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
South Haven, MI
Porter Legacy Dunes
Place, Porter Legacy Dunes
5 min walk
Van Buren State Park
Place, Van Buren State Park
13 min walk
Pilgrim Haven Natural Area
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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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.
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.
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
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
Perfect location. Amazing views along with privacy and quiet. Listing was accurate. Host was attentive and great communication. Would definitely stay again!
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!
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.