Entire home

Unique Beach Cottage Nestled in Private Dunes

Photo gallery for Unique Beach Cottage Nestled in Private Dunes

Exterior
Exterior
Interior
Private stairs up the dune in backyard
Beach
Reviews
9.8 out of 10 Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer
  • Outdoor spaceOutdoor spaceOutdoor space

Explore the area

Map
South Haven, MI
  • Popular LocationVan Buren State Park10 min walk
  • Popular LocationSouth Beach10 min drive
  • Popular LocationKal Haven Trail10 min drive
  • AirportKalamazoo, MI (AZO-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Intl.)49 min drive

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Single Bed and 2 Double Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only · Outdoor shower

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Unique Beach Cottage Nestled in Private Dunes

Welcome to The Sandbox Beach House, an exclusive dune retreat offering solitude, adventure, and a unique experience unmatched by any other. Imagine a renovated cottage set beside 26 acres of protected dunes, reserved only for residents of this quiet subdivision.

Picture yourself journeying over the backyard dune via the house's private stairs. On the other side, you'll find an idyllic beach calling you to settle in. Or, follow the path up the tallest dune, soaring hundreds of feet over Lake Michigan, and treat yourself to the lake's most stunning sunset views.

Should tranquility be your vacation goal, envision curling up with a good book in front of our locally-sourced Michigan stone fireplace. Or perhaps unwinding on the expansive deck, enveloped by the awe-inspiring landscape of colossal dunes.

Nestled a mere 5-minute drive from the vibrant heart of South Haven, you can also reach the town by a 15-minute bike ride along the freshly paved Van Buren Trail.

Experience the majestic beauty of Michigan by strolling or swimming along our stunning shoreline at dawn or dusk. Numerous walking trails from the subdivision lead to the sprawling 400+ acre Van Buren State Park and North Point County Park. Discover additional beach access and walking trails at Pilgrim Haven Park, located less than a mile away.

While the hike to the private beach can be challenging and may not be enjoyable for all guests, nearby Van Buren State Park and Pilgrim Beach offer more easily accessible beach experiences within a mile's distance.

We kindly ask that you respect our precious dunes by keeping to the marked trails. If you encounter overgrown paths, you have likely strayed off course. Help us protect and stabilize our beautiful dunes by minimizing your impact.

This rental home requires self-reliance, from independent check-in to the use of an electronic keypad. Guests are expected to troubleshoot common technological issues, such as resetting a Wi-Fi router. If you're not comfortable with using technology or if you're seeking a property with 24-hour concierge services, our home might not be the right fit for you.

Welcome to The Sandbox Beach House: a serene, unique, and unforgettable dune getaway. Your adventure begins here
If relaxation is your goal, then bring your book to read in front of the wood fireplace, made with local Michigan stones, or sit out on the large deck surrounded by the colossal dunes.

Located only 5 minutes drive from the hustle bustle of South Haven or a 15 minute bike ride on the newly paved Van Buren Trail.

Take morning & evening strolls or swim along one of our most beautiful shorelines of Michigan. Numerous walking trails connect the subdivision to 400+ acre Van Buren State Park and North Point County Park. Additional beach access and walking trails at Pilgrim Haven Park less than 1 mile away.

The hike to the private beach is difficult and may not be enjoyable for some guests. So, if you prefer a more easily accessible beach, then you will enjoy Van Buren State Park and Pilgrim Beach that are both less than 1 mile away.

Please do not stray off the dune trails. You may see old footpaths through the dune grass, but these are not the designated path. If the paths look over grown, then you are in the wrong place. Please help us protect and stabilize the dunes by limiting your impact.

Please note that guests must be able to independently check-in, use a mobile app, and operate an electronic key pad. Occasionally, guests will need to problem solve common issues we all have faced such as resetting a WiFi router. If you are not comfortable using technology or desire a 24-hour concierge service, then this home is not the right place for you.

Fee applies for additional guests. Please no parties or gatherings larger than the number of guests on reservation.

Property manager

Kimberly Hawkins

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed
No parties or gatherings larger than reservation

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Stay on designated dune trails
Do not play or run on dune stairs.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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 fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

South Haven

Located in South Haven, this vacation home is on the beach. 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. Take time off to check out the winery tours in the area, or get some fresh air with adventures like mountain biking and hiking nearby.
Map
South Haven, MI

What's nearby

  • Van Buren State Park - 10 min walk
  • South Haven Center for the Arts - 8 min drive
  • South Beach - 10 min drive
  • Kal Haven Trail - 10 min drive
  • South Haven Lighthouse - 11 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 - 10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Unique Beach Cottage Nestled in Private Dunes pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 77 out of 85 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 85 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 85 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 85 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 85 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Courtney R., Frankenmuth, MI

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Ultimate "Sandbox"
The property literally sits next to a dune with a pathway to Lake Michigan. It had every amenity we needed and very clean! We went in the winter, we would definitely come back for any other season!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amanda C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing
Perfect location. Amazing views along with privacy and quiet. Listing was accurate. Host was attentive and great communication. Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debra S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Sandbox in South Haven
We enjoyed our stay at the Sandbox! Beautiful home, nicely decorated. Felt like home! Steep dune to beautiful lake Mi. Enjoyed walking the pier in town and the lighthouse. Great reastaurants nearby and all the amenities of home for an at home meal! Quiet setting. Comfy beds. I would stay here again! Just beutiful!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

kathy s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Private
Accurately described property. Very nice deck and fire pit area. Hill has 97 steps if we counted accurately. Two of us (both 67 and active) climbed it 3 times over two days. View from top superb. Downhill to beach a more gradual descent. 5-10 minutes to quiet lovely sandy beach... some collectable rocks.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matt B., Fort Wayne, in

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice remote cabin
We wanted a remote stay and this cabin is very nice and provides that. We stayed for 5 days and had zero issues. In fact we only saw about 5 people in the surrounding neighborhood and beach in the entirety of our stay. The dune hike to get to the beach could be troublesome if you have problems getting around. We got a workout toting our young kids up and down the dune. The beach itself was worth it though. In our 5 days there we practically had the beach and dune trails to ourselves. In the event you couldn't traverse the trails, downtown South Haven, public beach, park, splash pad and lighthouse are approximately 10 minutes away. While being remote this cabin has all the amenities of home. WIFI, cable, washer/dryer all are in great working order. The WIFI for cell service was very useful as we didn't have cell reception otherwise. Basic condiments, plates, glasses and cooking utensils are there. As well as a grill and outdoor chairs. If you're looking for a remote location still close to South Haven and what it has to offer I highly recommend this cabin.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

About the host

Hosted by Kimberly Hawkins

Host profile image

Why they chose this property

This home was featured in Coastal Living magazine.

What makes this property unique

There is a giant dune in the backyard!
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