Entire home

2 bed/1 bath, 1.5 blocks to beach/town, dog friendly

Photo gallery for 2 bed/1 bath, 1.5 blocks to beach/town, dog friendly

Front of Cottages 1 and 2
Cottage 1 front door
Cottage 1, 2 marked parking spots for max of 2 cars
Cottage 1 open concept family room w pull out couch and TV overlooking dining
family room

Reviews

9.2 out of 10
Wonderful
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Union Pier, MI
  • Gordon Beach
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • St. Julian Winery - Union Pier Tasting Room
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Four Winds Casino New Buffalo
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Michigan City, IN (MGC-Michigan City Municipal)
    ‪17 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

2 bed/1 bath, 1.5 blocks to beach/town, dog friendly

*2024 updates from a home maintenance standpoint:
-Entire property: new exterior paint, parking signs for all of the cottages, new ceiling fans
-Main House: gas grill added to charcoal grill option, new screened porch furniture and ceiling (no leaks!), kitchen backsplash, new balcony off primary bedroom
-Cottage 2: electrical overhaul to fix sporadic outages
-Cottage 3: expanded private enclosed yard
-Cottage 4: new basketball hoop
-Cottage 5: kitchen refresh with new countertops and kitchen sink

Come explore Elephant Walk, a dog-friendly compound, walkable to beach and town, designed to make memories for your group. It provides multiple gathering spots both outside and in while ensuring ample privacy at the same time. Our Main House offers giant living spaces to accommodate the whole group and provides 4 very large bedrooms and 3 baths. On the same grounds, there are 5 smaller cottages that offer full kitchens/bathrooms/living spaces and house 1-2 bedrooms each. If you would like to rent the Main House as well as 1+ cottages, please see our VRBO links to the other cottages or message me to check on availability. Host your retreat, wedding party, or reunion here for an unforgettable experience!

We allow large group bookings only (Main House + at least 2 cottages) until around January 1 of each year at which point we'll open up the calendar for anyone to reserve the house and cottages separately and allow for instant booking. Please message us for details, and we will respond within 24 hours.

Much work has been done to this compound since we bought it in Jan 2019. Stay tuned to this as we will update pictures as changes are made as well as provide more updates we'll make over the coming years.

**Everyone must review the rental agreement which is comprehensive: lists the terms of the rental agreement, the dog waiver (if you are bringing a dog), provides suggested packing items, lists the hot tub rules (for Main House only).

**Please designate upon checking out if you are bringing a dog so you can have the pet fee added onto your final total.

**Note that Cottage 1 shares a wall with the far hallway corner of the Main House but as of 2022, we've added insulation and other measures to ensure noise transfer is drastically minimized. Cottage 1 and 2 used to have an interior door that locked but it was the source of noise transfer so in Spring of 2022, we closed up that door and added insulation in the units to minimize noise transfer. Cottages 4 and 5 share no walls as they stand alone on the property. All cottages have a pull out couch, and the Main House has 2 pull out couches, one in each king bedroom.

**From Memorial Day to Labor Day we require 3 night minimum stay, but a 7 night stay (Fri-Fri) is required in the heart of the summer, from June through beginning of August unless the week is already broken up.

**Well behaved dogs are welcome. Pets are required to be on leash outside of fenced yard, and you are required to pick up after them or fee will be assessed.

**Note our suggested packing items we provide right before your arrival. Starter paper towels, toilet paper, and garbage bags are provided but you'll have to bring your own after the starters. We don't do this because we're cheap or insensitive. We do this because we are not often in the area to run these kinds of things over, and we also like for guests to be respectful of the environment which we've noticed happens more often when guests bring their own disposable supplies. Thank you for your understanding!

Thank you for visiting, we hope you choose Elephant Walk for your next group get-away! Email us with any questions, and we'll answer any questions within 24 hours.

The links to the other units on the property are as follows:

Elephant Walk- Main House: www.vrbo.com/1519363
Elephant Walk- Cottage 1: www.vrbo.com/1519692
Elephant Walk- Cottage 2: www.vrbo.com/1519733
Elephant Walk- Cottage 3: www.vrbo.com/1519782
Elephant Walk- Cottage 4: www.vrbo.com/1519804
Elephant Walk- Cottage 5: www.vrbo.com/1519825

Cottage 1 can be connected to the Main House with an interior, lockable connecting door or it can operate with all doors locked. It is a great arrangement for an extended family visit or a separate holiday vacation. Drivers park on the street in front of house.

• 2 Bedrooms, both Queen beds
• 1 Queen Sofa Bed/Futon in Living Room
• 1 Bath
• Cable TV
• Free wi-fi internet
• Air Conditioning. Central Heating
• Back patio shared with cottage 2
• Large shared front yard with cottage 2
• Weber Kettle Grill for Charcoal
• Fully Equipped Kitchen

Property manager

Erica Carli
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)
Dogs only, waiver adhered to, $100 fee @ check out
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
-Pls bring own paper towels, toilet ppr, garbage bags. We provide starters only. No Saturday check outs ever! Cleaners don't work on Saturdays.
- Well behaved dogs are welcome, must adhere to pet waiver and must pay $100 pet fee at check out.
- 7 night rentals, Fri-Fri,last week of June-mid Aug, unless week is already broken up.Email for exceptions for large gps. 2 or 3 nt min other times

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 and a deadlock

About the area

Union Pier

Located in Union Pier, this cottage is near theme parks and near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Warren Dunes State Park. 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.
Map
Union Pier, MI

What's nearby

  • Gordon Beach - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Round Barn Union Pier Tasting Room - 3 min drive - 2.5 km
  • St. Julian Winery - Union Pier Tasting Room - 3 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Townline Beach - 3 min drive - 2.1 km
  • Four Winds Casino New Buffalo - 13 min drive - 11.3 km

Getting around

  • New Buffalo Station - 8 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 - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Redamak's Tavern - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is 2 bed/1 bath, 1.5 blocks to beach/town, dog friendly pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at 2 bed/1 bath, 1.5 blocks to beach/town, dog friendly?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 2 bed/1 bath, 1.5 blocks to beach/town, dog friendly?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is 2 bed/1 bath, 1.5 blocks to beach/town, dog friendly located?

Situated near the beach, this cottage is within a 15-minute walk of Union Pier Beach and Lake Michigan. Gordon Beach and Burnison Galleries are also within 15 minutes.

Reviews

9.2

Wonderful

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. 16 out of 22 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 22 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 22 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 22 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 22 reviews

9.2/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Amber A.

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

Great little spot!

Great location!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary C.

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

Great Place to Stay

The cottage is exactly as described and in a great location. Just steps to a great local cafe and the beach. Prime location, great amenities.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stephen S.

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

Fantastic property

We rented the Main House and a Cottage, we were a group of 11. I have stayed here numerous times over a long period of time and this property just keeps getting better. Thanks Erica Steve
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelsey S.

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

Ideal location

Perfect for our family of 3 + our dog. The location was great, walkable to the beach and just around the corner from Whistle Stop for delicious breakfast sandwiches & coffee. Exactly what we were looking for as a weekend getaway!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

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

Fall Getaway

This is our second visit to Elephant Walk and it won’t be our last! Great place to stay, close to beach, shopping and restaurants. Highly recommend!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Maria A.

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

Girls trip

That place is great! Very cleaning bit on the small size but great for 5 girls.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

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

Perfect spot for a weekend away!

Super easy and great communication! Thank you!!!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mandy B.

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

Perfect Girl’s Getaway

Elephant walk (cottage 1) was perfect for our girl’s weekend trip. The three of us each had our own bed and we loved the little fire pit and circle of Adirondacks out back. We spent a perfect day at the beach. The location is is wonderful for walking to and from the beach and it wasn’t overly crowded. We will absolutely return to Elephant Walk. Thanks so much for the great communication and easy, clean stay.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Laura R.

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

Family Get Away

My columbus family was able to meet up with my chicago family in Union Pier for our first meeting of a new baby in the family! Thanks to Erica's great place, we were able to stay completely covid safe, keeping in our separate cottages and using the shared outdoor space to safely interact. We wouldn't have been able to do this without a set up like Elephant Walk! The beds are comfortable and the cottages are well equipped and a close walk to the beach- We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2020

4/10 Poor

susie m.

Liked: Check-in
Disliked: Cleanliness, communication

Very Poor Value

One of the bedrooms smells like stale cigarettes, kitty litter, and mildew. The other bedroom has a window A/C unit which was not insulated so we had lots of bugs enter the room through the huge, open gap and the room never actually got cool. Both beds were very lumpy. Every item we took out of the kitchen cabinets was either dusty, greasy, or covered with bugs and cobwebs. The entry into the bathroom had a large screw protruding from the floor which ripped several of my socks. The wifi was down more than it was operational. The next door neighbors left their dog barking for over an hour. Needless to say, we spent as little time as possible in the unit. We enjoyed the beach as much as possible and counted the days until we could return back home. I could see the potential for a cute, comfortable cottage but unfortunately it was rehabbed on the cheap and it showed. No wine glasses, cutting board, or teaspoons. We love Union Pier so next year we will definitely be looking for a different rental.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Carissa S.

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

Family beach time

We rent every year, in Union Pier. Normally with another property. I chose this one this year, it’s a bit of a walk to the beach, but we knew that. The beach is great. i do wish they allowed dogs…. There was plenty of parking and the area (by our cottage) it was a quiet neighborhood. It has a nice little fire pit area. Within walking distance of The Whistle Stop, which we love! The cottage was clean and the AC worked great for the HOT temperatures outside. The bathroom and kitchen were a great size. The beds, ehhhhh, not the most comfy. Just drink more MI wine ;) The TV was nice and big! The kitchen was fully stocked with all dishes you would need to cook, drink etc. My complaint is- all the rooms/cottages are adjoined. Which is great if you know the people next door. The people in the main house were SO LOUD at 6:45 am. Their kids were out in the driveway SCREAMING and running back inside/outside which the door adjoins with from the bedroom i was in, into their entrance. Both mornings the kids were out there 6:45/7 yelling/crying/ SCREAMING. It woke myself and my son up both days. I was not very happy. Our neighbors on the other side, we hardly heard, but the main house, we heard a lot from.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nikki M.

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

Amazing stay and a beautiful house!!

We stayed at the Elephant Walk House over the thanksgiving weekend ! It was great from start to finish . Erica was great host and very accommodating. The house was clean and had everything we needed (rooms, tables, chairs, dishes, and games- we played scrabble). We rented the main house and the connecting cottage, which was great for our 90 years old mother. We also loved the ping pong table and the great back yard. We will be back!!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tracey R.

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

Perfect place in the world

It is a fabulous property. Close to antiques, whistle stop Cafe,Indiana dunes national park and more. So wonderful thank you
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

William S.

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

Cozy

Cozy clean little unit.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

6/10 Okay

Nancy A.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy

Short getaway with friends of 64 years.

We stayed at this property from 9/7 to 9/10, just after the Labor Day holiday. Based on the description of the property, location, local restaurants, and local shopping, the three of us were excited for the getaway but were disappointed when we arrived and tried to make plans. The cottage was fine but small for three of us and wasn’t as clean as it should have been, we chose not to cook or bake anything because of the stove and cookware. We shared a wall with the cottage beside us, there was a dog in that cottage who enjoyed frequent barking. We had expected to eat and shop in town as described but had a hard time finding many options to eat or shop due to seasonal closings. Per the description of the cottage, places to eat were available within walking distance. We still had a good time and made the best of it. It’s always fun spending time away with good friends.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Jackie L.

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

Summer Vacation

This location would be perfect if you came with a group of friends/family and rented the entire complex. Parents with young children, it was hard in the evening with bedtime. You can hear everything happening in the other rentals- there’s only an inside door separating the units, that can also be opened if you knew the other renters. The yard was well maintained and cute mostly contained area for the kids to play. Location is great! 10 minute walk to a delicious bakery, a block to a restaurant and market, 5 minute walk to the beach. The beach was wonderful!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Marci K.

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

Favorite Vacay Spot

The Elephant Walk is the perfect stay in our favorite vacation spot! The little cabins are perfect for a weekend away. You are a quick walk to the beach and two of Union Pier’s best little restaurants. The new pathway on Red Arrow Highway makes it easy to bike into town for ice cream or a beer! Can’t wait for next year so we can visit again!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2021

8/10 Good

Sherry L.

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

June 2021

It was a nice cottage! The downfall was that the beach within walking distance of the house was not dog friendly! We ended up driving 15 minutes to Warren State Park daily so the dog could be on the beach as well.

6/10 Okay

Lisa K.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location

Elephant house

The cottage was cute. The website said it had 2 queen beds. One of the beds was a double, ok for kids but 2 adults was uncomfortable. The back bedroom shares a wall with the main house and the people renting were loud after 12:00AM. Not ideal for multiple renters at the same time. The owner was very easy to work with.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021

10/10 Excellent

Megan H.

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

Great property

Exactly as described. Everything was perfect for our needs.

10/10 Excellent

Roy C.

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

Awesome Weekend Getaway

Elephant Walk resort was great. We rented house 1, and there was plenty of room for our family of 4, and plenty of things to do! The unit was modern, comfortable and clean, and the resort is just a short walk to the beach. We noticed that there was no parking lot for the beach, so it seemed to be locals only, and not very crowded at all! You are also right in the middle between New Buffalo and Warren Dunes, so whether it’s breweries or beach that you are interested in, this place has you covered!

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey D.

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

Very clean, terrific location and plenty of room. Can’t go wrong!

Best bang for your buck in all of Berrien County

About the host

Hosted by Erica Carli

Host profile image
We live in Chicago and discovered Harbor Country through a family member, who has a home in New Buffalo. We fell in love with the area as it is a very short drive from Chicago, but makes you feel like you are a world away from the hustle bustle of the city. We know you will love this area of the country as much as we do. We are very detail-oriented when it comes to furnishing a home and have tried to think of everything to make your stay fun, relaxing and enjoyable. We are fair, level-headed and love to hear feedback about how to make your stay even better.

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests