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

Photo gallery for Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Private, Wooded

Exterior
Outdoor dining
Exterior
3 bedrooms, WiFi, bed sheets
Dining
Reviews
9.0

Wonderful

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 81441 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • DryerDryerDryer
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen

Explore the area

Map
South Haven, MI
  • Popular LocationVan Buren State Park10 min walk
  • Popular LocationSouth Haven Center for the Arts8 min drive
  • Popular LocationKal Haven Trail10 min drive
  • AirportKalamazoo, MI (AZO-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Intl.)49 min drive

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, Private, Wooded

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.

Property manager

Alison & Brian

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • 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
  • Garden
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby
  • Washing machine

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 mall
  • Near the bay
  • Near the marina
  • Near the sea

Things to do

  • Water park on site
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Cycling 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
  • Snorkeling 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

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

Similar properties

Exterior
Serene, comfy Dune Cottage in the shadow of Lake Michigan dunes
Kitchen
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Air conditioning
Outdoor Space
8.2 out of 10, Very Good, (22)
Serene, comfy Dune Cottage in the shadow of Lake Michigan dunes

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in 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

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a deadbolt lock
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 transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Michigan Sandcastle Secluded Beach Clean Comfy Private Wooded
Michigan Sandcastle Secluded Beach Clean Comfy Private Wooded
Michigan Sandcastle Bortgjemt Beach Clean Skjegg Private Løyper
Michigan Sandcastle Secluded Beach Clean Comfy Private Wooded

About the neighborhood

South Haven

Located in South Haven, this cottage is in a rural area and by the sea. Michigan Maritime Museum and Michigan Flywheelers Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Warner Vineyards and Kal Haven Trail. The Fun Park and Surfari Joe's Indoor Wilderness Water 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 guideOpens in a new window
View more Cottages in South HavenOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Van Buren State Park - 10 min walk
  • South Haven Center for the Arts - 8 min drive
  • Michigan Maritime Museum - 9 min drive
  • South Beach - 10 min drive
  • Kal Haven Trail - 10 min drive

Getting around

  • Bangor Station - 18 min drive
  • Kalamazoo, MI (AZO-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Intl.) - 49 min drive

Restaurants

  • McDonald's - 7 min drive
  • Culver's - 9 min drive
  • Clementines - 9 min drive
  • Burger King - 8 min drive
  • Taco Bell - 9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Private, Wooded pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Private, Wooded?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Private, Wooded?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Michigan Sandcastle: Secluded Beach, Clean, Comfy, Private, Wooded located?

Situated by the sea, this cottage is within 1 mi (2 km) of Van Buren State Park and Lake Michigan. Bronson South Haven Hospital and South Haven Center for the Arts are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 22 out of 33 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 33 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 33 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 33 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 33 reviews" "

9.0/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Ashley G.

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.

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.

Liked: Cleanliness
Clean
Thank you, it was pleasure stay at your property!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl F.

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.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family
Home is even nicer than the pictures.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kacey E.

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.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice Place
Great place to stay.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jay T., Tecumseh, MI

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Liked: Cleanliness
good stay
water smelled horible
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2020

6/10 Okay

David Y., Brighton, Michigan USA

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

10/10 Excellent

Kati K.

Liked: Cleanliness
My family and I has a wonderful stay in this nice house
Our stay was very relaxing. Everything you need was there, in the kitchen and in the garden. We also love the huge terrace and the Grill. The interieur is very beautiful and the beds were cosy. We would definitly come again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2019

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

2/10 Terrible

Katy W., Park Hills KY

Wanted to love it, not enough characters below to explain it all.
The inside of the house is decorated cute, & the set up w/ 2 separate living areas is very nice. The location is convenient to drive to the beach and there is a cute little shop on the way to the beach. The lot is wooded and feels somewhat secluded. We ran into a lot of problems w/ the stay and I know the owner had issues w/ us as well. The home is very cute, but not pristine, which we were OK with - the slipcovers on the couch were a little stained from previous renters but I didn't think much about it. Driving into the location was a little sketchy - a lot of abandoned trailers around. There were some nice properties as well. The owner provided lots of water which was good b/c the water is untreated well water w/ a strong odor that I'd never experienced in my stays in Michigan (at least 4x/yr since 2002). The washing machine will leave stains on your clothes even if you follow the directions. We thought we could walk to the beach but the walk was grueling up and down sand dunes, & the directions we were provided for an easier way to walk to the beach had "no trespassing" signs and we were asked to turn around. Plan on driving to the beach - NBD. Also, if you plan on eating at the property, plan on doing lots of dishes by hand or bringing disposable plates and bowls, etc. as there is no dishwasher. The TV is a little outdated but the property description indicated there was a DVD player, and when we got there it looked like there was a smart device as well. We tried for awhile and couldn't get either to work. There was a door that fell off the hinge (it wasn't secured properly), and the owner came to fix it - he said he would bring the connector to work the DVD player but he never surfaced w/ it. He did show up two days later on the doorstep w/ prospective renters as we were coming back from the beach. He said he forgot we were there(?). We weren't notified of the visit, and I messaged the owners letting them know this was off-putting and received no response until we had checked out. After checking out, Alison called me saying there were mustard stains on the slipcovers which was odd b/c no one ate mustard & we all took care to keep shoes off and keep the place clean. She said she was going to call me back, but never did, messaged Brian and he said all communications had to be written(?). We checked out 8/4/18 and haven't heard back on our deposit which I assume is gone. I brought family to MI who hadn't been before-disappointment all around
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2018

8/10 Good

Judy L.

IL8 VACA
The house was a great find in the outskirts of South Haven, but there were little things that needed addressing: need a curtain on patio doors; not enough wash clothes, had an ant problem which we took care of, faucets in both bathrooms were loose, chest of drawers in master bedroom needs looked at; drawers won't stay on rails, and even though the house had its own well water it smelled bad coming out of the tubs/faucets. Fix these few items and it would be a great place to stay. we enjoyed the quiet setting and backyard fire pit; wished the beaches had closer access, but the weather wasn't cooperating much the week we stayed. The whole family would give it a 3.5 to 4 star rating.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2018