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Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway!

Photo gallery for Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway!

A modern kitchen with a large island, bar stools, stainless steel appliances, and white cabinetry.
A garden with hydrangea bushes along a wooden fence.
A two-story house with a front porch, a set of concrete steps leading to the door, and a small garden area with various plants.
A room with wooden flooring, a table with a stool, and large windows with a view of the outdoors.
A wooden-paneled room with a sofa, a glass coffee table, and a door.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • Outdoor pool
    The outdoor pool is a refreshing retreat under the open sky - a rare gem in this area.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near Townline Beach
Sleeps 9•3 bedrooms•4 beds

Popular amenities

  • Private pool
  • Spa pool on site
  • Onsite parking available
  • Dog-friendly
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine

Explore the area

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

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed and 1 Single Bunk Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Jetted bathtub

Bathroom 2

Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Jetted bathtub

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway!

3 bedroom home with a nice in-ground pool located in Union Pier, Michigan only 90 minutes from Chicago in the heart of Harbor Country. Lake Ave Retreat is 400 steps to a nice sandy beach on the sunset shore of Lake Michigan. The home has central air conditioning. The 3 bedroom, 2 bath home can sleep 9 guests comfortably. Has a modern kitchen with a dishwasher. The outdoors has a nice double deck overlooking the in-ground pool and a hot tub on the lower deck. Plenty of outdoor furniture with dining tables and a nice gas grill. Includes TV's, cable and wireless internet.

Lake Ave Retreat has plenty of room to spend together or privately for reading, sunbathing or other activities. Located in the heart of Harbor Country, Lake Ave Retreat is just minutes to local restaurants, or visit nearby farmers market butcher shop, bakeries to create your own feast. Check out local brews at the Round Barn or wine tasting at St. Jullian's. Hunt for treasures at Harbor Country antique shops, rent bikes, canoes, kayaks for nearby rivers.

There are always many ways to enjoy your vacation at Lake Ave Retreat.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
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

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 2 total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Can smoke outside

Important information

You need to know

Property # 496953vb
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 indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Union Pier

Located in Union Pier, this holiday home is near theme parks and on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and New Buffalo Public Beach. Round Barn Union Pier Tasting Room and Local are also worth visiting. Jet skiing and kayaking offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with horse riding and cycling nearby.
View more Holiday homes in Union PierOpens in a new window
Map
Union Pier, MI

What's nearby

  • Union Pier Beach - 10 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Wilkinson Village Heritage Museum - 10 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Gordon Beach - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Townline Beach - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Four Winds Casino New Buffalo - 8 min drive - 11.2 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
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪The Stray Dog Bar & Grill - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Does Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway! have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total).

How much is parking at Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway! ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway! ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway! ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Close To Beach ~ Private Lovely Pool ~ Family-Friendly Vacation Getaway! located?

Situated on a lake, this holiday home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Union Pier Beach and Lake Michigan. Townline Beach and Gordon Beach 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. 47 out of 53 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 53 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 53 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 53 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 53 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.4/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

8/10 Good

Eleanor D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very nice location close to beach and plenty of space inside for family activities. It was a little disappointing to have to buy toilet paper and hand soap.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Bobby K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
I would love to give this place one star so it would be open to our family next year but it was so excellent for my wife, two daughters and their families, 3boys that i would be disengenuous to do so. It was more spacious than we imagined and the back yard deck, hot tub and pool was exactly what we were looking for. It kept the kids entertained while we adults could relax. The pet friendly yard was a plus along with the 5 minute walk to the beach. And the host was very responsive. The hour and a half drive from our chicago west suburban village makes this place a future destination for years to come. Thanks to our host and Vrbo for a wonderful and memorable experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Chris L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Had a great time, the pool was beautiful and the house was nice and comfortable!
Nice front porch!
View from deck
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

kim z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a wonderful place and the manager always answers any questions promptly
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan G.

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

Amazing summer get away

We loved the house! it was perfect for our two family with kids and dog. Great proximity to the beach and restaurants. Can’t wait to go back.!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
House layout was ideal with the master having access to back yard. Great location and neighborhood with close proximity to everything. Beautiful coast line minutes away.Yard is ideal for pets. Would definitely recommend.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

patrick b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A small group of friends age 60 stayed here for a long weekend while attending a Notre Dame football game. The house is perfect for reunions like that or for a family getaway.The rooms are large, clean, and comfortable (2 refrigerators in the kitchen!). The pool and hot tub (also very clean) are a bonus considering you can walk to the beach on Lake Michigan, which we did. Union Pier and nearby New Buffalo are cool towns.I would definitely stay here again whenever in the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Linda L.

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

Great backyard

Great backyard. Good space inside.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Alan P.

Fantastic rental home for families

Clean and spacious home had all of the amenities we needed for a weeklong summer vacation. The backyard with pool and hot tub were perfect. The short walk to the beach was also very easy and convenient with younger children.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2018
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Peter H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, location, listing accuracy
We loved staying at this house. Location was awesome (3 minute stroll to the beach). Our kids loved the pool table in the basement and we spent time in the hot tub every night. The pool was closed for the season but the kids still swam in Lake Michigan in early October (thanks global warming). Overall the house was perfect for our needs. Not too modern and fancy in a good way.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth B.

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

Union Pier Gem

Amazing location walking distance to McKinley and Townline beaches. Backyard pool and hot tub have us other options for cooler/breezier days. The decor is quite dated but property is clean with great spaces!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Allison A.

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

Beautiful Property

This cottage is a gem in a beautiful area with easy and private beach access. The house was stocked with the essentials for cooking, and they provided lots of towels for bathing. Everything was clean and tidy. The backyard is an oasis! Very ideal spot to include dogs too. We had a wonderful stay and we’re already looking forward to our next visit!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Haley W.

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

Summer vacation with family

Our family had a great time in Michigan. This was our first time staying in Union Pier so we were unfamiliar with the area before arriving. We were in extremely easy walking distance to 3 public beaches, the closest right down the street. Our baby who is still “iffy” on lakes loved to be in the pool. We were able to walk to breakfast every morning with a handful of options. The house was roomy with all the necessities, had TVs in every bedroom and the grill was used every night. We were very happy with our stay, as the location was absolutely amazing and so was the pool.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lisa C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a really lovely stay at this property! It is very spacious and exceptionally clean. The beds are super comfortable and the master bath has a wonderful, very modern shower. We loved how that room opens up to the deck and pool area. The pool is huge and clean, and we used it daily. We also enjoyed the hot tub and having meals on the deck. The grill worked perfectly and was spotless. The short walk the beautiful McKinley was another major highlight.Additionally, the owner was friendly and helpful, and he supplied us with bags of ice which was very kind and unexpected.We have been coming to the area for decades and this has to be our favorite property so far, for all the amenities and conveniences. There were only three of us this trip, but we hope to be back with more of our family next time. There is plenty of room!
Kitchen area
Pool
Pool area
McKinley Beach
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

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

Cute house, nice pool, great location

We enjoyed our stay very much- house is as described- pool was A plus with kids and adults, and we were a 5 minute walk to two different lovely public beaches on the lake. Easy walk to the store and bakery. Beds in grown up rooms firm and linens fresh (bunk room was comfy for the younger ones). Kitchen suitable. Big living and dining room. Nice table on deck, gas grill an Aplus - cleanest I’ve ever seen a rental grill. Cooked all meals on it. Two small quibbles: Wi-Fi and internet were limited- not sure why, but more than 2 people on it at once slowed it to a crawl. Also, the trash piled up, due to an apparent schedule issue with the collector- it was disappointing to have the trash bins in front of the house all week. Owner was great at communicating and I know was trying to solve. We had a good time overall and would return.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 24 July 2023
Thanks for good review despite all difficulties you went through. Everything you wrote is true. However, I am paying for fast internet.(Always) Next tenants mentioned it to me and the technician fixed it next day. If internet is slow please let me know immediately. Trash is collected on Fridays. It would be appreciated if tenants could take most of their trash out on Friday morning.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Natalie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful time staying here! Don’t let the outside or entry porch fool you - this place is a gem! Val was also very open to my feedback and together we worked on the pool chemistry (he went out of his way to quickly address my concern).Pros: Super clean, beautifully renovated kitchen and master bath, very comfy couches, gorgeous and warm pool with lots of lounge chairs, very clean grill, super easy walk to the beach (we went to McKinley beach almost every day), fully fenced in yard, and plentiful laundry (two washers and three dryers)Cons: Now that master bath and kitchen are updated, the hallway bath needs a makeover, no pantry to store food (we used the drawers but had to be mindful for ants with anything left on the counters), basement was a bit long in the tooth and pool table stick tips were all broken, beds were not overly comfortable.Tips: bring extra beach towels, food storage containers, pool floats, plastic silverware (we kept running out of the provided spoons and forks), kid-friendly cups (they only had glass), and extra pillows for the king bed.We hope to stay again soon!
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Karyn B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great property! Pool was *chef’s kiss* and close proximity to beach did not require driving. Overall a great experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Pat T.

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

love this place

We have come here year after year and love it. True cottage feel. Good spaces for eating, getting together both inside and out. The only thing that would make it perfect for us ( have one elderly and one handicapped family member) would be to convert the lbath in the back to change the tub to a walk-in shower).
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

A beautiful family vacation!

This vacation rental was perfect for our family. The house was perfectly clean and comfortable. The best part of it all was the amazing outdoor space with the pool and the hot tub! The owners were always available via text and took good care of us. We hope to come back again every year to enjoy our family vacation!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Gail J.

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

Now this is a vacation!

The home was spacious and welcoming. We found the short walk to the beach especially nice. The pool area was great and we spent a lot of time there. I especially loved the beautiful flowers. While we had next door neighbors on either side, you couldn’t see them and made it feel more secluded. The grill and kitchen were great. I always bring an extra large pot to cook a boil, but that was the only thing missing. There was no need to improvise or buy anything, wonderful! My family will be back!!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Pamela M.

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

Nice October get a way

Most of the house was updated with lots of amenities. Outdoor area in the backyard was awesome with the pool, hot tub, & nice seating area. The bathrooms could use some updating and some of the door ways did not open and close well. The living room furniture was very comfortable and provided many seats for our family. Overall, a very nice getaway & would rent again.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Margaret B.

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

Very pleasant home and pool.

Plenty of room for a family. Excellent pool area. A relaxing stay and enjoyed the time in Union Pier. No complaints and would recommend this property.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Erik C.

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

Great house near the beach

Wonderful pool and huge deck. Brand new hot tub, only a short walk to a nearly private beach. House has just about everything you could want for fun in southwest Michigan.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Cindy F.

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

A nice location.

We had a very nice stay here. It has quick access to a very nice beach that is semi private so it was never too crowded. The pool was very nice. It was a chilly week so we asked them to turn up the heat a bit and they had someone do this the very next day. The owner was very pleasant. The only negative comments would be it was not stocked with very many items so be sure to bring everything you need for cooking including sugar, flour, spices, oil, etc; and bring washcloths if you like to use them. They did provide many bath towels and have 2 washers & 3 dryers so that was very convenient. It is a very nice wooded area but with this you may want to wear bugspray if you will be out in the evening and keep an eye out for ticks. Overall we loved the stay and would return to this property again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Pat T.

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

The house and back deck are so relaxing and welcoming this is our third time. Hope to come next year

Wonderful. Homey. Close to beach and town.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

About the host

Hosted by Valery Ryshkevich

Host profile image

Why they chose this property

3 bedroom home with a nice back yard and in ground swimming pool located in Union Pier, Michigan only 90 minutes from Chicago in te heart of Harbor Country. Lake Ave Retreat is 400 steps to a nice sandy beach on the sunset shore of Lake Michigan. The home has central air conditioning. The home has 3 bedrooms and 2 baths which can sleep 9 comfortably. Has a modern kitchen with dishwasher. The home has a double deck overlooking the in ground pool and a hot tub on the lower deck that has room for 4.Plenty of out door furniture with outside tables. Has a nice gas grill. Includes TV's, cable and wireless. Lake Ave Retreat has plenty of room to spend time together or privately for reading, sunbathing and other activities. Located in the heart of Harbor Country, Lake Ave Retreat is just minutes from local restaurants, or visit nearby butcher shops, bakeries, farmers markets to create your own feast. Check out local brews at Round Barn or wine tasting at St. Jullians in Union Pier. Hunt for treasures at Harbor Country antique shops, rent bikes, kayaks, canoes for nearby rivers. Ther is always many ways to enjoy your vacation at Lake Ave Retreat.

What makes this property unique

Close to beach, in ground pool, plenty of space.

Languages:

English

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