Today we’d like to introduce you to Dawn Zondervan.
Hi Dawn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Eagles Landing: How a Family Dream Took Flight on Michigan’s Croton Pond
For nearly three decades of marriage, my husband and I shared a quiet dream: someday, we would run a bed-and-breakfast. Life, of course, had other plans. We raised three kids, balanced careers—his in sales, mine as a speech-language pathologist—and filled our days with the beautiful chaos of family life. The dream never disappeared; it just waited patiently in the background.
Along the way, we flipped a few houses and cottages, slowly building both experience and confidence. But it wasn’t until 2017 that everything began to fall into place—right across the street from a place that already meant everything to us.
Our cottage sits in Newaygo, Michigan, along a stunning five-mile stretch of water the locals call Croton Pond, part of the Muskegon River. It’s more than just a destination—it’s home in the deepest sense. My grandparents had a cottage here. So did my parents. I grew up swimming, boating, and making lifelong memories on this water, alongside my brother and cousins, who now have places here too. There is truly nothing like a northern Michigan summer.
So when the large home across the street from our cottage went up for sale, we couldn’t ignore it. The property had something rare: water access right next to ours and a full acre of land. My husband immediately saw potential—not just as a home, but as something more.
A vacation rental.
I’ll admit, I hesitated. We still had three kids in school, our schedules were full, and the idea felt like a leap. But the more we talked it through, the more it made sense. Our own cottage was right there—we could be present for guests, offer a warm, personal welcome, and still give them the privacy they were looking for. Bit by bit, the vision started to form.
And what a vision it was.
The home itself had incredible bones: 2,500 square feet on the main floor, with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a wide-open layout perfect for gatherings. A massive, unfinished basement offered even more possibilities. My husband—always the planner—began mapping it out: four additional bedrooms, a full bath, another laundry room, and a spacious recreation area. Even the 2,500-square-foot garage, complete with a half bath, held untapped potential.
I wondered how we would make it all work financially. He responded with spreadsheets, timelines, and a clear plan—three-year, five-year, and seven-year goals that turned a daunting idea into something tangible.
We took the leap.
Over time, that house transformed into something far beyond what we first imagined. Today, eight years later, our property—now known as Eagles Landing Resort—is often booked more than a year in advance. It features seven bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, two laundry rooms, and space to comfortably sleep 18 guests.
The garage? It became one of our most beloved features: a heated indoor pickleball court, where families and friends gather year-round. Outside, we created a space designed for connection and fun—a large covered deck, a playground, firepit areas, and a wide range of amenities including ping pong, air hockey, shuffleboard, cornhole, and even disc golf.
And then, the story expanded.
Two years ago, we moved to a different cottage nearby, which meant our original cottage became available as an additional rental. Now known as Eagles Landing Cottage, it can host six more guests. When rented together, the resort and cottage create a private retreat for extended families and groups, all sharing 150 feet of beautiful waterfront. With multiple docks, complimentary kayaks, and even a pontoon boat available, it’s become a place where memories are made—just like the ones I grew up with.
The name itself came naturally. Eagles are a common sight here, soaring overhead and nesting in the trees across the water. Watching them never gets old. Eagles Landing felt like the perfect tribute—not just to the setting, but to the sense of peace, freedom, and return that this place represents.
Looking back, it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come—from a long-held dream to something real, thriving, and deeply meaningful. This journey hasn’t always been easy, but it has been worth every step.
Because in the end, we didn’t just build a vacation rental.
We created a place where families gather, traditions begin, and a little piece of northern Michigan magic is shared with everyone who arrives.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A few years ago our township started hosting meetings to potentially BAN short term rentals. This has become an increasingly common issue in many townships across our state, and obviously a very stressful one for STR owners/hosts. My husband joined the STR committee board and attended MANY meetings, spending several hours persuading residents to see the benefits of STRs for the local community and for residents. It finally came to a vote and it was decided that we would require STR owners to register their properties and only a limited number of STR’s would be allowed. Thankfully, all three of our properties were approved. (I say three properties because we’ve also started to rent our personal, 4 bedroom cottage, known as the Muskego House, during the off season)
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I mentioned this in my previous response, but I am a SLP and my husband is in sales (corrugated). We’re most proud of our love for eachother and our three amazing adult kids. We recently became first-time grandparents to Cooper Todd and we both agree that our new titles as Grammy and Papa are the best, most joyful, and proudest titles we’ve ever had.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I need help learning how to market our business on social media…I have a FB page but I rarely post. My son created an IG and Twitter page but I’ve never posted on those sites. I don’t know how to grow followers. It seems pointless to post if I don’t have many followers anyway. I need to learn more! We also need Help to continue to rent our places during the slower seasons like December through April.
Pricing:
- $999/night for Eagles Landing Resort during peak season
- $249/night for Eagles Landing Cottage during the peak season
- $699/night for the Muskego House during peak season
- Rent a night, get the second consecutive night free for church ministries during the off season
Contact Info:
- Website: https://eagleslandingresorts.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17UPUKNesC/?mibextid=wwXIfr
