Harbor Country Home with Guest Cottage, Private Pool, Short Walk to Beach!
Unique, charming home in beautiful Harbor Country (Sawyer), only 80 miles from Chicago. With its main house and guest residence, this property can comfortably accommodate up to 8 guests. Just a short walk to the beaches of Lake Michigan; drive-in beach access also available. This one-acre wooded lot offers plenty of space for privacy and has its own pond, fire pit, and outdoor dining area.
Beautiful built-in heated pool with wood deck. Large poolside outdoor dining table. The large grounds are ideal for entertaining with great games like volleyball or horseshoes. Kitchen with high-end appliances (Blue Star range, Sub Zero fridge, Bosch dishwasher). PLEASE NOTE: THE POOL IS NORMALLY CLOSED FROM MID SEPTEMBER UNTIL THE FOLLOWING MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND.
The main house has three bedrooms and two full bathrooms (one with an over-sized soaking tub); the guest house has its own bedroom and a full bathroom. Bedrooms lay out as follows:
- master bedroom: queen bed - second bedroom: queen bed - third bedroom (kids' bedroom): 2 twin beds - guest house bedroom: queen bed plus single sleeper sofa The main house has a spacious kitchen, breakfast nook and full dining area; cozy living room with fireplace and cable TV; and sizable screened-in porch. The guest house offers a bedroom, full bath, living room with convertible twin bed sofa, cable TV, kitchenette, and its own screened-in porch. WiFi available. PLEASE NOTE: WE DO NOT ALLOW WEDDINGS, EVENTS, OR PARTIES.
DURING THE SUMMER, FULL WEEKS RENT FROM FRIDAY TO FRIDAY AND PARTIAL WEEKS RENT SUNDAY TO FRIDAY. Please contact regarding details on weekend and weekly packages during the off-season.
CANCELLATIONS: A 100% refund of paid rental fees (exclusive of HomeAway/VRBO fees) will be provided for cancellations made by lessee at least sixty (60) days prior to lease start date. A 50% refund of paid rental fees (exclusive of HomeAway/VRBO fees) will be provided for cancellations made by lessee at least thirty (30) days prior to lease start date. Refunds will not be granted less than thirty (30) days from start date of lease.
Keywords: Main House and Guest House
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Amenities
Pool
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
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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
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
About the area
Sawyer
Located in Sawyer, this cottage is near theme parks and on a lake. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Warren Dunes State Park, while Burnison Galleries and The Acorn are cultural highlights. Travelling with kids? Consider Captain Mike's Fun Park and Waikiki Jacks. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing, and don't miss out on the sledging.
Warren Dunes State Park Beach - 4 min drive - 2.5 km
Four Winds Casino New Buffalo - 12 min drive - 21.4 km
Indiana Dunes National Park - 28 min drive - 56.3 km
University of Notre Dame - 42 min drive - 61.7 km
Getting around
New Buffalo Station - 14 min drive
South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.) - 47 min drive
Restaurants
McDonald's - 7 min drive
Wolverine Gardens - 15 min drive
Molly's Corner - 9 min drive
Rising Kites Coffee - 9 min drive
Journeyman Distillery - 13 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Harbor Country Home with Guest Cottage, Private Pool, Short Walk to Beach! have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.
How much does it cost to stay at Harbor Country Home with Guest Cottage, Private Pool, Short Walk to Beach!?
As of 15 Apr, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Harbor Country Home with Guest Cottage, Private Pool, Short Walk to Beach! on 9 Jun, 2026 start from S$851, 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.
Is Harbor Country Home with Guest Cottage, Private Pool, Short Walk to Beach! pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Harbor Country Home with Guest Cottage, Private Pool, Short Walk to Beach!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Harbor Country Home with Guest Cottage, Private Pool, Short Walk to Beach!?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Harbor Country Home with Guest Cottage, Private Pool, Short Walk to Beach!?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Harbor Country Home with Guest Cottage, Private Pool, Short Walk to Beach! located?
This family-friendly Sawyer cottage is located on a lake, within 3 mi (5 km) of Lake Michigan, Warren Dunes State Park and Lake Louise. Warren Dunes State Park Beach is 2.8 mi (4.5 km) away.
Reviews
9.6
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
My family of 4 had a wonderful stay! The property was beautiful, and we loved the shady pool area. The walk to the beach was a bit long for my 5 year old, but it was a very short drive to Warren Dunes (5 minutes). It was great to have a fully equipped kitchen and lots of room to explore. Helpful host and clear instructions. We'd definitely visit again!
Beautiful harbor country property for a 50th girls birthday trip. The pictures do not do this house justice. It’s so beautiful. All decor has great attention to detail and the pool was spectacular! We loved our stay and I would love the bring my family back. Great proximity to beach, local shops, restaurants, wineries and breweries. Thank you!
Great property. Layout is conducive to family time. Property had toys and other baby/toddler/kid activities. Fire pit area is amazing. Pool was clean and fenced off. Really enjoyed our time.
We enjoyed our time here so much. The kitchen is quite well equipped. Our bed (in the loft) was delightfully comfortable and we slept so well. All of the outdoor space was great for little kids to run around, and the pool and surrounding deck and amenities were so great to have on days it was hard to coordinate the little kids for the beach. We loved having the screened porch. Everything was clean and the location was perfect for enjoying all the nearby shore and villages have to offer. Steve provided super quick responses to any questions. Plenty of parking space for our 3 big SUVs.
Loved the place! Two comments, not enough toilet paper and I would try to eliminate the odor in the cottage
jane k.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Jane, thanks for the comments. We typically have the cleaning staff leave an additional full roll of toilet paper in each bathroom. My apologies if that was not the case. Regarding any odor, I'm not sure exactly what you are referring to. We've not had any previous guests mention that, but we will be sure to monitor it in the future. Thanks for staying with us.
We enjoyed our long weekend here. Everything was very clean. The pool temperature was great, warm enough to swim in 70 degree weather. We enjoyed the outdoor table and peaceful surroundings. Nice walk to the dunes state park which is a great place to go to the beach. Communication with the owner was excellent.
An absolutely remarkable property, with interesting artistic touches throughout, and spaces for every occasion. Inside, the living room is comfortable and inviting; the kitchen is well stocked and user friendly. There is a screened-in porch where many of us hung out in the mornings and evenings. The cottage is lovely, with a spacious sitting area, in addition to its bedroom. The grounds are both very pretty and spacious. And perhaps the most notable feature is the pool and surrounding area, including a long table that has succulents growing in the middle of it. Must be seen to be believed. Bottom line, it was a magnificent stay, and we hope to return annually.
We were in love with our stay. I visited with my family, who was in town from Nebraska. We all agreed that the photos didn't do the property justice. It was like a wonderful oasis in the woods, surrounded by trees with lovely views and spaces to explore around every corner.
We stayed for five days, loving the pool, the outdoor table, the fire pit, the kitchen, the guest house--basically all of it. We're already talking about going back.
Maggie R.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Maggie, thanks so much for staying with us. We hope you visit again in the future. Steve N.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
11 Jul, 2012
What a great rental!
We just loved this rental! The property is fantastic and private! What a lovely home to spend a relaxing week over the summer. Whether we were spending time at the pool, playing games on the screen porch, having a campfire or just relaxing and reading a book. It has something for all of us. The home is clean and has every ammenity you would need! The only problem was that we coudn't stay longer. We loved it!
This cottage with the extra house was a great getaway for our family to relax! Pool was amazing for the granddaughters to swim and relax in. We enjoyed the extra space to do a fire pit at night. Loved seeing the deer in the early morning hours. One thing I will say is that the mattresses on all the beds need to be updated and navigating the stairs to the basement for laundry was treacherous! Although, we were thankful for the chance to have laundry in the house.
Karen S.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Aug, 2024
Karen - thanks for your review. The alternate tread (half step) stairs to the basement are not familiar to everyone, but they are easy to navigate for most people after the first use. Regarding the beds, virtually all the mattresses are currently no more than 2 to 3 years old. It might be your preference for a different firmness, as we use medium-firm mattresses for the bedrooms.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Debra M.
20 Aug, 2016
Perfect Family Vacation
A great retreat that accommodated our family of 9 which included 3 generations. Plenty of room for everyone to have their own space to read, play a game or take a nap. The kitchen was fully equipped with all the comforts of home and more.
This is a quaint little house located on a quite street just a short walk to the beach and we took full advantage of all that the area offers including hiking at Grand Mere State Park, climbing the sand at Warren Dunes and wine tasting at the Round Barn Winery.
This property attracts quite a bit of wildlife including a doe and her two fawns that made passage through the yard on a daily basis along with a friendly chubby chipmunk that hung around the grill patio, and croaking frogs in the backyard pond.
After reading previous comments about mosquitos, we came prepared with a Thermacell and citronella candles which were needed sitting near the pool and around the ready made bonfire. The week went by too fast. We will definitely be back!
Debra M.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2016
Archival
4/10 Poor
Kathleen G.
21 Sept, 2015
Outdoor areas are nice. Inside not so nice.
We were shocked when we arrived at this rental. The reviews had all been so glowing. The pool and outdoor areas were nice. The house was not clean. Upon arrival the house was full of insects. We had planned to house a guest in the "guesthouse" but it was too dirty. The "sleeping porch" on the house was constantly filled with flies and everything on the porch was grimy. We purchased and replaced at least 8 indoor or outdoor light bulbs. We cleaned the entire house on day one of our arrival because it was unacceptable. This could be a nice place but perhaps the housekeeping between owner visits is not up to par. Needs better indoor and outdoor maintenance.
Kathleen G.
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
As 10 year members of VRBO/Home Away, we have always made it a priority to be responsive to our renters - prior to, during, and after any rental. It’s unfortunate that this renter was unsatisfied with the condition of our home upon their arrival. We encourage our renters to let us know of issues as soon as they arrive so we can address them immediately. However this party did not communicate their dissatisfaction until now. We had assumed their rental went well, as this renter had sent an email upon arrival stating that things were in order at the house and sent another note afterward stating that they enjoyed their stay.
The property checks a lot of boxes for a family vacation. We were there with our daughter's family including four kids ages 5 and under. Grandma and Grandpa were happy to have our own place in the guest cottage. There was room for all of us at the dining table in the main house, and the private pool was a big attraction. There were also many little conveniences that made it nice - lots of plasticware for the kids, cookware for preparing meals, broom/dustpan for sweeping up the inevitable crumbs, etc. Be sure to look through the little white booklet from the owners that will answer lots of FAQs. There were several nearby options for entertaining the kids, from Warren Dunes beach/park to Captain Mike's bumper boats, a pick-your-own blueberry farm, etc. We walked the kids up the street to the playground in Bethany Beach neighborhood for a quick recess, and no one chased us out although we were told they are protective of their area. We also drove up to St. Joseph for the giant splash pad and great Silver Beach Pizza spot. While there are closer golf courses, we drove an hour north to Ravines, a nice Arnold Palmer course ($44 weekday senior rate), and Mommy and Daddy enjoyed renting a jeep on the dunes even further north. The property itself is a bit like being in the woods - a deer was dining on the plants behind the houses when we arrived. We had a campfire one night (be careful on the stone steps leading down) and the 5-yr-old chased the little tree frogs hopping around. The grounds could use a little pruning and a power washer could be put to good use here and there, but indoors was clean and comfortable. Good communication with the owners. We notified them of a loose screen and jamb on a porch door and they had it fixed before we left. All in all we would consider staying here again.
Our family of 8 (kids in their upper 20’s) had a wonderful experience- the pool, the outdoor dining area, the fire pit were all highlights. The Sonos sounds system was very cool and we loved having music at the pool. Walking distance to the beach and nearby coffee shop- location was great. The house was well appointed for cooking which was important to us as we love to cook. Would definitely stay here again! Hosts were very responsive and great to deal with as well!
Family got together after not seeing each other for two years due to the Covid pandemic.
We were pleased with the accommodations. The furnishings were a combination of modern and antiques. Kitchen was well stocked. The pool was delightful temperature, clean and refreshing.
Not far from the beach. Quiet neighborhood. Only 90 minutes from Chicago. Wonderful vacation.
My son, daughter-in-law & baby granddaughter stayed 5 days in this home. Home & grounds were lovely, private & spacious.
We enjoyed the convenience of a pool. We really enjoyed the close semi-private beach. The nearby town was small but had everything we needed- fresh produce, other groceries, a couple of nice restaurants & a few shops. We would happily return.
The house and cottage were a nice fit for our family. The house is more well stocked than other properties we've visited - dishes, pans, pool and beach gear, and a lot of books and toys for the kids in our party. The pool was the feature we booked for and we sure did get a lot of use out of it! We also loved the Sonos music that allowed us to play music in many areas including poolside. We did have one issue/question during our stay and the owner was easy to contact and helped us fix the issue quickly which I really appreciated. Thank you!
Had a good experience at this property. We went October 2020 as a break from being at home and to see some fall foliage and enjoy the area. House is in a great location, walkable to Warren Dunes--we walked there twice during our visit. House had everything we needed - big kitchen with everything you need to cook some nice meals, and plenty of spaces indoor and outdoors to gather. Would stay here again.
Sherry D.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020
About the host
Hosted by Steve Nichols
Avid traveler. Have stayed at other VRBO locations.
Why they chose this property
Proximity to my home.
What makes this property unique
Nearly a full acre property. Great proximity to the beach, restaraunts, and shopping.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests