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2 blocks to the beach and pet friendly.. Memories are Made Here

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Quintessential Cottage - Memories Are Made Here
Welcome
Dining room
Kitchen
Bedroom #1

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View map
Union Pier, MI
  • Place, Union Pier Beach
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Gordon Beach
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, St. Julian Winery - Union Pier Tasting Room
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.)
    ‪39 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Beds

Bonus room

1 Double Futon

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only · Jetted bathtub

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Heated Outdoor Shower

Outdoor shower

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Office
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

2 blocks to the beach and pet friendly.. Memories are Made Here

Enjoy a Quintessential Classic Cottage with all the features and comfort you are looking for. Now in our 25th year. Load up our wagon and walk just a block and half to the beach and beautiful Lake Michigan. Swim, sunbathe and enjoy endless walks along Michigan’s clean beaches. Don’t miss the incredible sunsets and gaze at the stars. Walk three blocks to village shopping, cafes, restaurants, art galleries, and gourmet foods. That’s just the beginning because there is so much to do and it is all very close by. (Look at the list of activities below) The owner provides a comprehensive guide to this year's attractions, events, and Shops. Enjoy a Quintessential Classic Union Pier Cottage with all the modern updates to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. HDTV, Broadband Wi-Fi Internet, Bluetooth Sound system, Microwave, Dishwasher, Washer/Dryer, Jacuzzi bathtub, walk-in shower, Weber gas grill, hammock, outdoor heated shower, large dining area with enclosed deck, great for parties. Comfortable furnishings and beds. Three bedrooms, sleeps 6-8, 2 bathrooms, laundry room.


Why the Owner Chose Union Pier: We wanted a relaxing fun place so we could get away from our everyday surroundings yet still be close to Chicago. Very clean and safe area for our children. One block from great uncrowded beaches. Many things to see and do and all close by. Great galleries and restaurants. Could easily commute to Chicago if needed. Just the right balance of everything. Check-in / check-out time is the eastern time zone. Weekly rentals during the high summer season. Turnover days are Saturdays.

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  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Air-conditioning
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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Games, Beach toys, play fountain and Hammock.
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Contact owner
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
Yes, contact owner
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Please respect neighbors, no disturbing noise after 10 pm.
Pets are not permitted on furniture Dogs must not urinate on grass Curb your dog and use doggy or plastic bags

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 15
Note from host: Contact owner
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

Union Pier

Located in Union Pier, this cottage is near theme parks and on a lake. St. Julian Winery - Union Pier Tasting Room and Ghost Isle Brewery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Michigan and Edward and Elizabeth Leonard Wildlife Preserve. Round Barn Union Pier Tasting Room and Local are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Union Pier, MI

What's nearby

  • Union Pier Beach - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Gordon Beach - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • St. Julian Winery - Union Pier Tasting Room - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Round Barn Union Pier Tasting Room - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Townline Beach - 9 min drive - 1.8 km

Getting around

  • New Buffalo Station - 7 min drive
  • South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.) - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Buffet at Four Winds Casino - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Four Winds Sports Bar - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Timbers at Four Winds Casino - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪The Stray Dog Bar & Grill - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Redamak's Tavern - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is 2 blocks to the beach and pet friendly.. Memories are Made Here pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much does it cost to stay at 2 blocks to the beach and pet friendly.. Memories are Made Here?

As of 3 April 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at 2 blocks to the beach and pet friendly.. Memories are Made Here on 23 April 2026 start from NZ$822, 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 2 blocks to the beach and pet friendly.. Memories are Made Here?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at 2 blocks to the beach and pet friendly.. Memories are Made Here?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 2 blocks to the beach and pet friendly.. Memories are Made Here?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is 2 blocks to the beach and pet friendly.. Memories are Made Here located?

Situated on a lake, this cottage is within 1 mi (2 km) of Union Pier Beach and Lake Michigan. Gordon Beach and Wilkinson Village Heritage Museum are also within 10 minutes.

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. 95 out of 100 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 100 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 100 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 100 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 100 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lisa Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a lovely summer cottage in a great location -- close to the beach and restaurants. Howard, the owner, was there when we arrived and showed us around.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 29 July 2025
We strive to consistently exceed expectations. A 5-star review means a lot, especially from multi-year guests who have stayed in other Union Pier cottages and can compare. Thank You
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Deirdre H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We enjoyed our stay immensely. The cottage was incredibly well stocked, clean, and left us extremely impressed. We particularly enjoyed hosting our extended family on the large patio. Howard was an excellent host and very attentive to inquiries and was available during and after our stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah B.

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

So cute and quintessential!

So much charm! Howard was so responsive and it was a nice touch that he was there to greet us!
Great place to sit and listen to the rain.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

James K.

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

Family vacation

House was great … weather in MI made for a great Lake MI vacation experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We stayed for 3 nights with 4 adults, our dog and my toddler. My son is about 2 and we were able to use Howard’s crib and he was very comfy in it and slept the whole night no problem! There were plenty of books and toys too that my son loved to look at. The house has everything you could need and we loved the proximity to the beach and how walkable everything was. Laundry on-site, the grill and enclosed patio was amazing too. We would love to come back next year!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 4 September 2025
So happy you all had a great time at the cottage. After 20 years of guest feedback, we continue to fine-tune our cottage and make the experience as fun and seamless as possible. We look forward to hosting you and your family in the future.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rannie K.

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

Super location-wonderful host!

Seamless booking, great communicator, and home just as pictured. Perfect getaway over the long holiday weekend. Would recommend this home and it’s owner anytime!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chris W.

Great vacation spot!

We have stayed at a number of places in Lakeside, Union Pier, Harbert, Bridgman, etc. and this one is one of our favorites. The cottage is very well laid out and well stocked and the location is great. Howard was a great host and we had a blast.
Stayed 14 nights in Aug 2018
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Diana S.

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

Wonderful family vacation

First of all, the property owner was there to greet us and go over allpeetinent
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rochelle J.

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

Beautiful

Comfortable cottage with everything you need for a relaxing vacation, both indoors and outdoors Easy walk to the lake, friendly neighbors, great shops nearby Owner is responsive and helpful
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dan B.

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

Charming house

This is a perfectly relaxing house a short walk to a wonderful sandy beach. Everything you need. The two bedroom and bathroom areas are separate from each other for nice privacy. The neighborhood is very quiet. We plan to return for our third stay.
Stayed 28 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura C.

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

Union Pier - September 2023

Howard is extremely welcoming and accommodating. This is our second time staying in this lovely home
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Chad W.

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

Great spot!

The cottage was completely charming and had a fantastic layout for our family, with the highlights being the luxurious master suite and the extensive outdoor area. The location was perfect. Union Pier is the best little beach town in the area, in our opinion, and the cottage is tucked in a great spot close to the beach. Surpassed expectations!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 10 July 2024
Thank you for choosing our cottage. I'm delighted the cottage was comfortable and met your family's needs. Union Pier is a great location, so close to the beach and town. You are always invited back.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Colleen M.

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

Home Away From Home

We had a great family vacation. This property was wonderful - clean, well cared for, and had everything you would need for a beach vacation. The owner's were very responsive to any questions we had. And the location is perfect. My daughters enjoyed walking to local places to eat, I loved being just a few blocks from the beach, and my mom spent hours reading on the back deck. We would definitely stay here again if we come back to Union Pier.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Praveen V.

Classic vacation cottage indeed!

The cottage is ideally located on a quiet yet easy to access street. Just right size for 4-6 people. Beach is a 5 minute walk and the cottage is well stocked with chairs, a wagon, and 2 beach umbrellas. Has a full kitchen and utensils making preparing meals a breeze. Howard, the owner, was nice enough to meet us when we got there.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 21 March 2020
Thank you for staying with us and taking excellent care of the cottage during your Memorial Day weekend Vacation. I enjoyed meeting you and your family upon check-in and was able to help everyone get settled in. Thank You for inviting me to dinner, Sorry I couldn't stay. You are all welcomed back anytime. Regards, Howard
Verified

10/10 Excellent

TANYA F.

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

Quaint cottage

Pleasently surprised how clean it was and plenty of thoughtful items like doggie bags, kitchen and stocked with necessities, nice size deck with dining seating, gas grill, the list goes on. The outdoor shower helped kids to clean off before going into the house after the beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 8 August 2021
Thank you Tanya and family. I’m so happy you enjoyed your stay and took full advantage of all the cottage’s features. You are welcome back anytime.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Annie M.

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

A wonderful stay

We loved Howard’s home! The location couldn’t be beat - two blocks to both a beautiful beach and delicious bakery. The house was cozy and well equipped with kitchen and beach items. There was no crib as seen in the photos but there is a pack and play available for use. Howard was wonderful to communicate with. We loved our stay and hope to be back!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Jenny H.

Perfect family retreat

Our family had a wonderful time at this beautiful, well-appointed cottage so close to the beach. Beyond being well kept and smartly decorated, there are numerous additional amenities—beach gear such as chairs, a wagon, floats as well as children’s toys, books and movies. All of this made it easier to pack and entertain a toddler! We have rented in the area before and this was by far the most thoughtfully stocked cottage with a fantastic location. We loved our time and would highly recommend!
Response from VrboOwner on 21 March 2020
I'm so happy you all had a good time at the cottage. Thank you for your kind words. We try to think of all the little things and then some to include with the cottage and improve the overall experience.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dave S.

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

Cozy, clean, and close to everything

Small cottage but great floor plan with 3 BRs, 2 baths, ample kitchen and nice dining and living area. small yard but nice deck and eating area. We could walk to beach in a couple minutes, same for walking to stores. Area is very quiet. We loved it! Owner is easy to work with. Just a great area and nice cottage.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 12 July 2020
I’m so happy you all enjoyed your stay at the cottage and met all your needs. Thank you for taking great care of the cottage. You are invited back anytime.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daniel B.

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

The Light House

This is a bright, comfortable house all on a single floor. The master bedroom and bath are totally separate from the other bath and two bedrooms. Spacious deck areas and very private. Just a laid back, casual experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Kay G.

Great vacation rental

We spent a week in this beautiful cottage at the end of June. We were 4 adults, three kids and a labrador retriever and we all had a wonderful time. The description of the cottage is accurate and it even included things that we didn't expect: toys for the kids, beach toys, a wagon to carry things to the beach, fishing gear, etc... The owner is very nice and helpful. The cottage is really closed to the beach and the beach is actually great. Lots of stuff to do nearby. We can only recommend staying at this cottage and enjoy a wonderful vacation.
Response from VrboOwner on 21 March 2020
I am real happy you all enjoyed the cottage and made the most out of your time in Union Pier. Thank you so much for selecting our cottage among the many to pick from. We do our very best to make your vacation time as pleasurable as possible. We hope to see you all again!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Pamela S.

Great time at the cottage!

The cottage is in a great location. Close to the beach, biking trails, a restaurant or 2 and a couple of small markets. We used the beach chairs, cooler and wagon to go the beach. We used the deck everyday for morning coffee, grilling, etc. There is plenty of seating inside and out for dining. The washer and dryer came in handy as well. The beds and bedding were very comfortable. We had a great time!
Response from VrboOwner on 21 March 2020
I'm happy to know you and your friends from childhood were able to share some reunion time and birthdays together. It is great know that you all took advantage of the Union Pier area and the cottage. You are all welcome back, anytime!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

LeAnne M.

Lovely Cottage in Union Pier MI

What a delightful cottage for a family vacation. Close to the beach, within walking distance to several restaurants and a coffee shop. The owner has equipped this cottage with everything you need. The fenced in deck was perfect for napping in the hammock, the dogs enjoying the sun, and a small child enjoying playing with the three frogs water fountains. What could be better? We highly recommend this wonderful cottage and look forward to future visits.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amy G.

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

Perfect beach vacation

This house was perfect for our group. Easy walk to the beach and well equipped with beach chairs, towels, wagon. The house itself was even better than it looked in the pictures. Kitchen had everything we needed to cook and eat in for most of our meals. The air conditioner worked well which was essential during the heat spell we had. Howard was there to meet us at check in and helped us with one small problem we had with a key during our stay. We couldn’t have asked for more from our vacation! We would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Archival

10/10 Excellent

David S.

Paradise.

The week we spent in this comfortable and inviting home is one that we will remember for a long time to come. The house is perfectly situated on a quiet street just steps from the beach and a short walk to a nearby grocery store. We spent long mornings relaxing on the shady porch and evenings grilling and eating outside. Having the extra bonus of cable TV and WiFi let us feel like we had all the creature comforts of home in this idyllic setting. We hope to be back very soon.
Response from VrboOwner on 21 March 2020
We loved having you and your family and your guests and I am happy to know you took full advantage of all that was available to you at our cottage. We welcome you back in 2012! Thanks so much
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rick B.

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

Best Stress Reliever Available

This house and it's location are about as close to perfect as you can get. The house was clean, comfortable and very nicely appointed. The location of the house in relation to the beach is just great. Very very walkable and Howard provides a little wagon and beach goodies. Union Pier is a very walkable and friendly town. It's growing and my personal hope is that it does not grow to much to fast. This is just really hard to beat.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

About the host

Hosted by Howard Hirsch

Host profile image
We purchased our property so our family and friends could enjoy a great place to vacation with lots of things to see and do. Real easy to get to and only about an hour from Chicago. The beach is just one block away. Our cottage has been updated and is perfect for vacationers who want to enjoy just about every aspect of their time in Union Pier. We can't say enough about how much you and your family and friends will enjoy the experience and develop great memories. We are dedicated owners who will do everything we can to make your stay totally enjoyable. We solicit suggestions from our renters so we can continually improve the experience.

Why they chose this property

We wanted a relaxing fun place so we could get away from our everyday surroundings yet still be close to Chicago. Very clean and safe area for our children. Great uncrowded beaches. Many things to see and do and all close by. Great galleries and restaurants. Could commute to Chicago if needed.

Languages:

English

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