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Magical Beach House & Private Beach On Lake Michigan

Photo gallery for Magical Beach House & Private Beach On Lake Michigan

Chairs on the front deck on a bluebird day.
Outside of the wraparound screen porch.
Front deck with chairs and picnic table.
The "Big Lake" from the front deck.
Looking north toward the channel and lighthouses.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Pentwater, MI
  • Place, Pentwater Lake
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, Charles Mears State Park
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Place, Pentwater Harbor Greenway
    ‪2 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Guest Room #1

2 Single Beds

Guest Room #2

1 Single Bunk Bed and 1 Single Bed

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

3 bathrooms

Bath Downstairs

Toilet · Shower only

Guest Bath Upstairs

Toilet · Shower only

Master Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Outdoor Shower

Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Magical Beach House & Private Beach On Lake Michigan

This historic, century-old cottage with a wrap-around screen porch and two level front deck boasts one of the most enchanting views of Lake Michigan on the Western Shore.

Just steps down to the boardwalk and about 15 stairs to the private beach you'll find sugar soft sand and rolling waves. Mornings and evenings on the deck are second-to-none with days spent playing, sunning or swimming on the shore or walking the private beach for miles. The channel to Pentwater lake is a short ten minute walk to the north.

This classic Michigan cottage sleeps eight (max) in three bedrooms -- two of which face the lake. The master (a queen and twin bed) has a full bathroom attached and the other two (one with two twins and the other with a twin and bunk beds) share a full bath. One more full bath is on the first level plus an outdoor shower. A cottage living room is the perfect indoor gathering spot and the dining room off the full kitchen also overlooks the lake. All towels and linens provided as well as kitchen necessities. TV, DVD, phone, Wi-Fi, games, gas grill, washer/dryer, dishwasher and much more all included.

The woods behind the cottage teem with deer, turkey and wildlife. Beyond that, and across the bay, the quaint town of Pentwater is filled with fun shops, tasty restaurants, ice cream parlors and a Farmer's Market twice a week on the Village Green. Boat and wave runner rentals are available in town. About 20 minutes away, Country Dairy offers super fresh milk, cheese, meat and ice cream; and, the area around Pentwater boasts some of the best golf around.

The sunsets from the deck are some of the most remarkable you can imagine and watching shooting stars in the night sky or Great Lakes tankers on the horizon complete the picture for the ideal location to get away and recharge.

This is a very special family cottage in a private association with two parking spaces in the private parking area beside it. We ask all guests to appreciate its legacy and setting. This isn't a "spring break party house" so please look elsewhere if that's what you're seeking. Thanks!

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 1:00 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 1 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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 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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Pentwater

Located in Pentwater, this cottage is on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Silver Lake State Park. Craig's Cruisers Family Fun Center and Amber Elk Ranch are also worth visiting. Jet skiing and waterskiing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and hiking/biking trails nearby.
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Map
Pentwater, MI

What's nearby

  • Pentwater Lake - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Charles Mears State Park - 16 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Channel Lane Park - 16 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Pentwater Harbor Greenway - 2 min drive - 1.1 km
  • Watertower Green - 13 min drive - 10.0 km

Getting around

  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 59 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Murphy's Tavern - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Open Hearth Grille - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Green Isaac’s - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Golden Sands Bucket Bar - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪The Brown Bear - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Magical Beach House & Private Beach On Lake Michigan pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).

How much does it cost to stay at Magical Beach House & Private Beach On Lake Michigan?

As of 20 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Magical Beach House & Private Beach On Lake Michigan on 13 June 2026 start from AU$592, 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 Magical Beach House & Private Beach On Lake Michigan?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Magical Beach House & Private Beach On Lake Michigan?

Check-in begins at 1:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Magical Beach House & Private Beach On Lake Michigan?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Magical Beach House & Private Beach On Lake Michigan located?

Nestled on the beach, this Pentwater cottage is within 1 mi (2 km) of Pentwater Lake and Lake Michigan. Charlie's Marine and Snug Harbor Marina are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 15 out of 16 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 16 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 16 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 16 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 16 reviews

8.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Archival

10/10 Excellent

Kathy R.

Behold the beauty of the lake from a charming cottage

We spent a wonderfully quiet, relaxing and soul-refreshing week at this property. All the up to date amenities (kitchen, baths) with the charm that comes from this 100 yr old quirky, romantic cottage. A beautiful deck to watch the splendid sunsets each night. Great walks on the long boardwalk and beach. Couldn't get enough of it.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Aug 2023
Kathy: Thanks SO much for the nice words. We're delighted you had a wonderful time in our "Fortress of Solitude." We're always looking forward to adding little touches and conveniences for everyone. You are especially gracious considering how much it rained during the week you were there. Imagine how wonderful it will be your next time when sunscreen and sunglasses will be the norm!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

patrick b.

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

Rexford Cottage and Pentwater, MI Are A Match Made in Heaven

Rexford Cottage is a time capsule from the 1950's, but we learned it actually goes back much further than that. It is a beautiful 2-story structure on a bluff overlooking Lake Michigan with a screened-in porch AND an open patio that provide postcard sunsets over the lake. It is decorated with older, classic, and comfortable furniture along with modern conveniences - wi-fi, updated kitchen, and water pressure in the upstairs shower that surpasses many 5-star hotels! The private "South Beach" location and overall privacy and quietness cannot be beat. Sand galore and the cottage provides all the beach toys and supplies you could possibly need. Peter is a gracious and extremely hospitable host - plus he knows everyone in Pentwater! We dropped his name at more than one establishment in town and it was met with an immediate warm response and fond recolllections. Not that this area of MI needs any training in customer service. Our walks around Pentwarer, Hart (to the south), and Ludingtion (to the north) were a delight and produced great memories. We struck GOLD with Rexford Cottage! We wish we were still there right now (late Sep 2022).
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Aug 2023
Patrick: Thanks so much for the kind words! We're delighted you had a great time (even though it was a bit chilly). We love our "Fortress of Solitude" and try to update it regularly. A new grill is on tap for 2023 plus some improvements that might not be so easy to see. After 110 years, we love guests can still enjoy it. We'd love to have you back!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth P.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful spot

We’ve stayed in a number of cottages on or near Lake Michigan over the years and this was our favorite, hands down. The decks/porches (one open, one screened), view, and beautiful empty beach right outside the door are amazing. That it is dog friendly is a huge plus too. But staying here is like staying at your family cottage that your great grandfather built. It is charming and a bit rustic (though the kitchen is modern and there is WiFi). It’s also dark, with a lot of Knick knacks and a few spider webs. The host, Peter is friendly, responsive and helpful. We highly recommend so long as this kind of cottage/cabin is your thing. We definitely hope to return.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

6/10 Okay

Michelle M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication

Enjoyed the sunset views & access of Lake Michigan

Staying in a 100+ yr old cottage has its pros & cons. Didn't realize the amount of stairs for entry into home & access to beach but we got used to it(just a challenge when hauling luggage, coolers, food etc.). Pros- location and views, as well as private beach, enjoyed the enclosed porch and the character of the home. Especially enjoyed the helpfulness & hospitality of the owner. Kitchen was well equipped. Cons- all the spices in the kitchen were stale, old or dried up-should be disposed of as most of them were unusable. The tv reception was spotty but there were lots of dvd's to use. No central heat was a challenge as we did experience very cool nights, but there were space heaters. Thank you for the opportunity to share your cottage.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Aug 2023
Most spices and staples are replaced in the spring. Sorry you found a few that weren't fresh. Also, normally at the time you were there, temperatures are in the 70's so heat isn't needed. The cold snap was an anomaly. (It was 75 the following week.) And, you're correct, some weather affects TV reception. But, glad you enjoyed our private beach and spectacular view!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carole S.

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

Beautiful views of Lake Michigan!

A rustic cabin in an amazing location. The back porch has the best view of Lake Michigan. We enjoyed our stay and would not hesitate to book again. Peter was an outstanding host. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joyce T.

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

Lakeside stay

Beautiful view of the lake! Loved the roomy-but-cozy feeling screened porch. The house was well supplied with respect to kitchen tools, spices, even condiments! Bedrooms were comfortable and plenty of space for people.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Leslie C.

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

Great family vacation!

Beachfront, plenty of room, beautiful!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Aug 2023
Leslie: Thanks so much! We are thrilled to share our magnificent 110 year-old beach cottage. We are also delighted to have a nice beach during this time of high water. So many cottages have NO beach at all. It's great to have enough for bonfires, chairs, relaxing chaises and games. Thanks much for the kind words!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tom C.

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

Perfect family summer retreat

Really special vacation home for the family. Many amenities included, and everything from spices to linens furnished. The beach fun, the view super, the communication from the owner timely and complete. You can't go wrong.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steve G.

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

Killer View, Lots of Room

Very special, historic and vintage MI summer cottage. Not possible to beat the location! Great communication and friendly owners. We made cherished family memories here.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maureen T.

Great beach retreat

This was a great cottage for our family vacation with 4 adult children and 2 dogs. It was a perfect size for our group. The space and furniture is very tasteful and comfortable. The kitchen had everything we needed to cook meals. We spent lots of time in the screen room and on the deck. Both are very roomy. We also spent lots of time on the beach which is beautiful. The owner met us there after we arrived and was very welcoming and had generously left us some cinnamon rolls and a gift certificate to a local market. Pentwater is a fun town. We love the farmer's market and strolling through the shops. Highly recommend!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrea F.

Beautiful and relaxing getaway

We loved how well-equipped the cottage was (linens, pantry, binoculars, etc). The screen porch and deck provided wonderful lounging spots and the beach was very private, even if the water was high this year. Peter was friendly and accommodating and provided lots of info on things to do in and around Pentwater. And the sunsets were pretty glorious.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Aug 2023
Thanks much for the kind words. And, SO glad you enjoyed your getaway at our Fortress of Solitude. You also missed heat indexes back home of over 100. I'm delighted you were able to enjoy some of the tips for fun things to do and places to go. Lots to see in the area including the best sunsets on the Gold Coast. We would love to have you back if you would like!! (It can be even better in autumn!) Have a great summer.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie N.

Perfect place to enjoy Lake Michigan

My family was able to gather from 3 different states for an infrequent reunion here. Ages 7 - 70 and the location was perfect to accommodate all different interests. The owner was very responsive. The house worked very well for us, providing both private spaces and gathering spaces. The Lake was gorgeous- easy to spend a lot of time just sitting on the porch and deck, enjoying the sound of the Lake and the surrounding trees. The beach in front of the house was small this year but perfect for early morning walks and the nearby beach at the State Park provided plenty of beach and playmates for the kids to build sand castles. The house is in a quiet, heavily treed area very conducive for nature walking. And nearby Pentwater is a delightful town. I highly recommend this place for anyone who would like to connect with the Lake for both fun and contemplation.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Sloan L.

Perfect Lake Michigan Cottage

My husband, dog, and I greatly enjoyed our week vacation at the Rexford Cottage. My husband grew up vacationing in Pentwater, and this cabin reminded him of the one he grew up going to. The view of the Lake is perfect, and we spent much of our time on the outdoor deck or screened in porch. The cabin is over 100 years old with lots of character, and has been updated with all needed modern day amenities. We will be back for sure!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2016
Archival

10/10 Excellent

anne m.

Lovely 100 year old home

We really enjoyed this Pentwater property. The screened in porch and deck was our favorite part of the home. The home has plenty of beds and three roomy bedrooms and two baths upstairs. The kitchen is big and so well equipped. I really didn't have to bring any kitchen items or spices. I was so surprised to find plenty of cooking utensils. I usually bring knives and cutting boards and that wasn't necessary at all this time. The beach is beautiful and very private. Their are quite a few stairs leading to the beach so if you have problem with stairs that could be an issue. I was also happy that their were beach chairs at the bottom of the stairs. The town of Pentwater and Ludington is not far away and we really enjoyed visiting these small towns. Overall, a great stay.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jill S.

Family fun and games at The Rexford Cottage!

Our family had been renting a cottage along the Lake Michigan shoreline for several years, as a family reunion spot, and out grew it. We needed a larger Beach house and the Rexford cottage accommodated five adults and four grandchildren beautifully. We are so glad we found this gem! The Rexford cottage is exactly what comes to mind when you think "cottage". It's quaint, with comfortable nooks and crannies to curl up in with a good book if it rains, as well as a large deck with stunning views of the lake and easy access to a beautiful beach when the sun is shining. Our large group appreciated all the bathrooms, the outdoor shower, as well as a fully equipped kitchen, integrated into an authentic turn of the century beach house. If you're enchanted with bead board and antiques, love treading upon original squeaky old floors, and swinging on a breezy old three sided screened-in porch replete with ceiling fans, then you have an idea of the charm that oozes from every pore of the Rexford cottage and you'll adore it. Suffice to say, our annual family scrabble competition couldn't have played out in a more comfortable and enjoyable spot. WiFi, TV, and a video collection were on hand, but largely ignored in favor of hikes, beach combing, castle making, and braving the Lake Michigan surf. The town of Pentwater is minutes away, with lots of great shops, ice cream, a farmer's market, dining spots, and boat rentals. The Fourth Of July Celebration in Pentwater needs to be mentioned. The fireworks were phenomenal! Finally, we appreciated our host, Peter Rexford. He checked in with us several times to make sure our accommodations were what we expected. A gift card to a nearby grocers was a very thoughtful gesture. He truly wants his guests to enjoy their experience at THE BIG LAKE, as we all did. We're keeping our fingers crossed to secure a few weeks next year at the Rexfords!
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Aug 2023
We are SO happy you enjoyed our heavenly getaway! We've taken so much care to preserve the original cottage feel -- now over 100 years old -- while blending in important modern amenities. I know the weather was just a little cool some days while you were there so delighted you used some of the many games and video/DVDs we like to make available. We also make a point of updating things such as the water heater as we did this year. The town of Pentwater is truly a Great Lakes gem with a magical history (as seen at their historical society). We're happy you got a taste of all of it and would be thrilled to have you return!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

An Amazing Experience At The Rexford Cottage!

Our family has been going to the Rexford Cottage in Pentwater for a decade, and it has become a summer staple for all of us. And for good reasons: The Cottage. It provides the perfect balance between authentic charm and modern convenience. The amazing 100+ year old woodwork, the creaky oak floors, the wrap around porch…they all SCREAM “Michigan Cottage.” Couple this with three modern bathrooms, an amazing kitchen, TV, wi-fi, outdoor shower, etc. In short, you give up absolutely nothing, but you gain a ton! The Beach. The dunes are breathtaking, the shoreline pristine (none of the rocks and gravel you find at most Michigan beaches) and you have miles of private beach to walk. Every night, I sit in stunned amazement at the beauty of those incredible sunsets over the lake. The Town. We’ve been up and down the Michigan and Wisconsin shoreline. Pentwater has all the fun things you want in a coastal town: shops, restaurants, just enough souvenir stuff to satisfy this urge…but, thankfully, it hasn’t gone trashy like so many other vacation towns. Within ten minutes of the cottage, you can play golf, go boating, hit the go-cart track, go fishing or travel miles of bike trails. Double or triple that drive, and you can climb two lighthouses, tour a dairy, play disc golf or go horseback riding. Simply put, you will NOT be bored. It is the little things that The Rexfords do that have made our vacations so great…and keep us coming back. In short, THEY TREAT US LIKE WE ARE FAMILY, NOT RENTERS. Many of the little things that other rentals keep locked up (towels, sheets, movies, spices, beach chairs, flashlights, REAL cookware and utensils, etc.) are ALL available for our use and enjoyment. In a way, we feel like it’s OUR cottage. I have never felt this way about any other rental place. Finally, the Rexfords are ALWAYS improving the cottage and each year the cottage is better than the year before. We will never go anywhere else.

About the host

Hosted by Peter Rexford

Host profile image
Our family has been coming to Pentwater since the late 1800s! Our grandparents rented the original (and oldest) cottage on south beach. A photo in the cottage shows them on the beach as early as 1910. We were so fortunate to purchase this cottage 20 years ago.

Why they chose this property

Built around 1912, the cottage needed some care. When purchased it was truly a diamond in the ROUGH. After never-ending effort, countless upgrades and more money than we care to think about, it has become the premier destination for multiple couples and families year-after- year. All the wood and glass is original as are some of the furnishings. But, updates and modern conveniences abound. We are always updating and just installed new water heater and new fridge last year.

What makes this property unique

Precious few cottages have both a screen porch and a massive deck overlooking the beach and big lake. You have to see it to understand.

Languages:

English
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