*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. Also note, you will get pretty sandy during your adventures here!
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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
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 Southside Municipal Marina. South Haven Center for the Arts and The Fun 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.
North Point Conservation Area - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
Van Buren State Park - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
Pilgrim Haven Natural Area - 19 min walk - 1.6 km
Oval Beach - 32 min drive - 51.3 km
Getting around
Bangor Station - 18 min drive
Kalamazoo, MI (AZO-Kalamazoo-Battle Creek Intl.) - 52 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 7 min drive
Cafe Julia - 9 min drive
Burger King - 8 min drive
Little Caesars Pizza - 7 min drive
Six Chicks - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is A peaceful dune retreat pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at A peaceful dune retreat?
As of 27 May, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at A peaceful dune retreat on 30 Aug, 2026 start from S$330, 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 A peaceful dune retreat?
On-site parking is available at the 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.
The inside was decorated very nicely. All the necessary amenities were there. My only critique is that it would’ve been nice to have a downstairs bathroom, where are the bedrooms are. But other than that, everything was good. It was neat to have the dunes in the backyard, we labored our way up to the top to look at the view. It was nice.
Awesome dune retreat! Superb clean and perfect for a family. Kim was so attentive and quick to respond if we needed anything! Would love to stay here again!
Our stay was lovely. Just the right amount of space for our family. The kids loved running up the dunes. They are steep! Appreciated the location of the house was away from all the busyness.
Great location close to South Haven activities but isolated for a peaceful retreat. The trek to the beach is a good workout but worth the adventure. Quiet beach with no one in either direction. The sunset views from the top of the dune are remarkable.
We had a peaceful, relaxing girl's weekend at the sandbox with plenty of space for the 4 of us. The location was quiet and very beachy, even though the beach was over the sand dune! The sunset on top of the dune was outstanding and watching the stars once the sun fully set was a delight with little to no light pollution from neighbors or neighboring city lights.
Awesome spot! Loved the fact that the property sits right next to a dune. The climb to the top was not easy but the view from there is spectacular. It was super quiet and peaceful! South Haven is so close to the house that we drove our golf cart there. Kim (owner) was very responsive and helpful. I would definitely recommend this property and look forward to returning.
We stayed 11 days. Loved it very much and definitely will return. Sunset from the top of the dune is absolute spectacular, bike trail takes you right into SH downtown (30 min on the bike and you are at the Kids corner), the house itself is well kept and in very quiet community. 10 out of 10 vacation.
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!
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!
Perfect location. Amazing views along with privacy and quiet. Listing was accurate. Host was attentive and great communication. Would definitely stay again!
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.
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.
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!
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!
location was very easy to find...the SandBox is a location I would love to rent in the Summer or Spring to be more outdoors. I enjoyed every aspect of the SandBox from the fireplace to the overall woodwork of the place. The only sugguestions I would provided is a washroom on the 1st floor and better WiFi.
Location was close to public beaches, has a private beach but path to get there is brutal. Sand dune is very steep incline and couldn’t carry anything to beach area. House was very clean, very hard water so DON’T be surprised if things turn orange. Was very well stocked with paper products, dishes and s’mores supplies was cute touch!
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.
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!
Debra S.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
About the host
Hosted by Kimberly Hawkins
Why they chose this property
This home was featured in Coastal Living magazine.