Seamus met us at ferry station and lead us to his house. he was very friendly. his house was very secluded, clean, we enjoyed the stay.

Seamus is an incredibly thoughtful, kind, considerate, and knowledgeable host. We felt right at home and stayed up late into the night just chatting about life. He knew all of the best spots on the island and helped us map our weekend to spots we would otherwise have never found. There was no cell phone reception, internet, or TV and all we had to listen to were the wind in the trees and the occasional bird. It was an important lesson on what life is really about: experience, love, happiness, and connection. The energy on Beaver Island, Tara's Meadow, and from Seamus has left a mark on our lives and soul's forever. We will be back.

This was our second time staying with Seamus at Tara's Meadow, because we loved our first stay so much. Our stay this time did not disappoint. Seamus was a superb host and we shared some great time together again. We also got to sleep in the dome in the meadow this time--it's a very peaceful spot and you won't find anything else like it on the island. Hope to return many times again!

WORDS alone are insufficient to describe how wonderful this space is and how awesome Seamus is as a host. Much love and an entire island community contributed to the creation of the Lodge at Tara's Meadow. The place and space alone are enough to ease the stresses and tensions that tend to blur our everyday lives into an oblivion of constant running around - but when you add the grace of Seamus the host - you have a recipe for a guaranteed great time! Time slows down here. In fact, leave the watch, phone, and laptop at the airport, and enter God's Time on Tara's Meadow to rekindle that which REALLY matters to you! The pictures do not do justice to how beautiful the Lodge and Meadow really are - you just have to experience it. I have three degrees and run a business - in no way am I being reimbursed for this review - I am speaking from the heart - if you found this review - then you DEFINITELY need to visit this place! Get out of the constant hustle and bustle, catch a fifteen minute flight to the island, ask to sit in the copilot's seat on the plane, and get ready for the best adventure the Midwest has to offer! Seamus is the best host! He also does tours of the island and lives an intimate and very real connection to the history of the island and the history of Ancient Europe in general. When I asked for a much needed retreat here, Seamus first met with me to plan out every meal - fresh whitefish from Lake Michigan from the local deli on the island, blueberries from the mainland, herbs from the island, he is the most gracious host offering to split the cost of food. Seamus lives humility and grace. He walks and talks the island traditions. Take advantage of this amazing situation while you still can! As I said, I have several degrees, one in biochemistry and environmental chemistry, and I call Seattle a second home, so I am not easily impressed to say the least. But for me to have this much good to say about a place - and to say that my words are an understatement - truly reveals the impressive quality, the attention to detail, and amazing grace that is all that Seamus and Tara's Meadow have to offer. Invite the whole family! You will not regret it! In fact, like me, you will be eagerly awaiting your next visit! Plane ride and all, this place and this host are hands down AWESOME!

Seamus followed up our reservation request immediately and was very helpful all the way through the process of making the arrangements to go to Beaver Island. He is a wealth of knowledge about the island's past and present, since he is a historian of the island and very involved in current efforts to develop tourism--particularly ecotourism--on the island. He offered to pick us up at the airport, but we ended up bringing our own car over on the ferry. He was very helpful in giving us directions and even came out to the road to catch us as we drove up. He spared no effort to make us comfortable and was a very amiable host and conversationalist. When we came back in the evening from exploring the island, he offered us snacks and stayed up talking with us until we were ready to retire. He made us a delicious breakfast in the morning and gave us the run of the place until we were ready to leave. In sum, Seamus was a perfect host, a gentle, amiable, and engaging man who can tell his guests anything they want to know about life on Beaver Island, past and present.

I had a great stay at Tara's Meadow. Seamus was a very welcoming host – he met me at the harbor as I was departing from the ferry, and even let me join a historical tour he was giving free of charge. It was easy to coordinate my trip with Seamus (a fair bit of coordination is required for trips to the Island due to the ferry schedule and poor cell reception), and he was generally very helpful. I had a good time preparing dinner with him and dining on his canopy-level balcony in the forest. The house is remote, deep in the woods on the south end of the island. A car is necessary to reach the house from St. James, where the ferry drops you off. A public transit shuttle can be arranged, and I was actually able to rent a truck for the day from one of the Islanders. The space itself is very nice. The main area of the lower level is a comfortable living space and kitchen, with the guest bedroom off to the side. The main space of the upper level is an open meditation/yoga space; Seamus' room is off to the side on the upper floor. The guest bed was a little soft for my taste, but complaining about that is picking nits.

This is by far the best experience I have had on airbnb. Tara's Meadow is a very special place, and Seamus is extraordinarily generous and gracious host: He picked us up from the ferry, cooked dinner for us on the night we arrived, and took us on a tour of the island. He is passionate about ecology and the island's history, very easy to talk to, and a warm and compassionate person. That said, he also respected our privacy and gave us our space when we needed it. Tara's Meadow is about 20-30 minutes drive from St. James, located in a remote and peaceful part of the island. The meadow itself is very beautiful, but it is also close to gorgeous sand beaches, several pristine inland lakes, and a beaver marsh--the natural beauty at Beaver island can't be matched, and Tara's Meadow is a great home base from which to explore it. This was a unique experience that we will never forget. Thank you so much, Seamus!

My husband and I couldn't have pictured a more wonderful first time to Beaver Island. Seamus and his partner Amy went above and beyond with their hospitality - supplying hot breakfasts, giving us rides in the back of their pickup truck, making recommendations on what to see, and just being darn good people to be around. Our experience of the island was that much richer with Seamus's company and knowledge. The house itself was a comfortable, quiet place, tucked way into the woods, with a great space for reading upstairs while looking out at the trees. One practical tip for fellow travelers: Tara's meadow is 10 miles from town (with its restaurants and amenities), which is at least a solid hour by bike. If that's too much cycling for you, a car is a must-have! We heartily, heartily recommend this place.

I loved the location and cabin! Very cozy, sunrise came right through the cabin and waves came right up to the beach.

Stellar location on the west side of Beaver Island; close enough to town to meet your needs but far enough off the beaten path to experience the serenity of Beaver Island. We heard one car the entire week. If the lapping waves of Lake Michigan are all you want to hear, this is the place to stay.

Beavertuckett is glorious! The cabin is just as described, well equipped for cooking and campfires, and super tidy. We can't wait to return! The location is beautiful and private, and sits right in Lake Michigan. The cabin is close to the lighthouse, Iron Ore Bay, and a few lovely beaches. Kelly's Point is nearly 30 minutes from town, on mostly gravel/dirt roads, so a car is necessary.

Although this place is called Beavertucket & now has an info folder on the table, the locals only know this location as Kelly's point. A sign at the drive & on a rock inside state Kelly' point. Also there's no street # posted for verify the listing. I really wasn't sure we were at the correct place, until I pulled up web photos to compare. Thank goodness the Charlevoix transit driver stayed & helped us gain entry.

This was the perfect place for us at this time in our lives. With our 3 20+ kids all needing a rest and break from work, travels and school. Every morning I drank in the amazing picuresque window full of sunrise, and it was magnificient every time! The kitchen was well equipped, and I was glad I brought a lot of food with me from Trader Joes. Our transportation was an issue, and though there were clearly stated suggestions to reserve car transport, we were caught unaware, and most could ride bikes to town the shuttle service was helpful to get us to the grocery store, but all 5 of us with a hastily rented Geo-tracker on the last day. (2 bike trips, 2 people and luggage trips, and my husband still made the 8:30 ferry with 9 mns. to spare!!!) Obviously we would know better what to expect in the future. Thankfully, everyone was pleased to stay put most of the time. Kayaks would have been amazing, and we also would have brought our own had we known. It is a magical place, and one that we would definately return to. We loved this home that helped to give us a vacation to remember!

Mermaid Cottage was a wonderful place to stay. Diane gave clear directions on how to get there, including who to contact about getting to the island. Over all the house was beautiful, the kitchen was stocked enough for use to make any meal that we wanted, and there was enough space for six adults to stay comfortably. There were beautiful views of the water, we only wished there was a way to access it from the house.

The Mermaid Cottage was beautiful, the views were amazing, and the house and property were both quite nice. We saw some wildlife, went swimming in the (extremely cold) lake, and generally just enjoyed our stay. Three things I would mention for other guests: 1) Cell phone service is a no-go for Verizon and AT&T at the cottage. However, a 5-minute drive North will get you a few bars. 2) I wish I would have seen the other reviewer that mentioned that (SENSITIVE CONTENTS HIDDEN)'s "pin" on their Maps app for the cottage is WRONG. I know this has already been said, but I wanted to reiterate. We spent a really long time trying to find the cabin and had to ask a few locals for help. 3) Take the plane over if you can. The ferry ride is fairly long, and in bad weather, it's no fun. Also, after the beginning of October, there are a very few residents on the island, with many shops and restaurants only open a few hours a day. With that said, I would very much recommend staying here, we certainly enjoyed our stay.

Going to a Beaver Island was quite the adventure. It was a cute little city with a lot of history. The public beach there was calm and relaxing. The Mermaid Cottage was a bit difficult to find at first because (SENSITIVE CONTENTS HIDDEN) maps locates it at the other end of the island, but luckily residents of the town were able to eventually help us locate it. The house looks better in person and was very accommodating. It is definitely a private area with no surrounding neighbors. I wish their could have been a dock so we could reach the water over the marsh land, but the view from the deck was still stunning.

The house is lovely. It is much nicer than I expected from the photos. It's right on the water and we were able to wade into the water from the lawn. The bed I slept in was surprisingly supportive and comfortable. Kitchen was decently equipped, and we cooked a number of meals here for our group of seven. I hope to stay here again!

Our stay at The Mermaid was wonderful. Beaver Island was a great, relaxing place to spend time.

Mary Rose was perfectly accommodating and the cabin was a welcomed reprieve from the hustle and bustle of city life.

We loved it! It was such a joy to stay in the pristine quiet natural beauty of northern Michigan. The house is conveniently located at the center of the island and is only reached by the island's unpaved roads. I would definitely recommend to bring a car, food and bug spray with you. So relaxing to stay in this beautiful location. Thank you!

Beautiful home ! Lots of beautiful woodwork and an amazing view. Very secluded and in touch with wildlife and nature. We had a good family trip here. Nice break from technology, phone service is limited around parts of the island. We love beaver island, will return next summer.

This place was amazing! We had a great time and were very comfortable there. The view was awesome and we loved the porch. Mosquitos are a pretty common scourge across the island and they were a bit scary in the driveway but we didn't have much of a problem at all in the house or on the back porch.

The house was great! Super clean and organized. Perfect weekend getaway for a couple or a group of friends. Just outside of town, and only a short walk to the local ice cream joint.

Such a great deal! The home was extremely comfortable (beds and bedding were all comfy as well, which is always a huge selling point for me!) Kitchen was perfect if you want to cook your own meals. The Roku streaming stick was great; my husband is now addicted to a new show. The location was central-you can walk to the harbor and restaurants but you're far enough away to feel secluded, if that's what you're looking for. Thank you so much, Kayla!

Good place and great value. Was well equipped with pots pans and dishes. The living room was very large and great place to gather. Well within walking distance to town.

Great value, very nice and practical on the inside, even better than our expectations!

This was our first time to Beaver Island and Kayla made our stay very comfortable and fun. The location is great - close enough for a quick bike ride to town, restaurants, or parks, and has everything you need to be comfortable. Kayla was very helpful and accommodating with our arrival and made sure everything worked great!

Very roomy, cute, and close to town!

Linda's home is a little slice of heaven. It is so cozy and a nice location even without having a car on the island - biking distance to town and walking distance to Donegal Bay. Her and Ruby were very friendly and she had great suggestions of spots to visit on the island. Would absolutely recommend staying here!

The house was exactly as described, and Linda was an awesome host. Rudy the dog was super friendly too. If you stay with Linda, make sure you ask to see Rudy play the piano

Linda's home is a terrific place to get away and enjoy truly unaltered nature. Beaver Island is beautiful and perfect for both relaxing and exploring - there is a small town with events open to anyone and miles of well-maintained roads and trails that can be used for biking, running, or hiking. Linda's house is close to the town area, but you do need a bike to get around. She was kind enough to pick me up from the ferry and to show me around wherever I wanted. It was truly enjoyable to stay with someone so kind and hospitable - her home was spotless, she was so much fun to talk to, and I really lacked nothing during my stay. Ruby the dog is pretty great too! Overall have nothing but positive things to say, and I walked away feeling that I'd had a great vacation experience with a host I'd really love to stay with again.

Just had a great stay on Beaver Island with Linda and her dog Ruby at their retreat home! Linda was very welcoming upon my arrival, filling me in on things about the Island, and also had a check in book with tips on places to visit. She also loaned me a map to help get around the island, which was very helpful. The house was super clean and had everything available to make it a comfortable stay, including WiFi if you need it. The bedroom and bathroom had individual heat control which was great and the mattress was very comfortable as well. As far as location, Linda's place was perfect because it was just a few mile bike ride to town and very close to the beach. I would definitely recommend staying with Linda if you are planning a trip to Beaver Island!!

Have you ever found a place so wonderful that you wanted to tell everyone about it, yet tell no one because you wanted it to be your best kept secret? Linda's Place is that place. Nestled in the island woods of Beaver Island, an Irish settlement community of beautiful people who hold family dear, you will find winding sandy roads that will take you to a beautiful light-filled retreat. Modern decor surrounded by artful treasures created by the host as well as artisans she holds dear, along with musical instruments you are free to enjoy if that is your pleasure. Every need is thought of in the kitchen, bath and bed. Neat as a pin yet still oh-so welcoming! There is a place for everything and everything in it's place. Bed is very comfy with down comforter and fluffy pillows. She is mindful with amenities in the shower with products that are nourishing to the body. Yes, she has a hair dryer, yummy towels, the well water and septic pose no undue discomforts, just mindful reminders of island living. She has a dishwasher , you must recycle and you quickly realize how simple life can be. There is no cable but not to worry as she has a few movies and the library down the road a piece. Maybe bring your own if she will not be present during your stay. Internet is available but you may be without when out and about on the island depending on your carrier. AT&T seems to be a good bet. We have Sprint and it was very spotty in sending and receiving texts but not to worry, you will be able to communicate with home! (one of my big worries) A sweet little deck is wonderful for morning coffee and a fire pit for evenings! Plenty of wood, so no chopping down her beautiful trees! Her art even graces her sweet little birdbath she has created. There is a charcoal grill and you might want to pick up some charcoal from the market that is self-starting. I am going to share more here because I was very hesitant about coming to Beaver Island as I found very little in the way of reviews...please read on because I think you will find this to be very helpful, especially if you are on the fence about making such a journey to a place you may know little about! And I saved the best for last, so continue til the end. You will NOT be disappointed choosing this beautiful island retreat... The scenery and location is spectacular. Birch trees and fir trees of so many species. Just glorious! Of course you must take the Emerald Isle Ferry to get there and BE SURE to check availability for space if you want to take your vehicle. Yes, an added expense, but you definitely want to have one to enjoy the fullness of this beautiful tree-filled coastal island. You can rent Geo Trackers, but having seen them, they...

This house is wonderful. Totally secluded, peaceful retreat on the island. Everything was immaculate. Linda had to be off island, so we ended up with the place to ourselves. I would recommend renting the whole space if you have the opportunity! I work in a job where I am constantly bombarded with questions and issues and problem-solving, and this was a perfect place to clear my head. Only a couple of minutes by car to Donegal Bay, one of the best swimming beaches on the island. Also a quick car ride into town. I noticed another review that someone mentioned down bedding; I'm allergic, I let Linda know, and she graciously had another option in place for me when I arrived. All of Linda's communication was incredibly prompt and courteous. The sheets were soft, the towels were thick, the house was super clean, and you could open so many windows to feel that fresh island breeze! If you're considering a stay on the island, Linda's place is perfect or two, or for four if the whole house is available.

Linda is a gracious host who is tuned in to what you want from your visit. The house was spotless, and her sweet dog Ruby kept us smiling. We felt completely at home, and Linda went out of her way to show us around. Exceeded our expectations on our first visit to the island.

Jeff is a very gracious host. Check in was a breeze. He answered any questions we had within a very timely manner. The apartment is very spacous and is in a GREAT location. LOVED the time on Beaver Island. Would definitely book with Jeff again. P.S. Levi was a big help too!

If you are looking for a place to stay on Beaver Island, stop looking and book this immediately. This place is incredible. I have never had a more hospitable and generous host. He lent us his SUV for the weekend plus a million other little things that were above and beyond. The home is very clean, comfortable, and tastefully decorated for the 3 couples in our traveling group. We will be coming back.

Very comfortable and clean apartment in a great location! We would definitely go back and stay here!

This apartment is in a great location, friendly helpful host. He arranged for us to stash our bags on arrival before place was ready for us, as well as a place to keep our bags after we checked out until our flight time later in the day. Beaver Island impressed us with their relaxed island time friendliness...a special shout out goes to Angel at Island Airways at Welke Airport! Our ride in to town with her special guided tour was a highlight of our trip! Thanks.

We had a magical time on Beaver Island at Jeff's rental. Our lodgings were excellent: the apartment was spacious, well-appointed, and even nicer than the amazing pictures led us to believe. Jeff made sure we had everything we needed for a comfortable stay, down to details on hidden Island gems. He even personally escorted us on a customized nature hike. We highly recommend this lodging and host.

Loved the apartment and was very close to everything we needed to get to. Was a very pleasant stay and we would definitely go back again!

The accommodations were beautiful. There were 6 of us and we couldn't believe how big the place was. I wish we could have stayed longer!

This was a great stay for our family. The apartment is spacious and super clean. It's in a very convenient location, so that we could walk just a few minutes to eat or pick up bikes or kayaks. Jeff gave us a really thorough introduction to the island and was very responsive.

Sue was a very gracious host! She picked us up from the ferry and drove us around the island giving us a sense of its history and a glimpse of its beauty. The house backs up to Lake Michigan with a few stairs heading down to the beach. We visited when the weather was ideal and the water was gorgeous. The main street in St. James is within easy walking distance. From there you can find a number of places to eat, shop, and check out the sites. At the end of our trip, we had a schedule change, and Sue was kind enough to drive us to the airport on a moment's notice. We had a wonderful trip and hope to make it back sometime and stay a little longer.

Sue is an absolute GEM! She picked us up at the airport, served us a nice dinner and gave us a wonderful tour of the Island. We got the best nights sleep in our cozy accommodations at Sue's. We loved the inviting space that she has prepared with a coffee machine, sitting area with TV/DVD player, comfy chairs and a great deck looking out onto Lake Michigan, private full bath with really nice towels and cozy beds. Sue helped Joe find a great fishing spot and she helped me look up family history on (URL HIDDEN) The sunset last night on the beach next to a toasty fire was the best I've seen anywhere! We enjoyed movies, ice cream, fabulous food at local places and some great thrift store finds! Everyone waves here and even though the Island was pretty quiet we met many nice, inviting and helpful people. We had such an awesome time, I am sure we will be back again. I am so glad we decided to stay at Sue's, it made our whole trip!

Truly a great introduction to Beaver Island. Warm, friendly and we will come back. Highly recommend !!

Sue's home is in a wonderful location with private Lake Michigan frontage perfect for swimming. The home is in a quiet, wooded area that is about a mile from town/restaurants/shops. 2 bikes are available for guests and we found that to be the best way to get around. Sue picked us up and dropped us off at Welke airport and is happy to assist guests in any way. She is very knowledgeable about the island which is great for those unfamiliar with the area and its history. The room was clean and comfortable and we had a great stay.

Sue is a local, and knows the local history. In a place like Beaver Island, that is fantastic! I can't imagine how much less interesting our stay would have been without her help. Just the Protar story was worth its weight in gold. We were able to take a 2-hour bike ride around some of the trails and saw Protar's home and tomb in the quiet woods. Gorgeous. Sue also helped us find places to eat, and things to do. She is a real gem! Along with that, her house is a 5-minute walk from downtown, but has a lovely quiet beach on the north side of the island. It's a beautiful spot. She even has good bikes available to borrow.

Great Stay! Cant wait to return!

I mention that the stay was "much better than expected" because we had some misgivings about not having the entire house to ourselves (which we had never done before) and we were uncertain how our stay would go. However, we had Sue's entire second floor to ourselves. The stairs were immediately inside the front door, there was comfortable sleeping and seating space, and a walk-out deck all of which felt felt very private. Sue met us at the ferry, led us back to her house, and took time to show us around the island. Great location. . . Sue is an excellent host! Already making plans to return. Give our highest recommendation!

I would find it difficult to add to all the positive comments about staying at the Island getaway. Everything was as advertised and Sue was a great hostess, with one exception. Because the stairwell to the downstairs is completely open there was no noise isolation for the upstairs apartment. We heard loud and clear every phone call which was made, and there were a lot of them. This was particularly annoying when the call was on speaker and we could hear both sides of the conversation. This made it very difficult to relax when we were in the apartment and made it impossible to nap. Additionally the TV awoke me on the first night out of a sound sleep. Sue was made aware of this and that did not happen again. This needs be addressed and the upstairs apartment must be acoustically isolated from any sound made down stairs.

The host canceled this reservation 49 days before arrival. This is an automated posting.

Rob was a great host! He quickly responded to my questions and needs. The house is as described and shown in the photos: Plenty of space, equipped with all essentials, beach access, close to town, in a beautiful setting. Kayaks provided are in good condition. The views from the deck are stunning. Overall I had a very pleasant stay! Only downside were the many spiders, horse flies and mosquitoes outdoors, but that is part of the beautiful nature that is surrounding the house. And as listed: No WiFi internet, didn't try the 1-2 TV channels, Cellphone reception is poor around the island in general.

We loved the place! It was private and at the same time just a short bike ride into town. We are grateful for finding such a wonderfull pet friendly place.

Beautiful cabin on the lake. We spent days kayaking, hiking, beach side and relaxing. We would definitely come back if this place is still for rent.

This place is perfect for a relaxing beautiful vacation.

Great house with beautiful views!

Loved our stay - first-time visit to Beaver Island, would enjoy returning.

The picture do not do this place justice. The entire adventure of taking a ferry just sets the mood to relax and enjoy. A few restaurants were simply amazing while some were over priced and made you regret eating. The private setting was amazing. The house is clean and well stocked. Made us feel like we were invited to stay at our rich uncles house we don't have. Great house. Great views. Great vacation. We had nine people in our group and had room to spare.

Awesome week, house and beach were Perfect.

Mary Rose's cabin is amazing! We were looking for a relaxing getaway for my girlfriend's 30th birthday and this was the perfect place. The screened-in porch is heaven sent. We brought our bicycles over on the ferry, which made for an easy ride into town for food, drinks, kayaking, and exploring. Mary Rose sent over a suggested list of things to do in advance, which helped out a lot. She sent a message via airbnb to check in on our stay, as well, which was nice to hear from her. All in all, I would strongly recommend staying with Mary Rose if you're considering it!

Very nice house with an awesome lake view. We have enjoyed our stay. Very serene and peaceful.

The house was lovely. Cozy and well appointed. The view is beautiful and relaxing. The home was located a short bike ride from the beach and an easy ride to town. Mary Rose was attentive to our needs making sure we were comfortable and suggesting things to do on the island. We will definitely revisit. Thank you.

Excellent location. Font lake so peaceful.

Lovely and peaceful stay on the vast Font Lake, lulled to sleep by the frogs croaking and wakened by the birds chirping- a perfect secluded get away with lovely breezes and island charm.

This place is a nice cottage on Font Lake. While there was no access to the lake itself, it was nice to have views of the water and see the wildlife. It is a rustic cottage on Beaver Island, and an easy bike ride to town (there is a bike path for part of it). We took our dog. There is was no fence around the property, but the screened porch was big enough for the times he wanted to lay out there. Mary Rose was very responsive and a great host. She took care of an issue immediately. If you are looking for a quiet retreat close enough to town, this is it.

Bring your own small tables and bedside lamps. There is no closet in the downstairs bedroom - you have to use the coat closet in the hall. There is no door on the downstairs bedroom, so there is no privacy. There are no curtains that keep out the light, so it is bright as soon as the sun comes up - 5 am is a little too early to be awakened while on vacation.

Our stay at Mary Rose's cottage was exactly what we were hoping for--convenient, relaxing, and comfortable. The home is laid out perfectly--we especially loved the view (and sounds) of Font Lake. Our dog was totally comfortable in the house, and took advantage of the fenced-in outdoor area. Mary Rose was easy to get in contact with and extremely easy going. We hope to stay here again someday soon.

Our family had a great week on B.I. The house is perfect with a wonderful front porch and amazing sun rises. Everything we were looking for when getting away from it all.