Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Private, Wooded

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Entire home

Choose dates to view prices

Dates

December 2024

January 2025

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Wonderful

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8134 sq m

Popular amenities

Parking available

Washer

Barbecue grill

Kitchen

Air conditioning

Fireplace

Explore the area

South Haven, MI

Porter Legacy Dunes
4 min walk
North Point Conservation Area
5 min walk
Van Buren State Park
10 min walk
Benton Harbor, MI (BEH-Southwest Michigan Regional)
24 min drive

Room options

Similar properties

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Free WiFi

for 1 night

includes taxes & fees

13 Dec - 14 Dec

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Escape the everyday and treat yourself to a slice of Michigan beach life.

This clean, comfortable 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom cottage is just a sand dune away from secluded Lake Michigan beaches. The house features privacy on three sides and plenty of outdoor space for enjoying time with your family and friends. Amenities include washer/dryer, AC, deck with grill, and fire pit with complementary firewood.

The cottage is a 5-10 minute walk from the beach over a sand dune. And, it's just a 2-minute drive from Van Buren State Park and its groomed beaches and campground. The beaches and pleasures of South Haven are just a 7 minute drive away.

During your stay at this cottage, you're just a quick walk from Lake Michigan. Features include a water park. The cottage offers a kitchen and a washer/dryer.

Air-conditioned cottage with kitchen, washer/dryer and 2 bathrooms
Splash around at the water park
Just a 5-minute walk from Lake Michigan and 4 minutes on foot from Porter Legacy Dunes

Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Private, Wooded offers its guests a water park. Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Private, Wooded also features barbecue grills and a garden.

This South Haven cottage is smoke free.

Property manager

Alison & Brian

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

Available in the cottage: WiFi

Parking and transport

Car required
Parking on site

Kitchen

Blender
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster

Bedrooms

3 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

2 bathrooms
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Toilet paper
Towels provided

Living spaces

Fireplace
Living room

Entertainment

DVD player
Games
TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

Barbecue grill
Firepit
Free firewood
Garden
Patio

Laundry

Laundromat nearby
Washer/dryer

Comfort

Air conditioning
Heating

Pets

No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

Phone

Location highlights

In a rural location
In a village
Near a hospital
Near an outlet shopping centre
Near the bay
Near the marina
Near the sea

Things to do

Water park
Birdwatching nearby
Casino nearby
Cycling nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Hunting nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Sailing nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Snorkelling nearby
Surfing/bodyboarding nearby
Swimming nearby
Water skiing nearby
Water tubing nearby
Windsurfing nearby
Winery tours nearby

Safety features

Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
Deadbolt lock

General

Garden
Property located in a resort
Unit size: 1,441 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM

Contactless check-in and check-out are available

Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a deadlock

This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, which will enable you to manage your booking.

Property is also known as

Michigan Sandcastle Secluded Beach Clean Comfy Private Wooded

Michigan Sandcastle Bortgjemt Beach Clean Skjegg Private Løyper

Michigan Sandcastle Secluded Beach Clean Comfy Private Wooded

Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Private, Wooded Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

9.0/10

Cleanliness

8/10 Good

Monica B.

23 Aug 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

4/10 Poor

Jana H.

8 Aug 2024

Disappointing

this property was very disappointing it has the worst foul-smelling water. We could not shower without gagging, wash our hands, or wash our hair or dishes. This should be mentioned in the description of the property, We didn't like the location it is a scary area. There was no way to reach the beach by walking. Also, the lack of window coverings was concerning especially in the bathroom and front living area. Also the direction of the property is very hard to find. The best beach to go to is South Beach, Van Buren is mucky and the sand seems oily. Do not recommend

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Mary S.

29 Jul 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Michigan Sandcastle

The cottage is well maintained, clean and inviting. The private beach on Lake Michigan is beautiful with a nice walk through a forest to reach it. We really enjoyed walking along the lakeshore on the private beach and easy access to South Haven.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lori C.

30 Jun 2024

Liked: Cleanliness

Great week!

We really enjoyed our week. The cottage was very cute and the beds were super comfortable! Saw a lot of deer near the property which was a highlight. If you plan to wash clothes, being on well water, we decided not to wash much.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ashley G.

16 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Cozy

We loved our stay. The beach is a hike but worth every view. House has all necessities you could need.

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kacey E.

14 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Love the Sandcastle!

This was our second year staying at this property, and it was even better than the first year! Well stocked kitchen, clean, and just so cute! Great proximity to Pilgrims Haven beach and Van Buren state park, and close to blueberry picking too. I would absolutely recommend for families with kids. Thanks, Alison, for another wonderful stay at the Sandcastle!

Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Deimantas J.

31 Jul 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Clean

Thank you, it was pleasure stay at your property!

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl F.

1 Jul 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Cottage in the woods

This property suited our needs as a place to stay while exploring the nearby area. It was clean and very charming.

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tina B.

25 Jun 2023

Liked: Cleanliness

Family

Home is even nicer than the pictures.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kacey E.

6 Aug 2022

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful place for a family beach trip!

The house was very clean, adorable, and the kitchen was very well outfitted. The location is excellent- short drive to town and blueberry picking, and just a mile from the beach at Van Buren State Park. We could not have been happier with our stay here!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

staci b.

5 Jul 2022

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice Place

Great place to stay.

Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jay T., Tecumseh, MI

1 Sept 2021

Liked: Cleanliness

Review

Sort of rustic, which was OK. Nice to have a king in master, with adjoining bath. Well equipped, except for bar soap, hand soap and dish soap. Needed IT son to figure out TV settings.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

6/10 Okay

Maggie F.

22 Aug 2021

Cute on the inside, not the best neighborhood

It wasn’t quite what we were expecting, with some trailer homes in the neighborhood. However, the inside was cute. The water really smelled and was undrinkable and not great to shower in. They provided plenty of drinking water though and we used it for cooking too. The floor was very dirty when we got there but I texted the owners and they brought all kinds of supplies for us to keep it clean. Communication was prompt and friendly. The area is wooded and there was a back porch and fire pit but we were swarmed with mosquitoes if we went outside so we didn’t. You can get to the beach over a big sand dune if you walk a bit. I LOVED the beach, as it was always empty, but there were TONS of mosquitoes on the hike there. It wasn’t a far drive to south Haven, but we didn’t get to have the feel of the town. I will say, it was MUCH cheaper than anywhere in town. Important to know is that the washing machine was awful. It left rust stains on our towels and some of our clothes. That was a major bummer, as laundry is crucial with 4 kids, and the washer and drier were a selling point for us. Not sure we would come back, mainly because of the neighborhood, water and washer/drier.

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Jeremy B.

10 Aug 2021

Liked: Cleanliness

Enjoyed it- especially the location!

We enjoyed our stay. The house had everything we needed. We have to admit that the smell of the water was off-putting, but there was plenty of water for drinking and cooking. The best part is the location! We loved being able to walk down the road, over the dune and to a beach that had very few people. Overall it was a great stay!

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Becky G.

14 Jun 2021

Liked: Cleanliness

Great location for dunes

Allison was responsive when we needed something. It's a hike to get to the beach but a beautiful sunset.

Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

6/10 Okay

Keenon H.

8 Jun 2021

Spacious, but had some issues

The rental is spacious and had plenty of room for our family. It is close to the lake, but access to it is a short but strenuous hike over a sand dune. The views were beautiful! We had some problems beginning at check-in. The front door was unlocked when we arrived, which was not stated in the check-in instructions. There were several things in the instructions that were outdated, including WiFi passwords, who to contact, instructions about a dehumidifier that was not there, and some of the photos. The first thing I noticed is that none of the beds had bedspreads and a few of the beds had a thin blanket. The rest just had sheets. We found extra blankets in a wardrobe, but the first night the temperature was in the 30s and the wind knocked the power out for a few hours. Needless to say, it was pretty chilly. The other major problem at check in was that the master bathroom had not been cleaned. I cleaned the necessary areas before going to bed so we could use it, but that’s not how I wanted to spend the first night of my vacation. We contacted the owners, and they did what they could to make it better, including bringing more blankets, though still not bedspreads, which I find strange to leave a bed for guests with only sheets (in any climate). I do appreciate the owners trying to make things right. I also noticed other areas that were not very clean, including the fridge, the floors (dust bunnies), cobwebs on the ceiling and in corners, a bar of soap left with a hair stuck to it, and surfaces that had a lot of decor on them that had not been properly wiped down. As mentioned in other reviews, the water is well water that smells and makes the toilet look used all the time. I had planned to do laundry while we were there, having checked to make sure there was a washer and dryer, but there was a hand written note taped to the washer warning against washing clothes as it could end up ruining them. South Haven is an expensive area to stay in, and I knew we weren’t staying in the fanciest place, but I did expect it to be clean and well supplied, and unfortunately it just didn’t quite meet the mark.

Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lisa M., Iowa, US

18 Sept 2020

Liked: Cleanliness

Great quiet family stay!

We stayed over Labor Day weekend and were hoping to have a quiet relaxing time with family. It was the perfect mid point for us to meet and it was so peaceful. The dunes were the perfect challenge (it is quite the hike) and wore the kids out for bed. South Haven is a cute little town with plenty to do and an awesome gluten free bakery (they do have gluten in the facility but we had no issues with cross contamination) which was quite a treat for the two celiacs in our family!

Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2020

8/10 Good

Jason K.

23 Aug 2020

Liked: Cleanliness

Pleasant stay

Cozy, quiet home perfect for family stay near hiking trails and Lake Michigan

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Suzie U.

12 Aug 2020

Liked: Cleanliness

Great lcation - CLEAN rental

The pictures are outdated and don't show the beauty of everything they have done with the place!! Super clean!! Beds are super comfy!! Updated bathrooms and kitchen! They provided plenty of water in large dispenser for all of our drinking and cooking needs. The water did have a "well water" smell (it really wasn't that bad) and there was rust marks in tub, sink, etc, but if you grew up on well water - you know this is normal and safe. Location was like a camp ground setting in the front - lots of trees, shade, and porch with sunshine in the back along with a fire pit. A few other houses around - but saw very few people. It's a 2 minute drive to the VanBuren State campground and beach which has nice sand, beautiful water, and nice bathrooms. A 10 minute drive to South Haven - it was nice to enjoy the South Haven events and beaches, but have a quite place to go in the evenings. Rock beach is right around the corner opposite direction from the state park and we highly recommend visiting if looking for beach glass and cool rocks. There is beach access at this location, but it isn't easy to get too - big dunes there and back, just plan on driving or biking to the state park. Highly recommend this location.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020

8/10 Good

Sara V.

11 Aug 2020

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice place to stay

The location in relation to the state park was great! Kitchen is nicely stocked with tools to cook anything.

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Ken F.

1 Aug 2020

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Place but not a "Lake House"

The Michigan Sandcastle was a nicely furnished, roomy 3 bedroom with space for 10 to sleep comfortably. Pretty much everything we needed was there. South Haven and to the Van Buren State Park are easily accessible via quick drives for alternative beaches. Plenty of wooded shade and a nice firepit round out the property. There is access to Lake Michigan via several trails through and over the sand dunes. On the negative side, the water truly stinks and you can smell it just standing near the bathroom. The homeowners provide filtered water for drinking and cooking and it is truly needed. Also, the walks to the beach are understated in the property description. They are challenging hikes up and over sand dunes with considerably steep inclines.

Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Stacey P.

28 Jul 2020

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Family Trip

The property was what we expected. It's a short drive to several lovely beaches. The home is in a wooded area that gave us a camping feel. The owners went above and beyond to make the stay complete- firewood, bug spray, bandaids, laundry detergent, and a kitchen complete with all needed tools was provided. We enjoyed our stay and thought it was a great value for the price.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Amy L.

6 Jul 2020

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful place near a secluded beach

We really enjoyed our time in South Haven. Cute little cottage with plenty of space. It was a short walk to the beach up and over a dune and pretty much a private beach for us during the 5 days we were there - midweek. Kitchen was well stocked which was nice as we cooked all of our meals while we were there.

8/10 Good

Sanela H.

3 Jul 2020

Liked: Cleanliness

good stay

water smelled horible

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2020

6/10 Okay

David Y., Brighton, Michigan USA

4 Sept 2019

Liked: Cleanliness

Okay

We had a check-in problem because info provided by VRBO was out-of-date. Owners responded and got us into the property in a reasonable time. There is private Lake Michigan access in the sub, but the dune is tall and steep. Plan on using the beach at Van Buren State Park (about a mile S) or in South Haven. If you like to bike, the location has easy access to the Van Buren & Kal Haven Trails via the Van Buren State Park spur.

Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019