Escape to this lakeside haven and unwind with your family in a home boasting three bedrooms, one bath on Portage Lake. Enjoy kayaking or paddleboarding, then savor the views from the upper and lower decks.
Reviews
9.49.4 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 7102 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Free Wi-Fi
Outdoor space
Barbecue
Add dates for prices
About this property
Lakefront Cottage on Portage Lake and the Huron River Chain of Lakes
Your completely remodeled, affordable lakeside oasis awaits you and your family! Enjoy luxury vinyl flooring on the main and second level, a new kitchen with an island and wonderful light colors to give you that waterfront escape from the stresses of every day. The home boasts three bedrooms, two bathrooms with showers on Portage Lake on the Huron River chain of lakes. Brand new Washer and Dryer and Water Softner installed as well! Enjoy spectacular views on the lower and upper decks on the lakeside. 4 Kayaks are available for your use at no additional charge. The Upper Level offers sleeping for 7 with one private bedroom and a spacious airy open sleeping area at the top of the stairs with breathtaking views of Portage Lake. Shared docking is available for one (1) boat! Pontoons are available for rental at nearby Wonderland West Marina. The home is fully furnished and ready for you and your family to make new memories at the lake. This home is perfect for kids who love to swim - the water is 2-3 feet deep for almost 400 feet off the shoreline - perfect for swimming! You'll want to reserve your spot for the 1st week of July and enjoy the magnificent fireworks right from the end of your dock. There are wonderful restaurants nearby and the city of Ann Arbor, home of the University of Michigan, is just 20 minutes away.
Other things to note: Our owners are committed to your stay being the very best that it can be with little to no interference.
Property amenities
Beach
Beach loungers
Beach towels
Ski
Cross-country skiing nearby
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Car recommended
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Hob
Kitchen island
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
3 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2 bathrooms
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Living room
Entertainment
Books
Games
Smart TV
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Barbecue grill
Firepit
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Laundry
Laundromat nearby
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Service animals only (pets not allowed)
Suitability/Accessibility
Designated smoking areas
Services and conveniences
Meal delivery service
Location highlights
In a rural location
Near an outlet shopping centre
Near the marina
On a lake
On the waterfront
Things to do
Kayak
Paddleboard
Water sports equipment
Birdwatching nearby
Cycling nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Motor boating nearby
Sailing nearby
Swimming nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
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
10 am check out time
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Rules
A maximum of 3 vehicles are permitted on property at any time. There is NO trailers of any kind allowed in front or near the house at any time!
Pets
Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Please speak with the owner regarding details
Smoking
Smoking allowed: in designated areas
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
Note from host: Please speak with the owner regarding details
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
A car is recommended for transport to and from this property
About the area
Located in Pinckney, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Hudson Mills Metropark and Pinckney State Recreation Area, while The Encore Theatre and Purple Rose Theatre are cultural highlights. Discover the area's water adventures with power boating and sailing nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and hiking. Visit our Pinckney travel guide
Is Lakefront Cottage on Portage Lake and the Huron River Chain of Lakes pet-friendly?
No, only service animals are welcome at the property.
How much is parking at Lakefront Cottage on Portage Lake and the Huron River Chain of Lakes?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Lakefront Cottage on Portage Lake and the Huron River Chain of Lakes?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Lakefront Cottage on Portage Lake and the Huron River Chain of Lakes?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Lakefront Cottage on Portage Lake and the Huron River Chain of Lakes located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Huron River and Hudson Mills Metropark. Arise Dog Park and Pinckney State Recreation Area are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Lakefront Cottage on Portage Lake and the Huron River Chain of Lakes Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Adorable cottage in a great location. Quick, easy access to Ann Arbor and nearby is the cute little town of Dexter. Property owner is super responsive and helpful.
We were in Michigan for a tournament for my daughter. We found this property and wanted to take advantage of the lake! The rental came with paddle boards, kayaks, and an aqua cycle. We took advantage of those and being able to fish and have fires. The owner was so helpful. We would definitely stay again!
Great condo and as described. Awesome location + easy parking. Stayed with my parents, husband, and toddler and was a nice size for the group of 5. From the toddler perspective the condo worked well - nice, clean tub; easy to make toddler friendly (the stairs were the only thing we had to watch - no sharp corners or breakables otherwise we were worried about); bedroom with just one window (easy to black-out); elevator access if needed.Though we didn't use, we noticed that there was a pack-n-play available to borrow. Good communication w/ host.
My family really enjoyed relaxing by the lake for a long weekend before school started up again.
The lake was beautiful, and we enjoyed the kayaks and paddleboards. Previous tenants apparently absconded with the life jackets, but the owner had more delivered very quickly. Traffic was a bit busy on the weekend, as the dock is near the marina, but more peaceful on the weekday.
The house has the charms and quirks of an old building (like needing to duck coming down the stairs), but it is well maintained and we stayed cool with the A/C.
The only slight negative of the experience was that the grill badly needed cleaning, but that was a minor blip.
Clean place that has an up north feel without the long drive.
David K.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified
6/10 Okay
Jessica L.
28 Aug 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy
The house is newly updated and has a great location on Portage Lake. We rented a boat and had a lovely time. Unfortunately, the house is listed as 3 bedrooms but it is only 2 which made our stay less comfortable for our family with young children than we were hoping.
We had so much fun in this lakeside home! The home is newly remodeled, spacious, and in a great location. Groceries just down the street. Near Ann Arbor too and not a far drive from Detroit Airport. The owners are SO kind and responsive. Portage Lake is large and perfect for any boating activities. This is a must stay. We will be back!
We had a fantastic stay! Check in was super easy and the whole entire home was spotless. The kitchen is fully equipped and all of the beds were comfy, as were the linens. Appreciated all the extra blankets they have upstairs - plenty of bath and kitchen towels. Being right on the water was heavenly! The 4 kayaks and stand up paddle board were popular with our family. My husband and I traveled with our 2 grown kids and we had plenty of space. Cannot recommend highly enough!
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay on beautiful Portage Lake! Very clean, well cared for cottage. Loved the kayaks, paddle boards and hanging out on the dock!
We had a wonderful time on the lake! The house had everything we needed to make memories with the kids. Thank you for allowing us to enjoy your cottage!
Very clean, very easy check in. Well stocked, plenty of cooking utensils. Almost new, Weber gas grill on back porch. Loved the dock and the location on Portage Lake.
This house was perfect for our weekday vacation. It has everything we needed and the view from the backyard was great. Our dog took full advantage of the dock for hours of fetch. Location was perfect for a visit to both Sandhill Crane and Chateau Aeronatique wineries. It was a very relaxing trip and we appreciate the use of your home.
We enjoyed our time at the lake. The dock and paddle boat are fantastic and the welcome binder had good recs for the area. Only minor suggestion would be to get heavier blinds/drapes in bedrooms to keep rooms a bit darker.
We booked this place because we wanted 3 bedrooms but it is actually a 1 bedroom with additional beds in the open space upstairs. Note that their Zillow listing says 2 bedrooms. Wrong but closer. We were very disappointed but decided we would just make it work. Quickly realized the place wasn't really ready for renting as the shades on the windows were just pleated paper. Certainly didn't darken the rooms. If you put them down, you would have to spend a fair amount of time re-pleating them to put them up. Also, no towel bars or hooks anywhere. Wet towels were laying all over. Owner then lied and said we damaged the counter and cabinets in the kitchen. Absolutely not true.
Susan C.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified
6/10 Okay
jane a.
10 Sept 2022
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Portage Lake Cottage
Property had the following issues:
No dishwasher
No washer/dryer
No electric socket in bathroom
Bathroom sink did not drain
All furniture dated and worn
Shower very small, mold
Water smells
If you’re looking for a luxury, high end vacation this isn’t the place. But if you want a clean, roomy space on a lake for a family with young kids this is it.
The house is older but well maintained. It is right on the lake. We enjoyed using the kayaks and paddle boat. The lake is very shallow for a long way out so swimming for children is great, not so much for adults, but still refreshing. We enjoyed the campfires at night, making s’mores and reminiscing with our adult children. We rented a pontoon boat for the day and had a great time exploring the chain of lakes. Our dog was happy that she was able to come too and didn’t have to be boarded.
For us the only drawbacks were that there was only one bathroom (for 5 adults) and there really aren’t three bedrooms, just two bedrooms and an open space with beds, which is probably fine for a family with kids but not so much for 3 couples.
The hosts were very responsive to our emails and were frequently around as they have a place next door. The water from the tap is iron water but they provided a water cooler for drinking water. The neighbors were also very friendly and helpful.
Would recommend it, especially for a family with kids.