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Unplug at "Mon Rav" on Hamlin. Lakefront getaway

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Lake front fire pit
180 foot of Hamlin frontage
Lakefront space to relax
Wooded back covered patio
Relax

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 10202.9 sq m

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
Free Soil, MI
  • Hamlin Lake
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Ludington State Park
    ‪19 min walk‬
  • S.S. Badger: Lake Michigan Carferry
    ‪56 min drive‬
  • Ludington, MI (LDM)
    ‪22 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

Main floor bedroom

1 Double Bed

Master

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

Unplug at "Mon Rav" on Hamlin. Lakefront getaway

180 ft of frontage on Hamlin at "The Narrows". Rustic charm from the 1920's amplified with few conveniences. A sun porch for keeping an eye on the lake and a sleeping porch for resting up. The great room for family time and a small kitchen to get fancy in.

The cottage is very close to the Nordhouse Dunes trailhead and on the quiet north side of Hamlin Lake. Close to both Ludington State Park, and Lake Michigan beaches. It's easy to unplug and get lost in the beautiful surroundings in any season!

THE SPACE
Nurnberg has 4 Cozy beds, and 8 cots or just use the hammocks! 180 feet of Hamlin Lake frontage out the front and State and National land out the back. We've got trails, a fire pit, tether ball, a pickle ball court, basketball, a dock and some boats. Enjoy beautiful sun rise and sun sets from the front porch and dark sky at night to by fire.

THE NEIGHBORHOOD
A mile to Nordhouse dunes by bike. Take a hike. A ten minute boat ride to Ludington State Park, beach it. Get your paddle out and kick some pickleball butt. State and National land out your back door, go explore! Fishing year round, prime hunting opportunities all around. Check out the Au Sable In Restaurant 15 min away, get their famous fish fry. It's 30 min drive to Manistee, get ice cream and walk the canal. It's a 40 min drive to Ludington, get a brew! Check out Orchard Market and get some super fresh produce. Old McDonalds farm finds is a great antique spot where you can find that special thingymajig. Check out the 25 cent Sat matinees at the Vogue Theater in Manistee with the kids. Enjoy this out of the way destination, it's a quiet spot being on the North side of the lake. Unplug.

GETTING AROUND
You'll find the cottage on the North Side of Hamlin Lake. Access is via a 6 mile wide gravel road, and then 1 mile of a more narrow gravel road. This puts you about 25 min from Manistee, and 40 min from Ludington by car. By boat you'll find Ludington State Park a quick 10 min away.

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE
"Mon Rave" is the name of the large cottage built last fall by Mr. and Mrs Otto Nurnberg and in which they lived through the winter and still have as their abiding place. The name means "My Dream" and was given to this home in the woods because it was the materialization of the dream cherished since girlhood by Mrs. Nurnberg..." As published by the Hamlin Resort News - Circa 1920 A bit about the cottage.

It is the original Nurnberg cottage from the early 1900s. If you are familiar with the Nordhouse dunes area you’ll recall the road that leads you to the trailhead is named Nurnberg. You’ve probably guessed by now that the road was named after the Nurnbergs, this cottage was theirs. It was one of the first cottages on the Northside of the lake. They built it before the road existed by ferrying materials across the lake by boat in the summer and sled in the winter. The Nurnbergs used it as a destination to vacation while in Mi. from Milwaukee and would travel over Lake Mi. using the SS Badger. We know this from many published newsletters where their events were written about. They loved to explore, fish and hunt duck and goose. This was a place to entertain with friends and family. So when you vacation here, think of the past, slow down enough to appreciate the history.

The cottage itself has NOT been updated with all the modern luxuries. It has however been "restored" and we’ve added a few conveniences to amplify the experience. You'll get the idea, unplug and enjoy the area and each other.

Property manager

Jon Faber

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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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 and a first aid kit

About the area

Free Soil

Located in Free Soil, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and Historic White Pine Village are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Manistee National Golf Course and Hemlock Golf Club. Sandcastles Children's Museum and Ludington Waterfront Park are also worth visiting. Enjoy the area's slopes with skiing, and don't miss out on the ice skating.
Map
Free Soil, MI

What's nearby

  • Hamlin Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Ludington State Park - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Ludington Waterfront Park - 55 min drive - 38.9 km
  • S.S. Badger: Lake Michigan Carferry - 56 min drive - 39.5 km
  • Big Sable Point Lighthouse - 70 min drive - 45.1 km

Getting around

  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 51 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Stix Bar - ‬52 min drive
  • ‪Barnhart's Resort & Marina - ‬50 min drive
  • ‪Dj's Dairy Creme and Snack Bar - ‬52 min drive
  • ‪Boathouse Grill - ‬37 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Unplug at "Mon Rav" on Hamlin. Lakefront getaway pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Unplug at "Mon Rav" on Hamlin. Lakefront getaway?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Unplug at "Mon Rav" on Hamlin. Lakefront getaway?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Unplug at "Mon Rav" on Hamlin. Lakefront getaway located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is steps from Huron-Manistee National Forest and 2.5 mi (4 km) from Lake Michigan. Hamlin Lake and Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness are also within 15 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 21 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 21 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 21 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 21 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Stacy G.

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

Peaceful Cottage with Plenty to Do on Property

The cottage was just what we wanted and accurate to the listing. Our group included 2 families with 4 older teenagers and there was plenty to do for everyone! The cottage was well stocked, had a lot of games, outdoor activities, and the teens enjoyed listening to music on the record player and fishing in the lake. Having Hamlin Lake right outside the door never gets old either! It’s not a far distance to get to nearby towns, but it does take longer than normal because of the gravels roads. There is a general store nearby that’s convenient to get ice, ice cream or snacks. We really enjoyed the location though with its peacefulness and being surrounded by nature. We would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kevin M.

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

What a gem!

Wonderful property! Excellent hosts! Definitely worth the visit!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diane S., Zeeland MI

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

Nature retreat! Relaxing getaway!

Mon Rav was exactly as listed. The property was incredibly well stocked with thoughtful amenities and items for every age group. Many warm days were spent on the grassy shore and dock sun bathing, canoeing, fishing on our boat (boat house really added to the ease of using our boat), walking and biking in the woods and to Lake Michigan. Campfires overlooking the lake were amazing. The front and back porch were favorite spots to read, relax, or work. Great Wi-Fi and cell service (ATT) which actually reduced the stress for those of us who needed to stay connected during the week. Family Pickleball tourney was the highlight and many discovered a new sport to play :) Owners communicated quickly to answer questions. Instructions were clear and cleanup very reasonable. We would definitely consider staying again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Maura G.

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

Great Location-Beautiful Property

Had a fantastic week stay. House was spacious and clean. Everything you need. Kids loved the kayaking and canoeing to the dunes. Basketball and pickle ball for the overcast day and lots of toys. Beautiful area with the Nordhouse Trailhead a short distance away. The owners were great and very communicative.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sarah T.

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

Get place to unplug!

Wonderful property to get away and unplug. Plenty of space for everyone to be comfortable. Beautiful views of Lake Hamlin especially with a full moon. The Nordhouse dune trail was one of my favorite hikes ever!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christine W., Grand Rapids, Michigan

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

What a view

We could not have asked for a better place to unwind and relax. It felt like we were staying at a friend's cottage, we were so comfortable. The view of the lake and the woods was amazing, and we had a wonderful time. The tennis courts, the great games, and proximity to the Dune hikes were awesome to balance out the fishing and kayaking!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

John B., Columbus, Ohio

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

Once again.......

Our 3 generation family once again spent a wonderful time at Mon Rav. Daytimes hiking in the area, combing on the Lake Michigan beach, playing in Hamlin, getting whooped on by the Grandkids in tetherball, watching the birds and visiting Manistee. Evenings playing games on the porch and sitting around chatting. Memories for all.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bruce F., Phoenix, AZ

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

Nice historic property on beautiful lake setting

We stayed here for a week in early June. It was rainy the first half of the week and nice the rest of the time. The place is a little hard to get to. However, the property and view are terrific and worth the drive. The house is big and easily sleeps 8.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Andy H.

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

Great stay!

Well stocked kitchen. Amazing views. Lots of great puzzles and games. Very clean. Loved being so close to the wilderness area! Lots of wildlife. Could use larger beds.... only one queen. Great host!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

John B., Columbus, Ohio

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

Family fun in a lovely lake setting.

Mon Rav is the quintessential lake cottage in a lovely setting. The owner has kindly considered guest's needs. Lots to do for adults and children. Swimming, kayaking, hiking, games, puzzles, music, craft materials, a hammock for napping, and even a tennis court and basketball hoop. It was wonderful to sit on the Adirondack chairs with our morning coffee, observing the lake, birds, turtles, etc. We definitely recommend water shoes for those who swim, and pack-in your groceries as the closest (large) grocery (a Meijer) is about a half-hour drive away. Highly recommended!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Brad S.

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

Summer family vacation

This is a great property right on Hamlin Lake! It is perfect for a big family getaway as it has something for all ages. We had a great time, whether we were swimming, fishing and boating in Hamlin lake or we were enjoying the many activities around the house. Overall a great trip, the kids already asked when we're going back!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Timothy P.

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

A wonderful week in this lakeside cottage

Our family had a wonderful time in this cottage. It’s comfortable and well provisioned and you never lose site or sound of the nature all around you. Sunrises from the porch are pretty special and the boat house is well provisioned with a canoe and kayak for exploring Hamlin Lake.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Diane P.

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

Amazing week on the lake!

This lake home offers something for everyone and more! The history, amenities, nature and generous well thought out details exceeded our needs and expectations. We enjoyed ourselves immensely at 'Mon Rav' - thank you, thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Brian D.

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

A Gem!

This house is an absolute gem in the perfect location for those wanting to take advantage of the Hamlin Lake/Lake Michigan area. With its location and historical significance, it's amazing that it is even open for rental. And open it is - rather than another Airbnb or VRBO cookie-cutter money maker, this is a place where the owners are VERY generously and openly sharing their 2nd home with many, many extras. If coffee is important to you, bring your own machine 😬
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jill H.

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

Best Lake House in Michigan

This cottage is perfect for our family. We love the history of the cottage and the setting next to the wilderness area. There are so many activities: fishing (bass, perch, bluegill right off the dock), the narrows are close by for kayak/canoe adventure, the tennis court is great for some serious pickleball battles with my 12-yr-old son, basketball and my 4-yr-old rides her bike there. Inside the cottage is lovely. We put puzzles together and play cards while listening to vinyl records. The owners put a lot of effort into making the house comfortable and providing everything you might need. We have spent two vacations there and plan to return for a third.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Brad H.

No words...

This property exceeded our expectations. Our group had an amazing time. Everything was exactly as the host described. And they were at the ready when it came to assisting us during our stay if needed.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2019

8/10 Good

Joseph N.

Well maintained older home. Very quaint. Great living space and view. will rent again.

Very clean and well maintained. Incredible views. So tucked away don't know how they got power out there. Great secluded get away.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2018

10/10 Excellent

ryan l.

Amazing!

We have been renting for vacation for many years and this was the best equipped rental we have ever stayed in! Everything you need in the kitchen, bikes of all sizes, kayaks and a canoe for lake exploration and floaties for even more lake fun. The cottage is beautiful and very clean. The area is amazing! We watched eagles in the wetland out back and three bucks in the yard early in the morning eating acorns. Hamlin lake has great fishing or a short bike ride gets you to the Nordhouse trail head where you can take wonderful hike out to Lake Michigan. If you want a beautiful peaceful place to spend time with family and friends you can't go wrong "Mon Rav"!
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2018
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Eric N.

Exactly as described. Beautiful surroundings and lots to do. Clean inside and out.

We were pleasantly surprised by all of the activities we could do at the cottage. Canoeing, kayaking, floats, fishing, tennis, basketball, swing. Lots of outdoor seating, porch seating. Lots of windows. Modern, clean feel. Great kitchen, plenty of dishes and silverware. Beds were comfortable. Plenty of room for 8 of us. We could have slept 6 more on cots. We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Lee C.

Clean, comfy and spacious. Out in God’s country.

This cottage was great for getting away from it all. Very spacious and comfortable for us; four adults. The place is stocked with games, puzzles, books, and some toys. Happy to not have a TV. Hiking and biking was plentiful in the Manistee National Forest. (some trails don’t allow bikes) You can hike on a great trail and get to Lake Michigan and dunes in about 40 minutes. It takes about 45 minutes to drive to the town of Ludington. We boated to some dunes west of the cottage and enjoyed swimming in the shallow, sandy bottom, of Hamlin Lake. Make sure to check for ticks on everyone and pets after being outdoors. Loved this place!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

isabelle b.

Fantastic!

We loved it! Everything was perfect, we were a group of 3 small families, and the place was exactly what was good for us: a very nice common area to socialize, a lot of games/ toys for kids to play, house simple but well equipped, cosy (very nice fireplace) and very clean, outdoors were also great: we had snow and were able to enjoy snowshoe to lake Michigan, crosscountry ski from the house, walk on the frozen lake, snowmobile around..... And on top of it, Jon was very attentive/ proactive to make sure everything was ok, very responsive when we had questions ( both emails and texts), this is so great to have a owner like Jon! We are planning to come back as soon as we find a date that fits into what is available! Thanks Jon for sharing your fabulous house with us!

About the host

Hosted by Jon Faber

Host profile image

Languages:

English