle half marathon. We were within walking distance to the start/finish line. We would definitely stay here again if we ever come back to Dexter!
James's home was the perfect little getaway for me, my husband, and our dog. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed being so close to downtown Dexter. There are pubs, shops, a bakery, and general stores within a 5-minute walk. James was an extremely thoughtful host and there were so many amenities to choose from. The home was clean, comfortable, and spacious. We would highly recommend James as a host and will definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 February 2025
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We truly enjoyed hosting Lisa and Greg—they were excellent guests. Great communication and they left the house in fantastic condition. We'd love to welcome them back anytime!
If you are looking for a great little house to stay during your visit to Dexter, Mi. Look no further, I booked this house for my daughter and my granddaughters. The location is around the corner from downtown and the Dairy Queen. The kids were here from Memphis, Tn. They were allowed to visit the DQ at night without their mom because of the safe location. The interior is very inviting and comfortable. The owner added 2 single beds to the loft to accommodate. The kitchen was fully stocked with cookware as well as a full-size washer and dryer which is located in a very large bathroom. You will be glad you stayed here.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 13 March 2026
Thank you for such a thoughtful review! We’re so glad your daughter and granddaughters enjoyed their stay and felt comfortable in the home. It’s great to hear the loft setup worked well for your group and that the kitchen and washer/dryer made things convenient during the visit.
One of our favorite things about the house is exactly what you mentioned—the location. Being so close to downtown Dexter makes it easy to enjoy a quick walk for ice cream at Dairy Queen or explore the local shops and restaurants. Guests also love that the home is just steps from the Border-to-Border Trail, which is perfect for a stroll, bike ride, or enjoying the outdoors.
And of course, the close proximity to Ann Arbor makes it easy to take in everything that area has to offer as well.
We truly appreciate you choosing our home for your family’s visit and hope we have the chance to host you again in the future!
Stayed at this quaint and cozy house for a girls weekend. LOVED it. Already planning on renting it again. The minute you step in the door it's inviting. Even smells good. Was the cleanest VRBO rental I have ever stayed at. Owner went above and beyond picking decor and amenities. Everything you could need or want. Many special touches. Down to the pretty flowers and landscaping. Beds are comfortable. Even the towels are plush. Liked sitting on the covered front porch or back deck for morning coffee. Short walking distance to downtown area. There is a central park area with live music Friday nights. Also good restaurants, pubs, bakery, unique shops and walking and bike trails along the Huron River. Don't hesitate to rent this special house.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 6 July 2026
Here's a more enthusiastic version:
Thank you so much, Lori, for your incredibly kind review! It was an absolute pleasure hosting you and your friends. We're thrilled to hear that our downtown Dexter location was the perfect home base for your visit and that you were able to enjoy everything our wonderful town has to offer—from the charming shops and outdoor adventures to the quick and easy trip to Ann Arbor.
Thank you as well for taking such great care of our home and for being such thoughtful, respectful guests. We truly appreciate it! Guests like you make hosting such a joy, and we would be absolutely delighted to welcome you back anytime. You're always welcome at our place—we hope to see you again soon!
About the host
Hosted by James Podojil
Hello,
We're excited to embark on our journey into vacation rentals and eager to learn everything we can along the way. As newcomers to this space, we're looking forward to discovering the best strategies for success and providing a memorable experience for our future guests.
Our home is nestled in the peaceful countryside of Dexter, Michigan, on a historic farmstead dating back to the 1870s. We share this beautiful space with our dogs, playful goats, miniature horses, and chickens. Surrounded by nature and the charm of rural life, it’s a place where history meets the tranquility of farm living.
Why they chose this property
Our home is just 7 miles from our charming downtown vacation property. While enjoying the local restaurants and shops, we came across this home for sale and decided to take a chance. Now, we're excited to embrace this new chapter and all the opportunities it brings.
What makes this property unique
We love this location because it allows us to enjoy everything downtown Dexter has to offer. With quick and easy access to the Border-to-Border Trail system and the Huron River just a stone's throw away, outdoor adventures are always within reach. Plus, you can’t beat the convenience of being so close to Ann Arbor.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests