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The Westender

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 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.
A wooden interior with a dining table, chairs, a fireplace, and kitchen cabinets.

Reviews

8.6 out of 10
Excellent

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathrooms204 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Fireplace
  • Lake view

Explore the area

View 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 area

Hessel

At this cottage, you'll be 0.1 km (0.1 mi) from Lake Huron and 18.6 km (11.5 mi) from Sandy Cove. .Accommodation features free WiFi, 3 bathrooms and a fireplace. In-room dining is easy with a kitchen that comes equipped with a fridge and a stovetop. A balcony, a TV and a coffee/tea maker are also available.
View more Cottages in HesselOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Kewadin Casino - St. Ignace - 29 min drive - 50.3 km
  • Mackinac Bridge - 35 min drive - 64.4 km
  • Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse - 40 min drive - 70.2 km
  • Headlands International Dark Sky Park - 44 min drive - 72.7 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
  • ‪Ang-Gios - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪The Islander Bar - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Snows Bar and Grill - ‬8 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.

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Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

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

  • Smoke-free property

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)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Unit size: 2,200 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are 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 authorisation.

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
    • Service animals 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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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 and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that 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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    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 and terraces, which may not be suitable for children. If you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room. On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit in all accommodation.

Property is also known as

6a8361b7d47cac0041adf15a

Frequently asked questions

Are there any beaches close to The Westender?

The closest beach to The Westender is Edgewater Beach (34.7 km).

Does The Westender have a pool?

No, this cottage doesn't have a pool.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at The Westender?

No, The Westender does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at The Westender?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.

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!