Reviews of Property: Kismet Cottage, #1 Downtown Vacation Rental Choice! Summer 2010 booking fast!!!
Description
Cottage, 1000 sq. ft.,
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8, 1 Bathroom, 1 Half Bath
3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8, 1 Bathroom, 1 Half Bath
Amenities
beach, downtown,
air-conditioning,
satellite or cable,
TV,
DVD
Rates
per property
(USD)
$300 -
$1,000/week
Cindy Barinholtz
+1 847-967-7997
+1 847-644-2810
+1 847-644-2810
Speaks: English
7 Reviews of Property 321378 in St. Joseph, Michigan
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1
Great cottage! Felt like home.
Review Submitted: October 2, 2009
Date of Stay: September 2009
This cottage really feels like home from the first time you walk in the door. We had 2 small children with us and they seemed comfortable right away. There is so much to do within walking distance of the cottage too. I will be staying here again next year!
Owner's Response: Cate,
I'm so glad you enjoyed your weekend! I bet you can't wait to have a full week there next summer! How lucky for you, that you got a prime summer week!
Thank you,
Cindy
I'm so glad you enjoyed your weekend! I bet you can't wait to have a full week there next summer! How lucky for you, that you got a prime summer week!
Thank you,
Cindy
A Great Week
Review Submitted: June 23, 2009
Date of Stay: June 2009
Just came back from a week at Kismet Cottage and it is everything that people say in these reviews. The pictures don't do it justice. It appears smaller than it is in these pictures. Normally when you see a picture of a bed in a bedroom and another picture showing the other side of the room, the distance between the two is minimal. Not in this case. The 'Beach Room' and the 'Bonny Room', the rooms with two beds in each were larger than they appear in the photos. The third bedroom is smaller but the bed, a full size, was comfortable and perfect for two teenaged girls. It was nice to find a place that says sleeps eight - that isn't counting the couch! The other thing about the cottage is that it was so clean. There is plenty of parking behind the house. The first thing you discover when you enter the yard from the parking lot is a cute patio with picnic table, lounge chairs, barbecue and a well maintained garden and lawn. The video collection and book collection is extensive - much so that our teenagers wanted to stay up every night watching movies. The cottage is located close enough to walk to the beach, downtown or the nightlife but just far enough away to be quiet at night. And yes, the cottage is next door to the firehouse and never once did it bother us. We even went over, knocked on the door and got a tour of the place from the firemen. We would definitely recommend Kistmet Cottage to anyone who is looking to stay in St. Joseph's.
2008 August Vacation
Review Submitted: August 30, 2008
Date of Stay: August 2008
As a repeat vacationer to Kismet Cottage I wanted to take a moment and pass along some information to future guests. I grew up in St. Joseph but now live outside of Ann Arbor, MI so getting away for a week to a wonderful small town is extremely relaxing, I'm just a little prejudice! Kismet Cottage has everything you could want on vacation and Cindy does a a great job maintaining the house and updating the ammenties. One thing I absolutely have to pass along is a recommendation for some fabulous food. There is a restaurant in Benton Harbor called Charlies Piggin' and Grinnin' and it the best BBQ I have had in years. Cindy has a menu in the restaurant guide book (which is wonderful in itself) and it is well worth the trip to feast on some outstanding pulled pork and ribs. I know that all of you that book a vacation at Kismet will enjoy every day and I am all ready looking forward to my week next year!!
A Great Home Away from Home
Review Submitted: July 22, 2008
Date of Stay: July 2008
Our stay at Kismet Cottage was very enjoyable. The beds were comfortable and everything was very clean. We had 4 adults and 3 children in our group and we were very comfortable. The cottage is close to everything. We would recommed this property to everyone!
Warm and Cozy
Review Submitted: June 11, 2008
Date of Stay: June 2008
Kismet cottage is exactly what the description promises! The house is close to everything but yet private and cozy. Our family loved the house and our truly wonderful vacation in St. Joseph. The house was just a walk away from everything! We attended and participated in a beautiful wedding held right on the beach in St. Joe, it was magical. There were 6 of us staying in the house yet we never felt at all crowded or cramped. The home truly is warm and cozy and we had a wonderful time. Thank you Cindy!
We loved Kismet Cottage!
Review Submitted: June 8, 2008
Date of Stay: May 2008
We loved our stay at Kismet Cottage! This was one of the nicest rentals we have stayed in. It was super clean and comfortable and offered many extras I have never seen included in a vacation rental. The decor was charming. My kids loved the video library. My husband liked the books and I loved the glider rocker in the yard. We especially loved the enclosed screen porch. There was a hand written guide book and local menu book and free coupons with the welcome folder, so we didn't have to waste precious vacation time figuring out where to go.
The location was great to walk anywhere we wanted to explore. The owner offered a ton of valuable information and was great to do business with. There is attention to every detail. From the full color brochure to the premium beds.
We can't wait to come back again!
The location was great to walk anywhere we wanted to explore. The owner offered a ton of valuable information and was great to do business with. There is attention to every detail. From the full color brochure to the premium beds.
We can't wait to come back again!
An okay rental, but I wouldn't recommend
Review Submitted: March 2, 2008
Date of Stay: March 2007
The good points: The location is conveniently located within walking distance of downtown. It is clean and cutely decorated to give it a real cottage feel.
The bad points: It sits next to the fire station and public parking lot (basically, the backyard) on a fairly busy street. We stayed there during winter, and it was drafty. The bedroom sizes are more than ample, but the downstairs living space is very small, especially the dining area. We also had a somewhat negative experience with the landlord who is definitely a character. We never received any kind of itemized list to justify keeping our security deposit - she just avoided our calls - so beware.
The bad points: It sits next to the fire station and public parking lot (basically, the backyard) on a fairly busy street. We stayed there during winter, and it was drafty. The bedroom sizes are more than ample, but the downstairs living space is very small, especially the dining area. We also had a somewhat negative experience with the landlord who is definitely a character. We never received any kind of itemized list to justify keeping our security deposit - she just avoided our calls - so beware.
Owner's Response: In response to this slanderous review:
1. The small town fire station are the quietest neighbors you could have. They rarely go out with sirens (only a few times a year). One family wrote in my guest book: "The firemen where as quiet as mice."
2. The public parking lot behind the house is shared with a school that is closed in summer, so it's usually pretty empty and offers ample off-street parking. The yard now has a privacy fence, new stone patio with Amish gliders and a picnic table & grill.
3. I had a long term renter (who is still there) and 4 other guests this winter. The house has all new windows and a new furnace system. I offer down comforters in the bedrooms and a down throw on the sofa for added warmth and comfort. There have been no reports of drafts.
4. The living room is spacious and uncrowded(14x16) with ample seating for 8. The dining area also seats 8. There is also an 8x8 open area with a desk, a 3x12 entrance hall and a 23' enclosed porch off the front door. Very spacious for up to 8 guests.
5. It took me a long time to figure out who this bad review was even from, as it has been over a year since the rental It was a long term rental. Since it was long term, they visited several rentals in addition to mine, before deciding which one they liked the best. The utilities were to come out of the security and the cost of a rug that was ruined by them. I lost their contact information (they were in the process of moving) and they made no attemt to contact me. I wish they would, so that I could give them the small refund they have coming.
6. I have never avoided calls. I can be reached at any time at the cell phone# on my listing.
7. I am quite a "character"! I take this whole "host/guest" thing pretty seriously. I can ramble on for a long time about local restuarants, museums, events, shops and things to do in the area. I don't just give you a home, with furniture, but have taken the time and energy to create a warm and inviting home away from home for you and your family, complete with so many extras that only a "character" would provide.
Our guests love us! I have the most popular rental in Saint Joseph. I am fully booked for the 2008 season and have many requests for 2009. I have families that have been back several times. We are going into our 3rd summer season and I have had only rave reviews from our guests.
1. The small town fire station are the quietest neighbors you could have. They rarely go out with sirens (only a few times a year). One family wrote in my guest book: "The firemen where as quiet as mice."
2. The public parking lot behind the house is shared with a school that is closed in summer, so it's usually pretty empty and offers ample off-street parking. The yard now has a privacy fence, new stone patio with Amish gliders and a picnic table & grill.
3. I had a long term renter (who is still there) and 4 other guests this winter. The house has all new windows and a new furnace system. I offer down comforters in the bedrooms and a down throw on the sofa for added warmth and comfort. There have been no reports of drafts.
4. The living room is spacious and uncrowded(14x16) with ample seating for 8. The dining area also seats 8. There is also an 8x8 open area with a desk, a 3x12 entrance hall and a 23' enclosed porch off the front door. Very spacious for up to 8 guests.
5. It took me a long time to figure out who this bad review was even from, as it has been over a year since the rental It was a long term rental. Since it was long term, they visited several rentals in addition to mine, before deciding which one they liked the best. The utilities were to come out of the security and the cost of a rug that was ruined by them. I lost their contact information (they were in the process of moving) and they made no attemt to contact me. I wish they would, so that I could give them the small refund they have coming.
6. I have never avoided calls. I can be reached at any time at the cell phone# on my listing.
7. I am quite a "character"! I take this whole "host/guest" thing pretty seriously. I can ramble on for a long time about local restuarants, museums, events, shops and things to do in the area. I don't just give you a home, with furniture, but have taken the time and energy to create a warm and inviting home away from home for you and your family, complete with so many extras that only a "character" would provide.
Our guests love us! I have the most popular rental in Saint Joseph. I am fully booked for the 2008 season and have many requests for 2009. I have families that have been back several times. We are going into our 3rd summer season and I have had only rave reviews from our guests.
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