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Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Cute and Woodsy

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Escape to a serene Lake Michigan beach life in this cozy 3-bedroom cottage. Enjoy the seclusion of a private deck with grill, unwind by the fire pit with supplied wood, and take advantage of nearby Van Buren State Park.

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8134 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

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

Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Cute and Woodsy

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. 6 other beaches and all of the pleasures of South Haven are just a 7 minute or less drive away.

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
  • 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

  • Laundry facilities
  • 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

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Mountain biking 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

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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

Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Located in South Haven, this cottage is in a rural area and by the sea. Liberty Hyde Bailey Museum & Gardens and Michigan Maritime Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Warner Vineyards and Southside Municipal Marina. South Haven Center for the Arts and The Fun Park are also worth visiting. Jet skiing and scuba diving offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and hunting nearby. Visit our South Haven travel guide
View more Cottages in South Haven
Map
South Haven, MI

What's nearby

  • Van Buren State Park
    Van Buren State Park
    11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Oval Beach
    Oval Beach
    32 min drive - 51.3 km
  • Porter Legacy Dunes
    3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • North Point Conservation Area
    5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Pilgrim Haven Natural Area
    18 min walk - 1.5 km

Getting around

  • Bangor Station
    18 min drive
  • Kalamazoo, MI (AZO-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Intl.)
    52 min drive

Restaurants

  • McDonald's
    7 min drive
  • Cafe Julia
    8 min drive
  • Burger King
    8 min drive
  • Little Caesars Pizza
    7 min drive
  • Six Chicks
    8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Cute and Woodsy pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Cute and Woodsy?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Cute and Woodsy?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Cute and Woodsy?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Cute and Woodsy located?

Situated by the sea, this cottage is within a 5-minute walk of Porter Legacy Dunes and Lake Michigan. North Point Conservation Area and Van Buren State Park are also within 15 minutes.

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Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Cute and Woodsy Reviews

Reviews

Wonderful

All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 26 out of 41 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 41 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 41 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 41 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 41 reviews

9.0

Cleanliness

8.4

Location

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Adam W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Superb host! Extremely accommodating! The great spot with access to one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen!
Stayed 32 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ashley G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

8/10 Good

Mary S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kacey E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lori C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kacey E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location and well stocked kitchen! Lots of space and close to Van Buren state park and Pilgrim Haven.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

staci b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice Place

Great place to stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Danielle D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Enjoyable!

We had a wonderful family vacation at this Vrbo! The location couldn’t have been better—just a few minutes drive from the beach, which made it so easy to enjoy the lake every day. The home was clean, comfortable, and had everything we needed for a relaxing stay. Plenty of space for the whole family. We would definitely come back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kacey E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Deimantas J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Clean

Thank you, it was pleasure stay at your property!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tina B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family

Home is even nicer than the pictures.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Archival

8/10 Good

Mary M.

Great!

This was a lovely place to stay in and almost anything you needed was right there waiting for you except Lake Michigan. However using the car to go to South Beach worked fine and we really enjoyed ourselves. With this sand castle property, you really get your money's worth.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2017
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Renata A.

Very welcomed and very cozy home.

We were very welcomed by the owner that showed us around and gave some tips. We had a wood fire already prepared for us. En enjoy the nigh besides it! The house was very clean and comfortable. Everything worked properly. We recommend to everyone! Bruno and Renata
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paula C.

Secluded location with many beautiful trees. Near the state park and bike trails.

Spent a week there over the Fourth of July with my family and two young granddaughters. The house was immaculate and well equipped with everything we needed in the kitchen. Although the property is not on the lake--we went to nearby Pilgrims Nature Center beach and to South Beach in South Haven. Enjoyed the fire pit, grilling in the backyard, and the deck. The owner Allison was great and provided many ideas of things to do--including blue berry picking which was right down the road from the house! Did not get to try the bike trails but will come back some time to do so.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2018
Verified

6/10 Okay

David Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication
Disliked: Check-in

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
Verified

4/10 Poor

Jana H.

Liked: Communication
Disliked: Location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Suzie U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
From a partner site

10/10 Excellent

Christine S.

Hidden gem!

Omg, how I love this little cottage! But it’s not so little, it’s roomy, open and big! And...it’s nestled in this little secret neighborhood that looks intimidating at first, then you realize how perfect it is! Alison and Brian were extremely responsive, helpful and patient. The private beach is so awesome if you want a quick beach jaunt up a dune. It’s also literally 5 minutes from everything else. We spent a lot of time at South beach and I’m not kidding, it was a 5 minute drive. Important life event: my 8 yo daughter and I made our first fire in the fire pit. The fact all that was there for us made it so special. We really only used one bedroom, but it was nice that we could have used all three. Having a washer and dryer was soooo awesome! Admittedly the rusty smell of the water was not great, but it made us feel like we were truly on vacation! I must get back to Alison and Brian. Sooooo awesome from the word go! Responded immediately to my incessant questions and offered so much help and suggestions. But, best of all, left us alone to enjoy our vacation. Perfect balance of helpful and hands off. I just asked my daughter tonight about vacation next year. Did she want to stay closer to South beach? Her response sums it up, “mommy I LOVED our cottage! Why couldn’t we stay there again?” Yep, we will be returning! Thanks Alison and Brian! ❤️👍❣️
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jay T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

6/10 Okay

Maggie F.

Liked: Check-in, communication
Disliked: Location

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
Verified

8/10 Good

Jeremy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Becky G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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
Verified

6/10 Okay

Keenon H.

Liked: Check-in, communication

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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