Entire home

Private Wooded Acre, Soaring Windows in Nat’l Park, 2 blocks to the beach

Photo gallery for Private Wooded Acre, Soaring Windows in Nat’l Park, 2 blocks to the beach

Amazing views of your one acre duneland yard through soaring 15 ft windows
We’ll equipped modern kitchen
Large bathroom with huge soaking tub and rain shower
Easy to find the bright orange door!
S’mores anyone? Fire pit under the stars

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8167.2 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Washer
    Washer
  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor space
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Gary, IN
    Marquette Park
    7 min walk
    East Shoreline
    7 min walk
    Indiana Dunes National Park
    17 min walk
    Gary, IN (GYY-Gary - Chicago Intl.)
    28 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

King

1 King Bed

Lower level

1 Queen Bed

Queen

1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

2nd Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Main Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Private Wooded Acre, Soaring Windows in Nat’l Park, 2 blocks to the beach

Find your Zen at 5 Star rated Playa Zen North and experience the quiet healing power of nature. This beautiful 3 Bed/2 Bath spacious, modern home offers a one-of-a kind immersion in natural beauty, with soaring 15 foot windows overlooking an acre of wooded dunes in a park-like setting less than two blocks from the beach. Soak in the giant tub for two with a massive window, facing your private woods. The only sounds you’ll hear are birds, rustling leaves, and waves of Lake Michigan. Pups welcome!

Your friends and family will enjoy 15 ft. tall windows with a spectacular view, modern well equipped kitchen, open living space, stone fire pit under the trees, a large deck, family room with 80 inch smart tv, and a beautiful outdoor fire pit to hang out on those cooler nights.

Each bedroom features hotel quality mattresses for a comfortable night's rest after your day in the Dunes. Enjoy a relaxing soak in the giant tub for two in the primary bath or an invigorating shower with luxurious rain showerheads in both bathrooms.

Bring the pups and let them run free through an acre of private woods, there's even a dog access door that you can open or close depending on your preference.

Check out the extensive art collection from mostly local artists. One of Miller Beach’s oldest restaurants (with great Lake perch, steaks, and chops!) is walkable- less than a block away!

This nature lovers' retreat is surrounded by the nation’s newest national park to the east and west, and Lake Michigan to the north.

Bring your hiking boots: Miller Woods and Douglas Dunes- part of the nation’s newest national park- offer birding trails and specialty hikes in all seasons. Paddle kayaks on an extensive lagoon waterway surrounded by cottonwoods and aspens, with an accessible public launch at historic Marquette Park.

Experience a moonlight hike along the ridge of West Beach trail, one of over twenty nature trails traversing spectacular dunes and ethereal moonscapes. Enjoy paved bike trails along Lake Michigan, through the dunes, and explore history at the Aquatorium and Chanute trail commemorating early history of modern flight and contributions of the Tuskeegee airmen- the first Black military aviators in the US Army Air Corps credited with turning WWII.

Or pack your SUP board and beach chairs and head to the shores of Lake Michigan, less than two blocks away. At the end of the day, a bonfire under the stars will be the perfect nightcap- bring the s'mores!

Whether you venture out into the surrounding parks or simply stay in, under the trees, you’ll leave feeling refreshed, enriched, and grounded the way nature intended.

Property manager

Jill Bellak
Premier Host

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 28
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed
$1000 fine for violation

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 3 total)

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
$500 fine for violation
Quiet time 10pm - 8am, the house is in a quiet neighborhood, please respect the neighbors. No more than 4 cars on the property.
Absolutely no smoking - Subject to $500 cleaning fee Absolutely no parties - Subject to $1000 fee
If you bring your furry family members, please clean up after them

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: $1000 fine for violation
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

Gary

Located on a river, this holiday home is in Miller Beach, a neighbourhood in Gary. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Indiana Dunes National Park and Lake Michigan. Travelling with kids? Consider Deep River Water Park and Team Combat LIVE.
Map
Gary, IN

What's nearby

  • Marquette Park - 7 min walk
  • Indiana Dunes National Park - 17 min walk
  • West Beach - 7 min drive
  • Ogden Dunes Beach - 11 min drive
  • Portage Lakefront Beach - 12 min drive

Getting around

  • Portage - Ogden Dunes Train to Chicago - 7 min drive
  • Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) - 65 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Flying J Travel Center - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪John T McCutcheon Travel Plaza - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Denny's - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Polekatz Indiana - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Wooded Acre, Soaring Windows in Nat’l Park, 2 blocks to the beach pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 3 total).

What time is check-in at Private Wooded Acre, Soaring Windows in Nat’l Park, 2 blocks to the beach?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Wooded Acre, Soaring Windows in Nat’l Park, 2 blocks to the beach?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Private Wooded Acre, Soaring Windows in Nat’l Park, 2 blocks to the beach located?

This family-friendly Gary holiday home is located on a river, within 1 mi (2 km) of Marquette Park, Lake Michigan and Indiana Dunes National Park. East Shoreline and Marquette Beach are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 29 out of 32 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 32 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 32 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 32 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Damon S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent stay Clean
Clean, quiet and comfortable! The host was pleasant!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

David B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
9/10 Excellent
Our stay was all we hoped for. The property was very nice and a close walk to the beach. We would definitely go back again. Thank you Jill!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The house was beautiful and so well stocked with everything we needed. The beds were very comfortable. Highly recommended.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kathy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Vacay
Very nice house. One i wish i could retire there. Had everything u needed. My grandkids and my son loved it. Alot of room to move around. Would highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best stocked rental I’ve ever had
Loved the house and all that came with it. The kitchen was so well stocked that you’d think you were at home.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jason D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house near Lake Michigan
This house was very clean and good location with private backyard and close to the beach. Our family of 8 fit comfortably
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jane M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice stay in the Dunes Area
The vacation home near Miller Beach in IN was comfortable and great a place to stay while we explored the Dunes and beaches. It was well stocked with everything from complete kitchen to linens and laundry as well as relaxing entertaininment via streaming TVs. We enjoyed the fire pit outdoors creating s'mores and memories of a wonderful time together. Our hostess was available to answer questions and guide us through this lovely area. Thanks for sharing your home!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

PAUL M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Midwest Beauty
House itself is very cool and stylish and comfortable in all areas. It’s early spring and the property yard and outdoor areas listed were not cleaned, wet and damaged or in unusable condition. Fortunately the windows clearly showed off the beautiful trees around the property from inside. Note the very large cleaning fee is not revealed on the listing.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sara P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sweet stop for eclipse viewing
Spent three nights for a visit to the Dunes, drive down to see eclipse and great walks on the beach. The house was perfect for our group of six and puppy. Plusses: Short walk to gorgeous beach! The yard was a perfect place for pup to play and get some energy out. Didn’t use the fire pit or grill but nice to have. Kitchen was well stocked and we made several meals. Beds were comfortable and extra blankets were available. Opps: One of the rooms the blinds were not blackout so kids woke up early but not the end of the world. Other: Read an earlier review that some of the art was semi-nude (including a mini-replica of Michelangelo’s David), so we were prepared with our kids. We had a great time and would definitely start again!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

TAR C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Exceptional Property!! Stunning!!
One of the most gracious host. One of the most scenic and exquisite properties. Absolutely tastefully decorated from the linens from the Hyatt appliances to the nice stemware to the exceptional utensils. Everything just amazing I would definitely stay here again and plan on it and suggest everyone to book this property. Sending love from Minneapolis and New York City. Definitely enjoyed the stay during a time of grievance.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tessa M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house for a family gathering!
Had a great stay over Thanksgiving, the kitchen had everything for cooking a great meal. The living room/kitchen is perfect for enabling family to spread out a bit and still be in the same area, and the view through the trees was wonderful! The nearby grocery store has all the basics but if you need specialty items you might want to bring those along. Easy walking distance to the beach! Would love to stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brad G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Serenity
Relaxing get-away under a canopy of trees - short walk to Lake Michigan
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lynn H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely spot
We enjoyed our stay. Good location for exploring the Indiana Dunes and just a few blocks from the beach. We took our dogs there every night at sunset. Beautiful! Owner was very responsive to our queries and very determined to make sure we had what we needed. We had a lovely fire in the fire pit one night. Although we were in a residential area, the adjacent woods made the yard feel quite private.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Walk to the beach!
The house's common areas are well suited for group togetherness and the kitchen is well stocked. The highlight was walking to the clean, nearly empty beach not just to swim but also just to see sunset.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Claudia S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Comfy and cool
Host was wonderful, messaged her several times and she always messaged back quickly, house was clean, beds were comfy, tv in every room was helpful, quick walk to beach, GIANT bathtub. Fine for small kids, but not really baby friendly. Also their is a lot of local art which is really cool, but be aware that includes quite a bit of nude art as well. We didn't care, but it may bother some.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Molly D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice house
Jill was very helpful with any questions that we had during our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brittany H., Akron, Ohio

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet house in the woods minutes from Indiana Sand Dunes National Park
My husband, dog and I stayed here during our trip to the Indiana Sand Dunes National Park. I went for the dunes but this house wound up being the highlight of the trip. It was cozy, quiet while being modern and quirky and interesting. We loved looking at the modern artwork and decor. I legitimately got the best sleep in years here. The host was easy to communicate with. The neighbors in this small neighborhood minutes from the lakeshore/beach were super friendly. The kitchen was decently stocked with the tools you need to cook most meals. We walked to the beach which was maybe 2 blocks away to watch the sunset. The main portion of the national park was a 5 minute drive away.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lauren G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fantastic!
Everything was great! Highly recommend for beach access and/or hiking 😊 Dogs absolutely loved it!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Trevor w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Dunes and beyond
We enjoyed our stay. From running on the beach, to hiking the dunes the house was a great hub to return to. Great location if you want to hit Chicago and the National park in one trip.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sandrine S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing
The home is so wonderful and the surroundings peaceful. So close to the beach. The host is truly exceptional. We had a wonderful time. We will be back. Thank you.
Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2023

8/10 Good

Diane R., Hebron, United States

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Enjoyed stay
Appreciated being able to bring 3 large dogs for a family getaway. Easy walk to the beach. Felt safe walking dogs anytime.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Charlotte P.

Liked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great friends retreat
Four friends shared a winter get-away in this lovely home. The fireplace was a fun focal point for good conversation. Kitchen was excellent. House was clean, filled with quaint art. Great place to share a movie downstairs. Be aware that there are many steps. The house is very inviting, even in winter. The outdoor spaces would be fun in summertime. Great location for catching train into Chicago.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Deb L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beach vaca
Our house was attractive and comfortable at the same time. We had our four year old grandson and old dachsund with us and didn't feel like it should be a "don't touch anything" house. It was a quiet and quite friendly neighborhood, safe to walk to the beach or neighboring restarants. Communication with Jill, the homeowner, was instant and all questions answered swiftly.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer W., Farber, Missouri

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing property with plenty of space to spread out
Absolutely perfect house. Modern and open upstairs, cozy basement. We had 2 families stay here, 4 adults and 3 kids total. Plenty of room, extra living space downstairs. The outdoor space was amazing, fires with s’mores every evening. A few blocks walk to the beach, which was quiet and very family friendly. Amazing kitchen perfect for family meals, and a grill right outside the door. The house sits on a quiet street with the back yard to the woods. We loved our time there!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Gary D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family weekend
Overall, the home’s interior was beautiful and clean. However, the exterior yard could use some cleaning/maintenance.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Hosted by Jill Bellak

Host profile image
I love to travel and experience living like a local in short term rental properties. After doing this for years, I decided to start hosting others. Being a host is a fantastic experience and it's important to me to ensure all of my guests have a fabulous stay!

Why they chose this property

Playa Zen North is a special place in the woods of Miller Beach. It's unusual in that it's only two blocks from Lake Michigan yet extremely private. We renovated the home, down to the studs, to maximize the beautiful surrounding nature. It's a very peaceful place :-)

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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