Waterbird Lakeside Inn

2.0 star property
Lakefront hotel in Chesterton with free parking

Photo gallery for Waterbird Lakeside Inn

Room, 1 King Bed, Lake View
Lobby
Lobby
Exterior detail
Iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

Reviews

8.2 out of 10
Very good

Popular amenities

  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Laundry room
  • Housekeeping
The current price is AU$325
includes taxes & fees
5 Feb - 6 Feb

Explore the area

View map
556 Indian Boundary Road, Chesterton, IN, 46304
  • Place, Chesterton Art Center
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Place, Lustron House
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Wykes-Plampin Nature Preserve
    ‪3 min drive‬

Room options

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Lake View

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(48 reviews)

Highlights

Balcony
Air conditioning
Fridge
Flat-screen TV
Hairdryer
Shower/bath combination
Private bathroom
Microwave
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Lake view

Room, Lake View

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(47 reviews)

Highlights

Balcony
Air conditioning
Fridge
Flat-screen TV
Hairdryer
Shower/bath combination
Private bathroom
Microwave
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Double Beds
  • Lake view

Room, 1 King Bed, Lake View

Highlights

Balcony
Air conditioning
Fridge
Flat-screen TV
Shower/bath combination
Jetted bath
Hairdryer
Private bathroom
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Lake view

About the area

Chesterton

At Waterbird Lakeside Inn you'll be within a 20-minute walk of Chesterton Art Center and 3.1 km (1.9 mi) from Indiana Dunes National Park. Highlights at this hotel include in-room free WiFi and balconies. .This smoke-free hotel offers free WiFi in public areas, express check-in and express check-out. Additionally, you'll find laundry facilities. There's also the convenience of free self parking. .Attractions within a 20-minute drive of this Chesterton hotel include Lake Michigan and Blue Chip Casino.

What's nearby

  • Chesterton Art Center - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Lustron House - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Wykes-Plampin Nature Preserve - 3 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Indiana Dunes National Park - 3 min drive - 4.6 km
  • Indiana Dunes State Park - 4 min drive - 5.6 km

Getting around

  • Portage - Ogden Dunes Train to Chicago - 12 min drive
  • Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) - 68 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪Sunrise Family Restaurant - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬7 min walk

About this property

Waterbird Lakeside Inn

Lakefront hotel in Chesterton with free parking
Waterbird Lakeside Inn offers its guests laundry facilities, express check-in, and express check-out. Public spaces have free WiFi. Free self parking is available.

This Chesterton hotel is smoke free.

  • 1 building
  • 30 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • Self-service laundry
  • Express check-in
  • Express check-out
  • No smoking on site
Waterbird Lakeside Inn offers 30 air-conditioned accommodations with coffee/tea makers and a hairdryer. Rooms open to balconies. Guests can make use of the in-room fridges and microwaves.

This Chesterton hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. 40-inch flat-screen televisions come with premium cable channels. Change of towels and change of bedsheets can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free uncovered self parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Laundry facilities

Conveniences

  • Laundry facilities

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Housekeeping (daily)

Outdoors

  • On a lake

More

  • 1 building
  • 2 floors
  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Double-glazed windows
  • Local culture and ecosystem education
  • No plastic water bottles
  • Reusable cups
  • Reusable tableware
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom

Entertainment

  • 40-inch flat-screen TV with premium cable channels

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Mobile key entry
  • Phone
  • Water-efficient showers
  • Water-efficient toilets

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 11:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

This property doesn't offer after-hours check-in
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are not available.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types

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
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a security system
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children. If you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a security system in all accommodation. Guests can access their rooms with a mobile device.

Property is also known as

Waterbird Chesterton
Waterbird Inn
Waterbird Inn Chesterton
Waterbird Lakeside Hotel Chesterton
Waterbird Lakeside Inn Chesterton
Waterbird Lakeside Inn
Waterbird Lakeside Chesterton
Waterbird Lakeside
Waterbird Lakeside Inn Hotel
Waterbird Lakeside Inn Chesterton
Waterbird Lakeside Inn Hotel Chesterton

Frequently asked questions

What is the cancellation policy at Waterbird Lakeside Inn?

Waterbird Lakeside Inn offers free cancellation on select room rates. Check out the cancellation policy for more info.

How much does it cost to stay at Waterbird Lakeside Inn?

As of 27 Jan 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Waterbird Lakeside Inn on 5 Feb 2026 start from AU$324.88, 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 parking available at Waterbird Lakeside Inn?

Yep, Waterbird Lakeside Inn has a free self car park.

Are there any beaches close to Waterbird Lakeside Inn?

The closest beach to Waterbird Lakeside Inn is Dune Acres Beach (6.2 km).

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Waterbird Lakeside Inn?

No, Waterbird Lakeside Inn does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at Waterbird Lakeside Inn?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.

Are pets allowed at Waterbird Lakeside Inn?

No, pets are not allowed.

Waterbird Lakeside Inn Reviews

Reviews

8.2

Very good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 421 out of 996 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 324 out of 996 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 142 out of 996 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 69 out of 996 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 40 out of 996 reviews

8.2/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

7.2/10

Amenities

7.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

RaeLynn

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

4/10 Poor

Tamela

Business traveller
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Very old, somewhat run down place
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sheli

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

MARQUITA

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Loved the balcony overlooking the lake
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Jorge

Travelled with group
Balcony was a nice extra. Room was clean and bed was comfortable. I’d stay here again if in the area
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joshua

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Clean with a nice view
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Tiwanna

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Amenities
The balcony was amazing and the beds was very comfortable. The only thing that had me at ease was the door to the parking lot was unlock all night that's not safe and there no dresser drawers in the room.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Josie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property is very close to the Dunes Parks. It was recently renovated. The room was big and comfortable and beds were very comfortable. It is very close by car to Chesterton, cute town where we enjoyed a delicious dinner at Lucrezia Italian restaurant. There were plenty of fast food places very close to the property.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Mackenzie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Depends how picky you are. I’m not usually overly picky, but I booked my boyfriend and I a room for one night on our way home from a week of hiking in Tennessee. I got a room with a hot tub. Well we walked into the room and the smell was horrible and strong. We had to open the door over looking the lake to air it out. We looked at the hot tub and determined we didn’t want to use it because it smelt like mold and looked dirty in the jets. We also had a heck of a time getting the TV to work. Getting the shower head to turn on was confusing too. The parking is odd. One row are straight the next is slanted, it’s pretty tight backing out. But other than this, it was quiet and peaceful, well besides the train that’s near by that goes through about every 15 minutes. Lake view was nice.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Steve

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was spacious and clean. The balcony should have been cleaned before we arrived though, there were cigarettes and garbage all over it. Otherwise I was pleased with the cleanliness. The area seemed safe and very quiet. Within walking distance to a few things and convenient to areas we were going.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ryleasha

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Got there late but the hot tub was well worth it
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nathan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Clean room, great view. Property is a bit dated but nice! Always stay here when in Porter area.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kendra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I actually had a bit of trouble finding the correct check-in area, as there are 2 adjacent motels/inns. But I really liked this place, especially with the deck overlooking the small lake. The room was clean and I felt safe. The staff was very friendly.
View from the deck at sunrise time.  There were several species of water birds present, but not in this photo.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Liz

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Ryan

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Parking seemed safe enough. The building is older and in need of attention. Broken window pane on one of the upstairs window. One light in my room didnt function and the bathroom door was splintering at the bottom. Room was clean! Though the building was in need of update and repair it was clean! Super cool to step out on balcony to be over the water, incredible view of the lake right put the sliding door of my room.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Margarita

Very cozxy and clean we love the views
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

2/10 Terrible

Armandina

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I am writing to formally report a deeply unacceptable experience at the Waterbird Hotel during my recent stay, and I am demanding a full refund for the appalling conditions and the utterly disgraceful customer service I encountered. On my first night, I stayed alone in the room (room 252, second floor), and everything seemed acceptable. However, when I returned the second night with a companion, we discovered something absolutely vile. A strong odor of feces became noticeable. When we checked under the covers of the second bed, we found dried, crusted poop stains on the comforter. This was not fresh; it was clearly an old and unhygienic mess that had been left there from a previous guest. I have photographic evidence of this and am prepared to share it with the Better Business Bureau and Hotels.com. What made this situation even more intolerable was the behavior of your front desk staff. When I tried to explain this to him, he was immediately sarcastic, dismissive, and smirking at me. He questioned why we hadn’t noticed it the first night, which is irrelevant and insulting given the circumstances. I have stayed at this hotel many times, and I have never been treated so disrespectfully. His attitude was completely unprofessional and his refusal to offer a full refund is absolutely unacceptable. Sleeping in a bed with someone else’s dried feces is not just disgusting, it’s a serious health risk. I demand a full refund for this stay, and I will be forwarding this complaint.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice, big rooms with a beautiful view of the lake. The room was clean and comfortable. Would recommend for the price.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Erin

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room looked much nicer in the photos. Was basic and fairly clean inside but the balcony was really dirty and filled with spider webs and spiders. Literally counted 20 huge spiders so we couldn’t enjoy the balcony.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Deandre

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Kimberly

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The lake view is beautiful!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Evelyn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Mary K

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Amenities
Room was basically clean could’ve used a little bit more work. Cabinet doors would not close in the bathroom. Could use grab bars in the bathroom. Parking was great. The staff was friendly in the beginning, but abrasive when asked questions on the second day. Would not stay there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Business traveller, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very tranquil.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kayla

Liked: Cleanliness
Great lake view
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025