General reservation rules:

• Your reservation (half of total amount) is guaranteed with your deposit. The balance is due 30 days prior to arrival.

• Check-in is 4:00pmEST and check-out is 10:00amEST

• Our quiet time is from 10:00 pm until 8:00 am. We are in a residential area and ask our guests to respect this time in deference to our other guests and neighbors.

• Elephant Walk is a smoke-free facility. 

 

How do I make a reservation?

Please email us to make a reservation.  We will then email you a rental lease and payment document that lists payment due dates and house rules.  We will hold your reservation for three days while you sign the lease and provide the first 50% of payment.  As your reservation nears, we will be back in touch with reminders about your final payment (due 30 days prior to check-in) as well as give you more detailed directions for your stay.

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What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellation policy is aligned with rental platform’s policy (Airbnb or VRBO) or, if rented through Berrien Beach LLC, the policy is as follows, and all cancellations must be made in writing and delivered to Berrien Beach Haven LLC via email with confirmed receipt.  Guests who cancel at least 60 days prior to check in will receive 100% refund of deposit minus $50 processing fee per unit; guests who cancel between 30-60 days prior to check in will not receive back the 50% deposit but do not owe remainder of rent.  If we are able to re-rent the units, Guest will receive refund of deposit for all nights re-booked minus $50 processing fee per unit and any fees associated with re-renting such as discounts offered to re-rent unit and fees from third party rental platforms; and guests who cancel within 30 days will get 0% refund. 

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What does your pet waiver look like?

Click here for our pet waiver.

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What does your rental agreement look like?

Click here for our rental agreement.

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The following items are included in your rental:

• linens for beds (sheets, pillows, comforters) and bath (bath and hand towels and washcloths)

• kitchens are fully stocked (plates, silverware, cookware, toaster, coffee maker, blender, mixer, food processor (in some units), serving platters and utensils, bar ware, and most units have pyrex glass dishes, muffin tins, roasting pan)

• cleaning supplies include mop and broom (vacuum in Main House) and Windex and 409

• some beach chairs

• pack and play/crib for Main House only 

• high chair that clips onto a normal dining chair in Main House

• board games, puzzles, books (to use while staying, not to take/trade)

• iron and ironing board in Main House only

• hair dryers in bathrooms

• outdoor charcoal grill

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The following includes items you may want to bring:

• paper goods (plates, paper towels, napkins)

• beach towels

• beach chairs (if you prefer your own)

• coffee, filters

• tupperware, foil, saran wrap

• toilet paper (we provide starter roll)

• garbage bags (big black ones for the Main House (39 gallon capacity), regular sized white bags for the cottages)

• dishwasher detergent (Main House is only unit with dishwasher)

• laundry detergent (Main House and Cottages 4 and 5 have washing machines/dryers)

• beach towels and sunscreen

• toiletries including soap, shampoo, lotions, etc

• spices incl salt and ppr in case our supply runs low

• cooking oil/butter

• bike helmets

• firewood and outdoor fire starters/bricks (you can purchase this at most convenient stores up here including Milda’s which is a 2 block walk from the house, but we usually have cut firewood on the property for you to use)

• s’more sticks and a long lighter for lighting the fire pit

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Can I bring my dog?  What are the rules?

Responsible pet owners are invited to bring their well-behaved dogs. Please read about our pet fees on the Rates and Calendar page.

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Tell me about the beach

The beach is located only 1 1/2 blocks away. To get there from our property, you walk down our private path, which is found behind the main house near the fire pit, to Berrien Street, then take a left and walk 1 1/2 blocks west to the Berrien Street Beach entrance.  It is one of the few beaches in the area without stairs so young and old have no problem getting onto the beach.  For rules about what you can and can't do on the public beaches in the area, click here.

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Where do we park?

Main House renters use the main driveway.  All other renters can park on the street with the exception of Cottage 4, which has its own driveway with basketball hoop.  Beginning 2024, there will be signs for where each cottage parks.  Please see the Property tab for each individual unit's max number of cars allowed.

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Are there any stores or restaurants nearby?

We are located almost directly behind the Red Arrow Roadhouse, which serves delicious lunches and dinners, and The Whistle Stop, serving coffee, deli and gourmet food products.  There are many other restaurants, convenient stores, grocery stores, farmer's markets, etc. in both walking and short driving distance to Elephant Walk.  

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Who can use the hot tub and fire pit?

The hot tub and main fire pit with red Adirondack chairs are located in the backyard and are used by the renters of the Main House, and anyone else associated with the group.  There is 1 additional fire pit that all cottages share with black Adirondack chairs.  Each unit is supplied with a BBQ grill and a more private eating/relaxing area.  

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If I've already booked on a different rental site but now want to book directly through you instead to save some nominal booking fees they charge, may I do so?

You may cancel your booking on whichever rental platform you booked on, but there's a delay before I can block off those dates at which point someone else may book.  In addition, there will be a $50/unit processing fee to do this.

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Do our units get cleaned daily?

No, housekeeping is scheduled between stays. There is no daily maid service.

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Are there local phones in the units?

No, phones are not provided.

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What about Internet usage?

All our units have free internet usage.

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What kind of TV service is there?

All units have a cable connected television with HDMI inputs. There is a SMART TV in Cottage 3, and one in the Main House.

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How do I get there?

The address of Elephant Walk is 9679 Greenwood Avenue.  You can get to the property directly off Red Arrow Highway just south of Red Arrow Roadhouse.  There are two Greenwood streets in the area so be sure you put in "9679 Greenwood Avenue Union Pier, Michigan" into your GPS so you don't get lost.  To access the Google map, click here.