Entire home

Charming Lakefront Cottage

Fairy lights glowing at dusk in the summer.

Walk into an open floor plan, with a large living room opening into the porch.

Living room flows into dining area, kitchen, bathroom, and master bedroom.

Knotty pine throughout the first floor adds incredible charm!

Exceptional

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

On beach
Spa pool on site
Onsite parking available
Dog-friendly
Kitchen
Washing machine

Explore the area

Vandalia, MI

Place, Donnell Lake
‪1 min walk‬
Place, University of Notre Dame
‪38 min drive‬
Place, Notre Dame Stadium
‪43 min drive‬
Airport, South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.)
‪44 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Office 1

1 Single Futon

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio

Porch or lanai

Kitchen

Office

Separate dining area

Outdoor play area

Garden

Dining area

About this property

Charming Lakefront Cottage

Here at The Cottage, life was made to be lived outside. Across our vast property are several seating areas for coffee or cocktails - including a stone patio with built-in bonfire pit, outdoor dining and enclosed deck overlooking the yard and lake, and finally, an incredible patio/pergola with couches literally next to the water and beach. Hammocks, a hot tub, a gas grill, and yard games galore round out a perfect vacation spent in the Michigan fresh air.

Winter fun included: perfect hill for sledding, ice fishing on Donnell Lake, snowshoeing trails, bonfires, hot tubbing, and Swiss Valley Ski & Snowboard Area only 15 minutes away.

BONUSES:
*A million stars, and even more birds (including the nest directly below the porch!)
*The opportunity to walk out your door to the lake (we recommend a cup of coffee or glass of wine on the pier)
*Fishing and campfires. Hiking trails 5 minutes away. Swimming. Floating. Grilling. Lounging lakeside. Hot tubbing. Friendly neighbors.
*A lake full of fish, turtles, frogs, swans, geese, and deer nearby

-- THE PROPERTY --

1,400 Sq Ft | Large Deck & Patio | Multiple Desk Workspaces | Perfect for Families

Bedroom 1: King Bed, Twin Bed, Crib | Bedroom 2: Queen Bed | 3 Seasons Porch / Office: Futon

OUTDOOR LIVING: Private dock with gorgeous Donnell Lake views, stone patio with fire pit, lakeside patio with pergola, outdoor dining area, gas grill, .5 acre yard, kids toys, kayaks

INDOOR LIVING: Smart TV, wood-burning fireplace, 6-person dining table + kids table, sliding glass doors, books, board games, kids toys

KITCHEN: Fully equipped, drip coffee maker, blender, toaster, spices, dishware/flatware, no dishwasher

GENERAL: High-speed internet, heat & window air conditioning, hair dryer, linens, towels

FAQ: Outdoor stairs required for access, firewood not provided, bathroom on 1st floor, washer/dryer/microwave in basement

PARKING: Driveway (3 vehicles)

-- THE LOCATION --

OPT OUTSIDE: Donnell Lake (on-site), Stevens Memorial Park (7.4 miles), Swiss Valley Ski Area (8.2 miles), Rolling Hills Shooting Preserve (8.6 miles), Fred Russ State Forest (11.7 miles), Spirit Springs Sanctuary (13.6 miles)

THINGS TO SEE & DO: Pioneer Log Cabin Museum (7.0 miles), Southwestern Michigan College (13.7 miles), Spruce Ridge Golf Club (14.3 miles), Elks Golf Course (15.0 miles), Dowagiac Area History Museum (15.0 miles), Heddon Museum (15.6 miles), Four Winds Casino (17.8 miles), University of Notre Dame (27.0 miles)

NEARBY TOWNS: Vandalia (1.4 miles), Cassopolis (6.5 miles), Dowagiac (15.1 miles), Three Rivers (16.2 miles), South Bend (28.1 miles), Shipshewana (33.4 miles), Benton Harbor (39.0 miles), Kalamazoo (42.1 miles)

AIRPORT: South Bend International Airport (31.8 miles)

-- POLICIES --
- No smoking
- Small dogs allowed at owner's discretion
- No events, parties, or large gatherings
- Must be at least 25 years old to book
- Additional fees and taxes may apply
- Photo ID may be required upon check-in
- NOTE: The property requires stairs and may be difficult for guests with limited mobility

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Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

1 crib included in 2nd floor bedroom

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 9 kg per pet (limit one pet total)

Dogs will be approved on a case-by-case basis.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:

Strip any used beds and gather used towels

Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish

Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys

Close and lock all windows.

Leave all used sheets and towels (including kitchen and beach towels) in front of the washing machine in the basement.

Completely empty fridge / cupboards of food brought by you, leave trash in green trashcan.

Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

The outdoor shed remains locked for personal use and should NOT be entered.

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

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

About the area

Vandalia

Located in Vandalia, this cottage is in a rural area and on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Riley-Shurte Woods Nature Sanctuary and Elkhart Bog Nature Preserve, while Dowagiac Area History Museum and Beckwith Theatre are cultural highlights. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the sledging and snowmobiling.

View more Cottages in Vandalia

Vandalia, MI

What's nearby

Donnell Lake - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
University of Notre Dame - 38 min drive - 58.0 km
Notre Dame Stadium - 43 min drive - 63.3 km
Four Winds Casino South Bend - 47 min drive - 77.3 km
Blue Gate Theater - 47 min drive - 65.0 km

Getting around

Dowagiac Station - 26 min drive
South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

‪McDonald's - ‬12 min drive
‪Porky's - ‬11 min drive
‪Subway - ‬11 min drive
‪The Twirl - ‬12 min drive
‪Sherry Lee's Bar and Grill - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Charming Lakefront Cottage pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 9 kg per pet.

How much does it cost to stay at Charming Lakefront Cottage?

As of 8 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Charming Lakefront Cottage on 13 July 2026 start from AU$539, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Charming Lakefront Cottage?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Charming Lakefront Cottage?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming Lakefront Cottage?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Charming Lakefront Cottage located?

Nestled on the beach, this Vandalia cottage is steps from Donnell Lake and 2.3 mi (3.6 km) from Paradise Lake. Diamond Lake and Curtis Lake are also within 6 miles (10 km).

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Verified

8/10 Good

Pamela W.

22 July 2025

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

We enjoyed our stay. Had great weather and a wonderful visit with our friends. Thank you.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gretchen H.

2 Sept 2025

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

House is adorable and lake is the cutest. Had a great time watching the boats and jet skiers. Went swimming in the lake and enjoyed the fire pit.

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

Response from VrboOwner on 2 Sept 2025

Thank you for the kind words Gretchen, we'd love to have you back again!

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lindsey G.

11 Aug 2024

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

Loved our stay!

The cottage was perfect for our family. Clean, cozy and the views of the sunset are incredible! Would highly recommend, we will be back!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carrie S.

20 July 2024

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

Perfect Cabin!

We had an awesome stay at your cabin. We definitely would/will stay there again. Everything we needed...

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

Response from VrboOwner on 2 Aug 2024

Please come back! So glad you enjoyed your stay.

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeanne S.

13 Aug 2023

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

Awesome cottage experience!

Plenty of outdoor fun for adults and kids, spaces for privacy and quiet also. Donnell Lake is clean and not too busy. We swam and paddled kayaks. Good wifi also!

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

Response from VrboOwner on 16 Aug 2023

We’re so glad you enjoyed your stay, come back again sometime!

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jim W.

2 Aug 2024

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

Wonderful Donnell Lake

Wonderful property on Donnell Lake. Very nice cottage on a big lot with lots of sun & shade. Everything was as advertised. Nice deck at the house and lakeside as well.

Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

Response from VrboOwner on 2 Aug 2024

Thank you for staying at our cottage! So glad you enjoyed your time 😊

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Allison H.

15 Sept 2025

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

This was the best BABY FRIENDLY home we’ve been to. They had a baby monitor, black out curtains, changing table, crib, AND rocking chairs. They even had baby gates blocking the back porch so we could enjoy coffee without them sneaking out. We had all the kitchen supplies, books, toys, towels we needed. We plan on coming back next year! Ali was easy to communicate with and easygoing.

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alicia H.

23 July 2024

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

Just as it was described

The house was clean and had all the essentials. It was small and had to watch my head going upstairs but otherwise a nice place to stay on the water

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

Response from VrboOwner on 2 Aug 2024

Yes, it’s a short ceiling, but we are so glad you were otherwise comfortable 😊

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Courtney F.

14 July 2024

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

Absolutely perfect weekend

The cottage was so peaceful and in such a perfect location. I’ve never stayed at a rental home that was as perfectly stocked with literally everything you might need before. Right down to the bug spray, meat thermometer, and all the in betweens. Definitely recommend renting this home if you want to have stress free and fun vacation. Host is the sweetest too!

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

Response from VrboOwner on 15 July 2024

We're so glad you enjoyed your stay, come again soon!

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stephen A.

10 Aug 2025

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

Fantastic property. Probably one of the best yards and locations on Donnell Lake. Double lot. Huge yard for volleyball, frisbee, etc. Huge fire pit on the patio. Great deck with baby gates and a great view of the lake. Hot tub with nice view. Very cute house with a northern lake house feel. House is well stocked and generally feels like someone lives there with all the basics. Window ACs kept the whole house very comfortable even though temperatures were in upper 80’s. However you should be outside much of the time swimming, playing, paddling, and potentially boating.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Susanna E.

5 Sept 2023

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

A charming, comfortable cottage

The cottage is charmingly vintage but still quite comfortable. The hosts include thoughtful touches like spices, toiletries, fishing rods, laundry soap, etc., that aren't necessary certainly but that make for a welcoming stay. Donnell Lake is a quite busy little lake and wasn't our favorite for our quiet little paddleboards and sailboat, but we were also there over Labor Day, so it's probably not always quiet so busy. I certainly wouldn't hesitate to recommend staying at the cottage, though. The seating and beds were comfy and the views were lovely.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tabitha S.

8 Sept 2025

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

The house was clean and cozy upon arrival. The shade waterside is really nice. The fire pit area is fun with littles for roasting marshmallows. The hot tub was great for our cooler days and a great perk with littles that got too cold, but still wanted to swim. The hosts were responsive and helpful with any issues that arose. This house has everything you need with little kids and family. The checkout directions are reasonable and clear. Do not plan to bring your own watercraft to use with the dock without inquiring with hosts before booking. We worked out something, but it was a little concerning at first. Air is window AC and can be a bit loud. Do not have on eco unless you want it to turn on and off all night. ;-)

Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2025

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Beth L.

6 Aug 2024

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

The perfect staycation away from home!

We absolutely loved our stay here! The house was so cute and charming, super comfortable, clean, and had everything we needed for a nice long weekend away. We felt like we were staying in a friend's cottage vs a rental. We treated the house as such too, with respect! Communication from the owner was excellent as well and they made the process very easy. The covered porch at the waterfront was lovely, and we were so grateful to be able to use the kayaks so we didn't have to bring own. The house is nestled in a cove which made it the perfect spot for the kids to swim, kayak, and use our own paddleboards without worrying about boats going by. The mini beach was awesome and our pup was able to swim for the first time ever! The pier was perfect to fish from, with nice chairs to sit and enjoy morning coffee from. The firepit was amazing! Neighbors are really nice and welcoming too! We had an amazing weekend and will definitely be back!

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

Response from VrboOwner on 4 Sept 2024

You were such great guests! Thank you for staying at the cottage & taking such lovely care of it :) Please come back again!

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Barbara G.

6 Aug 2023

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

(Nearly) Everything We Needed

Beds were comfortable. Washer and dryer worked well. Gas grill is not fancy, but it works. We brought a Brita filter and found one to use at the cottage, but the tap water was surprisingly tasty. None of the pans have lids, oddly enough. Basement stairs are tricky - needs a railing - so we avoided using the microwave in the basement. We appreciated the hook to keep little ones out. We could have used a clothesline (maybe it was hiding) for the beach towels we brought. Good selection of vacation reading; I enjoyed The Rose Code! Our littles found toys to play with (I hope the cleaner found the little ambulance; we looked everywhere!) A restful week - and the 6 year old taught himself to kayak! (We brought our own life jackets.)

Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2023

Response from VrboOwner on 14 July 2024

(Updated) We have since installed a basement stairwell railing, replaced the grill, & moved a new microwave to the 1st floor. Thanks for the feedback! Thank you for the feedback, Barbara! We can absolutely get a railing installed for the basement & put out a clothesline. The pot lids are stored under the sink, apologies for not communicating that! We hope you had a wonderful stay.

Verified