Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake!
You will delight in the privacy of your own home nestled in the beautiful critical sand dunes of Lake Michigan. The area is small and quiet with dirt paths that all end at the incredible dunes that separate you from spectacular Lake Michigan! The large screened-in, wrap-around porch with a fireplace, allows you to enjoy the outdoors during any type of weather. The beach is walking distance away giving you the option of conquering the dunes by climbing over them or sneaking through woods to get there. Either way, you end up on the uncrowded, white sand beach where you can lounge, play in the lake or take a walk to nearby Van Buren State Park. (And don't miss the sensational sunsets!!!) Lealiou Lodge is on 1.5 acres tucked away in a wooded area. There are 3 bedrooms upstairs, sleeping 9: a queen bed in the master with its own bathroom; a double/twin bunk bed and trundel beds in one room - perfect for kids; and a queen bed in the 3rd bedroom. Ceiling fans are in all bedrooms. There is another full bath up there as well. On the first floor, there is a bedroom with a queen bed, and a full bath. The kitchen hosts a granite island that seats 4, granite counter tops, a dishwasher, complete set of pots and pans and all the dishes and glasses you would need.There is a dining table that will seat 10 for those late night card games! If you feel like watching TV or taking in a movie, there is a DVD player AND a VCR player - lots of movies as well. Board games for family fun out on the screened porch are plentiful too. Firewood is provided for the spacious fire pit in the front yard and if more is needed, it is sold just down the road. The grassy area to the north of the house is ideal for a wiffle ball game, while the sand court behind the house beckons you to a down and dirty game of sand volleyball or badminton. This is a perfect setting for families to spend time together playing games or roasting marshmallows over the campfire. The Lealiou Lodge is available all year long. There are some great family ski areas within an hours drive. Sledding down the dunes and exploring the spectacular coastline while under ice is something you cannot imagine. Then warm up with the wood burning/gas fireplace inside. This is a perfect place for friends and family to gather. Once you have experienced it, we hope you will want to come back year after year. Our family has been coming up here for 30 years. We bought the property in 1996 and camped on it until we were able to build our dream house. We hope you enjoy your stay as much as we do.
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties
Perfect for Family - HEATED POOL thru early Oct, WALK to Downtown/Beach, HOT TUB
South Haven
Perfect for Family - HEATED POOL thru early Oct, WALK to Downtown/Beach, HOT TUB
If there is a pet, please please pick up after it!
Please leave the kitchen clean and run the dishwasher before you leave. Any recyclables, please leave in a large black garbage bag by barn.
ABSOLUTELY NO BALLOONS OR CONFETTI - PLEASE
Important information
You need to know
Property # 3698808
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
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 not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
About the area
South Haven
South Haven is home to this holiday home. 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. Travelling with kids? Consider South Haven Center for the Arts and The Fun Park. Swimming offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling and hiking/biking trails nearby.
North Point Conservation Area - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
Van Buren State Park - 14 min walk - 1.3 km
Pilgrim Haven Natural Area - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
Oval Beach - 33 min drive - 51.6 km
Getting around
Bangor Station - 18 min drive
Kalamazoo, MI (AZO-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Intl.) - 52 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 7 min drive
Cafe Julia - 9 min drive
Burger King - 8 min drive
Little Caesars Pizza - 7 min drive
Six Chicks - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake! pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.
How much does it cost to stay at Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake!?
As of 10 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake! on 10 May 2026 start from NZ$1,131, 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 Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake!?
Check-in begins at 5:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake!?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake! located?
This family-friendly South Haven holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Porter Legacy Dunes and Lake Michigan. North Point Conservation Area and Van Buren State Park are also within 15 minutes.
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
This is our second time staying here. Place was clean and welcoming. Spent most of the time on the screened in porch. Some beds could use updated but that’s personal preference. Had a great time with family.
We enjoyed this beautiful lodge, amenities & incredible wrap around porch! To be within walking distance of the dunes and trails was a plus. Seeing it all in person exceeded our expectations.
Mackenzie H.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 4 June 2022
I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself!! We love sitting on the porch, listening to the sounds of silence!
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Janet C.
25 August 2018
Very nice & clean house!
My college friends & I thoroughly enjoyed staying in this lovely home. It was close to town, quiet & comfortable.
Janet C.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 31 March 2020
A college reunion!! So fun! I am so happy you all had a great time! South Haven is a great little town. Thanks for your kind words! It is greatly appreciated.
Lynn & Tom
We really enjoyed this house at South Haven! Very nice, plenty of rooms, great porch, loved the sand volleyball court! Is was close to town. I would stay here again!
Spacious home. Good communication with owner. Path thru woods led to beautiful beach. There is a rope at the end of path to get down to the beach. The other option is the dune, which some in our group enjoyed. Loved loved loved the large screen in porch! My favorite part!
Patricia and Todd R.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 6 July 2025
Thank you so much!! We love the porch as well, especially for thunder storms!!!
Please come back again!!
Lynn & Tom
We loved the house & the hugh porch was awesome! This is definitely the best house our family has ever stayed at. The owners were excellent to work with as well.
judy e.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 29 June 2020
The porch is awesome! I am so glad you enjoyed it as much as we do! We hope to hear from you again!
We had a wonderful time at the house! The volleyball sand area, the wraparound porch, being able to grill, the spacious and well stocked living quarters were enjoyed by all!! The proximity to the South Haven beach topped off the vacation! Lynn was an excellent host!
Terri V.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 28 July 2020
Thank you so much for your kind words! We believe it is an ideal location. Hope to hear from you again!
The house is spacious and very well stocked in the kitchen and bathrooms. The upstairs bedrooms get stuffy at night; it helps to sleep with the doors open. The firepit and beach gear available to guests were greatly appreciated!
Sarah B.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 1 August 2023
Thank you so much for sharing your opinion. We greatly appreciate it! Please come back next year!!!
Great place to stay overall. There were 6 adults and 5 kids total staying and it didnt feel cramped at all. The screened in porch is amazing; Great place to sit and relax. The kids loved the toys that were there.
Lyndsey H.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 3 August 2023
Thank you so much for your review! I'm so glad you found it comfortable for all. Please come back and stay again!
We had a great time staying at this rental property. House was very tidy and clean. We spent most of the time on the covered porch just visiting. Nice short walk to an awesome private beach and the volleyball pit beside the house was a hit. Would definitely recommend and plan on staying there again.
Andrew R.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 25 July 2023
Thank you choosing our home and thank you for enjoying it as much as we do! We sure hope you do come again!
My family had a great time! Excellent location. The screened in porch was our favorite! We had a great time at the beach. The owner was quick to respond and answer our questions. Looking forward to returning next summer.
Terrie N.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 2 August 2022
Thank you so much for your kind words! The porch is fabulous, I have to admit! I do hope we hear from you again!
Lynn
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Rob B.
20 June 2018
Great House Secluded in the Woods
Beautiful home. Well maintained with great amenities. Wonderful, responsive owners. Great location (although prepare to drive or ride your bikes for a short trip to the beach).
A good location not far from South Haven. A beach is close to the house, if you are good at climbing the sand dune. A wonderful screened-in porch that is a relaxing retreat especially on rainy days. Lots of space inside and outside for fun with family.
Patricia R.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 10 August 2021
Thank you Patricia! I am glad you enjoyed our home! We hope to hear from you again. Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Our stay was most enjoyable. The house and property offered a lot of privacy and quiet. We especially enjoyed spending evening around the fire pit, making s’mores and talking. The house was quite spacious. The wrap around porch was a great place to just read and rest.
RICHARD G.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 10 August 2020
Thank you so much for your kind words! It's a great place to get away to! Hope to hear from you again!
Very comfortable, well maintained home with tons of privacy! Outside fire one night, inside fire in the beautiful large wrap around screened in porch. Yes, we did the dune! A hike but definitely worth it!
Mary Ellen M.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 12 November 2020
Thank you! It is very nice and private. The dune is definitely a hike, but I agree, well worth it! Hope to hear from you again! Stay safe.
Lynn
We really enjoyed our stay at this wonderful home! The wrap-around front porch was awesome. We also enjoyed the fire pit in the evenings. The house was well stocked with bbq equipment, kitchen items, beach chairs, games, etc. It was a great location—near the Lake but also quiet and secluded. Would definitely highly recommend!
We loved this home! It is nice and secluded from the other homes in the neighborhood. The wrap around porch is where we spent most of our time. I definitely recommend taking the wooded path to the beach instead of going over the dune. We had the beach all to ourselves most days. Perfect family retreat!
Mary H.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 14 August 2023
We're so happy you enjoyed yourself! That wrap around porch is wonderful!!!
Climbing the dune is not for everyone for sure!
We really enjoyed our time at the lodge. It had everything we could need for a fun family vacation, plus many extras for the kids. It was very clean and well maintained.
We weren’t looking for a home in the hustle and bustle of town and this was perfect. Private and peaceful while still being close enough to town center and activities. The dunes and beach were beautiful and we enjoyed the adventure of climbing the dunes. We look forward to visiting again!
Jessica P.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 11 July 2022
Thank you!! We love the fact that we're in the woods, but not to far from civilization! We hope you come back!
Roomy 4 bedroom house with lots of amenities, but the highlight is the roomy screened in porch complete with many tables, chairs, lights, fans, and its own fireplace. Also has a great fire pit with lots of good Adirondack chairs and plenty of firewood. We had 11 in our party and were very well accommodated in this house. Also enjoyed the sand volleyball court behind the house.
Paul M.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 2 August 2020
Thank you so much for choosing our home! I'm so glad you enjoyed yourself!
We had a very nice time here. Spent a great deal of time on the porch every morning and every evening. The porch fireplace was a great touch for atmosphere. The location was very convenient. In South Haven we would highly recommend taking a trip on the Lindy Lou, from the Maritime Museum, and a trip on the Sunsetter, from the municipal dock. Had excellent food at the Black River Tavern and at The Butler in Saugatuck.
Joyce W.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 28 September 2021
Joyce, thank you so much for your nice review. I'm so glad you enjoyed the porch! It is our favorite part of the house too! Thank you for the recommendations of things to do in town.
About the host
Hosted by Lynn Lealiou
My husband and I have been married 31 years and have 3 great kids. Due to the fact that my brother bought a cottage in this area 37 years ago, we came up often with the kids and loved it. We bought the land in 1996 and when mortgage rates fell in 2010, we decided it was time to build. My husband is a finish carpenter and really put his heart into this house.He did the interior all himself. It is our home away from home, which is in Oak Park Illinois.
Why they chose this property
We're tucked away in the woods! Very private lot with lots of trees.
What makes this property unique
Very spacious wrap-around porch ideal for any type of weather.