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South Haven Dune Fun-Sleeps 12! Rents Year Round!-BlueShore Cottage & Guesthouse

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Main house living room area complete with queen sleeper sofa.
The Blue Shore Cottage
Main house exterior and patio area
Amenities provided if you're traveling with little ones.  As well as dinnerware.
Firepit

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 12140.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
South Haven, MI
  • Van Buren State Park
    ‪12 min walk‬
  • Pilgrim Haven Natural Area
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • South Beach
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Benton Harbor, MI (BEH-Southwest Michigan Regional)
    ‪26 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1 Guest Cottage

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 1 Main House

1 Single Bed

Bedroom 2 Main House

1 Single Bed

Bedroom 3 Main House

1 Queen Bed

Living Room Guest House

1 Queen Sofa Bed

Living Room Main House

1 Queen Sofa Bed

Pack and Play Main House

1 Crib

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Guest House Full Bath

Toilet · Shower only

Main House Full Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Main House Half Bath

Toilet

Outdoor Shower

Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

South Haven Dune Fun-Sleeps 12! Rents Year Round!-BlueShore Cottage & Guesthouse

The Blue Shore Cottage is a private cottage and guest house located just 6 miles south of South Haven, MI and is sure to satisfy all your family vacation needs all year around. Nestled on a large 1 acre wooded lot on sandy grounds, the property offers privacy and space with many areas to congregate. Lake Michigan is on the other side of the sand dune path which starts just down the street. The main cottage boasts 3 bedrooms and 1.5 baths complete with a full kitchen, dining and large living room area that has hight speed internet/Wi-Fi and HDTV with other streaming services via Roku (Sling Cable TV, Netflix, Xfinity Stream-OTA channels, Amazon Video are all provided subscriptions for guests). The guest house has a private bedroom, 1 full bathroom and a living/dining area complete with a coffee bar, and laundry.

Guest house also has its own W-Fi network and the same TV services as the main cottage. Outside offers sandy grounds (which is a great playground for kids), patios, hammocks, fire pit with supplied firewood, grill, plenty of shade and seating, and outdoor shower to wash off all the day's fun. There are an abundance of chidrens' toys for inside and out along with bicycles. Please see total list of amenities below!! Rental includes both main cottage and guest house. Read our reviews to book with confidence or feel free to ask a question.

*Please note private beach is a steep dune hike for the adventurous to access*

Minimum Stay Requirements:
-Weekly rental required during the summer (from Memorial Day to Labor Day) with a Friday check in and Friday check out (change over). Weekly requirement will be lifted 30 days prior to open dates during summer season.
-3 day minimums over holiday weekends
-2 day minimums all other times (mainly off season non-summer)
Website will show acceptable duration during reservation request

Property offers great location for all year around activities:
-Private Neighborhood beach of Syndicate Dune Park via walk over the steep sand dune that allows an escape from busy public beaches.
*Please note private beach is a steep dune hike to access*
-Beautiful views of lake and sunsets from top of dune
-Walking paths around Syndicate Park Dunes
-1 mile from Van Buren State Park (camping/hiking/beach)
-1 mile south of Pilgrim Haven (paved lot and paved flat ramp access to beach)
-.6 miles from Kal Haven bike path that connects Van Buren State Park to South Haven
-1.3 miles of country road access to the Van Buren Trail which offers miles of snowmobile trails during lake effect snow season
-10 miles from Gingerman Raceway just east of South Haven
-Plenty of parking space for multiple vehicles including circle drive
- 5 miles from the Phoenix Exit off I-196 that offers most major retailers for all your basic needs.

Main House Bedrooms
• Bedroom #1-Twin Bunk Beds
• Bedroom #2- Twin Bunk Beds
• Bedroom #3- Queen Bed
• Living Room – Queen Sleeper Sofa

Guest House Bedrooms
• Bedroom #1- Queen Bed
• Living Room – Queen Sleeper Sofa

Amenities
o Pack and Play and Bedding
o Umbrella Stroller
o Highchair/Booster Seat
o Baby Monitor and Sound Machine
o Sand Toys
o Marshmallow Skewers
o Iron and Iron Board
o Hair Dryer
o Adult (male and female) Bicycles
o Cooler
o Fold Up Chairs
o Sun Umbrella
o Bicycle Trailer
o Children's Wagon
o Board Games
o Yard Games (Bags, Ladder Ball, Bocce Ball, Football/Soccer Ball, Washers, Yardzee and more!)
o Bluetooth Portable Speaker
o Electronic Charging Station
o Kitchen Appliances (Stove, Refrigerator, Microwave, Crockpot, Electric Griddle)
o Fully Stocked Kitchen (Dishes/Cookware/Utensils)
o Pantry items
o Coffee/Tea
o Coffee Pot
o Dishwasher
o Pack and Play and Bedding
o Coffee Bar (Guesthouse with Microwave, Coffee Pot and Min Fridge)
o Toaster
o Crock Pot
o Electric Griddle
o WIFI-Xfinity/Comcast High Speed
o Cable TV (Sling TV)
o Bed Linens
o Bath Towels
o Cookbooks
o Reading Books/Little Free Library (Children and Adult)
o Toys and Coloring Books
o Geocache Kit
o Puzzles (crossword, word search and jigsaw)
o Fire Pit
o Outdoor Seating and Dining
o Charcoal Grill (charcoal and lighter fluid not provided)
o Clothes Washer and Dryer (guesthouse)
o Clothes Line
o Hammocks x 3 and Kids Swing
o Throw Blankets
o First Aid Kit
o Guestbook



Area Attractions
o Kal-Haven Bike Trail and Walking path
o Private Beach on other side of dune
o Van Buren State Park and Hiking Trails
o Gingerman Raceway
o Blueberry Farm
o South Haven
o Shopping District
o Pier
o Kidz Corner Playground
o Public Beach
o Movie Theater
o Dining
o Boat Charter/Tours
o Wineries
o Orchards
o Snowmobile Trail
o Golfing

Property manager

Drew Heisel

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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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
We have provided amenities for children
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking allowed outside of cottages but not inside

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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

South Haven

Located in South Haven, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a lake. Warner Vineyards and Karma Vista Vineyards and Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Michigan and Porter Legacy Dunes. Travelling with kids? Consider Michigan Maritime Museum and The Fun Park. Enjoy the area's slopes with skiing, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling, ice skating and sledging.
Map
South Haven, MI

What's nearby

  • Van Buren State Park - 12 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Pilgrim Haven Natural Area - 4 min drive - 2.0 km
  • South Beach - 8 min drive - 6.6 km
  • Kal Haven Trail - 10 min drive - 9.0 km
  • North Beach - 11 min drive - 9.4 km

Getting around

  • Bangor Station - 15 min drive
  • Kalamazoo, MI (AZO-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Intl.) - 53 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Culver's - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Biggby Coffee - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is South Haven Dune Fun-Sleeps 12! Rents Year Round!-BlueShore Cottage & Guesthouse pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at South Haven Dune Fun-Sleeps 12! Rents Year Round!-BlueShore Cottage & Guesthouse?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at South Haven Dune Fun-Sleeps 12! Rents Year Round!-BlueShore Cottage & Guesthouse?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is South Haven Dune Fun-Sleeps 12! Rents Year Round!-BlueShore Cottage & Guesthouse located?

This family-friendly South Haven holiday home is located on a lake, just steps away from Porter Legacy Dunes and Lake Michigan. North Point Conservation Area and Van Buren State Park are also within 15 minutes.

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. 30 out of 33 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 33 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 33 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 33 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 33 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Heather L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great hidden gem!
Such a cute property with a ton of amenities. Owners have thought of everything and then some. A lot of little nice touches for a great experience. Good location to get to and from South Haven. Bike path nearby was great to get around with active kids. Ended up being a really great spot for our fall break get-away!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Kelly K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Can’t Wait to Come Back
I love to travel and have stayed at many places all over the country. This little cottage by far has been the best in regards to being well stocked with everything we could have needed and it was decorated nicely. One could definitely see that the owners put a lot of time and thought into everything. The owners were very easy to communicate with and were very helpful and quick to respond to my questions. The location was great, we hiked up to see the lake and everything we wanted to visit was a short drive away. I definitely recommend this place!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2020

10/10 Excellent

Renana H., Bellbrook

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family vacation
We do a lot of VRBO's and this has been by far the most well stocked up house we have ever stayed at. Owners have literally thought of everything to make this the perfect family getaway. House was sparkling clean, all in tact and absolutely perfect. Kiddos did not want to go home. Thank you for everthing!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Steve F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Need rest and a perfect environment? You need to stay here.
From the time I applied to stay until the day we checked out, everything went flawlessly. Drew is super personable and is there for you in case you need anything. The house is beautiful and decorated nicely. Everything was there for us to have an amazing Thanksgiving with my family. The guesthouse worked great for my son and his fiancé and my new grandson to have privacy and a quiet place to get away so the baby could rest. The proximity to the lake is great, make a right hand turn outside the door and a small hike to the lake. We would stay there again without any doubts. Thanks for a great experience, my family and I were very satisfied.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

LYN F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
family reunion/wedding
nice place. clean. owners were very nice to keep in contact during our stay. kids enjoyed the sand dunes and going to the lake. wished we could have enjoyed the fire pit & outdoors, but weather and wedding plans did not allow for it. nice property.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2019

10/10 Excellent

Carol D., Pittsford, MI, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely visit
Annual girlfriend weekend at the nicest cottage ever.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2019

10/10 Excellent

Samantha V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy Cottage
Our trip unfortunately resulted in more rain than we planned, but we weren’t upset about staying in given how cozy the home is + all the board games provided. Its location is a quick drive to downtown and a short walk to the beach. I would recommend this place if you have a large group to entertain!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Veronica F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great family place
We stayed in the main house with our two kids and my parents got the little guest cottage. Perfect set up for a larger group. Lots of toys and books for the kids to play with. Short walk up the dune to watch sunsets. Only downside was no dishwasher. Great place!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Codey B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Vacation
We only got to stay for 2 short nights but it was an amazing home. So adorable. The private beach was not as easy to access as we were hoping but South Haven beach was less than 10 mins away. Location was perfect, super private! Would love to go back!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2019

10/10 Excellent

Terri S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice place
Lots of amenities, lots of outdoor seating & toys. Owner was great communicating.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Evan C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet, clean and great family Getaway
Great place next to Lake Michigan. Quiet and plenty of shaded trees. Big lot with long drive, plenty of space for multiple cars if you had a large family get together. They had everything we needed for the kids. Lots of outdoor amenities. It is quite a trek over the dune to get to the beach but if you just want to see the lake you can take the trail behind the house and it is easy and level all the way to an overlook of Lake Michigan. The owner has thought of everything and we would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jared M.

Great Get Away
The property was very nice, and there were MANY small little details and add-ons that were great. The kids loved the outdoor play area. The walk to the beach was a little tough, but the challenge of the dunes was great for the kids! The house is very well done and great for multiple people.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Heidi V.

Plenty of room for our family of 9 adults
Wonderful place to stay! So many extra touches to make your stay very comfortable! We had our adult children and their spouses come up with us for the weekend and there was plenty of room for sleeping. The kitchen and eating area was sufficient for a large group and the main living area had plenty of seating.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2019

10/10 Excellent

Peggy D., Dexter, MI

Great place for a winter getaway
We were lucky to have great snow, but would have enjoyed the access to Lake Michigan if not. A beautiful hike over the dunes to the lake! Plenty of park access a short drive away, also. The cottage is nicely furnished and newly updated. The owners have done a great job of labeling and providing directions for everything you might need. The cottage provides many things other don't, such as laundry detergent, bath soap, hand soap, paper towels, dish soap, etc. We used both the main cottage and guest cottage and had plenty of space for our 3 generations. Loved the huge dining table. The kitchen is well equipped if you like to cook like we do. I really appreciated not having to bring the pack-n-play or high chair. There are toys and books for kids also. This is the best equipped for kids cottage we have rented. The owners are very responsive and want to make your stay as worry free as possible. We would definitely come back to Blue Shore Cottage again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2019

10/10 Excellent

Tina Q.

Amazing Place to Stay
This is our second time staying here this year....planning a third for early next year. The cottage has everything you could need. The owner is super nice and responds quickly. Love it here!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

8/10 Good

TERESA T.

Blue Shore Cottage Was Wonderful
Thank you so much for sharing your blue cottage with us. We were a party of four and the cottage provided lots of space. The cottage was very clean and nicely decorated. Got much needed relaxation. South Haven, Michigan was beautiful with all its fall colors. We spoke to lots of friendly people and enjoyed our morning walks. Would definitely would go again.

8/10 Good

Stephanie S.

Adorable Cottage
We absolutely loved the house. It was stocked well and it was very welcoming. I only have one complaint. We stayed there in early October and the acorns were all over the walk way and hadn't been cleared off. It definitely made it challenging to walk through there with any type of shoe on. I looked for an outdoor broom but couldn't find one. Other than that it was perfect. Thanks again for a fantastic stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

karl s.

Great place for a quiet weekend
House has everything you need for a good get together. Fire pit, charcoal grill, open floor plan. Been coming here for years and always have a great time
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Angela P., Yellville, AR

Relaxing South Haven Vacation Home
My family (2 adults, 5 kids ages 8 - 15) thoroughly enjoyed staying at this well-maintained and beautiful property. The first thing you notice when pulling in to the drive way is that the house is surrounded by trees, and there are so many fun things for kids to do in the yard, including a giant swing that was my 8 year old's favorite. Inside the main house, everything was tidy and cozy. The main living area has so many windows, you feel like you are still outside. There are numerous comfy couches and chairs to sprawl out on while enjoying each others company. The kitchen was clean and well stocked with cooking equipment and pantry items. The only thing missing was a dishwasher, but that wasn't a big deal for us. The dining table was huge, with more than adequate seating for our meal and game times. The master bedroom had a very comfortable bed (I'm super picky about beds) with fluffy, great smelling linens and blankets. It was unseasonably warm for a couple of the days of our stay, and we used a small fan we found in the closet to keep us cool at night, as the A/C is not central, making it quite cool in the kitchen, and a bit warmer everywhere else, even with the ceiling fans on to circulate the air. The 2 bunk rooms were small, but the beds were comfortable, and the kids didn't spend a ton of time in there except for sleeping. The guest house, just a few steps away from the main house, is where our girls slept, and they enjoyed having their own private getaway. The bed and linens were as comfy as the main house. The laundry area is in the guest house, with a very nice front loading washer/dryer set. The owners have very thoughtfully added extra touches to the property that made our stay awesome. It is set up with children in mind, with toys and kid books abounding for entertainment. There is a desk in the kitchen that is filled with games and even a geocaching kit for guests to use. On our first day, we headed over the dune to check out the beach. I had never been to Lake Michigan, and envisioned little sand dunes like around the Galveston Island area. Boy was I wrong! The hike over the dune is quite strenuous if you aren't in shape, with steep slopes that are hard to walk on because they are made out of sand. Luckily, there is a beautiful beach, Pilgrim Haven, just a few minutes away, that has a sidewalk through the dune, providing easy access to the beautiful Lake Michigan waters. So glad we stayed here!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

laura j.

Lovely cottages, lots of extra touches
We stayed here to attend our daughters wedding in Watervliet. We hiked to the beach, which was not for the faint of heart!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018

10/10 Excellent

Shelly D.

This is a very nice and clean property. Located near beach and great path to lookout and dunes.
Our family stay here was great!! The home and guest house were very clean. Loved having the separate guest house for our daughter, son-n-law and 4yr old grandson. Our adult children loved the dunes and beach nearby. All the extras at the house were great like the kids toys, games, sand toys, bikes, towels, linens, kitchen staples, refrigerator staples, TV, hammocks, outdoor chairs and so much more. We would definitely stay here again. The renters were great and always had quick replies to any questions we had. We all had a great time here. The property is very nice! August 2018
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Lisa F.

Perfect house for family get-away
The house is comfortable, well stocked, nicely decorated, child friendly. My girls appreciated the swing, books, toy box barbies! We enjoyed hiking up the dune to watch the sunset, and were happy to have use of outdoor shower to clean off our feet when we were done. Nice proximity to South Haven. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Dale N.

Awesome
We had a wonderful time with our family. We climbed the dune near the cabin and walked in the water. We collected smooth rocks for some art activities. We also went to many local attractions. We had some unique touches in the cabin itself. Everything from a mystery box, to games, wonderful swing and hammocks., campfires etc. it was an overall great experience and wonderful way to celebrate our fiftieth anniversary.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Penny B., Central MAINE

Blue Shore Cottage
Great place to stay. It was awesome having a separate guest house. We all got together every night for eating, sitting outside and a campfire. Great for multi families. I do wish it was a little easier to get to the lake but we worked around it. Definitely recommend The Blue Shore Cottage.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

samantha r.

Beautiful Cottage and property
Pictures don't do this place justice,it is so peaceful here .This place has it all right down to firewood,condiments,fully stocked kitchen and bathroom.We loved the lakehouse decor and the cottage was very clean.The views of Lake Michigan from the dunes is breath taking,especially at sunset.We definitely hope to return.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2018

About the host

Hosted by Drew Heisel

Host profile image
We are Drew and Amanda Heisel. We are a young family with 3 little ones. We have vacationed and visited the western side of Michigan over the past 11 years and decided to purchase a vacation home we can share with our growing family.

Why they chose this property

We love this property for several reasons. It is very close to a private beach in a secluded location that is wooded and away from the hustle and bustle of town. It also features a main house and a guest house, perfect for families with multiple members gathering at a time. Van Buren State Park is a mile away and offers camping and trails. It is also near the paved Kal-Haven bike trail which we have biked to town in the warmer weather and snowmobile on in the winter. We are in love with the town of South Haven, not too big and has about everything you can need to vacation.

What makes this property unique

Our home offers a unique private setting with access to a private beach. There are also plenty of amenities we offer to make your stay relaxing and enjoyable. We offer outside games, hammocks and a fire pit. We offer just about any amenity you can think of especially for taking care of kids to make your stay comfortable from a pack and play to sand toys. The guest house has an outside shower to clean the sand off with and also a coffee bar area to enjoy.

Languages:

English