See all properties
Entire home

A peaceful dune retreat

Photo gallery for A peaceful dune retreat

Exterior
Exterior detail
Private stairs up the dune in backyard
Beach
Terrace/patio

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

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

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Single Bed and 2 Double Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only · Outdoor shower

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Outdoor shower
Kitchen
Balcony
Garden
Dining area

About this property

A peaceful dune retreat

*Fully renovated Spring 2025* Welcome to The Sandbox Beach House, an exclusive dune retreat offering solitude, adventure, and a unique experience unmatched by any other. Imagine a renovated cottage set beside 26 acres of protected dunes, reserved only for residents of this quiet subdivision.

Picture yourself journeying over the backyard dune via the house's private stairs. On the other side, you'll find an idyllic beach calling you to settle in. Or, follow the path up the tallest dune, soaring hundreds of feet over Lake Michigan, and treat yourself to the lake's most stunning sunset views.

Should tranquility be your vacation goal, envision curling up with a good book in front of our locally-sourced Michigan stone fireplace. Or perhaps unwinding on the expansive deck, enveloped by the awe-inspiring landscape of colossal dunes.

Nestled a mere 5-minute drive from the vibrant heart of South Haven, you can also reach the town by a 15-minute bike ride along the freshly paved Van Buren Trail.

Experience the majestic beauty of Michigan by strolling or swimming along our stunning shoreline at dawn or dusk. Numerous walking trails from the subdivision lead to the sprawling 400+ acre Van Buren State Park and North Point County Park. Discover additional beach access and walking trails at Pilgrim Haven Park, located less than a mile away.

While the hike to the private beach can be challenging and may not be enjoyable for all guests, nearby Van Buren State Park and Pilgrim Beach offer more easily accessible beach experiences within a mile's distance.

We kindly ask that you respect our precious dunes by keeping to the marked trails. If you encounter overgrown paths, you have likely strayed off course. Help us protect and stabilize our beautiful dunes by minimizing your impact.

This rental home requires self-reliance, from independent check-in to the use of an electronic keypad. Guests are expected to troubleshoot common technological issues, such as resetting a Wi-Fi router. If you're not comfortable with using technology or if you're seeking a property with 24-hour concierge services, our home might not be the right fit for you.

Property manager

Kimberly Hawkins

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

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

Similar properties

Living area

Cozy 2 bedroom cottage with fireplace

  • Kitchen
  • Pet-friendly
  • Outdoor space
  • Parking available
7.4 out of 10, (6 reviews)
Cozy 2 bedroom cottage with fireplace

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
No parties or gatherings larger than reservation
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Stay on designated dune trails
Do not play or run on dune stairs.

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
Note from host: No parties or gatherings larger than reservation
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

We should mention

A car is not required for transport to and from this property

About the area

South Haven

Located in South Haven, this holiday home is on the beach. 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. The Fun Park and Kids Place Park are also worth visiting. Take some time off to enjoy the winery tours in the area, or get some fresh air with adventures like hiking/biking trails and mountain biking nearby.
Map
South Haven, MI

What's nearby

  • Van Buren State Park - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Pilgrim Haven Natural Area - 4 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Kal Haven Trail - 10 min drive - 11.6 km
  • South Beach - 10 min drive - 10.6 km
  • North Beach - 10 min drive - 11.3 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 A peaceful dune retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at A peaceful dune retreat?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at A peaceful dune retreat?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is A peaceful dune retreat located?

Situated on the beach, this holiday home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Porter Legacy Dunes and Lake Michigan. North Point Conservation Area and Van Buren State Park are also within 10 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. 81 out of 90 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 90 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 90 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 90 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 90 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Anthony D.

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

Family Beach Stay

Unique family friendly location with beach access.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeff S.

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

Cool property

Very fun property. Definitely got a workout. Great views and good times
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anna D.

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

Weekend stay

We had a great little weekend here. Cozy and neat location.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca R.

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

Incredible View, convenient & clean!

We arrived an hour earlier ahead of check in & got in right away. The place was quaint, clean & accommodated our stay for two nights! We absolutely LOVED the view at the top of our ‘mountain’ aka dune!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cory W.

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

Fun Place!

The Sandbox was very cute and the town was fun! The hike to the beach uphill both ways is definitely a workout!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amanda C.

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

Amazing

Perfect location. Amazing views along with privacy and quiet. Listing was accurate. Host was attentive and great communication. Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kate H.

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

Great place in a gorgeous setting!

We had a great weekend stay at the Sandbox. The home is adorable and so cozy but we spent our whole weekend outdoors exploring the beach and hiking the dune paths! A unique and enjoyable stay and the views of the lake from the top of the dune were incredible! Hope to come back late this summer for a beach weekend!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Courtney R., Frankenmuth, MI

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

The Ultimate "Sandbox"

The property literally sits next to a dune with a pathway to Lake Michigan. It had every amenity we needed and very clean! We went in the winter, we would definitely come back for any other season!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

indre v.

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

Love it

Very cozy house, fun climbing on the dunes,nice beach had very nice time!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer C.

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

Fun at the Sandbox

Very clean and relaxing property. Best of all, we made it up the dune.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heidi L.

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

Perfect little get away

We had a wonderful time celebrating my husband’s birthday weekend with friends at the sandbox. It was clean and cozy with a wood burning fireplace. The owner communicated great and check in was a breeze. So thankful for this stay and the memories we shared.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debra S.

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

The Sandbox in South Haven

We enjoyed our stay at the Sandbox! Beautiful home, nicely decorated. Felt like home! Steep dune to beautiful lake Mi. Enjoyed walking the pier in town and the lighthouse. Great reastaurants nearby and all the amenities of home for an at home meal! Quiet setting. Comfy beds. I would stay here again! Just beutiful!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Heidilynn D.

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

Cute cottage tucked at the back of the dunes

Great place! Cute cottage, very nicely decorated, could house 2 adults and 3 kids easily. The stairs up the dune look daunting, but we are an out of shape middle aged couple and we made it up and over to the beach and back. Beautiful sunset view from the top of the dunes.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne P.

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

Summer South Haven Beach Getaway

We just loved this amazing, peaceful location just 10 minutes outside of town, with the large dune directly in the yard. You definitely need to be in good shape & able to climb/hike in hot sand, so this would likely not be a good fit for those with physical limitations. The views were absolutely stunning. The house was charming, extremely clean and well-stocked, easy check-in process. Our 3 kids loved the adventurous climb to the stunning beach. Highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

kathy s.

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

Private

Accurately described property. Very nice deck and fire pit area. Hill has 97 steps if we counted accurately. Two of us (both 67 and active) climbed it 3 times over two days. View from top superb. Downhill to beach a more gradual descent. 5-10 minutes to quiet lovely sandy beach... some collectable rocks.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matt B., Fort Wayne, in

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

Nice remote cabin

We wanted a remote stay and this cabin is very nice and provides that. We stayed for 5 days and had zero issues. In fact we only saw about 5 people in the surrounding neighborhood and beach in the entirety of our stay. The dune hike to get to the beach could be troublesome if you have problems getting around. We got a workout toting our young kids up and down the dune. The beach itself was worth it though. In our 5 days there we practically had the beach and dune trails to ourselves. In the event you couldn't traverse the trails, downtown South Haven, public beach, park, splash pad and lighthouse are approximately 10 minutes away. While being remote this cabin has all the amenities of home. WIFI, cable, washer/dryer all are in great working order. The WIFI for cell service was very useful as we didn't have cell reception otherwise. Basic condiments, plates, glasses and cooking utensils are there. As well as a grill and outdoor chairs. If you're looking for a remote location still close to South Haven and what it has to offer I highly recommend this cabin.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Avram S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Sandbox

Very unique setting in the dunes. House was comfortable, clean and well organized. 10 minutes from town. Fun stay, highly recommend for those who are fit enough to navigate the dunes!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Keenan F.

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

Love the Sandbox!

My friends and I had a great time at this little getaway. The house is nice and remote, the view from the top of the dune is gorgeous (gotta see the sunset!!), and South Haven is a perfect west MI summer getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Robert L.

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

Work remote retreat

Property in a quiet secluded dune area. Not particularly close to the beach if that's what you're after. There's a small trail system to the south that can be reached by foot from the property, and the park beach just a couple of minutes drive away. Getting into town is best done via car or bicycle. WiFi and internet connectivity were great, more than fast enough to participate in video calls and stream HD content. Coverage through the house is good, I enjoyed many a day working from the deck. During high winds electricity to the house flickered. Only happened to me once during the day and then only briefly. Putting the WiFi access point and cable modem on a small battery backup would go a long to making those storms a non-issue, and the switched power supplies would probably appreciate it. Loads of 2-way and 3-way light switches, but they are all very well labeled. Took a few days to get know where I could turn on/off what. Kitchen is quite reasonable, more than enough to prepare real meals. Water does not taste good, I left a Britta filter there -- if it isn't there, they are in the hardware section of the nearby Meijer. Also donated a coffee grinder - the house had a drip coffee machine and something for k-cup style coffee. As others have pointed out, the bathroom on the 2nd floor and bedrooms on the 1st is a bit of a bummer. The way the bathroom is laid out you have to 'dance' around the door. I was fine for 3 weeks, but if you have mobility issues it is something to consider. Overall this was a very charming place to stay and I felt productive working there. My coworkers loved the background of the dunes!
Stayed 23 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dorrie V.

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

"More Sandbox!"

The kids loved it and asked for "more sandbox" every morning. Very clean, which I loved! Thanks for a great stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

pam s.

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

Wonderful time at the Sandbox!

We had a lovely week at the Sandbox. The house was well-appointed and everything was easy to find. Just a 10-minute drive to downtown South Haven and the public beaches there. Word of warning, the hike over the dune was intense, as was the walk back. Walking sticks were provided and highly recommended!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

6/10 Okay

Tim O.

Liked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Great! Except for the water

Everything was great! Except the water was orange and smelled like iron. Nobody wanted to take a shower because it smelled bad and after a few days started to turn our toenails and skin orange! Otherwise it was great, but we probably wouldn't stay there again due to the bad water situation.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer D.

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

Family time

Great house! All the comforts of home. Very quiet and relaxing!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Joel K.

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

Secluded workout

Very cozy cottage nestled right up to the back of a dune… picture an almost vertical wall of sand 80 feet tall with steps on it. This is only half the battle. The trek is worth it but not for the faint of heart. Our three year old made it with a lot of complaining along the way but we all had a blast. A literal sandbox! Excellent time! Very peaceful and relaxing.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

About the host

Hosted by Kimberly Hawkins

Host profile image

Why they chose this property

This home was featured in Coastal Living magazine.

What makes this property unique

There is a giant dune in the backyard!

Languages:

English
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback