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Cottage Retreat - Minutes to Beaches, Harbor Shores Golf, and Downtown St. Joe

Photo gallery for Cottage Retreat - Minutes to Beaches, Harbor Shores Golf, and Downtown St. Joe

Property grounds
Exterior
3 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, travel cot, free WiFi
TV, books
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Reviews
9.8

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6111 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
    KitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioningAir conditioning
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor spaceOutdoor space
  • Free WiFi
    Free WiFiFree WiFi
  • Washer
    WasherWasher

Check-in time

4:00 PM

Check-out time

11:00 AM

Explore the area

Map
Benton Harbor, MI
  • Popular LocationHarbor Shores Golf Club15 min walk
  • Popular LocationWhite Pine Winery5 min drive
  • Popular LocationSilver Beach6 min drive
  • AirportKalamazoo, MI (AZO-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Intl.)51 min drive

Most relevant reviews

ExperimentalCarousel

8/10 Good

We love the house and the back yard. The house was very clean and tidy and also adorable. Also, there were beach towels ...
Sep 24, 2023

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Cottage Retreat - Minutes to Beaches, Harbor Shores Golf, and Downtown St. Joe


Our family's cottage was completely renovated in 2018 in a bright, farmhouse-inspired style. It's located in an old residential neighborhood in Benton Harbor, about 200 yards from the Jack Nicklaus-designed Harbor Shores Golf Course (and the equally-enticing North Pier Brewery and North Shore Inn Restaurant!). A short 10min drive will take you to Jean Klock Beach, Silver Beach, Tscornia and Rocky Gap. In the area you will also find wineries, breweries, antique shops, bars & restaurants, coffee shops, and the infamous Silver Beach Pizza.

You'll find a fire pit and bbq grill outside and a cozy fireplace inside. Our 2-story house has ample backyard play space, baby gates, pack-in-play, and a few toys for the kiddos...and a drip coffee machine, 50-inch tv, and plenty of ice for the adults. There's a whole-house water purifier and the furnace filter is changed frequently. We only use fragrance-free detergent and hypoallergenic dryer sheets for towels and bedding. Note: the only bathroom is located on the second floor.

Property manager

Kathy Mendoza

Property amenities

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower only
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Water park on site
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • 1 unit
  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,200 square feet

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Property grounds
Cozy modern cottage in the heart of SW Michigan
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
6.0 out of 10, (2)
Cozy modern cottage in the heart of SW Michigan

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property

About the area

Benton Harbor

This holiday home is located in Benton Harbor. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Silver Beach. FuzzyButz Pet Bakery and Surfari Joe's Indoor Wilderness Water Park are also worth visiting. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing, or try out other outdoor activities such as snowmobiling and sledging.
Visit our Benton Harbor travel guideOpens in a new window
View more Holiday homes in Benton HarborOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Harbor Shores Golf Club - 15 min walk
  • White Pine Winery - 5 min drive
  • Silver Beach - 6 min drive
  • Lakeland Regional Medical Center - 7 min drive
  • Lake Michigan College - 13 min drive

Getting around

  • St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Station - 5 min drive
  • South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.) - 43 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Grand Crossing - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Silver Beach Pizza - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪La Perla Produce - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪The Boulevard Inn & Bistro - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Blossom Trails Golf Club - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cottage Retreat - Minutes to Beaches, Harbor Shores Golf, and Downtown St. Joe pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Cottage Retreat - Minutes to Beaches, Harbor Shores Golf, and Downtown St. Joe?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cottage Retreat - Minutes to Beaches, Harbor Shores Golf, and Downtown St. Joe?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Cottage Retreat - Minutes to Beaches, Harbor Shores Golf, and Downtown St. Joe located?

Situated in Benton Harbor, this holiday home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Harbor Shores Golf Club and Lake Michigan. Silver Beach is 2.6 mi (4.2 km) away.

Cottage Retreat - Minutes to Beaches, Harbor Shores Golf, and Downtown St. Joe Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 76 out of 89 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 89 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 89 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 89 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 89 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sara S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great time!
This was a great place for a get away!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kaleigh B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Beach House!
We loved this property—a short drive from Silver Beach, family-friendly, clean and cozy—my kids were asking if we could move in permanently. Kathy was helpful, checking up to see if there was anything we needed. Five stars!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wendy M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cutest Cottage Ever
It was absolutely darling and the perfect place to stay for a wedding at Stonegate Manor. Close to the lake and downtown St. Joe. We enjoyed ending our evenings with a glass of wine and the French doors open to the peaceful backyard. Thank you so much!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Marilyn T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Well Stocked Kitchen
My family hosted a small fishing event/picnic at West Basina Marina. I was very pleased with the cooking utensils and bowls provided. It made food preparation very easy. The location was also convenient.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Benton Harbor
We love the house and the back yard. The house was very clean and tidy and also adorable. Also, there were beach towels and beach chairs which was fantastic! We certainly used them on the beach. We were in town for a wedding and it was a very comfortable place for us to stay and easy access to where we needed to be.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mike S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice little getaway
Was a perfect getaway for us. The house was very clean and cozy and only minutes from the beaches and downtown. Definitely recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

K S.

Liked: Cleanliness
THIS is the place to stay for Beach time
Our plans were to explore Benton Harbor/ St Joe plus spend lots of time on the beach over Labor Day weekend. Arrival was easy Everything extra white, tidy, & clean Lots of towels Kitchen was great for making eggs, sausage, hardboiled eggs, sandwiches, premade cookie dough cookies. Table was great for several family meals & conversation. Drank wine on the backyard deck. Kids played in BEAUTIFUL large backyard for a total of about 2 hours over the weekend. Parents slept in main floor bedroom, 2 kids in upstairs queen, other 2 kids in 2 twin beds in other upstairs bedroom. Little room at top of stairs was perfect for lots of kids card games, kids had little lamps to draw and read in bed by. Drive to Tiscornia Park/ Beach in morning.... quick enough drive to come back to the house for a quick lunch, then back to the beach. Really close Guys - SO FUN, SO close to Tiscornia Park, Jean Klock, Mason Jar, Silver Beach & Pizza, Lake Bluff Park etc etc. We spent several hours every day at beach - so nice to come back to this beautiful space. Our family really needed this and it so delivered. Hosts were so great and accomodating. If youre looking for a Spot - THIS IS IT.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Barbara A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Golf trip
Very clean, comfortable beds, nice yard. Perfect location for beaches and sightseeing. Drop in star for area because of the area needed to drive through to get to the house was a little iffy at night. Traveled with husband and sister and brother-in-law for golf. Upstairs bathroom was not a problem for us. House cleanliness was a 10 which is most important to me. Well done cottage!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Josh F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location but older neighborhood
Loved the backyard and the closeness of the property to several beaches. Kathy was great and responsive.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jay L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent stay in Benton Harbor at this home
What an excellent home away from home! Right from the start, Kathy was so responsiveness and prompt with her responses setting a great expectation and the home was just beautiful. We really felt as if we here at home. The garden was large with tiki torches and the kitchen was really well equipped. We will most certainly stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patrick P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beach Getaway
Great location. Home was clean & had everything we needed. It was nice to use the beach chairs & wagon for the beach.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Melissa L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Good Location
This home was nice and in a close location to the downtown shopping area and the beach!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Denise C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very clean and close to all Benton Harbor/St. Joe
We had everything we needed in the clean, cozy home, everything worked well and we had just what we needed, thanks, Kathy.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Adorable cottage
We had a lovely stay at this vacation cottage. The house is beautiful and very clean. The only thing that dampened or stay was the noise and lights from the street right out front. The house itself is absolutely perfect.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Ryan N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location for Steelhead 70.3 race
We chose this rental primarily for its location directly on the course of the Steelhead 70.3 race and it did not disappoint from that perspective being right on the bike and run course. We also chose this rental for its listing of having baby/ kid items available (pack n play, high chair, baby gates, toys, etc.) which made our packing much lighter. Although we didn’t use it also had beach items available. Kathy was easy to communicate with and super quick to respond. Reasoning for the one star drop is the downstairs bedroom bed was very uncomfortable. So much that so that my wife ended up sleeping in a different bed for the weekend so we’d stop rolling into each other (mattress almost was a V). That same room is also very loud from the street noise being only 50ft off a busy road. Kitchen was lacking some basic items that you’d expect to be present given the $400+ per night charge. No olive oil, basic coffee, saran wrap, foil, etc., just salt and pepper. Overall our stay met our expectations based on our reason for booking and would book again in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Anne P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quaint, Family-Friendly Cottage
Our family had a great vacation to Saint Joe, and overall we were pleased with our stay at the cottage.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karissa R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fun family beach trip
We had a great time here! It was a short drive to fun beaches and good restaurants. The house had everything we needed for enjoying the beach and exploring the area. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kylee C.

Liked: Cleanliness
amazing cozy space close to everything!
this was the cutest little spot that was private enough but still so close to everything st joe and benton harbor had to offer! we will be returning!! the hosts were very attentive and checked in with us to ensure everything was going smoothly
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

MOLLY W., ARROYO GRANDE

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming cottage
We loved our stay in this cute and well-appointed cottage! The host was very helpful and all the necessary beach gear was provided, which was great, along with lots of good food recommendations! Our only complaint is the noise from the road, but some earplugs and running white noise in the night helped with that!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lee H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location and property
This was the perfect place to stay for our fishing weekend in Michigan. It is in a nice neighborhood - very close to piers and a great Jack Nicklas designed golf course. Four beds were perfect for our family - very clean and Kathy left great instructions. Only issue was that the bathroom is on the second floor, not the first, which was a little challenging for our 87 year old father. Otherwise - it was perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amanda D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great little house!
House was very neat and clean, and the amenities were perfect for us. Great location near all the attractions. Would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Justine D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great home!
Such a charming home, great location and owner.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jean B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Girls Weekend
The house was perfect for a girls weekend with my daughters. Close to shops and wineries. I would recommend, very family friendly.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

Nicole L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Clean, cute house
Kathy was a great host and the house was very clean. We enjoyed the stay but the neighbors were really loud.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kari U., Willowbrook, IL United States

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute, clean house
Kathy is a great host with exception communication. Her house is cute and clean, and a very short ride from several beaches, and towns. Our family of five felt very comfortable!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022