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Walk to Private Beach, Great screened porch, Chefs kitchen, Open beam design

Family-friendly beachfront location with water park

Photo gallery for Walk to Private Beach, Great screened porch, Chefs kitchen, Open beam design

Exterior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Smart TV, fireplace, DVD player, books
Property grounds
On the beach, beach towels

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pet-friendly
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View map
Union Pier, MI
  • Place, Union Pier Beach
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Townline Beach
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Gordon Beach
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Airport, South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.)
    ‪39 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

Union Pier

A family-friendly stay in Union Pier awaits you at this cottage. Within just a 10-minute stroll, you'll find Lake Michigan and Townline Beach. .You can enjoy Smart televisions with a DVD player, and accommodation features a washing machine, free WiFi and 2 bathrooms. In-room dining is easy with a kitchen that comes equipped with a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. A fireplace, a patio and a living room are also available. Limited housekeeping is available. .Spend the day at the beach and enjoy the on-site water park. Added amenities include laundry facilities, a garden and barbecues.
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What's nearby

  • Townline Beach - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • St. Julian Winery - Union Pier Tasting Room - 4 min drive - 4.2 km
  • Local - 5 min drive - 5.3 km
  • New Buffalo Public Beach - 5 min drive - 5.0 km
  • Four Winds Casino New Buffalo - 7 min drive - 7.7 km

Getting around

  • New Buffalo Station - 6 min drive
  • South Bend, IN (SBN-South Bend Intl.) - 46 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Buffet at Four Winds Casino - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Four Winds Sports Bar - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Timbers at Four Winds Casino - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪The Stray Dog Bar & Grill - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Redamak's Tavern - ‬5 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Walk to Private Beach, Great screened porch, Chefs kitchen, Open beam design

The private Gowdy Shores beach is just 5 houses away from this Union Pier home. With a large screened-in porch featuring generations-old wicker furniture seating - including a chaise lounge perfect for reading a book and a long couch, great for afternoon naps! There is also a small table, great for small meals or serves perfectly as an outside office.

Step into the great room you are greeted by a recently refurbished home, features include an open post and beam floor plan, including a great room with vaulted ceilings, fireplace, and gourmet kitchen. The kitchen was renovated in 2012 and now includes a Viking cook-top with griddle, double oven, microwave, Cuisinart, stand up mixer and many kitchen utensils. The large kitchen island features a bi-level granite counter top and seating for four, stainless steel dishwasher, double basin stainless steel sink with a restaurant-style sprayer faucet. In the dining area, you will enjoy meals on the 12-foot long custom made cherry table. The living room has a fireplace, complete with granite surround, gas starter, ample wood storage. Enjoy a fire and great conversation in the over-sized Restoration Hardware leather couch with matching ottomans. The room also has a 42' Samsung Smart TV complete with a Netflix subscription for your use. The house sound system has an auxiliary cable to allow you to plug in your music via your player.

Beyond the great room, there are 4 bedrooms (three queen beds and a twin trundle bed), including a second-floor sleeping loft with skylights. There are two bathrooms - one with a bathtub and the other with a walk-in shower.

Keywords: Cottage

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Property amenities

Beach

  • On the beach
  • Beach towels

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car not required
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Music library
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo
  • Video library

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Gravel flooring in public areas
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (limited availability)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone
  • Safe

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near an outlet shopping centre
  • Near the marina
  • On a lake

Things to do

  • Water park
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
If you can please start a load of used towels it would be a big help in getting the place ready for the next visitor. Thank you !
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Rules

Please keep noise to a conversational level on the screened in porch after 10:00 pm.

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
    • Service animals are exempt from fees.
  • Note from host: Pets are allowed with a $50 Pet fee

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
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 private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadbolt lock in all accommodation.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Property is also known as

Gowdy Shores Beach House Private Beach Union Pier
Gowdy Shores Beach House Private Beach
Gowdy Shores Beach Private Beach Union Pier
Gowdy Shores Beach Private Beach
Gowdy Shores House Private
Gowdy Shores Beach House Private Beach!

Frequently asked questions

Are there any beaches close to Walk to Private Beach, Great screened porch, Chefs kitchen, Open beam design?

Yep, Walk to Private Beach, Great screened porch, Chefs kitchen, Open beam design is a short 6-minute walk from Townline Beach. Fun beach activities include kayaking, sailing and fishing. You can also find motor boats.

Does Walk to Private Beach, Great screened porch, Chefs kitchen, Open beam design have a pool?

No, this cottage doesn't have a pool.

Does Walk to Private Beach, Great screened porch, Chefs kitchen, Open beam design have a waterslide?

No, but it has a waterpark and lazy river.

Is Walk to Private Beach, Great screened porch, Chefs kitchen, Open beam design family-friendly?

You bet! With amenities such as a water park, laundry facilities and highchairs, it's no surprise that Walk to Private Beach, Great screened porch, Chefs kitchen, Open beam design is a winner with our family travellers.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Walk to Private Beach, Great screened porch, Chefs kitchen, Open beam design?

No, Walk to Private Beach, Great screened porch, Chefs kitchen, Open beam design does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at Walk to Private Beach, Great screened porch, Chefs kitchen, Open beam design?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM. Check-out time is 10:00 AM.

Walk to Private Beach, Great screened porch, Chefs kitchen, Open beam design Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 60 out of 64 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 64 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 64 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 64 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 64 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jane C., Chicago Illinois

Liked: Cleanliness
Our family and friends and dog loved this home! We have been vacationing in this area every summer for almost 30 years and this is definitely one of our favorites! Great location, short walk to the beach, super clean home that has an amazing and stocked kitchen - the hosts have thought of everything! Thank you!!!
Stayed 8 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

T&B G.

Liked: Cleanliness
We returned because we enjoyed this so much the first time. Charming house with "beachy" vibe. Owner is exceptionally helpful and easy to work with.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jane S., Kalamazoo

Liked: Cleanliness
The home more than meet our expectations. There was great attention to detail and comfort for guests.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Megan o., Chicago USA

Liked: Cleanliness
We just had a fabulous stay at this house. Perfectly comfortable for our family of 5 plus dogs and nice short walk to a pretty private beach
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

C N., Indianapolis, IN

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic beach cottage tucked away in Gowdy Shores! Just a short walk from the beach trailhead, and filled with personalized touches that really made the place feel like home, my family loved our week long stay here. If you are someone who likes to cook (we are), the kitchen is a chef's dream...fully stocked with anything you could need to make whatever your heart desires. The beds were comfortable, and I appreciated the extra fans in each room for white noise and some air circulation at night. Chris is a fantastic host who has thought of everything you might need (cleaning supplies, food storage, flashlights and first aid kits...just to name a few) We loved the front porch and the game cabinet. Everything about this place speaks to comfort, relaxation, and love. Thanks for having us!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

John T.

Liked: Cleanliness
This is a great beach house, not fancy—- funky but fun. Neighborhood is quiet, and beach is close. We have no complaints and would definitely recommend. Chris was excellent host.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ethan

Liked: Cleanliness
Good times.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amanda A.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect beach house

Perfect beach house in Union Pier! Cute, comfortable and a short walk to a beautiful private beach. House fully stocked with everything you need. Host was very responsive.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeff R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Summer Escape with the dogs

We had a terrific stay at the 4 Seasons Bungalow! Our family of 5 plus our two dogs found plenty of space to relax and recharge in the beautiful house. Our kids loved that they each could spread out in their own rooms. We loved cooking in the kitchen and spent each morning drinking our coffee on the porch after walks with the dogs through the laidback neighborhoods and woods. Our afternoons were spent on the beach. Loved seeing the deer as we walked to and from the beach. Sunsets were everything we expected, breathtaking. Late evenings were then spent in the great room filled with laughter and relaxing. Enjoyed eating out at some great restaurants and even found a terrific sailboat ride with Captain Steve at New Buffalo Sailing to watch the sunset from on our last evening. A perfect ending to our perfect escape. The house has everything you could need and the neighbors were very welcoming and helpful. Chris is a great host. Took the time to explain some of the nuances of the house. We’ll definitely be back again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

D T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Cool architecture and short walk to beach. Great location!

Loved the architecture of this space. Loved that there was a place for everyone. The house is COOL! The screened in porch was great. Beds were comfortable. The main area is GREAT for family gathering! Landlord was very attentive to any very minor issues that came up. This is a well loved and looked after home. It was wonderful that our dog and cat could come along and there was room for them. The wood floor allowed for easy sweeping. THE BEACH IS AMAZINGGG after a short forested walk. There is just one thing to be aware of. There really isn't any easy yard access or comfortable outdoor eating area. If you walk around to the back of the house, there is a fire pit in the grass. The mosquitos were harsh in this forested area. You know that though from the word...forest. No place for a dog to hang out. Dog hours are restricted at the beach before 11, after 6. Easy enough to work around but they are serious about it. I imagine this place would be amazing off-season too. Just a very relaxing visit in an easily accessible location. Best parts are the house itself and the BEACH!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Angela D., Clinton TWP

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Family Vacation Home!

Beautiful, friendly neighborhood, and a comfortable home away from home, with everything you need for a great vacation. Close to the water for beach days and quick day trips to Chicago see the big city sites. Just remember to bring your bug spray so you don't get carried away by mosquitoes! Our family had a wonderful time relaxing on the beautiful private neighborhood beach and enjoying some local fun spots to eat and have fun. Would recommend to all!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Naomi S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great family rental

Loved this cottage and location. Nice little walk to a lovely beach. Fun friendly summer vibes throughout the neighborhood. The house was more spacious than the photos made it look, and it was well stocked with everything we could have wanted including kitchen stuff, games, beach chairs, and firewood. Chris was a pleasure to communicate with prior to arrival and upon check-in. We'd love to stay again future summers. Thanks!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness

Sisters-in-law gathering

This was a 5 star experience from the moment we connected with Chris, he is a seasoned host and so kind. The home is beautifully appointed; a dream chef's kitchen, cozy living room, comfortable bedrooms & bath, outdoor fire-pit, and incredible screened-in porch. In the event of inclement weather, one can find a treasure trove of games to play at the dining table suited to gather the entire family. The sandy private beach is just steps away from the home! Looking forward to returning in the years to come. Thank you for sharing this special place.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

JOANNE R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family getaway

We all had a wonderful time at the Union Pier house. It was very well supplied with kitchen accessories, beach toys, chairs, towels and wagon. The walk to the lake was very pleasant, down a couple of blocks and through the woods to a very nice beach. Great location in a house with tons of character! Thanks Chris!
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tim G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Beach House

We thoroughly enjoyed "The Four Seasons Bungalow". Great open concept front room / kitchen. Short enjoyable walk through a quiet neighborhood to get to the beach. Chris, the owner, was a gracious host who was super easy to work with. Even the neighbors were nice(!).
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lilly F.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beach getaway

We really enjoyed our time in the beach bungalow! It was one of the most relaxing vacations we had since we could just walk to the beach with the kiddos in the wagon. Grocery stores and restaurants were close and easy to get to.The owner Chris was very responsive to our needs. We will be staying again.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bill G., Park Ridge, Il.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great location right near beach.

Chris' house is just as described. First of all the beach is a short walk of about 5 minutes and as opposed to some of the rentals I have had in the area the beach has plenty of room (there were six of us). Communication with Chris was great including any questions I had before our stay. Internet was down due to a big storm that had rolled in and Chris was in constant communication. We really enjoy cooking at home and the kitchen is spacious with everything you need and the living area is great also. Nice screened in porch to. We will be staying again.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Hanna B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great vacation!

Great house and beach for our vacation!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Russell B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Relaxing beach week

Everything one needs in a quiet bungalow. Great beach and neighborhood.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bekki S.

Liked: Cleanliness

The perfect beach getaway

This was a beautiful rental property, equipped with everything you needed and nestled into a quiet neighborhood a short walk from the beach. We loved the three seasons porch, the trail to the beach and the backyard fire ring. My son had so much fun sleeping up in the loft and the four bedrooms were plenty of space for our group to stay comfortably. The owner is very attentive and has thought of every detail. A perfect week with our family and a wonderful property to stay at!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

mary c.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Vacation

We returned to the area to see friends and family. The screened porch was wonderful..we had friends over for dinner every night and sat out there. The cottage is so comfortable, it’s open with lots of room. We went to the beach..a 4 minute walk, so easy! It’s so close to great restaurants, it made feeding our guests very easy. The kitchen at the cottage is just great. It has everything you’d ever need, so easy to work with. Chris was wonderful. He called when we arrived to explain a couple of things. We knew he was there if we needed him, everything was great so we just text him before we left to say thanks…GREAT VACATION.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Alex M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Spot - Amazing Location, Well Supplied House

If you like cooking on vacation, this place will be great for you. We housed six adults and a sub-six-year-old. Lots of beach gear: towels, chairs, a cart, etc. The kitchen comes fully stocked, including cutting boards and usable knives, which are a rarity.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Judy M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Location!

My family loves the water. It was an excellent location to the beach. We were also close to some terrific restaurants.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Matthew R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Summer vacation

House was able to handle six adults with two main bedrooms, a smaller bedroom and loft. The two bathrooms were able to handle simultaneous showers. Kitchen was well appointed with bowls, plates, cups and cookware. Plenty of eating area with the large table and counter top seating. Porch has very comfortable seating area. Beach area is beautiful.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Karla P., Hinsdale,IL

Liked: Cleanliness

Great beach house

We had a great week at this property. It’s furnished as described and has some really nice perks for the beach. The wagon and chairs Chris has are really convenient to use. The kitchen has everything you need to cook. Just have fun and enjoy the sunsets on the beach.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021