It's a short walk to our private beach from this adorable cottage.
From the outside it looks like an ordinary house, but when you enter, you are in for a surprise. The ceilings and walls have been removed to create a spacious, open environment,. Lots of windows and French doors have been added to let in the views of the surrounding mature trees. Outside is a deck with a picnic table, Adirondack chairs and a Weber grill. Recently renovated, the décor is a tasteful mix of contemporary and antique pieces in soothing shades of blue and green and white upholstery. The cook’s kitchen is well stocked with everything you need to fix a gourmet meal, except the food, of course.. The dining table seats six to eight. There are two comfortable bedrooms and a bathroom with a large walk-in shower. Let's not forget about the beach! A five minute walk down a dirt road takes you to an un-crowded, expanse of white sand and sparkling water. And, while our house feels remote it is a short drive to many restaurants, shops and amenities in New Buffalo, Lakeside and Three Oaks. Biking, hiking, golfing, water skiing, horseback riding, even gambling, are all close by. Unlike other similar properties, we do not have a set change day, but allow our guests the flexibility to choose when to arrive and depart. Lastly, we are located in Harbert Woods, a quiet, private community of home owners. We ask guests to respect our neighbors privacy and property. In a community of 60 homes, there are only four that are rentals. The association requires that you sign the community Renter Rules Acknowledgement Form. THIS MUST BE SIGNED AND RETURNED TO ME NO LATER THAN 24 HOURS BEFORE THE START OF YOUR RENTAL. Also, please be aware that the principal renter must be at least 30 years of age and that the property has a maximum occupancy of four people and two cars. Amenities: Bathroom with oversized shower (guaranteed one of the best showers you will ever have) Screened porch Deck with picnic table, Adirondack chair and charcoal grill Central heat and air Washer/dryer Microwave, coffee maker, disposal and dishwasher Free Wi-Fi, Roku streaming, CD player Beach chairs and umbrellas provided Private beach
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Please wash your used towels and if possible put them in the dryer.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Our association requires that you acknowledge that
Cars may never be parked even partially on the road
Important information
You need to know
Property # 841836
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
About the neighborhood
Harbert
Located in Shorewood-Tower Hills-Harbert, this vacation home is in a rural area and on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Warren Dunes State Park. Round Barn Union Pier Tasting Room and Captain Mike's Fun Park are also worth visiting. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing, and don't miss out on the sledding.
Four Winds Casino New Buffalo - 13 min drive - 17.8 km
Indiana Dunes National Park - 28 min drive - 52.3 km
Indiana Dunes State Park - 32 min drive - 56.9 km
University of Notre Dame - 39 min drive - 63.0 km
Getting around
New Buffalo Station - 14 min drive
South Bend Intl. Airport (SBN) - 49 min drive
Restaurants
Journeyman Distillery - 14 min drive
Taco Bell - 5 min drive
Featherbone - 15 min drive
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen - 5 min drive
Union Pier Social - 7 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is It's a short walk to our private beach from this adorable cottage. pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at It's a short walk to our private beach from this adorable cottage. ?
As of Jul 9, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at It's a short walk to our private beach from this adorable cottage. on Oct 1, 2026 start from $331, 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?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at It's a short walk to our private beach from this adorable cottage. ?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at It's a short walk to our private beach from this adorable cottage. ?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is It's a short walk to our private beach from this adorable cottage. located?
Situated on a lake, this vacation home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Cherry Beach and Lake Michigan. Eleanor O'Connor Wilson Woods Preserve and Robinson Woods Preserve are also within 3 mi (5 km).
Reviews
9.4
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Very nice area, short walk to the beach and stairs were easily climbed( not steep).Especially appreciated not having to carry a beach chair! Woodsy area was very shaded and cool. House was nicely furnished and clean. Very well kept up. Would stay again sometime in the future.
Jacqueline H.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 21, 2025
Hi Thanks for the review. What would it take to move it to five star from four? I’m always looking for ways to improve the guest experience.
Daryl
Cutest little neighborhood in the woods! We really enjoyed our stay, loved how close this house was to a lovely private beach. We also found it to be close to lots of delicious restaurants. Such a great location!
Very nice house in a heavily wooded area. Easy access to a fabulous private beach and local attractions. Nice furnishings. The kitchen and bathroom and shower were excellent! On the down side, the bed was dated and not very comfortable and had creaky springs. The screened porch is very nice but the furniture there was a bit dated as well. The home was well lit with artificial lights, but natural light was limited due to the setting in the woods.
This is a nice space for a couple of a family with young children.
Michael G.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 8, 2023
I am totally flummoxed. I have my best nights sleep on that bed and have never heard any creaky springs. Beds are difficult. Some people like them hard and others like them softer. I am in the softer category and have a foam topper on the bed. As for the porch furniture, it is all weather wicker in perfect condition and is only a few years old. I don't get it.
This was our (me and my husband) 2 nd visit. We went in 10/2021 and this time 11/2022. We loved our stay both years. This recent visit was so beautiful and quiet. The scenery from our house was absolutely beautiful. We so enjoyed walking through the neighborhood and along the beach. We saw deer everyday! It was so relaxing to just sit in the house ( with awesome windows) and enjoy the fall colors.
The one disappointment is that there is not a working fireplace. There is indeed a wood burning fireplace, but it’s not safe. I would recommend that a gas burning log be installed. One of our reasons for choosing this house was the fireplace. Having access to a fireplace in the fall would be so perfect.
The Harbert Woods community is peaceful and quiet; the location of the cabin gives you the impression of being in a forest (a good thing). A short walk down the road provides access to a wonderful beach. If you feel energetic, you can actually walk up the beach to Warren Dunes State Park. Walk to the beach in the evening to catch the sunset over the lake and you may encounter deer roaming thru the woods. The location is perfect for a short drive to St. Joseph and other attractions. The best place is the cabin is a window seat/reading nook; a great place to relax/read/nap.
After a 2 year delay in celebrating our 25th anniversary, due to the pandemic, we made our way to Harbert, Michigan for a two week stay. We found the perfect home in an idyllic setting that surpassed our every expectation. The house was delightful. Perfectly designed and decorated. Surrounded by tall oak trees that made for beautiful views out every window! Everything we needed was provided. Daryl promptly responded to any questions. We took many long walks and loved that the private beach was so close by. A few rainy days kept us by the fireplace but who is complaining?? Make your reservations today! You won’t regret it! We hope to return soon!
Cabin in the woods with a short walk to a private beach- best of both worlds! Cabin was equipped with all necessities. Washer and dryer accessible only by going outside and under deck, but full sized washer and dryer that worked great. Big and spacious walk-in shower. Lots of windows to see the nature, however, no curtains/blinds throughout cabin, except for in the bed rooms. Quite neighborhood. Short drive to area dining and antique shopping. Had a wonderful relaxing time!
This home is located in the perfect location! Beach is a short walk. Shopping and restaurants are a short drive. Owner was very responsive and a great host! We loved the screened in porch and the quiet setting in the woods. Would definitely stay here again!
We really enjoyed getting away for a long weekend. Spending some quite, peaceful time in the woods. The location and house was perfect. Daryl was on top of things as we did have one small hiccup. The house was clean and just the right size. Nearby bakery was outstanding and the beach was very relaxing and beautiful.
We enjoyed our stay at this recently renovated property. It was clean and cozy in a beautiful wooded setting with a 5 minute walk to the neighborhood's private beach on Lake Michigan. We enjoyed the peace and tranquility of the living space with large windows onto the woods. The kitchen had everything we would need to cook, but honestly we were out enjoying the restaurants in the nearby towns and didn't cook a meal!
The host was very responsive on the couple of questions we had about the property. We hope to be able to visit here again!
This was a cute, cozy and lovely cottage. It met our expectations for a long, private weekend in the woods. The location was perfect…the windows in the cottage were fabulous allowing for an awesome view!! Such a quiet and serene get away. Plan to return next year.
Loved the area, our first visit here! The woods, beach, dunes and Chicago! All amazing! Only concerns were he advertised priced versus the checkout price; a few extra surprises.. The house was enjoyable but could use a dehumidifier upstsairs. Overall, it was great!
Tonya A.
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on Jun 30, 2023
FYI, the advertised price is set by VRBO for all properties and is based on the lowest advertised rate, our off-season rate. We have no control over this.
I am curious about the comment regarding humidity. The house has central air and no one else has ever said anything about a humidity problem, nor have I or any of my family noticed a problem.
The house was beautiful. It is a true beach cottage that has been opened up and enhanced to a more modern comfort.
We had everything we needed to have a wonderful vacation including enough cooking equipment and even enough paper products to last a week.
The beach wasn't crowded and just a couple of blocks and down the stairs.
Stunning location, waking up daily n a middle of the forest was beyond dreamy! 5 minutes to a private beach, quiet, clean and never crowded. Beautiful, cozy house with all necessities...We hope to be welcomed back...it was everything one could ask for! Thank you so very much for sharing it with us!
Our family had such a wonderful fall getaway to this home. The home was easy to settle into. Most importantly, it is set in beautiful woods and a quick walk to the beach and the bakery- what could be better! The dishes and sheets were clean and everything was very comfortable. Thank you for hosting us!
A lovely little cottage in the woods. It is just as described. We had a wonderful time.
The owner was very easy to work with. We communicated well. The house is clean and stocked with the necessities. It has a lovely view of the beautiful woods. The beach is beautiful and just a 5-7 min walk away. We took a wagon along to carry our things to the beach but realized there are several stairs down. Not a problem we just weren’t aware. The cottage is about 12-14 mins to downtown Three Oaks where there are wonderful restaurant options, antique stores and other fun little shops.
All in all I would highly recommend. It is a sweet little place.
Nice cottage in tall trees. needs new silverware, replace weird coffeepot, new sheets.
Timothy C.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2019
About the host
Hosted by Daryl Horn
This has been our vacation home since our children were young and we have only recently begun renting. I am now a widow and our children and grandchildren live elsewhere. Our family is using the house less and less, but we are not ready to let it go completely! Sharing it with others allows us to keep it.
Why they chose this property
This is just one of the most peaceful, quiet and beautiful places I have ever been. Some of my happiest moments have been here in Harbert, and at this house. Out of every window is a view of the woods. There are lots of places to curl up and read a book or take a nap--the screened in front porch, the window seat, or a big comfy chair in front of the fireplace. And, the beach is just breathtaking. A long sweep of white sand and beach grass as far as you can see, perfect for long walks. It's a great place for biking. One of our favorite pastimes is taking bike rides down shaded country roads.