House - Rating 4.8 (38)

The Dakota


Bedroom 4 bedrooms
Bathroom 2 baths
Half Bathroom 1 half baths
Guests 9 guests
Pets Allowed Pets Allowed

  • Location: Union Pier
  • State: Michigan

Book your Stay by May 18th and enjoy $100 off your visit with code FREEGAS. It’s our way of helping cover the trip, so you can focus on lakeside mornings, small-town strolls, and making the most of a well-deserved vacation. Drive an EV? Pocket the savings and rent one of our fabulous homes equipped with its own EV charger

Good for Stays May 1- December 31st, 2026. Must be Booked by 5/18/26.

Promo Code: FREEGAS

*Offer valid on new reservations ONLY, booked May 1–May 18, 2026, for stay dates through December 31, 2026. NO Blackout Dates, but may not be combined with any other discount or offer. Discount applies to rental rate only. Some homes may not be eligible; please check individual property listings for availability and eligibility.

*Offer expires 05/18/2026 and you must book your vacation between 05/01/2026 and 12/31/2026.


Description Description
1.5-acre exquisite 4BR/2.5BA retreat near Lake Michigan beaches! Soaring cathedral ceilings, a stone fireplace, and hardwood floors create a warm, inviting space. The chef’s kitchen features a granite island and high-end appliances. Relax in the enclosed porch, on private decks, or by the pool and hot tub. The spacious yard includes a patio, grill, and outdoor shower. Stylish bedrooms, spa-like bathrooms, and just 5 minutes to dining, wineries, and more! A perfect getaway!"Sumptuous," "Elegant," "Rich"—these words come to mind upon setting foot in The Dakota, an exquisitely designed 4BR-2.5BA home nestled on 1½ acres in the serene woods of Union Pier, less than one mile from Lake Michigan’s beaches. Completely renovated in 2014, this stunning property features cathedral ceilings, a Great Room with a stone fireplace, Brazilian Cherry (espresso-stained) hardwood floors throughout—with white oak in the bedrooms—and luxurious yet comfortable furnishings in every room.

The spacious kitchen is highlighted by a large granite island, high-end appliances, and a stylish bench-seat breakfast nook. A large, cozy porch with wall-to-wall windows and fashionable couches, chairs, and a "picnic table" provides you with great views of the massive backyard and surrounding trees, making it a relaxing oasis to sip coffee or your favorite wine.

Speaking of the backyard, it’s perfect for entertaining, with a fenced, seasonal pool (with an outdoor shower and bathroom), a covered wooden deck, an outside patio (with a patio set), an eight-person hot tub, a barbecue grill, a huge lawn, and a fire pit.

Back inside, all four bedrooms are large, super-comfortable, and professionally styled, and three have private decks. The Dakota can sleep up to nine.

Primary Suite: 1 King bed
Bedroom 2: 1 King bed
Bedroom 3: 1 Queen bed
Bedroom 4: Twin-over-full bunk bed + trundle (sleeps 3 total)

Two bathrooms feature granite-topped double sinks and tiled showers.

Besides being near the majestic, crystalline sand beaches of Lake Michigan, and some great spots to eat, drink, and be merry in Union Pier—along with its stylish boutiques and quaint antique shops—you’re also super-close to many popular restaurants, coffee shops, distinguished art galleries, and unique shops in downtown New Buffalo! Plus, you can enjoy countless activities afforded by being a stone’s throw from the region’s largest recreational harbor, including boat, jet-ski, kayak, paddleboard, and other watercraft rentals, as well as fishing expeditions and day or evening cruises. There are also all sorts of woodland, lake, and riverside parks with hiking and biking trails galore.

In addition, Warren Dunes State Park is nearby, with its 2,000 acres of amazing sand dunes, gorgeous beachfront, wetland trails, and extraordinary birdwatching! Many of our guests also relish visiting New Buffalo’s Oselka Park, which has baseball fields, playground equipment, and tennis courts. And being so centrally located, there are plenty of nearby fun activities to keep you busy during your vacation, including: • Multiple public Lake Michigan beaches
• Farmers markets
• Seasonal festivals
• Local award-winning breweries
• Local award-winning wineries and wine tours
• Golf courses
…and more!To ensure a safe and compliant stay, all guests are required to complete identity verification prior to check-in. A valid government-issued photo ID will be collected and verified, and the name on the ID must match the credit card used for payment. When applicable, a background screening may also be required as part of the booking process.

All guests are required to review and sign Juniper Holiday + Home's Guest Occupancy Agreement prior to check-in. While we understand that events can affect your trip, it is our policy to stick to the agreed-upon cancellation policy in the listing. We recommend purchasing vacation travel insurance if you suspect you may need to cancel your reservation.

The minimum age to rent this home is 25.

The pool is seasonal and will be open from Memorial Day Weekend - Labor Day. Specific Open and closure dates are scheduled by the local pool vendor.

We welcome up to 2 dogs at this home at no additional charge. Please include the number of pets you plan to bring or let our team know after booking. 

A non-refundable Accidental Damage Waiver is included with your reservation. This waiver covers accidental damage or loss to the rental property caused by you or members of your party, up to a maximum of $2,000. This plan does not cover intentional acts, gross negligence, or willful misconduct.

Out of respect for our staff and their families, we do not permit check-ins or check-outs on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Thank you for your understanding.

Permit No: STR-25-0165

Location Location

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Amenities 59 Amenities
  • BBQ grill
  • Beach essentials
  • Body soap
  • CanMonkey
  • Children’s dinnerware
  • Cleaning before checkout
  • Cleaning products
  • Coffee
  • Coffee maker
  • Cookware
  • Dishes and silverware
  • Essentials
  • Extra pillows and blankets
  • Indoor fireplace
  • Iron
  • Laptop friendly workspace
  • Outdoor pool
  • Pack ’n play/travel crib
  • Patio or balcony
  • Pets allowed
  • Room-darkening shades
  • Suitable for children (2-12 years)
  • Suitable for infants (under 2 years)
  • TV
  • Wireless Internet
Car/Vehicle
  • Garage
Family
  • High Chair
Home Features
  • Air Conditioning
  • Bathtub
  • Dryer
  • Hangers
  • Heating
  • Hot Water
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
Home Safety
  • Carbon Monoxide Detector
  • Fire Extinguisher
  • First Aid Kit
  • Smoke Detector
Kitchen
  • Baking Sheet
  • Dining table
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stove
  • Toaster
  • Wine Glasses
Pool & Hot Tub
  • Hot Tub
  • Private Pool
Property Features
  • Fire Pit
  • Garden or Backyard
  • Private Entrance
  • Single Level Home
Special Services
  • Luggage Dropoff Allowed
Toiletries & Cleaning Supplies
  • Bed Linens
  • Conditioner
  • Hair Dryer
  • Shampoo

Reviews Rating 4.8 (38) Reviews
Rating 5
This home was impeccable and perfect for our stay in Michigan. The host was very helpful and communicative. We loved the pool, hot tub and patio. Everything was perfect!
Stephen W. - Posted: 8/18/2025
Thank you for allowing us to host you and for sharing this kind review of your stay!
Juniper Holiday and Home staff
Rating 5
This home was impeccable and perfect for our stay in Michigan. The host was very helpful and communicative. We loved the pool, hot tub and patio. Everything was perfect!
Stephen W. - Posted: 8/18/2025
Rating 4
After the delayed check in everything was great. The communication was excellent and the property was nice
Barbara G. - Posted: 8/11/2025
Rating 4
Brian L. - Posted: 8/4/2025
Rating 2
The property is private and well supplied but we had problems with the guest registration process (IT to pre register simply did not work) and our arrival (someone was supposed to meet us there at 4pm to let us in and didn’t show up, the first entry code didn’t work and we had to wait for a second code to be assigned before we got in). I was only able to communicate by text as no one called me, even after we couldn’t get in andI asked for someone to call me. Shortly after arrival we found numerous maintenance issues- ice maker on fridge didn’t work, dishwasher filter was clogged with dirt and food debris, kitchen doors to the backyard screen porch wouldn’t lock (the house is not secure at night!), no screens on kitchen and living room windows so no privacy at night, only half of the jets on the hot tub actually work, and the grill had not been cleaned and was left uncovered in the rain by a prior guest. Given the high nightly rate, all of these things definitely made me feel like I overpaid for this property and I will not be back. In spite of all these issues the pool was great, the bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchen were well appointed, the beds were comfortable and the towels were soft. This property has the potential to be worth its nightly rate but it needs to be much better maintained than it is currently.
Tom G. - Posted: 8/17/2024
Rating 5
Ladies weekend away!
First time visiting Union Pier and we will definitely be back. This house was a perfect space for lounging and entertainment. There were plenty of beds for the 6 of us. We puzzled, relaxed in the hotub and enjoyed every minute of our escape from Chicago. Highly recommend this space!
Ashley - Posted: 4/28/2024
Ashley - Thank you for letting us help make your girl's weekend memorable! We appreciate your recommendation!
Juniper Holiday and Home staff
Rating 5
First time visiting Union Pier and we will definitely be back. This house was a perfect space for lounging and entertainment. There were plenty of beds for the 6 of us. We puzzled, relaxed in the hotub and enjoyed every minute of our escape from Chicago. Highly recommend this space!
Anonymous . - Posted: 4/28/2024
Rating 5
Lovely getaway
Airbnb
We received a text message ahead of time with a link to their site, which contained all of the instructions and details needed for a comfortable and safe stay. Small details like, the perfect temperature, amenities and treats upon our arrival added a nice touch to our experience. The large backyard provided ample space for our entire family to do independent activities comfortably. We look forward to our next stay at this lovely getaway.
Bruce Cunningham - Posted: 11/26/2023
Rating 5
Cozy place!
Airbnb
Cozy place!
Yuija T - Posted: 11/24/2023
Rating 5
Wonderful experience. Will be back.
Airbnb
We really loved our time at the Dakota. The house is as gorgeous as it looks in the pictures, and very spacious. Theres's plenty of room to spread out, but plenty to gather in, as well. There's also plenty of throughtful touches like board games, laundry baskets and detergent, and and an excess of beach towels. I mentioned in an email that we were visiting for my sisters birthday, and when we arrived, there was a personalized cake waiting for us. It was such a thoughtful gesture that went far beyond anything I'd expect. A few things that I find helpful to know about a place: you'll find all the pots, bowls, and cooking utensils you could need. There were a few baking sheets and even a crock pot. And there's plenty of plates, silverware, and drinkware on hand. Salt, pepper, and olive oil were provided. We had such a nice stay and will definielty keep Juniper in mind for future visits to the area.
Michelle O - Posted: 11/21/2023
Rating 5
Wonderful getaway
Airbnb
Wonderful getaway! We hope to book here again!
Christine H. - Posted: 10/22/2023
Rating 5
Loved our stay! Charming and comfortable home,
Airbnb
Loved our stay! Charming and comfortable home, great for our family. Great location near downtown union pier but still felt quiet and like a beautiful escape from the city
Naomi W. - Posted: 10/15/2023
Rating 5
Thanks - it was great
VRBO
This property was perfect for our family. Everything was as expected, and communication with the manager was quick and easy. We highly recommend this cottage!
Anonymous - Posted: 8/1/2023
Rating 5
Belated Father’s Day Weekend
Stayed here after visiting a couple wineries in the area with my wife, kids and their significant others for a belated Farher’s Day weekend. Beautiful house, pool, backyard fire pit, etc. in a perfect location for our plans. Great communication with management throughout. We visit the area occasionally since there are lots of things to do within a short distance from home. We’ll look for this place every time we’re traveling with our family.
Derek S. - Posted: 7/28/2023
Thank you Derek! We are so happy to hear our property helped to make your Father's Day enjoyable!
Juniper Holiday and Home staff
Rating 5
Stayed here after visiting a couple wineries in the area with my wife, kids and their significant others for a belated Farher’s Day weekend. Beautiful house, pool, backyard fire pit, etc. in a perfect location for our plans. Great communication with management throughout. We visit the area occasionally since there are lots of things to do within a short distance from home. We’ll look for this place every time we’re traveling with our family.
Anonymous . - Posted: 7/28/2023
Rating 5
Airbnb
"This is our second time staying here and we love this house! We love to come in the winter and play in the snow. the house is so beautiful and you have everybody you need - lots of kitchen supplies, towels etc. And if you are traveling w kids, they had everything we needed like a pack and play and highchair and kids plates and cups. The team is very responsive and helpful but the house was in pristine condition and we didnÔø?t need anything. We actually walked to the nearby wineries (14 min walk) and to get coffee - and easily popped from town to town. Union Pier is so lovely and this house is in a great location to explore Union Pier, New Buffalo and more!"
Jane - Posted: 4/26/2023
Rating 5
Airbnb
"The Dakota is a beautiful property -- super clean, comfortable beds, and close to lots of hiking and outdoor activities. We enjoyed the large family room area off of the kitchen with the wonderful fireplace, games, and great TV streaming options. Highly recommend!"
Anne - Posted: 4/26/2023
Rating 5
Airbnb
"Staying at the Dakota was easy, breezy and fun! There was a welcome gift and travel size body products in each bathroom. The house was flooded with natural light and the skylights in the bathroom were a nice surprise. The kitchen is well-stocked for cooking. The fireplace and hot tub were highlights for us (as we visited in Feb). ItÔø?s as comfortable as a home away from home could be and I definitely want to visit again in the summer."
Nicole - Posted: 4/26/2023
Rating 5
This property was perfect for our family. Everything was as expected, and communication with the manager was quick and easy. We highly recommend this cottage!
Anonymous . - Posted: 1/8/2023
Rating 5
Thanks - it was great
This property was perfect for our family. Everything was as expected, and communication with the manager was quick and easy. We highly recommend this cottage!
Chip L. - Posted: 1/8/2023
Thank you for the wonderful review, Chip. We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay. You are welcome back anytime!
Juniper Holiday and Home staff
Rating 5
The property and home are amazing, very clean with high-end elements. We stayed in late-September and even though it was too cold to use the pool, the hot tub was great and the various patio spaces and fire pit, and fireplace in living room, were nice to enjoy as well. We loved our stay and highly recommend booking this place for a relaxing getaway!
Anonymous . - Posted: 11/1/2022
Rating 5
It was fun
The property and home are amazing, very clean with high-end elements. We stayed in late-September and even though it was too cold to use the pool, the hot tub was great and the various patio spaces and fire pit, and fireplace in living room, were nice to enjoy as well. We loved our stay and highly recommend booking this place for a relaxing getaway!
Mia F. - Posted: 11/1/2022
Thank you for the amazing review, Mia. We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay. You were a wonderful guest, and we would love to host you again.
Juniper Holiday and Home staff
Rating 5
The property was great. Very nice decor. The TV in the room with bunk beds was not working. thanks
VRBO
Thank you.
Anonymous - Posted: 7/31/2022
Rating 5
Thank you.
Anonymous . - Posted: 7/31/2022
Rating 5
The property was great. Very nice decor. The TV in the room with bunk beds was not working. thanks
Thank you.
Ethel M. - Posted: 7/31/2022
Thank you for feedback, Ethel. We will make sure that the TV is fixed. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay and would love to host you again.
Juniper Holiday and Home staff
Rating 5
Amazing Stay
VRBO
Everything about this vacation house is exactly as listed and even better than we could have imagined. The house was beautiful, clean and has all the amenities you need. The heated pool , backyard , hot tub and fire pit all added to our amazing experience. The location was perfect and secluded, but easy access to beaches , restaurants, breweries etc.Communication was seamless and their follow up was very professional. I highly recommend this and you won’t be disappointed.
Anonymous - Posted: 7/23/2022
Rating 5
Amazing Stay
Everything about this vacation house is exactly as listed and even better than we could have imagined. The house was beautiful, clean and has all the amenities you need. The heated pool , backyard , hot tub and fire pit all added to our amazing experience. The location was perfect and secluded, but easy access to beaches , restaurants, breweries etc. Communication was seamless and their follow up was very professional. I highly recommend this and you won’t be disappointed.
Tim L. - Posted: 7/23/2022
Thank you for your review. We would love for you to stay with us again.
Juniper Holiday and Home staff
Rating 5
Everything about this vacation house is exactly as listed and even better than we could have imagined. The house was beautiful, clean and has all the amenities you need. The heated pool , backyard , hot tub and fire pit all added to our amazing experience. The location was perfect and secluded, but easy access to beaches , restaurants, breweries etc. Communication was seamless and their follow up was very professional. I highly recommend this and you won’t be disappointed.
Anonymous . - Posted: 7/23/2022
Rating 5
Such a great place!
VRBO
We loved this beach house! Such a great location, clean, fully loaded, and the perfect place to host a girls weekend. We could not believe how great the set up was!
Anonymous - Posted: 6/27/2022
Rating 5
Such a great place!
We loved this beach house! Such a great location, clean, fully loaded, and the perfect place to host a girls weekend. We could not believe how great the set up was!
Elizabeth S. - Posted: 6/27/2022
Thank you for your review. We would love for you to stay with us again.
Juniper Holiday and Home staff
Rating 5
We loved this beach house! Such a great location, clean, fully loaded, and the perfect place to host a girls weekend. We could not believe how great the set up was!
Anonymous . - Posted: 6/27/2022
Rating 5
Fantastic property
VRBO
We had a wonderful stay with 2 couples! Very comfortable and all the amenities! The outdoor amenities and 3 season room were fantastic! Thanks for a wonderful weekend!!
Anonymous - Posted: 6/13/2022
Rating 5
We had a wonderful stay with 2 couples! Very comfortable and all the amenities! The outdoor amenities and 3 season room were fantastic! Thanks for a wonderful weekend!!
Anonymous . - Posted: 6/13/2022
Rating 5
Fantastic property
We had a wonderful stay with 2 couples! Very comfortable and all the amenities! The outdoor amenities and 3 season room were fantastic! Thanks for a wonderful weekend!!
Jessica P. - Posted: 6/13/2022
Thank you, Jessica. We are so happy to hear that you had a wonderful weekend.
Juniper Holiday and Home staff
Rating 5
Lovely home and property
VRBO
We have been renting for over 30 years in this area. This is a particularly lovely home if you don't mind being a little further from the beach. The property was gorgeous with a great patio and porch. It was wintery weather so we didn't get to take advantage of the pool. The interior was beautifully decorated with lots of thoughtful features, the kitchen was well stocked and functioned well, the beds are very comfortable, the linens throughout were very nice, there was plenty of shower and bathroom space for all. My only complaint is that the third and fourth bedrooms didn't accommodate adult couples well. One had a full size bed, and the other bunks. We had three adult couples. If that full-size bed was upgraded to a queen, that would make a difference. The owners have lots of lovely touches around that make it feel homey. Also, it is relatively new and so far it is being kept up nicely which can be hard to do in rental homes that get a lot of traffic. Communication was great with this team. We would definitely stay here again.
Anonymous - Posted: 4/19/2022
Rating 5
We have been renting for over 30 years in this area. This is a particularly lovely home if you don't mind being a little further from the beach. The property was gorgeous with a great patio and porch. It was wintery weather so we didn't get to take advantage of the pool. The interior was beautifully decorated with lots of thoughtful features, the kitchen was well stocked and functioned well, the beds are very comfortable, the linens throughout were very nice, there was plenty of shower and bathroom space for all. My only complaint is that the third and fourth bedrooms didn't accommodate adult couples well. One had a full size bed, and the other bunks. We had three adult couples. If that full-size bed was upgraded to a queen, that would make a difference. The owners have lots of lovely touches around that make it feel homey. Also, it is relatively new and so far it is being kept up nicely which can be hard to do in rental homes that get a lot of traffic. Communication was great with this team. We would definitely stay here again.
Anonymous . - Posted: 4/19/2022
Rating 5
Lovely home and property
We have been renting for over 30 years in this area. This is a particularly lovely home if you don't mind being a little further from the beach. The property was gorgeous with a great patio and porch. It was wintery weather so we didn't get to take advantage of the pool. The interior was beautifully decorated with lots of thoughtful features, the kitchen was well stocked and functioned well, the beds are very comfortable, the linens throughout were very nice, there was plenty of shower and bathroom space for all. My only complaint is that the third and fourth bedrooms didn't accommodate adult couples well. One had a full size bed, and the other bunks. We had three adult couples. If that full-size bed was upgraded to a queen, that would make a difference. The owners have lots of lovely touches around that make it feel homey. Also, it is relatively new and so far it is being kept up nicely which can be hard to do in rental homes that get a lot of traffic. Communication was great with this team. We would definitely stay here again.
Mary L. - Posted: 4/19/2022
Thank you for your feedback, Mary. We are glad to hear that you enjoyed your stay, and we would love to host you again!
Juniper Holiday and Home staff
Rating 5
It was fun
VRBO
The property and home are amazing, very clean with high-end elements. We stayed in late-September and even though it was too cold to use the pool, the hot tub was great and the various patio spaces and fire pit, and fireplace in living room, were nice to enjoy as well. We loved our stay and highly recommend booking this place for a relaxing getaway!
Anonymous - Posted: 1/11/2022
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