Relax for a quiet stay in this charming, fully renovated cottage with ample parking, hi-speed internet, easy access to lake and trails, and all the comforts of home. It's a 3-minute drive, 10 minute bike-ride or 20 minute walk to downtown Shipshe. THERE IS NO HOT TUB.
The fully-equipped eat-in kitchen with pantry has a table for 6 and all new appliances - fridge, gas range, microwave, dishwasher and disposal, plus mini-waffle maker, air fryer and bagel toaster. Coffee drinkers, we've got you covered! The kitchen is equipped with a Keurig, drip coffee pot, electric tea pot and pour-over coffee carafe. And there's a coffee bean grinder!
The kitchen LED fan/light combo has a remote-operated dimmer and adjustable-speed fan. All bedrooms have ceilin fans. Every room features multiple windows for plenty of natural light, and all have cordless pull-down blinds for safety.
There's easy parking for four vehicles in the driveway behind the house, plus two more parking spaces in front of the house, with room to park a boat with trailer, or an RV.
The cottage has four spacious bedrooms and two full bathrooms. Two bedrooms feature Nectar king beds (one on the first floor, one upstairs) and one has a Helix queen (first floor). The other upstairs bedroom has two comfy twin beds.
The first floor bathroom features a tub shower with grab bar. There's an oversized single vanity and large linen closet, with padded linoleum that feels nice underfoot. The upstairs bathroom has a glass shower. Everything is brand new, and there are lots of big, fluffy towels and oversized bath sheets.
The beds comfortably accommodate 8 adults, plus 3 more kids or adults with the futon, twin air mattress and Tatami mattress. All bedrooms have ceiling fans, closet space and a dresser. All dressers, the desk and the kitchen stove are anchored to the wall for safety.
Extra outlets and charging ports are provided at all bedsides. The first floor bedrooms have 32-inch smart TVs, with Roku remotes and free access to the first seven apps. The large first floor bedroom has a glider rocker with ottoman, and enough space to set up a portable crib. A portable Graco Pack 'N Play is stored in the closet.
The upstairs bedrooms have dormer windows with armchair rockers, if you want to curl up with a book and a cup of tea, or just relax before bedtime. A library of books, puzzles and games is built into the staircase. The large upstairs bedroom (king bed) has a small oak drop-leaf desk workspace with chair. The other upstairs bedroom (twin beds) has two closets; one doubles as a kids' playhouse, with a Dutch door, toddler chairs and childrens' books.
The living room features an extra-long couch, two chairs and a giant Italian leather sectional perfect for lounging, plus ottoman/ coffee tables. Two of the sectional seats offer electric recline to enjoy the 60-inch smart TV with Roku remote and free access to the first 7 apps. There are lots of extra blankets and throw blankets, which you may not even need - with plenty of insulation, the house stays cozy in the winter, cool in the summer.
You might get that snug-as-a-bug feeling like you're at grandma's house, only grandma updated - that's the vibe! A retro take on contemporary decor. Hummingbird Cottage is ideal for any family or group looking for a quiet, comfortable stay, that's close to the action, just minutes away from bustling downtown Shipshewana, but off the beaten path.
You'll find the comforts of home - extra toothbrushes, hairdryers, extra razors, iron and ironing board, sewing kit, flashlights, extra sunglasses, eyeglass repair kit, nail kit, extra chargers, velvet hangers in all closets, umbrellas, walking stick, scissors and other creature comforts, in case there's a need.
Although it has been renovated, the house's character has been preserved. The original white oak and red oak flooring (in every room except the main floor bath and kitchen) has been revived in a natural matte finish that highlights the wood's authenticity. The kitchen features the original cabinets, which have been refreshed with paint and new quartz countertops. The kitchen floor is made of antique barn beams. As with most lake homes, there's no basement.
The large back yard with yard light is enclosed with chain link fence, with fire ring, cement patio, corn hole, and views to the wooded area across the street - you might see deer, wild turkeys, or maybe even hear an owl hooting in the woods after dark! The front of the home is also well-lit with yard lights.
The cottage is one house over from the water, on Shipshewana Lake, with lake views from many windows. Catch the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, a short walk up the hill from the cottage, for walking and biking. The trail goes all the way to downtown Shipshe (you'll end up near El Zorrito Restaurant). It runs about 30 miles, from Shipshewana, west to Middlebury, ending in Goshen.
Downtown Shipshe offers canoe, kayak and bike rentals. The downtown area includes shopping, restaurants, the world's largest flea market (Tuesdays and Wednesdays 8-4 pm, May-September), and entertainment at the Blue Gate Theater and Michiana Event Center (MEC).
Hummingbird is also convenient to other regional areas of interest; it is 45 minutes from the University of Notre Dame, and a 15 minute drive from Northridge High School and downtown Middlebury, with tourist sites of its own.
A couple of things to note:
You will see orange parking cones out front - this is to reserve the parking space for guests of Hummingbird Cottage.
The address of the house, 2840 North 900 West, Shipshewana, takes you to the back of the property, where the garage is, which can be confusing. No idea why the address brings you to the back of the house! Up to four cars may park in the driveway in back (on 900), and up to 2 in the front of the house (on 905). The front of the house actually faces North 905 West. Guests are welcome to park in the back but should walk around to the front door to enter the house via the keypad.
The area is popular with birdwatchers, where you might see blue herons, cormorants, grebes, swans, geese, woodpeckers and flickers, song birds, redwing blackbirds, cardinals and more, and even bald eagles, if you're lucky!
Shipshe Lake is a fishing and boating lake - people don't typically swim. Public beaches in LaGrange County, about half an hour drive away, include Cedar Lake Beach in Howe, Dallas Lake Beach in Wolcottville, and Wall Lake Beach in Orland.
The town of Shipshewana is dry, meaning no alcohol sales.
