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Port Huron - Sandy Feet Cottage, steps to Lake Huron

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Sandy Feet, built in 1935  under a soaring pine at the end of a row of cottages
A gas grill, firepit, and vintage croquet set are all available at Sandy Feet
Vintage wicker is cozy & comfortable for reading, playing cards, drinking coffee
A perfect sunroom with sliding doors & screens on three sides
View from the front porch, looking towards the lake

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 892.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Beach view
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Fort Gratiot Township, MI
  • Birchwood Mall
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Fort Gratiot Lighthouse
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Blue Water Bridge
    ‪16 min drive‬
  • Sarnia, ON (YZR-Chris Hadfield)
    ‪21 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 2 - Beach Room

3 Single Beds

Bedroom 3 - Bunk Room

3 Single Bunk Beds

Primary Bedroom

1 King Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Port Huron - Sandy Feet Cottage, steps to Lake Huron

NOTE: The AI added description from VRBO/Expedia above the headline is incorrect - the nearest beach is two blocks away and only for the use of the cottages on our street.

COVID 19 Update: Additional steps are taken to ensure the safety and health of our guests and mitigate the spread of C19 or any other virus:

1. Additional cleaning and sanitizing by disinfecting the cottage with professional, hospital-grade cleaners that are specified by the CDC/EPA.
2. Extra time on disinfecting all doorknobs, light switches, remote controls, etc. as recommended by the CDC.
3. Access to additional paper goods (plates, napkins, toilet paper, paper towels, etc.) as well as disposable silverware, cutting boards & disinfecting supplies.

At the end of a row of 5 cottages, along a private street, sits a 1935 cottage, Sandy Feet, that embraces 21rst century living without letting go of its beloved past. This quaint & timeless *air-conditioned* cottage sleeps 7 - 8 comfortably in three bedrooms (Primary bedroom with new king mattress & adjustable frame, 'Beach Room' with 2 XL twin beds & pullout twin trundle, & 'Bunk Room' with 2 twin bunks & antique Ranch Hand's bed). All three bedrooms plus the living room have a ‘smart TV’ for streaming (no cable or network TV). Sandy Feet's daily & weekly prices are completely *inclusive* of cleaning fees and taxes. All the basic amenities for guests (paper goods, soaps, spices/condiments & coffee/tea/hot chocolate) are included - even oatmeal for breakfast and cookies warm from the oven!!

Nightly and weekly rates (as well as minimum stay) vary depending upon the season. Check the calendar for the rate on your requested dates. There is an additional charge for more than 5 guests, including family/friends who arrive/sleep after your arrival date.

Relax at Sandy Feet in a living room with leather couch, large screen TV (Netflix, Hulu, etc.), board games & puzzles, a full kitchen, dining room, bathroom with shower, and sunroom/enclosed porch (with a small view of the lake). Located across the street from Lake Huron, a giant deck wraps around two sides of the house with gas grill, umbrella table, chairs, and loungers. The huge yard, great for badminton & croquet, also has a fire pit for evening bonfires. There's a garage with a ping pong table & all the beach toys & games imaginable for the young and young-at-heart. Grab your lightweight wagon with beach chairs, towels and cooler (provided) and head down the block to the paved path to the beach where you can gaze over miles of open water, with it's ever-changing waves & sand. And there's no better place on earth to sip a cup of morning coffee and watch the sun rise.

Sandy Feet Cottage is in a superb location in Fort Gratiot Township on the 'north end,' only 1 mile from the mall and all of the major superstores and restaurants (both local-owned favorites & all the chains) - and less than 5 min. to Starbucks, Barnes & Noble Books, and Krafft 8 Movie Theater. You're in downtown Port Huron in 10 minutes, with all of the great shops, restaurants, farmer's market, River Walk, marinas and more. The picturesque vacation village of Lexington, with their great summer music series, quaint shops, fun beach and long pier walk is only 15 - 20 minutes to the north of Sandy Feet. And for those visitors not from SE Michigan, it's no more than 60 minutes to Tiger Stadium and the Fox Theater in downtown Detroit to catch a ballgame or professional theater.

With this quick and easy access, unusual for most cottage experiences, there is some road noise from nearby Lakeshore Road. This is the only access up the 'thumb' of Michigan, so guests hear traffic noise when on the deck or lawn, or windows are open.

This charming cottage has vintage furniture in the sunroom, local antique postcards on the walls, a very unusual antique 'ranch hand's' bed, mission rocker, and other retro touches. But there also are four 'smart' TVs (49' in lvg rm) with many free streaming apps (Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime), a recently-remodeled kitchen with microwave and all needed small & large appliances, a Bluetooth music system (streams music from apps like Pandora or Spotify or play your own stored tunes in your smart phone), washer & dryer (supplies provided), and high speed internet augmented with an additional router to be sure there is plenty of strong Wi-Fi access for all of your devices. We want you to be able to relax on your vacation, so in addition to linens & towels (both bath & beach), all paper goods, shampoo, soap, spices, coffee, tea & hot chocolate are provided. There's even extra sunscreen, bug spray, toothpaste, & deodorant if needed! Cozy throws & blankets are located throughout the cottage, but a new gas forced-air furnace will make Sandy Feet toasty in an instant. And for those 'dog days' when fans & the lake breeze are not enough, there's central air conditioning. Vintage, yes, but re-imagined for the 21rst century.

In the spring of 1919, Harry S Truman returned from duty in World War I & married Elizabeth 'Bess' Wallace. The couple spent part of their honeymoon at the Harrington Hotel in Port Huron, MI. Their daughter, Margaret, wrote in her biography of Bess, 'For the rest of his life, whenever Harry Truman wanted to regain the radiance of those first days with Bess, he simply wrote 'Port Huron.' For him it was a code word for happiness.' It's our code word for happiness too, and it will be yours as well as you discover the Blue Water region.

Property manager

Darlene Rushing
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
The cottage is child-friendly but not child-proof.
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Events

No events allowed
Violators will be immediately evicted & no refund.
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Pets

No pets allowed
Violators will be immediately evicted & no refund.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking, no candles or flame for any reason
Noise - Fort Gratiot Township has a noise ordinance from 9 PM to 8 AM which must be observed by all guests. Violators will be immediately evicted.

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
Note from host: Violators will be immediately evicted & no refund.
Long-term renters welcome
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

This property does not have any lifts
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Fort Gratiot

Located in Fort Gratiot, this cottage is on a lake. Lake Huron and Lakeport State Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Thomas Edison Depot Museum and Stones 'N Bones Museum. Travelling with kids? Consider Glacier Pointe Ice Complex and Sawmill City. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing, and don't miss out on the ice skating.
Map
Fort Gratiot Township, MI

What's nearby

  • Birchwood Mall - 3 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Lakeport State Park - 6 min drive - 5.5 km
  • Lakeside Park - 7 min drive - 5.6 km
  • Fort Gratiot Lighthouse - 9 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Blue Water Bridge - 16 min drive - 12.7 km

Getting around

  • Port Huron Station - 17 min drive
  • Sarnia, ON (YZR-Chris Hadfield) - 21 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Texas Roadhouse - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Olive Garden - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Port Huron - Sandy Feet Cottage, steps to Lake Huron pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Port Huron - Sandy Feet Cottage, steps to Lake Huron?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Port Huron - Sandy Feet Cottage, steps to Lake Huron?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Port Huron - Sandy Feet Cottage, steps to Lake Huron located?

This family-friendly Fort Gratiot cottage is located on a lake, within 3 mi (5 km) of Lake Huron, Birchwood Mall and Fort Gratiot Canine Commons. Thomas Edison Depot Museum and Lakeside Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).

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. 91 out of 95 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 95 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 95 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 95 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 95 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jacob B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect beach getaway
The house was perfect and very well stocked. And Beds were comfortable. Kind of close to highway but the beach access was awesome. Darlene was beyond helpful and made the stay even better with suggestions on activities.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

J C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely Gem
Property manager was very nice and helpful with great communication upfront to make sure our stay was perfect. House slept our family of 6 perfectly.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Darlene O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Close to many ammenaties!
Loved our stay at Sandy Feet Cottage! Darlene is an amazing host that had so many extra little touches for us during our stay. From cookies and cinnamon buns to enjoy to extra guest items in case we forgot something! Close to Birchwood Mall and other shopping as well as the beach! We will be staying again!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

charanjit

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
It was good stay ,owner made it a point to have all deails written and also sent emails so that we should not have any proplem.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Traci C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Vacation
We loved our visit to Sandy Feet Cottage! The location was great, the accomodations were spacious / plentiful, the cottage was comfortable, & access to the beach was very close. Darlene's communication was excellent. My family & I made some wonderful memories on our vacation.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shirley N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sister weekend stay
We (5) Sisters booked this cottage for a long weekend to reconnect. The cottage was wonderful with more than enough amenities! Very close to dining and shopping. Darlene is an amazing host and would definitely recommend this cottage.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Craig D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful cottage
Our family truely enjoyed our stay this past weekend. Thank you for making a tough weekend a little bit easier.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jean M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
So relaxing and enjoyable
All the little nautical themed touches in this cottage made us feel so relaxed and at home. We had such a lovely time. We enjoyed the fires in the fire pit, cooking on the grill and eating on the patio, walking along the beach, and playing games indoors. The Wi-Fi connection was great as we also had work to do on our laptops. We would love to come here again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathy T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely place
My friends and I loved our stay. The Sandy Feet Cottage was everything and more than expected. It was comfortable inside and out. We played outdoor games that were provided by Darlene, enjoyed the fire pit, walked the beach, and baked cookies she provided for us if the freezer. The sun porch was relaxing and cozy for morning coffee. It was so nice. Thank you Darlene.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carla J., Dansville Mi

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Better then anticipated
Very cute little cottage. Very clean. Darlene is an amazing host. She pays a lot of attention to detail.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Marvin D., Detroit, MI

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
My Great Summer home
Sandy Feet is always well taken care of. Stocked with everything we need. Just like being at home but off Lake Huron. Ms. Darlene is always kind and available for any questions or concerns. Love that place and all my summer neighbors. Looking forward to 2024! Marvin
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Adam L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Stay!
Cannot say enough good things about this property and property manager Darlene! First off, the description is spot on. The property is tucked away in a very nice and quiet neighborhood, just steps away from Lake Huron. Once you step inside, you will feel right at home. Everything you need to take the stress out of your stay is provided. We were able to sit out on the large deck and watch the sun rise in the morning and set in the evening. We found the games and Ping Pong table to be a great way to relax after a long day exploring the area. We had such a great time and will definitely be booking this property again.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kim S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spring Break in Michigan!
Yes, we decided to come to the warm state of Michigan for our Spring Break. Actually, the true reason was to come visit my husband’s elderly mother. This home was in the perfect location. It was clean, stocked with all necessary items, and had a nice view of Lake Huron. Restaurants, grocery stores and shopping are all within a 5 minute drive. Darlene was a wonderful host. The weather wasn’t too bad (not having any snow was a win), but we will perhaps rent again when we return in the summer.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Erin W., Bloomington

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Clean, comfortable cottage in a wonderful location
Staying in Sandy Feet Cottage felt like we were staying at a dear friend or close family member’s home. It was clean and cozy, and Darlene was the most hospitable host EVER. So many thoughtful touches- plenty of linens, cookie dough and cinnamon rolls, tons of board games, and so much more. The beds were comfortable, the Smart TVs were appreciated as it was cold and rainy in evenings when we were there. The beach was just steps away and since my friends and I specifically came to PH/FG to look for rocks, we were pleased to find it it was rocky. It was lovely being able to sit in the sunroom in the morning and see the Lake. My friends loved having the ping pong table available. It was all such a lovely, pleasant stay, and I hope to visit again!!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Jessica M.

Absolutely amazing!!
I can't even fully express in words of how amazing it was staying in Darlene's cottage. From the outside it looks really small and once you walk in, you are instantly blown away! The cottage was very clean and picture perfect with the nautical theme of the cottage. There was a lot of light coming through the windows and an amazing view overlooking the lake from the patio. My girlfriends and I had a great time spending the weekend with each other in this cozy cottage. We were all impressed with what was provided and the charm this place had. One thing that really impressed me is the kindness coming from Darlene. She wanted to make sure my stay was pleasant and even went out of her way to give me info about the area. So when I left I wanted to make sure it was just as clean as I arrived. My parents stopped by and even they would like to stay there. If you are looking for a place to have a romantic getaway or just a weekend with the friends, this is the place!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Walt P.

A Perfect Getaway
Sandy Feet Cottage is truly a home away from home. I needed some time away from a very busy schedule and stayed at Sandy Feet on Lake Huron for 4 days - although I wish it could have been longer. It was a fully relaxing and completely carefree vacation for me. Host, Darlene and family, have set up Sandy Feet with your every comfort in mind. The kitchen is well stocked for cooking and preparing meals at the cottage, but there are plenty of places to eat nearby if you'd prefer to not cook. And there so many choices at the cottage for where to enjoy your meal - at the counter facing the kitchen, in the dining room area, or out on the expansive deck. All the rooms are well decorated with that perfect vintage "beachy" feel and the bed I slept in was extremely comfortable. The bathroom even included shampoo and body wash if you happen to forget your own. An entire notebook is available for guests looking for places to visit and things to do, as well as instructions for every appliance at the cottage, just in case you are unfamiliar with how to use the coffee maker or turn on the TV. Seriously, you don't have to think or worry about a thing! I fully enjoyed beach-sitting, deck-sitting and comfy-couch-sitting during my stay. I did manage to motivate myself to do a little antique shopping and just wandering around the area. Everything Antiques in Port Huron was great, but I found better prices, offerings, and great deals in some of the "out of the way" antique shops north of Port Gratiot. I enjoyed downtown Port Huron, the local lighthouse, and traveling one day for several hours up the coast. Highlight: the Exquisite Corpse Coffeehouse in Port Huron was a morning necessity, although I found The Raven Coffeehouse, just down the block, equally as nice. I will definitely stay at Sandy Feet Cottage again. Walt

10/10 Excellent

Alisha W., Uniontown, OH 44685, USA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best host so far!
We have stayed in many Vrbo rental properties and Darlene is the best host we have had so far. Communication with her is great! She also had a freezer packed with goodies to enjoy. It was amazing!! Thank you so much. We highly recommend this place. The location was perfect. Just a short walk from the beach.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jeff and Cindy Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful and welcoming cottage
Cottage is immaculate with a great location. We felt very at home and will book this cottage again. Interacting with Darlene was an absolute pleasure
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mark M., San Antonio TX

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Blue Water Relaxation
The cottage was a perfect location , close to Lake Huron and our family. The host thought of everything we might heed during our stay. The unique sailboat themed antiques added to the ambience. This was our second time staying there and hopefully we will get to relax at Sandy Feet again in the future.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marvin D., Detroit, MI

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Second Home
Love this place. Worst thing about Sandy Feet is when I have to leave. Much appreciate Ms. Darlene always taking great care of us. Much Love for my part time Port Huron neighbors. It good to catch up with everyone. Until next year!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Judie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The place was perfect
The clean wonderful place that made my stay most enjoyable,
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carol H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excited to stay
I was so excited to find this cottage just a mile from where I grew up. This was the perfect place for my family as an overflow from my mom and dad’s beach house. It was a great place to return to at the end of our busy family get together’s. The cottage was very cozy and well kept. We will definitely hope for this to be available for future stays. Darlene was a great host extremely friendly and communicated everything perfectly!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christina M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful house for our family vacation
Our family had a great time at the cottage. We enjoyed the beachy decor and had lots of fun playing all the lawn games. The walk to the lake was so short and the beach/park was only a short drive away. Perfect place for a family to enjoy a relaxing week at the lake
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carl B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sandy Feet is an excellent place to stay in the Port Huron Area
Sandy Feet Cottage was an excellent place to stay. It was well stocked and they made us feel very welcomed. There is plenty to do and relax at the cottage. In addition the Port Huron Area has plenty of attractions.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Renata M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cozy house by the beach
We visited with our kids in April, and had some unexpected snow and chilly weather. But Darlene’s home was so welcoming that we enjoyed being inside and my kids were taken with the cookie dough ready to help us stay warm. Darlene even texted on arrival to see if we needed anything. The proximity to the beach and shops and restaurants made things easy for families, and there were truly books and games for all ages which we really enjoyed! The house was lovely and nice sheets, beds, and towels made evenings restful and cozy. Thank you Darlene!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022

About the host

Hosted by Darlene Rushing

Host profile image
We left Port Huron in 1989 for the shiny lights of the big city (Pittsburgh, PA), but our heart and home was always in the Blue Water Area. This is the place where we had our first jobs, met, fell in love, did a bunch of community theater, got married, bought our first house and made a lifetime of great friends. We kept returning most every year since leaving, renting various cottages and staying with friends. Whenever we returned, it just felt like coming home. Over the past 25 years, we've grown up and so has Port Huron. It's now a major tourist location with many beautiful (and free!) beaches, lots to do along the river and lakefront (we love the lighthouse), and an increasingly-dynamic downtown with great antique stores, shops, restaurants & coffee shops. For convenience, there's a vast assortment of stores on the north end less than 1 mile from the cottage, which was just farmland, Cheap Charlie's, Kmart and McDonald's when we left. We found that with each visit, we found more and more to do and see in this fabulous region as well as visiting with all of our wonderful friends.

Why they chose this property

In addition to Port Huron, we've traveled the world renting homes, cottages and apartments, all across the US and in Spain, Turks & Caicos, South Africa, Sicily, Turkey, Ecuador, Canada, Italy, Czech Republic, Portugal, Mexico, France, Germany, Nicaragua, Belgium, and more. After years of renting others, it's great to have a cottage like Sandy Feet to call our own, and to share with family and friends, both old and new!

What makes this property unique

Sandy Feet charmed us with the many features that have been unchanged over the past 80 years - the proximity to the beautiful Lake Huron, a little-used beach in a quiet residential neighborhood of cottages & homes, the three giant trees in the yard (especially the enormous pine tree in front), the great wood wainscoting in the 'Beach Room' (original living room), the log wood-grooved exterior visible on the enclosed porch and the Bunk Room, and the original wood front door with beveled glass and skeleton key. And the fact that it's at the end of dead-end private street with a spacious yard and huge deck. As time goes on, we plan to continue restoring this 1935 cottage back to more of it's historic origins while enjoying all four seasons along Lake Huron and the St. Clair River. Mostly, we plan on relishing more opportunities to come back to our heart's home.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests