Escape to our Valparaiso Lakeside Retreat with king bed, lake views, unique dome experience, fire pit, grill & hot tub, all near Indiana Dunes National Park, Valparaiso University & 4 local parks!
Experience a nature getaway at our newly renovated lake guest house on the ground level of our home with keyless entry & unique outdoor amenities, ideal for friend groups, small families, business travelers & couples. 10 min - downtown Valparaiso.
Book now to experience this unique tranquil retreat.
Welcome to Valparaiso Lakeside Retreat on Long Lake near Indiana Dunes National Park
Your cozy & stylish Scandinavian retreat in Valparaiso, Indiana! This ground-level guest house with high ceilings is the private lower level of our three-level lake home (the upper levels are separate and locked), recently renovated, featuring its own private entrance & keyless entry. It offers a full kitchen, outdoor living, stunning lake views, and modern amenities for the perfect blend of tranquility & convenience. No shared spaces.
----------------------------------------------------------------What Makes Staying With Us So Unique:
-11.5-foot Diameter Hypedome: This stargazing
dome, added this past winter, offers a unique and
memorable experience. Perfect for playing board
games, chatting with friends over wine and small
bites, or simply relaxing as a second outdoor
covered patio.
**Guests have raved about spending time in this unique dome during the rain and looking for stars at night. It allows you to be in nature but safe from the elements.**
You have to try it yourself and make it your own special spot!
-Free Indiana Dunes National Park Pass: Enjoy the
natural beauty and recreational opportunities at
Indiana Dunes National Park. Your stay includes a
free pass, giving you access to beaches, dunes,
and trails, perfect for hiking, swimming, and
exploring the unique landscapes.
-Free Rodgers Lakewood Park Pass: Make the
most of your visit with our free pass to Rodgers
Lakewood Park. Rent or buy frisbee golf
equipment, paddle & row boats, fishing gear, ice
cream, candy, and soda. The park offers great
activities like hiking, fishing, and picnics.
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Spacious Guest House Features:
-Master Bedroom: Double sliders overlooking the
yard and lake, king bed.
-Full Bathroom: Large shower head, bathtub,
vanity, and high ceilings.
-Full Kitchen: Stainless steel appliances, air fryer
oven, private laundry facilities.
-Living Room: Queen sleeper sofa, stone fireplace,
large flat-screen TV, lake views.
-Workspace: Dedicated nook with comfortable
chair, desk, and Wi-Fi.
*Ideal for solo travelers, nature enthusiasts,
couples, business visitors, small families, friend
groups and Valparaiso University visitors.*
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Outdoor Area:
-Front Yard: Patio, hot tub, grill, fire pit, bistro
table, full dining table.
-11.5 foot diameter Stargazing Dome: Unique
feature for a memorable experience!
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Proximity to Attractions:
-Rodgers Lakewood Park: 2 min
-Bicentennial Park: 4 min. (Pickleball Courts)
-Sunset Hill Farm & Meadowbrook Nature Preserve: 5 min.
-Moraine Nature Preserve: 9 min.
-Downtown Valparaiso: 10 min
-Indiana Dunes National Park & Indiana Dunes State Park: 17 min
-Michigan city: 30 minutes
-Portage: 15 minutes
-Chesterton: 13 minutes
-US 30: 10 minutes
-Toll Road: 8 Minutes away will take you to Chicago or South Bend
-Dune Park Train Station: 15 minutes and Uber is widely available
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Additional Amenities:
-Dedicated parking for two cars beside the house; room for up to 6 on the property. Please park on the property rather than the street, and keep the neighbors` driveway clear.
-High-speed internet.
-Laundry room with washer & dryer.
-Hot tub.
-Inflatable kayak for lake adventures.
-Pickleball paddles.
-Yoga mats, board games, binoculars for bird watching.
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Local Attractions:
-Rodgers Lakewood Park: Frisbee golf, hiking,
fishing, picnics.
-Indiana Dunes National Park: Beaches, dunes,
trails.
-Indiana Dunes State Park: Dining, beaches,
picnics.
-Sunset Hill Farm: Trails, events, concerts, drive-
thru Christmas lights display.
-Downtown Valparaiso: Dining, shopping, culture.
-49er Drive-In: Enjoy movies in a 50`s style drive-in
theater.
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Guest Experiences:
-Yoga mats.
-Board games.
-Binoculars for bird watching.
-Pickleball paddles.
-Kayaks for the lake. They go in at Long Lake`s free public launch a minute down the road, with parking. The dock you`ll see at the shoreline belongs to a neighbor and is not part of the rental.
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Good to Know:
-No smoking or vaping. No pets.
-Quiet hours: 10 PM to 8 AM.
-The person booking must be 25 or older. This applies to the booker only; children and the rest of your group are welcome at any age.
-Outside you`ll find a wood fire pit and a grill, and there`s a gas fireplace inside; the glass gets very hot in use. Our guide shows you how to use each safely.
-We`re surrounded by woods and wildlife, and we`d love to keep them outside. Please scrape food scraps into the trash and rinse your plates, keep food sealed or in the fridge, and bring dishes inside rather than leaving them on the patio. A pest service visits every month; this helps it do its job.
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Check-In and Check-Out
-Check-In: 4:00 PM
-Check-Out: 10:00 AM
Before you go, we`d be grateful if you could: lock the door, wash your dishes (there`s no dishwasher), gather used towels in the tub, put trash and recycling in the indoor bins, turn off lights and appliances, take or toss any perishables, and leave the park passes on the dining table.
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Book your stay at Valparaiso Lakeside Retreat and experience a memorable and relaxing getaway, perfectly located for both tranquility and adventure!
Guest Access and Amenities
Guests have their own dedicated parking on the side of the house, leading to stairs and a scenic path to their private front door. Enjoy full access to your front yard, complete with a patio, hot tub, and a unique dome, perfect for relaxation and stargazing.
A smart lock with keyless entry at the front door provides secure access with a four-digit code valid only during your stay, ensuring peace of mind. The code is erased upon checkout, maintaining security for all guests.
Guests have full access to this level and the parking spaces. This is the private lower-level suite of a three-level lake home; the upper levels are separate, locked, and not part of your rental, and there is no shared space. The property is monitored by exterior security cameras (front door and the side parking area and street; none on your patio, in the dome, or indoors) and a smart lock, our family lives a few doors down, and our local team is in and out regularly, so someone is always close by if you need anything.
LAKE ACCESS: The property runs down through the marsh to the edge of Long Lake, so the lake is technically reachable from the backyard, but it is steep, wet and buggy and not a route we recommend. The comfortable way in is the public boat launch and swimming spot a one-minute drive (about half a mile) down the street, which is where we take our kayaks; they are yours to use during your stay. The dock you will see at the shoreline belongs to a neighbor and is not available to guests.
You will be staying in the private lower level of our recently renovated, spacious, and light-filled three-level home. This area features a master bedroom with a sliding door, a living room with double French doors as the front entrance, and large windows with high ceilings for plenty of natural light. No shared spaces.
Outside the French doors, you`ll find a generous bricked patio and walking path leading to your expansive front yard balcony area. This space includes a unique garden dome and a sizable lawn.
The entire level, including the dome, is exclusively yours. While occasional lawn maintenance may occur, you will be notified in advance. Trash and recycling go in the indoor bins; our team takes them out after your stay.
A few things to know before booking: a refundable $375 hold is placed on your card around checkout and released in full once the home is checked, and we ask the person booking to sign a short rental agreement before the door code is sent. The suite is reached by a flight of outdoor stairs. You are on a lake with neighbors close by, so expect some everyday sounds, and please note the dock, the upper floors and the garage are not part of the rental.
Welcome to the Lakeside Retreat. Please read the listing in full before booking and message us with any questions.
HOUSE RULES
- No parties or events. Maximum 4 overnight guests.
- Quiet hours 10 PM to 8 AM out of respect for lake neighbors.
- No smoking or vaping. No pets.
- The person booking must be 25 or older. This applies to the booker only; children and the rest of your group are welcome at any age.
- Please remove shoes indoors.
- Ejector pump system: flush toilet paper only.
- Supervise children at all times; the yard slopes toward the lake.
- The dock at the shoreline belongs to a neighbor and is not part of the rental. Lake access is the free public launch a one-minute drive (about half a mile) down the road; that is where the kayaks go in.
- Parking: up to 6 cars on the property.