Entire home

Waterfront House in the center of the village

Photo gallery for Waterfront House in the center of the village

Bayou House at Night
Front
Bayou House from the street
Historic Entrance
Historic Entrance from inside

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms5 bathroomsSleeps 12325.2 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
Douglas, MI
  • Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Butler Street
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Oval Beach
    ‪6 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1 king

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2 king

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3 queens 2

2 Queen Beds

Bedroom 4 king

1 King Bed

Bedroom 5 single 2

2 Single Beds

5 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 5

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

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

About this property

Waterfront House in the center of the village

You enter the 1830's door at 11 Water Street in Douglas you will be on the front porch. From the porch and can rock on one of the rocking chairs and watch the neighborhood.
Once you enter the historic 1890 custom fit door you will be welcomed with light and cheery house.
When you do enter you will be in the high ceilinged dining room of this new, luxurious 3500 square foot home with an antique dining room table with seating for 8. Bayou House won a Heritage Preservation Award in 2006.

The three Baker davenports in the adjoining living room face the water and a large gas burning fireplace; they open through French doors to a screened porch overlooking the water and the park next door. This leads to the large deck off the kitchen, also overlooking the water. The kitchen, upstairs, is pictured with its charming all glass eating area, granite counters, Fisher Paykel Induction range, Bosch Dishwasher and other stainless appliances and bar.

There are three bedrooms and three bathroom on this level, two with king sized beds and one with two queens. Only the bedroom with the queen size beds does not face the water. All other bedrooms and rooms have the wonderful view.

Downstairs you will find 10 foot ceilings and all but one bedroom overlooking the waterfront. You will enter the second kitchen in the large glass room with a pool table. Adjoining this room is a large downstairs living room with the second TV area, a large leather sofa seating area and the second gas burning fireplace. This house is designed with the idea of a large family get-together, a large family, two families, or for corporate groups. On this level you will find the computer with hi-speed internet.

The downstairs kitchen also has a double door refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher, gas stove, compactor, and stools at the granite counter. There is a pool table in this area overlooking the patio and an outdoor ping pong table under the coverage of the upstairs porch. There is a gas and a wood burning fire pit and an intimate covered lounge area under the upper screened porch.

There is a large deck, screened porch and downstairs has patios, comfy, furniture and a Propane grill and charcoal grill.

Bayou House is ideal for families, business groups, and reunions but is NOT available for weddings or events as we are located in a downtown area.

There is tie up space on the boardwalk for several shallow draft boats and there are kayaks, a row boat, and stand up paddle boards to use during your stay. There is a firepit and seating near the waterfront and a gas fire pit on the patio.
It is one short block to two major restaurants, galleries, and downtown Douglas. The well-known Lake Michigan Oval beach and Douglas Beach are a short-beautiful drive.
For additional or alternative rental see: vrbo #444711 or vrbo#410920
The City of Douglas does not permit weddings at this location. There are 3 other popular wedding venues in the area, Felt Mansion, The Ivy or Saugatuck Center for the Arts.
Keywords: Waterfront House

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 5:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 35
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 (limit 2 total)
We welcome one well behaved dog, no cats
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Wedding and similar type events are forbidden by the city of Douglas
If dog permitted, must have crate or dog bed. No dogs on beds nor furniture.
Contract must be received within 5 days of rental

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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Douglas

Located in Douglas, this holiday home is in the city centre and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Oval Beach. Travelling with kids? Consider Forever Curious Children's Museum and Holland Community Aquatic Center. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Douglas, MI

What's nearby

  • Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Butler Street - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Saugatuck Center For the Arts - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Oval Beach - 6 min drive - 4.0 km
  • Silver Lake - 7 min drive - 5.6 km

Getting around

  • Holland Station - 18 min drive
  • Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) - 49 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Butler - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Sand Bar Saloon - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Uncommon Coffee Roasters - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Coral Gables Il Forno - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Outside Coffee - ‬13 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterfront House in the center of the village pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

What time is check-in at Waterfront House in the center of the village?

Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Waterfront House in the center of the village?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Waterfront House in the center of the village located?

This family-friendly Douglas holiday home is located on the waterfront, steps away from Kalamazoo Lake, Wade's Bayou Memorial Park and Beery Field. Lake Michigan is 2.2 mi (3.6 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 88 out of 88 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 88 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 88 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 88 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 88 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Baylee S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great experience! We loved the house and host!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

sally r.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
One of the nicest VRBO's we have ever stayed in. So well stocked in every way. Beautifully decoratored and amazing gathering spots. Close to town and shopping. Would highly recommend this house
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jill S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house was AMAZING with plenty of room for our whole family! It was clean, well stocked with eveything we needed, from beach chairs and towels to grills and kitchen supplies to cook! The kyacks were a hit as well as the fire pit for smores! Douglas is such a charming town. We thoroughly enjoyed our family vacation in Michigan.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Erin P.

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

Family vaca

Everything at this property in Douglas was perfect! Clear and accurate description, many amenities, and great communication! We did not want for anything. Would 100% stay here again and would recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Angela S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing property! Our family had an excellent time. The access to the lake with paddle boats and kayaks was so appreciated. The house was well appointed with amenities. Located in downtown Douglas, with easy access to a park for the kids and coffee for the adults! We will be back for sure.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Beth H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Bayou House is a beautifully appointed home in the heart of Douglas. Every detail is top notch from the beautiful towels and bed linens to bikes for any size. The owners made us feel super welcome and were very easy going. Highly recommended.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Linda M.

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

Absolutely Wonderful Family Vacation

From our very warm welcome (with local delicacies, wine and even flowers) to a beautifully furnished home and spectacular water view - this was a wonderful 3 generations vacation. The town of Douglas is charming and we all enjoyed the many activities in the area, along with the paddle boarding and kayaking. We biked all over - so great! I totally recommend this beautiful house.
S’mores
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Terri W.

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

A great house!

This house was the best vacation home! It is the most well appointed and well stocked home that we’ve ever rented. The location on the waterfront is perfect! It’s also located so close to downtown Douglas that we could walk to any shop or restaurant. We also walked and biked to Saugatuck. We loved our stay and hope to return next year!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

William B.

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

Great!

Great stay, responsive host and lovely spot!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Holly H.

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

Charming H

5 Stars – A Perfect Stay for a Special Occasion!We recently stayed at this wonderful family home in Douglas, Michigan while in town for our daughter’s wedding—and we couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay!The home was beautifully maintained, spacious, and incredibly comfortable for our whole family. It had everything we needed and more—from a fully stocked kitchen and cozy bedrooms to inviting common areas where we could relax, reminisce, and celebrate this special time together.The location was ideal—just minutes from the charming shops and restaurants in downtown Douglas and Saugatuck, yet tucked away enough to enjoy peaceful mornings with a cup of coffee on the porch.Our hosts were fantastic—thoughtful, responsive, and truly welcoming. You can tell they care about creating a space that feels like home.This home played a big part in making our daughter’s wedding weekend unforgettable, and we’re so grateful for the memories made here. Highly recommend for families or groups looking for a comfortable and charming getaway in a great location!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Krista K.

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

Great first Vrbo Experience

Absolutely loved staying here. House was gorgeous, we wanted to come and stay longer just to enjoy the property!! Highly recommend this property! Fantastic communication with Joyce and Martha too
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

John P., Gaithersburg MD

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

Family gathering

Place was perfect for an extended family gathering. Lots of space/activities for all along with great location. Highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael H.

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

Bayou House at Lake Michigan

Very nice home with a lot of character. Lower level was perfect for my son and his family, while the upper level was enjoyed by the rest of the family.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jenny J.

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

Group of 7 friends

This property was perfect in every way for our group of friends! Very clean and well cared for, plenty of space, lots to do without even leaving the house..but plenty of fun close by also. The hosts are THE BEST..they left us special culinary treats and were very timely in all communications. We are already talking about coming back next autumn!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mili F.

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

Yearly Lifetime Friend Trip

We are a group of 8 lifetime friends that take a yearly trip together. We arrived and were greeted with music/lights on, and hostess treats-creating a lovely atmosphere after our travels. The house was pristine clean, wonderfully decorated, and supplied with anything we needed, including upgraded linens and bathroom toiletries. There were two kitchens fully stocked with any item you would need. The house accommodated many gathering areas for 8 people both inside and outside-living room & family room, 2 fire pits areas/screened in porch/upper deck & lower patios.The beds were very comfortable too. There were clear check-in/checkout directions and throughout the house-just be aware that the upper kitchen has an induction stovetop. The location is an easy walk to downtown while being very private. We would highly recommend this property and will stay here again.Thank you for a wonderful stay!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer K.

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

Amazing!!

I’ve rented a lot of vacation properties and this was by far the best communication I’ve ever had with a renter! House was stunning, so spacious, lots to do, and a fabulous location!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

C B.

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

A perfect weekend retreat!

Our weekend stay was absolutely wonderful. The property was represented perfectly in the listing. The house was very well equipped, and every detail was fabulous. We arrived to fresh flowers and welcome treats. We appreciated that each bedroom and bath were complete for our guests (grown children). Well done!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

nicola h.

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

Excellent stay

What a wonderful property and host! The house is in great shape, was well stocked , great layout and wonderful host Joyce ! We would highly recommend !
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Betsy M.

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

Family vacation

This home was better than the best. We were in awe the moment we walked in the front door. The host has everything you will need for a wonderful stay. From the kayaks to the numerous beach chairs and all the little things that made it spectacular. I would recommend this property to all
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Darrin B.

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

Fabulous House Fabulously Maintained

This was the perfect house for our trip. Plenty of space for relaxing by the water, walkable to everything in town, and well-stocked. The hosts were great, too: helpful and informative without being intrusive. And they obviously take great care of the house: all of the details were exquisite. We hope to come back.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sophia E.

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

Bayou home

Beautiful home. Fit our group of 7 perfectly. Walk right into downtown Douglas. Can’t wait to go back.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

John T.

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

Immaculate Home & Perfect Location

This property was perfect for our Labor Day weekend with friends. Plenty of restaurants within walking distance and a short bike ride (supplied) to the party town of Sagatuck. The owners thought of everything a group would need as the home was fully stocked! Between the kayaks, for outs, ping pong and pool tables, and bikes we were never at a loss for entertainment. A must stay if looking to stay in this area!!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brad P.

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

Perfect house

Our adult family convened for a relaxing week at the lake. Marta and her home were perfect. Great location, easy to walk to Douglas restaurants and Saugatuk was a nice walk or very quick drive. Excellently appointed. Thank you for a great week, we will be back. PS. Be sure to stop in the Petter Gallery by the bridge.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bill P.

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

Easy to Relax

Great house; plenty of space; very well equipped; loved having all the bikes, fire pits, pool table and recreation equipment supplied with the house. Host was great --- hospitality, thoughtfulness and easy communications. Right by Saugatuck and easy access to Holland.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Piyush M.

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

Excellent property with fabulous hosts

We were looking for a place to have a low key get together over the new year holiday. Will highly recommend this property. Was exactly as described, and very clean. Plus Marta and Joyce are fabulous hosts - very prompt in their response. Cannot recommend this enough!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

About the host

Hosted by Joyce Petter or Marta Petter

Host profile image
I have been in business in Saugatuck/Douglas since 1973 when I first opened my art gallery - it is still just up the street. It now includes a wine tasting and is operated by my daughter-in-law. I grew up in Chicago, lived in Michigan cities, moved to Cincinnati, and finally moved back to the big Lake. We have had property on the lake since the 60's and were pleased to add Bayou House to our business. All the art in the house is from my gallery. And, it was a necessity that Bayou House had to be on water!

What makes this property unique

April 28, 2017 - Just added - 3 more kayaks and 2 more paddle boards. The benefit of this house is that you can use boats on the lake, 5 kayaks, row boat and 2 paddle boards, and still have the advantage of the beach at the Oval. There are no places to stay at the Oval so everyone comes from some part of the community. There are well over 200 acres of dunes to explore as well as the wonderful beach. And you can return to watch the birds, the boats, and have a fire in the fire pit.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests