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Lantern Cottage - Great Family Cottage Steps From Beautiful Beaches!

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Afternoon sun bathed front yard!
Hydrangeas in full bloom!
Sunset from the beach!
Beautiful beaches just a short walk away.
Large, vaulted ceiling kitchen with skylight and plenty of windows.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 9120.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Air-conditioning
  • Gym
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Union Pier, MI
  • Place, Union Pier Beach
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Gordon Beach
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Townline Beach
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Airport, South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.)
    ‪38 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Single Bed and 1 Double Bed

Front Sitting Room (enclosed room off living room)

1 Double Futon

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master Bathroom

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Lantern Cottage - Great Family Cottage Steps From Beautiful Beaches!

******** 2023 Update ********
We've received numerous questions regarding beach erosion in our area; fortunately our beach has not been impacted providing plenty of room to spread out and enjoy all of the great beach activities families enjoy.

********

Great Family Cottage Steps From Beautiful Beaches!

Park your car, and leave your worries behind as you escape to this wonderful setting in Union Pier, MI!

Enjoy our bright and newly refreshed 3 bedroom, 2 bath cottage with a large yard perfect for soaking up the sun, lawn games and families with young children. Located in a unique and secluded setting away from busy streets, you’re only a short 2-3 minute walk to the beautiful sandy Lake Michigan beaches. Relax on the screened-in front porch over dinner and conversation while listening to the sound of the waves on the beach and the gentle breeze blowing through the tall trees.

Cottage Amenities
The cottage sleeps 7 comfortably (in beds) with an additional pullout couch (new memory foam mattress) and space for air mattresses. We also recently replaced the windows in the front room and added room darkening window shades which makes this room great for sleeping. The windows, skylights and lofted ceilings throughout the house flood the space with light. The master bedroom suite has a queen size bed and attached full bath. There are 2 additional bedrooms that share the 2nd bathroom just off the living room. Bedroom 2 also has a queen bed and Bedroom 3 has a bunk bed with a double bed on the bottom and a single bed on the top. The pullout couch is located in the front sun room with double doors from the living room that you can close for additional privacy. All linens provided.

Eat your meals on the large screened-in porch (table comfortably seats 8). There is a gas grill available on the front deck and the kitchen has all the cooking essentials. The laundry room has a washer and dryer along with iron and ironing board. Bath and beach towels provided. If the hydrangeas are in bloom, feel free to cut some fresh flowers for your dinner table!

Paradise Villas and Parking
The cottage is located within Paradise Villas, a tranquil neighborhood with a pebbled walkway that leads from the cottages to the main streets and our private parking lot. The setting is ideal for young children as they don’t have to cross any big streets to get to the beach and there is plenty of space for them to run around.

About Union Pier
Union Pier is about 75 miles from Chicago and 5 minutes from New Buffalo, MI. Each weekend Skip’s Restaurant in Union Pier hosts a local “European style” farmer’s market great for fresh fruits and vegetables for the weekend’s meals and for small unique/local items. There are multiple restaurants, coffee shops and breakfast spots within walking distance or a short bike ride. The roads are all very quiet and perfect for a relaxing walk while enjoying your morning coffee or a jog for those looking to get in a little exercise before hitting the beach.

There are plenty of fun activities to keep you busy during your vacation, including:
• Lake Michigan Beaches
• Warren Dunes State Park
• Local wineries
• Art galleries
• Antique shops
• Golf courses
• Boat and kayak rentals nearby
• New Buffalo Harbor – shopping, restaurants, boat rentals and fishing charters available
• Michigan City's large outlet center is a 20 min drive along Lake Michigan
• Local farms, orchards and pumpkin patches in the fall

The sun sets over Lake Michigan, so be sure to catch the sunset from the beach. It’s unforgettable.

Please note: During the summer high season (Memorial Day to Labor Day) the minimum stay is 7 nights (Fri-Fri).

Add dates for prices

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Union Pier

Located in Union Pier, this cottage is near the beach. St. Julian Winery - Union Pier Tasting Room and Ghost Isle Brewery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Round Barn Union Pier Tasting Room and Local. New Buffalo Pere Marquette Depot and New Buffalo Railroad Museum 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 - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Gordon Beach - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Wilkinson Village Heritage Museum - 10 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Townline Beach - 10 min walk - 0.8 km
  • St. Julian Winery - Union Pier Tasting Room - 3 min drive - 2.5 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 - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪The Stray Dog Bar & Grill - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Redamak's Tavern - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Lantern Cottage - Great Family Cottage Steps From Beautiful Beaches! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Lantern Cottage - Great Family Cottage Steps From Beautiful Beaches!?

As of 26 March 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Lantern Cottage - Great Family Cottage Steps From Beautiful Beaches! on 31 March 2026 start from NZ$848, 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 Lantern Cottage - Great Family Cottage Steps From Beautiful Beaches!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Lantern Cottage - Great Family Cottage Steps From Beautiful Beaches!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Lantern Cottage - Great Family Cottage Steps From Beautiful Beaches!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Lantern Cottage - Great Family Cottage Steps From Beautiful Beaches! located?

Situated near the beach, this cottage is within 1 mi (2 km) of Union Pier Beach and Lake Michigan. Gordon Beach and Townline Beach 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.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 40 out of 45 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 45 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 45 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 45 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 45 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeannie O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely house! Perfect for our family vacation.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lois H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We always enjoy our stays here! The house is comfortable for all our needs. Our grandchildren love the toys and games that are tucked away beneath the hidden benches, we love our meals and evenings on the enclosed porch, and the porch is a great place to hang out after a day at the beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

tom l.

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

Wonderful Vacation Property

Our family loved staying at the Lantern Cottage. Everything was great-the house, location, and the owners.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

tom l.

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

Great place

Wonderful for families
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lois H.

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

The BEST!

the comfortable house, the beautiful beach and great restaurants make for the best getaway!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karolina N.

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

Perfect lake cottage!

The rental lake house was perfect! The house was extremely clean and well prepared, well maintained and spacious. The house is very close to the beach, where all of our young children walked back and forth to the house.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Christine S.

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

Annual Trip

We enjoyed the private beach and it being steps from our cottage. The outside screened in Patio was amazing!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Vicki M.

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

Classic Lake Cottage

This cottage is adorable- and beautifully equipped with everything we needed. Spotlessly clean and very comfortable. Our grandsons 6 and 10 loved it. The beach was amazing. Clean, warm water that is shallow for a long way out, so very safe. Very few people on the beach besides us.Would highly recommend it, and hope to visit again someday!
Quaint and cozy!
Perfect water
Wooded path to cottage
More woods.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

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

Wonderful get-away for adults as well as families

Every year we look forward to staying at the Lantern Cottage, and every year it’s a wonderful week. The cottage is perfectly set up for adults as well as children, and stocked with everything we could want. The hosts are gracious and attentive. It’s secluded from the road, and just a short walk to the beautiful beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rose L.

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

Lantern Cottage is lovely.

This was the 4th or 5th time we stayed in LC. The location makes it easy to get to the beach, grocery, bakery. We love the screen porch and used it all day, every day. The yard with play equipment was perfect for our toddler grandson. Be returning soon!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rose L.

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

Perfectly wonderful

This was our family’s 4th time renting Lantern Cottage, and we all remarked that it feels like our family’s own home - the sort of familiar and welcoming space that enables us to instantly get into “vacation mode” as soon as we arrive. It’s obvious that the owners enjoy the cottage with their families as much as they take pride and pleasure in making it a great place for guests to relax and enjoy. We’re always impressed with the improvements made from year to year, and look forward to renting again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

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

Lovely well-stocked cottage a short walk from a great beach,

This was our 5th year spending a week at Lantern Cottage, and we love it! It's in a great location, near a fantastic beach, and in a community away from the road. The hosts are wonderful. Every year they make improvements that enhance our stay, sometimes in response to our suggestions. This year, there's a brand new porch with stairs to the back shower. The house is well stocked, with everything from cooking gear to children's playthings. We feel so grateful to have found this lovely getaway.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

terri T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

60th Birthday vacation

Overall the Lantern College was really nice. The only thing we were not happy about was, the website mentioned a fire pit, there was no fire pit to sit around to enjoy the night. The walk to the beach was not bad but you have to take 45 steps down (and back up) to the beach which was not mentioned on the website. The private beach was nice and quiet. St Joseph is 25 minutes from there which was a really nice place to go shop. New Buffalo is 5 minutes away. And a nice place to shop as well. We would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Rose L.

A classic beach vacation

Our family just returned from a wonderful week at Lantern Cottage. This property is the PERFECT blend of old and new. Fir floors throughout, a spacious, fully equipped kitchen centered on an awesome built-in antique glass-front cabinet. Stainless appliances, windows galore, huge screen porch, vaulted ceilings, tasteful furniture and decorating, and central air!!! Classic, yet informal, appointed with all the comforts of home! The setting is magnificent, steps away from the sun and surf at McKinley Beach, yet tucked away in Southwest Michigan's coastal forest, among a group of historic cottages that recall a simpler time; for this reviewer, exactly the way a week at the beach ought to be!!!! Thanks so much to the owners for offering such a terrific property!!!!! We need to confirm our 2018 dates, but plan to book again!!! Pete and Rose Lange Family
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

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

Group of adults loved this well-stocked cottage and the nearby beach

Our group of 3 adult couples (and 4 for a couple of nights) had a wonderful time in the cottage. First of all, the owners are very helpful and answered questions quickly. The cottage is extremely well stocked, so we could cook whatever we wanted for a group that large, and had lightweight chairs to take to the beach. We really enjoyed eating meals in the screened-in porch, taking scenic bike rides, and sitting around the firepit at night. And the beach - it was just a short walk away and magnificent! (in a year when the lake was so high some other beaches were closed) The windowed front porch (with a door separating it from the living room) gave us a roomy fourth bedroom (though it would have been more useful for us if there were shades on the windows). We also like the fact that the cottage is not directly on the road, but a short walk into the neighborhood. This is the second year we’ve rented a cottage in Union Pier, an area we love, and we hope to be back to Lantern Cottage.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

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

Perfect well-stocked cottage - off the road and a quick walk to the beach

This was our second stay at Lantern Cottage, and we hope to be back again - every year, Although the cottage is packed with play things for children, it was also great for us - six retired adults and a photographer. The kitchen is well stocked for communal cooking, and we loved eating and hanging out on the quiet front porch. We really appreciate how helpful and responsive the owners are. A glassed-in porch now doubles perfectly as a bedroom, thanks to the shades they put in after our suggestion last year. We love the fact that the cottage is located off the road in "Paradise Villas" - you walk on a quiet path to get to the house and the beach road. And the beach! It couldn't be more perfect. Another nice touch is that you don't have to worry about keeping track of keys when you go out, since the lock is operated by a simple code. We've loved Union pier for years, and we are now so grateful that we have found the perfect place to stay. Thank you!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2020
Verified

8/10 Good

Deb F.

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

Family weekend getaway

The house was excellent and had more than enough room for all of us. The ammenities were plentiful, which helped us not to pack so much "stuff" for the weekend. The house was difficult to find in the dark--- so go before sunset!!!! All in all a great place to stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michael A.

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

Great stay!

Beautiful spot, easy hosts, would definitely come back!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrea S.

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

Lovely, quiet neighborhood and easy beach access!

We loved this cottage. We had a range of family members from baby and young kid to grandparents - and everyone loved it. The beach is a quick walk and the wagon available from the property owners is a great help. Kids loved being able to walk to Blackcurrant Bakehouse to pick out donuts in the morning, having a playset and walking on what they called the "secret trails" from the cottage to the main road. The neighborhood is quiet and peaceful. The house was very clean and comfortable. We would definitely recommend it!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

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

The perfect place for a perfect vacation – spacious, beautiful, & near the beach

Lantern Cottage was literally a dream come true for our group of 3-4 couples. It’s beautiful and spacious, and offers plenty of quality equipment and room to cook collectively in the kitchen. The beach is a short walk away and spectacular, and the outdoor hot-water shower made it easy for us to all wash up after an outing, And while the screened-in porch is the perfect place to dine and check our computers, the living room also has plenty of space to relax collectively. We love the secluded location away from the road, and the new large cart made it easy to move our luggage. This was our fourth year, and we’re already looking forward to next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Lois H.

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

the best!

We so thoroughly enjoy our stay in your cottage. We appreciate all the amenities and amazing location, close to beach and restaurants. This was our second year and are already looking forward to our third!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rose L.

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

Fabulous family getaway at Lantern Cottage

Lantern Cottage was perfect for our family of 8 plus a baby. This was a repeat visit to Lantern for us...we loved it then and loved it this time as well. The Cottage was clean, kitchen is well outfitted, lots of dvds, and movie channels, plenty of beach chairs for our large group. Our favorite gathering space in the Cottage is the screen porch, it is roomy, well decorated, and offers a connection to the magnificent, natural, coastal jungle that is harbor country. The location is great, just a short walk to beach, bakery and market. “Shout out” to Skips farmers market on Saturday and Sunday AND we had a lovely dinner there, too! We hope to be back next season!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sandra S.

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

Lovely vacation home

We had a grand time at Union Pier. The vacation home was very comfortable and extremely clean. We loved the screened in porch for dining and the outside shower was great when we returned from the beach, which was only a short walk from the home. Loved our vacation and would definitely recommend this listing. Thank you for a memorable vacation.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laurie G.

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

Well supplied and close to the beach.

Everything was clean, well-stocked in case you forgot something. Many extras such as beach chairs and umbrella. The walk to the beach is great. If you have small children that helps a lot.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Deborah L.

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

Excellent stay

We loved the cottage and can’t wait to return! Beautiful cottage, just like the pictures, very comfortable, fully stocked kitchen, loved the screened in porch, great wagon to carry chairs and umbrella to the beach. Perfect location! Very easy and quick communication with owners. Highest recommendation.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Hosted by Brandon & Victoria Bowers and Andy & Nicole Huber

Host profile image
After renting in Union Pier for several years we found this wonderful cottage. When we first saw the beaches in Union Pier, we fell in love with the setting. It's hard to believe it's only a short drive from the hustle and bustle of Chicago. Getting away to the "Lantern Cottage" is such a relaxing and refreshing way to spend a week or weekend, we know you'll enjoy it too!

Why they chose this property

Our cottage is in a very quiet, secluded setting perfect for unwinding and relaxing. A short walk to the beach (one block) makes for easy access to all Lake Michigan's shoreline has to offer. The area is very safe and offers great privacy, while being nearly as close to the lake as possible, and steps away from all that Union Pier has to offer.

What makes this property unique

We love everything the setting has to offer. Leisurely walks while enjoying our morning coffee. All of the beach activities during the day. And, relaxing evenings on the screened in porch.

Languages:

English
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