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"The Nook"- ROOMY Home 2mi- Dunes & Chesterton, Yard, Fire Pit, Grill, Game Room

Lakefront holiday home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for "The Nook"- ROOMY Home 2mi- Dunes & Chesterton, Yard, Fire Pit, Grill, Game Room

Living area
Backyard Playset and Rustic Fire Pit
Kitchen
Living Room (with Smart TV)
Living Room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
5 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 16260.1 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Washer
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
Porter, IN
  • Place, Indiana Dunes National Park
    ‪11 min walk‬
  • Place, Indiana Dunes State Park
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Place, Indiana Dunes Visitor Center
    ‪18 min walk‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 16)

"Dune Room"

2 Queen Beds

"Forest Room"

2 Queen Beds

"Shore Room"

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed

"Sky Room"

1 King Bed

"Sweet Dreams Room"

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Main Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

"The Nook"- ROOMY Home 2mi- Dunes & Chesterton, Yard, Fire Pit, Grill, Game Room

Only two miles from the Indiana Dunes National Park and State Park, "The Nook" of the Indiana Dunes is your family's special place to stay. Sitting on over an acre of land in a quiet and friendly neighborhood, the back yard has space to play, view wildlife, and gather around the rustic fire pit to enjoy evenings with the family. Conveniently located near Highways 20 and 49, The Nook's location is excellent for pleasing a variety of vacationers in all four seasons with nearby beautiful hiking trails, biking trails, Indiana Dunes State Park and National Park, the South Shore train station (for an easy ride to Chicago), the quaint and charming town of Chesterton with its unique shops and eateries, and of course Lake Michigan's famous sandy beaches.
Originally a farmhouse built nearly 100 years ago, The Nook combines that cozy farmhouse feel with modern comfort. The one-of-a-kind layout of this home is well-suited for two families to vacation together. When you are not dining in the nearby restaurants, enjoy cooking and eating in the roomy, well-equipped kitchen. Bring some charcoal and enjoy grilling out with the backyard park-style charcoal grill.
When a rainy day keeps your family from enjoying the outdoors, head on over to the game room above the garage for a round of ping pong or video games.
YOU CAN START YOUR VACATION OFF RIGHT WITH AN EARLY 1:00 PM CHECK-IN. TAKE YOUR TIME GOING HOME WITH A 1:00 PM CHECK-OUT, at your convenience with no person-to-person contact.
Make yourself at home at The Nook of the Indiana Dunes!
(The Nook is not at this time wheelchair accessible and does require that guests are able to use stairs to enter the home.)

The Nook is in the Central time zone. The two main entrances to the home have doorbells which include security cameras.

NOTEWORTHY PLACES NEAR THE NOOK:

Lighthouse Place Premium Outlet Mall-- 11 miles, 16 minutes (Michigan City)
Blue Chip Casino-- 12 miles, 18 minutes (Michigan City)
Old Lighthouse Museum--12 miles, 17 minutes (Michigan City)
Michigan City Lighthouse--12 miles, 19 minutes (Michigan City)
Dune Park South Shore Train Station-- .9 miles, 4 minutes (Porter)
Indiana Dunes State Park and Beach-- 2 miles, 5 minutes (Chesterton)
Indiana Dunes National Park Visitors Center-- .7 miles, 2 minutes (Porter)
Glenwood Dunes Trailhead--3.3 miles, 5 minutes (Chesterton) for Cross Country Skiing




***Due to unknown future events such as illness, travel insurance is strongly encouraged for compensation to be made to the guest in the event that a guest must cancel or rearrange a booking very near the check-in date.***

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 1:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 1:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
See rental agreement for child safety hazards.
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Events

No events allowed
Ask host before inviting extra (daytime) guests.
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
NO smoking in house, decks, garage; ONLY in yard.

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Remove personal items
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Please be respectful of the neighbors by keeping noise level to a minimum before 7 am and after 11 pm. Absolutely no illegal substance use at The Nook
Please do not park or drive on the lawn (avoid causing ruts in the lawn); use the driveway. No parking on the street. No fires outside of fire pit.
NO smoking in house, garage or decks; smoke only in the yard AWAY from house. Evidence of smoking in prohibited areas may incur a fine. (See RA)

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: Ask host before inviting extra (daytime) guests.
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 that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

About the area

Chesterton

Located in Chesterton, this holiday home is in the city centre and on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Indiana Dunes National Park and Lake Michigan. Travelling with kids? Consider Beverly Shores Depot Museum and Art Gallery, or check out an event or a game at Athletics-Recreation Center. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Holiday homes in ChestertonOpens in a new window
Map
Porter, IN

What's nearby

  • Indiana Dunes National Park - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Indiana Dunes State Park - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Indiana Dunes Visitor Center - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Bailly Homestead - American Indians and Fur Traders - 6 min drive - 4.6 km
  • Lake View Beach - 12 min drive - 13.0 km

Getting around

  • Portage - Ogden Dunes Train to Chicago - 11 min drive
  • Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) - 69 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Wagner's Ribs - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Leroy's "Hot Stuff - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Val's Famous Pizza & Grinders - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is "The Nook"- ROOMY Home 2mi- Dunes & Chesterton, Yard, Fire Pit, Grill, Game Room pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at "The Nook"- ROOMY Home 2mi- Dunes & Chesterton, Yard, Fire Pit, Grill, Game Room?

Check-in begins at 1:00 PM.

What time is check-out at "The Nook"- ROOMY Home 2mi- Dunes & Chesterton, Yard, Fire Pit, Grill, Game Room?

Checkout is at 1:00 PM.

Where is "The Nook"- ROOMY Home 2mi- Dunes & Chesterton, Yard, Fire Pit, Grill, Game Room located?

This family-friendly Chesterton holiday home is located on a lake, within 1 mi (2 km) of Indiana Dunes State Park and Indiana Dunes National Park. Lake Michigan is 2 mi (3.3 km) away.

Reviews

10

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. 84 out of 88 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 88 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 88 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 88 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 88 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kylie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was our second time staying at the Nook. Penny is great, the place is so conveniently located, and always has everything we need!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Allen M.

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

Beach House Stay

We had a wonderful time at “The Nook.” It is a few minutes drive from the beach with chairs and beach toys for the kids. All the amenities that you could possibly need at the house. Great and timely responses from the host to all messages! Would love to stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carl V.

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

Weekend Family Gathering

We enjoyed our stay at this exceptional property - it was outstanding in every way!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rachel R.

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

Wonderful

Once again a perfect spot for our weekend retreat!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin K.

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

Great Place

Great place for family very near Indiana Dunes lakeshore.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Magaret M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We just loved "The Nook"! The home and grounds were very clean and well stocked with supplies. Hiked, played games, went to the beach, played Bocce Ball in the huge yard. We also made s'mores around the fire pit and had a family table tennis match. The game room above the garage was well used...a favorite place. It was nice that the kitchen was so big that everyone could eat at the same time. Thank you, Penny!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sonya B.

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

Great Vacation Spot for Mutiple Families!

The was a perfect spot to be for Labor Day Weekend. Close to the Lake, big yard, and plenty of space for multiple families with kids. The place was well stocked and clean…would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Peter

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

Phenomenal!

This house has everything you could want for families and fit our three couples and 6 children no problem. The house has separate "wings" with their own bathrooms, which was amazing for a group like ours. We were all able to eat together in the huge kitchen and stay up talking in the living room without bothering the kids. There's a really neat game room over the garage with foosball, ping pong, a PS4, and an arcade. The home was clean, well-stocked, and a short drive to the dunes. We have stayed here before and will be back many more times!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laurel G.

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

The Nook

Great game room, fire pit, and little extras
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen T., Danville

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

Well-equipped, beautiful home

Such a nice home with everything we needed. It's close proximity to the dunes was great. And we could come back to this peaceful house with room and activities for all ages. Plus the owner was super responsive when we had questions. Would definitely recommend!
Stayed 8 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shannon W.

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

Loved it!

We had such a great stay and all of the extra amenities left by the host were so sweet! The game room above the garage is awesome! And the kids loved playing on the backyard play place! The short distance to the beach (6ish minutes) was a big plus for us too!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Shari G.

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

The Nook

The Nook was huge with plenty of room to spread out. The host had lots of games and extras available. Store within walking distance if needed.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Family Vacation

The Nook once again provided us with a wonderful stay for our family. We enjoyed the game room above the garage, bikes and board games. It was perfect for our multigenerational family get together. The Visitor Center at the Indiana Dunes National Park was close by and informative. The beach at Indiana Dunes State Park was exceptional. Trails in the park kept us busy. We were surprised to see that AAA magazine had a write-up this month about the National Park and USA Today voted one of the State Parks trails as exceptional.\ for views of Lake Michigan. Penny is wonderful to work with... Hope to be back there next year. The Large's
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Conrad & Juanita R.

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

The Perfect Winter Retreat!

After searching through many rentals, we came upon this gem! My brother was traveling from Sharon, MA and we were in from Las Vegas. With mom in a retirement home in Chesteron, this was the perfect location for all of us. From the initial communications and to the day of arrival, Penny was attentive and extremely responsive. Our 2023 Family Christmas at her home was perfect, with a decorated Xmas tree in the large living area! The game room was a hit with the younger adults. We couldn't really enjoy the outdoor amenities because of a slight drizzle but the firepit looks inviting for the next time. We did take a drive to Indiana Dunes State Park which is close by. Plenty of stores nearby to stock up on necessities. All in all, the perfect place!
Stayed 6 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie B.

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

The Listing Doesn’t Do This Place Justice

Our stay at Penny’s home was beyond perfect. When we showed up, we were all instantly blown away. The place was in amazing condition, so well decorated and came with every little thing you could possibly need. We way overpacked thinking we would need to bring basics, but she had everything you could possibly need. We could have come with groceries and clothes and we wouldn’t have needed anything else. I also have to applaud her on how set up this place was for kids…from the playground, to the game room, to the step stools in the bathroom…to the bean bags in the main TV room….the kids (in addition to the adults) didn’t want to leave when it was time to check out. It was also a nice touch to provide passes to the state park which is just a stones throw away from the property. We will most definitely be recommending Penny’s home to others and we would love to return in the future!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Andrew P.

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

4th of July Get-away

This house and property were perfect for our extended weekend getaway! Penny was very responsive to questions and communicated with us right away regarding a change to our check-in plans. This location is very accessible to the beach - daily one of us would drop off the family right at the sand and then join the rest of the crew with one of the provided bicycles after a short, scenic bike ride. The overhead rec room was an awesome bonus that allowed the adults a place to hang where we wouldn't wake up the kids! The play set in the back yard was perfect for the kids and fire pit was another added bonus. Small things like a gait to the porch, books and games provided, and beanbag chairs all added a kid-friendly touch that really made us feel at home. The ONLY drawback is there currently is no grill so we had to make some changes to our planned meals. Either way we will most definitely be staying at this location again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Amy B.

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

Thoughtful host, superb home

We had 15 adult women in our group spanning 3 generations from ages 19-74 and everyone had sleeping space in an actual bed. The beds were all comfy and had enough blankets to keep us warm. It's so nice that all the linens are provided, including enough pillows! Everything was very clean on arrival so we started off impressed. The home is very well laid out for large groups to be together and enjoy some together time, but also allows for space to retreat & separate if you need it. The bonus game room above the garage is such a great extra space for more active games. The garage was also stocked with multiple bikes but due to weather we didn't use them. We also didn't get a chance to enjoy the firepit or outdoor spaces, but they looked great. The kitchen/dining space was so much larger than I expected so that was a nice surprise. I think one of the most impressive things though is the thoughtful little extras that Penny thought of and provided! They are too many to name, but many in our group commented on how nice it was to have everything thought of and provided. The only suggestion we have is that a box or 2 of tissues provided would be nice, but its's certainly not a complaint! We really hope to be able to do this again & come back to The Nook.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rodger F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Nook is very spacious and easily housed our ten family members. The game room was in a loft area over the garage. The kids loved it. The grounds are also beautiful with a large backyard with a play structure and fire pit. Altogether, it was an excellent experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

L M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had an amazing stay at The Nook. The host was great, The Nook was perfect for a ladies sleepover weekend, and the location to the Dunes was prime! We really enjoyed spending time together around the big kitchen table and had a fire pit and s'mores. The kitchen is well stocked with essentials for cooking, and the host has a bunch of great details from the Nook themed items to the guest book and Dunes park information. We absolutely loved our stay here!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Martha H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a very nice stay. We Loved the large backyard with firewood and fire pit and the play equipment and bikes. The activity room above the garage provided great family time. The home was nice, but the AC did not cool much of the house adequately, one of the bedrooms was marginal and a few things were in need of repair.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Donna K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our second stay, great spot, great house, works well for a large family with adult kids and grandchildren.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sheila K.

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

Kearney Kampout

Yearly family get together going on for 28 years. This is the BEST PLACE ever, and one we plan to revisit every year!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lauree M.

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

Lauree and family

Could not have been better. Beautiful weather, location, and property
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

judy e.

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

Family vacation

Very spacious house with everything we needed. Nice large kitchen & bedrooms were really nice as well. Loved the large backyard, of course the Loft game room was popular with all! Close to the dunes, where we spent a lot of time. Great time with family!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eric C.

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

Fun Escape!

I grew up about a mile away from the property and the trip was booked last minute to attend my grandmother’s funeral. Given the somber nature of the trip, all the features of the property (the swing set, the game room, the spaciousness of kitchen/family room/ and bedrooms) really gave us an escape. It gave the kids a fun place to play. It gave the adults a place to decompress. It was truly an excellent property.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2025

About the host

Hosted by Penny

Host profile image
As one who spent childhood summers climbing and running down the Mt. Baldy sand dunes and playing at the beach there for hours on end, I have a special place in my heart for the Indiana Dunes on Lake Michigan. Childhood nostalgia and a love for this "hidden gem" of the Midwest (Indiana Sand Dunes) led me to find and develop The Nook of the Indiana Dunes, which I enjoy with my own family and now am delighted to share with you and yours. It warms my heart to hear of the lovely memories you make with your friends and families during your stays at The Nook.

Why they chose this property

To be able to jog or ride a bicycle to the beach? Yes, please! The location and uniqueness of this property begged to be a home that many families could enjoy for what it has to offer.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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