If you're looking for a private, relaxing place to stay on Washington Island, just book this A-plus cottage and save yourself the time of looking any further. Honestly. We spent 3 months researching and planning our trip, and not only do we feel we made the perfect choice, we both agree it's the best place we've stayed in our 15 years together.
As you can see from the photos, it's literally right on the water. From the deck, Lake Michigan is about 10 yards away. If it gets windy, a serviceable wooden seawall protects the shorefront edge of the property from choppy waters. The pier is sturdy, well constructed, and large enough to dock multiple watercraft. If you plan on bringing a boat, there's a marina only a couple blocks to the southeast of the property where you can launch it. Additionally, the marina also hosts a terrific restaurant with food good enough to be considered fine dining.
The location is also fantastic. The ferry is only about a 10-minute drive from the cottage. Five minutes further than that is the "main drag", where you can shop for groceries, gas up, visit the farmer's market, hit a restaurant or bar, pick up some souvenirs, go mini-putting, play a round of golf, or go swimming at the rec center, among other things.
Getting back to the property... we LOVED the fire pit. It's nice and wide (about 6 ft. across), ringed with stone, and surrounded by several comfy chairs, a reclined bench and end table. On the east side of the outbuilding, there's a place to store your firewood, including a tarp to keep it dry if it rains.
Between the cottage and the fire pit, in the middle of the property, are two adjacent picnic tables, each featuring a large retractable umbrella that provides ample shading.
The owners/managers of the property are tremendously hospitable and go to great lengths to make sure you enjoy your stay. They communicated very thoroughly to describe the check-in process, current weather, etc.
Perhaps the most endearing feature of the cottage, for us, was the way we FELT while staying there. Walking up, an engraved wooden placard hanging on the home's exterior paid homage to the founders and previous caretakers of this secluded paradise. We wondered aloud what beautiful moments and magnificent memories those walls must hold. We felt transported back in time, witnesses to a bygone era.
Staying here was like stumbling on the best kept secret that you don't want to share with anyone else. :)