Entire home

1 bed/1 bath, 1.5 blocks to beach/town, dog friendly

Photo gallery for 1 bed/1 bath, 1.5 blocks to beach/town, dog friendly

front doors of Cottage 1 (left) and Cottage 2 (right)
front door of Cottage 2
view of main living space  from front door
family room pull out couch
dining area upclose

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 3

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Outdoor space
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Union Pier, MI
  • Gordon Beach
    ‪9 min walk‬
  • St. Julian Winery - Union Pier Tasting Room
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Four Winds Casino New Buffalo
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Michigan City, IN (MGC-Michigan City Municipal)
    ‪17 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 3)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

pull out couch

1 Double Sofa Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

1 bed/1 bath, 1.5 blocks to beach/town, dog friendly


Come explore Elephant Walk, a dog-friendly compound, walkable to beach and town, designed to make memories for your group. It provides multiple gathering spots both outside and in while ensuring ample privacy at the same time. Our Main House offers giant living spaces to accommodate the whole group and provides 4 very large bedrooms and 3 baths. On the same grounds, there are 5 smaller cottages that offer full kitchens/bathrooms/living spaces and house 1-2 bedrooms each. If you would like to rent the Main House as well as 1+ cottages, please see our VRBO links to the other cottages or message me to check on availability. Host your retreat, wedding party, or reunion here for an unforgettable experience!

We allow large group bookings only (Main House + at least 2 cottages) until late Fall of each year at which point we'll open up the calendar for anyone to reserve the house and cottages separately and allow for instant booking. Please message us for details, and we will respond within 24 hours.

Much work has been done to this compound since we bought it in Jan 2019. Stay tuned to this as we will update pictures as changes are made as well as provide more updates we'll make over the coming years.

*2024 updates from a home maintenance standpoint:
-Entire property: new exterior paint, parking signs for all of the cottages, new ceiling fans
-Main House: gas grill added to charcoal grill option, new screened porch furniture and ceiling (no leaks!), kitchen backsplash, new balcony off primary bedroom
-Cottage 2: electrical overhaul to fix sporadic outages
-Cottage 3: expanded private enclosed yard
-Cottage 4: new basketball hoop
-Cottage 5: kitchen refresh with new countertops and kitchen sink

**Everyone must review the rental agreement which is comprehensive: lists the terms of the rental agreement, the dog waiver (if you are bringing a dog), provides suggested packing items, lists the hot tub rules (for Main House only).

**Please designate upon checking out if you are bringing a dog so you can have the pet fee added onto your final total.

**Note that Cottage 1 shares a wall with the far hallway corner of the Main House but as of 2022, we've added insulation and other measures to ensure noise transfer is drastically minimized. Cottage 1 and 2 used to have an interior door that locked but it was the source of noise transfer so in Spring of 2022, we closed up that door and added insulation in the units to minimize noise transfer. Cottages 4 and 5 share no walls as they stand alone on the property. All cottages have a pull out couch, and the Main House has 2 pull out couches, one in each king bedroom.

**From Memorial Day to Labor Day we require 3 night minimum stay, but a 7 night stay (Fri-Fri) is required in the heart of the summer, from June through beginning of August unless the week is already broken up.

**Well behaved dogs are welcome. Pets are required to be on leash outside of fenced yard, and you are required to pick up after them or fee will be assessed.

**Note our suggested packing items we provide right before your arrival. Starter paper towels, toilet paper, and garbage bags are provided but you'll have to bring your own after the starters. We don't do this because we're cheap or insensitive. We do this because we are not often in the area to run these kinds of things over, and we also like for guests to be respectful of the environment which we've noticed happens more often when guests bring their own disposable supplies. Thank you for your understanding!

Thank you for visiting, we hope you choose Elephant Walk for your next group get-away! Email us with any questions, and we'll answer any questions within 24 hours.

The links to the other units on the property are as follows:

Elephant Walk- Main House: www.vrbo.com/1519363
Elephant Walk- Cottage 1: www.vrbo.com/1519692
Elephant Walk- Cottage 2: www.vrbo.com/1519733
Elephant Walk- Cottage 3: www.vrbo.com/1519782
Elephant Walk- Cottage 4: www.vrbo.com/1519804
Elephant Walk- Cottage 5: www.vrbo.com/1519825

Cottage 2 is a great cottage, quaint with ample space for 2-3 guests. Drivers park on the street in front of house.

• 1 Bedroom Queen
• 1 Queen Sofa Bed in Living Room
• 1 Bath
• Cable TV
• Free wi-fi internet
• Air Conditioning. Central Heating
• Back patio shared with cottage 1
• Large shared front yard with cottage 1
• Access to Main House big backyard and other amenities (hot tub, outdoor shower, fire pits, game room, etc.) if sharing compound with large group
• Weber Kettle Grill for Charcoal
• Fully Equipped Kitchen

Property manager

Erica Carli
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
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

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 1 total)
Dogs only, waiver adhered to, $100 fee @ check out
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
-Pls bring own paper towels, toilet ppr, garbage bags. We provide starters only. No Saturday check outs ever! Cleaners don't work on Saturdays.
- Well behaved dogs are welcome, must adhere to pet waiver and must pay $100 pet fee at check out.
- 7 night rentals, Fri-Fri,last week of June-mid Aug, unless week is already broken up.Email for exceptions for large gps. 2 or 3 nt min other times

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
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

Union Pier

Located in Union Pier, this holiday home is near theme parks and near the beach. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Warren Dunes State Park. Travelling with kids? Consider Round Barn Union Pier Tasting Room and Local. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Union Pier, MI

What's nearby

  • Gordon Beach - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
  • Round Barn Union Pier Tasting Room - 3 min drive - 2.5 km
  • St. Julian Winery - Union Pier Tasting Room - 3 min drive - 2.6 km
  • Townline Beach - 3 min drive - 2.1 km
  • Four Winds Casino New Buffalo - 13 min drive - 11.3 km

Getting around

  • New Buffalo Station - 8 min drive
  • South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.) - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Buffet at Four Winds Casino - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Four Winds Sports Bar - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Timbers at Four Winds Casino - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪The Stray Dog Bar & Grill - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Redamak's Tavern - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is 1 bed/1 bath, 1.5 blocks to beach/town, dog friendly pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total).

What time is check-in at 1 bed/1 bath, 1.5 blocks to beach/town, dog friendly?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 1 bed/1 bath, 1.5 blocks to beach/town, dog friendly?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is 1 bed/1 bath, 1.5 blocks to beach/town, dog friendly located?

This family-friendly Union Pier holiday home is located near the beach, within a 15-minute walk of Union Pier Beach and Lake Michigan. Gordon Beach and Burnison Galleries 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. 17 out of 19 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 19 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 19 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 19 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 19 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

9.8/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Manuela G.

Liked: Communication

Unterkunft war sehr einfach

Ich war ca. 6 Tage in der Unterkunft. Es hätte etwas sauberer sein können und ich hatte zwei Tage kein warmes Wasser. Ich habe es zwar reklamiert, aber es dauerte dann noch gute eineinhalb Tage, bis das Wasser wieder war war. Aber nur zum Übernachten wars ok.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Francesca

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Came for a weekend wedding to beautiful Michigan and had the absolute best time at this spot! The space was clean and safe, the bed was SO comfy! Cannot wait to come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

TOM A.

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

Short get a way

Stayed three nights mid week , beach was great .realyq
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Candace M.

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

Family Reunion

We traveled to Union Pier for a family reunion. This property was conveniently located, close to other family members and close to the lake. It was a perfect place to return to for comfort and privacy. The cottage is very clean, the bed is comfortable, and everything we needed was provided. We loved it!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Rebecca R.

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

Union Pier August 25

Cute and cozy but definitely on the small side. Very close to highway and train tracks, could hear both. The location is a 10 to 15 minute walk to the beach. The beach is beautiful! Our host, Erica was attentive and easy to communicate with. A great place to stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cathy C.

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

Great relaxing location

Loved the cottage and being so close to Lake Michigan. Great location for restaurants, hikes shopping.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Harold A.

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

Cozy weekend trip

Great beach house with plenty to do in walking distance. Very accommodating hosts who were quick to reply to any questions. Can’t wait to visit in the summer
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrea W.

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

Raising to the occasion

Such a cute place! We ran into some hiccups upon arrival (no heat / no internet). Erica was super responsive - both issues were quickly resolved. The rest of our stay was absolutely comfortable and enjoyable. We recommend this place for all seasons!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Karen P.

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

Weekend Getaway

Cute, cozy and comfy cottage. Perfect for our weekend getaway. Bed was very comfortable which is a major plus! Would love to return in the summer to enjoy the beautiful beach!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan T.

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

Lake Michigan get away

Overall, this was just we needed. Lake Michigan is our favorite to rest and relax. We were also heading into Chicago from the Detroit Suburbs, so this is a great stop if you want to break up the trip. The lake was a short distance away with lots of shore to walk on, the neighborhood was charming and a restaurant was right around the corner. The only thing of note, is to check your coffee maker. I had to push on cord in back to get it to turn on and it did. Otherwise, it was a comfy rest for us. Thanks so much for the accommodations. We may definitely make this a stop on our way to Chicago again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Barbara S.

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

Great location in Harbor Country

Enjoyed our short stay at Union Pier, cottage was great!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Trisha L., Columbiana

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

Perfect location

Cottage was very nice and had everything we needed but wasn’t quite big enough for 3 of us. It was pretty cramped when we did want to just chill or play a game. It would’ve been a great place for just my husband and I for a getaway. We were blessed with great weather so we really went and did stuff each day all day. It was nice and close also to the beach which was stunning. The whole complex does not have great internet either we never could stay connected if that’s important to you if you have work to do or even want to watch a movie on your personal fire stick. Wonderful place to unplug though. The owners were available also if needed. Cute quaint cottage!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rita R.

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

Southbend Cubs

We were heading to the ballpark and decided to add a beach stay. Loved the Elephant Walk and all it provided. Had everything we could hope for.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer P.

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

Wanted to stay

After a very stressful year or so my husband and I just needed away, this cottage was just what we needed! Erica and Freddie were the best as well! Definitely want to go back!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stephanie P., Murfreesboro

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

Five Stars

This is the second time we've stayed here. Rented another cottage within the property for other family members and it worked perfectly! Brought our dogs and they loved the place, too!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michelle B.

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

Adorable cottage near the beach in quiet neighborhood

Close to beach. Around the corner from coffee. Dog friendly neighborhood. Quiet and clean.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kirk B.

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

Loved the Elephant Walk Cottage

Beautiful little cottage in quiet neighborhood. Short walk to the beach. Enjoyed a bike ride, the sunsets and the fire pit in the back yard. Two great days of relaxation in Union Pier. Thanks Erica
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

Angel R.

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

Cute place

Close to restaurants, stores, and the beach! Clean and cute. My boyfriend and I brought our dog and it was perfect for what a weekend getaway!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2021

10/10 Excellent

Pamela W.

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

Excellent place

Great place and location Felt very much like home will definitely book again for a fall weekend getaway

About the host

Hosted by Erica Carli

Host profile image
We live in Chicago and discovered Harbor Country through a family member, who has a home in New Buffalo. We fell in love with the area as it is a very short drive from Chicago, but makes you feel like you are a world away from the hustle bustle of the city. We know you will love this area of the country as much as we do. We are very detail-oriented when it comes to furnishing a home and have tried to think of everything to make your stay fun, relaxing and enjoyable. We are fair, level-headed and love to hear feedback about how to make your stay even better.

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests