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Union Pier Hidden Gem | 3 Blocks to Beach | Screened Porch & Fire Pit

Photo gallery for Union Pier Hidden Gem | 3 Blocks to Beach | Screened Porch & Fire Pit

Large private backyard with fire pit and seating
Screened porch with lush garden views and comfortable seating
Living room with fireplace and garden views
Bright and airy master bedroom with King Bed -- vaulted ceiling
Sunlit kitchen and dining area - open to main living area

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 61600 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Parking available

Explore the area

View in a map
Union Pier, MI
  • Place, Union Pier Beach
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Gordon Beach
    ‪10 min walk‬
  • Place, St. Julian Winery - Union Pier Tasting Room
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.)
    ‪39 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Dining area

About this property

Union Pier Hidden Gem | 3 Blocks to Beach | Screened Porch & Fire Pit

ESCAPE TO A SUN-DRENCHED CEDAR SANCTUARY IN UNION PIER.
Discover the perfect Harbor Country hideaway at the Hidden Gem. This elegant 3-bedroom, 2-bath cedar-sided cottage is nestled on a quiet street just three blocks from the pristine shores of Lake Michigan. With vaulted ceilings and transom windows that flood the open floor plan with natural light, this home is designed for effortless coastal living.

THE OUTDOOR LIFESTYLE
- The "Gem" experience extends far beyond the front door.
- The Screened-in Porch: Spend your mornings with coffee or your evenings with a book on the expansive screened-in back porch—accessible directly from the primary suite.
- The Post-Beach Refresh: We’ve provided a beach wagon, chairs, and towels. When you return, rinse off the sand in the convenient outdoor shower.
- Fire Pit Evenings: Gather the family around the fire pit to end your day under the Michigan stars.

GOURMET LIVING & HIGH-SPEED CONNECTIVITY
- Chef’s Kitchen: Featuring cherry cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and a large breakfast island with seating for eight—ideal for long brunch mornings.
- Work & Stream: Equipped with Starlink High-Speed Internet, this cottage is perfect for multiple users, whether you're taking a seaside Zoom call or streaming your favorite movies on the smart TVs.
- Primary Retreat: Relax in the king-sized primary suite, featuring a walk-in closet and an ensuite bath with a deep soaking tub and double sinks.

THE LOCATION: WALK TO THE BEST OF UNION PIER
Park your car and explore on foot. You are minutes away from:
- The Beach: A scenic 3-block stroll to Lake Michigan.
- Local Flavor: Walk to the famous Whistle Stop Deli and nearby Union Pier restaurants.
- Regional Exploration: A short drive to Warren Dunes State Park, local wineries, and the nature trails of Harbor Country.

PLANNING YOUR STAY
- Summer Residencies: To ensure a peaceful, week-long retreat for our guests, we feature Sunday-to-Sunday rentals only during the peak summer season (June 19th – Aug 23rd).
- Entertainment: This home is optimized for digital life with Starlink internet and streaming-only TV (no basic cable).
- Check-in: The primary guest must be 30+ years of age (ID required).
- The Essentials: We provide a high-quality "Starter Kit" (2 rolls of TP per bath, 2 rolls of paper towels, 4 trash bags, and hand soap). For week-long stays, we recommend bringing extra laundry/dishwasher soap and personal convenience items.
- Community Harmony: We value the serenity of Union Pier. This is a strictly smoke-free and pet-free sanctuary. Large parties or family gatherings are not permitted.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
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

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Check-in Time: 4:00PM (MI Time)
Check-out: 10:00AM (MI Time)
Parties/events not allowed. Non-smoking only.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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
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
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

About the area

Union Pier

Located in Union Pier, this cottage is in the city centre and on a lake. Vickers Theatre and Hesston Steam Museum are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at St. Julian Winery - Union Pier Tasting Room and Ghost Isle Brewery. 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 cycling and horse riding nearby.
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Map
Union Pier, MI

What's nearby

  • Union Pier Beach - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Gordon Beach - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
  • St. Julian Winery - Union Pier Tasting Room - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Round Barn Union Pier Tasting Room - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Townline Beach - 9 min drive - 2.5 km

Getting around

  • New Buffalo Station - 7 min drive
  • South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Buffet at Four Winds Casino - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Four Winds Sports Bar - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Timbers at Four Winds Casino - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪The Stray Dog Bar & Grill - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪White Birch Market - ‬14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cottage w/Firepit & Fireplace. Walk to Beach | Hidden Gem in Union Pier pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Union Pier Hidden Gem | 3 Blocks to Beach | Screened Porch & Fire Pit?

As of 8 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Union Pier Hidden Gem | 3 Blocks to Beach | Screened Porch & Fire Pit on 15 Jun 2026 start from £303, 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 Cottage w/Firepit & Fireplace. Walk to Beach | Hidden Gem in Union Pier?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Cottage w/Firepit & Fireplace. Walk to Beach | Hidden Gem in Union Pier?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cottage w/Firepit & Fireplace. Walk to Beach | Hidden Gem in Union Pier?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Cottage w/Firepit & Fireplace. Walk to Beach | Hidden Gem in Union Pier located?

Located in the heart of Union Pier, this cottage is within a 15-minute walk of Union Pier Beach and Lake Michigan. Gordon Beach and Wilkinson Village Heritage Museum 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. 34 out of 37 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 37 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 37 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 37 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 37 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.2/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stacy G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
One of the best places we have stayed! We wanted for nothing! Beautiful, clean, a great space!!! Will definitely go back!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Sept 2025
Stacy, Thank You!! We really hope to see you guys again real soon. Thanks, Ron (Waya Rentals)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sean H.

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

“Dells Bells” Guys Weekend

Perfect location for a guys weekend. Golf, Micro Breweries, bourbon, bonfires and NCAA football. Will stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Sept 2024
Sean, I just wanted to say thanks for the five star review. We really do appreciate it. Thanks, Ron (Waya Rentals)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jane S.

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

Perfect Summer Get-Away

We loved the home and location. The home is beautiful and had everything we needed. Looking forward to returning in 2022.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Aug 2021
Jane, Thank you !!! See you guys in 2022 Waya Rentals
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marcia F.

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

Beautiful property

We loved everything about this house. We would definitely return!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Oct 2022
Marcia, We just wanted to say thank you from all of us at Waya Rentals. We loved having you as our guest and really hope to see you again real soon. Waya
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne M.

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

Loved our stay!

The house was adorable! Very comfortable for our family and a few friends who visited. Well appointed and a great location. Will return.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Aug 2023
Suzanne, Thank you !! It was a pleasure hosting you and your family. We look forward to seeing you again real soon. Ron(Waya Rentals)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert C.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, listing accuracy

Very Nice

Very nice house and yard
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Jun 2025
Robert, I just wanted to say thank you from all of us at Waya Rentals Vacation Rental Company. We hope to see you guys again real soon. Ron (Waya Rentals)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cathy O.

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

Weekend

Stayed for a weekend wedding. Everything was great, lovely house with everything we would need for our stay. Highly recommend this home.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 23 Oct 2023
Cathy, I just wanted to say it was a pleasure working with you. Hope we see you guys again real soon. Ron (Waya Rentals)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth R.

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

Wonderful property!

Great location, very well appointed kitchen, perfect bedroom/common area layout and AMAZING back screened in porch and beautiful backyard. We’ll be back!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Jun 2021
Elizabeth, Thank you !!! We are so glad you had a great stay with us. We hope to see you again real soon Waya Rentals
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth T.

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

Beach getaway

Perfect house! Interior and exterior spaces were flawless. Beach was roughly an 8 minute walk. Enjoyed this rental immensely. It was perfect for our little family getaway.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Sept 2022
Elizabeth, I just wanted to thank you from all of us at Waya Rentals. We loved having you as our guest, and hope to see you again real soon. Waya
Verified

8/10 Good

Julia S.

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

Would stay there again

Comfortable house. Generous size layout. Nice fire pit, wood fully stocked. 10 minute walk to lovely beach. Very close to Red Arrow Road House and Whistle Stop. Lot of personal touches. Lots of beach toys and games.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Sept 2024
Julia, Thank you!! It was a pleasure hosting you and your family. We hope to see you guys again real soon. Ron (Waya Rentals)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Krisi S.

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

Wonderful

The house is absolutely gorgeous. Very clean when we arrived. They have all beach supplies and full kitchen supplies. Big bedrooms, lots of room for families or couples. Love the beach access. We would definitely come back.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Aug 2023
Krisi, Thank you ! So glad to hear you guys had a wonderful stay. We hope you will consider Waya Rentals again in the near future. Have a great rest of the summer. Ron (Waya Rentals)
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Houston H.

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

Definitely recommend

Our group totally loved this property. The beach is a short walk and we really liked the included beach chairs and towels. The screened-in back porch and fire pit were great for relaxing. We also thought the antique stores in Union Pier were excellent. We noticed the occasional train passing, but it wasn’t overly noisy. Absolutely recommend this property and would definitely stay again.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Sept 2024
Houston, Thank you!! This is one of our favorite rentals as well at Waya Rentals. We look forward to seeing you and your family again sometime soon. Ron
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura B.

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

Beautiful home

We had a wonderful stay at the Hidden Gem. The house is beautiful with lots of space. The beds were super comfortable. The outdoor space was awesome. We had a memorable long walk on the beach, which is a short walk from the house. The kitchen was really nice with everything we needed. We really didn't want to leave and hope to come back for a longer stay in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Oct 2022
Laura, So glad you guys loved your stay. We enjoyed having you as our guests and look forward to hosting you next time your in town. You and your family are always welcome ! Waya Rentals
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelly M.

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

Amazing Union Pier Vacaton

We absolutely loved this property! The space was perfect for our family getaway! The open layout was perfect for our 2-year-old to get around, the kitchen was amazingly stocked and supplied, and our favorite part was the screened-in back porch. We spent the most time there - playing games and having meals on the rainy days! The beach access (hill) was a little tough for our youngest and oldest members, but we appreciated how close it was! We'll miss the nightly bags tournements and game nights after full fun days in the sun!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Aug 2021
Kelly, I just wanted to thank you from all of us at Waya Rentals. We really enjoyed having you and your family as our guests. We hope to see you again real soon. Waya
Verified

8/10 Good

Lisa B.

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

Lovely home, some communication issues with management

The home itself was lovely, with a well appointed kitchen and lots of beach supplies and a cart to help with the 10 minute walk there. The pillows need an upgrade and there need to be 4 of them on a queen size bed, that's just standard. WAYA management was really poor and I suggest the owners switch to Bluefish.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Aug 2024
Lisa, I just wanted to thank you for your feedback. I am glad to hear you liked the place, but sorry that your experience with us was not the best. After reading all correspondence with your group I agree that in the future you are better suited to find another company to work with.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marie T.

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

End of summer getaway

Great spot, comfortable with all the amenities. Once we got used to train & traffic-too bad it’s so close to RAH’way.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rosemary C.

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

Fall getaway

We enjoyed this property very much. The house was very clean and comfortable for 4 adults. We especially liked the screened in porch. The kitchen is great size and fully stocked with equipment. At certain times of the day, the location right off a major road was noisy, but overall not bad. Nice short walk to a nice beach.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

6/10 Okay

M. Kathleen N.

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

Hidden Gem review

A little too close to the railroad tracks. Very loud. Screen porch furniture is very uncomfortable.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Oct 2021
Kathleen, So sorry to hear you did not love your stay as you can see from the past reviews this home is a top rental home in the area. Wish we could have done more to make your stay perfect.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carolyn V.

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

Girls Weekend

This home was so cute, clean and was in a great location. It had everything you need at a vacation home, fire pit, fireplace, screened in porch, beach chairs, beach towels, and a great kitchen. Would definitely recommend this Hidden Gem.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 11 Oct 2021
Carolyn, So glad you guys loved the place !! You and your family are more than welcome back anytime. Waya Rentals
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bob C.

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

Cute Home

We thorougly enjoyed this lovely home. The only problem we had was with the door locks. They were difficult to manipulate. We would rent again, but only if locks have been changed. Thank you for a restful, relaxing vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Sept 2021
Bob, Thanks for the great review, as we really enjoyed hosting you. Sorry about the locks, as Pella doors can be a pain in the butt sometimes. Waya
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Andrew G.

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

Union pier gem

We stayed here a week with our two boys 3 and 5. The house is great- high ceilings, clean and larger than most rentals in the neighborhood. It’s got a great back yard that’s fenced where our boys could play and had a fire pit for adults and smores! Location was great you can walk to Roadhouse and whistle stop cafe easily for coffee, lunch or dinner. Izzys, Union Pier market, Milda’s and Black Current are a longer walk but close none the less. The beach is a 10 minute walk - bring a beach wagon and head to Berrien beach and enjoy the day. The house does have beach toys, wagon, umbrella, etc… if you want o rent them. We were a little nervous being so close to Red Arrow highway , but it is a none issue as the house has great foliage to block the road. Rent this house you won’t regret it.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Sept 2021
Andrew, AWESOME !!!! So glad you guys loved the place. You were great guests so all of us at Waya Rentals thank you. Hope to see you again real soon Waya
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karen K.

Liked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Disliked: Location

House was beautiful, very comfortable but Location was disappointing

The house was beautiful and comfy. Linens and art was beautiful. The back porch was where we spent most of our time. Great for game playing, cards or just reading I was personally disappointed in the location. The house was right next to the highway and there was a lot of traffic noise. All in all we had a wonderful week tho
Response from VrboOwner on 24 Aug 2021
Karen, Thank you for the 5 star review and for your feedback. Inside the home we have never heard any road noise but I do understand that you can here cars if you are outside the home. I believe you are the first guest to mention this as everyone really seems to love the home based on the feedback and the reviews we get. Regardless, it sounds like you had a great stay and hopefully you will consider us again in the future.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mike S.

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

Beautiful House, Nice Yard

Loved the house. Had visitors and it is perfect for entertaining. Enjoyed the beach chairs and the short walk to the beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Jul 2021
Mike, I just wanted to thank you from all of us at Waya Rentals. We hope to see you again real soon. Waya
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Cutest Lake House!!!

My family and I had an absolute blast. The home is clean and so comfortable. We kept saying that it felt like our own and honestly I would decorate it the exact same way! We walked to the beach with our one and four year old which is only a block away. We would walk just a few min to grab coffee, wine and snacks at the little store on the corner. Our favorite part was the screened in porch on the back. We hung out there ever night and had a bonfire each night. Very sad to leave but we will definitely book this place again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jun 2021
I just wanted to say thank you from all of us at Waya Rentals. We loved having you as a quest, and we really hope to see you again real soon. Waya
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lorri G.

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

Pefect Family Getaway

House layout was perfect for our family getaway (6 adults). Beautiful decor and very comfortable beds. Well-stocked kitchen made meal prep easy. Nice size dining table for meals and playing games. Comfy living room for just hanging out. Very weak internet so don't plan on streaming any TV...bring DVDs.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2020

About the host

Hosted by Waya Rentals

Host profile image
Professionally managed by WAYA Rentals, a company founded on the idea that what makes a vacation great is not just having a place to go, but having a place that feels like your second home. That’s our mission and that’s our commitment. Let us help you discover the beauty of Southwest Michigan’s Harbor Country and find the “second home” vacation of your dreams! We’re confident that it will give you as much joy as it gives us.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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