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BEAUTIFUL COTTAGE JUST STEPS FROM THE BEACH AND 1.0 MILE FROM DOWNTOWN

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Red's Retreat
Side deck with gas grill
Back of home, with outdoor shower
Kitchen bar
Bright open floorplan.  Sofa sleeper.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10148.6 sq m

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
South Haven, MI
  • Michigan Maritime Museum
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Kal Haven Trail
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • South Beach
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Benton Harbor, MI (BEH-Southwest Michigan Regional)
    ‪28 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed and 1 Crib

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

4 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

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

About this property

BEAUTIFUL COTTAGE JUST STEPS FROM THE BEACH AND 1.0 MILE FROM DOWNTOWN

Summer rentals (mid June through mid August) are by the week (Fri to Fri) only. Non-summer rates are lower, contact owner. No pets.

Leave your worries at home while staying at this beautiful, clean, well-stocked and stylishly furnished beach house located in North Beach location. Secluded First Street beach access (via stairs) is a block away.

Beautiful hickory hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, open floor plan with a unique and professionally designed beach motif. We can seat 10 people in the kitchen/dining area-everyone can have a meal together! 3 bedrooms, 2 full baths. Upstairs loft (with 2 sets of bunk beds, a TV, DVD, and play station) perfect for kids; we also have a playset/swingset in the back yard.

Sleeping arrangements on main level: master: queen bed, en suite full bath; second bedroom: queen bed. 2 full baths on ground level. Living room: New queen sofa sleeper with internal air mattress (no lumps or sags!).

Large backyard, playset and outdoor deck with gas grill awaits. Parking for 5 cars. Sit out under the stars around our custom-made fire pit and roast some marshmallows, roasting utensils and firewood provided. Or sleep away a lazy day in our hammock under a beautiful pine tree.

Let us provide a truly outstanding accommodation for your family and friends!

Peak summer rental is by the week only. Non peak rentals 3 day minimum. Friday changeover day. Firm no pet policy. Signed contract required, minimum age 25. 10 person maximum.

Property manager

Gail Scherquist

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 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Minimum age 25. Reservation is not confirmed until signed contract received/acknowledged.
Casco Township requires that renters abide by South Haven's "Good Neighbor" Policy. A copy of the policy is posted in the house.
Casco Township requires that the Short Term Rental Ordinance is provided to renters. A copy of the ordinance is posted in the house.

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 15
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 deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

South Haven

Located on a lake, this holiday home is in West Wing Estates, a neighbourhood in South Haven. Michigan Maritime Museum and Michigan Flywheelers Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include The Fun Park and Kids Place Park. Take in the nearby slopes with skiing, or try out other outdoor activities such as ice skating and sledging.
Map
South Haven, MI

What's nearby

  • North Beach - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Michigan Maritime Museum - 3 min drive - 2.4 km
  • South Haven Center for the Arts - 4 min drive - 3.0 km
  • Kal Haven Trail - 5 min drive - 3.7 km
  • South Beach - 6 min drive - 4.0 km

Getting around

  • Bangor Station - 20 min drive
  • Kalamazoo, MI (AZO-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Intl.) - 54 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Culver's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Biggby Coffee - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is BEAUTIFUL COTTAGE JUST STEPS FROM THE BEACH AND 1.0 MILE FROM DOWNTOWN pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at BEAUTIFUL COTTAGE JUST STEPS FROM THE BEACH AND 1.0 MILE FROM DOWNTOWN?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at BEAUTIFUL COTTAGE JUST STEPS FROM THE BEACH AND 1.0 MILE FROM DOWNTOWN?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is BEAUTIFUL COTTAGE JUST STEPS FROM THE BEACH AND 1.0 MILE FROM DOWNTOWN located?

This family-friendly South Haven holiday home is located on a lake, within 1 mi (2 km) of North Beach and Lake Michigan. Michigan Maritime Museum and South Haven Center for the Arts are also within 2 miles (3 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. 26 out of 28 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 28 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 28 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 28 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 28 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lisa S.

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

Great Location

Had a great time at Red’s Retreat, steps to gorgeous beach and walkable to town! House was clean and had all the amenities Thanks!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Peggy F.

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

Fun Times at Red's Retreat

House had everything we wanted and needed! Location was great
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cindy R.

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

Family vacation

Very nice and clean. Good location with everything we need. Did not catch there were no bath towels provided so we had to purchase some. Overall very happy and would stay again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Julia K.

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

Awesome Vacation at Red’s Retreat!

Our family just had a fabulous stay at Red’s Retreat in South Haven, Michigan! This beautifully decorated cottage set the tone for a week that was sun- and fun-filled! Our grandchildren were over-the-moon with the loft, a perfect place with bunks and good sleep. Two full baths, a laundry room, and open living space made us all feel at home. Only a short ride to public beaches, parks, shops and restaurants. Chuck and Gail have the PERFECT PLACE for families with little ones!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kevin S.

Great House, Perfect Location

This was a perfect house for two families (3 adults, 3 kids). It was a one block walk to the semi-private beach, which was uncrowded even on weekends in the height of the summer season. It is an easy drive into downtown South Haven or a nice walk of a little over a mile. The house comes equipped with a wagon/cart to make the walk easier. Kitchen is very well-equipped with everything that you would need and is a great open space. Outside is great as well -- huge firepit with plenty of firewood and chairs. Owners are informative and very responsive.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017

10/10 Excellent

Tom T., Noblesville, IN

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

Fall Break in Beautiful Michigan

The place was clean and perfect for our family of 5! Very cozy and location was perfect
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Megan H.

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

Wonderful Property

This was the perfect house with the perfect location for our stay. Kid and adult friendly with plenty of room! I hope to be back again!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Suzie and Rob B.

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

Wonderful!

This experience was a delight! The house was spotless and inviting and we felt comfortable immediately. We wanted for nothing as far as amenities go and are anxious to return. The beach is beautiful and for those who can’t do the steps there is a beautiful public beach one mile toward town. Thank you for a wonderful vacation!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Kayla J., Genoa, IL

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

Cute house perfect for our group!

This house was so cute and just what we needed for our group. It was walking distance to the beach and super close to downtown South Haven. The owners were also very wonderful. I highly Recommend this vacation rental.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lee M.

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

Nice location, very close to the lake

Nice little place, you technically could walk to the lake, but a very short drive is easier for public access. Close to the lighthouse, downtown and Holland is a 30 minute drive. Thanks, we enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne D.

Cozy cottage feel with plenty of space to sleep many! Short walk to the beach!

Love this house!! Would definitely stay here again. Close to the beach and owner provides wagon to drag your coolers and chairs. Also has outdoor shower to rinse before going in.. Big yard with swingset, firepit and plenty of room to roam.. Very comfortable beds/mattresses. Slept like a rock! Large updated kitchen with everything you could possible need.. From a Keurig to a Crock Pot! And it is decorated and updated super "Beach" cute!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2018

10/10 Excellent

Jen D.

Great house!!

We were two families with five kids under seven. This place worked great!! Plenty of counter and table space for meals. The four bigger kids stayed in the loft and each of the downstairs bedrooms had their own batheroom. The beach was so close and great. There was a sand bar not too far off the shore and it only got to about the knee before you hit the sand bar. This made me feel so much more comfortable having younger kids. The house was clean, nice and beachy! I would absolutely go back again. Oh! And there is an outdoor shower head which is a must with younger kids!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

10/10 Excellent

Susan S.

Awesome cottage

Red's Retreat is everything you could want and more when it comes to a vacation getaway. It was the cleanest, neatest cottage I have ever stayed in- absolutely spotless. The owners have thought of everything when it comes to making their guests' stay enjoyable. I would highly recommend Red's Retreat. It is perfect for families or a group of friends. We loved it and would book it again when returning to South Haven.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Gregory P.

Cute, Quiet, Clean, Cozy ... Perfect for a South Haven Sojourn!

We had a great time at Red's Retreat! It's ideally situated -- the beach is just a short walk away, and town is just a few minutes by car (or bike). There's a great backyard for roasting marshmallows or letting the kids run around a bit. The home is obviously well cared for, has great fixtures and furniture, and is super comfortable. We'd stay here again in a heartbeat!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018

8/10 Good

Martha P.

Good experience

My mistake, I thought property was on the water. But the short walk to the beach was not bad. Steps down were a little surprising 50 steps and very steep, but the climb was worth it.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Chris J., Oak park

Great property, great location!

This was our first time in South Haven, and we're already planning our next trip back. A 5 star rating doesn't do this property justice. The house was extraordinarily clean and well stocked with modern amenities. The location was perfect, just steps away from the beach and a quick drive/back ride to town. We traveled with our 3 year old son and 10 week old daughter, and Gail (the owner) could not have been more accommodating. An overall great experience, we are looking forward to our next stay!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Great Stay at Red's

Had a Buncko Girls' Weekend and Red's was the PERFECT place! It was everything we needed! Nice open concept, plenty of sleeping room, very clean, super cute decor, close to the beach (actually closer than I thought) and close to town... Which was great since it rained one of the days we were there. Gail is very accommodating and flexible. So easy to work with... Great Gal! We hope to make Red's our annual getaway. I certainly would recommend Red's to anyone!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Ken V.

Beautiful Decor / Fully Of Amenities

For our first trip to southwestern Michigan, Red's Retreat was perfect. Being on the north side of South Haven in a quiet neighborhood, yet close to several beaches (the numerous steps up and down the bluffs to the beaches took a little getting used to) and downtown was great. Indeed the home was fully equipped and the cheery beach decor put all of us in a wonderful mood. We will look forward to returning in the future.
Stayed 14 nights in Jun 2016
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Wendi L.

Perfect beach house!

Felt so cozy and comfortable! Very clean and welcoming. Lots of room for everyone. Would definitely stay here again.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Annemarie H.

Wonderful homey cottage - short walk to the beach

We loved the cottage -- clean, well furnished, and great lounging space. It was a short walk to the beach, short bike ride to town. Loved the North Shore beach and the pier. Our first visit to South Haven and we will be back and especially to Red's Retreat.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

allison s.

We love Reds Retreat!

Red's Retreat is a perfect summer get away. Our group of 4 adults and 5 kids fit perfectly. The house is always spotless (we have rented 2 summers in a row), has everything you need, close to beach, close to town---we love it! Things that families with little kids might appreciate are: The outside shower with hot and cold water, umbrella stroller for trips into town, pack and play, high chair, stool in the bathroom so the kids can reach the sink, outdoor playset, two wagons for trips to the beach (yes, you will need 2!), beach toys, boogie boards provided, kid plates, cups, and bowls, board games, TONS of movies, Comcast cable with on demand, fun chairs in the kids room, marshmallow sticks provided---there's probably more that I am forgetting. It is well appointed! Things the adults will appreciate: Kitchen is stocked from top to bottom---every kitchen item is there!, beds are comfy, plenty of pillows, washer and dryer work awesome, Bose radio in the main room that has a plug to hook up to your phone/ipad, fast wi fi, good tv in main room, Weber grill, always fast communication with Gail, walk to the beach, close to town. We are beach people, so that is our main goal when we come to South Haven. We like to book in August, so we know the weather will be hot. We had to book in July this year and the weather was crummy, but we made the most of it anyway. We enjoyed the fireworks from our beach, attended the Art Festival in town, 4th of July parade, Farmer's Market (its fabulous), grown men traveled up north to ride ATV's. There is plenty around to keep the family busy! I would recommend this property in a heartbeat. The trick is booking early enough to secure it :) Thank you Gail for sharing your home with us!
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Kathy O.

Clean and well-stocked. Bright, cheery decor!

Hi, Gail We enjoyed our stay at your lovely rental in South Haven. Everything was immaculate and well-stocked for our needs. We had trouble with the new hide-a-bed in the living room, but I'm sure you will be able to work that out with the manufacturer. This house is perfect for 4 adults and 4 children. We were a little crowded with 10, but that was our choice. Although the weather was chilly, we still took advantage of the beautiful beach and thoroughly enjoyed the amazing sunsets. Thank you Kathy O'Bryan
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Scott J.

Quiet, spacious, and right by the lake!

My family and I were all really happy with our stay at the Red's Retreat! The open space made it really comfortable for the whole family. The house is just about a minute walk from the beach, but spending time in this cozy house full of amenities was fun too.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Scott J.

Wonderful spacious home right next to the beach!

My family and I were all really happy with our stay at the Red's Retreat! The open space made it really comfortable for the whole family. The house is just about a minute walk from the beach, but spending time in this cozy house full of amenities was fun too.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Diana C.

Great home away from home.

This house couldn't be cuter--exactly as described, immaculately kept, adorably decorated--and very much like an actual home away from home. The kitchen was well-equipped, and I was happy to have some children's items already on hand at the house. My daughters (2 and 5) were especially excited by the loft with two bunk beds and small reading areas and the play set in the yard. Although it is the off-season, my family and I had a great time in town and took a two-minute walk to the beach, which was beautiful even in the cooler weather. I would definitely recommend this house for families, and I can't wait to go back when the weather is warmer.

About the host

Hosted by Gail Scherquist

Host profile image
We began coming to South Haven 10 years ago. Right away we knew we'd found our home away from home. Beautiful beaches, great wineries, just the right amount of things to do - with or without kids. We were so lucky to find our own little piece of heaven.

Why they chose this property

This property is nestled just off North Shore, just far enough from the hustle and bustle (well, as hustling and bustling as South Haven is), this home is steps from Lake Michigan and only 1.0 mile from downtown, is newly constructed and just the right size for us. The large backyard is perfect for throwing a ball, taking a nap in the hammock, or using the custom made large fire pit with wood provided. Home is tucked away on a very secluded street.

What makes this property unique

Red's Retreat is a fully stocked private home. We want our guests to feel relaxed and comfortable and enjoy time away from busy schedules and to-do lists. We've tried to think of everything you would need: beach cart, beach chairs, beach umbrellas, hammock, fire pit (and wood), comfy beds and quality craftsmanship. Come stay and unwind.

Languages:

English