Entire home

Warm late summer dates still open in Sept 2025: 1-4, 7-11, 15-19, 21-26. Enjoy!

Lakefront vacation home with private pool and kitchen

Photo gallery for Warm late summer dates still open in Sept 2025: 1-4, 7-11, 15-19, 21-26. Enjoy!

Terrace/patio
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Smart TV, fireplace, table tennis, books
Smart TV, fireplace, table tennis, books
Beach nearby, sun loungers, beach towels
Welcome to The Gecko Cottage, where comfort and beauty blend seamlessly. Unwind by the private pool or take a short stroll to the Lake Michigan beach, restaurants, and shopping. This cozy home features high ceilings, modern kitchen and bathrooms, spacious front and back porch with a fireplace.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

6 bedrooms4 bathroomsSleeps 12229 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fireplace
  • Dryer
  • Washer

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

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

Warm late summer dates still open in Sept 2025: 1-4, 7-11, 15-19, 21-26. Enjoy!

Relax, Enjoy, Pamper. Walk to Beach, Pool, Food, Grocery, Library. Ditch the car

Enjoy your the Gecko Cottage

Out the back door it's two houses to your right to the private pool area with comfortable lounging furniture for exclusive use by Merchant Cottage guests.

All trash and recycling is taken to the room around the pool house to the right. Please be tidy and compact as needed.

Easy 4-5 minute walk to the bridge.

Past the pool turn left at the RR track, and one block to restaurants & shops. Over the Galien River Bridge you'll see the marina, river and lake. You're arrived at our lovely Lake Michigan beach and dune promenade. Ahhh, Enjoy...

Entering the Gecko Cottage you’ll love the luxury and beauty of a newer home: including high ceilings, lots of sunlight from windows and skylights, modern kitchen and bathrooms, spacious front and back porch, fireplace. Added bonus loft for children's play area.

Well stocked kitchen. Linens, towels, and cooking needs are provided. Drip coffee maker, French press (no Keurig).

The Space
Walk up to the spacious porch, which may become your hangout, through the door and into your open plan main floor.

Deep cushions of the wrap around couch, living room, fireplace, open kitchen, with bar counter await you.

This is the main hub. Past the guest powder room with it's comfort bidet, there is a cozy conversation nook to the left. Ahead lies the beachway exit. To the right is the private main suite, with a private bath.

From airy main floor, accend the stair, to the landing with it's library stocked with lake, boating, Michigan travel lore, and games.

Reaching the 2nd floor, it's kids room to the left 2nd floor bath ahead and queen guest room to the right. That is almost to the right, on the immediate right is the ladder to the bonus loft for an extra guest.

Kids room features a bunk bed a twin bed, and play area including tumbling mats.

Queen room is a quiet getaway space with a lounge for quiet reading.

Cozy, clean, comfortable. Close to town, shopping & beach.

Interaction with Guests
You'll have full private access to the cottage, but your hosts are a call or text away to help with suggestions as needed.

The Neighborhood
Lots to explore, uPick Bluberries, Canoeing, Local Artists. Walk for miles on the sandy beach. Bike and walking paths.

Step out the back door, and two homes downa to the exclusive pool.

Just a block away is the new library with both an entire floor dedicated to a kid comfy zone, and perfect spaces for remote computing.

Enjoy afternoon coffee with a book on the cottage front porch or back patio.

Getting Around
Take Amtrak from Chicago or from Ann Arbor/Detroit and walk five minutes to your cottage. Wow! Free parking in front or back. Once you arrive, put away the car keys and walk to the beach, upscale grocery, shopping and a brand new library.

There is additional hourly commuting access to Chicago on the Shoreline Train from Michigan City ( 8 miles away)

Other Things to Note
Kids and teenagers love the loft.

Great Wineries tasting and tours. We love Lemon Creek!

Casino fun on rainy days. There is a fun, well supervised, area at the casino where they will watch, feed and entertain the kids for a reasonable charge. The buffet and restaurant are great also.

*Please remove shoes before entering the cottage and leave them on the front or back porch, or inside the door.
**Notify us immediately if you have any concerns during your stay. We're here for you.
**Note that we are a pet-free property.
**You must notify us in advance if there will be more than the reserved number of guests

Other:
The pool will open in the spring as soon as weather permits in the spring and stay open in the fall as long as weather permits. The pool is private and shared only by our association of 23 homes.

Love the beach. It's 5 minute walk to the bridge. Once over the bridge you're at the beach parking. Very nice and convenient. I swim every day when we're here.

The cottage is cleaned and freshly for the season and there are many large and small improvements.

BBQ & small firepit.

Family Fun
Lower level rec room with the professional ping pong table, and Streaming/YoutubeTV on the big screen TV. Couch rocking chair & huge comfy beanbag that can unzip into comfy queen futon. (please zip back into bean bag before leaving).

*Gather mornings and evenings in the front porch.
*Lounge on the back porch, Lunch or Dinner outside at the table, under the umbrella.

*Well equipped kitchen open to livingroom - dining room table and comfortable. A great place for gathering and games.

For more ideas to jazz up your stat...checkout https:\\newbuffaloexplored.com

*Bar-B-Q on the Weber grill, or toast marshmallows on the petite grill.

*Use any of the beach toys, chairs, umbrella, sunshades that you'll find in the garage.

*Feel free to use the bikes at your own risk, but please bring your own helmets.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby
  • Beach loungers
  • Beach towels

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby

Pool/Spa

  • Communal pool
  • Heated pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Private pool

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Car not required
  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

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

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 6 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 3.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Bidet
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

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

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Computer monitor
  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Area rugs in public areas
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • Thin carpet in public areas
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Smoking not allowed
  • Note from host: No tobacco, cannibus, vaping in cottage ever.

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • In a village
  • In the city center
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near an outlet shopping mall
  • Near the marina
  • Next to a golf course
  • On a lake
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Bicycles
  • Boat
  • Heated pool
  • Kayak
  • Table tennis
  • Water sports equipment
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Windsurfing 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

  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Bicycles
  • Electric car charging station
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • Garden
  • Property located in a resort
  • Recycling
  • Unit size: 2,460 square feet
  • Vegan dining options
  • Vegetarian breakfast available
  • Vegetarian dining options
  • Water-efficient toilets

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 30

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

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

Rules

A “Homeowner” and “Guest” AGREEMENT will be sent following booking acceptance. Your affirmative acceptance in the reply will be required.
You agree provide specific guest and vehicle info newly required by the city of New Buffalo prior to Short-Term-Rental Guest arrival.

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed
No parties or extra guests. Inquire in advance.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No tobacco, cannibus, vaping in cottage ever.

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: No parties or extra guests. Inquire in advance.
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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
Property Registration Number CR19-0036

We should mention

A car is not required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Relax Enjoy. Walk to Beach Restaurants
Relax Enjoy. Walk Beach s House New Buffalo
Relax Enjoy. Walk Beach s House
Relax Enjoy. Walk Beach s New Buffalo
Relax Enjoy. Walk Beach s
Relax and Enjoy. Walk to Beach & Restaurants New Buffalo
Relax Enjoy. Walk to Beach Restaurants
Relax Enjoy Walk Beach S House
Relax Enjoy. Walk to Beach Restaurants
Relax Enjoy. Walk to Beach Restaurants.
Relax and Enjoy. Walk to Beach & Restaurants. New Buffalo

About the neighborhood

Map
MI, New Buffalo

What's nearby

  • Local - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • New Buffalo Railroad Museum - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • New Buffalo Public Beach - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Galien River County Park - 2 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Four Winds Casino New Buffalo - 6 min drive - 6.0 km

Getting around

  • New Buffalo Station - 7 min walk
  • South Bend Intl. Airport (SBN) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The Buffet at Four Winds Casino - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Four Winds Sports Bar - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Timbers at Four Winds Casino - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪The Stray Dog Bar & Grill - ‬8 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Does Warm late summer dates still open in Sept 2025: 1-4, 7-11, 15-19, 21-26. Enjoy! have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool. Pool types include heated pools.

Is Warm late summer dates still open in Sept 2025: 1-4, 7-11, 15-19, 21-26. Enjoy! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Warm late summer dates still open in Sept 2025: 1-4, 7-11, 15-19, 21-26. Enjoy!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Warm late summer dates still open in Sept 2025: 1-4, 7-11, 15-19, 21-26. Enjoy!?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Warm late summer dates still open in Sept 2025: 1-4, 7-11, 15-19, 21-26. Enjoy! located?

This family-friendly New Buffalo vacation home is located on the waterfront, within 1 mi (2 km) of New Buffalo Township Public Library and Lake Michigan. Local and New Buffalo Marina Park are also within 10 minutes. New Buffalo Station is 7 minutes by foot.

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Reviews

Warm late summer dates still open in Sept 2025: 1-4, 7-11, 15-19, 21-26. Enjoy! Reviews

10

Exceptional

9.6

Cleanliness

10

Location

10

Eco-friendliness

10

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 172 out of 182 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 10 out of 182 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 182 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 182 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 182 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Amelia F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great house for our family! It was clean and spacious and very convenient to everything fun in New Buffalo!
Stayed 9 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laura C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great for an easy vacation!

We had a wonderful trip. Location is perfect, close to town and beach. community pool was so fun and easy for the kids. Great communication with the owners. We hope to come back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristine W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Family Vacation Home

This home was great for our mini-vacation! Three floors of accommodations provided room to spread out for the three generations on our trip. House was very clean, had everything we needed, and was in a great location! Owners were super easy to work with and responded quickly and even accommodated our special request. Thank you! Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katie D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We love the Gecko house!

This is our 3rd time staying at the Gecko house, and we love it more each time! A fabulous house, hosts and location!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Thomas S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend getaway with friends

We really enjoyed our stay and the house was excellent. It accommodated 9 adults nicely. The location is perfect because you can walk to restaurants if you want. We would rent here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lynda L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for my weekend girls getaway

Perfect layout. Very well kept and organized. Can’t wait to book our next stay!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great for families

We had a great stay with our kids and their cousins. Great access to town and grocery store. Beach is a little further when you get all of the kid's beach gear together, but it's doable. Pool access was awesome to have and easy alternative to the beach. Would stay again!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lynda J.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect location

Phil was very attentive
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kelly R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Chill Bachelorette

We stayed here for 4 days and 3 nights, for a chill bachelorette weekend getaway. We had so much fun, and the house was the perfect size, we each had our own space plus great gathering rooms when we played games or just sat around and chatted. The porches were wonderful, and we loved the walkability to essentials and other parts of town. Great hosts, would definitely recommend!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Curt P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

New Buffalo

Great property well cared for. All as promised
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2020

10/10 Excellent

William H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

H/Z Family Trip

The house is lovely, nicely decorated. We loved sitting out on the porch. The beach is a short walk or drive. Walking to stores and restaurants is also very convenient. The neighborhood is quiet. We enjoyed our family time together.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Monica G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Week

Our stay in New Buffalo was perfect! Phil and Julie were excellent hosts, staying in contact throughout the entire booking process and providing excellent instructions regarding check-in. The home was well equipped, met all of our needs, and the location could not have been better! This was our 5th stay in New Buffalo and I am thrilled we finally found the perfect vacation rental!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nancy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gecko Cottage was great!

The cottage was roomy and comfortable enough for all 10 of us. The lovely community pool was around the corner, the grocery store, ice cream, pizza and fun downtown shops were 2 blocks away and the beach was just aother 10 minute walk from there. We really enjoy New Buffalo - we've been coming to New Buffalo for our summer vacation for a number of years now and Gecko Cottage has been our best location so far!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Sandy S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

Girls Golf Trip

Great location. Couldn’t find sheets..were in the dryer with damp towels. Accomodated 7 of us well. Think it would be quite tight for 12-14 as advertized. We did enjoy our stay, though and close to golf courses.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joan W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gecko Cottage

We had a wonderful stay at Gecko Cottage. The house is beautiful and very clean. We loved the fact that we could walk to the shops , beach, and restaurants. It rained one morning and since the house has 3 levels everyone had a space to go to enjoy. The kids had a blast using the ping pong table. My favorite place was the front porch because the house sits in a very peaceful neighborhood. The hosts were very quick to answer any questions we had. We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kate S., Saint Louis, Missouri

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The perfect landing spot for a young family

We are so glad we found this property. The house was well appointed and very clean. Phil and Julie also have a fully outfitted kids room that was perfect for my older son - he played with toys and read books there every morning! The heated community pool was also a highlight for kids on cooler afternoons. Mom and Dad loved the walkability! Phil and Julie were great communicators - very responsive and kind when we had questions. We will definitely return!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan M Sandberg

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Beautiful home and place to visit. Our hosts, Julie and Phil communicated well, were accessible and available. The home was perfect for our group of 8, providing a great common area, and private rooms and floor levels to retreat to. The location is within a short walking distance to all amenities. The welcome bottle of wine and snacks were a hit also! The hosts also provided local suggestions for shops, restaurants and things to do in the area, which was appreciated. We would most definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nancy O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a wonderful stay with comfy accommodations in a quiet neighborhood, close to shopping, restaurants, pool and beach. The owners are very supportive.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Janet K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful New Buffalo Home

We were all impressed with the home's space, cleanliness, and location to the beach, pool, restaurants, and shops!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elayna M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had the best time at this property! Absolutely perfect for our family vacation with young kids. Made great use of the neighborhood pool. Walking distance to pretty much everything you could want to do. Would love to stay here again!
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Andrew S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Choose Gecko and Get Going!

It was a wonderful stay at the Gecko Cottage. The home is charming and well-appointed, with lots of places for both kids and adults to hang out. It’s super close to New Buffalo center but also off the beaten path and feels quiet. Pool and beach toys in garage are a plus. Thanks Julie and Phil!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lynda L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Another great stay!

Such a great layout for a larger group. So many "extras" in the kitchen that come in handy. Definelty took note of some upgrades including flooring, bidet and sectional. Perfect location - can't get much better!!! See you next time!!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ellen G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location with tons of space

Our family group of 7 adults stayed at this property. We were in New Buffalo for the first time for a family wedding. We loved how walkable this location was. Coffee, lunch, drinks, the beach, etc. were all just minutes away. Because the house is three levels with three full and one half baths, everyone had plenty of space. The house is so clean, charming and very well stocked with plenty of kitchen items, towels, and other amenities. There are also tons of books, games and toys. The hosts were wonderfully responsive to all of my questions. The check-in process couldn't have been easier.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rosemarie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Labor Day Weekend Stay

We were at Gecko Cottage 8/30-9/3with our 4 children, 4 grandchildren 5yrs and under, and daughter in-law. Really enjoyed the house. Beach was in walking distance, and also bars. We had "private" time in the pool Sunday AM. Playroom was great for the kids. Thanks again. Phil answered our questions quickly.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bobby H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent House and Property

Group of 10 across three generations loved the Gecko House. The proximity to downtown is perfect. We walked to to the grocery store, numerous restaurants and the beach. The multiple levels with full bathrooms on each level, worked great for our three separate families. The neighborhood was full of families and our kids enjoyed playing with other children. New Buffalo was a very nice town with everything we needed. We typically drove the to beach, but it is a very reasonable walk. Phil and Julie were great ahead of and during the stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024