Airport, Detroit, MI (DET-Coleman A. Young Municipal)
57 min drive
Rooms & beds
3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)
Bedroom 3
1 Double Sofa Bed
The Algoma
1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed
The Hollyhock
1 Queen Bed
The Laurentien
1 King Bed
2 bathrooms
2nd Floor Bathroom
Bidet · Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub
Main Floor Bathroom
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River
COVID-19 UPDATE:
We as owners of a tourism related business have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and have taken this threat seriously from the start. We have accommodated guests to alter their vacations plans and ensure that everyone who arrives at the St. Clair River House does so in safety and without worry. One of our mitigation strategies is obtaining from each prospective guest a brief health history and providing to them a recent health history of the house. We query whether anyone each party is COVID-19 positive, or showing any of the following symptoms: cough, fever, shortness of breath, recent loss of taste or smell, or unexplained confusion/ altered mental status/headaches?
The house's recent history (past 30 days) is one family of five, a couple with a dog, and a group of three friends/coworkers, all of whom had no positive tests or symptoms before or during their stay. The only other individuals inside were our housekeeper Kristyn and I. Neither of us have shown any symptoms or positive tests in our households, and always wear masks when inside. All commonly touched surfaces are cleaned with a food-grade disinfectant rated for coronaviruses. All linens are washed in hot water with a bleach solution.
THE SPACE
The St. Clair River House beckons you to spend an idyllic vacation on the banks of the St. Clair River. Our historic yet fully remodeled and updated home is the perfect blend of classic charm, perfect waterfront setting, and opulent luxury. We specialize in providing a custom vacation experience for family groups, couples, and other groups up to 10 people. Read our reviews and book with confidence, as the best summer dates usually fill a year in advance and our winter rates can't be beat!
We first fell in love with this respite on the river when moving to southeast Michigan for work back in 2009. The surprise of seeing Caribbean-blue water and curiosity of watching a thousand foot ship right in front of us was awe-inspiring. It became our dream to live on the banks of that beauty, and we were lucky enough to make the dream come true. There were so many little surprises that we still miss, like hearing the drone of ships' horns on a foggy night, catching a walleye right from the dock in the spring, or watching the Coast Guard break ice in the winter. We enjoyed this idyllic setting for several years until another job change pulled us closer to the city, but the St Clair River House remains a part of our hearts. We now want to share our love of this wonderful area with all of you.
The St. Clair River House was built as a cottage in 1925 as a Detroiter's vacation home. Much of the historical charm from that cottage remains, with a fieldstone wood-burning hearth still featured as the centerpiece of the open floor plan downstairs. The three small, cottage bedrooms upstairs all have at least partial river views, and even show some architectural detail in their original plaster work. As you'd expect from a 1920's-era cottage, there are some areas of imperfect fit and finish. However, modern comfort, convenience, and beauty do shine through in the newly remodeled kitchen and bathrooms. Multiple-head showers, beautiful stone tile, a Jacuzzi tub, and a heated floor upstairs will transport you from the cottage to a luxury spa. Neighbors are close on these riverfront lots, and we have some of the best on either side of the House. With that, we expect guests who respect the tranquility and beauty of this wonderful place. We hope you love it just as much as we do.
Andrew & Susie
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An e-signature on our guest agreement is required within 48 hours of booking via VRBO or the reservation is subject to cancellation.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 4500594
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 deadlock
About the area
Marine City
Located in Marine City, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Sunset Harbor and Middle Channel Golf & Country Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Algonac State Park and St. John's Marsh State Wildlife Area. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hunting and cycling nearby.
Freedom Hill Amphitheatre - 42 min drive - 69.0 km
Getting around
Sarnia, ON (YZR-Chris Hadfield) - 54 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 7 min drive
Foxfire Fixins - 2 min drive
Riviera Restaurant - 7 min drive
Chris' Roadside Stand - 7 min drive
Dairy Queen - 6 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River?
As of 16 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River on 16 August 2026 start from NZ$459, 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 Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 0.9 mi (1.4 km) from Algonac State Park and 3 mi (4.9 km) from Cottrellville Park. Lake Saint Clair and Scout Drive Tot Lot are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
There was plenty of room for all of us down in the family room, living room and kitchen area, 9. We played games. Had a good time. Got to watch the ice flow down the river., a storm came in and we didn’t know it until we seen the lightning on the river. It was pretty quiet in the house, the fireplace was a great addition.
This property is unique in many ways, old world charm with updated amenities.
It has a great open concept that utilizes the beautiful view as you watlk in the door
We enjoyed our stay very much! Lovely home on the river with a lot of little niceties. The owners were friendly and accommodating. Will be staying here again next year!!
A beautiful spot on the river to watch the freighters and relax. Plenty of space, comfy beds, modern bathrooms and good towels! Everything we needed for a lovely weekend with my family.
We really enjoyed staying here. Being on the river, watching the boats go by was very relaxing. The house and furnishings were a little older, but overall there were little details (technology, appliances), delicious coffee and homemade waffle mix that just made our stay delightful. We hope to go back in the summer when we can stay outside more. Highly recommend this VRBO.
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the St. Clair River House. The view is fantastic. Comfortable bedding and fully stocked kitchen. Andrew responded quickly. It was great to meet him. Highly recommend!!
Donna G.
Stayed 12 nights in Jun 2023
Verified
6/10 Okay
Elis M.
17 June 2024
Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication
Great location but needs some upgrades
This would have been the perfect weekend getaway had we not come across any ticks and other insects which were spotted on the 2 beds. Nice little place right on the St. Clair River but it needs some serious cleaning/disinfection for bugs and insects.
Wonderful view. Fun to watch the freighters and hear the water lapping at night. Info binder helpful.
One complaint...all of the chairs and couches were too deep!
Very clean and beautiful property. Everything you could want and then some. Andrew is great to deal with and helped any way he could. This house is ON the St. Clair river so the ship watching is spectacular. Not a good place to dock your boat because of the currents but launches very close. Highly recommended!!!!!
What a great few days, the beautiful sunrises from the sunroom (with a gift of great coffee) and the freighters!
We saw so many going through the river.
Andrew was very responsive to any questions we had, the house was perfect. I packed way too much, everything we needed was there for us!
Thank you Andrew and Susie for letting us enjoy a piece of your dream!
the cottage and the host were perfect. The neighbors wonderful. The scenery, couldn't be better. Wonderful fish dinners in Marine city. This is a place for relaxation, totally.
The ONLY thing we did not care for was all the old fabric couches - should be covered in washable covers - kinda creepy to us. But don't let that stop you- the cottage will not disappoint!
The St. Clair River House is perfectly described both for what it is like inside and for what you can see on the river. If there is river traffic you can’t miss it because it’s in your backyard and the computer tracking provided makes sure you don’t miss anything coming your way. Plenty of seating for relaxing, making/sharing a meal was easy and a TV with cable provided was simple to use which isn’t always the case. Andrew’s description of this delightful dog friendly home is accurate. He was a great host and we will definitely be back.
We stayed for an extended weekend with 3 families. The bedroom with the bunk beds worked great for my family of four and the other two families used the other bedrooms and brought pack n' plays for their littles. There was more than enough room throughout the house for everyone.
The deck on the back of the house was great to spend time and watch ships go by. Fishing off the dock was great, my kids caught so many fish (nothing keeper size but they enjoyed themselves).
We brought boats to explore the river and make it down to St. Clair Lake, there are two boat launches close to the house which made it easy to access the water.
The host was very responsive and great with communicating.
I would recommending staying here if you are visiting this area.
This beautiful home on the St. Clair River offers a peaceful, relaxing setting. The house is situated right on the water, with a spectacular views.
Inside, the home is spacious and open with large windows to continue enjoying the gorgeous scenery. The bedrooms are comfortable and tastefully decorated.
Outside, the large deck spans the entire back of the house overlooking the river. It's the ideal spot for grilling, dining al fresco, or simply sitting back and watching the boats sail by.
Overall, this is a one-of-a-kind property for enjoying the serenity and natural beauty of the St. Clair River. It would be ideal for a family vacation, weekend getaway, or full-time residence. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at this special home and highly recommend it to others looking for a peaceful retreat on the water.
Carlene A.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
About the host
Hosted by Andrew & Susie
While this profile only lists me, it would be more apt to list us. The St. Clair River House has grown as a labor of love undertaken by my wife Susie and I. As the listing states, we began our time in this area living in the House, and have kept it in our family to share it with you all. We both have full-time "real" jobs and do this in our spare time, and endeavor to make your stay at our former home as special as the time we have spent there. We have four small boys who regularly "help" us with work on the house, and there's a good chance if you need any in-person hosting that you may meet one of them!
Our life here in southeast Michigan is inextricably connected to the water, and this shines through on the experience we strive to bring to you. Whether its watching a freighter from a distance from the deck of the house, casting a line from the end of the dock, renting one of our available boats to get in the water, or going on a captained trip to be underway right next to a freighter, we're excited to help you craft your perfect vacation!
Language note: ¡Tengo muy poco espanol, y es muy mal!
Why they chose this property
We first fell in love with this respite on the river when moving to southeast Michigan for work back in 2009. The surprise of seeing Caribbean-blue water and curiosity of watching a thousand foot ship right in front of us was awe-inspiring. It became our dream to live on the banks of that beauty, and we were lucky enough to make the dream come true. There were so many little surprises that we still miss, like hearing the drone of ships' horns on a foggy night, catching a walleye right from the dock in the spring, or watching the Coast Guard break ice in the winter. We enjoyed this idyllic setting for several years until another job change pulled us closer to the city, but the St Clair River House remains a part of our hearts. We now want to share our love of this wonderful area with all of you.
What makes this property unique
There are few options for accommodations in this world that offer what the St. Clair River House does- an international shipping lane and crystal blue water mere feet from your picture windows. This is enjoyed from a house with recent updates and an open floor plan that easily accommodates 8 adults, all for slightly more per night than you would spend at local hotels.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests