Great Lakes Getaway-Lower Unit - Near Outlet Mall

Escape with family or friends near the dunes of Lake Michigan! Recently renovated and decorated, this turnkey unit is ready! Guests will love this lower unit located near a variety of attractions. Two miles from the sandy beaches, near tree-lined hiking trails in the nation's newest national park, casino, wineries, boat rentals, cafes, Michigan City Zoo, splash pad and park, outlet malls, & antique shops. This is the perfect little getaway for up to 6 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 a 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 spray or 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. :)
--A hair dryer and showering essentials/bath towels are available. The bedroom has dresser storage and hangers for clothing storage. There is also an iron and ironing board.
--Small beach toys for kids and a large woven beach towel is provided for each guest.
--A few board games are available for your use.
--Guests can park up to two cars in the gravel lot behind the home.

SLEEPING SET UP:
Lower Unit sleeps max of 6 people: One bedroom (queen bed), another bedroom (queen bed), and living area with one small (full sized) futon. Please note that the futon is small and firm, and while it’s advertised to accommodate two adults, we believe—based on size/firmness—that it’s much better suited for children.

TECHNOLOGY:
--A large, flat screen smart TV is hooked up in your living area, though we recommend the outdoors over the tube! ;)
--High Speed Wifi is provided.
--A washer/dryer is available for your use in the basement. (Note that this is shared with the unit below you, so other guests have access to the laundry as well.)

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 six guests per reservation. Extra guests are not allowed. If you have more travelers and would like to rent both units, perform an internet search for "Dunes Duplex of Michigan City". This will allow you to rent both the upper and lower units of the duplex at the same time, sleeping up to 10 people total.
--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 will 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 and others say they did hear it. We've provided sound makers in the bedroom (and beside the pull out couch) 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 unit is 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 the upper unit may be rented out at the same time, (their floor is your ceiling) so there is potential for noise from other guests.

***Please note that the futon is small and firm, and while it can fit two adults, it is most well suited for children.

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 and 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.

Self check-in with key code (to be sent the morning of your arrival). At least one host will be available via text throughout your stay. We tend not to be overly involved during your stay, but are local to the area if you need anything at all. :)

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!