Entire home
Private Wooded Acre, Soaring Windows in Nat’l Park, 2 blocks to the beach
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Reviews
10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% based on
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8167.2 sq m
Popular amenities
Explore the area
Gary, IN
- Place, Marquette Park6 min walk
- Place, East Shoreline8 min walk
- Place, Indiana Dunes National Park16 min walk
- Airport, Chicago, IL (MDW-Midway Intl.)51 min drive
Rooms & beds
3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)
King
1 King Bed
Lower level
1 Queen Bed
Queen
1 Queen Bed
1 bathroom
2nd Bathroom
Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Main Bathroom
Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer
Spaces
Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Outdoor play area
Garden
About this property
Private Wooded Acre, Soaring Windows in Nat’l Park, 2 blocks to the beach
Find your Zen at 5 Star rated Playa Zen North and experience the quiet healing power of nature. This beautiful 3 Bed/2 Bath spacious, modern home offers a one-of-a kind immersion in natural beauty, with soaring 15 foot windows overlooking an acre of wooded dunes in a park-like setting less than two blocks from the beach. Soak in the giant tub for two with a massive window, facing your private woods. The only sounds you’ll hear are birds, rustling leaves, and waves of Lake Michigan. Pups welcome!
Your friends and family will enjoy 15 ft. tall windows with a spectacular view, modern well equipped kitchen, open living space, stone fire pit under the trees, a large deck, family room with 80 inch smart tv, and a beautiful outdoor fire pit to hang out on those cooler nights.
Each bedroom features hotel quality mattresses for a comfortable night's rest after your day in the Dunes. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the giant tub for two in the primary bath or an invigorating shower with luxurious rain showerheads in both bathrooms.
Bring the pups and let them run free through an acre of private woods, there's even a dog access door that you can open or close depending on your preference.
Check out the extensive art collection from mostly local artists. One of Miller Beach’s oldest restaurants (with great Lake perch, steaks, and chops!) is walkable- less than a block away!
This nature lovers' retreat is surrounded by the nation’s newest national park to the east and west, and Lake Michigan to the north.
Bring your hiking boots: Miller Woods and Douglas Dunes- part of the nation’s newest national park- offer birding trails and specialty hikes in all seasons.
Hitting the trail is a great way to experience winter scenes at the Dunes. All trails are open for winter hiking except the Pinhook Bog Trail (the Upland Trail is open). The Paul H. Douglas Trail, Cowles Bog Trail, and West Beach Trails offer a variety of difficulty levels to experience winter hiking in the park. Experience a moonlight hike along the ridge of West Beach trail, one of over twenty nature trails traversing spectacular dunes and ethereal moonscapes.
Enjoy cross country skiing, snow shoeing or sledding in the National Park. At the end of the day, a bonfire under the stars or in the cozy indoor fireplace will be the perfect nightcap- bring the s'mores!
Whether you venture out into the surrounding parks or simply stay in, under the trees, you’ll leave feeling refreshed, enriched, and grounded the way nature intended.
Your friends and family will enjoy 15 ft. tall windows with a spectacular view, modern well equipped kitchen, open living space, stone fire pit under the trees, a large deck, family room with 80 inch smart tv, and a beautiful outdoor fire pit to hang out on those cooler nights.
Each bedroom features hotel quality mattresses for a comfortable night's rest after your day in the Dunes. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the giant tub for two in the primary bath or an invigorating shower with luxurious rain showerheads in both bathrooms.
Bring the pups and let them run free through an acre of private woods, there's even a dog access door that you can open or close depending on your preference.
Check out the extensive art collection from mostly local artists. One of Miller Beach’s oldest restaurants (with great Lake perch, steaks, and chops!) is walkable- less than a block away!
This nature lovers' retreat is surrounded by the nation’s newest national park to the east and west, and Lake Michigan to the north.
Bring your hiking boots: Miller Woods and Douglas Dunes- part of the nation’s newest national park- offer birding trails and specialty hikes in all seasons.
Hitting the trail is a great way to experience winter scenes at the Dunes. All trails are open for winter hiking except the Pinhook Bog Trail (the Upland Trail is open). The Paul H. Douglas Trail, Cowles Bog Trail, and West Beach Trails offer a variety of difficulty levels to experience winter hiking in the park. Experience a moonlight hike along the ridge of West Beach trail, one of over twenty nature trails traversing spectacular dunes and ethereal moonscapes.
Enjoy cross country skiing, snow shoeing or sledding in the National Park. At the end of the day, a bonfire under the stars or in the cozy indoor fireplace will be the perfect nightcap- bring the s'mores!
Whether you venture out into the surrounding parks or simply stay in, under the trees, you’ll leave feeling refreshed, enriched, and grounded the way nature intended.
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
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9.0 out of 10, Wonderful, (2 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 28
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
No events allowed
$1000 fine for violation
Pets
Pets allowed: dogs (limit 3 total)
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
$500 fine for violation
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
Note from host: $1000 fine for violation
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
Gary
Located on a river, this holiday home is in Miller Beach, a neighbourhood in Gary. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Indiana Dunes National Park and Lake Michigan. Marshall J. Gardner Center for the Arts and Deep River Water Park are also worth visiting.
Gary, IN
What's nearby
- Marquette Park - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
- Indian Boundary Park - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
- East Shoreline - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
- Indiana Dunes National Park - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
- Marquette Beach - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- 7-Eleven - 9 min drive
- McDonald's - 8 min drive
- Denny's - 10 min drive
- Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen - 9 min drive
- Wrap Game - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.8/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
10/10
Location
9.8/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
24 September 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
10/10 Excellent
Coree M.
10 August 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Coree M.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Chris B.
5 May 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Exactly what it looks like
Chris B.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Ken G.
5 June 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Ken G.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
8/10 Good
Diane R.
7 February 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Enjoyed stay
Diane R.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023
10/10 Excellent
Damon S.
15 September 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent stay Clean
Damon S.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Julie S.
5 August 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home
Julie S.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Jason D.
13 July 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house near Lake Michigan
Jason D.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
10/10 Excellent
Molly D.
8 July 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice house
Molly D.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
10/10 Excellent
Trevor w.
12 April 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Dunes and beyond
Trevor w.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023
10/10 Excellent
David B.
6 August 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
9/10 Excellent
David B.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Michael L.
18 July 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best stocked rental I’ve ever had
Michael L.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Brad G.
15 November 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Serenity
Brad G.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
10/10 Excellent
Lauren G.
11 May 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic!
Lauren G.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
8/10 Good
Gary D.
1 July 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family weekend
Gary D.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
10/10 Excellent
Jamie G.
5 October 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Jamie G.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
10/10 Excellent
Jessie M.
8 August 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Walk to the beach!
Jessie M.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
Kathy B.
28 July 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Vacay
Kathy B.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Tessa M.
13 December 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house for a family gathering!
Tessa M.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023
10/10 Excellent
Raquel P.
6 May 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Relaxing & Inviting
Raquel P.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022
10/10 Excellent
Jane M.
9 July 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice stay in the Dunes Area
Jane M.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Sandrine S.
29 March 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing
Sandrine S.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023
10/10 Excellent
TAR C.
27 January 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Exceptional Property!! Stunning!!
TAR C.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024
10/10 Excellent
Lynn H.
21 August 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely spot
Lynn H.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
Nathaniel R.
26 December 2021
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Christmas in Duneland
Nathaniel R.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021
About the host
Hosted by Jill Bellak
I love to travel and experience living like a local in short term rental properties. After doing this for years, I decided to start hosting others. Being a host is a fantastic experience and it's important to me to ensure all of my guests have a fabulous stay!
Why they chose this property
Playa Zen North is a special place in the woods of Miller Beach. It's unusual in that it's only two blocks from Lake Michigan yet extremely private. We renovated the home, down to the studs, to maximize the beautiful surrounding nature. It's a very peaceful place :-)
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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