Entire home

Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake!

Photo gallery for Great Family Home Set In Critical Dunes Of SW MI. Short Walk to lake!

Huge screened in wrap-around porch for plenty of family fun!
New sitting areas - one seats 6 and the other seats 8.
Another seating area that sits 6.
North side of the wrap around porch. Eating area or card playing area.
Living area with wood burning fireplace, TV and stereo.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 11152 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Pet-friendly

Explore the area

Map
South Haven, MI
  • Van Buren State Park
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • Pilgrim Haven Natural Area
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • South Beach
    ‪11 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 11)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

2 Single Bunk Beds and 1 Double Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 3

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

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.

Property manager

Lynn Lealiou
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 5:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 28
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Children welcome
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)
No cats. Some dogs will be considered.
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Non smoking only
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

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

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts
A car is required for transport to and from this 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 Karma Vista Vineyards and Winery. Travelling with kids? Consider The Fun Park and Kids Place Park. Swimming offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and cycling nearby.
Map
South Haven, MI

What's nearby

  • Van Buren State Park - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Pilgrim Haven Natural Area - 4 min drive - 1.8 km
  • South Haven Center for the Arts - 9 min drive - 10.6 km
  • Kal Haven Trail - 11 min drive - 12.0 km
  • South Beach - 11 min drive - 10.9 km

Getting around

  • Bangor Station - 18 min drive
  • Kalamazoo, MI (AZO-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Intl.) - 52 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Culver's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Biggby Coffee - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬10 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).

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.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 86 out of 103 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 17 out of 103 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 103 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 103 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 103 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.0/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

ashlee n.

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

WILL VISIT AGAIN

Amazing spot for families! Very close to parks/beaches and town! Our kids had an amazing, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pam W.

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

First family vacation in south haven

It was wonderful! The home was more than we anticipated! Very nice and homey! Super easy checking in and out! Many thanks!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Kevin B.

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

Nice week by the beach.

The property is well appointed, close to the beach, and near South Haven and Saint Joseph.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Erin M.

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

Great girls get away

Great house for a girls get a way weekend!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mackenzie H.

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

Beautiful family getaway

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.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Janet C.

Very nice & clean house!

My college friends & I thoroughly enjoyed staying in this lovely home. It was close to town, quiet & comfortable.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2018

10/10 Excellent

Lisa F.

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

Very nice house!

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!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

judy e.

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

Egolf Family

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.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2020

10/10 Excellent

Sarah B.

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

Nice family vacation spot

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!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lyndsey H.

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

Family vacation

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.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Terrie N.

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

Excellent location close to beach.

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.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rob B.

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).
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2018

10/10 Excellent

Mary H.

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

Family retreat

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!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Patrick S.

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

Family Get-together

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!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Wow, what a spectacular place to enjoy fall! All day bonfires, volleyball, football, trails, dunes and Lake Michigan! We even were led to the “golden rope” to Lake Michigan by 88 yr old neighbor Barbara! Everything about this place is wonderful, until we had to leave! Thank you for sharing your beautiful place 💛
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Paul M.

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

Very nice house with a terrific porch

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.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Joyce W., Racine, Wisconsin

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

South Haven house near Lake Michigan

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.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Joel M.

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

18th Birthday Getaway

We planned the perfect birthday getaway weekend for our youngest daughter and she needed some special locations to do her senior year photographs, wow this location provided all that and a unique experience to stay at the location. We really unplugged and took in the nature and trails that abound. Perfect weekend! Thanks to our hosts who had clear instructions for everything we wanted to do at the house! This is how VRBO should be done!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Susanne C.

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

Best. Porch. Ever.

My cousins & I had so much fun staying at this terrific beach cottage that we're already talking about making it an annual event. We're scattered all over the country but our family has had a farm 5 miles away from this house for 152 years, so it means a lot to us to gather in that area. And we LOVED the huge porch - practically lived out there. And you can all relax now because we solved all the world's problems.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lindsay P.

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

Best screened in porch ever!

We had a lovely time in this fabulous home. While we didn't have the best weather for our Memorial Day weekend, the screened in porch (biggest and loveliest I've ever seen) allowed us to still feel like we were taking advantage of being outdoors. The kitchen/living room open concept also allowed for great gatherings. And it's just a short (but steep) walk to an amazing view of beautiful dunes and Lake Michigan. Our 3 adult couples and 3 young children fit here perfectly. Would love to stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2019

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Amazing Veranda!!

We had 8 adults, all family. The property was awesome! Super clean, the bedrooms were very nice, the bathrooms were spacious. The kitchen had everything we needed. The sand vollyball court was sooo cool and the firepit was our thing every night!! But, the veranda was utterly fantastic!!! Screened in, huge, a fireplace. It has to be seen to be appreciated!!! The house made our vacation so comfortable and perfect!!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marcia W.

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

Perfect family reunion house

My husband, our 2 daughters, their husbands, 2 small children and I came from opposite sides of the country for a family reunion in Michigan. This house was spacious, well appointed and just what we had hoped for. The hosts were responsive when I had questions and insured that our stay was pleasant. I appreciated the well equipped kitchen! They had beach equipment and we had several beautiful days there - the house is not on the beach but a short walk away with a climb over the dunes, which we loved. The house is located in the midst of the woods, so is somewhat dark inside, but that is very relaxing after a day in the sun at the beach. Thank you Lyn and Tom!
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa N.

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

Great house!

Our family of 8 had a great time at your house. Everything was as described. Directions from highway were spot-on. Bedrooms were all good size, beds were comfortable, and everything was clean. House pretty much has everything you would need. The porch was wonderful...I can't stress how large it is and how great a space it is for families to gather. The path to the beach was a little challenging with a baby and cooler in tow, but not too bad. And once there, it is a very private, open beach with great views. Also enjoyed your fire pit area. And the large tree canopy around the house made it really feel like a campsite out in the woods. A couple of very minor issues: We could never figure out how to get the speakers on the porch to play from the stereo. And the light switches took a day or two to figure out, especially the porch, as some of the labels had worn off, but those are very minor items. Overall a very nice space for a family vacation. Thanks for a great time!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nancy C.

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

Family Michigan Vacay

We had a fantastic family vacation at this lovely home just outside of South Haven, Michigan! It was was me & my husband, our three adult children & our 3 grandchildren (ages 4, 2 1/2, & 1 1/2 years old). Each family had their own room ( 4 bedrooms) & 3 bathrooms which we shared. We loved the huge wrap around screen porch where most our our time was spent! Also the kitchen had all the amenities needed since we did a lot of cooking. The main living area was all open with the kitchen, living area with plenty of seating, fireplace & TV & opening to the screened porch. We spent most of our time at the house visiting because of our young children. And we're perfectly happy walking to the beach, playing outside in the beautiful wooded yard, hanging out by the fire pit & taking naps. It was nice to be able to wash clothes with the washer & dryer too. The weather was perfect for our July stay as well! The only thing was we had to buy bottled water to drink because of the stinky well water. Other than that, I would highly recommend this vacation rental!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Catie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication

Great house, great location, great lake!

The lodge was the best equipped VRBO we've stayed in, and we had everything we needed for a great trip. It's located on the dunes, less than a mile from Van Buren beach, and just a few minutes from town yet the house is in the woods and feels private and serene. The gas fireplace on the wrap-around porch, beach volleyball court, and fire pit were all put to use daily, and we took a few trips up the dune near the house and wandered the trails & beach there too. Really, this house accommodated us perfectly and we are so grateful for our time there. The only improvement I can think of is that the beds could be upgraded. Ours was pretty hard and we didn't sleep great, but we hope to come back to this house again, so it's definitely not a dealbreaker!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

About the host

Hosted by Lynn Lealiou

Host profile image
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.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests