Entire home

Charming Lakefront Cottage

Photo gallery for Charming Lakefront Cottage

Exterior
Fairy lights glowing at dusk in the summer.
Walk into an open floor plan, with a large living room opening into the porch.
Living room flows into dining area, kitchen, bathroom, and master bedroom.
Knotty pine throughout the first floor adds incredible charm!

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8148.6 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Beach view
  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer

Explore the area

Map
Vandalia, MI
  • Donnell Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Paradise Lake
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Diamond Lake
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Elkhart, IN (EKI-Elkhart Municipal)
    ‪43 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Office 1

1 Single Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Charming Lakefront Cottage

Here at The Cottage, life was made to be lived outside. Across our vast property are several seating areas for coffee or cocktails - including a stone patio with built-in bonfire pit, outdoor dining and enclosed deck overlooking the yard and lake, and finally, an incredible patio/pergola with couches literally next to the water and beach. Hammocks, a hot tub, a gas grill, and yard games galore round out a perfect vacation spent in the Michigan fresh air.

Winter fun included: perfect hill for sledding, ice fishing on Donnell Lake, snowshoeing trails, bonfires, hot tubbing, and Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area only 15 minutes away.

BONUSES:
*A million stars, and even more birds (including the nest directly below the porch!)
*The opportunity to walk out your door to the lake (we recommend a cup of coffee or glass of wine on the pier)
*Fishing and campfires. Hiking trails 5 minutes away. Swimming. Floating. Grilling. Lounging lakeside. Hot tubbing. Friendly neighbors.
*A lake full of fish, turtles, frogs, swans, geese, and deer nearby

-- THE PROPERTY --

1,400 Sq Ft | Large Deck & Patio | Multiple Desk Workspaces | Perfect for Families

Bedroom 1: King Bed, Twin Bed, Crib | Bedroom 2: Queen Bed | 3 Seasons Porch / Office: Futon

OUTDOOR LIVING: Private dock with gorgeous Donnell Lake views, stone patio with fire pit, lakeside patio with pergola, outdoor dining area, gas grill, .5 acre yard, kids toys, kayaks

INDOOR LIVING: Smart TV, wood-burning fireplace, 6-person dining table + kids table, sliding glass doors, books, board games, kids toys

KITCHEN: Fully equipped, drip coffee maker, blender, toaster, spices, dishware/flatware, no dishwasher

GENERAL: High-speed internet, heat & window air conditioning, hair dryer, linens, towels

FAQ: Outdoor stairs required for access, firewood not provided, bathroom on 1st floor, washer/dryer/microwave in basement

PARKING: Driveway (3 vehicles)

-- THE LOCATION --

OPT OUTSIDE: Donnell Lake (on-site), Stevens Memorial Park (7.4 miles), Swiss Valley Ski Area (8.2 miles), Rolling Hills Shooting Preserve (8.6 miles), Fred Russ State Forest (11.7 miles), Spirit Springs Sanctuary (13.6 miles)

THINGS TO SEE & DO: Pioneer Log Cabin Museum (7.0 miles), Southwestern Michigan College (13.7 miles), Spruce Ridge Golf Club (14.3 miles), Elks Golf Course (15.0 miles), Dowagiac Area History Museum (15.0 miles), Heddon Museum (15.6 miles), Four Winds Casino (17.8 miles), University of Notre Dame (27.0 miles)

NEARBY TOWNS: Vandalia (1.4 miles), Cassopolis (6.5 miles), Dowagiac (15.1 miles), Three Rivers (16.2 miles), South Bend (28.1 miles), Shipshewana (33.4 miles), Benton Harbor (39.0 miles), Kalamazoo (42.1 miles)

AIRPORT: South Bend International Airport (31.8 miles)

-- POLICIES --
- No smoking
- Small dogs allowed at owner's discretion
- No events, parties, or large gatherings
- Must be at least 25 years old to book
- Additional fees and taxes may apply
- Photo ID may be required upon check-in
- NOTE: The property requires stairs and may be difficult for guests with limited mobility

Property manager

Ali Chard
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
1 crib included in 2nd floor bedroom
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 9 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
Pets will be approved on a case-by-case basis.
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
Long-term renters welcome
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Vandalia

Located in Vandalia, this cottage is in a rural area and on the beach. Park Shore Golf Course and Swiss Valley Ski Area are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Riley-Shurte Woods Nature Sanctuary and Elkhart Bog Nature Preserve. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Vandalia, MI

What's nearby

  • Donnell Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Paradise Lake - 5 min drive - 3.6 km
  • Diamond Lake - 11 min drive - 8.2 km
  • Stone Lake - 13 min drive - 12.0 km
  • Swiss Valley Ski Area - 19 min drive - 12.5 km

Getting around

  • Dowagiac Station - 26 min drive
  • South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Tastee Twirl - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Green Holding Tavern - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪George's Cafe - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪The Chalet - Swiss Valley - ‬20 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Charming Lakefront Cottage pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Charming Lakefront Cottage?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming Lakefront Cottage?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Charming Lakefront Cottage located?

Nestled on the beach, this Vandalia cottage is steps from Donnell Lake and 2.3 mi (3.6 km) from Paradise Lake. Diamond Lake and Curtis Lake 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. 9 out of 9 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 9 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 9 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 9 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 9 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lindsey G.

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

Loved our stay!

The cottage was perfect for our family. Clean, cozy and the views of the sunset are incredible! Would highly recommend, we will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carrie S.

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

Perfect Cabin!

We had an awesome stay at your cabin. We definitely would/will stay there again. Everything we needed...
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jim W.

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

Wonderful Donnell Lake

Wonderful property on Donnell Lake. Very nice cottage on a big lot with lots of sun & shade. Everything was as advertised. Nice deck at the house and lakeside as well.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alicia H.

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

Just as it was described

The house was clean and had all the essentials. It was small and had to watch my head going upstairs but otherwise a nice place to stay on the water
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Courtney F.

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

Absolutely perfect weekend

The cottage was so peaceful and in such a perfect location. I’ve never stayed at a rental home that was as perfectly stocked with literally everything you might need before. Right down to the bug spray, meat thermometer, and all the in betweens. Definitely recommend renting this home if you want to have stress free and fun vacation. Host is the sweetest too!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeanne S.

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

Awesome cottage experience!

Plenty of outdoor fun for adults and kids, spaces for privacy and quiet also. Donnell Lake is clean and not too busy. We swam and paddled kayaks. Good wifi also!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susanna E.

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

A charming, comfortable cottage

The cottage is charmingly vintage but still quite comfortable. The hosts include thoughtful touches like spices, toiletries, fishing rods, laundry soap, etc., that aren't necessary certainly but that make for a welcoming stay. Donnell Lake is a quite busy little lake and wasn't our favorite for our quiet little paddleboards and sailboat, but we were also there over Labor Day, so it's probably not always quiet so busy. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to recommend staying at the cottage, though. The seating and beds were comfy and the views were lovely.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Beth L.

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

The perfect staycation away from home!

We absolutely loved our stay here! The house was so cute and charming, super comfortable, clean, and had everything we needed for a nice long weekend away. We felt like we were staying in a friend's cottage vs a rental. We treated the house as such too, with respect! Communication from the owner was excellent as well and they made the process very easy. The covered porch at the waterfront was lovely, and we were so grateful to be able to use the kayaks so we didn't have to bring own. The house is nestled in a cove which made it the perfect spot for the kids to swim, kayak, and use our own paddleboards without worrying about boats going by. The mini beach was awesome and our pup was able to swim for the first time ever! The pier was perfect to fish from, with nice chairs to sit and enjoy morning coffee from. The firepit was amazing! Neighbors are really nice and welcoming too! We had an amazing weekend and will definitely be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Barbara G.

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

(Nearly) Everything We Needed

Beds were comfortable. Washer and dryer worked well. Gas grill is not fancy, but it works. We brought a Brita filter and found one to use at the cottage, but the tap water was surprisingly tasty. None of the pans have lids, oddly enough. Basement stairs are tricky - needs a railing - so we avoided using the microwave in the basement. We appreciated the hook to keep little ones out. We could have used a clothesline (maybe it was hiding) for the beach towels we brought. Good selection of vacation reading; I enjoyed The Rose Code! Our littles found toys to play with (I hope the cleaner found the little ambulance; we looked everywhere!) A restful week - and the 6 year old taught himself to kayak! (We brought our own life jackets.)
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by Ali Chard

Host profile image
Our family currently lives in Chicago and found The Cottage a year before the pandemic, as our reprieve from city-life. We ended up living there full-time for nearly 2 years, raising our son and dog on important life lessons like building a bonfire, learning to catch fish off a dock, and napping in an outdoor hammock. Now it has become a home-away-from home again and we're hoping to share the magic with you!

Why they chose this property

The Cottage is an incredibly special place for our family and we hope you enjoy it, too. We fell in love with the lake itself, the people who spend time there, and how cozy the property is. We've spent the last 4 years upgrading and updating The Cottage, putting a lot of love into it's 1940s bones. It's the perfect set up for summer living, with plenty of outdoor spaces for relaxation or entertaining. It's also incredibly cozy for the winter, complete with a plush couch and wood-burning fireplace.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests