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The Dock House - Upper unit next to the City Marina

Lakefront vacation home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for The Dock House - Upper unit next to the City Marina

Smart TV
Outdoor dining
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Exterior
1 bedroom, desk, iron/ironing board, WiFi
In the heart of this charming coastal town, The City Marina Cottage offers a tranquil retreat. Stroll along Pere Marquette lake, visit Stearns Beach lighthouse or simply unwind on the small deck. With a fully equipped kitchen and nearby downtown restaurants and bars, your culinary needs are met.

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful

Entire home

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 557 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Add dates for prices

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 Dock House - Upper unit next to the City Marina

Great upper unit of this two unit house next to the City Marina where you can dock your boat and walk to the house. We are walking distance to the beach, harbor, the Badger and downtown. This listing is for the upstairs unit only. If you would like to rent the lower unit as well, it has a separate 2 bedroom 2 bath downstairs (listing 4813202) This cottage is a charming home with a small deck in the back. The stairs to the deck have been completely rebuilt as well as the bedroom floors. Some areas of the unit have sloped ceilings and could be an issue but not a hindrance for taller individuals. The cottage is fully furnished with a washer and dryer, cable TV, freezer in the basement, WIFI and a full kitchen with everything you need for cooking. If you don't want to cook, you are walking distance to the downtown area with some of the finest restaurants and bars. Take a walk along Pere Marquette lake or out to the lighthouse on Stearns Beach. So much to do and see just blocks away. With the Loomis boat launch just 2 blocks away, this is ideal for the fisherman in the group.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

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

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total (up to 50 lbs per pet)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In the city center
  • On a lake
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 618 square feet

Similar properties

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The Dock House - Next to the City Marina and blocks from the beach and downtown.
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, 65 reviews
The Dock House - Next to the City Marina and blocks from the beach and downtown.

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 26

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

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

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
2 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Note from host: Small Pets allowed with a $100 one time pet fee

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher 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

Property is also known as

Dock House Upper Unit City Marina Ludington
Dock House Upper Unit City Marina
Dock Upper Unit City Marina Ludington
Dock Upper Unit City Marina
The Dock House - Upper Unit Next to the City Marina Ludington

About the neighborhood

Map
Ludington, MI

What's nearby

  • Port of Ludington Maritime Museum - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Pere Marquette River - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Stearns Park Beach - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Ludington Waterfront Park - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • S.S. Badger: Lake Michigan Carferry - 15 min walk - 1.3 km

Getting around

  • Manistee, MI (MBL-Manistee County-Blacker) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪House of Flavors - ‬6 min walk
  • ‪Jamesport Brewing Company - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Ludington Bay Brewing Co. - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Pier To Pier Picnics - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Cluck Bucket - ‬8 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is The Dock House - Upper unit next to the City Marina pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Dock House - Upper unit next to the City Marina?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Dock House - Upper unit next to the City Marina?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Dock House - Upper unit next to the City Marina located?

Located in the heart of Ludington, this vacation home is within a 5-minute walk of Port of Ludington Maritime Museum and Lake Michigan. North Breakwater Light and Stearns Park Beach are also within 10 minutes.

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Reviews

The Dock House - Upper unit next to the City Marina Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

9.4

Cleanliness

10

Location

10

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 27 out of 41 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 41 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 41 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 41 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 41 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lauren M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Walkable stay

A very comfortable stay for us and our two young kids. We loved the convenience of being able to walk everywhere—the beach, downtown, and close to the park after dinner.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Kim T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Location was amazing! Close to town, Marina and beach. Older retro apartment-with angle ceilings. My husband did bump his head several times! Very clean-carpets old and stained. Had everything we needed for a quick few days
Top floor-up 2 flights of stairs
Living Room
bedroom
Cute little kitchen (step down)
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Peggy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The upper unit was perfect for our needs. The slanted ceiling became a challenge but we managed just fine! Lol
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Rick B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice older place

Great little place to stay . perfect location, Nice inside just need some attention on the out side and the yard.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Raychelle T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quaint top apartment

Great location. Clean and well stocked. Easy to walk to beach or downtown.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

8/10 Good

Theresa K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Good location

Good location. Older property. Good bed
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

6/10 Okay

Rachel W.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness

Great location but small, dark and damp

We were so excited to stay here but sadly we left quite underwhelmed. The photos make the space appear much larger than it is and as the upper unit all the ceilings are severely pitched. I (5'8") and my husband (6') banged our heads at least a dozen times because things you needed to get to (kitchen, chairs, toilet, bed) are all under the slopes. The entire apartment was also very damp and smelled of mildew and we found mildew stains all over the couch. It was quite pricey for what we got and we ended up leaving early as we couldn't stand it any longer.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

John A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice Fit

Quaint and comfortable for our needs. Brian was an excellent host and communicator. The deck was a little scary for us, but it held up just fine.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Stephanie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location, older property

Really like the location of the property. didn't expect that it was a unit built into an attic with very steep stairs. The air conditioner in the family room was great, bedroom was ok, but kitchen was warm with no air conditioner in the middle.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location

We loved the town and the apartment. We have lived in an attic apartment before so knew what to expect with the sloping ceilings. The only real challenge was for a man peeing standing up. The stairs look like they were recently rebuilt so they were fine. We enjoyed having coffee on the small deck. The location can’t be beat. Easy walk to beach and food.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
The Dock House was exactly as described. Does have slanted ceiling but did not impede the function of the house. The stairwell is slightly steep, width of step slim.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Keith W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Love Ludington's Dock House

Perfect location for our weeks stay: walking distance to the beach, parks, downtown shopping, restaurants, and taverns. Also, a short ride to the State park. Our first time to Ludington, and we loved it. Friendly folks, beautiful beaches, amazing sunsets, good food and drink, and very dog freindly. Our host Brian, was most accommodating. Checking in with us before, during and after our stay to make sure all our needs were met. The house was fully stocked with everything we needed and more. The front porch was the daily gathering point for the start and end of each day. Would highly recommend this charming vacation home.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

8/10 Good

Dawn D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Nice location

The property on the 2nd level has many outdoor steps to reach it. Although, it looked as if it had been mainly replaced, the railings were not sanded and both my husband and I had splinters in our hands from it. The property manager was responsive and when we complained about something, he fixed the problem and refunded one night stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Tony Y.

Quirky and quiet

This apartment had a fabulous location - close to the marina, the beach, and the downtown area with restaurants and shops, however, the street itself was quiet. The steps to the unit were quite narrow and the ceiling height in the apartment was low in places which might be awkward for some. The kitchen was well stocked (although we couldn't find a corkscrew!) and the owner was helpful and responded quickly to questions. The Dock House made for a quiet and convenient place to stay in Ludington.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2018

6/10 Okay

Hobart K.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Someone needs a contractor

Great location for sure but to get what is asked per night someone needs to fix all the flooring where carpet exists and really upgrade the exterior steps/deck. It's obvious that an unskilled carpenter worked on it without using a tape measure. The screws weren't flush with the wood. The screen door needs replacement, the siding needs reapair and the condition of the grounds was messy. It's obvious that the owner is squeezing this lemon dry!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

4/10 Poor

Jennie B.

Liked: Cleanliness, location
Disliked: Check-in, communication

vacation

This was not what was expected unfortunately especially for the cost. Communication came with directions for lower unit to get in, though we had rented upper, code didn't work for either with the directions provided and couldn't get hold of the host. Finally got into the lower, started to unpack then was told to move to the upper. Moved everything again. The upper did say slanted ceiling - WOW no one over 5 5 should stay there. It was awful for 6ft spouse, the floors were so uneven and in bedroom the worst. Bed was so bad we came home a day early. Best thing was the location, we got in many walks in by the water. The lower unit looked much nicer, not sure what the price difference was. Would not recommend the upper unit. If you aren't going to be available to answer calls as a host then have backup number for the person that is available to answer if there are issues is our recommendation.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ann M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Vacation

Great place to stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

8/10 Good

Michelle M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Perfect Location!!

Unique property that my five year- old granddaughter stated was "cute & perfect" for us! The bed & bedding was really comfortable, which for me, is most important to sleep well after all of the daily activities. The place was really clean with plenty of bath towels and well stocked kitchen. The carpeting could use some cleaning and the stairway/deck outside doesn't seem safe, especially for small kids, with wobbly railings and some springy deck boards. It might also be helpful to note that parking for the upper unit is accessed from the alley behind the unit. But you cannot beat this location! We walked almost everywhere and the area is absolutely beautiful and surprising quiet. There is so much to do and see that we wished we could have stayed longer! Thank you so much!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Dawn S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Dock House

The location can’t be beat. Great vacation!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Carrie W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

New Years weekend

The dock house was clean, quiet, and the perfect location to celebrate Ludington’s New Years fireworks and ball drop. Close to Ludington state park and town
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Judy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing marina location

Brian has put together a totally chRming loft apartmdnt in an amazing location. We were very pleased with his and his staff's attention. Thank you!!!
Stayed 28 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cindy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent location

Very quaint and exactly what we were looking for. Host was fast at getting back to us and everything was in order. Within a walk of the beach and downtown. The plus side is they allowed our dog to come at the last minute. Thanks for everything!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Susan S., Barnhart, MO

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location and small property

Place was clean and very well appointed. There are 2 flights of stair to climb to get to the property, and they are a little steep and small in some cases however if you go slow shouldn't be a problem for most.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Mark T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Watch your head level 2

Nice cute upper flat, needs some attention to details but comfortable overall. With a little tree trim this upper unit could be listed as marina and lake viewing
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Can’t beat this location!!

Great location central to everything. Very clean. The stairs up to the second level were a little scary. Very steep and very high. You definitely have to be in shape and mobile to get all your luggage up them. Also this is NOT a property for tall or large people. We hit our heads many times on ceilings. This is in the description but wow, it was super sloped ceilings. Would not rent again but not a bad place at all!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021