Entire home

The Westender

Photo gallery for The Westender

A wooden structure with a view of a lake and clouds. - The Westender (Hessel)
A bunk bed with a lower bunk, a bedside table with a lamp, and a plain wall. - The Westender (Hessel)
A covered outdoor seating area with a wooden bench and a cushioned bench, a picnic table, and a wall with a framed picture. - The Westender (Hessel)
A cabin with a dock extending into a lake, surrounded by trees. - The Westender (Hessel)
A kitchen with a Kenmore stove, a window with a view of trees, and a door with a patterned curtain. - The Westender (Hessel)
Near Lake Huron, The Westender Retreat | Amazing Lake Views & Waterfront Dock House provides everything you need. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathrooms204 sq m

Popular amenities

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

Add dates for prices

About this property

The Westender

  • Summary:

    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.



    Other Things to Note:

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

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
  • Bedsheets 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

Similar properties

A waterfront hotel with a parking lot, a view of the sea, and a distant island.
Hamilton Inn Select Beachfront Mackinaw City
Mackinaw City
  • Pool
  • Hot tub
  • Breakfast included
  • Parking included
8.0 out of 10, Very good, 2,991 reviews
The price is AED 279
AED 310 total
includes taxes & fees
25 Oct - 26 Oct
Hamilton Inn Select Beachfront Mackinaw City
Compare similar properties

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. No events or large parties without prior authorization.

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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

About the neighborhood

Located in Hessel, this cottage is on the beach. British Landing and Fort Holmes are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Huron and Sandy Cove. The Original Mackinac Island Butterfly House & Insect World and Wings of Mackinac Butterfly Conservatory are also worth visiting. Visit our Hessel travel guide
View more Cottages in Hessel
Map
Hessel, MI

What's nearby

  • A long bridge spanning a calm body of water, with a park and buildings in the foreground.
    Mackinac Bridge
    35 min drive - 64.4 km
  • Kewadin Casino - St. Ignace
    29 min drive - 50.3 km
  • Headlands International Dark Sky Park
    44 min drive - 72.7 km
  • Wilderness State Park
    51 min drive - 84.7 km
  • Bay Mills Casino
    57 min drive - 107.1 km

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

Frequently asked questions

Is The Westender Retreat | Amazing Lake Views & Waterfront Dock House pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Westender Retreat | Amazing Lake Views & Waterfront Dock House?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Westender Retreat | Amazing Lake Views & Waterfront Dock House?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Westender Retreat | Amazing Lake Views & Waterfront Dock House located?

Nestled on the beach, this Hessel cottage is steps from Lake Huron and 11.5 mi (18.6 km) from Sandy Cove. Castle Rock and Kewadin Casino - St. Ignace are also within 25 mi (40 km).

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Reviews

The Westender Reviews

8.6

Excellent

7.0

Cleanliness

10

Location
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

Reviews

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

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
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!