Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet
Main Floor Bathroom
Toilet
Spaces
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Dining area
About this property
Best Front Porch In Macatawa Park - Private Lake Michigan Beach
Our Lake Michigan beach front home is located in the historic Macatawa Park neighborhood. The beach is just steps away from the front porch... an incredible view of the sunset!
Macatawa Park is a gated private community. Lakeside Rd is closed to motor vehicles from May to September. Parking is limited to two assigned spots, one a short walk from the cottage and another about a 5 min walk. This creates a unique environment that is great for a family with kids.
Originally built in 1924, this home was nicely renovated in 2010. The update included many modern amenities, such as new appliances in the kitchen. We replaced the windows in early 2018, along with a new furnace and central air (additional charge for A/C usage.)
Originally called the Chicago Cottage, we have renamed it Kirkwood Cottage. It is our home away from home! Come see the best Macatawa has to offer.
Property manager
Shane
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Air conditioning
Parking available
Beach view
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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: Macatawa does not allow beach weddings/parties.
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
About the area
Macatawa
Located in Macatawa, this cottage is on the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Oval Beach. Holland Community Aquatic Center and Craigs Cruisers are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with jet skiing and kayaking nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and mountain biking.
Holland, MI
What's nearby
Ottawa Beach - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
Saugatuck Dunes State Park - 15 min drive - 8.7 km
Mt. Pisgah Dune Boardwalk - 22 min drive - 20.3 km
Holland State Park - 23 min drive - 21.1 km
Tunnel Park - 24 min drive - 21.0 km
Getting around
Holland Station - 16 min drive
Muskegon, MI (MKG-Muskegon County) - 50 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 10 min drive
Boatwerks Waterfront Restaurant - 11 min drive
Captain Sundae - 9 min drive
Beechwood Grill - 15 min drive
Captain Sundae - 15 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Best Front Porch In Macatawa Park - Private Lake Michigan Beach pet-friendly?
No, only service animals are welcome at the property.
How much is parking at Best Front Porch In Macatawa Park - Private Lake Michigan Beach?
Limited spots are available.
What time is check-in at Best Front Porch In Macatawa Park - Private Lake Michigan Beach?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Best Front Porch In Macatawa Park - Private Lake Michigan Beach?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Best Front Porch In Macatawa Park - Private Lake Michigan Beach located?
Nestled on the beach, this Macatawa cottage is within 1 mi (2 km) of Ottawa Beach and Lake Michigan. Tunnel Park Beach and Sanctuary Woods Preserve are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
sean r.
30 May, 2014
Perfect accommodations, the place to stay for beach fun & sun.
Came to town for a wedding (right on the beach in front of house, it's that beautiful) and figured we'd stay at a large cottage with friends.
This house was gorgeous, the view is stunning and the owners were quite pleasant to deal with.
Would love to stay again, in fact already looking down the calendar for next possible visits.
Thanks!
sean r.
10/10 Excellent
Kellye O., Omaha, Nebraska
5 May, 2019
Perfect Beach House with Amazing View!
Perfect Beach House, the location was amazing, sandy beach, crashing waves and an awesome view of the Red Lighthouse, it was exactly what we were looking for! Shane was an incredible host, communicated at every step and was a joy to work with. The house has everything you need, which made it perfect for a family beach getaway. The front porch was awesome to watch the sunset and to relax to take in the incredible views. We will be back to enjoy this "slice of heaven" again! Would highly recommend this beach getaway!
Kellye O.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2019
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
ed d.
2 Aug, 2014
Better then we expected
Wow, your house is amazing. The kitchen was a dream. The porch was perfect. It was great watching the sun set and the storm roll in. The view was spectacular. With little children it was perfect having the beach be right there. We are hooked. Looking forward to returning next summer.
ed d.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
John S.
24 Jul, 2015
Absolutely Fantastic
Our family was able to rent this cottage on short notice due to cancellation. My wife and I, two sons and their wives and kids. Sharon and Ed are great people and were absolutely fantastic to work with both prior to, during, and after our stay. They were more than accommodating throughout our stay. The house was very nice and well equipped for a large group, and everything worked fine. No complaints whatsoever. The Macatawa beachfront community was fantastic. Beautiful beach, sunsets, water, etc. No complaints whatsoever; only accolades. Can't say enough. Great time and hope we can get this cottage next summer as well. Recommend very highly!
John S.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
peik v.
21 Jul, 2015
Spectacular
We rented 2 houses over 2 weeks at Macatawa. The first one was this one, and it totally spoiled us when we got to the second. Sharon, and Ed were fantastic, and really tried to accommodate any needs that came up. I love to cook, and the kitchen was great ,although it was missing some tools, and pans I would have liked, Sharon bent over backwards to go and get me a bigger pot for my chicken paprikash. Also extra beach chairs, and an umbrella.You can't get any closer to Lake Michigan, the house accommodates plenty, the owners are terrific, and I would rent this house again in a heart beat!
peik v.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Patrick N.
12 Jun, 2014
Beautiful, peaceful and everything you need for a perfect vacation!
Wow - what a great place to stay for vacation! My wife, 4 kids and I thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this cottage in Macatawa. The house is a fantastic well-updated cottage with tons of charm and plenty of room for even the largest of families. The location is perfect. You are literally able to walk straight out of the front door right on to the beach. Because there is no street in front of the house, it makes it particularly good for families with children who need supervision. The neighborhood is a gated, very secure neighborhood and with the beach right out the door, we were able to let the kids out to roam freely without too much supervision. The lighthouse is only steps from the front door as well, providing for some of the most beautiful sunsets imaginable. We plan to make this a yearly adventure! The owners of the cottage are very nearby and are very hospitable and able to help with anything that we needed. If you are looking for a beautiful, comfortable place to vacation - this is it!
Patrick N.
10/10 Excellent
Barbara C., Franklin TN
22 Jun, 2018
Cozy, Old style beach cottage~HOME (not house)
This was our second visit to our beach retreat at The Kirkland Cottage. The property is the perfect place for our cousin reunion that we started two years ago. Shane is the perfect host and is ALWAYS available for questions and help when needed. HE IS THE PERFECT VRBO owner. I have stayed at properties all over the world and HE is one of the most responsive owners I have met in all my journeys. The property is clean and well supplied with everything you could need. The kitchen has everything that you may need to make wonderful meals and is easy to work in. The new windows this year work SO well and the new dining table seats everyone for meals (and crafts!) THE VIEWS are amazing and it is the perfect location to enjoy the beach from the sand, the front porch or even the master bedroom! We have loved our stay here each year. Stories told, laughter, and tears shared by cousins ranging in age from 53 to 75! What a special place this is! Hope to return again and again! IT has become HOME to our very souls!
We had a wonderful time on our family vacation staying in Kirkwood. The view is outstanding ! The host provides everything you need for the beach plus more! We take home priceless family memories 😊
The cottage is directly on the beach, you can not get any closer. It is beautiful, clean and well furnished. You do not need to bring anything more than food and yourselves. Shane was quick with answers and extremely helpful. This was a family vacation that was the best we’ve ever had. I look forward to returning again!
This charming property is located on a very nice beach right on Lake Michigan. The house is older but has been updated and well kept, especially the kitchen. We had a wonderful stay with our 3 children, their spouses and our grandson.
All was perfect for our 1st Family Vacation! The weather could have been better but we know it’s iffy in June in Michigan...did not stop us from handing a great time. Next time we’ll look for a place in July.
Verified traveller
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019
10/10 Excellent
James B.
16 May, 2019
Awesome view!
Awesome view! Shane very helpful on any questions. Nice cottage.
James B.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019
10/10 Excellent
Jason K.
14 May, 2019
Very nice beach house
We had a great time staying on Lake Michigan. Being not peak season, the beach was very relaxing and quiet. It had everything we needed to make meals and plenty of seating both inside and outside. Would definitely recommend.
Jason K.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019
10/10 Excellent
gregory f.
4 Oct, 2018
Beautiful place great owners!
We had a great stay. It is located on a beautiful beach and has a fantastic porch and livivibg room overlooking that beach!
gregory f.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018
10/10 Excellent
Heidi B.
25 Sept, 2018
Wonderful - yet again!
The views from this wonderful home are spectacular. Our Friday arrival greeted us with 4-6 foot waves crashing against the shore, but it was so breathtaking. Sat, Sun and Monday AM were perfect - bright sunny days, even if they were a bit cool - what can you expect from Lake Michigan in September. Shane was wonderful about our renting his place for the 2nd year in a row. Would love to come back again.
Heidi B.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018
10/10 Excellent
Stephanie B.
16 Sept, 2018
Wedding Macatawa
Our Kirkland Cottage stay was everything we hoped it would be. Our stay was for my son’s wedding, the home is well maintained, and flows well . It provided everything we needed. The front porch truly has a great view, and it is where we all enjoyed sitting and relaxing. Shane is attentive and quickly responds if you have any questions.
Stephanie B.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2018
10/10 Excellent
Sarah F.
11 Sept, 2018
A Cottage Worthy of this Magical Place
I have been coming to Macatawa for much of my life. My grandparents, my parents, and now I am among the group referred to as "long-time renters." I have thus stayed in a number of cottages, new and old. I believe the Kirkwood is the best of a very good group. It is ideally situated in the Park, it has been recently upgraded, and while it is an older cottage, there are no compromises in this regard; its age only enhances one's experience. A great deal of this has to do with the Russells. Both in their accessibility to questions and concerns, and in the way they take care of the cottage, one can tell they are genuinely interested in making a relaxing and tension-free time for their renters. Moreover, and unlike some Macatawa owners, they don't act as if you're untrustworthy or about to break something! We were not overwhelmed with unnecessary rules, or admonitions about how to take care of a place. That makes a huge difference to feeling at home. I would particularly recommend the Kirkwood to those with children. Renters are encouraged to use all the toys and water equipment they find. My 16 month-old grandson was in heaven roaring around the porch in a little red car we found in the basement. I was grateful for their trust and generosity. Thank you, Shane and Amy. We'll be back!
Sarah F.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2018
10/10 Excellent
Rachel Z.
29 May, 2018
Wonderful
Very last minute stay for my son and I. House is clean and updated, beach is GREAT and right out the front door, all neighbors are friendly, and the owner is communicative, friendly, and helpful. We will be checking the calendar for another stay as soon as possible. Thanks much!
Rachel Z.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Cory G.
16 Oct, 2017
Awesome House and Owner
We rented Shane's house for our wedding weekend in Macatawa and it was beautiful. The location is fabulous and the beach is right at your front door. Shane was very cool and accommodating about multiple cars shifting in and out from the makeup artist and hair stylist. We were even able to bring our dog who loved her time at the beach. I would highly recommend this house to anyone looking a wonderful weekend at the beach.
Cory G.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Kate W.
10 Oct, 2017
Perfect home for a fall trip to Holland
Being able to walk off the front porch and onto the beach was convenient for our family (we had an infant, toddler and dog) as well as grandparents. You can see Big Red from the front bedrooms and the living room. The house was well maintained and clean. Shane was very quick to reply to messages and was helpful with directions. Parking was a minor issue, but Shane was responsive to that as well.
Kate W.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Heidi B.
21 Sept, 2017
Lived up to the name "Best Front Porch in Macatawa"
I rented this house with a group of friends (8 adults) for a long weekend in mid-September. The view is absolutely fantastic, the front porch is wonderful (shaded by the tree's, so it doesn't get too hot in the afternoon), the walk to the big Red Lighthouse is easy and short, the rooms were nice sized. We were a bit concerned with 8 adults and only 1 shower, but it all worked out perfectly. The available beach items (chairs, boards, umbrella, toys) were a great touch. The 8-person dining table was fantastic for all of us to eat together. Would love to come back again.
Heidi B.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Patrick B.
30 Aug, 2017
Beach Front Cottage.
This is the classic Lake Michigan cottage. It has all the expected charm and old finishings consistent with what I remember from my childhood stays in Holland along with nice clean updates in the kitchen and family room to make it feel like home. There probably is not a better location. It sits directly on the beach nestled into the front of several rows of cottages. The owners are very conscientious and are committed to being sure you enjoy your stay and your needs are met. We will likely stay at Kirkwood cottage again in a few years.
Patrick B.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
nancy c.
25 Jul, 2017
Lake House on the Beach
Really nice location on the Beach. Nice front porch for morning coffee and cocktails at Sunset 🌅. Newly remodeled kitchen. The owner Shane was always responsive and available to help if you needed anything.
Very nice place to vacation! We will return next year!
nancy c.
Stayed 14 nights in Jul 2017
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Andrew K.
10 Jul, 2017
What a location
Shane does a great job of making you feel welcome in his home. You will not find a better location for a beach vacation with your family. House is updated while keeping some of its historical charm.
Andrew K.
This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.
10/10 Excellent
Barbara C., Franklin TN
11 Jun, 2017
Cousins of every age LOVED this property at the beach!!!
We loved staying at this property for our cousin reunion. The beach property is a classic home that welcomes its guests from the moment you walk up the front steps and walk onto the porch! The beach is steps from your front door! Each bedroom offers great private space to get away. Main level and porch great for visiting. Kitchen is well supplied and so fun for all of us to cook in! Waking up in bedroom number one with the views of Big Red! Amazing! But the best part of staying at this location is working with the owner. I have stayed at VRBO locations around the world. Shane ranks at the top of the list! Always available for questions-even sending us a blender on the spot! Absolutely LOVED this property. We felt at home in this place. It offered us a great place to laugh, cry and tell stories and renew family relations and all the while enjoy the beach and everything this place had to offer. Come and enjoy-you will not regret renting this property!!!