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Reviews of Cottage on the beach

Cottage on the beach
Harbor Springs, MI

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 39 out of 49 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 49 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 49 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 49 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 49 reviews" "

8.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jamie P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Vacation with Family and Dogs!
Our first time to Michigan and just absolutely LOVED this trip and property! A beautiful view of the water from the living room! Walkout access to the beach and pet friendly! The small town of Harbor Springs was a joy to visit, so was a drive through the Tunnel of Trees. Highly recommend this property! Gene was a pleasure to work with! Will be visiting again next year!
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ronda B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful home and beach
We loved our stay at this cozy cottage. The private beach was the highlight of our stay especially with the lake view from the cottage. Buddy was super helpful and answered all of our questions regarding our stay. Our family is growing from 8 to 10 this upcoming year so unfortunately we will not fit for future vacations, otherwise we would definitely be returning. Thank you for a wonderful spot to spend our family vacation! -Ronda B
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Julie F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous location
Truly a beautiful spot on Lake Michigan. Our family loved being able to enjoy the beautiful expanse of the Lake from the living room, deck, and beach. There’s also everything you need to enjoy the property - beach chairs, grill, kayaks and we enjoyed the pool table in the lower level as well. Nice that this is a dog-friendly rental. We kept our dog leashed or contained on the deck (they even have baby gates) and she loved it. Met one of the neighbors and his lovable, friendly golden retriever, which was fun. The shore itself is a bit rocky, but we enjoyed swimming, I just recommend a floatie of some sort to keep your feet off the bottom of the lake. Make sure you watch your step - lots of steep stairs, especially the sandy rock steps down to the beach. The sled to lower your suitcases, etc down from the driveway to the property worked well. The bedrooms upstairs are tight. Two of the three beds up there don’t have box springs and are very soft. Upstairs bathroom is also tight, and most of our group just took turns using downstairs bathroom. Kitchen had everything we needed, and it was nice to have a big dining room table, which we splayed out with a 1,000 piece puzzle we bought at the bookstore in town (completed just in the nick of time the night before check-out). We had the kitchen/bar counter or deck to eat at. Overall, the location made this place. Beautiful wooded drive to the property, and unbelievable lake views everywhere.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

seth p.

First time in northern Michigan
Nice rustic cabin in just an absolutely beautiful and stunning location. Our family of 4 had a wonderful stay and time
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Devon C., Bloomfield Village, MI, United States

Liked: Cleanliness
Our favorite Harbor Springs cottage
My husband and I have been staying at Buddy’s cottage for several years, and we absolutely love it! It has become our favorite summer tradition. The views and beach are spectacular, and Buddy is a kind and helpful host. We can’t wait to return again very soon!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

jodi g.

Liked: Cleanliness
Outstanding!
Thank you for a fabulous week! The house was comfortable, the beach was beautiful, the neighbors were kind, and our dogs had a blast!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

James F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Place to Relax
We really enjoyed our stay, especially since we could take our pet pug with us on vacation! It's a beautiful place to relax and enjoy Lake Michigan. The drive to Petoskey from the house is a bit longer than expected, but that can be a good thing depending on what you're looking for. It's a very comfortable home with a great view of the lake!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family trip
The sunsets were spectacular. The cabin is awesome. We spent most of our time on the deck. The cabin met our every need. The weather was great all week. Enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Breathtaking view
Very beautiful property in a great location. Lots of stairs, but it is worth the climb. Owner is very responsive and quick to assist with any questions. If you are looking for a peaceful retreat with family or friends, this is the place for you. I love Upper Michigan so this house and location were both a dream for me. The owner was also kind enough to allow me to bump my week due to my husband having surgery. Very nice and very responsive. Would definitely stay here again. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

sharon w.

Liked: Cleanliness
Magical Thanksgiving!
We had an amazing Thanksgiving at Buddy’s beautiful lake home! Everything you need is there for a comfortable stay, some may like more luxurious furniture etc but the views are amazing! We had beautiful beach weather in November and were in awe of the beach and sunsets! Buddy is more than accommodating and seems to enjoy sharing his beautiful home. Can’t wait to return.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kelly F.

Great location !!
Great view!!! Easy access to beach and water. Wonderful hiking nearby and not too far from town.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

James V., Louisville, KY

Liked: Cleanliness
prettiest spot on Lake Michigan
I get one vacation a year, and have for 35 years spent it here at Seven Mile Point. This rental is an A-frame chalet (prob 1970). It's rather rustic, which is precisely perfect. I do love the Moose, but the best feature is the deck where I did all my meals. The usual conveniences (wifi, cable, grill, etc) The unique delights (cedar & spruce aroma, sound of waves). My only regret was the full moon which pretty much ruled out any milky way watching this week. "Buddy" is pretty chill. and he has this dog thing
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lesley S.

Amazing property and views!
We absolutely loved our stay at this property. The views are amazingly beautiful, with the beach right outside your door and the sound of the waves at all times! The house worked perfectly for our family of 5. And the location is perfect for exploring the areas nearby. The cleanliness of the house could be improved. It was certainly cleaned and sanitary; however, there seemed to be a decent amount of dust and cobwebs. Needless to say, we would definitely recommend this home and would certainly stay here again. Seriously loved those gorgeous views!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Richard H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Late Summer Fun
Our family of 6, (4 adults, 1 teen, 1 preteen) recently spent a week in August at this neat cabin. We had wonderful weather during our stay and it was great being just steps from the beach so we were down there every day. We were careful to watch out for all the different sized rocks and boulders in the lake when we took out the paddleboards we brought or the kayaks that were there for us to use as there were spots that were sandy and rocky. Many of the underwater boulders were slippery so we were glad we had our life jackets on. We highly recommend wearing them. We also spent a lot of time on the deck enjoying the views, listening to the waves, and watching the sunsets. It was exciting to see a bald eagle fly overhead! Being close to Harbor Springs we were able to visit the different restaurants, stores, and the farmer's market. We made it a point to try a different ice cream shop each night! We enjoyed our stay at the cabin and had a hard time leaving-a fun vacation was had by all! Thank you for sharing your cabin with us!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Katherine P.

Rustic cabin on perfect, secluded, private beach
The location of this property and beach access cannot be matched. We had 3 adults and 2 dogs, and this was a perfect, gorgeous and secluded vacation spot where we could all enjoy the beach with a lot of privacy. And the outdoor deck area was fantastic. The cabin itself was very rustic. The common areas were very nice (both first floor and basement) but the bedrooms and bathrooms were very small and probably too rustic for our taste. The upstairs area with two bedrooms and one bathroom was extremely cramped, and more of a loft-like area up a very steep staircase rather than a proper second floor. That being said, the location was everything and overall, we greatly enjoyed our stay and the area. Buddy was also very gracious and responsive when we had a plumbing issue on the first day.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Susan S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great beach
Loved the rustic feel of the cabin and the views could not be beat.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Roger S.

Terrific Harbor Springs cabin
What a great location. Right on the big lake, with great views of Little Traverse Bay. Terrific sunsets, wonderful deck overlooking a large beach. Located on the "tunnel of trees," about 10-15 minutes outside of Harbor Springs. Very comfortable cabin for our family of 4 + 1 dog. Comfortable beds, nice living room, adequate kitchen. Pool table in basement.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brett G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice cottage right on the water
Very cool neighborhood and location. Cute house that has wonderful views. House is located down a hill from the street with no real driveway or garage. This means there’s no place to charge an electric car from what I can tell. Just fyi. Host was helpful and accommodating.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dave C., Chicago, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect winter getaway from the city
Exactly what we were looking for. Nice winter getaway over Thanksgiving. Views cannot be beat, right on the water with beautiful sunsets. The house, as described before is rustic, but very comfortable and cozy. The steps down can be a little dicey in the winter, so be careful, but nothing to be worried about. The beach was 12/10 amazing -- even in the winter, beautiful, serene, and amazing views. Bald eagles, great sunsets, great stars. Only feedback would be to open up a little more of the cabinet space; a lot of it was occupied with things here and there, but of course we managed. Thanks for a great stay!
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

James V., Louisville, KY

Liked: Cleanliness
just what i needed
First off, this is my favorite place on the planet...been doing vacations here for 30 yrs. This chalet is a bit rustic....a bit 1970's: which is wonderful. Too much of this area has gone too upscale. The deck is perfect. The beach is sublime. One can walk all day and not see another human. Nice kitchen, cozy bedrooms. Love the Moose. Buddy was delightful to work with. I'll be back
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Brooke F., Bethesda, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Most spectacular location and views!
We had an amazing stay at this wonderful cottage on Lake Michigan! The location and views are absolutely incredible, and there is so much to do nearby. The semi-private beach is breathtaking and the water is crystal clear. We loved the deck and grill area and spent most of our time outdoors. We had near perfect weather and enjoyed every second. We can’t wait to return!
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Susan B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect location
What a gem.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Aug 2021
Thank you for the five star review! Please come see us again!

10/10 Excellent

Tami S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Time
The location of this house on Lake Michigan is wonderful. Enjoyed our time together with our family.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Rosemary G., N RIVERSIDE

Liked: Cleanliness
Hard to find...harder to leave!
THE PERFECT BEACH HOUSE! I read a review describing how you can hear the waves from the living room and I was sold when looking for a place for our family of 6 (plus 1 dog) to get away for a week after what was perhaps the longest year of everyone's lives. Robert D DID NOT LIE! We were there in middle of June and the weather was perfect. Even if it had not been, everyone would have been perfectly comfortable hanging around the house and just watching the lake from the living room. The view is truly amazing whether sitting on the deck having coffee in the morning or down on the beach with cocktails in the evening around the fire pit. Okay, maybe even cocktails right after coffee and into the evening, but it's vacation, don't judge me! :-) The group took advantage of the kayaks on a couple days. For those who need to worry about such things, no problems with the wifi. We had 2 people who had to handle a couple zoom meetings and no issues at all. Kitchen, while not large, worked just fine for the 6 of us. No one's fault but my own that I shop and cook like feeding small country! One thing that I didn't see mentioned was there are 2 flights of stairs from car and that could look a bit intimidating upon arrival and having to unload. There is a plastic skiff/tub you just fill and slide down the hill. Comes in very handy and once you are unpacked and look around at your surroundings, you quickly come to the conclusion that the little bit of effort is small price to pay. Everyone enjoyed being able to run from basement bar and pool table to the beach in just a few steps. We made a couple trips into Harbor Springs and some of the group went biking in Petosky and visited the winery and the state park. There is plenty to do in the area but once we got there, truly no one wanted to leave. It is secluded and private. With the changing water levels of Lake Michigan these days, was wondering how much beachfront there would be but not an issue. (Not like the owner has any control over it!) Beach is wonderful and neighbors all very nice. Buddy is a great guy and very easy to deal with. A tremendous time had by all and definitely want to return!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jeff T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lake home
Great views ... very comfortable home for us to hang and go skiing!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021

6/10 Okay

Timothy M.

World class view
View was spectacular. Cleanliness (dust) was subpar. They did allow for dogs and there were no issues regarding pet odors or related issues. I did bring my dogs. The kitchen is adequate. The pool table requires balancing to be functional. The fireplace filled the house w smoke despite a wide open flue. It was unusable. But...the view from the back, first and second stories was...World Class. Thanks
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Mar 2021
Thank you for your review.I’m sorry about your issue with the fireplace. If the wind is blowing very hard from the Southwest over the lake the fireplace will get a downdraft. This can be circumvented by opening a window to allow air to come in creating a positive up draft. Otherwise the fireplace works quite fine. Thank you for your comment and I will include this note to give to future renters.

10/10 Excellent

Devin W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great experience
Great experience!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Feb 2021
Thank you for your review! We look forward to seeing you again.

10/10 Excellent

Diana M., Birmingham, MI

Liked: Cleanliness
Unique cozy well maintained cottage on the sand!
The pictures do NOT do this place justice! This cozy lodge is nestled in the bluff right along Lake Michigan. Two short flights of steps down from the car and you are at the perfect little home on the shore. Another flight down to the edge of the sand, or walkout from the basement. The basement has a very well maintained pool table, bar, TV, comfy pull out sofa and is great for the kids or entertaining, The owner's decor and personal artifacts really add to the charm of the place and make is special. The home is thoughtfully updated in the kitchen and bathrooms, yet maintains is original charm with some funky 70s tiles here and there. The sauna, hot water, wifi and appliances work well. The main floor TV is new, filled with apps for TV shows and I'm a perfect location to not block the view. AND THE VIEW is the main show for sure! You feel like you are right on the shore! The house fit our family of 6 and two pups perfectly. The owner has the place stocked with your every need and is available as needed to answer questions. The home was VERY clean compared to many pet friendly rentals we have chosen. before and had everything we needed and more! It is a short 15 minute drive to town or to the slopes! We will be back for sure, it's my dream home!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Jan 2021
Thank you very much for your review! I hope you will consider us in the future

10/10 Excellent

Robert D., Ann Arbor

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Location
What a great location and home. Few places let you stay so close to the water that you can hear the waves while you sit in the living room. This along with the picturesque view made for a wonderful Fall stay. The host was very responsive and addressed any question we may have. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Oct 2020
Thank you so much for your review. I’m so happy that you enjoyed your stay at the cottage! I am looking forward to having you back again.

10/10 Excellent

Yvonne K., Madison Heights, Michigan

Liked: Cleanliness
My favorite cottage on the beach! 🥰
My family booked this cottage about 5 years ago and I have been dreaming about it ever since. We decided to book it again at the beginning of September. It was everything that I loved and remembered. Gene the owner was so incredibly accommodating and helpful with dates and information. Great communication and always a prompt reply. He's a really great guy to work with. The house is so cozy and the views are spectacular! The water levels on lake Michigan have risen since we last visited but there was still plenty of beachfront left to enjoy a fire and a beautiful sunset. The beach has 4 lounge chairs, 2 Adirondack chairs, a firepit along with 2- 2 man kayaks...what more do you need!? The giant cozy fireplace in the open living room was perfect on a rainy day. We had 2 days of rain and 2 days of beautiful sunshine. On the rainy days we made trips to Pondhill Farm which is close by and quite beautiful. They have a great gift shop! Spent some time in downtown Harbor Springs, made the mandatory stop at Tom's Mom's Cookies, oh those Oatmeal Butterscotch Cookies are the best! Made a stop at Symons General Store in Petoski for some cheese and snacks. The Truffled Gouda! Wow! Delicious! On the sunny days we stayed at the house, enjoyed the spacious deck and the beach. Put some steaks on the grill and enjoyed the sunsets. I love the lower level of the house, it's like having your very own pub with bar stools and a pool table. There is a cozy leather couch down there that pulls out into a sofa bed for extra sleeping space. Along with the three bedrooms and the couches in the living room, we counted that you could easily fit 10-12 people. Plenty of room for everyone. The wooden steam sauna in the main level bathroom is great for a chilly day. If you are brave you can run down to the beach afterwards and take the plunge into Lake Michigan! The kitchen was stocked with everything that we needed. I am a Chef so I always worry that there won't be the right kind of pots, pans, sharp knives etc. No worries here though, everything was covered. The outside of the house is one of best parts about this rental. You feel tucked into the woods at the same time being right on the beach, the best of both worlds. My absolute favorite part of this house is the moss covered roof. It is so enchanting! I would never change it! It's just so beautiful! I love that this house has so much rustic character. Can't wait to return! ❤
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Anuntaya K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect house for us and our dog! The deck is on top of the beach, Hanging while watching sunset.
This is our 2nd time staying in this property for the past 3 years. Will rent it again next time we come back.

10/10 Excellent

Lisa G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Good Hart Vacation
The property was great, we loved the outdoor space, and having direct access to the private beach. A couple of minor things, it seems like the cleaning crew missed some garbage that fell off the deck and also there were old food containers under a couple of the beds. I had to call the property manager to come remove some of the garbage from the bins, as they were full when we got to the property. Otherwise, we had a wonderful stay and would recommend this property to others!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Matt W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful spot on Lake Michigan
My family had a great week at this property. It is right on the lake. Bring water shoes for the first ten feet going into the water but beyond that it is all sand. There are 2 two man kayaks and life jackets. The pool table is in good shape for a rental property and all balls and cues were available. The grill is a Weber with lots of space. Views and lake sounds are amazing. The cottage itself has a good mix of new and old features. It has older cottage flaws that you can live with (windows have some issues closing, AC doesn’t really cool the house, but most days AC isn't needed due to the number of windows and lower temperatures) which make a beach/waterfront vacation more relaxing because you don’t worry about mucking up a pristine environment. It’s a place to be lived in and enjoyed. The owner was accessible and immediately helped us out with an issue. The sauna is wonderful; start the day with coffee then hit the sauna followed by the lake. Harbor Springs is pristine and the restaurants are great. There is a good butcher in Petoskey for steaks on the grill. Hopefully we can come back!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Angela C., Powell, OH

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming Harbor Springs Hideaway!
We were looking for a “COVID proof” vacation for our family of four & found this gem! There were 4 of us including our 2 boys, 11 & 14 & our small dog. It fit all of us comfortably. This was our first visit to Northern Michigan and we loved it! We drove into Harbor Springs in the middle of a tornado! Power was out and trees were down everywhere. Buddy and Mike were very helpful and accommodating as we navigated the cottage without power. The cleaners did a nice job cleaning between families. We felt “safe” & none of us have been sick so that was reassuring! The property itself is a little older than many of the rentals we looked at, but we were drawn to the charm. If you’re accustomed to staying in 5 star resorts with bleached white sheets and modern furnishings, this is not that. It’s an older well loved cottage with an amazing location right on Lake Michigan. This home is full of unique memorabilia and cozy little rooms. The 2 bathrooms were more than enough for our family, but the upstairs shower has limited space and was just a little small for our son who is 5’ 10”. (This is an a-frame!). Our boys loved having their own rooms upstairs and playing pool downstairs. The master is cozy & comfortable & the closet & dresser were more than enough storage for the week. We fell in love with the main floor & spent time enjoying the beautiful lake and sunsets. We had so much fun on the beach relaxing, searching for rocks, swimming with our pup (the water was ~70 degrees but we adjusted quickly) & going out in the kayaks. We found it a little tough to take our dog out for a quick potty break but really loved our walks with her along Lower Shore Drive. They were so quiet, calm and relaxing & we met some very nice neighbors & dogs along the way. Other reviews call out the number of steps. We were fine with them but this could be a difficult property to navigate with small children (not stroller friendly and I would worry about falls) or elderly who are uncomfortable with open steps or who struggle with steps. It’s about 27 steps down from where you park to where you enter the home. (Pack light!) Another set like that to get down to the beach. Again, if you’re in good health you’ll appreciate the workout & take in all of the beauty around you! We did find the winds too high for a bonfire but enjoyed movie nights and trips to Harbor Springs, Good Hart & Cross Village! Check outThree Pines Studio & Leggs Inn! We’ll be back! : )
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Aug 2020
I’m very happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay. And thank you for the wonderful review. There’s just one thing I would like clarify for future renters reading this review. There is an elevated deck that hangs out over the beach. From the deck it is about 10 steps to get down to the beach. However if you go out the back door from the basement you are only 5 steps then you’re right on the beach. Thank you again for your review. I look forward to having you back again!Regards Buddy The cabin is rustic. All wood no drywall It is true that I do not feel this cottage as well suited for very young children and elderly people due to the elevated deck and the two flights of steps down from the driveway

10/10 Excellent

Jodie S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect little getaway
Very cute cottage, right on the beach. A tad tight for 5 adults and 2 kids, but it worked. It would be perfect for 4-6 people! Bedrooms were small for 2 couples, 2 kids and an extra adult. Master bedroom was decent size and all beds & bedding were very soft. Basement walkout access to the beach and pool table in basement were fun and weather was perfect. Very convenient for having to pop in to the house to work/ answer emails. Wifi was strong. Buddy helped us out with questions upon our arrival. Neighbors were very sweet. Great beach to walk both ways and hunt rocks! Honestly, not a super large beach right out front, while we were there but the water levels were high....and it was enough beach for us to lounge on and play in the waves all day! And great fire pit for the night.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Feb 2021
Thank you for your review! We look forward to seeing you again

10/10 Excellent

John R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Thanks, Buddy!
Great beach house that we thoroughly enjoyed.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Corbin W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great spot on the water
Buddy was easy to work with. The property and location were great.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020

8/10 Good

Casey F., Houston, Texas

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful views and peaceful
We had a great time on our get away. It was warmer than usual this time of year, but the views and access to the cool water more than made up for it!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

paer M.

Liked: Cleanliness
First summer up north
Owner is a great guy who is easy to communicate with. The cottage is literally on the beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Dana E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Vacation Harbor Springs
The million dollar views made this rental awesome! The place was very well equipped and very welcoming. The quaint atmosphere made up for the many stairs. We had nothing but praise for the rental, and a wonderful time was had by all.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

8/10 Good

Lee S.

Harbor springs
Very pretty and comfortable. Third floor too small and bathroom almost unusable.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2018