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Reviews of Cottage Retreat - Minutes to Beaches, Harbor Shores Golf, and Downtown St. Joe

Cottage Retreat - Minutes to Beaches, Harbor Shores Golf, and Downtown St. Joe
Benton Harbor, MI

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 73 out of 86 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 86 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 86 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 86 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 86 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Marilyn T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Well Stocked Kitchen
My family hosted a small fishing event/picnic at West Basina Marina. I was very pleased with the cooking utensils and bowls provided. It made food preparation very easy. The location was also convenient.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Benton Harbor
We love the house and the back yard. The house was very clean and tidy and also adorable. Also, there were beach towels and beach chairs which was fantastic! We certainly used them on the beach. We were in town for a wedding and it was a very comfortable place for us to stay and easy access to where we needed to be.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mike S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice little getaway
Was a perfect getaway for us. The house was very clean and cozy and only minutes from the beaches and downtown. Definitely recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

K S.

Liked: Cleanliness
THIS is the place to stay for Beach time
Our plans were to explore Benton Harbor/ St Joe plus spend lots of time on the beach over Labor Day weekend. Arrival was easy Everything extra white, tidy, & clean Lots of towels Kitchen was great for making eggs, sausage, hardboiled eggs, sandwiches, premade cookie dough cookies. Table was great for several family meals & conversation. Drank wine on the backyard deck. Kids played in BEAUTIFUL large backyard for a total of about 2 hours over the weekend. Parents slept in main floor bedroom, 2 kids in upstairs queen, other 2 kids in 2 twin beds in other upstairs bedroom. Little room at top of stairs was perfect for lots of kids card games, kids had little lamps to draw and read in bed by. Drive to Tiscornia Park/ Beach in morning.... quick enough drive to come back to the house for a quick lunch, then back to the beach. Really close Guys - SO FUN, SO close to Tiscornia Park, Jean Klock, Mason Jar, Silver Beach & Pizza, Lake Bluff Park etc etc. We spent several hours every day at beach - so nice to come back to this beautiful space. Our family really needed this and it so delivered. Hosts were so great and accomodating. If youre looking for a Spot - THIS IS IT.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Barbara A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Golf trip
Very clean, comfortable beds, nice yard. Perfect location for beaches and sightseeing. Drop in star for area because of the area needed to drive through to get to the house was a little iffy at night. Traveled with husband and sister and brother-in-law for golf. Upstairs bathroom was not a problem for us. House cleanliness was a 10 which is most important to me. Well done cottage!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Josh F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location but older neighborhood
Loved the backyard and the closeness of the property to several beaches. Kathy was great and responsive.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jay L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent stay in Benton Harbor at this home
What an excellent home away from home! Right from the start, Kathy was so responsiveness and prompt with her responses setting a great expectation and the home was just beautiful. We really felt as if we here at home. The garden was large with tiki torches and the kitchen was really well equipped. We will most certainly stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patrick P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beach Getaway
Great location. Home was clean & had everything we needed. It was nice to use the beach chairs & wagon for the beach.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Melissa L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Good Location
This home was nice and in a close location to the downtown shopping area and the beach!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Denise C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very clean and close to all Benton Harbor/St. Joe
We had everything we needed in the clean, cozy home, everything worked well and we had just what we needed, thanks, Kathy.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Adorable cottage
We had a lovely stay at this vacation cottage. The house is beautiful and very clean. The only thing that dampened or stay was the noise and lights from the street right out front. The house itself is absolutely perfect.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Ryan N.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location for Steelhead 70.3 race
We chose this rental primarily for its location directly on the course of the Steelhead 70.3 race and it did not disappoint from that perspective being right on the bike and run course. We also chose this rental for its listing of having baby/ kid items available (pack n play, high chair, baby gates, toys, etc.) which made our packing much lighter. Although we didn’t use it also had beach items available. Kathy was easy to communicate with and super quick to respond. Reasoning for the one star drop is the downstairs bedroom bed was very uncomfortable. So much that so that my wife ended up sleeping in a different bed for the weekend so we’d stop rolling into each other (mattress almost was a V). That same room is also very loud from the street noise being only 50ft off a busy road. Kitchen was lacking some basic items that you’d expect to be present given the $400+ per night charge. No olive oil, basic coffee, saran wrap, foil, etc., just salt and pepper. Overall our stay met our expectations based on our reason for booking and would book again in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Anne P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quaint, Family-Friendly Cottage
Our family had a great vacation to Saint Joe, and overall we were pleased with our stay at the cottage.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karissa R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fun family beach trip
We had a great time here! It was a short drive to fun beaches and good restaurants. The house had everything we needed for enjoying the beach and exploring the area. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kylee C.

Liked: Cleanliness
amazing cozy space close to everything!
this was the cutest little spot that was private enough but still so close to everything st joe and benton harbor had to offer! we will be returning!! the hosts were very attentive and checked in with us to ensure everything was going smoothly
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

MOLLY W., ARROYO GRANDE

Liked: Cleanliness
Charming cottage
We loved our stay in this cute and well-appointed cottage! The host was very helpful and all the necessary beach gear was provided, which was great, along with lots of good food recommendations! Our only complaint is the noise from the road, but some earplugs and running white noise in the night helped with that!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lee H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location and property
This was the perfect place to stay for our fishing weekend in Michigan. It is in a nice neighborhood - very close to piers and a great Jack Nicklas designed golf course. Four beds were perfect for our family - very clean and Kathy left great instructions. Only issue was that the bathroom is on the second floor, not the first, which was a little challenging for our 87 year old father. Otherwise - it was perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amanda D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great little house!
House was very neat and clean, and the amenities were perfect for us. Great location near all the attractions. Would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Justine D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great home!
Such a charming home, great location and owner.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jean B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Girls Weekend
The house was perfect for a girls weekend with my daughters. Close to shops and wineries. I would recommend, very family friendly.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

Nicole L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Clean, cute house
Kathy was a great host and the house was very clean. We enjoyed the stay but the neighbors were really loud.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on Oct 6, 2022
Thanks Nicole, We were happy to have you! Sorry to hear about the neighbors. It's something that we will address with them and can hopefully work something out. Thanks for the feedback!

10/10 Excellent

Kari U., Willowbrook, IL United States

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute, clean house
Kathy is a great host with exception communication. Her house is cute and clean, and a very short ride from several beaches, and towns. Our family of five felt very comfortable!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 19, 2022
Thank you and we’re glad you enjoyed your stay!

10/10 Excellent

Liz F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Labor Day getaway
Great communication with homeowner. Location was a short drive to downtown ST Joseph and Benton Harbor. Had a wonderful time with family. .
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 8, 2022
We were happy to have you! Come back again soon!

10/10 Excellent

Gerald F., Stow, OH USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location to stay!
This is a very comfortable home and extremely convenient to beaches, lighthouses, restaurants and everything in the area. My wife and I really enjoyed this home. Everything we needed in the kitchen and for the beach. The home is clean, the linens and beds are very nice and the overall home is just as described! If we make it back to the Benton Harbor area, we would stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 3, 2022
Thanks! We’re so glad to hear!

10/10 Excellent

Abigail P., Oak Park, IL

Liked: Cleanliness
SUPER Close to Everything!
Such a great little house with all the amenities needed for a wonderful family getaway (kids were 4 and 2). Tons of kid-friendly items - pack n plays, high chair, beach toys, kid toys, outdoor fun items. And all the stuff you need for a great day at the beach - towels, backpack chairs, wagon, umbrella, puddle jumper floaties for kids. House was VERY clean and we felt right at home with enough room to spread out, unpack, and really settle in for a week. Hosts were super friendly, local, and communicative! Location can't be beat. You're 2 minutes away from Rocky Gap Beach, 5 minutes from Jean Klock Beach, and 8 minutes from Silver Beach and all the shops, restaurants, and activities in St Joe.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Meg D., West Palm Beach, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy convenient cottage
Kathy’s cottage was excellent. It was cozy and convenient for our family. We enjoyed the trails, brewery and going downtown St. Joseph. It was perfect for our quick getaway.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bethany A.

Liked: Cleanliness
So close to the beach!
We love Benton Harbor and were so happy to be able to rent this charming cottage. The location was close to everything: 5 minutes drive to the beach, Curious Kids Discovery Zone in St. Joe, restaurants, coffee, etc. The cottage has a huge backyard, is nicely remodeled and very comfortable.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Amy P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cottage
The property was great! Very cute, and family friendly. But the next door neighbors were a little rough (fighting in the middle of the night) and it was really hot upstairs.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute cottage perfect for families
This place is adorable! Very clean, nicely updated and decorated. Perfect for our family of 5, plus my mom for our 4 night stay. Just a short drive to the beach, restaurants, breweries, etc. We would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

William C.

Liked: Cleanliness
First time renting a house in Saint Jo
We have been coming to Saint Jo for about 20 years and have always used a Hotel. We really enjoyed the house and would do it again. Thank you
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ioana L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful house
We had a great time at this property. The house was very clean and beautiful decorated. My kids enjoyed the backyard. It was just a short drive from St. Joseph. We will come back next year.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lisa H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect getaway place
Place was a perfect fit for us! It was lovely and clean. We loved playing with the kids outside and had a fire at night. The backyard was large, very private, and fenced in. The property manager was helpful and responsive. I would stay here again and would rent from her anytime.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Stephani E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely place, close to so much!
We stayed here with our 4 year old twins and it was wonderful! The host had great resources for kids which made it very convenient. The location is so close to so much-minutes from St. Joseph, very close to the beach. Really lovely house—we really enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Connie A., Cleveland, TX

Liked: Cleanliness
Good location
The house is located on the good side of Benton Harbor. The house has a lot of stairs and the bathroom is upstairs, just be aware. It can get warm upstairs in the summer but fans are provided. (I placed one at the bottom of the stairs and blew the cold air up). The home is cozy, conveniently located to take day trips North or East., (I strongly recommend Holland), and the owner/manager has good communication. We enjoyed our stay here.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

8/10 Good

Anna I.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute and convenient
Great space for the kids- especially appreciate the yard, toys, and pack n plays. The bathroom and kitchen were clean and updated. The owner has taken care to add nice touches like nightlights, coffee, and nice outdoor seating. It needs just a few improvements to make it 5 stars: one of the upstairs bedrooms doesn't have any AC vents -- so it was very stuffy on a hot summer day. Also missing was a hose outside to rinse the sand off our feet and swimsuits. It would also be nice to have a water filter like Brita since the fridge doesn't have a built in filter. The location is very convenient to St. Joseph, just a 5 minute drive, however the street is a little busy and we heard cars driving by overnight. The owner was quickly responsive to messages.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alyssa V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great experience
Kathy offered many suggestions for nearby fun places to go with kids and provided everything you need for a beach trip. The house was clean and had everything to make you feel at home. My family and I grilled, had a bonfire, and enjoyed the house all throughout! The house is perfectly positioned to the downtown area and nearby beaches. Great experience! Would definitely stay at this location again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rich S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy and Open Floor Plan
This was the perfect house for 4 adults and one young man. The floor plan was open and allowed for a relaxing time.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2022

10/10 Excellent

Emily

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy, Clean, and fun!
We got married in Benton Harbor and we needed a place to stay the week of our wedding that was close to Blue Dress Barn, comfortable, and beautiful inside for photography. This cute little cottage had everything we needed and more. Kathy the property owner was very accommodating and great with communication! This was my first time ever staying at a rental property and because it was such a positive experience with Kathy, it won’t be my last :)
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on Nov 1, 2021
Hi Emily, congrats again! We are glad you enjoyed your stay.

10/10 Excellent

Megan E., Fishers, Indiana

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute little cottage
There were four of us for a girls weekend. Worked out great. Everything was as pictured abs very clean. We were close to the beach, shopping, and not too far from the wineries. I didn’t love the busy street. And with three cars it was a tight fit in the drive way. But other than that everything was perfect. Hosts were super responsive to questions and stopped by the help us when we couldn’t figure it out the oven. It was a great trip and recommend it for a relaxing little getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on Nov 1, 2021
Hi Megan, thanks for staying and glad to hear you were able to enjoy. I think I figured out the oven :)

10/10 Excellent

Matthew J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place
Very nice place to stay for a small family. Clean and updated, minutes away from every activity you could want to do in the area. Our family would definitely stay there again
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Laura M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect weekend getaway
This place was exactly what my partner and I were looking for on our weekend getaway. Each room was super cute, nice backyard, and close to all the fun activities in Benton Harbor and St. Joesph. We would be happy to return sometime in the future.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

amanda k.

Liked: Cleanliness
Clean updated house close to Benton Harbor
We had a great stay. There were 4 adults traveling in our group and we had plenty of space in the house. The house was very clean and all guest spaces were recently updated.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Elaine C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Short Stay
The accommodation was very nice. The bathroom was upstairs and but tight quarters. House was neat and orderly. There was 'night lights' on the stairs which came on sensor moderated .... that helped. Cookware was well used small and larger skillet ... would have liked nicer. Not sure what in pantry was usable but brought own. Thank you.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute and clean house
The house is cute and accommodated our family of 4. It is updated and clean throughout. Backyard is nice and big for the area. It’s a short drive to the beaches and shops. There’s a restaurant and brewery just a short walk away, which is convenient. Would recommend this place to family and friends.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Christen F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great spot and easy access to downtown Saint Joseph!
Had a great time here with my husband and our two little boys! Very cute and quaint house! Farmhouse vibes, very clean with a lot of great things for kids including toys, pack n play, high chair, books, and Disney+ 5 minute drive to downtown Saint joseph. Very comfortable place and I would highly recommend it to anyone!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Phillip M., Benton Harbor

Liked: Cleanliness
Experience was great.
We had an awesome experience. We used home for my wife and a bridesmaids to stay during our wedding weekend. Property was very clean and accurate with listing details. No problem getting in and out check in process was great. Location of home could be better but it didn't interrupt our stay. Overall great experience!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sam S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great family vacation
Stayed here with wife and 2 young kids. The house was great and perfect for a family. The location was 5-10 mins from beach and restaurants. Golf and brewery were right down the street. This was our first time to Benton Harbor and town was fantastic for a family getaway. I would highly recommend.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Leanne B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent stay!
We have stayed at this property twice now. It is close to Silver Beach and the state parks in the area. Perfect cozy cottage! Very clean and the renter is super nice. Highly recommended!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Allison M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Girls Weekend
This property was a perfect spot for our girls weekend. It is decorated very nicely and we enjoyed the bonfire pit in the backyard. The neighborhood was a little different than we expected but the house felt safe and we had no issues. Overall, it was great for what we needed and was close to downtown St Joseph and only 30 mins to wineries. Thanks for a great stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Susan M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved it!
House is as pictured, we loved the farm house decor and outside space. Convenient location to the beach, North Pier Brewery and a the burgers at North Shore. It's a short drive to everything else. Thanks for a great few days.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021