Entire home

Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River

Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River

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

NOTE: The landscaping in this photo is our next door neighbor's property, but the sunrise view is all ours right from the deck!
Main entrance
View from the deck
Kitchen, dining, and living rooms
Kitchen

Overview of Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10144 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer

Check out the area

Map
Marine City, MI
  • Popular LocationAlgonac State Park17 min walk
  • Popular LocationLake Saint Clair7 min drive
  • Popular LocationC.J. Barrymore's42 min drive
  • AirportDetroit, MI (DET-Coleman A. Young Municipal)62 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 3

1 Double Sofa Bed

The Algoma

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

The Hollyhock

1 Queen Bed

The Laurentien

1 King Bed

2 bathrooms

2nd Floor Bathroom

Bidet · Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Main Floor Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

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

Property manager

Andrew & Susie
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 23
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
An e-signature on our guest agreement is required within 48 hours of booking via VRBO or the reservation is subject to cancellation.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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 deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Marine City

Located in Marine City, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Wallaceburg & District Museum and Uncle Tom's Cabin are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Rattle Run Golf Course and Golden Hawk Golf Club. C.J. Barrymore's and Glacier Pointe Ice Complex are also worth visiting. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and hunting nearby.
Map
Marine City, MI

What's nearby

  • Algonac State Park - 17 min walk
  • Lake Saint Clair - 7 min drive
  • Blue Water Bridge - 42 min drive
  • C.J. Barrymore's - 42 min drive
  • Canatara Beach and Park - 45 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
  • Dairy Queen - 7 min drive
  • Chris' Roadside Stand - 7 min drive
  • Foxfire Fixins - 2 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Ship Watcher's Paradise on the St. Clair River located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 0.9 mi (1.4 km) from Algonac State Park and 4.3 mi (6.9 km) from Lake Saint Clair. Rattle Run Golf Course and Golden Hawk Golf Club are also within 20 miles (32 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 74 out of 79 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 79 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 79 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 79 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 79 reviews" "

9.4/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lori H., ROYAL OAK

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

About the host

Hosted by Andrew & Susie

Host profile image
While this profile only lists me, it would be more apt to list us. The St. Clair River House has grown as a labor of love undertaken by my wife Susie and I. As the listing states, we began our time in this area living in the House, and have kept it in our family to share it with you all. We both have full-time "real" jobs and do this in our spare time, and endeavor to make your stay at our former home as special as the time we have spent there. We have four small boys who regularly "help" us with work on the house, and there's a good chance if you need any in-person hosting that you may meet one of them!

Our life here in southeast Michigan is inextricably connected to the water, and this shines through on the experience we strive to bring to you. Whether its watching a freighter from a distance from the deck of the house, casting a line from the end of the dock, renting one of our available boats to get in the water, or going on a captained trip to be underway right next to a freighter, we're excited to help you craft your perfect vacation!

Language note: ¡Tengo muy poco espanol, y es muy mal!

Why they chose this property

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.

What makes this property unique

There are few options for accommodations in this world that offer what the St. Clair River House does- an international shipping lane and crystal blue water mere feet from your picture windows. This is enjoyed from a house with recent updates and an open floor plan that easily accommodates 8 adults, all for slightly more per night than you would spend at local hotels.

Languages:

English

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