SIX NIGHT MINIMUM. Newly built cottage on 2.5 acres with 300ft of private Hamlin Lake frontage. Remote feel with the comforts of home. Very charming and well appointed with a front porch that offers expansive lake views. Dock and 3 kayaks are provided for your use. Two bedrooms each with private bath upstairs and two bedrooms that share a bath in the daylight level downstairs. Two miles from Nordhouse Dune Wilderness Area featuring miles of unspoiled Lake Michigan Shoreline and hiking trails. The quaint town of Manistee is 20 minutes away. A wonderful opportunity for those searching for a peaceful, quiet waterfront location. Well suited for adults. No swimming available at cottage lakefront. Minimum 7 nights rental.
Property manager
Sharon Koop
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
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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
Free Soil
Located in Free Soil, this cottage is on a lake. Ramsdell Theater and Manistee County Historical Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Douglas Park and Amber Elk Ranch. West Michigan Fairgrounds and Sandcastles Children's Museum are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Free Soil, MI
What's nearby
Hamlin Lake - 7 min drive - 1.8 km
Stearns Park Beach - 34 min drive - 32.4 km
Ludington Waterfront Park - 36 min drive - 32.7 km
S.S. Badger: Lake Michigan Carferry - 36 min drive - 33.0 km
Hamlin Lake beach - 45 min drive - 38.1 km
Getting around
Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 33 min drive
Restaurants
Barnhart's Resort & Marina - 32 min drive
Boathouse Grill - 26 min drive
Ma and Pa's Gluten Free Cafe & Mini Golf - 15 min drive
Tammy's Tasty Treats - 24 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Hamlin Lake Hideaway pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at Hamlin Lake Hideaway?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Hamlin Lake Hideaway?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Hamlin Lake Hideaway located?
Situated on a lake, this cottage is within a 15-minute walk of Huron-Manistee National Forest and Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness. Hamlin Lake and Nordhouse Lake are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
We loved this cabin! Very peaceful, remote but still convenient to Ludington and Manistee. Right on the lake, beautiful sunrise watching in the evenings. We hope to stay again next year!
Such a magical place. Enchanting winding woods road and a serene view from the lakeside deck. Stunning sunsets and starry nights. Super quiet cottage from the inside, with comfortable furnishings and well stocked kitchen. Downtown Manistee and Ludington for dinners. Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness area and Lake Michigan @ Manistee area for some spectacular views of Lake Michigan. Morning fishing on Hamlin Lake with great success. A wonderful time was had by all!
We had a wonderful stay. The house is well appointed with everything you need. Beds are comfy and front porch is great for morning coffee. The doc was perfect for our 19 ft boat with bumpers built in to protect the boat when waves are rough. This end of the lake is remote with some weeds, but also a little more protected from wind. The boat launch is about 30 minute drive but only about a mile across from the house. We were able to leave the boat in all week. It's about 35 minutes to Ludington. Last 5 miles you are on dirt roads getting back to the house, but they are well maintained. We loved the privacy and would stay again. Sharon was very responsive with all my questions. Fantastic house!
We needed a place that was pet friendly and had at least 3 bedrooms with beds suitable for tall people. We also wanted to be very near or on Hamlin Lake. This place was perfect. It had all the items you would expect to find in your own home.
We loved our stay! The property was clean, well-equipped, and right on the lake.
We all had a wonderful time cruising the lake, hiking in the woods, kayaking, and hanging out by the campfire. We got to see some wonderful sunsets and Sharon was so attentive when we needed her.
The cottage itself boasts wonderful lake views, 2 porches, and a bevy of books and games. We didn’t need the AC on this trip, but it was nice knowing it was there. I really can’t complain about a thing.
Hamlin Lake Hideaway is PERFECT for anyone looking for peace, quiet and relaxation. Just a 10-15 minute drive from both Nordhouse Dunes (great hiking) and Lake Michigan Recreation area. Far enough away from Ludington area that you feel secluded (that's what we were looking for), yet also close enough (15-20 min drive) for a day trip or if you need something.
3 kayaks provided...2 solo and 1 tandem, a very nice touch as this portion of the lake is perfect for it. Plenty of outdoor seating for relaxing. Fire pit and Weber grill provided as well. Outstanding views of the lake, with nature all around you.
We will definitely be back!
The Hamlin Hideaway is a lovely home. It’s very peaceful . The porch was the best place to hang-out. Beautiful view onto the lake. Sharon was super easy to work with before & during our stay.
Lovely home with a great lake view!! The home was perfect for my husband & I, two teenaged boys, and our dog. Well stocked and very clean. All the furnishings were great too.
The dock in the water was great for the boat we rented for the week. The boys loved fishing, tubing and just going for boat rides.
The home is on the north end of Hamlin Lake where the water is calmer which was nice for the boating. It is situated nicely on the lot for sitting out on the back deck and watching the lake life.
The only complaints would be the long gravel road you have to take to get to the property and the lake view could be a lot better if they took out a couple of trees. Otherwise very impressed!! We had a great time and are already talking about when we can go back.
Beautiful home, great outdoor space, lovely dock, firepit, porch. Very nice touch to include kayaks. We had a great time and would absolutely rent again.
Sara D.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Mary B.
23 Aug 2015
thought it was perfect
we stayed a week here at the "hamlin lake hideaway", my husband and myself, his daughter and her husband, and two grandchildren, 10 + 13, and all of us absolutely loved it. the home is very well designed, and very nicely appointed. i was a bit concerned as to how much the "daylight level" would resemble a basement and it was a non-issue, it was a lovely. we also packed cleaning supplies and other misc being that towels are not provided, we were afraid it might be a "stripped down" rental - it was not. we rented a pontoon boat for the week from barnhardts and kept it at the dock. we saw deer and wild turkeys on the property, we enjoyed hiking through the nordhouse dunes wilderness area to lake michigan. we went into ludington for dinner (luciano's has great salads and pizza), and to the state park. not only was the property beautiful, sharon was also a breeze to work with. (the only spot for improvement would be to include laundry facilities).
Mary B.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Linda W., Ann Arbor
6 Sept 2012
Great Vacation House
This is a well-equipped, comfortable, beautiful new house tucked away off of dirt roads in the Manistee National Forest on the shore of Hamlin Lake. It is a short drive from the house through the woods to the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area (where you can hike through the woods to the beach, but check the trail map carefully before entering since there are very few trail markings) and to the Lake Michigan Recreation Area (where you can walk right on to the beach from the parking lot). The Lake Michigan beach there is gorgeous. It's easy to find long stretches without anyone on it.
We enjoyed kayaking (in the kayaks that come with the house) on Hamlin Lake and sitting on the lovely porch overlooking the lake. The only negative: We would have liked to swim in Hamlin Lake by the house but, at least when we were there, the large amount of vegetation in the water made swimming unappealing.
In short, though, this is a great house. The photos and description here capture it well. We'd recommend it to anyone looking for a lovely retreat in this part of Michigan.
Linda W.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
8/10 Good
Rita J., Williamston, Michigan
30 Aug 2012
Summer Vacation
We spent one week this summer at Hamlin Lake Hideaway. The house is new -- clean and comfortable as the pictures show. Remote location, very quiet and peaceful setting -- just what we were looking for. We rented a pontoon for the week and having the dock in front of the house made it very convenient. Nordhouse Dunes is close by and is one of the most beautiful, sandy beaches in Michigan - a well-kept secret.
Our only negatives were poor cell service (Verizon); no air-conditioning; and the road traveling into the property (Nurnberg) was challenging. Overall we had a very nice stay and would recommend this property to folks looking for a relaxing get-away.
Rita J.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
30 Aug 2012
A quiet, peaceful hideaway
We rented this cottage for a lovely week in late July, early August 2012 for a family vacation. It is brand new, well equipped, and we found it very comfortable for 5 adults. Its best features are its' location - only a few hours from Grand Rapids but a world away in terms of seclusion on the quietest part of Hamlin lake just north of Luddington - and its' light and airy design.
We spent the days hiking and biking at Luddington State Park (an amazing place) and in Nordhouse Dunes wilderness area just a few miles down the road. Sleeping Bear Dunes national lake shore and Manistee provided additional diversion. We spent early mornings and evenings on the front porch overlooking the lake (swans, ducks, and the occasional water skier), boated across the lake to a great restaurant for supper, and kayaked deep into the mouth of the Big Sable river. In the evenings we lingered over supper to talk, then, when it got dark, gathered round a video screen to watch back episodes of Donton Abbey.
Some may find the absence of cable and high speed internet a disadvantage. We found it good to be away from it for a week. There is no air conditioning (there is heat) but the house is well situated and designed for fresh air flow and plenty of light.
In short, this is a place to relax, slow down, enjoy nature, and pay attention to the folks you are with.