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Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway!

Lakefront vacation home with an outdoor pool and a hot tub

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Photo gallery for Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway!

Beach nearby
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Outdoor pool, a heated pool
Outdoor dining
Smart TV, DVD player, books

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathrooms2800 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Dryer
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
Union Pier, MI
  • Place, Gordon Beach
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Place, St. Julian Winery - Union Pier Tasting Room
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Four Winds Casino New Buffalo
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Airport, South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.)
    ‪45 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Union Pier

This vacation home places you next to Lake Michigan and within a 10-minute walk of Union Pier Beach. The vacation home includes a private pool, a kitchen, and a patio.
View more Vacation Homes in Union PierOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Union Pier Beach - 8 min walk - 0.5 miles
  • Gordon Beach - 11 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • Townline Beach - 11 min walk - 0.6 miles
  • St. Julian Winery - Union Pier Tasting Room - 4 min drive - 1.6 miles
  • Four Winds Casino New Buffalo - 8 min drive - 4.8 miles

Getting around

  • New Buffalo Station - 7 min drive
  • South Bend Intl. Airport (SBN) - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Buffet at Four Winds Casino - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Four Winds Sports Bar - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Timbers at Four Winds Casino - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪The Stray Dog Bar & Grill - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Redamak's Tavern - ‬6 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.

Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway!

3 bedroom home with a nice in-ground pool located in Union Pier, Michigan only 90 minutes from Chicago in the heart of Harbor Country. Lake Ave Retreat is 400 steps to a nice sandy beach on the sunset shore of Lake Michigan. The home has central air conditioning. The 3 bedroom, 2 bath home can sleep 9 guests comfortably. Has a modern kitchen with a dishwasher. The outdoors has a nice double deck overlooking the in-ground pool and a hot tub on the lower deck. Plenty of outdoor furniture with dining tables and a nice gas grill. Includes TV's, cable and wireless internet.

Lake Ave Retreat has plenty of room to spend together or privately for reading, sunbathing or other activities. Located in the heart of Harbor Country, Lake Ave Retreat is just minutes to local restaurants, or visit nearby farmers market butcher shop, bakeries to create your own feast. Check out local brews at the Round Barn or wine tasting at St. Jullian's. Hunt for treasures at Harbor Country antique shops, rent bikes, canoes, kayaks for nearby rivers.

There are always many ways to enjoy your vacation at Lake Ave Retreat.
The vacation home is air-conditioned and features a kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and a patio, and there's space to spread out with 3 bedrooms. Guests can expect to find free WiFi and a Smart TV with a DVD player. Stretch out in the jetted tub. Other standard amenities include a private pool, a washing machine, and a coffee maker.

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  • Kitchen
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Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby

Pool/Spa

  • Heated pool
  • Hot tub
  • Outdoor pool
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Jetted bathtub
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 2 pets total

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed
  • Note from host: can smoke outside

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near an outlet shopping mall
  • Near the marina
  • On a lake

Things to do

  • Billiards/pool table
  • Heated pool
  • Optional golf privileges
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Windsurfing 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 (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 2,800 square feet

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
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

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

Pets

  • This property welcomes pets
  • Dogs only
  • 2 total pets
  • Service animals exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Can smoke outside

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 indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and 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
  • Check-in: 4:00 PM
  • Check-out: 11:00 AM
  • Minimum check-in age: 25

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.
  • Onsite safety features include a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a deadbolt lock.

Property is also known as

Beach, Family Friendly
Close To Beach Family Friendly
Close To Beach, Family Friendly Union Pier
Close To Beach, Family Friendly Private vacation home
Close To Beach, Family Friendly Private vacation home Union Pier

Frequently asked questions

What's there to do within easy reach of this vacation home?

Located steps from Lake Michigan, this vacation home is in Union Pier, and within a 10-minute walk of Union Pier Beach and Townline Beach. You'll also find Gordon Beach and Wilkinson Village Heritage Museum less than a mile away.

Is parking available on site at this vacation home?

No, there isn't parking available at the vacation home.

Is this vacation home next to a casino?

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

Will I find an indoor pool at this vacation home?

No, this vacation home doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there are an outdoor pool and a hot tub.

What do couples enjoy most about Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway! ?

This lakeside vacation home offers many amenities for couples such as a private pool, private pools in some accommodations, as well as an outdoor pool.

Does Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway! have a hot tub?

Yes, guests can enjoy a spa tub at this vacation home.

Does this vacation home include breakfast service?

No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.

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

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

Does this vacation home have connecting rooms?

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

What is the closest airport to this vacation home?

The closest major airport to this vacation home is South Bend Intl. Airport (SBN), which is about 21.9 mi away.

Can I book a room with a balcony at Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway! ?

Yes, every accommodation at Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway! comes with a deck.

Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway! Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 43 out of 48 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 48 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 48 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 48 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 48 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Chris L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Had a great time, the pool was beautiful and the house was nice and comfortable!
Nice front porch!
View from deck
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

kim z., Bloomington Indiana

Liked: Cleanliness
This is a wonderful place and the manager always answers any questions promptly
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

patrick b., columbus, ohio, usa

Liked: Cleanliness
A small group of friends age 60 stayed here for a long weekend while attending a Notre Dame football game. The house is perfect for reunions like that or for a family getaway.The rooms are large, clean, and comfortable (2 refrigerators in the kitchen!). The pool and hot tub (also very clean) are a bonus considering you can walk to the beach on Lake Michigan, which we did. Union Pier and nearby New Buffalo are cool towns.I would definitely stay here again whenever in the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer L., Oak Brook, Illinois

Liked: Cleanliness
House layout was ideal with the master having access to back yard. Great location and neighborhood with close proximity to everything. Beautiful coast line minutes away.Yard is ideal for pets. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa C.

Liked: Cleanliness
We had a really lovely stay at this property! It is very spacious and exceptionally clean. The beds are super comfortable and the master bath has a wonderful, very modern shower. We loved how that room opens up to the deck and pool area. The pool is huge and clean, and we used it daily. We also enjoyed the hot tub and having meals on the deck. The grill worked perfectly and was spotless. The short walk the beautiful McKinley was another major highlight.Additionally, the owner was friendly and helpful, and he supplied us with bags of ice which was very kind and unexpected.We have been coming to the area for decades and this has to be our favorite property so far, for all the amenities and conveniences. There were only three of us this trip, but we hope to be back with more of our family next time. There is plenty of room!
Kitchen area
Pool
Pool area
McKinley Beach
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Union Pier Gem

Amazing location walking distance to McKinley and Townline beaches. Backyard pool and hot tub have us other options for cooler/breezier days. The decor is quite dated but property is clean with great spaces!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great backyard

Great backyard. Good space inside.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness

Cute house, nice pool, great location

We enjoyed our stay very much- house is as described- pool was A plus with kids and adults, and we were a 5 minute walk to two different lovely public beaches on the lake. Easy walk to the store and bakery. Beds in grown up rooms firm and linens fresh (bunk room was comfy for the younger ones). Kitchen suitable. Big living and dining room. Nice table on deck, gas grill an Aplus - cleanest I’ve ever seen a rental grill. Cooked all meals on it. Two small quibbles: Wi-Fi and internet were limited- not sure why, but more than 2 people on it at once slowed it to a crawl. Also, the trash piled up, due to an apparent schedule issue with the collector- it was disappointing to have the trash bins in front of the house all week. Owner was great at communicating and I know was trying to solve. We had a good time overall and would return.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Haley W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Summer vacation with family

Our family had a great time in Michigan. This was our first time staying in Union Pier so we were unfamiliar with the area before arriving. We were in extremely easy walking distance to 3 public beaches, the closest right down the street. Our baby who is still “iffy” on lakes loved to be in the pool. We were able to walk to breakfast every morning with a handful of options. The house was roomy with all the necessities, had TVs in every bedroom and the grill was used every night. We were very happy with our stay, as the location was absolutely amazing and so was the pool.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing summer get away

We loved the house! it was perfect for our two family with kids and dog. Great proximity to the beach and restaurants. Can’t wait to go back.!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Allison A.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful Property

This cottage is a gem in a beautiful area with easy and private beach access. The house was stocked with the essentials for cooking, and they provided lots of towels for bathing. Everything was clean and tidy. The backyard is an oasis! Very ideal spot to include dogs too. We had a wonderful stay and we’re already looking forward to our next visit!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Pat T.

Liked: Cleanliness

love this place

We have come here year after year and love it. True cottage feel. Good spaces for eating, getting together both inside and out. The only thing that would make it perfect for us ( have one elderly and one handicapped family member) would be to convert the lbath in the back to change the tub to a walk-in shower).
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness

A beautiful family vacation!

This vacation rental was perfect for our family. The house was perfectly clean and comfortable. The best part of it all was the amazing outdoor space with the pool and the hot tub! The owners were always available via text and took good care of us. We hope to come back again every year to enjoy our family vacation!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gail J.

Liked: Cleanliness

Now this is a vacation!

The home was spacious and welcoming. We found the short walk to the beach especially nice. The pool area was great and we spent a lot of time there. I especially loved the beautiful flowers. While we had next door neighbors on either side, you couldn’t see them and made it feel more secluded. The grill and kitchen were great. I always bring an extra large pot to cook a boil, but that was the only thing missing. There was no need to improvise or buy anything, wonderful! My family will be back!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Pamela M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice October get a way

Most of the house was updated with lots of amenities. Outdoor area in the backyard was awesome with the pool, hot tub, & nice seating area. The bathrooms could use some updating and some of the door ways did not open and close well. The living room furniture was very comfortable and provided many seats for our family. Overall, a very nice getaway & would rent again.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Margaret B., Michigan

Liked: Cleanliness

Very pleasant home and pool.

Plenty of room for a family. Excellent pool area. A relaxing stay and enjoyed the time in Union Pier. No complaints and would recommend this property.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Erik C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great house near the beach

Wonderful pool and huge deck. Brand new hot tub, only a short walk to a nearly private beach. House has just about everything you could want for fun in southwest Michigan.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Cindy F.

Liked: Cleanliness

A nice location.

We had a very nice stay here. It has quick access to a very nice beach that is semi private so it was never too crowded. The pool was very nice. It was a chilly week so we asked them to turn up the heat a bit and they had someone do this the very next day. The owner was very pleasant. The only negative comments would be it was not stocked with very many items so be sure to bring everything you need for cooking including sugar, flour, spices, oil, etc; and bring washcloths if you like to use them. They did provide many bath towels and have 2 washers & 3 dryers so that was very convenient. It is a very nice wooded area but with this you may want to wear bugspray if you will be out in the evening and keep an eye out for ticks. Overall we loved the stay and would return to this property again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Pat T.

Liked: Cleanliness

The house and back deck are so relaxing and welcoming this is our third time. Hope to come next year

Wonderful. Homey. Close to beach and town.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Thomas R.

Great location. Wonderful deck, hot tub and heated pool for Lake Michigan vacation

Renting in early June, I thought a heated pool would be great for the grandkids and it was. Short walk to the beach (McKinley Rd) which was never crowded. Owner was responsive for questions. Huge private backyard.

8/10 Good

Benjamin S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice house. Deck and pool was great. Short walk to the beach

Rental was easy. House was clean and ready when we arrived.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Anne F.

Liked: Cleanliness

Union Pier vacation house

We loved this house. It's perfect for the size of our group: two adults, four teens. It's clean, well stocked, and the location is nice: across the street from the lake, short walk to downtown Union Pier. The yard is huge and enclosed. Pool and jacuzzi are great. The owner is very responsive and helpful. Definitely will return.
Stayed 7 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Michelle O.

Liked: Cleanliness

The Perfect Escape

I can't stress enough how nice this house is! The rooms are all so much bigger than they look in the pictures, and that back yard is MASSIVE. We had a group of three adults who stayed here as a "work from a different home" getaway. I'm really happy to report that the internet supported all three of us working and even videoing at the same time. The area is fantastic. I thought from the photos that we might be in a slightly crowded residential area and while we did have neighbors on both sides, there's so many trees that the property felt incredibly secluded. The beach is a really easy walk from the house. You're also a pretty close drive to hiking and other attractions. A few people have mentioned the Black Current Bakery and I'd love to throw in a mention for the Whistle Stop Grocery- we really liked our 40 minute round trip walk every morning for delicious coffees and pastries (it's about a 5 mintue drive). The kitchen had everything you'd want. I might suggest packing a few storage containers for leftovers, but otherwise was really well equipped. Bedrooms are all a good size with plenty of storage options. The back yard, as mentioned, is glorious. There's two grills in great condition, and plenty of room in the hot tub. There's also a fire pit and plenty of wood. We were too chilly to try the pool, but it looks pretty nice. One of my friends referred to the yard as "the country club!" I didn't need to communicate with Valery while there, but he was so helpful and quick to respond with a few questions I had while we were looking at the house. We received check-in instructions the day of our visit with plenty of time before we arrived. This truly was a wonderful week and such a nice house for a relaxing stay. I'd recommend it to anyone.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Sandi S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Fabulous Fall Getaway

This house is very spacious. Backyard is a heavenly retreat with a very large pool and hot tub. Very private as well. We were there the first weekend in October and the pool was warm even though the outside temperatures were in the 50s. The beach is a short walk away. We would definitely recommend this home.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2020

10/10 Excellent

Pat T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Terrific and relaxing stay.

The place is so easy and relaxing. Many spaces to be.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2020