The public beach within walking distance is open. The normal stairs have been ruined due to high water but there are still a set of stairs by the bathrooms that you use to go down to the beach. Oval Beach in Saugatuck and both beaches in South Haven are open.
Fern Hollow is an easy 7 mile drive to Saugatuck and was designed/built in 1980 in traditional Michigan-cottage style. Taking cues from old summer camps, Fern Hollow creates an atmosphere where guests can return to their youth and a time when they enjoyed 'camping out' with family and friends. Whether sitting around the campfire or the fieldstone fireplace, enjoying an outdoor shower, sleeping in the open air of the bunkhouse, or strolling the trails to the beach and playground, time spent at Fern Hollow is sure to relax the mind, sooth the soul, and return you to a time and place once cherished but not forgotten.
Worried about not having air conditioning? There are tall trees surrounding the cabin so it's shaded. It’s very comfortable with ceiling fans, the double doors open and floor fans on, that really helps move the air with the screened in porch. While we do not have Cable TV or Wi-Fi at the cabin, cell phone service is good so you can use your phone and hot spots.
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to do check-in/check-out on Saturdays as it's a very busy day for our cleaning crew. It is possible to make an exception if someone has already rented Saturday to Saturday and we need to fill in those dates. When requesting to book, please do not leave a night or two in between that will not be filled.
Fern Hollow was built by a seasoned local contractor who was nearing retirement and who welcomed the opportunity to build a replica of the building style he claimed 'he cut his teeth on' in the 1930's as a young carpenter. His experience and attention to detail show throughout the cottage in authentic elements such as a hand stacked fieldstone fireplace, French-doors, open-shelving, single-timber-hand-cut beveled window sills and a center-floor radiant furnace ideal for cool Michigan mornings.
Fern Hollow rests on 13 wooded acres and is perched on the highest ground. The cottage is nestled at the center of what was nine 100-yr old white (self-trimming) pine trees. In order to created what is traditionally referred to as the Seven Sisters that surround and protect a cottage, two of the old trees were removed, one of which was already broken in half. This stand of evergreens provide a unique 'whooshing' sound as the winds move through the pine boughs. This can be enjoyed by opening the 4 sets of French doors inviting the surrounding porch to become a part of the house creating the feeling of an open camp in the woods.
Fern Hollow has served as the epicenter for over 30 years of family reunions and many annual gatherings of old friends. Our cottage is being offered as a rental for the first time in its history.
We invite you to join in our history of spending summer days with loved ones, nature, and time.