Union Pier-Alex Cottage Union Pier
Pets Welcome
2
1
4
ALEX COTTAGE
SLEEPS: 4
BEDROOMS: 2
BATHROOMS: 1
PARKING SPOT: 1
*STEPS FROM LAKEFRONT (LAKE MICHIGAN)
*SWIMMING ON PROPERTY
*PLAYGROUND ONSITE (next to fire-damaged cottage)
*1 OTHER CABIN-(previously 3) SURROUNDS THE ALEX COTTAGE THAT IS AVAILABLE TO RENT THROUGH FRESHWATER VACATION RENTALS
**WARNING: THE 2 LAKE HOUSES (BRANDON AND SAWYER LAKE HOUSES) IN FRONT OF THE ALEX COTTAGE WERE DESTROYED IN A HOUSE FIRE IN DECEMBER 2021. THERE IS NOW RECONSTRUCTION ON THE LOTS.
THE FIRE DAMAGE HAS CREATED AN EYE-SORE. OUR RENTAL RATE REFLECTS THIS REALITY.
WE PRIDE OURSELVES IN OUR TRANSPARENCY BEFORE YOU BOOK ANY OF OUR VACATION HOMES.
RE-CONSTRUCTION HAS BEGUN IN DECEMBER 2024.
The Alex Cottage is located steps away from your private Lake Michigan beach, so scoop up the little ones and walk on down! The Alex Cottage is a cozy ranch, fully renovated with all your major appliances and Wi-Fi. Sleeping 4, there are 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom in this home. In addition, there is a grill for your convenience on the patio. It is a peaceful and quiet place, away from the street and has a convenient parking. In addition, The Alex has a grassy area with playground for small children. This is a good vacation spot for small families or couples.
Enjoy the sunsets, stroll along Lakeshore Dr., visit galleries in New Buffalo, go shopping at Lighthouse Place, visit the Zoo in Michigan City or just simply soak your feet in the tranquil lake.
**Parking is at a premium at our Union Pier location. Please keep the neighbors in mind and park in the designated parking space for Alex Cottage ONLY. There is only 1 designated spot. The bedroom windows do overlook the parking space and headlights do shine into the room through the bedrooms at times.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Air Conditioning: There is a window air conditioning unit. It is small and only provides for the living room. If you are looking for the whole house to cool, the Union Pier Alex will not your best choice. The Union Pier Grace Cottage next door DOES have central air.
ATV's: None are allowed onsite.
Animals: You will see birds, deer, squirrels, racoons, and of course fish.
Bathroom:
Bathroom #1: Full bathroom with shower
Beach/Swimming: The Public Access begins adjacent to the to the Alex Cottage patio. Just 26 steps down to the beach. Use this public access to stroll onto the private stretch of Lake Michigan beach. Swimming is divine on Lake Michigan. Keep in mind that nature keeps us on our toes each year, as the width and water levels vary. There are no fires allowed on the beach due to local ordinances.
Bedroom Configuration:
Bedroom #1: 1 Queen
Bedroom #2: 2 Twins (**can be converted to a King upon request)
**Please request bed conversion a minimum of 48 hours prior to check in date
Boats: There are no boats that come with this rental. However, if you are interested in Fishing for Steelhead (Trout) you can do so in the St. Joseph River (25 minutes from the cabin) in October, November (Kory at Boozer's Guide Service says that November is the best month), December, March and April. Discounted weekend rates if book a guide in conjunction with your lodging.
Bugs: Typical Michigan bugs
Cell phone service: Good!
Distances:
* Notre Dame University: 35 minutes (28 miles)
* Chicago: 90 minutes (82 miles)
* Detroit: 3 hours (170 miles)
* Traverse City: 2 hours and 30 minutes (135 miles)
Click here to check out some of the options to explore in the Harbor Country area
Dock: No dock
Grill: Yes and it is propane! Fuel is provided.
Grocery Store:Union Pier Market: 9905 Town Line Ave, Union Pier, MI 49129 - 269-586-3775. A gourmet grocery store: Whistle Stop Grocery: 15700 Red Arrow Hwy, Union Pier, MI 49129 269-469-6700.
Handicap Friendly: Yes in terms of there is a very small step to enter the cottage and it is only one floor, however, it is an extremely cozy space and would not work well with wheelchairs. Also, you need to walk down steps in order to get to Lake Michigan.
Internet: There is basic internet (wi-fi) service here. Our Internet service is not high speed and does not normally do well with streaming or large files.
Linens: Yes, we provide your sheets and linens. Just like a hotel, the beds will be made for you upon arrival. If you are fussy about the thread count of your sheets, just let me know, and I’ll make sure we leave a bed open for your sheets. We have just the basic sheets, pillows, pillowcases and bath towels.
Parking: Guests of the Alex will be provided one parking space next to the cottage. Parking is extremely tight. There is not any street parking. Please be respectful the neighbors and not park in front of any other house but the Alex. The only place to park an extra car would be at the Four Winds Casino, in New Buffalo.
Pets: Yes, pets are allowed. Freshwater Vacation Rentals currently charges $75/per pet for your entire stay.
Privacy: There are cottages right next door.
Snowmobiling: Not the ideal place for snowmobiling. Cannot ride from house to trails and there is no room for parking a trailer.
Space: Ranch style home, cozy.
Televisions: Living room has a TV with Roku.
Towels: Yes, we provide towels. It's always good to bring extra though.
Washer and dryer: There is not a washer/dryer onsite. However, there is a laundry mat in New Buffalo just 10 minutes away
Winery Tours: The closest starting point to the cottage is in New Buffalo, approximately 5-10 minutes south.
Round Barn Winery: A brewery/distillery and a winery all combined in one trip. Just 14 miles from the Union Pier Cottages, about a 20-minute drive.
Saint Julian Winery: Enjoy a great glass of wine at this local vineyard.
Winter Activities:
* Snowshoeing & Cross-Country Skiing (10-15 minutes): Explore the trails in Warren Dunes State Park for scenic views and winter adventures.
* Ice Fishing (10-20 minutes): Try ice fishing on Lake Michigan or nearby lakes like Big Lake or Paw Paw Lake.
* Winter Hiking (15-20 minutes): Enjoy winter hikes at Grand Mere State Park or Warren Dunes to experience the beauty of the snowy landscape.
Amenities
- Air conditioner unit (window or portable unit)
- Basic Paper Products (Paper Towel & TP)
- Ceiling fans
- Firewood is Provided.
- Heat: Furnace
- Internet/ WiFi
- Linens & Towels included
- Pets allowed
- TV with Roku
- Cleaning Supplies
- Coffee maker
- Dishwasher
- Microwave
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Standard Kitchenware & Utensils
- Stove
- Toaster
- Deck/Patio
- Grill-Propane
- Patio Chairs
- Sandy Beach
- Swimming on Property
- Walkway to Lake-Private Beach
- Winery
| Season | Period | Min.Stay | Nightly | Weekly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January - December 2024 | 01/01/2024 - 12/31/2024 | 2 | $109.00 | ||
| January - December 2025 | 01/01/2025 - 12/31/2025 | 2 | $109.00 | ||
| 01/01/2026 - 12/31/2026 | 2 | $109.00 |
Reviews
FVR RESPONSE:
Thank you for your glowing review, Rhonda! We’re so happy to hear that you loved your stay at The Alex. It’s great that you enjoyed the bright, open spaces and well-stocked kitchen, as well as the lovely patio and easy walk to the beach. We hope to welcome you back for another wonderful getaway soon! -Jessica FVR
Oct 2024
FVR RESPONSE:
This is such a wonderful review to read, Barbara! We truly appreciate the compliment to our team, regarding the service and home conditions! It's so great to know the home has been able to continue to work so well for your needs while in Union Pier, but it truly is hard to beat the location! We look forward to having you back again for a future stay!
Jan 2024
FVR RESPONSE:
Hi Scott! We're so happy to know you enjoyed your stay and found the location to be ideal and the home itself to be clean and well priced! Hopefully we can host you again!
Aug 2023
FVR RESPONSE
Melissa, we're glad that you had a perfect weekend getaway. Thank you for your kind words for FVR - it means a lot to us. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to your return.
Nov 2022
FVR RESPONSE:
Thank you for taking the time to review your stay, Claire! We appreciate your suggestion for adding a spaghetti pot, and sincerely apologize the for wifi issues that occurred during your stay. It is great to know that even though you experienced those two hiccups during your stay, you still found your time at Alex to be a perfect and comfortable stay! Hopefully we get a chance to host you again!
Oct 2022
FVR RESPONSE
Richard, we're glad that everything was to your liking, and we hope that you come back again.
Oct 2022
FVR RESPONSE:
Hi Kristen! We are glad you found us as well! It's good to know that you found the home spacious enough to comfortably move around on the inside, while only being a short walk to the water! We've only recently started allowing dogs, so we are delighted to know you were able to enjoy your stay with the fur baby included!
Sep 2022
FVR RESPONSE:
Thank you for taking the time to review your stay Toni! We sincerely apologize for the wifi issues you experienced during your stay, and have worked to get this improved for future guests. Other than the internet, we are so happy to know you enjoyed your stay and hope we can host you again!
Aug 2022
FVR RESPONSE
Shaylyn, thank you for your suggestion. We appreciate that. We're so glad that you had a wonderful stay and that your dogs had fun also. I'm sure they loved running on the beach. We hope that you come back again.
Mar 2022
FVR RESPONSE
Tom, Alex cottage is a very special place and nothing beats being right on Lake Michigan! We're glad that you enjoyed staying there. We will pass on your suggestions to the owners, and we look forward to your return.
Oct 2021
FVR RESPONSE
Meghan, what a wonderful review! Thank you for taking the time to write it. We agree, the Alex is the perfect spot on Lake Michigan for a vacation, so we're glad that you enjoyed it so much, and we look forward to your return.Jul 2021
FRESHWATER RESPONSE
Barbara, thank you for this recommendation! We are so glad to hear that you had such a great stay. Walking on the beach in winter can be absolutely magical. We would love to work with you again.
Jan 2021
FVR RESPONSE
Marcia, we're glad tat you enjoyed your stay! Thanks for the kudos for FVR staff. It is our #1 priority to make our guest's stay the best possible. We'd love to have you back again.
Oct 2020
FVR RESPONSE
Susan, pleasing our guests is our #1 goal, so thank you for that! It was great having you as our guest and we hope to work with you again.
Aug 2020
FVR RESPONSE
Adam, we love hearing that you enjoyed staying at Grace Cottage. There really is nothing better than being right on Lake Michigan. We hope to work with you again!
Jun 2020
FVR RESPONSE
Nicole, we love hearing that you had an excellent stay! Alex Cottage is right on Lake Michigan, where guests have a private beach. The sunsets and sunrises are hard to beat! The cottage sleeps 4 and is the perfect getaway for small families or couples. We look forward to your return!
May 2020
FVR RESPONSE
Eraldo, thank you for the compliment on our customer service. Excellence in customer service is our #1 priority at Freshwater Vacation Rentals. We hope that Alex cottage fit your needs. It sleeps 4 and is just steps from Lake Michigan. This is a good vacation spot for small families or couples. We look forward to working with you again!
Feb 2020
FVR RESPONSE
Hermelinda, we are so happy that you enjoyed your stay at Alex Cottage. It is wonderful to be right on Lake Michigan, with its magnificent winter power. Snowmobile trails are nearby. We'd love to have you come back again.
Jan 2020
FVR response:
Lawrence, the very best review a guest can give is to say that they will be returning, so thank you for that! Alex Cottage is a gem. Sleeping 6 and just steps from Lake Michigan, this cottage is the perfect getaway in any season. We look forward to your return.
Dec 2019
FVR response:
James, we would love to have you return! Thanks for taking the time to write this review of the Alex. It's a great spot for many of the reasons that you stated. It's a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom that sleep 4 adults. We are sorry to hear about the kitchen not being up to your standards for cleanliness. In the future, when we work together, if you find any issues, please let us know immediately and we will rectify it right away. It is our #1 priority to make certain that our guests are pleased with their stay
Dec 2019
Freshwater Vacation Rentals Response
Lisa we are so glad that you loved staying at the Alex Cottage. Overlooking Lake Michigan, Alex Cottage is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath that sleeps 4. It is a peaceful and quiet place to stay. We hope you come back again.
Nov 2019
Freshwater Vacation Rentals Response
John, renting all 4 cottages in Union Pier is such a great thing to do for large groups. We are so glad that you all enjoyed yourselves, and we look forward to seeing you again!
Nov 2019
FVR response:
Phyllis, we are happy that you enjoyed your stay at the Alex Cottage on Lake Michigan. This 2 bedroom, 1 bath sleeps 4 and includes a private Lake Michigan beach. It is peaceful and quiet. Thanks for your recommendations for improvement. We will get scissors, and we will make every attempt to keep the walks clear . We'd love to work with you again.
Nov 2019
Freshwater Vacation Rentals Response
Melinda, thanks for this great review. Nothing beats staying at a property right on Lake Michigan. The sunrises and sunsets are the best. We'll look for your return.
Oct 2019
Freshwater Vacation Rentals Response
Rachel, there is nothing better than having access to Lake Michigan and those fabulous beaches. The Alex Cottage is a cozy ranch, fully-renovated with all your major appliances and Wi-Fi. We hope to see you again!
Aug 2019
Freshwater Vacation Rentals Response
Erin, being right on Lake MIchigan is a big plus. There is nothing like Lake Michigan beaches and sunsets/sunrises. We apologize for the towel issue. Typically plenty of towels are left for the guests. We will speak with our cleaners about this. We have many properties throughout MIchigan, so we hope that we can find you the perfect place for next time.
Aug 2019
Cozy little cottage set in wooded area but close enough to others to feel safe. Kid friendly area, they met new friends while there. Only problem was we didn't have a long enough stay. Bring what you need since there isn't a McDonalds or Walmart in sight. Loved the short walk out the back door to the beach. Fun couple of days while the weather was nice. Loved the convenience of the beach. Would have liked to know more kid friendly restaurant options. All in all it was a lot of fun.
FRESHWATER RESPONSE:
Deana, we are so glad that you enjoyed the Alex. There is so much to do when you are right on Lake Michigan. The beaches are the best, and the grassy area with playground for small children gives children lots to do. We hope to see you back again for a longer stay!
Jun 2019
FRESHWATER RESPONSE:
Sara, we are happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay at Alex Cottage. One can not beat staying at a cottage right on Lake Michigan. The sunsets and sunrises and the fabulous beach are simply the best. We hope to see you again soon
Jun 2019
FRESHWATER RESPONSE:
Catherine, we love that Alex Cottage is your #1 choice in Union-Pier! It is a great cottage and being right on Lake Michigan is the best. We look forward to your return.
Jun 2019
FRESHWATER RESPONSE:
Mandie, we are so happy that you enjoyed your stay at Alex Cottage. There is nothing better than having Lake Michigan at your doorstep! We are sorry that you had to deal with plumbing issues, and we appreciate your positive comments about how we handled the issue. Our guests' comfort is our #1 priority. We hope to work with you again in the near future.
Apr 2019
FRESHWATER RESPONSE:
P, we are happy that you and your family enjoyed staying at Union Pier-Alex Cottage. Being right on Lake Michigan is pretty special. We look forward to working with you again in the future.
Oct 2018
FRESHWATER RESPONSE:
Samantha, we are so glad that Alex Cottage worked out so well for you. Having access to Lake Michigan during the summer is simply the best! We do hope to see you again.
Aug 2018
FRESHWATER RESPONSE:
Anne, we're so glad that you enjoyed the Alex Cottage, and that you had a good time. Lake Michigan makes it easy to forget about everything except relaxing!
Jul 2018
FRESHWATER RESPONSE:
The town is so convenient and quaint. We are happy you enjoyed your stay and hope to host you next year!
Sep 2017
FRESHWATER RESPONSE:
We are happy you enjoyed your stay! We hope you do reserve with us again. We have already opened up 2018 for the Union Pier properties...so let us know!
Jul 2017
May 2017
May 2017
Sep 2016
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