Gecko Cottage ... Walk to beach, pool, food, shopping - Clean, cozy, ahhh

Relax, Enjoy, Pamper. Walk to Beach, Pool, Food, Grocery, Library. Ditch the car

Enjoy your the Gecko Cottage

Out the back door it's two houses to your private pool area with comfortable lounging furniture for exclusive use by Merchant Cottage guests.

U-Pick blueberries, grapes, peaches, apples strawberries. Somany varieties. Did you know Berrien County, with it's lake breezes is an asparagus capital of the world?!!



Easy 4-5 minute walk to the bridge.

Past the pool turn left at the RR track, and one block to restaurants & shops. Over the Galien River Bridge you'll see the marina, river and lake. You're arrived at our lovely Lake Michigan beach and dune promenade. Ahhh, Enjoy...

Entering the Gecko Cottage you’ll love the luxury and beauty of a newer home: including high ceilings, lots of sunlight from windows and skylights, modern kitchen and bathrooms, spacious front and back porch, fireplace. Added bonus loft for children's play area.

Well stocked kitchen. Linens, towels, and cooking needs are provided. Drip coffee maker, French press (no Keurig).

The Space
Walk up to the spacious porch, then through the door and into your open plan main floor.

... Deep cushions of the wrap around living room couch, fireplace, open kitchen, with bar counter await you.

This is the main hub. Past the guest powder room with it's comfort bidet, there is a cozy conversation) reading nook to the left. Ahead lies the beachway exit. To the right is the private main suite, with a private bath.

From airy main floor, accend the stair, to the landing with it's library stocked with lake, boating, Michigan travel lore, and games.

Reaching the 2nd floor, it's kids room to the left 2nd floor bath ahead and queen guest room to the right. That is almost to the right, on the immediate right is the ladder to the bonus loft for an extra guest or kid retreat (socks only in the loft please, as not to scuff the walls)

Kids room features a bunk bed a twin bed, and play area including tumbling mats.

Queen room is a quiet getaway space with a lounge for quiet reading.

Cozy, clean, comfortable. Close to town, shopping & beach.

Interaction with Guests
You'll have full private access to the cottage, but your hosts are a call or text away to help with suggestions as needed.

The Neighborhood
Lots to explore, uPick Blueberries, Canoeing, Local Artists. Walk for miles on the sandy beach. Bike and walking paths. Phil is an avid biker, and Julie, a walking fiend. We're happy to share our favorite loops, and want to hear about yours.

Step out the back door, and two homes down to the exclusive pool.

Just a block away is the new library with both an entire floor dedicated to a kid comfy zone, and perfect spaces for remote computing; fast wifi.

Enjoy afternoon coffee with a book on the cottage front porch or back patio. Visit David's Deli & Coffee Shop just two blocks away and chat with locals and visitors from around the world. Check out their pickles, pro-biotic preserves, and fresh scones.

Getting Around
Take Amtrak from Chicago or from Ann Arbor/Detroit and walk five minutes to your cottage. Wow! Free parking in front or back. Once you arrive, put away the car keys and walk to the beach, upscale grocery, shopping and a brand new library.

There is additional hourly commuting access to Chicago on the Shoreline Train from Michigan City ( 8 miles away)

Other Things to Note
Kids and teenagers love the cozy retreat of the loft above the upstairs bedroom.

Great Wineries tasting and tours. We love Lemon Creek!

Casino fun on rainy days. There is a fun, well supervised, area at the casino where they will watch, feed and entertain the kids for a reasonable charge. The buffet and restaurant are great also.

*All trash and recycling is taken to the room at the back of pool house to the left. Please be tidy and compact as needed (more on recycling)

*Please remove shoes before entering the cottage and leave them on the front or back porch, or inside the door.
**Notify us immediately if you have any concerns during your stay. We're here for you.
**Note that we are a pet-free property.
**You must notify us in advance if there will be more than the reserved number of guests

Other:
The pool will open in the spring as soon as weather permits, and stay open in the fall as long as weather permits. The pool is private and shared only by our association of 23 homes.

Love the beach. It's 5 minute walk to the bridge. Once over the bridge you're at the beach parking. Very nice and convenient. I swim every day when we're here.

The cottage is cleaned and fresh for the season and there are many large and small improvements.

BBQ & small firepit.

Family Fun
Lower level rec room with the professional ping pong table, and Streaming/YoutubeTV on the big screen TV. Couch rocking chair & huge comfy beanbag that can unzip into comfy queen futon. (please zip back into bean bag before leaving).

*Gather mornings and evenings in the front porch.
*Lounge on the back porch, Lunch or Dinner outside at the table, under the umbrella.

*Well equipped kitchen open to living room - dining room table and comfortable. A great place for gathering and games.

For more ideas to jazz up your stat...checkout https:newbuffaloexplored.com

*Bar-B-Q on the Weber grill, or toast marshmallows on the petite grill.

*Use any of the beach toys, chairs, umbrella, sunshades that you'll find in the garage.

*Feel free to use the bikes at your own risk, but please bring your own helmets.

We're here for you. Before, during or after your stay - reach out with questions or ideas☺️