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Historic Riverfront Cottage, Amazing Views, Intown, Free Dock, Pet Friendly

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Kitchen and greatroom
View of downtown Saugatuck, MI and the harbor from the Treehouse Cottage
The double-decker patios of Treehouse Cottage await!
Treehouse Cottage rental on Saugatuck harbor in Saugatuck, MI
Welcome to the Treehouse Cottage rental on Saugatuck harbor

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6139.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Saugatuck, MI
  • Butler Street
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Saugatuck Center For the Arts
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Oval Beach
    ‪10 min drive‬
  • Holland, MI (HLM-Park Township)
    ‪20 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Lower Level Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Main Level Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Historic Riverfront Cottage, Amazing Views, Intown, Free Dock, Pet Friendly

Special Spring and Fall Rates: Save almost $500 Off the Summer Season Weekly Rate during May and October

Weekly Rentals Only during Summer Season i.e. Mid-June, through Labor Day Week.
Saturday to Saturday Weekly Rental Cycle during Summer Season

Short Term/Nightly Rentals during the Spring & Fall Seasons. Rates vary depending upon the Season, Length of stay and Day of the Week. .

Treehouse Cottage is a historic, Riverfront Cottage that sits 30 - 40 ft above the Kalamazoo River, connecting Saugatuck to Lake Michigan. The cottage is a short walk (10 - 12 min) or bike ride to Saugatuck's downtown attractions, shops and restaurants. A large screened porch overlooks the river and opens into the living room allowing for true indoor/outdoor living - without the bugs. The view of the river boating traffic and wildlife from the screened porch is incredible and a major attraction of the cottage.

The original cottage was built in the 1850's but has been kept current by ongoing remodeling updates, e.g. a cathedral ceiling in the living/dining room, new carpeting throughout, a covered deck running the full length of the lower level, over-looking the yard and River. A major remodeling of the Master bedroom/bath, kitchen and dining/living great room was completed in 2022. All new kitchen cabinets and appliances were added and the furnishing and furniture was upgraded throughout the main level. Updating of a lower level bedroom, bath and laundry room (new washer/dryer, cabinets, etc) was finished for the 2023 season.There is also Highspeed Broadband WiFi throughout the Cottage and a large flat screen SMART TV entertainment area in the living room. Every bedroom also has aTV with premium cable.

There is a large lawn on the lower river level. It is ideal for sunbathing, fishing, family gatherings, lawn games or enjoying the boat traffic. Fishing from this level is usually good and a new 40' dock enables the renter to dock their own or a rented sport, pontoon, or fishing boat. Canoes, kayaks or paddle boards can be launched from the dock or sea wall and can be rented locally. Please contact the property owner in advance to arrange for FREE dockage, boat trailer storage, etc.

Because the Lake levels can vary from season to season we recommend that you talk directly to us about any concerns you may have with the size or draft of your boat.

Weekly rentals have priority. However, shorter, nightly rentals are common in the Spring & Fall Seasons and on short notice. It is also possible to RENT JUST THE MAIN LEVEL of the cottage for a romantic couples' get-a-way. The main level includes the Master bedroom w/king bed, bathroom, kitchen, dining/living great room and the screened porch. Inquire directly with the owner about this as it isn't possible to receive an accurate quotation using VRBO's pricing software.

Two small dogs (20 lbs each or less) are allowed with the owner's approval and payment of a Pet Fee. Please read the included Pet Policy requirements; especially the need to kennel/crate your pet(s) whenever it's left alone in the cottage.

Our linen package includes bed pads, pillows, pillow cases, sheets and blankets. Bath mats & dish towels are also provided. However, It is necessary for you to bring your own bath and beach towels as they are not provided. If you are traveling by air or over very long distances let us know so we can discuss other possible arrangements.

Keywords: Saugatuck Cottages, Waterfront, Riverfront, Cottages, Intown, Downtown, Boat dockage, River Views, Vacation Rentals, Nightly, Weekly and Monthly Rental, pet friendly, pets allowed, free dock use, children welcome, children encouraged

Property manager

Janet and Gary Kemp
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
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

Pets allowed: dogs less than 9 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Small/Med Dogs allowed but Cats are Not accepted
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking not allowed in the cottage.
Pets must be kept in a kennel/crate when left alone in the cottage. A walk through inspection will be done at check-out to determine deposit returned.
Noisy parties/events are not allowed. Smoking is only allowed outside. Failure to obey either of these rules can result in eviction & loss of payments
There is only parking for 3 cars. RVs, motor homes and tents are not allowed on property. Additional parking is available on public streets

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
Property Registration Number CSTR-220105

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Saugatuck

Located in Saugatuck, this cottage is on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Oval Beach. Holland Community Aquatic Center and Forever Curious Children's Museum are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Saugatuck, MI

What's nearby

  • Butler Street - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Saugatuck Center For the Arts - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Saugatuck Dunes State Park - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Silver Lake - 7 min drive - 4.8 km
  • Oval Beach - 10 min drive - 6.2 km

Getting around

  • Holland Station - 15 min drive
  • Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Butler - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Burger King - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Grill - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Uncommon Coffee Roasters - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪The Southerner - ‬4 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic Riverfront Cottage, Amazing Views, Intown, Free Dock, Pet Friendly pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Historic Riverfront Cottage, Amazing Views, Intown, Free Dock, Pet Friendly?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic Riverfront Cottage, Amazing Views, Intown, Free Dock, Pet Friendly?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Historic Riverfront Cottage, Amazing Views, Intown, Free Dock, Pet Friendly located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is 0.1 mi (0.2 km) from Kalamazoo Lake and 1.4 mi (2.3 km) from Lake Michigan. Kalamazoo River and Butler Street are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 64 out of 83 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 83 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 83 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 6 out of 83 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 83 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sally H.

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

Girls weekend in Saugatuck

Darling treehouse cottage, for girls weekend in Saugatuck. Walking distance to good food, shopping and more.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cindy L.

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

Fabulous view and location!

A beautiful location on the river walking distance from town. Charming cottage with large screened in porch. Perfect for morning coffee or dinner with friends! Saugatuck and Douglas are always a treat. Great shopping and dining options. A short drive to the state park. Nothing better than Lake Michigan’s freshwater beaches!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

chris B.

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

Perfect Location

Great location, super clean, house was as advertised.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shane D.

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

Perfect weekend getaway with beautiful views

This cozy little cottage was perfect for our weekend getaway. My son and I decided to take a last minute adventure to Saugatuck and I'm so glad that we did. Check in was easy, the beds were comfy, the porch was cozy in the mornings with coffee, and the fireplace was nice too. The yard is spacious- if you we had more time, I'm sure we would've spent more time out back watching the boats go up and down the river. The yard was meticulously manicured. There were plenty of blankets and games...although we didn't even get a chance to play games because we were so busy adventuring. The cottage is a 5 -7 min walk to the main strip in Saugatuck. We were going to take the chain ferry across the river, but it's only in operation from Memorial Day to Labor Day. That was ok though, its a short little 15 min drive to Mt. Baldhead. We drove over and walked up the stairs to the beautiful overlook of the Saugatuck harbor village. We then walked down the other side all the way to Lake Michigan. We also did the Saugatuck Dune Rides, which was a blast. The next day we drove to Holland with the suggestion of the owners, Gary and Janet and had breakfast over there, along with a visit to the windmill and lighthouse. We will definitely come back and stay in the Treehouse Cottage....hopefully this fall when the leaves are changing colors.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tom V.

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

Relaxing River stay

First time in Saugatuck. Great place to stay. 10 minute walk into town. Multiple places to watch the river traffic. Owners were very responsive to questions.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Terra B.

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

A repeat location for us!

Cute, clean, somewhat rustic cottage. Absolutely stunning location. Having a large grassy area on the Kalamazoo, a dock, and a large screened in porch with that view is worth every penny.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dean K.

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

Nice place

Clean a little aged but perfect spot and great river view on balcony.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alyson H.

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

AMAZING! Exactly what we needed.

First of all, Gary was so accommodating with our last minute request. His communication was great & he is very personable. He & Jan have created a beautiful place for guests to stay. As we pulled up to the house we immediately felt comfortable. Everything is pristine and beautifully updated. More than enough space for our family of 4 +dog. We had such a wonderful time eating on the screened in porch (no bugs bothering us), with beautiful views of Kalamazoo River and watching the boats go by. The location was perfect. Easy to get to everything we needed and in a quiet & quaint tree lined neighborhood. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessica J.

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

Weekend of July 6th & 7th

This is an incredible location, walking distance to downtown and so peaceful on the river. We especially loved relaxing on the screened in porch watching the boats go by. The hosts were very friendly and attentive to our questions about check in and the stay. Will definitely stay again and highly recommend!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

April V.

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

Great views

Nice location and great boat watching spot!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark B.

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

Fantastic Cottage

This cottage has everything. It is clean, comfortable, and the water view is incredible. The screened in deck was perfect to just relax and watch the boats go by. Gary and Jan are lovely hosts and checked in several times to see if we needed anything. We had such a good time even our dog was reluctant to leave when it was time to head home.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Haley R.

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

The best!

Literally a perfect location and place to stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessica R.

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

Lovely Stay

Such a great walkable location to many attractions in the area. Bike storage and plenty of parking. Wonderful screened in porch with an awesome view of the river. Really enjoyed the stay.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dan M.

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

Family weekend

Excellent location and wonderful home. I recommend for anyone.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

julie t.

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

Great property!

Everything was clean and comfortable. The porch was amazing and the view beautiful!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gary T.

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

River house

Cute cottage, very clean and nice views of river. The cottage floors/structure lean noticeably toward river, which is weird for old people like us to balance and the steps down to the river don’t feel stable. It was also strange that towels are not provided.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Charlene W.

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

GREAT GETAWAY SPOT

Super cute with great views of the river. Spotless-clean and neat. Instructions and labels on everything made it easy to navigate. Lots of local brochures of things to do. The kitchen is well equipped. The little slant of the property took a bit of getting used to but good enough for morning yoga on the beautiful screened in porch.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

John D., Ann Arbor MI

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

Treehouse Cottage on the river

My wife and I stayed for 3 days after the Labor Day weekend. The Treehouse Cottage is likely named after the two giant trees on each side of the deck. The property is cozy with a magnificent view of the river joining Lake Michigan with the bay downtown. On the first day we watched dozens of boats of all sizes go up and down the river. The wide and well-appointed porch is screened in and free of mosquitos. The TVs and cable were excellent. The kitchen has great appliances but is rather small so making larger meals would be very difficult. We made breakfast each day and that was fine. Cookware was ample for the size of the kitchen. Climate control was very good as it was warm and cold during our stay. The master bedroom was roomy with more views of the river. The master bath was adequate. The downstairs rooms were great, but we did not use them. The washer dryer combo looked new with plenty of room to do laundry. There were several notices to bring your own towels. This should be heeded! There are no towels of any kind in the home. We found no washcloths or hand towels either. I assumed you should bring beach towels. We were lucky enough to have brought two towels and one wash cloth. In previous summer visits dinner time was difficult because the restaurants fill up quickly and the waits can be long. After Labor Day the problem is actually worse as several restaurants reduced their hours or reduced their seating. Good to have multiple dinner options.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica E.

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

Beautiful River Property!

Very clean. Owners were helpful and easy to communicate with. The location and property can’t be beat! An easy walk to downtown Saugatuck but still on the river with plenty of yard by the water to enjoy. The double porches were our favorite places! Only caution: the home was built 125 years ago; my 6’4 husband had to be careful of his head! We hope to be back and stay longer next year!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joseph P., Chicago

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

Stellar experience

Well maintained. Very happy with this rental
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amy S.

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

A Slice of Saugatuck Paradise

Gary and Jan are the perfect hosts! As previous innkeepers they know how to provide top notch hospitality. We loved the location and the accommodations were wonderful. We are very much looking forward to a return visit!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Terra B.

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

Cozy cottage with beautiful views.

We loved that it was on the river with a dock and large yard. The porches were large and the screened in porch off the main living space was so great. It is an old cottage with some quirks but was very clean and comfortable. I think the only down side that I experienced was a lack of space to keep your food other than the refrigerator.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brian L.

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

Treehouse cottage

Lovely cottage with a spectacular view of the river. Comfortable and spotless. Couldn’t ask for anything more.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Phil K.

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

River House

Great facility. Easy access to the river for use of our kayak and paddle board. Very short bike or car ride into town for restaurants and breweries. We will be back
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elaine D.

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

Great Screened in Porch Overlooking River

Extremely clean cottage with new appliances. Great location on the river and close to town. Owner lives adjacent to the property and was helpful with a few things. The cottage is quite old, but has many updates and is comfortable.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

About the host

Hosted by Janet and Gary Kemp

Host profile image
Our names are Jan & Gary and we have been married for 60 years - a rare feat today it seems. We have lived in the Saugatuck/Douglas/Holland area most of those years and know a lot about what there is to do and see in the area. Gary's a former sales/marketing executive with a Fortune 500 office furniture manufacturer. Jan worked in sales for Xerox and the Avon Company and retired with many years of local real estate brokerage experience. We also owned and operated Marywood Manor B & B in downtown Saugatuck for over 25 years. While it was closed during the winter months we spent our time living on our 44 ft catamaran and sailing in South Florida, the Bahamas and Florida Keys. Since selling the boat we now spend as much of winter as possible in Florida or Hawaii. We promise to help you have an enjoyable stay in the Treehouse Cottage and will do everything we can to make it memorial. Please call us if you have any questions about Treehouse, the Saugatuck/Douglas area or sailing. We'd love to talk with you.

Why they chose this property

Since moving to West Michigan in 1970 we always enjoyed Saugatuck. It has always been a small tourist community which had a great deal of summer music and art entertainment and boating life style. While winters were always snow covered and quiet there was always something fun going on and many good restaurants. We brought the 'Tree House Cottage in 1991. It is on the Kalamazoo River connecting Saugatuck and Lake Michigan. It is ideally located just a short walk or bike ride from downtown Saugatuck and its many great shops and restaurants. If you enjoy boats you will love sitting in the yard or on the screened porch and watching the many different types and sizes of boats going up and down the river through out the day. If you have a boat of your own you can keep it at the cottages' private dock and use it whenever desire. If you are into canoeing, kayaking or paddle boarding you can do it right off the dock and property. You can even rent a boat downtown and keep it at the dock when you are renting it. After a day of boating or going to the beach you can relax at the house and cook dinner on the gas grill or take a short walk downtown and enjoy a pleasant dinner and fun night life without having to drive your car anywhere. After the walk back, in a safe pleasant residential neighborhood, you can get a good nights sleep and take a nice morning walk or jog with your friends or dog if you desire or have a nice cup of coffee watching the fishing boats going out to Lake Michigan. What a great life.

What makes this property unique

The view from the screened porch is spectacular. You can sit and watch boats come and go all day. It's just a nice walk to downtown for dinner or a specialty coffee at the local coffee house. The heavily forested properties across the river gives you the feeling of real privacy as you watch deer drinking at the river in the early morning and evening. Throughout Fall the colors of the trees change and provide many beautiful scenes and reflections in the water. Early in the morning haze, while you sip your coffee, the charter fishing boats go out the river for a day of salmon and trout fishing. Sitting on the porch or in the yard is truly a peaceful experience as the boats return to their docks.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests