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Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake!

Family-friendly vacation home with kitchen, 3-minute walk to Lake Michigan

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TV, fireplace, books, stereo
Outdoor dining
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Sun loungers
Dining

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 111634 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

View in a map
South Haven, MI
  • Place, Porter Legacy Dunes
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Van Buren State Park
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Place, Pilgrim Haven Natural Area
    ‪3 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

South Haven

This vacation home places you next to Porter Legacy Dunes and within a 5-minute walk of Lake Michigan. The vacation home includes a kitchen, a fireplace, and a balcony.
View more Vacation Homes in South HavenOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Porter Legacy Dunes - 1 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • North Point Conservation Area - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Van Buren State Park - 9 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Pilgrim Haven Natural Area - 3 min drive - 1.1 miles
  • Silver Beach - 27 min drive - 28.1 miles

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 - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Little Caesars Pizza - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Clementine's - ‬9 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.

Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake!

You will delight in the privacy of your own home nestled in the beautiful critical sand dunes of Lake Michigan. The area is small and quiet with dirt paths that all end at the incredible dunes that separate you from spectacular Lake Michigan! The large screened-in, wrap-around porch with a fireplace, allows you to enjoy the outdoors during any type of weather. The beach is walking distance away giving you the option of conquering the dunes by climbing over them or sneaking through woods to get there. Either way, you end up on the uncrowded, white sand beach where you can lounge, play in the lake or take a walk to nearby Van Buren State Park. (And don't miss the sensational sunsets!!!)
Lealiou Lodge is on 1.5 acres tucked away in a wooded area. There are 3 bedrooms upstairs, sleeping 9: a queen bed in the master with its own bathroom; a double/twin bunk bed and trundel beds in one room - perfect for kids; and a queen bed in the 3rd bedroom. Ceiling fans are in all bedrooms. There is another full bath up there as well. On the first floor, there is a bedroom with a queen bed, and a full bath.
The kitchen hosts a granite island that seats 4, granite counter tops, a dishwasher, complete set of pots and pans and all the dishes and glasses you would need.There is a dining table that will seat 10 for those late night card games! If you feel like watching TV or taking in a movie, there is a DVD player AND a VCR player - lots of movies as well. Board games for family fun out on the screened porch are plentiful too. Firewood is provided for the spacious fire pit in the front yard and if more is needed, it is sold just down the road. The grassy area to the north of the house is ideal for a wiffle ball game, while the sand court behind the house beckons you to a down and dirty game of sand volleyball or badminton. This is a perfect setting for families to spend time together playing games or roasting marshmallows over the campfire.
The Lealiou Lodge is available all year long. There are some great family ski areas within an hours drive. Sledding down the dunes and exploring the spectacular coastline while under ice is something you cannot imagine. Then warm up with the wood burning/gas fireplace inside.
This is a perfect place for friends and family to gather. Once you have experienced it, we hope you will want to come back year after year. Our family has been coming up here for 30 years. We bought the property in 1996 and camped on it until we were able to build our dream house. We hope you enjoy your stay as much as we do.
The vacation home is air-conditioned and features a kitchen, 3 bathrooms, and a balcony or patio, and there's space to spread out with 4 bedrooms. Guests can enjoy a TV and stay connected with free WiFi. Other standard amenities include a washing machine, a fireplace, and a private yard.

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Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers

Ski

  • Close to skiing

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Ice maker
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 3 private bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Stereo
  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Free firewood
  • Garden
  • Porch/lanai
  • Yard

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Ceiling fan
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • One pet total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • No elevator
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Smoking not allowed
  • Note from host: non smoking only

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital
  • Near the marina

Things to do

  • Golf
  • Cycling nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Garden
  • Recycling
  • Unit size: 1,634 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 5:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 28

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

Rules

If there is a pet, please please pick up after it!
Please leave the kitchen clean and run the dishwasher before you leave. Any recyclables, please leave in a large black garbage bag by barn.
ABSOLUTELY NO BALLOONS OR CONFETTI - PLEASE

Pets

  • This property welcomes pets
  • Dogs only
  • 1 total pets
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, guests can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals exempt from fees
  • Note from host: No cats. Some dogs will be considered.

Children and extra beds

  • Note from host: Children welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Non smoking only

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
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
  • Check-in: 5:00 PM
  • Check-out: 11:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 28

We should mention

Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:

  • This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business.
  • Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
  • A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
  • Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
  • Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.

Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:

  • There are no elevators.

Frequently asked questions

What's there to see around this vacation home?

This vacation home is located in South Haven, just steps from Lake Michigan and Porter Legacy Dunes, and within a short walk of North Point Conservation Area. You'll also find Van Buren State Park and Pilgrim Haven Natural Area within a short drive.

Is parking available on site at this vacation home?

No, there isn't parking at this vacation home.

Is this vacation home associated with a casino?

No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.

Is there an indoor pool at this vacation home?

No, there is no indoor pool at this vacation home.

Is Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake! good for couples?

Couples staying at this vacation home will appreciate amenities like a fireplace and a kitchen as well as a garden.

Are there hot tubs at Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake!?

No, this vacation home doesn't have a spa tub.

Does this vacation home offer breakfast?

No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.

Does this vacation home allow pets to stay free of charge?

Although dogs can't stay for free, they are welcome at this vacation home.

Are there connecting rooms at this vacation home?

No, this vacation home doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.

Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake!?

Yes, every accommodation at Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake! comes with a balcony.

Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake! Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 87 out of 106 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 19 out of 106 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 106 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 106 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 106 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Tammy

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful house and setting. The wrap around porch was very nice. The hosts were great at responding to any questions we had while there.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Andrew R.

Liked: Cleanliness
This is our second time staying here. Place was clean and welcoming. Spent most of the time on the screened in porch. Some beds could use updated but that’s personal preference. Had a great time with family.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Patricia and Todd R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Fantastic

Spacious home. Good communication with owner. Path thru woods led to beautiful beach. There is a rope at the end of path to get down to the beach. The other option is the dune, which some in our group enjoyed. Loved loved loved the large screen in porch! My favorite part!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa N.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great house!

Our family of 8 had a great time at your house. Everything was as described. Directions from highway were spot-on. Bedrooms were all good size, beds were comfortable, and everything was clean. House pretty much has everything you would need. The porch was wonderful...I can't stress how large it is and how great a space it is for families to gather. The path to the beach was a little challenging with a baby and cooler in tow, but not too bad. And once there, it is a very private, open beach with great views. Also enjoyed your fire pit area. And the large tree canopy around the house made it really feel like a campsite out in the woods. A couple of very minor issues: We could never figure out how to get the speakers on the porch to play from the stereo. And the light switches took a day or two to figure out, especially the porch, as some of the labels had worn off, but those are very minor items. Overall a very nice space for a family vacation. Thanks for a great time!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family Michigan Vacay

We had a fantastic family vacation at this lovely home just outside of South Haven, Michigan! It was was me & my husband, our three adult children & our 3 grandchildren (ages 4, 2 1/2, & 1 1/2 years old). Each family had their own room ( 4 bedrooms) & 3 bathrooms which we shared. We loved the huge wrap around screen porch where most our our time was spent! Also the kitchen had all the amenities needed since we did a lot of cooking. The main living area was all open with the kitchen, living area with plenty of seating, fireplace & TV & opening to the screened porch. We spent most of our time at the house visiting because of our young children. And we're perfectly happy walking to the beach, playing outside in the beautiful wooded yard, hanging out by the fire pit & taking naps. It was nice to be able to wash clothes with the washer & dryer too. The weather was perfect for our July stay as well! The only thing was we had to buy bottled water to drink because of the stinky well water. Other than that, I would highly recommend this vacation rental!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Loved the porch!!

We had a wonderful stay at your spacious home. The wrap around screened in porch was amazing! We never ate anywhere else. It was so relaxing to sit out there feeling like we were in a treehouse. The house was clean, well stocked and plenty of room for our family. Lynn gave us accurate information prior to arrival making check-in easy. The dune and lake was a big hit! You’ve got to take.the dune to the lake at least once, but the trail is much easier. We had a great time and hope to return!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pam W.

Liked: Cleanliness

First family vacation in south haven

It was wonderful! The home was more than we anticipated! Very nice and homey! Super easy checking in and out! Many thanks!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erin M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great girls get away

Great house for a girls get a way weekend!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family retreat

We loved this home! It is nice and secluded from the other homes in the neighborhood. The wrap around porch is where we spent most of our time. I definitely recommend taking the wooded path to the beach instead of going over the dune. We had the beach all to ourselves most days. Perfect family retreat!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lyndsey H.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family vacation

Great place to stay overall. There were 6 adults and 5 kids total staying and it didnt feel cramped at all. The screened in porch is amazing; Great place to sit and relax. The kids loved the toys that were there.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice family vacation spot

The house is spacious and very well stocked in the kitchen and bathrooms. The upstairs bedrooms get stuffy at night; it helps to sleep with the doors open. The firepit and beach gear available to guests were greatly appreciated!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great vacation!!

We had a great time staying at this rental property. House was very tidy and clean. We spent most of the time on the covered porch just visiting. Nice short walk to an awesome private beach and the volleyball pit beside the house was a hit. Would definitely recommend and plan on staying there again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Terrie N.

Liked: Cleanliness

Lealiou Rental

This beautiful home with a large screened in veranda provided more than enough room for my family of 10. Games, puzzles, relaxing, etc were all enjoyed without the worry of bugs and rain. The outdoor fire pit is perfect for relaxing around in the evening and enjoying s’mores. There is a large sand pit next to the house where we had many volleyball and badminton competitions. The beach is just a short walk away through a path and down a sand dune. The owner (Lyn) is excellent to work with and was quick to respond to our questions. If you are looking for shopping or restaurants, South Haven, Saugatuck and Holland are close by. This is our second year staying here and if you are looking for a great place for your vacation I highly recommend this location.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Kevin B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice week by the beach.

The property is well appointed, close to the beach, and near South Haven and Saint Joseph.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

ashlee n.

Liked: Cleanliness

WILL VISIT AGAIN

Amazing spot for families! Very close to parks/beaches and town! Our kids had an amazing, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Marcia W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect family reunion house

My husband, our 2 daughters, their husbands, 2 small children and I came from opposite sides of the country for a family reunion in Michigan. This house was spacious, well appointed and just what we had hoped for. The hosts were responsive when I had questions and insured that our stay was pleasant. I appreciated the well equipped kitchen! They had beach equipment and we had several beautiful days there - the house is not on the beach but a short walk away with a climb over the dunes, which we loved. The house is located in the midst of the woods, so is somewhat dark inside, but that is very relaxing after a day in the sun at the beach. Thank you Lyn and Tom!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patrick S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family Get-together

We really enjoyed our stay at this wonderful home! The wrap-around front porch was awesome. We also enjoyed the fire pit in the evenings. The house was well stocked with bbq equipment, kitchen items, beach chairs, games, etc. It was a great location—near the Lake but also quiet and secluded. Would definitely highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joel M.

Liked: Cleanliness

18th Birthday Getaway

We planned the perfect birthday getaway weekend for our youngest daughter and she needed some special locations to do her senior year photographs, wow this location provided all that and a unique experience to stay at the location. We really unplugged and took in the nature and trails that abound. Perfect weekend! Thanks to our hosts who had clear instructions for everything we wanted to do at the house! This is how VRBO should be done!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wow, what a spectacular place to enjoy fall! All day bonfires, volleyball, football, trails, dunes and Lake Michigan! We even were led to the “golden rope” to Lake Michigan by 88 yr old neighbor Barbara! Everything about this place is wonderful, until we had to leave! Thank you for sharing your beautiful place 💛
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

8/10 Good

Ann and Chuck E.

Liked: Cleanliness

Our stay

The house, porch and property were great- easy to spread out for a large group. A bottle of wine was waiting for us and the house was very well stocked and generous with supplies (although could have used more dish and hand towels, and more dish rags or a scrubby for dishes). Proximity to bike trail a huge plus! It was a nice 4 mile ride into South Haven or a 1 1/2 mile ride to Van Buren State Park which has a nice beach. A very short walk to nice secluded beach by house- either over a steep dune climb or easier route through the woods on a path. Be prepared that driving down the road to the house you pass a number of mobile homes in very poor condition on neighboring properties- it was a bit off-putting at first, but you can’t really see them from the house. Overall, we had a nice stay and enjoyed our time there.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lou D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great location, beautiful beach, and everyone loved the wrap around porch and outdoor play areas

Something for everyone in the family here from age 2 to 92!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jan D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Truly enjoyed our stay!!

Our family stayed at this location for 4 days and 3 nights. While at the house we spent most of the time on the screened in porch — loved the fresh air with no bugs!! There was a sand volleyball area which was enjoyed by all - the kids loved playing in the sand and the adults loved playing volleyball. The kitchen was very well stocked with dishes, utensils & cooking pans. One day we walked to the beach and spent a couple of hours there. Another day we drove into South Haven and enjoyed the beach, splash pad and shops. I would definitely recommend staying at this home. Plenty of room for 6 adults and 3 children. ❤️
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Robin M., Illinois

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice pet friendly house

The house is exactly as pictured. Beds were not the best. Having 3 full bathrooms one with a shower/tub combo was great especially with a 2 year old. There’s a booster chair and a pack n play. Lots of beach stuff & chairs provided. We enjoyed the fire pit. The screened in porch is huge! Kitchen is stocked really well but could use a new can opener. Need Instructions for lights & TV.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Roxanne C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Absolutely Incredible

Marilyn and her family were more than accommodating with an early check-in for us which was so great. The wrap around porch on the house made the entire stay memorable. It stormed quite a bit during our stay but because we had the porch we were able to gather and spend time together “outdoors” still without getting chewed up by the bugs. The bedrooms were good sized and the 3 bathrooms was more than enough. There is so much room! We enjoyed the sand volleyball court out back and the fire pit out front. We used the Weber to cook dinner at home one night. Everything was clean! The beach is only about a block away and needs to be walked to get up the dunes but once you do it is breathtaking. We are thankful for letting us use your home and we will be back! (We were a little bit sketchy because of the other homes in the area when we pulled onto Fire Lane to get to the house but this beautiful hidden gem of a home is at the dead end!)
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Susanne C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Best. Porch. Ever.

My cousins & I had so much fun staying at this terrific beach cottage that we're already talking about making it an annual event. We're scattered all over the country but our family has had a farm 5 miles away from this house for 152 years, so it means a lot to us to gather in that area. And we LOVED the huge porch - practically lived out there. And you can all relax now because we solved all the world's problems.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

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