Entire home

Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River

Photo gallery for Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River

NOTE: The landscaping in this photo is our next door neighbor's property, but the sunrise view is all ours right from the deck!
Main entrance
View from the deck
Kitchen, dining, and living rooms
Kitchen

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10144.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking available

Explore the area

Map
Marine City, MI
  • Algonac State Park
    ‪17 min walk‬
  • Cottrellville Park
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Blue Water Bridge
    ‪42 min drive‬
  • Sarnia, ON (YZR-Chris Hadfield)
    ‪54 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 3

1 Double Sofa Bed

The Algoma

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

The Hollyhock

1 Queen Bed

The Laurentien

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

2nd Floor Bathroom

Bidet · Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Main Floor Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River

COVID-19 UPDATE:

We as owners of a tourism related business have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and have taken this threat seriously from the start. We have accommodated guests to alter their vacations plans and ensure that everyone who arrives at the St. Clair River House does so in safety and without worry. One of our mitigation strategies is obtaining from each prospective guest a brief health history and providing to them a recent health history of the house. We query whether anyone each party is COVID-19 positive, or showing any of the following symptoms: cough, fever, shortness of breath, recent loss of taste or smell, or unexplained confusion/ altered mental status/headaches?

The house's recent history (past 30 days) is one family of five, a couple with a dog, and a group of three friends/coworkers, all of whom had no positive tests or symptoms before or during their stay. The only other individuals inside were our housekeeper Kristyn and I. Neither of us have shown any symptoms or positive tests in our households, and always wear masks when inside. All commonly touched surfaces are cleaned with a food-grade disinfectant rated for coronaviruses. All linens are washed in hot water with a bleach solution.

THE SPACE

The St. Clair River House beckons you to spend an idyllic vacation on the banks of the St. Clair River. Our historic yet fully remodeled and updated home is the perfect blend of classic charm, perfect waterfront setting, and opulent luxury. We specialize in providing a custom vacation experience for family groups, couples, and other groups up to 10 people. Read our reviews and book with confidence, as the best summer dates usually fill a year in advance and our winter rates can't be beat!

We first fell in love with this respite on the river when moving to southeast Michigan for work back in 2009. The surprise of seeing Caribbean-blue water and curiosity of watching a thousand foot ship right in front of us was awe-inspiring. It became our dream to live on the banks of that beauty, and we were lucky enough to make the dream come true. There were so many little surprises that we still miss, like hearing the drone of ships' horns on a foggy night, catching a walleye right from the dock in the spring, or watching the Coast Guard break ice in the winter. We enjoyed this idyllic setting for several years until another job change pulled us closer to the city, but the St Clair River House remains a part of our hearts. We now want to share our love of this wonderful area with all of you.

The St. Clair River House was built as a cottage in 1925 as a Detroiter's vacation home. Much of the historical charm from that cottage remains, with a fieldstone wood-burning hearth still featured as the centerpiece of the open floor plan downstairs. The three small, cottage bedrooms upstairs all have at least partial river views, and even show some architectural detail in their original plaster work. As you'd expect from a 1920's-era cottage, there are some areas of imperfect fit and finish. However, modern comfort, convenience, and beauty do shine through in the newly remodeled kitchen and bathrooms. Multiple-head showers, beautiful stone tile, a Jacuzzi tub, and a heated floor upstairs will transport you from the cottage to a luxury spa. Neighbors are close on these riverfront lots, and we have some of the best on either side of the House. With that, we expect guests who respect the tranquility and beauty of this wonderful place. We hope you love it just as much as we do.

Andrew & Susie

Property manager

Andrew & Susie
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 23
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
An e-signature on our guest agreement is required within 48 hours of booking via VRBO or the reservation is subject to cancellation.

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 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

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Marine City

Located in Marine City, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Sunset Harbor and Middle Channel Golf & Country Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Algonac State Park and St. John's Marsh State Wildlife Area. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and hunting nearby.
Map
Marine City, MI

What's nearby

  • Algonac State Park - 17 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Cottrellville Park - 7 min drive - 4.9 km
  • Lake Saint Clair - 7 min drive - 6.9 km
  • Blue Water Bridge - 42 min drive - 45.2 km
  • C.J. Barrymore's - 42 min drive - 45.2 km

Getting around

  • Sarnia, ON (YZR-Chris Hadfield) - 54 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Snoopy's Dog House - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Chris' Roadside Stand - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Antonio's Corner Cafe - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 0.9 mi (1.4 km) from Algonac State Park and 3 mi (4.9 km) from Cottrellville Park. Lake Saint Clair and Scout Drive Tot Lot are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

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. 84 out of 93 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 93 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 93 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 93 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 93 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Danielle H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful experience
Everyone in our party would like to visit again and wished we stayed longer!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bernaadine C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place
This property is unique in many ways, old world charm with updated amenities. It has a great open concept that utilizes the beautiful view as you watlk in the door
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Debbie E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Girls weekend
Property is as advertised. Wonderful stay. House was perfect for us. Watching the freighters from the deck was a real treat. Would go back!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gail B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family time
Clean, comfortable,safe,felt like we were very welcome and at home,comnication was easy, we are going there again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

4/10 Poor

Linda L.

Liked: Communication
Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
disappointed
run downunkept
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Patricia B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Boats, boats and more boats
Property was very clean. Great place to be to see a lot of boat action.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great home and location
We enjoyed our stay very much! Lovely home on the river with a lot of little niceties. The owners were friendly and accommodating. Will be staying here again next year!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chuck M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything was as advertised. Neat, clean and fully stocked with serving and cooking ware.
I would rate this VRBO as a 10.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anita K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Found my new vacation getaway
Very relaxing, quiet, and enjoyable boat watching. Three days not long enough.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lori H., ROYAL OAK

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mini vacation
We really enjoyed staying here. Being on the river, watching the boats go by was very relaxing. The house and furnishings were a little older, but overall there were little details (technology, appliances), delicious coffee and homemade waffle mix that just made our stay delightful. We hope to go back in the summer when we can stay outside more. Highly recommend this VRBO.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

6/10 Okay

Elis M.

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication
Great location but needs some upgrades
This would have been the perfect weekend getaway had we not come across any ticks and other insects which were spotted on the 2 beds. Nice little place right on the St. Clair River but it needs some serious cleaning/disinfection for bugs and insects.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrea E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Ship watching
Very clean and beautiful property. Everything you could want and then some. Andrew is great to deal with and helped any way he could. This house is ON the St. Clair river so the ship watching is spectacular. Not a good place to dock your boat because of the currents but launches very close. Highly recommended!!!!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Betsy C., Royal Oak MI

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
family time to chill
A beautiful spot on the river to watch the freighters and relax. Plenty of space, comfy beds, modern bathrooms and good towels! Everything we needed for a lovely weekend with my family.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Charlene C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome stay
The house is as stated. Everything you could possibly need. It is awesome.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

joy m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
cottage - St. Clair river
the cottage and the host were perfect. The neighbors wonderful. The scenery, couldn't be better. Wonderful fish dinners in Marine city. This is a place for relaxation, totally. The ONLY thing we did not care for was all the old fabric couches - should be covered in washable covers - kinda creepy to us. But don't let that stop you- the cottage will not disappoint!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Donna G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Views
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the St. Clair River House. The view is fantastic. Comfortable bedding and fully stocked kitchen. Andrew responded quickly. It was great to meet him. Highly recommend!!
Stayed 12 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Reunion of friends
Wonderful view. Fun to watch the freighters and hear the water lapping at night. Info binder helpful. One complaint...all of the chairs and couches were too deep!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Julie F., Clarkston Michigan

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful View!
What a great few days, the beautiful sunrises from the sunroom (with a gift of great coffee) and the freighters! We saw so many going through the river. Andrew was very responsive to any questions we had, the house was perfect. I packed way too much, everything we needed was there for us! Thank you Andrew and Susie for letting us enjoy a piece of your dream!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christine C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place to stay! Dock Fishing
We stayed for an extended weekend with 3 families. The bedroom with the bunk beds worked great for my family of four and the other two families used the other bedrooms and brought pack n' plays for their littles. There was more than enough room throughout the house for everyone. The deck on the back of the house was great to spend time and watch ships go by. Fishing off the dock was great, my kids caught so many fish (nothing keeper size but they enjoyed themselves). We brought boats to explore the river and make it down to St. Clair Lake, there are two boat launches close to the house which made it easy to access the water. The host was very responsive and great with communicating. I would recommending staying here if you are visiting this area.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cris M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Find
The St. Clair River House is perfectly described both for what it is like inside and for what you can see on the river. If there is river traffic you can’t miss it because it’s in your backyard and the computer tracking provided makes sure you don’t miss anything coming your way. Plenty of seating for relaxing, making/sharing a meal was easy and a TV with cable provided was simple to use which isn’t always the case. Andrew’s description of this delightful dog friendly home is accurate. He was a great host and we will definitely be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Location and ample space!
The house was exactly as described and the view did not disappoint. The kitchen and bathrooms were very nice and well stocked. It was only two of us so we didn't need three bedrooms but there is a lot of sleeping area for larger groups. The bedroom we stayed in had a window AC unit but the others would have been a bit warm since it was almost 90 each day. We also thought the bed was very comfortable. My only disappointment was the condition of the furniture. The livingroom and patio furniture could use some upgrades but it wouldn't stop me from rebooking for next year. You can't beat the view if you enjoy watching boats and freighters. There was always a lot of activity to watch. And it is in the middle of Algonac and Marine City which was a bonus. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Super Place
My wife/I stayed here for 4 nights with our Schnauzer, Lulu. What a great find, right on the main shipping channel in the St Clair River. The house was completely furnished with all the necessities, except food, of course. They evenhad a washer/dryer at our dispoal. It is close proximity to Algonac, Marine City,St Clair,and Maryville. St Clair was especially nice where they have a gigantic food mall that overlooks a play area for the kids and the St Clair River for boat watchers. There is a hospital just 10 miles north of the house. Deiving M29 follows the river all the way up to Pt Huron, very scenic. Sitting on the back porch was like heaven, watching the ships and cars driving in the other side of the river in Canada. Hrowing up my family used tocome up to my Aunt/Uncles place in Algonac back in the 60s. This stay briught back a lot of those great memories Very quiet and the neighbors are very nice. We will definitely be staying here again inthe future.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carlene A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy, clean, and serene
This beautiful home on the St. Clair River offers a peaceful, relaxing setting. The house is situated right on the water, with a spectacular views. Inside, the home is spacious and open with large windows to continue enjoying the gorgeous scenery. The bedrooms are comfortable and tastefully decorated. Outside, the large deck spans the entire back of the house overlooking the river. It's the ideal spot for grilling, dining al fresco, or simply sitting back and watching the boats sail by. Overall, this is a one-of-a-kind property for enjoying the serenity and natural beauty of the St. Clair River. It would be ideal for a family vacation, weekend getaway, or full-time residence. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at this special home and highly recommend it to others looking for a peaceful retreat on the water.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sandra D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing 11-day Getaway
The view from the cottage is wonderful! So relaxing looking at the water and watching the freighters and pleasure crafts go by. The huge windows across the front allow for views from most of the downstairs areas. The kitchen appliances are great. A new refrigerator was delivered three days into our stay. Along with it came new furniture for the sunroom including a sectional, two corner chairs and an ottoman as well as a new recliner for the living room (these replaced the brown sofas, ottoman and older recliner). This should help address some concerns noted in earlier reviews about the comfort and condition of the furniture. Additionally we saw no evidence of bugs at all during our long stay. The lot is narrow, neighbors are very close which may be helpful to know for those with children and/or pets (though no issues for us). The bathrooms are top-notch. Linens and towels deluxe. Check-in/access was easy which we always appreciate. We frequently stay in rentals and this one was especially nice and offered us a convenient location to do all we want to in the area from Marine City to New Baltimore.
Stayed 11 nights in Aug 2024
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Earl V.

Amazing Home with Fantastic Location and Owners
Words cannot begin to describe how wonderful the home, location and owners of this property are! If you are looking for a rental in this area, look no further as this is undoubtedly the best there is. We were in town for an event at the Algonac State Park and the location was perfect. The home is tastefully decorated and stocked with everything you could need and the recent renovations updated the home yet it still retains its cottage like charm. The pictures of the home posted here really do not do it justice as it is hard to truly capture the condition and size of the home and views that await you. Andrew (the owner) was fantastic and readily available to remedy the minor issues that we had which were primarily due to the fact that we were the first renters of the property. While at the home were were also fortunate enough to meet the neighbors which are also wonderful people and fun to chat with. We are frequent renters via VRBO and this was one of the best overall experiences that we have ever had!! I highly recommend this property if you are in the area to visit, relax or fish the fantastic St. Clair river. We will definitely be back next year...
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2017

About the host

Hosted by Andrew & Susie

Host profile image
While this profile only lists me, it would be more apt to list us. The St. Clair River House has grown as a labor of love undertaken by my wife Susie and I. As the listing states, we began our time in this area living in the House, and have kept it in our family to share it with you all. We both have full-time "real" jobs and do this in our spare time, and endeavor to make your stay at our former home as special as the time we have spent there. We have four small boys who regularly "help" us with work on the house, and there's a good chance if you need any in-person hosting that you may meet one of them!

Our life here in southeast Michigan is inextricably connected to the water, and this shines through on the experience we strive to bring to you. Whether its watching a freighter from a distance from the deck of the house, casting a line from the end of the dock, renting one of our available boats to get in the water, or going on a captained trip to be underway right next to a freighter, we're excited to help you craft your perfect vacation!

Language note: ¡Tengo muy poco espanol, y es muy mal!

Why they chose this property

We first fell in love with this respite on the river when moving to southeast Michigan for work back in 2009. The surprise of seeing Caribbean-blue water and curiosity of watching a thousand foot ship right in front of us was awe-inspiring. It became our dream to live on the banks of that beauty, and we were lucky enough to make the dream come true. There were so many little surprises that we still miss, like hearing the drone of ships' horns on a foggy night, catching a walleye right from the dock in the spring, or watching the Coast Guard break ice in the winter. We enjoyed this idyllic setting for several years until another job change pulled us closer to the city, but the St Clair River House remains a part of our hearts. We now want to share our love of this wonderful area with all of you.

What makes this property unique

There are few options for accommodations in this world that offer what the St. Clair River House does- an international shipping lane and crystal blue water mere feet from your picture windows. This is enjoyed from a house with recent updates and an open floor plan that easily accommodates 8 adults, all for slightly more per night than you would spend at local hotels.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests