Entire home

Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River

your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Property grounds
TV, fireplace, video games, DVD player
Exterior
View from property

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10144 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Marine City, MI
  • Algonac State Park
    17 min walk
  • Lake Saint Clair
    7 min drive
  • Sunset Harbor
    22 min drive
  • Detroit, MI (DET-Coleman A. Young Municipal)
    62 min drive

Room options

Similar properties

About the area

Marine City

Located in Marine City, this vacation home is on the waterfront, a 2-minute drive from Algonac State Park and 7 minutes from Lake Saint Clair. .This vacation home is 3 mi (4.9 km) from Cottrellville Park and 4.5 mi (7.3 km) from Scout Drive Tot Lot.

What's nearby

  • Algonac State Park - 17 min walk
  • Lake Saint Clair - 7 min drive
  • Ira Township Park - 28 min drive
  • Blue Water Bridge - 42 min drive
  • Lambton College - 49 min drive

Getting around

  • Sarnia, ON (YZR-Chris Hadfield) - 54 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Snoopy's Dog House - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Chris' Roadside Stand - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Antonio's Corner Cafe - ‬9 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.

Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River

COVID-19 UPDATE:

We as owners of a tourism related business have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and have taken this threat seriously from the start. We have accommodated guests to alter their vacations plans and ensure that everyone who arrives at the St. Clair River House does so in safety and without worry. One of our mitigation strategies is obtaining from each prospective guest a brief health history and providing to them a recent health history of the house. We query whether anyone each party is COVID-19 positive, or showing any of the following symptoms: cough, fever, shortness of breath, recent loss of taste or smell, or unexplained confusion/ altered mental status/headaches?

The house's recent history (past 30 days) is one family of five, a couple with a dog, and a group of three friends/coworkers, all of whom had no positive tests or symptoms before or during their stay. The only other individuals inside were our housekeeper Kristyn and I. Neither of us have shown any symptoms or positive tests in our households, and always wear masks when inside. All commonly touched surfaces are cleaned with a food-grade disinfectant rated for coronaviruses. All linens are washed in hot water with a bleach solution.

THE SPACE

The St. Clair River House beckons you to spend an idyllic vacation on the banks of the St. Clair River. Our historic yet fully remodeled and updated home is the perfect blend of classic charm, perfect waterfront setting, and opulent luxury. We specialize in providing a custom vacation experience for family groups, couples, and other groups up to 10 people. Read our reviews and book with confidence, as the best summer dates usually fill a year in advance and our winter rates can't be beat!

We first fell in love with this respite on the river when moving to southeast Michigan for work back in 2009. The surprise of seeing Caribbean-blue water and curiosity of watching a thousand foot ship right in front of us was awe-inspiring. It became our dream to live on the banks of that beauty, and we were lucky enough to make the dream come true. There were so many little surprises that we still miss, like hearing the drone of ships' horns on a foggy night, catching a walleye right from the dock in the spring, or watching the Coast Guard break ice in the winter. We enjoyed this idyllic setting for several years until another job change pulled us closer to the city, but the St Clair River House remains a part of our hearts. We now want to share our love of this wonderful area with all of you.

The St. Clair River House was built as a cottage in 1925 as a Detroiter's vacation home. Much of the historical charm from that cottage remains, with a fieldstone wood-burning hearth still featured as the centerpiece of the open floor plan downstairs. The three small, cottage bedrooms upstairs all have at least partial river views, and even show some architectural detail in their original plaster work. As you'd expect from a 1920's-era cottage, there are some areas of imperfect fit and finish. However, modern comfort, convenience, and beauty do shine through in the newly remodeled kitchen and bathrooms. Multiple-head showers, beautiful stone tile, a Jacuzzi tub, and a heated floor upstairs will transport you from the cottage to a luxury spa. Neighbors are close on these riverfront lots, and we have some of the best on either side of the House. With that, we expect guests who respect the tranquility and beauty of this wonderful place. We hope you love it just as much as we do.

Andrew & Susie
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, which features a fireplace. There's a private patio. A kitchen is outfitted with a refrigerator, an oven, and a stovetop. The bathroom has a jetted bathtub and a bidet.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

Andrew & Susie

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • WiFi available

Parking and transport

  • On-site parking
  • Car recommended

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Toaster
  • Spices
  • Coffee/tea maker

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Shower
  • Jetted
  • Hairdryer
  • Towels provided
  • Bidet

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • TV with cable/satellite service
  • Video games
  • DVD player
  • Books
  • Games
  • Video library
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Barbecue
  • Garden
  • Dock

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near a laundromat

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • On the river
  • On the waterfront
  • Near a hospital

Things to do

  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Boating on site
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Wildlife and game walks nearby
  • Snorkelling nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Power boating nearby
  • Golf nearby
  • Waterskiing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 1550 sq ft (144 sq m)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 23

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

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

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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 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

We should mention

A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Ship Watcher's Paradise St. Clair River House Marine City
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Ship Watcher's Paradise St. Clair River Marine City
Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River Roberts Landing
Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River Roberts Landing

Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 83 out of 91 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 91 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 91 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 91 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 91 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Sheri H.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark K., Bell, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Super Place
My wife/I stayed here for 4 nights with our Schnauzer, Lulu. What a great find, right on the main shipping channel in the St Clair River. The house was completely furnished with all the necessities, except food, of course. They evenhad a washer/dryer at our dispoal. It is close proximity to Algonac, Marine City,St Clair,and Maryville. St Clair was especially nice where they have a gigantic food mall that overlooks a play area for the kids and the St Clair River for boat watchers. There is a hospital just 10 miles north of the house. Deiving M29 follows the river all the way up to Pt Huron, very scenic. Sitting on the back porch was like heaven, watching the ships and cars driving in the other side of the river in Canada. Hrowing up my family used tocome up to my Aunt/Uncles place in Algonac back in the 60s. This stay briught back a lot of those great memories Very quiet and the neighbors are very nice. We will definitely be staying here again inthe future.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Debbie E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Girls weekend
Property is as advertised. Wonderful stay. House was perfect for us. Watching the freighters from the deck was a real treat. Would go back!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bernaadine C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place
This property is unique in many ways, old world charm with updated amenities. It has a great open concept that utilizes the beautiful view as you watlk in the door
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sandra D., Arlington, Virginia USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing 11-day Getaway
The view from the cottage is wonderful! So relaxing looking at the water and watching the freighters and pleasure crafts go by. The huge windows across the front allow for views from most of the downstairs areas. The kitchen appliances are great. A new refrigerator was delivered three days into our stay. Along with it came new furniture for the sunroom including a sectional, two corner chairs and an ottoman as well as a new recliner for the living room (these replaced the brown sofas, ottoman and older recliner). This should help address some concerns noted in earlier reviews about the comfort and condition of the furniture. Additionally we saw no evidence of bugs at all during our long stay. The lot is narrow, neighbors are very close which may be helpful to know for those with children and/or pets (though no issues for us). The bathrooms are top-notch. Linens and towels deluxe. Check-in/access was easy which we always appreciate. We frequently stay in rentals and this one was especially nice and offered us a convenient location to do all we want to in the area from Marine City to New Baltimore.
Stayed 11 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gail B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family time
Clean, comfortable,safe,felt like we were very welcome and at home,comnication was easy, we are going there again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christine C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to stay! Dock Fishing
We stayed for an extended weekend with 3 families. The bedroom with the bunk beds worked great for my family of four and the other two families used the other bedrooms and brought pack n' plays for their littles. There was more than enough room throughout the house for everyone. The deck on the back of the house was great to spend time and watch ships go by. Fishing off the dock was great, my kids caught so many fish (nothing keeper size but they enjoyed themselves). We brought boats to explore the river and make it down to St. Clair Lake, there are two boat launches close to the house which made it easy to access the water. The host was very responsive and great with communicating. I would recommending staying here if you are visiting this area.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrea E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Ship watching
Very clean and beautiful property. Everything you could want and then some. Andrew is great to deal with and helped any way he could. This house is ON the St. Clair river so the ship watching is spectacular. Not a good place to dock your boat because of the currents but launches very close. Highly recommended!!!!!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

joy m.

Liked: Cleanliness
cottage - St. Clair river
the cottage and the host were perfect. The neighbors wonderful. The scenery, couldn't be better. Wonderful fish dinners in Marine city. This is a place for relaxation, totally. The ONLY thing we did not care for was all the old fabric couches - should be covered in washable covers - kinda creepy to us. But don't let that stop you- the cottage will not disappoint!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah R., Lansing

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Location and ample space!
The house was exactly as described and the view did not disappoint. The kitchen and bathrooms were very nice and well stocked. It was only two of us so we didn't need three bedrooms but there is a lot of sleeping area for larger groups. The bedroom we stayed in had a window AC unit but the others would have been a bit warm since it was almost 90 each day. We also thought the bed was very comfortable. My only disappointment was the condition of the furniture. The livingroom and patio furniture could use some upgrades but it wouldn't stop me from rebooking for next year. You can't beat the view if you enjoy watching boats and freighters. There was always a lot of activity to watch. And it is in the middle of Algonac and Marine City which was a bonus. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Elis M.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Great location but needs some upgrades
This would have been the perfect weekend getaway had we not come across any ticks and other insects which were spotted on the 2 beds. Nice little place right on the St. Clair River but it needs some serious cleaning/disinfection for bugs and insects.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Patricia B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Boats, boats and more boats
Property was very clean. Great place to be to see a lot of boat action.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lori H., ROYAL OAK

Liked: Cleanliness
Mini vacation
We really enjoyed staying here. Being on the river, watching the boats go by was very relaxing. The house and furnishings were a little older, but overall there were little details (technology, appliances), delicious coffee and homemade waffle mix that just made our stay delightful. We hope to go back in the summer when we can stay outside more. Highly recommend this VRBO.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie F., Clarkston Michigan

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful View!
What a great few days, the beautiful sunrises from the sunroom (with a gift of great coffee) and the freighters! We saw so many going through the river. Andrew was very responsive to any questions we had, the house was perfect. I packed way too much, everything we needed was there for us! Thank you Andrew and Susie for letting us enjoy a piece of your dream!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cris M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Find
The St. Clair River House is perfectly described both for what it is like inside and for what you can see on the river. If there is river traffic you can’t miss it because it’s in your backyard and the computer tracking provided makes sure you don’t miss anything coming your way. Plenty of seating for relaxing, making/sharing a meal was easy and a TV with cable provided was simple to use which isn’t always the case. Andrew’s description of this delightful dog friendly home is accurate. He was a great host and we will definitely be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great home and location
We enjoyed our stay very much! Lovely home on the river with a lot of little niceties. The owners were friendly and accommodating. Will be staying here again next year!!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Carlene A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy, clean, and serene
This beautiful home on the St. Clair River offers a peaceful, relaxing setting. The house is situated right on the water, with a spectacular views. Inside, the home is spacious and open with large windows to continue enjoying the gorgeous scenery. The bedrooms are comfortable and tastefully decorated. Outside, the large deck spans the entire back of the house overlooking the river. It's the ideal spot for grilling, dining al fresco, or simply sitting back and watching the boats sail by. Overall, this is a one-of-a-kind property for enjoying the serenity and natural beauty of the St. Clair River. It would be ideal for a family vacation, weekend getaway, or full-time residence. We thoroughly enjoyed our time at this special home and highly recommend it to others looking for a peaceful retreat on the water.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Reunion of friends
Wonderful view. Fun to watch the freighters and hear the water lapping at night. Info binder helpful. One complaint...all of the chairs and couches were too deep!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anita K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Found my new vacation getaway
Very relaxing, quiet, and enjoyable boat watching. Three days not long enough.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Charlene C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome stay
The house is as stated. Everything you could possibly need. It is awesome.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Donna G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Views
Thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the St. Clair River House. The view is fantastic. Comfortable bedding and fully stocked kitchen. Andrew responded quickly. It was great to meet him. Highly recommend!!
Stayed 12 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Betsy C., Royal Oak MI

Liked: Cleanliness
family time to chill
A beautiful spot on the river to watch the freighters and relax. Plenty of space, comfy beds, modern bathrooms and good towels! Everything we needed for a lovely weekend with my family.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chuck M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Everything was as advertised. Neat, clean and fully stocked with serving and cooking ware.
I would rate this VRBO as a 10.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Conan B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Terrific! Highly Recommended!
The house is beautiful, the location is gorgeous, and the owners couldn't be nicer!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christine M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful water view!
The pictures reflect the property well. The bathrooms were updated. My daughter kept saying you have to try the toilet upstairs...it is heated. All the bedrooms are upstairs. One full bathroom is upstairs with a huge tub and one full bath with walk in shower is on the first floor. The beds were comfy. The views are wonderful! We loved to watch the frieghtors go by. The home owners were responsive to the minor repair that needed to be done in the shower. They quickly fixed it. The kitchen is well stocked... Even had a waffle iron. I was able to make Christmas cookies when I was there. The one con, was the refrigerator ice and water dispensor did not work but this was not a deal breaker for me. Oh and I would suggest that you put the address out on the street. I am not sure why there wasn't a marker. I probably would not have been able to find the house in the dark unless my daughter was there already to direct me. Otherwise, had a great stay. Thank you for sharing your home.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022