Entire home

A peaceful dune retreat

Photo gallery for A peaceful dune retreat

A beachfront house with a deck, outdoor seating, and a fire pit.
A living room with a stone fireplace, a TV, a gaming console, and a comfortable chair.
A modern kitchen with white cabinets, a built-in oven, and a dining area with a white table and chairs.
A beach house with a wooden deck and a staircase leading to a balcony.
A compact kitchen with white cabinets, a microwave, an oven, and a refrigerator. There is a dining table with chairs and a window with blinds.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
Located on the beach, this vacation home features 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, accommodating 5 guests. Enjoy mountain views from the deck, patio, and balcony. Engage in nearby water activities at the marina or explore hiking, biking, and skiing options. The property also includes games for added entertainment.

Highlights

  • Top rated beach location

    Discover paradise at this top rated beach location.
  • Centrally-located

    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks

    Walk to Van Buren State Park
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • On beach
  • Barbecue
  • Patio
  • Onsite parking available
  • Air-conditioning
  • Internet

Explore the area

View map
South Haven, MI
  • Place, Porter Legacy Dunes
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Van Buren State Park
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, Pilgrim Haven Natural Area
    ‪19 min walk‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

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

A peaceful dune retreat

*Fully renovated Spring 2025* 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. Also note, you will get pretty sandy during your adventures here!

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Check out before 10:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

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Events

No events allowed

No parties or gatherings larger than reservation

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Pets

No pets allowed

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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Stay on designated dune trails

Do not play or run on dune stairs.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 1457050vb
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
Note from host: No parties or gatherings larger than reservation
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

South Haven

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

What's nearby

  • Porter Legacy Dunes - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • North Point Conservation Area - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Van Buren State Park - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Pilgrim Haven Natural Area - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
  • South Beach - 8 min drive - 7.7 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪South Beach Cafe - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Clementine's - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is A peaceful dune retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at A peaceful dune retreat?

As of 20 September 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at A peaceful dune retreat on 1 November 2026 start from NZ$1,151, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at A peaceful dune retreat?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at A peaceful dune retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A peaceful dune retreat?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is A peaceful dune retreat located?

Situated on the beach, this holiday home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Porter Legacy Dunes and Lake Michigan. North Point Conservation Area and Van Buren State Park are also within 10 minutes.

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. 100 out of 112 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 112 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 112 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 112 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 112 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The place was fantastic and will definitely look to come back and visit again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location.Clean.Great communication from host.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great host- quick communication and willing to help. Beautiful property. Love the privacy and we especially enjoyed the private beach area on the other side of the sand dunes. A great family vacation
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Loved our stay and already planning more trips.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had a blast staying at the sandbox! This place is exactly as advertised. That dune is no joke! It is tough, but the view is worth it! Check in was a breeze. She did not have a long list of check out instructions, which is always appreciated! I would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great quiet location. Overestimated my aging body. The dune was bigger than I thought so no beach time, and not having a bathroom on the ground floor was problematic since the bedrooms are down there. But younger people would do really well here. It was a lovely easy getaway with my cousin, thanks!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Incredibly unique spot, we loved it!! The dune hike was challenging, but my 3-year-old could manage it on her own, so I would say, a good challenge. We loved having a little fire at night and watching the sunset was pretty magical. Have already recommended it to others.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cute house! Clean and comfortably fit us 4! The dune is NOT for the weak but worth the climb, Best sunset! Close to towns for afternoon ice cream runs.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The inside was decorated very nicely. All the necessary amenities were there. My only critique is that it would’ve been nice to have a downstairs bathroom, where are the bedrooms are. But other than that, everything was good. It was neat to have the dunes in the backyard, we labored our way up to the top to look at the view. It was nice.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was great and beautiful!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family Beach Stay

Unique family friendly location with beach access.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome dune retreat! Superb clean and perfect for a family. Kim was so attentive and quick to respond if we needed anything! Would love to stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our stay was lovely. Just the right amount of space for our family. The kids loved running up the dunes. They are steep! Appreciated the location of the house was away from all the busyness.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Weekend stay

We had a great little weekend here. Cozy and neat location.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location close to South Haven activities but isolated for a peaceful retreat. The trek to the beach is a good workout but worth the adventure. Quiet beach with no one in either direction. The sunset views from the top of the dune are remarkable.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Fun Place!

The Sandbox was very cute and the town was fun! The hike to the beach uphill both ways is definitely a workout!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a peaceful, relaxing girl's weekend at the sandbox with plenty of space for the 4 of us. The location was quiet and very beachy, even though the beach was over the sand dune! The sunset on top of the dune was outstanding and watching the stars once the sun fully set was a delight with little to no light pollution from neighbors or neighboring city lights.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place in a gorgeous setting!

We had a great weekend stay at the Sandbox. The home is adorable and so cozy but we spent our whole weekend outdoors exploring the beach and hiking the dune paths! A unique and enjoyable stay and the views of the lake from the top of the dune were incredible! Hope to come back late this summer for a beach weekend!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Wonderful house in the dunes

We stayed 11 days. Loved it very much and definitely will return. Sunset from the top of the dune is absolute spectacular, bike trail takes you right into SH downtown (30 min on the bike and you are at the Kids corner), the house itself is well kept and in very quiet community. 10 out of 10 vacation.
Stayed 11 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Love it

Very cozy house, fun climbing on the dunes,nice beach had very nice time!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Incredible View, convenient & clean!

We arrived an hour earlier ahead of check in & got in right away. The place was quaint, clean & accommodated our stay for two nights! We absolutely LOVED the view at the top of our ‘mountain’ aka dune!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome spot! Loved the fact that the property sits right next to a dune. The climb to the top was not easy but the view from there is spectacular. It was super quiet and peaceful! South Haven is so close to the house that we drove our golf cart there. Kim (owner) was very responsive and helpful. I would definitely recommend this property and look forward to returning.
The dune behind the house. It is a steep climb but certainly worthwhile.
The view from the top of the hill.
Van Buren State park is 2 miles down the road and a great visit.
South Beach pier in South Haven is about 4 miles from the property.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Fun at the Sandbox

Very clean and relaxing property. Best of all, we made it up the dune.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Cool property

Very fun property. Definitely got a workout. Great views and good times
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

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!

Languages:

English

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