The Haven: Family Friendly, Classy, Comfortable, Close to Downtown & South Beach

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Entire home

Spacious deck can seat the entire crew. Weber natural gas grill.

Gas fire pit and patio: perfect evening chill spot.

Colorful Kitchen food prep, dining and desk

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 14260 sq m

Popular amenities

Kitchen

Barbecue grill

Free WiFi

Washer

Dryer

Air conditioning

Check out the area

South Haven, MI

South Haven Center for the Arts8 min walk
South Beach10 min walk
Kal Haven Trail3 min drive
Kalamazoo, MI (AZO-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Intl.)49 min drive

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 14)

Blue Room

1 Double Futon and 1 Queen Bed

Bunk Room

1 Double Futon, 3 Double Beds and 3 Single Bunk Beds

Gray Room

1 Queen Bed

Green Room

1 Queen Bed

Yellow Room

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Outdoor shower

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Separate dining area

Outdoor play area

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

Purchased in October 2013, The Haven has undergone a total and continuous transformation and is now ready to delight and excite you. A PRIMO location, just 5 minutes walking distance from downtown restaurants, movies and shopping, 10 minutes walk to South Beach and Kids Korner, with features that include a:

• Spacious open kitchen with quartz counters, appliances, bar seating, breakfast nook and sitting areas
• Open living room / dining room with all new furnishings and a 51” HDTV
• Four queen bedrooms (one with a twin sleeper sofa) that sleep up to 9 adults and a colorful bunk room that sleeps up to 8 young children. Downstairs Great Room w/51” HDTV viewing area and a Game & Gallery space, including a PlayStation 2014!
• Three full baths, plus outdoor shower
• Large laundry room with 2 washer / dryer sets and 2nd refrigerator
• Spacious refinished deck with piped gas grill
• New furnishings throughout the entire house
• Gas fire pit, and more …

The intent of the extensive renovation was to create an environment that we or you would view as a 'Home Away from Home', delivering a high level of comfort and class, and we have done just that! The little touches that delight are everywhere: the artwork, the iconoclastic design of each bedroom, the vibrant colors in the Bunk Room. And we aren’t done yet! We plan to continue to step it up, based on feedback that we get from you.

The Haven's sweet spot is multi-generational families. We are very well suited for grandparents on the 1st floor, moms and dads on the 2nd floor and a bunch of kids in the Bunk Room. Easy access for the physically challenged: there is only one step up from the rear driveway to the expansive deck and rear entry door.

We have no doubt that you will enjoy your experience at the Haven. Creating a “Home away from Home” is a high standard – we plan to meet and exceed it! See you at The Haven!

The Guthrie's

[IMPORTANT NOTICE: The new South Haven short-term rental ordinance restricts the occupancy of the Haven to 14 persons over the age of 24 months, with no restrictions on children two years old or younger. We abide by the regulations.]

Property manager

Carlton Guthrie

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

Dreamy front porch to relax in and remember what summers can really be like!

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Pet-friendly

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 21

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

South Haven

Located in South Haven, this holiday home is in the city centre and on the beach. Michigan Maritime Museum and Michigan Flywheelers Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include South Haven Lighthouse and Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society. Travelling with kids? Consider The Fun Park and Surfari Joe's Indoor Wilderness Water Park. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling and ice skating.

South Haven, MI

What's nearby

South Haven Center for the Arts - 8 min walk
South Beach - 10 min walk
South Haven Lighthouse - 18 min walk
Kal Haven Trail - 3 min drive
North Beach - 4 min drive

Getting around

Bangor Station - 17 min drive
Kalamazoo, MI (AZO-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Intl.) - 49 min drive

Restaurants

McDonald's - 17 min walk
Culver's - 3 min drive
Clementines - 5 min walk
Burger King - 10 min walk
Taco Bell - 3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Haven: Family Friendly, Classy, Comfortable, Close to Downtown & South Beach pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Haven: Family Friendly, Classy, Comfortable, Close to Downtown & South Beach?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Haven: Family Friendly, Classy, Comfortable, Close to Downtown & South Beach?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Haven: Family Friendly, Classy, Comfortable, Close to Downtown & South Beach located?

Located in South Haven, this beachfront holiday home is in the city centre, 0.4 mi (0.6 km) from Warner Vineyards and 1.5 mi (2.4 km) from Lake Michigan. South Beach and South Haven Center for the Arts are also within 10 minutes.

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

8/10 Good

Angela B.

9 Aug 2023

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

Perfect location

We had a wonderful stay at the Haven. We had 13 people including 5 kids aged 8-15. There was plenty of room for everyone and the kids absolutely loved the bunk room! The outdoor patio table was used daily as was the side yard. The contents of the garage were extensive and we used nearly everything offered (bike, sand toys, beach towels, pool floaties, beach chairs, yard games, etc). We did have a couple issues arise but Carlton was quick to help us mitigate them. While that resulted in multiple repair people in and out of the home throughout the week, those people were always kind, quick, and helpful. Special shout out to Gibby who went above and beyond to make our stay just what we envisioned. It's a short walk to the beach and downtown. Would definitely stay again!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca V.

13 July 2023

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

Family time

We had a wonderful time. Great location, walking distance to beach and downtown. Plenty of room for everyone. Great memories.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paul W.

9 July 2023

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

A Family 4th

THe property was located in an ideal place. We walked to the beach, walked to view the fire works, and walked just one block to view the parade. We. We’re also able to walk to the shops and restaurants in town! THe house had 4 bedrooms, one for each couple, and the bunk room for the 6 grandchildren. The kitchen was stocked with many of the items needed for cooking. Overall, great place!!!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michael L.

30 June 2023

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

SOHA Beach Vacation

Beautiful house! Carlton is a congenial and attentive host. Plan on returning.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stacey H., Joliet, IL

27 June 2022

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

Perfect location!

My family and I spent a week in this beautiful home. We walked to downtown (literally 3 blocks away) and the beach (6 minute walk). When a problem arose, Carlton was quick to respond and very courteous. This house is big enough to host multiple generations. We had 2 sets of grandparents, my husband and I, and our 3 kids, and there was room for more!

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Hosted by Carlton Guthrie

After having visited South Haven since the 1980's when my kids were toddlers, my wife and I enjoyed visiting South Haven multiple times a year from our homes in Chicago and Detroit before decided to buy an 1860's vintage South Haven home in 2009. After extensive renovations, we now have a beautiful home, with landscaping that merited a slot on the SH Garden Tour in 2012.

Why they chose this property

We previously rented the Haven several times to accommodate family and friends who traveled to South Haven for large gatherings of family and friends at our home. While we also rented other properties, the Haven was the perfect rental for us, close to our home, the beach and downtown, it could handle large numbers of kids and adults comfortably and became the hang out spot for our guests who were staying at other properties. All of our guests loved the place, several commenting that they slept more soundly there than they had for weeks prior. When the previous owners decided to sell the house, we snapped it up with no hesitation.

After several years of rentals, we are very pleased. We have received excellent reviews and feedback from our renters (we have a feedback form that we ask you to fill out) and we have stepped the Haven up every year. These past couple of years we have invested in landscaping. repainted the exterior, new flooring, a large gas grill and a Keurig.

The Haven is best suited for families with children. WE DO NOT RENT TO LARGE GROUPS OF ADULTS! A few years ago, a large group of 20-somethings rented the Haven for a two-day weekend, and they totally trashed the place. The damage far exceeded the $1,000 security deposit. It took us a couple of months to restore the Haven and it is now as beautiful and functional as when we first opened it. While the physical damage has been erased, the psychological damage lingers on, so please don't take offense if we take particular interest in the size and age composition of your group. Children who act like children we welcome with open arms. Adults who act like children, please look elsewhere.

We look forward to your stay at The Haven!

Carlton and Dawn

What makes this property unique

• 3 minute walk to Downtown
• 10 minute walk to South Beach and Kid's Corner
• The ideal configuration is 4 couples and from 4-8 young children. The new South Haven rental ordinances limits the Haven to 14 persons 24 months or older. There are no limits from children under 24 months.
• 2 51” HDTVs

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