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The Westender Retreat | Amazing Lake Views & Waterfront Dock House

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Photo gallery for The Westender Retreat | Amazing Lake Views & Waterfront Dock House

Outdoor dining
TV, fireplace, DVD player
Interior
Interior
Exterior

Reviews

8.0 out of 10
Very good

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathrooms2200 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Outdoor Space
  • Parking available
  • Fireplace

Explore the area

View in a map
Hessel, MI
  • Place, Les Cheneaux Islands
    ‪18 min drive‬
  • Place, Sandy Cove
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Place, Kewadin Casino - St. Ignace
    ‪29 min drive‬
  • Airport, Sault Ste. Marie, MI (CIU-Chippewa County Intl.)
    ‪38 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Hessel

This cottage places you adjacent to Lake Huron. The cottage includes a kitchen, a fireplace, and a patio.
View more Cottages in HesselOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Les Cheneaux Islands - 18 min drive - 10.7 miles
  • Sandy Cove - 19 min drive - 13.2 miles
  • Castle Rock - 28 min drive - 31.5 miles
  • Kewadin Casino - St. Ignace - 29 min drive - 31.3 miles
  • Mackinac Bridge - 35 min drive - 40.0 miles

Getting around

  • Sault Ste. Marie, MI (CIU-Chippewa County Intl.) - 32 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Les Cheneaux Distillers - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Snows Bar and Grill - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪The Tipper Room - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Ang-Gios - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪The Islander Bar - ‬18 min walk

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

The Westender Retreat | Amazing Lake Views & Waterfront Dock House

Welcome to The Westender Retreat—a charming cottage tucked away on the serene west end of the Les Cheneaux Islands, offering breathtaking views of Lake Huron. Unwind in the cozy main cottage with a crackling fire in the classic fieldstone fireplace, or head to the guest house for an additional private space to relax, sleep, or gather. Down by the water, you’ll find a screened-in dock house—the perfect hangout spot for meals, games, and late-night chats by the lake.

Bring your boat and explore all that the Les Cheneaux Islands have to offer from the water!
The cottage is heated and features a kitchen, 3 bathrooms, and a patio, and there's space to spread out with 3 bedrooms. Guests can expect to find free WiFi and a TV with a DVD player. Other standard amenities include a fireplace, a coffee maker, and an ironing board.

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Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • DVD player
  • Games
  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Patio

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • On a lake
  • On the waterfront

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)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 2,200 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

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

Rules

Must be 25 years or older to rent.
No smoking in premises.
Quiet hours between 10PM-8AM.

Pets

  • This property welcomes pets
  • Service animals exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

No events allowed

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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
  • Check-in: 3:00 PM
  • Check-out: 10:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 25

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.
  • Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock.

Property is also known as

dbb1f953-7a60-4d99-a544-fe5cfa46a840

Frequently asked questions

What can I see close to this cottage?

This cottage is located in Hessel, just steps from Lake Huron.

Is there parking available at The Westender Retreat | Amazing Lake Views & Waterfront Dock House?

No, this cottage doesn't offer parking.

Is this cottage next to a casino?

No, this cottage is not connected to a casino.

Will I find an indoor pool at this cottage?

No, there is no indoor pool at this cottage.

What amenities will couples enjoy at The Westender Retreat | Amazing Lake Views & Waterfront Dock House?

There are many amenities for couples at this cottage, including a fireplace, a fireplace in some cottage, as well as a beach.

Does The Westender Retreat | Amazing Lake Views & Waterfront Dock House have a hot tub?

No, this cottage doesn't have a spa tub.

Does this cottage include breakfast service?

No, this cottage doesn't offer breakfast.

Will this cottage allow pets to stay for free?

Although pets can't stay for free, they are welcome at this cottage.

Does The Westender Retreat | Amazing Lake Views & Waterfront Dock House have connecting rooms available?

No, this cottage doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.

How close is the airport from this cottage?

The closest major airport to this cottage is Sault Ste. Marie, MI (CIU-Chippewa County Intl.), which is 27.7 mi away (32 minutes by car). Another top airport is Mackinac Island, MI (MCD), which is around 13.7 mi away.

Are there rooms with balconies at The Westender Retreat | Amazing Lake Views & Waterfront Dock House?

Yes, every cottage at The Westender Retreat | Amazing Lake Views & Waterfront Dock House comes with a patio and some offer beach views.

The Westender Retreat | Amazing Lake Views & Waterfront Dock House Reviews

Reviews

8.0

Very Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 2 out of 3 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 3 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 3 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 3 reviews

6.0/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Katherine S.

Our favorite spot!

The Westender has become our favorite vacation spot. Wonderfully relaxing atmosphere with access to most amenities you could need on vacation. The boathouse provides a nice hangout spot with a calm breeze. We’ll be back for sure!
Verified

4/10 Poor

Travis S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
We were not made aware of the cameras on the property and the one that overlooks the beach where we were all spending quality time was uncomfortable. Had this been clearly stated in the listing we would have passed on the rental. Also, the owner and his family used part of the property throughout our stay and it didn’t feel like the much needed private getaway we were going for.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Katherine S.

Another Great Year

We have been visiting the Westender for several years now. It’s always a wonderful vacation. Located in a quiet spot, but close to lots of fun things in Hessel and Cedarville, as well as within a reasonable drive for lots of other adventures. We are already looking forward to visiting again!