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The Westender

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Photo gallery for The Westender

A wooden deck with a table and chairs, overlooking a body of water.
A cozy cabin interior with a fireplace, wooden walls, a sofa, a chair, and a television.
A wooden interior with a dining table, chairs, a fireplace, and kitchen cabinets.
A lakeside cabin with a dock, surrounded by dense forest and a clear sky.
A cozy cabin interior with a fireplace, a sofa, a television, and a view of the outdoors.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathrooms2200 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Fireplace
  • Lake view

Explore the area

View in a map
Hessel, MI
  • Place, Kewadin Casino - St. Ignace
    ‪29 min drive‬
  • Place, Mackinac Bridge
    ‪35 min drive‬
  • Place, Headlands International Dark Sky Park
    ‪44 min drive‬
  • Airport, Sault Ste. Marie, MI (CIU-Chippewa County Intl.)
    ‪38 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Hessel

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

What's nearby

  • Kewadin Casino - St. Ignace - 29 min drive - 31.3 miles
  • Mackinac Bridge - 35 min drive - 40.0 miles
  • Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse - 40 min drive - 43.6 miles
  • Headlands International Dark Sky Park - 44 min drive - 45.2 miles
  • Bay Mills Casino - 57 min drive - 66.5 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

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

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

Summary:

Welcome to The Westender Retreat, a lakeside hideaway on the peaceful west end of the Les Cheneaux Islands in Hessel, Michigan. With views across Lake Huron, a private dock house, and room for up to 12 guests, it’s an easy base for a family getaway or a trip with friends.



The Space:

The main cabin

Settle into the main cabin and light a fire in the classic fieldstone fireplace. It has two bedrooms, one with a king bed and one with a queen and a double, plus a full kitchen for big group dinners or slow weekend breakfasts.



The shack

Just steps away, the separate shack offers a private retreat with a queen bed and its own bathroom. It’s perfect for a couple who want a little extra privacy, or for guests who like having their own space.



The waterfront

The property sits right on the shore of Lake Huron. Down at the water you’ll find a screened-in dock house, which guests love for meals, card games, and late-night conversation without the bugs. There’s also a fire pit by the lake for evening s’mores and stargazing. Bring your boat and use the boat slip to explore the islands, which are best seen from the water.



The Neighborhood:

Lakeside hideaway on the peaceful west end of the Les Cheneaux Islands in Hessel, Michigan.



Other Things to Note:

Bring your boat and explore all that the Les Cheneaux Islands have to offer from the water!



Interaction with Guests:

Guests will check-in directly at the property with an access code.
The cottage is heated and features a kitchen, 3 bathrooms, and a balcony, and there's space to spread out with 3 bedrooms. Guests can enjoy a TV and stay connected with free WiFi. Other standard amenities include a fireplace, a coffee maker, and an ironing board.

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Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

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

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • Games
  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Firepit

Laundry

  • Coin laundry

Comfort

  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Kayak

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)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit

General

  • Unit size: 2,200 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 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. No events or large parties without prior authorization.

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 and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm 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
  • Check-in: 4:00 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.
  • This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room.
  • 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, and a first aid kit.

Property is also known as

6a8361b7d47cac0041adf15a

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 Reviews

Reviews

8.6

Excellent

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

7.0/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

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 review

4/10 Poor

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Beautiful view with lots of space to spread out and relax while enjoying nature.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

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!