The Brick Bungalow: Historic Charm & Modern Perks

She's a brick..Duplex! The perfect solution for 2 traveling families: Two separate units in the same house, conveniently located near all the attractions! Recently renovated and decorated, and only 2 miles from sandy beaches. Arcade game, 3 smart TVs, and fire pit. Near tree-lined hiking trails in the national park, casino, wineries, boat rentals, cafes, Michigan City Zoo, splash pad and park, outlet malls, & antique shops; the perfect getaway for up to 14 people who want to relax or adventure!

To avoid any confusion, potential guests should thoroughly read ALL information below before requesting to book. (We promise that the info below will better prepare you for your trip and answer 99% of your questions!) Thank you!


UNIT PERKS:
--This rental includes TWO units within the same house: an upper unit and lower unit. The upper unit sleeps a max of 4 people. It is a one bedroom unit (attached bath) with a pull out couch in the family room. The lower unit sleeps a max of 10. It is a 4 bedroom (2 of which are connected by an open wall), 2 bath unit with a pull out couch in the living area. Each unit has its own kitchen with a fridge/freezer, sink, stove, oven, microwave, toaster oven, blender & coffee maker. Essentials like plates, cups, cookware, utensils, & paper towel will be provided for your use.
--Along with coffee, creamer and sweetener are provided.
--Cooking oil, salt/pepper are provided. Brands provided depend on what's in stock at local stores, so if you have specific brand/flavor preferences for these items, please feel free to bring your own. :)
--Each unit has its own bathroom. A hair dryer and showering essentials/bath towels are available.
--All bedrooms have some form of dresser storage and hangers for clothing storage. There is also an iron and ironing board in each unit.
--Small beach toys for kids and a large woven beach towel is provided for each guest.
--Retro style arcade game, popcorn machines, and a few board games are available for your use.
--Guests can park up to three cars in the driveway. There is also free street parking directly in front of the house.

TECHNOLOGY:
--A large, flat screen smart TV is hooked up in each living area (3 total), though we recommend the outdoors over the tube! ;)
--Wifi is provided -- at least 100Mbps
--A washer/dryer is available for your use in the basement. (Note: this space is shared between both units.)

ADDITIONAL INFO:
We welcome guests of all backgrounds! However, due to prior disrespectful renters and property damage, we will only be accepting booking requests from:
--Users who are "verified" and who already have positive reviews from other hosts.
--Renters that are above the age of 25.
--Renters who are not bringing pets.
--A maximum of 14 guests per reservation. Extra guests are not allowed. (We do have another property—Dunes Duplex—right down the street from this one. That property sleeps 12 people total, so those searching for space for more than 14 guests can rent both properties and still be within close proximity to others in your traveling group. Please feel free to click on our profile to see our other properties.)
--We value our relationship with our neighbors, so events/gatherings/parties are not to be held by guests. In order to keep the unit in excellent condition for future guests, we are firm on these rules. We apologize for this inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

***As hosts, we have sustained damages to our properties in the past. Because we value our relationships with our neighbors and because we aim to keep the properties in top condition, we do require guests to have previous positive reviews from past trips. If you do not have previous positive reviews from past trips, we do require a fully refundable $500 damage deposit. The deposit is returned on your day check out when the cleaning team arrives and confirms the property is in good condition.***

***Smoking is NOT allowed inside or around the property. If there is any evidence smoking occurred inside or within 50 feet of the property (smoke smell, ashes, paraphernalia, etc) there will be an additional $300 cleaning charge and/or loss of security deposit if one was collected.

***Note that the neighborhood itself is transitional, and while our guests have never had safety issues while staying with us, the area hosts eclectic mix of people: both locals and tourists. The police station is less than a mile away, along with many other popular restaurants and attractions. If you have any specific questions or concerns, please feel free to read previous location ratings/reviews from other guests, and/or reach out prior to booking.

***Note that there are train tracks a few blocks away. When a train goes by, you may hear the whistle. Train schedules vary greatly so there is no telling how often you will hear it while vacationing—Many of our guests have said they never heard it, some say they heard it clearly but it didn’t bother them, and others say they were bothered by it. We've provided sound makers in each room (and beside the pull out couches) for light sleepers. The vast majority of our guests do not complain of the train, but you are welcome to bring ear plugs for nighttime if you’re a light sleeper or if you’re concerned.

***Note that if you are bringing infants/babies, the units are NOT baby-proofed. (Furniture is NOT secured to walls, outlet blockers are NOT included, cabinets/drawers are NOT locked, etc.) You assume responsibilities for all guests.

***Note that all guests will have to climb steps up the front porch. Please also note that the steps which lead to the upper unit and to the basement of the lower unit are incredibly steep. (The duplex is historic.) If all guests in your party are NOT able-bodied, it will be difficult to access the upper unit and the basement of the main floor unit. There is also a low threshold on your way down into the basement area, where guests will need to be mindful of their heads. (We have signs up as a reminder as to not hit your head when walking up/down the stairs, but like to mention it here as well.)

***We’re happy to provide an outdoor area with 8 chairs, a lighter, and a firepit; guests who wish to utilize this area should plan to bring their own firewood or purchase some at any of the nearby local stores like Meijer, Walmart, Menards, etc. (We used to supply firewood at our properties, but storing it attracted rodents and caused damage, so we now ask that guests bring their own.)

CHECK-IN INFO:
--Guests who book will receive detailed check-in instructions and a key code for entry on the morning of their scheduled arrival. All of this will be communicated through AirBnB messenger.
--Please note that Michigan City is on Central Standard Time (CST). Check-in is between 4 p.m - 9 p.m.; guests must check out by 10 a.m. so that we can clean/prepare for our next renters before they arrive.
--Our cancellation policy is moderate.

Michigan City is a great vacation spot. A variety of activities are available for everyone, regardless of age/ability/interests.

Favorite spots include restaurants/cafes:
--Shoreline Brewery
--Panini Panini
--The Goblin & The Grocer
--Lakeshore Coffee & Specialties
--Hokkaido Sushi
--Fish Camp
--Zorn Brewery

Grocery Stores nearby include:
--Nature's Cupboard
--Meijer
--Walmart
--Jewel (Chesterton)

Things to do:
--Michigan City Beaches
--Michigan City Zoo
--Michigan City splashpad park for kids
--Michigan City Outlet Malls
--Michigan City park (with weekly live music and jungle gym for kids)
--Michigan City Skate Park
--Blue Chip Casino
--The nation's newest national park includes tons of additional beaches along Lake Michigan, and fourteen hiking trail systems at the Indiana Dunes.
--May guests also enjoy visiting wineries and breweries throughout the region, horseback riding, as well as antiquing.

*Please note that the neighborhoods throughout Michigan City are often transitional, and while our guests have not had any personal safety issues in the many years we’ve been hosting, Michigan City hosts an eclectic mix of people: both locals and tourists. The police station is typically less than a mile away from all of our rentals, along with many other popular restaurants and attractions. If you have any specific questions or concerns, please read previous location ratings and reviews from other guests for this specific property, and/or reach out with any specific questions prior to booking. Over the years we’ve been hosting, our rentals have averaged between 4.6 and 5 stars (out of 5) in the location category.

A car is the best mode of transportation around the area. Feel free to bring your own bikes, as biking along the lakefront is beautiful!