Ruffino is a gem of a retreat! Walkable distance to the awesome Lake Michigan shoreline and sugar sand beaches and dunes! The home has its own built-in amusement park, complete with a beautiful pool and slide, hot tub, pickleball court, tetherball, fire pit and more! The home was impeccably clean and beautifully furnished, with spacious rooms for our party of five to roam around in and relax in, or find peaceful refuge in if needed. It was stocked with everything we needed, plus some. If there was something that was needed or there were questions that we had, response time was almost immediate. Harbor Country, where the home is located, is akin to the charm of Cape Cod, only less congested! Great restaurants, fun activities and cute boutiques are plentiful in the area. We will be back again and again, and recommend this property wholeheartedly!

This house was perfect! It was beautifully decorated and stocked very well. It had everything we needed for cooking or grilling. Beds were very comfortable…

Loved the place! Came well stocked with games and beach equipment… Great pool and Hot Tub!

“It is an immaculate home where everything is BRAND NEW! From the minute you pull into the driveway you feel the modern…

Just wanted to thank you again for such a great weekend at your Union Pier home! Everything was perfect. We loved the amenities and the decor, and how comfortable it was. We enjoyed exploring the beach; trying specialties at nearby bakeries, yummy meals at cafes, and evening dining at restaurants. We shopped at local antique emporiums, and hiked the county bird sanctuary trails. You have a location perfect for activities, or kicking back and relaxing with family. Hope we can do it again soon.”—B & B

What a great week. The house is perfect for a large family. A well outfitted kitchen, a wonderful screened in porch, and a great pool for all!

This property checks all the boxes at more. Truly a perfect home with a great floorplan for groups or multiple families. The location is very walkable, yet tucked away on a quiet dead-end street. The pool was heated and so clean! Can't wait to stay again!

We recently stayed at the Ruffino Retreat for a girls weekend. The house was perfect! It provided a gourmet kitchen, everything was super clean and there is plenty of space to relax. I would highly recommend, the management company met us at the property upon arrival and provided a direct contact number in case anything was needed during our stay. You won’t regret booking this house.
Enjoy!

Tons of space, plenty of spaces to plop on a couch and watch tv . The kitchen has everything you need to cook a gourmet meal. The house is spotless and the beds are comfy.My favorite space was the very large screened-in patio with extra large tv.Moving on to the outside was a hot tub and swimming pool. Also a fire pit and tree-house if kids were along. It was an amazing place and we had a great time. You can’t beat the state of Michigan for a vacation. Beautiful area with cute small towns!

The home was everything as advertised and more. We loved the layout of the kitchen and the enclosed porch leading to the heated pool and hot tub. Plenty of space for our large group. We really enjoyed the home.

We had a group of 12 moms looking for a relaxing weekend away, and we found it! Ruffino Retreat was perfect. There was so much room to spread out in the house. The kitchen was stocked with anything you'd ever need. The hot tub and heated pool were perfect. We also loved the outdoor shower and having the bathroom and beverage cooler right there by the pool. The location is great too, you can walk to the wineries or Union Pier Social, Black Currant Bakehouse, etc. We cannot wait to come back!

I stayed at this property with friends last week and had a really great time. The house was immaculate and had plenty of room. I loved the screened in dining area out back.The pool and hot tub were very impressive - better than I've experienced at some fancy hotels.I definitely recommend this as a fun place to stay.

We enjoyed our stay at Ruffino Retreat. The property is amazing. It is located in a beautiful natural setting. The house had every amenity needed to make our stay comfortable and cozy. We especially appreciated sheets, bath towels and beach towels being provided. The property is located close to delicious restaurants, beautiful beaches and quaint shops to explore. We have stayed in properties all over the world and this was definitely one of our favorites. We will return in the future to this fantastic property.

We had our three adult children, spouses, and three small grandchildren to celebrate a special birthday for our oldest son. The house was perfect! The kitchen was the best equipped kitchen I have ever seen in a vacation rental. We cooked in almost every night and had everything we needed. The screened-in patio was such a great place. A perfect transition from the kitchen to the backyard with comfortable places to sit, a huge table with still more room to walk around. Inside there were plenty of spaces to sit and relax and the bedroom/BR set up was perfect (even an outside BR for the pool users). The location at the end of the street was private and beautifully surrounded by tall trees. A short walk down to the local bakery was a great way to start the day, and a short drive to the lake provided a lovely morning. Beach towels and chairs/umbrellas were provided and if you need more the rental store is just across from the bakery. Finish the day with relaxing afternoon pool time to make it perfect! The property managers were professional and easy to communicate with and responded quickly to anything we asked. There are plenty of restaurants and activities just a short drive away in nearby towns if you want to explore more, especially with older kids. I would definitely recommend this house for a perfect family vacation.

Management team was super professional! Home and kitchen was well stocked! Backyard was perfect and loved porch! Place was super clean! Will rent again!

Our family had an amazing stay at Ruffino Retreat over the Thanksgiving holiday! The house accommodated 12 people very comfortably. Overall, the house was very clean and modern, and had everything needed to cook and serve Thanksgiving dinner to the entire group. We were pleasantly surprised by how well equipped the kitchen was! The linens and towels were like new, and the beds were super comfortable. Although the pool was closed for the season, the large hot tub was open and enjoyed by all. The spacious three season room was the perfect gathering place to watch the football games, surrounded by a beautiful wooded setting. The location is like a private oasis in the woods, yet an easy walk or short drive to the beach, local restaurants, wineries and shops. It is the perfect getaway from Chicago, and just over an hour drive from downtown. In all, Ruffino Retreat was the ideal location for our family celebration and we can’t wait to come back in the near future!

This was a nice house just as described. The kitchen is well stocked and pool was great!

Great house for a family. Everything was exactly as stated, very clean, including the pool and hot tub. The host was very responsive. The backyard is peaceful and private and our family enjoyed our Labor day retreat. Ages 10 to 70, it was perfect for all of us.

Took awhile to find, but since I have plan to stay again. Eight over 50, celebrating an anniversary, seeing a concert but most of all spending quality time with good friend, good food, a great house (can you say Ikea) and even better swimming pool. Rating 10 out of 10. I also recommend Escapia - Great people that were VERY accommodating.

We had a wonderful experience at Meadow Sunrise with our family. The home is a perfect property for families with plenty to do for the adults and children. There was plenty of space and things to do in the backyard. The home was clean, well organized, and the hosts were very communicative and responsive. We would love to come back!

Wonderful experience. Brought some first timers to Michigan. Everything is close by. 15 minute drive to restaurants, breweries, wineries etc. Thank you for the hospitality! The pool and hot tub is a plus!

Perfect location for us. Must try Raising Kites Coffee 2-3 miles down the road! Home was well kept and had all the supplies you’ll need. Pool is great for kids(ours are 10 and under). Hot tub was super nice for adults. Screened in porch is amazing. Plenty of bath towels, some beach/pool towels, lots of dishes, tp, etc. 4 good size bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, nice separation between bedrooms and living area. Aqua vacations was very easy to deal with, definitely recommend.

We had a great stay! Our kids couldn’t wait for the pool and hot tub every day. The house is close enough to get around and visit other towns and then get back to finish out the day. We’ll definitely be back!

We had a wonderful time Meadow Sunrise! The house is beautiful and had everything we needed. I would even say it’s the cleanest vacation rental we have ever stayed at. We loved the pool, hot tub, and screened in porch. Bridgman is lovely. Laidback and not touristy but still has a fantastic beach, restaurants, ice cream, and shops. When you do want to make a trip to one of the more touristy beach towns, it’s a short easy drive.

Every year we travel as a family of 10 for a long weekend. Our group includes seniors, adults, teens and children. It's tough to find spots that work for all of us. THIS HOUSE WAS FANTASTIC. The description was accurate and the outside space was great (playset, pool, hot tub, and firepit). The living space was "extended" with the screened in porch we ate many of our meals here. The kitchen was well stocked and there were beach towels to use at the pool if you don' t have any. We had a couple of questions for the owners during our stay and they extremely responsive!

The house was close to a lot as well. We checked out Warren State Park and also went up to Benton Harbor. We would all definitely recommend this location to other vacationing families.

We had a wonderful stay at this fantastic property! Everything is exactly as described and it's even better than it looks like in the photos. The place was fresh and clean and very comfortable. Our group of 7 had plenty of space and several fun areas to be together. The pool, outdoor seating, living room, fire pit and kitchen table are all terrific.

Second year we have stayed at Harbert's Gem and did not disappoint.

Kitchen dishes and some appliances was not cleaned!!! No TV in guest house ?! Outdoor very nice and privacy. House was nice spacey with comfy beds. 5 min drive to public beach $15 parking fee for whole day. Tonya responded very quick for any questions-good communication

We had a great time. 4 generations hanging out together. Will definitely come back.

Our group of 9 adults enjoyed our stay at Harbert’s Gem. The house is well equipped for a large group. It is conveniently located close to restaurants, beaches, the Swedish Bakery and antique shops. The pool and hot tub are a big plus! The house is comfortable with lots of space to spread out, relax, play games and eat. The kitchen is well stocked. We would definitely return to Harbert’s Gem.

What a dream vacation. The house is beautiful, well kept and comfortable. The yard and pool along with the play set was a hit with the grandkids. Will definitely consider a vacation at Harbert's Gem in the near future!

We had an amazing stay at Harbert's Gem and will most likely be booking this property again! It was an incredible location, centrally located but also felt safe and private with a huge yard. Our kids enjoyed the playground, huge yard and pool, as well as the ping pong table. The layout of the home was great for our group. We were even able to walk to a lovely bakery across the street. The beach is just a short drive away too. One thing to note that I did not realize is that there is a train that goes directly behind the house multiple times a day (and also once in the night). The kids thought it was really cool, and we would still book again, despite the train noise. We had an amazing stay and the hosts were great and so quick to respond with any question or issue that came up. Highly recommend.

We had an amazing stay at Harbert's Gem and will most likely be booking this property again! It was an incredible location, centrally located but also felt safe and private with a huge yard. Our kids enjoyed the playground, huge yard and pool, as well as the ping pong table. The layout of the home was great for our group. We were even able to walk to a lovely bakery across the street. The beach is just a short drive away too. One thing to note that I did not realize is that there is a train that goes directly behind the house multiple times a day (and also once in the night). The kids thought it was really cool, and we would still book again, despite the train noise. We had an amazing stay and the hosts were great and so quick to respond with any question or issue that came up. Highly recommend.

The home was perfect for our family. The property manager was extremely helpful and was able to accommodate an early check in. So many memories made. Definitely would recommend a stay with Aqua vacation rentals

What a lovely home to stay at in the vicinity of New Buffalo, MI! So spacious, clean, and accommodating — we can't wait to return this summer!

This place is fantastic. Everything was amazing from the pool and hot tub to the sleeping units. I thoroughly enjoyed the stay in Michigan and mostly due to this place.

Great property and very well maintained. This property was stocked with everything we needed and all the appliances were new and worked well. Definitely will return to stay here!

We loved the place and really enjoyed our stay. Would definitely stay again if we had the chance.

I can't say enough good things about Aqua Vacation Rentals. There were a few problems with the property but they took care of them immediately. Our vacation was memorable due to their caring and professionalism. I would recommend them to anyone. The property was well maintained and in a good location for restaurants, beaches and shopping.

Great area! Cool pool! Close to beaches, restaurants and shops!

The home was perfect. After experiencing a small glitch with the front door lock which was taken care of right away our weekend was wonderful. We were close to some wineries. The home inside and out was very clean and maintained. We would definitely recommend this property.

My family and I had a relaxing and enjoyable long weekend.We stayed at the house most of the time to enjoy the pool and just hang out.The fire pit was used every night as we sat around and talked.

This is our third stay here and we ABSOLUTELY LOVE it. It is just close enough to everything and the house is fully equipped with EVERYTHING that you will need. The host are amazing!

Perfect place for us! Lots of room for the grandkids and their parents. Very clean and has everything you need! Looks like a nice pool and yard. (It was late Oct so it was covered). I would definitely stay here again.

This is our second time staying here and we absolutely love it. It’s perfect! No matter the occasion or reason you need to stay here. It’s home away from home so welcoming and inviting not to mention accommodating in every aspect! 10/10

We enjoyed our stay at the Drift Away Den. Very convenient to everything we were looking for. Having the pool was a nice touch. The house was clean and the best equipped home I've rented to date. We would recommend this house to anyone.

Really a Great Getaway for our total family of 9, 2 sons and their wives and 3 grandchildren. Pool was outstanding and a great gathering place for the family. In the pool often, if not at a beach. Also the fire pit was very nice and used 1 night for family fun with s'mores. Neighborhood was very nice and quiet. Two grocery stores were close by, and there were a fairly large variety of eating venues near by also. There was access to many beaches, in which the family hit at least 3 in the area during the week, including 3 beautiful nights with awesome sunsets. Had two visits to shop and cruise the awesome beaches and downtown area in St. Joseph, plus took the kids to the Curious Kids Museum which was wonderful. Also, visited and shopped in Holland, the town where we raised our sons...it was an hour away, but an easy drive. House was fairly old, but kept up very well including major upgrades inside, which was very modern and handsomely done. Sleeping arrangements worked out very well and everyone seemed happy with their rooms. The four and five year olds LOVED the bunk beds!! No major issues at all that caused us to form a bad opinion, and in fact, we are very likely to return to this spot in the coming years, if available. There are some minor upgrades that could be done as there would be with any older houses, but nothing that would keep us from coming back again. Upkeep of pool and yard was done regularly without interfering with our time there. Some fringes of the yard could be more manicured, but again, didn't distract us from enjoying the surroundings. Parking was quite adequate. I would highly recommend this getaway for families looking for an outstanding week or longer if permitted.

Property was very clean. There are a few updates that need to be done around the pool and the shower in the master bath. Other than that it was great!

We loved this property and really enjoyed our stay! The house was very clean and we felt right at home. The pool was nice to have, since we didn't want to go to the beach every day. The neighborhood was very quiet and we had no issues. The house was very close to some stores and to the beaches. We only had a few minor issues with a ceiling fan and light that didn't work and toilet that kept running, but otherwise no complaints at all! I would highly recommend booking this property!

PERFECT IS THE ONLY WAY TO DESCRIBE THE PROPERTY AND EXPERIENCE!! ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE A FAMILY OF ALL AGES AS WE DO! EVERYTHING NEEDED WAS PROVIDED AND THEN SOME!

Bold Stump Cottage was a peaceful, serene, and absolutely beautiful vacation home! Three families stayed comfortably for four nights, and made memories to last a lifetime! Just a five minute walk to the beach, and a short drive to many wonderful restaurants and fun, family activities! But above all, the home was so warm, inviting, and beyond comfortable! Everything you need for a wonderful family vacation is provided. We will definitely recommend this home to family and friends! Thank you for sharing your little piece of heaven with us!!

A wonderful stay at this beautiful home with lots of extras.

A group of 10 adults, in town for a wedding, thoroughly enjoyed staying here. Lots of space for everyone, nice walk to the beach, great communication with property manager. A+

My dear friends and I, who participated in Notre Dame's London Program in Fall 1982, have gathered together annually at Lakeside for the last three years. This year, we rented a house - Bold Stump Cottage. It was a perfect weekend. Bold Stump is a beautifully appointed, spacious home that accommodated 7 of us comfortably. We enjoyed cooking together, walking on the beach nearby, and swimming Lake Michigan. There were only a few annoyances: The Bosch stove was not easy to use; the instructions to turn on the oven were not clear, and when we did turn it on, there is nothing to indicate what the actual temperature was. The highest we turned the oven on was 400 degrees and this set off the fire alarm several times. The burners were also hard to use. One burner constantly stopped working everytime we thought we had it going. I haven't used a Bosch stove before but this one did not function as well as expected.The kitchen supplies were sufficient and we were able to cook all our meals in the home.

The property managers, though, were very responsive and helpful. Overall, it was a wonderful experience.

Great house. Girls trip and the house was just like it was in the pictures. Comfortable beds and the bathrooms were well suited. Will stay here again.

We had an unbelievable perfect get together. We were celebrating our sisters 80th birthday with 10 family members. The house was beautiful , comfortable and very clean. We all had room to be together or spend some time alone. It was a 5 -10 minute walk to a beautiful beach and a very quiet neighborhood. A family of deer grazed the yard every day. We would rent again in a heartbeat.

Great house, super clean and well outfitted. Tons of stuff for the kids to do and a short walk to the beach! We stay in a lot of places and this is one of the best!

Our Family certainly enjoyed our week at Bold Stump Cottage. Plenty of room for our family of 14! Loved the wide open kitchen and the island was great for serving and the pantry nice for storing food items etc. The Game Shed was great for the grandkids! The walk to the Beach was not far and very easy on the quiet road and the carpet to the beach was not slippery which was nice when carrying the toddler and the baby and all the beach stuff. We would stay at this Beautiful Location again in the future!

We were beyond delighted to walk in to Bold Stump! It is a beautiful home, in every way. Every room was thoughtfully and beautifully decorated. Kitchen had everything one would need- cooking was a pleasure! Beds were wonderful and bathrooms were perfect. The abundance of beach equipment was amazing. We had a vacation to remember! Thank you Tonya!

The house is beautiful, the location is terrific, and the three-season rooms are amazing. There is limited space for a group gathering/hangout area, especially with younger kids. Lastly, each guest was provided one towel and a shared washcloth. When we requested additional towels - as we had kids - they refused multiple times. For $1,000/night, I'd expect better.

We had a great experience! The house was very clean and beautifully decorated. The 6 bedrooms comfortably fit 12 adults. The beach was a short walk. My only feedback is the wifi was down the whole time, along with poor cell service. Also the AC was a bit finicky which was okay because it ended getting cooler, but would be a problem in the middle of summer.

Manager's Response

This home is absolutely beautiful. The home is large and well stocked with amenities and appliances, and set in a quiet neighborhood mere minutes walk from the lakefront. We had a group of 8 people and there was plenty of room for us without getting in each other's way. One of our highlights was the large kitchen that connected to the dining area - it allowed us to cook and eat and chat without splitting up. The living quarters are spacious and updated. Honestly, there isn't a single thing I would change - we had a wonderful weekend.

Absolutely beautiful home and only 5-6 minutes to private beach. Had 8 adults and 4 kids 5 and under. Plenty of space for all to relax and enjoy. Loved the shed with ping pong! Super clean and easy to work with the management.

We had a mini family reunion here with folks driving from all over the Midwest and we could not have found a more perfect place to stay! The home’s interior was beautifully done and made our stay very comfortable and enjoyable. We spent a lot of time on the sun porch off the kitchen and the kids loved the game room. All of the bedrooms were spacious yet cozy and the beds were very comfortable. It was a lovely short walk to the beach and the outdoor shower was key! It had so many amenities that made our stay like a home away from home. We highly recommend Bold Stump to any group and we can’t wait to return!

Great, clean, newly renovated house with lots of bedrooms. Staff was very nice and helpful!

This is a beautiful property - photos do not do it justice! We had a wonderful weekend here with another family. There was plenty of space for everyone to feel comfortable. Our kids loved the nearby beach and the rec space with ping pong and fuseball. The parents loved the comfortable, well appointed space. A wonderful time was had by all. Highly recommend!!!

From the booking to the exit everything was amazing. The house is beyond spectacular, clean, attention to detail, gorgeous. Great location and the communication was amazing. We walked to the beach and just had the very best time. We will be bach.

The home was stunning with a short walk to a quiet and large sandy beach! We had 4 families sharing six bedrooms -everyone enjoyed their space. The house was just gorgeous and stocked with everything to make a great family vacation. Just outstanding in every way!

CatherineOur family really enjoyed our time at your home. It was a wonderful getaway to experience walks to the beach every day. Your place was immaculate and well kept. We hope others enjoy their stay as much as we did.

We had the best time! The house was so beautiful but also really functional and comfy. The kitchen had everything we needed. Perfect for a big group with a wine fridge, fridge in the garage, tons of seating and beds. It was all brand new and super clean. The beach was the best part- it was really close to the house and there was a ton of room to spread out since it’s a private beach! I would definitely recommend!!

Our family’s stay at Bold Stump Cottage was one for the books. I can’t emphasize enough how beautiful this private beach was this week! Making meals in the kitchen was delightful because it is so spacious and beautifully equipped. It was our hangout space, aside from the screened porch. Each space is so beautifully decorated but also relaxing. We had a wonderful stay, sunny days and rainy days included. The beach was our main activity but the bonus game room was fun and we visited some nearby playgrounds too. With two little kids, there was plenty of space in the house for their needs (and their noise) plus a TUB in their bathroom!! The porch swing was a particular hit with my two-year-old. We will definitely be back to Bold Stump Cottage