Save

Entire home

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

9.8

Exceptional

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

Beach view

Barbecue grill

Outdoor space

Check-in time

4:00 PM

Check-out time

10:00 AM

Explore the area

Shelby, MI

Stony Lake3 min drive
Silver Lake State Park13 min drive
Craig's Cruisers Family Fun Center15 min drive
Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker)78 min drive

Most relevant reviews

10/10 Excellent

Enjoyed our stay. Cottage is rustic. Only one thing I would say is deck could be updated

Brenda G.

Aug 13, 2023

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

4 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio

Dining Area

About this property

Unwind at a quaint beach cottage like Grandma used to have

Located on Lake Michigan just north of Stony Lake and 15 minutes from the Silver Lake Sand Dunes, this old-school cottage with spectacular views over the Lake is tucked away between mature trees in the dunes. A perfect family vacation spot awaits you ... enjoy your own 100+-ft of Lake Michigan frontage, relax on the deck as you watch spectacular sunsets over Lake Michigan, reconnect with loved ones, and enjoy the sound of the waves as you drift off to sleep.

About 50 stairs below, you have a huge, private, beautiful, white sandy beach. No rocks to impede your enjoyment of Lake Michigan.

Excellent fiber optic internet was installed in 2023. Turn on wifi calling on your cell phone and you have cell service, too. There is no TV set but you can stream on your own devices.

If you need polished granite countertops and high-end furnishings, this is not the place for you. If you are looking for a reasonably-priced, simple but squeaky clean quaint cottage on the big lake in a gorgeous setting, here we are!

Downstairs is a queen bedroom and one bath with a tub/shower combination. Upstairs are two rustic bedrooms separated by a curtain ... not much privacy. Two sets of bunk beds are in one room, and a king bed is in the room overlooking the lake. A fabulous lake breeze blows through the rooms.

Five golf courses, horseback riding, the Hart-Montague bike trail, dune buggies and scooter rentals, water sports rentals, mini-golf, bumper cars and boats, grocery stores and casual restaurants are all within about 15 minutes. Pentwater to the north and Whitehall to the south (each about 20 minutes away) offer nicer shopping and dining options.

Property manager

Laura McMurry

Languages

English

Amenities

Outdoor space

Beach view

Barbecue grill

To the beach. There is much less of it in 2020, unfortunately.

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 30

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

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

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Shelby

Located in Shelby, this cottage is on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Silver Lake State Park. Travelling with kids? Consider Lewis Farm Market & Petting Farm and Craig's Cruisers Family Fun Center. Jet skiing and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and horse riding nearby.

Shelby, MI

What's nearby

Stony Lake - 3 min drive
Silver Lake State Park - 13 min drive
Craig's Cruisers Family Fun Center - 15 min drive
Little Sable Point Lighthouse - 17 min drive
Silver Lake Sand Dunes Area Chamber of Commerce - 23 min drive

Getting around

Muskegon, MI (MKG-Muskegon County) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

‪Stony Lake Inn - ‬16 min walk
‪Cellar 36 - ‬4 min drive
‪Stony Lake Cafe Store Shelby - ‬17 min walk
‪Oceana Winery & Vineyard - ‬11 min drive
‪Oceana Winery - ‬11 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Unwind at a quaint beach cottage like Grandma used to have pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Unwind at a quaint beach cottage like Grandma used to have?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Unwind at a quaint beach cottage like Grandma used to have?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Unwind at a quaint beach cottage like Grandma used to have located?

This family-friendly Shelby cottage is located on the beach, within 1 mi (2 km) of Stony Lake and Lake Michigan. Silver Lake State Park and Lewis Farm Market & Petting Farm are also within 9 miles (15 km).

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Brenda G.

13 Aug 2023

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

Family fun

Enjoyed our stay. Cottage is rustic. Only one thing I would say is deck could be updated

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth R.

27 July 2023

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

Amazing

We had a wonderful week at the beach. The cabin was exactly as described in the listing. The view is amazing. The cabin was exactly what I was hoping for when we booked. Very peaceful and relaxing, yet close enough to activities when we did want to go out. The beach is gorgeous and clean. Thank you for making this wonderful experience easy and seamless!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tim D.

29 Sept 2022

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

Stunning view of Lake Michigan.

Great location with a stunning view. Laura was great to work with and she quickly responded to all questions. My wife and daughter enjoyed the beach when weather permitted. We had several days of stormy weather and used the heat one night.

Stayed 8 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michelle D.

25 Aug 2022

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

Outstanding Location for Bringing Family Together

We could not have asked for a better location than this spot. I was nervous about being totally disconnected from WiFi & cell service, however, it surprisingly took less than 24 hours to realize what a gift the time away from technology really was for our family. The memories we made star gazing, taking long walks on the beach, and swimming in the crystal clear waters of Lake Michigan will last a lifetime. Thank you, Laura. We will certainly be back!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sommer H.

18 Aug 2022

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

Great view, amazing beach

Thanks for sharing this great place to stay! We loved the sandy beach and view of the water from the living room. Hot water runs out after 15 minutes.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

kazhia k.

15 Aug 2022

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

Great Beach

The location is great. Our grandson was busy building sandcastles and swimming. We took the canoe out to see birds on the nearby creek. The porch afforded a lovely view of the various moods of the lake.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca B., Ohio

11 Aug 2022

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

Beach and view are phenomenal

We have stayed in several places along the shores of Lake Michigan—this is by far the best beach. Our kids loved the local township beach, a short walk on the beach from the house. We walked up and down the beach, daily. Sunset strolls were the best. Everyone we passed on the beach was so friendly! The photos of the listing don’t do the view justice—we mostly decided to rent this space because of the reviews. The photos don’t show, but the view is open and clear from the deck. The trek to the beach isn’t terrible, but the stairs coming back will give you a workout! We have Verizon for cell service and had zero service the entire time within about a 5 mile radius. Was hoping we would have a little here and there at the house or beach—only to help us plan our days ahead since we weren’t familiar with the area. I planned a little ahead, but given the use of technology today and how most people plan outings/directions—internet would complete this space in my opinion. One reviewer said they had service, so I was hoping, but we had none at all. Probably the hardest part—but we knew that going into it, so it was a chance we took. The cottage was simple, but clean. Our kids loved the bunk beds, and we were happy it had a king bed for us. It could maybe use a spatula and cookie sheet in the kitchen, some books and puzzles would be nice as well. We left a puzzle for others to enjoy. Laura was a great host, very friendly and responsive with messages, etc. All in all, I would recommend this house for the beach alone!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Liz M.

27 July 2022

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

Lake Michigan

The location of this property is unbeatable, and our family enjoyed a very peaceful and unplugged vacation there!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Corey G.

26 Aug 2021

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

Beautiful Home

This was our first trip to Lake Michigan and we were not quite sure what to expect, but this property and its location exceeded all of our expectations. First, the home is small, somewhat dated, and basic - but exactly what we needed and what was described. There are no frills or luxuries, but that is fine because you will want to spend all of your time outside anyway. No TV, internet, or cell services meant no staying up late wasting time staring at screens. No work emails and the associated stress. A weeklong break from our electronic devices was just what we needed. The house is on a septic system and the shower does not drain well, but that was really our only complaint. There were fruit flies in the house when we arrived and it took some effort to keep them at bay the rest of the week, which is difficult since the windows have to be left open with no AC. The beach was perfect for our two children (3 and 1). They loved playing in the sand and wading in the shallow water. We went to the beach every day, and they could not get enough of it. The views and sunsets are incredible. We were fortunate to have perfect weather the entire week, which meant we soaked up as much of the beach as we could. The location makes you feel like you are away from everything, but still close enough for shopping, dining, and any other activities you would want to do. Pentwater is a great little town and we loved biking the Hart-Montague trail. I highly recommend this property. Thank you so much for a wonderful family vacation, we can't wait to come back!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Blaine W., Linden, USA

16 Aug 2021

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

Wonderful

The best Lake Michigan beach we have been at. The kids loved playing at Benona Township Park (1/4 mile walk down the beach).

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Heather D.

11 Aug 2021

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

No cell service, beach and sunsets

I’ve been going to this cottage for over a decade. It’s as close to being on an ocean like beach as you are going to get in the Midwest.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

julie f.

25 July 2021

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

Wonderful

Wonderful place- beautiful view and Amazing beach. So thankful we were allowed to experience this special place as a family.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Luann A.

19 July 2021

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

Relaxing Time Away

Great time to relax and get away from it all!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie B.

4 July 2021

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

Piece of paradise

The views, the water and the sunsets can’t be beat. The beach is the perfect size to relax and watch the water that changes every day… sometimes waves like the ocean, other days so calm there is barely a ripple. The beds are very comfortable and the home provides everything you neeed.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Reuben B.

28 June 2021

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

Nice!!

Love the location on the lake.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Richard S.

20 June 2021

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

Beautiful lake view Quite

Very charming and relaxing place love having beach to ourselves will be going back soon 😍😴😊

10/10 Excellent

Chris M.

20 Sept 2020

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

Can't beat it for the price if you want to be on the beach

The views are amazing. The location is perfect. It's quiet and very private, exactly what we were looking for. If you're going there to be on the beach, you'll be happy. My wife and I stayed with our five small children (the oldest being 7 years old) and fit just fine. The baby monitor even worked when we were down at the beach. That's how close it is. The house, itself, is sort of like a cabin. It has everything you need and the beds and bedding are very nice, but, overall, the finishings are relatively spartan. There are a few things that would make the place more comfortable, e.g. a more comfortable place to sit when inside, maybe a radio, and some games and books for the nice summer evenings. Other than that, we were really pleased and had a great time. We would stay there again.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

KláRa M.

19 Sept 2020

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

A week in a paradise

My husband and I stayed at the cabin with our little toddler and had a wonderful week! Every day we made a short trip to the near-by farms and dunes and the rest of the day we would grill and hang out around the cabin. We loved the remoteness yet proximity to everything needed! We are definitely coming back!

Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kara K.

14 Sept 2020

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

Perfect getaway

The location was very private but close to a lot of fun attractions. The house was very clean when we arrived and had stunning lake views. All in all it was a great place to enjoy a little getaway on Lake Michigan.

Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

7 Sept 2020

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

Quiet, peaceful stay

The cottage was clean, and had a wonderful view. Very relaxing.

10/10 Excellent

Sandy V.

5 Aug 2020

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

Excellent Accommodations & Beach front

The house exceeded our expectations. The beds were awesome, clean sheets and very comfortable comforters on all beds. Plenty of storage in the cottage for beach towels, food, etc. The house had all the things needed, flash light, umbrella, fans (which i had packed and didn't need). The walk to the beach was a lot less stairs than i had expected. Beachfront was excellent. Outside shower was very nice to use having played at the lake everyday. We are already planning out stay for next summer.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

8/10 Good

D gregory R.

8 July 2020

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

On top of the water

A week of solitude, sun, water, woods, cherry pies and sand. No ac, no tv, no wifi. Perfect!!

10/10 Excellent

Marc M.

18 Sept 2019

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

Great Vacation Spot

My wife and I had a great time. Beautiful little place, off the grid. We loved listening to the sound of the lake, and having a sunset cocktail on the front porch. It's also a very short walk down to private beachfront. There's not a ton in the area, business-wise. But the Stony Lake Inn/Cafe/General Store covers most of what you need, provided you're not looking for anything too fancy. Pentwater (which is gorgeous) and Whitehall are also both a 20 min drive if you feel like getting out for an afternoon. All in all, a wonderful little place. We would totally book again in the future.

Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Danielle G.

30 Aug 2019

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

Great Lake Michigan Beachfront

My family and I had a fantastic stay at this cottage. It has lake Michigan frontage, a beautiful beach, and breathtaking views. It is private, clean and sleeps 8 very comfortably.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Heather D.

21 Aug 2019

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

Paradise

This part of Lake Michigan is paradise. I have stayed at the Von Cottage half dozen times over the last decade. In addition to the modestly furnished cottage, there is no wifi and limited cellular service allowing you to concentrate on the reason you are there, the lake (you can hear the waves from the cottage) and family/friends.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

About the host

Hosted by Laura McMurry

Hello! I'm the rental manager for this property. I've spent summers in this area all of my life and have been handling several cottage rentals since 2015. My cottage is nearby so I'm available should you have any questions during your stay. Please feel free to contact me; my goal is to provide you with the perfect place for your vacation on Lake Michigan. I hope to hear from you.
Laura McMurry