Family Friendly Cottage - Close to Indiana Dunes - Extended stay discounts
Welcome to The Marram Cottage, a sun-drenched retreat minutes from Indiana Dunes National Park and Lake Michigan beaches. This modern cottage offers a bright, open-concept living area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a huge private backyard with a fire pit and grill. High-speed Wi-Fi, a large smart TV, and free parking for multiple cars make it easy to settle in, whether you're here for a weekend or an extended stay. Explore nearby nature, local vineyards, and breweries, or take a short drive to destinations like New Buffalo.
Recently updated with modern finishes and chef-approved amenities, this home is designed for relaxation and family getaways alike. A major draw of the location is the immediate proximity to Indiana Dunes National Park and National Lakeshore, a premier destination for hiking, birdwatching, and pristine lakefront views.
Living Space
The screen-free sitting room is a sunlight-drenched space stocked with board games, a library of beach reads, and a selection of children's toys and books curated for ages up to five. In the living room, relax on the modular sofa, which converts to a single bed, while enjoying the 75-inch 4K Smart TV equipped with Roku streaming. High-speed Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, strong enough to work remotely.
Beyond weekend getaways, The Marram Cottage also works well for longer visits. It's a great fit for traveling healthcare professionals working nearby at Northshore Health or Franciscan Health, or remote and hybrid professionals commuting into Chicago via the South Shore Line, with the Carroll Ave stop just 2 miles away. In-unit washer/dryer makes it easy to settle in for a longer stay, and private garage parking may be available for stays of 30 nights or more, subject to availability. Ask about our discount for extended stays.
We aim to make traveling with young children seamless too. For your convenience, we provide a Pack 'n Play and a reliable baby monitor, so parents can relax on the deck or in the living area while little ones rest. A high chair is available upon request.
Kitchen
Designed by a former cook, our kitchen is fully equipped for those who love to host. It features new countertops, stainless steel cookware, a blender, a toaster, and quality utensils. The professional-grade coffee station includes a Baratza coffee grinder, drip maker, pour-over, electric kettle, assorted syrups, and a tea selection. The extendable kitchen table comfortably seats six adults.
Bedrooms and Bathroom
Both the primary and guest bedrooms feature brand-new Queen-sized hybrid foam mattresses and luxury linens for a restorative night's sleep. The bathroom offers a premium Delta rainfall shower experience with an additional handheld sprayer. The large new vanity is stocked with essentials, high-end luxury linen products, and a bidet-equipped toilet.
Outdoor Space
The sun-drenched deck is furnished with rocking chairs and loungers, perfect for morning coffee. Situated on a peaceful acre near the Tryon Farm area, it's common to spot local wildlife like deer and wild turkeys wandering the property. The yard also features lawn games like bocce and cornhole. For evenings, relax by the smokeless fire pit with a provided starter wood bundle, or cook on the Weber propane grill.
Location
The Marram Cottage is located 2 miles from Lake Michigan (Stop 21) and 4 miles from Washington Park Beach, where you can enjoy lakefront cruises and live music by the water. You're just minutes from iconic spots like Swingbelly's and Burn 'Em Brewing.
The area is rich with family activities, including several local U-pick farms, the historic Heston Steam Museum, and the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlets for shopping. Regionally, we're 2 miles from the South Shore Line (Carroll Ave stop) and 4 miles from downtown New Buffalo and the Amtrak station, both making Michigan City an easy base for Chicago day trips or commutes.
Guest Access
Guests enjoy full, private access to the entire cottage and the surrounding one-acre lot, with 24/7 self-check-in through a secure smart lock at the rear entrance. Upon booking, you'll receive a unique access code valid for the duration of your stay.
Please note that we maintain one locked owners' closet for cleaning supplies. While the cottage and yard are entirely private, the driveway is shared with a quiet tenant who uses the separate barn for boat storage. To ensure everyone has plenty of space, we ask that you park in front of the garage; covered garage space may be available for stays of 30 nights or more, subject to availability. A side entrance is also available for convenient luggage drop-off and pick-up.
Other Things to Note
Your safety and the security of The Marram Cottage are our top priorities. Please note there are exterior security cameras on the property for your protection.
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The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Checkout is simple: Exit by 10am (code expires then). Leave used towels in the shower. Put dishes in the dishwasher and start it. That's it!
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Please park in front of the garage on the left. We kindly ask that you keep the side driveway clear for boat access to the barn. Thank you!
To keep our home comfortable for everyone, we kindly ask that you remove your shoes upon entry.
Please note that unregistered guests and parties are not allowed.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 5174565vb
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
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
Michigan City
Located in Michigan City, this holiday home is in a rural area. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Indiana Dunes National Park. Consider Four Winds Casino / Silver Creek Event Center for a night out or Friendship Botanic Gardens if you're travelling with kids. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and power boating nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and mountain biking.
NIPSCO and Shirley Heinze Land Trust - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
Clare Lake - 3 min drive - 2.5 km
Blue Chip Casino - 7 min drive - 5.3 km
Getting around
Michigan City-11th Street Tram Stop - 7 min drive
Michigan City Station - 9 min drive
South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.) - 43 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 5 min drive
Family Express Mich. City Johnson Rd - 7 min drive
William B's Steakhouse - 6 min drive
Zorn Brew Works - 6 min drive
Memo's House Of Pancakes - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Family Friendly Cottage - Close to Indiana Dunes - Extended stay discounts pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Family Friendly Cottage - Close to Indiana Dunes - Extended stay discounts?
As of 31 Aug, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Family Friendly Cottage - Close to Indiana Dunes - Extended stay discounts on 3 Nov, 2026 start from S$555, 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 Family Friendly Cottage - Close to Indiana Dunes - Extended stay discounts?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Family Friendly Cottage - Close to Indiana Dunes - Extended stay discounts?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Family Friendly Cottage - Close to Indiana Dunes - Extended stay discounts?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Family Friendly Cottage - Close to Indiana Dunes - Extended stay discounts located?
This family-friendly Michigan City holiday home is located in a rural location, within 1 mi (2 km) of Friendship Botanic Gardens, NIPSCO and Shirley Heinze Land Trust and Shady Creek Winery. Lake Michigan is 1.8 mi (2.9 km) away.
About the host
Hosted by Naveen
We are a family from Chicago who are obsessed with traveling and creating memorable experiences for the people who stay with us. Hosting The Marram Cottage lets us share a place we genuinely love, a quiet retreat close to home that still feels like a getaway. We put the same care into this cottage that we'd want for our own family's trip: comfortable beds, a kitchen you can actually cook in, and small thoughtful touches throughout. We're usually just a short drive away, so we're quick to respond if you need anything during your stay.
Why they chose this property
Michigan City sits right at the edge of the Indiana Dunes, with Lake Michigan's beaches just minutes away, but it still has a small-town, tucked-away feel that a lot of lakefront towns have lost. We love that our street backs up to old-growth forest, so you get privacy and a real connection to nature without giving up easy access to restaurants, breweries, and the beach. It's also an easy trip in from Chicago, whether guests are coming for a weekend or staying longer for work, which made it feel like the right spot to put down roots as hosts.
What makes this property unique
The Marram Cottage sits on a private acre right next to old-growth forest, so it feels far more secluded than most rentals this close to the Dunes and Lake Michigan beaches. It's a genuinely well-equipped home rather than a stripped-down rental: a chef-caliber kitchen with a real coffee bar, brand-new mattresses and linens in both bedrooms, and an outdoor space built for actually spending time outside, with a fire pit, grill, and lawn games. It also works just as well for a long weekend as it does for a longer stay, with in-unit laundry and garage parking available for extended visits, which is rare to find in a property this size and this close to the water.