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Sanctuary by the Shore, Unique Stay W/ Hot Tub by Lake MI

Photo gallery for Sanctuary by the Shore, Unique Stay W/ Hot Tub by Lake MI

Exterior
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Interior
Outdoor dining
Interior
Located in the heart of SW Michigan, this unique church-turned-retreat offers a one-of-a-kind stay. Relax in the spacious living area with comfortable seating, projector TV, and entertainment options like a pool table and ping-pong table. The fully equipped kitchen is perfect for whipping up meals while the outdoor deck beckons for gatherings under sunny skies or cozy nights by the fire pit.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Hot Tub
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill

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.

Sanctuary by the Shore, Unique Stay W/ Hot Tub by Lake MI

Welcome to a truly unique vacation experience in this stunning, turn-of-the-century church, renovated into a modern and stylish retreat! With its grand architecture, this property offers a one-of-a-kind stay that will leave you feeling inspired and rejuvenated. SW Michigan's most beautiful beaches are located 5-10min away and downtown St. Joseph is only a quick 7-min drive! The house offers a quiet retreat while remaining close to wineries/breweries, wedding venues, restaurants & golf courses!

Inside, the main hall has been transformed into a spacious and welcoming living area, complete with comfortable seating, a large projector TV, a pool table, and ping-pong table, and many other board games for endless entertainment. Enjoy the secluded outdoor area or soak in our 7-person hot tub featuring powerful jets and comfortable seating. The fully equipped kitchen boasts all the amenities you'll need to whip up a delicious meal and don't forget about the grill outside for warm summer evenings. The property features four comfortable bedrooms with extra sleeping space on the fold-out couch in the main living area. The property also offers one and a half bathrooms. Outside, the property offers a large outdoor deck, perfect for enjoying the beautiful Michigan weather and hosting memorable gatherings. A large fire pit is also available for cozy nights under the stars, perfect for making smores with family and friends. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a fun-filled getaway, this unique church-turned-vacation rental has everything you need for an unforgettable stay. Come experience the magic of this special place and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Guests will be able to access the property anytime after check-in with a code.

We are dog-friendly, please no cats. We do require a $100 per stay fee (max 2 pets.) You are welcome to include your dog(s) in the booking or we can send a separate invoice. If you choose to bring your pet please remember to keep them in the designated areas outside and clean up after them

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach nearby

Pool/Spa

  • Hot tub

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

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

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

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

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • 3 pets total (up to 50 lbs per pet)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In the city center
  • On a lake

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Billiards/pool table
  • Table tennis

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

  • Garden

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

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

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs only
3 total (up to 50 lbs per pet)
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Property is also known as

Bell Tower Close to Beaches
Bell Tower (Historic Church) close to beaches Benton Harbor

About the neighborhood

Map
Benton Harbor, MI

What's nearby

  • Harbor Shores Golf Club - 10 min drive - 8.1 km
  • White Pine Winery - 11 min drive - 10.5 km
  • Silver Beach - 12 min drive - 10.9 km
  • 12 Corners Vineyards - 12 min drive - 10.2 km
  • Sarett Nature Center - 14 min drive - 7.1 km

Getting around

  • St. Joseph-Benton Harbor Station - 11 min drive
  • South Bend Intl. Airport (SBN) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Grand Crossing Bar & Grill - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Anemel - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Houndstooth - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪North Pier Brewing Company - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Silver Harbor Brewing Company - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Sanctuary by the Shore, Unique Stay W/ Hot Tub by Lake MI pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 3 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet. Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

What time is check-in at Sanctuary by the Shore, Unique Stay W/ Hot Tub by Lake MI?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Sanctuary by the Shore, Unique Stay W/ Hot Tub by Lake MI?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Sanctuary by the Shore, Unique Stay W/ Hot Tub by Lake MI located?

This family-friendly Benton Harbor vacation home is located on a lake, 1.2 mi (2 km) from Lake Michigan, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Silver Beach and Margaret B. Upton Arboretum. FuzzyButz Pet Bakery and Tiscornia Park are also within 6 mi (10 km).

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Sanctuary by the Shore, Unique Stay W/ Hot Tub by Lake MI Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 20 out of 23 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 23 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 23 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 23 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 23 reviews

9.4/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kristine W.

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

In town for a funeral

Great location and venue!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey R.

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

Family lakeshore stay

Our family had a great time staying in this spacious and unique location. The kids loved using the ping pong and pool tables and the fire pit was enjoyed by all
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nataliya K.

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

Family reunion for July 4

The house is located in nice and quiet area. Close to the beach and restaurants. The house had everything that we needed. We enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeff K.

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

Boys trip

Perfect place to be for a father son fishing trip on lake Michigan. Recommend this as a must stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Grant W.

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

Great Stay

We had 5 adults and 3 young children and this house was perfect for us. Plenty of space for everyone, we all thought the layout was really cool. The house is an easy 8-10 minute drive to the downtown area, very convenient to restaurants and the beach. If we ever return to this area, I wouldn’t hesitate to stay at this property again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa S.

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

Wedding weekend in St. Joseph

I booked this for my husband and 4 adult children and their significant others to be together for a family wedding. It was a fantastic place to stay and have family time. Pool table was a HUGE hit, as well as the ping pong table, projection TV and outdoor space for our 4 legged family members to take a break. Kitchen is big, and we also enjoyed the various tables and nooks for small conversations. And, to say we stayed in a “church” for the weekend was a big hit as well. Highly recommend for other larger groups!!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

6/10 Okay

Rachael K.

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

Water

Would’ve been great had there not been a mold smell the whole time. There is visible water damage on the ceiling. The lower bathroom smells of sewage. There is no central A/C and one of the units was leaking indoor. The location was great and amenities , pool table, full kitchen, etc. However we would not suggest staying if you’re sensitive to mold.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

marty k.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michele D.

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

Awesome vibe

We loved staying at the remodeled church. So much space, fun ping pong and pool games for the family and tons of running space for our puppy
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Nancy M., Grandville

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

A great place with tons of room

We really enjoyed our stay here! It is very big, lots of fun things to do (projector screen for movies, pool table, ping pong) and we loved the outdoor firepit! We would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sean T.

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

This place was amazing!

Massive space - such a great stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Barry H.

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

Just what we needed

A fantastic spot with lots of room for kiddos to play and the adults to cook good meals and have a few drinks by the fire.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Megan R.

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

Beautiful VRBO

Loved our stay! Beautiful church made into a home. Nice area, extremely close to the beach. Would highly RECOMMEND!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Thom H.

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

Great place for a Winter getaway.

This is a unique rental place as it is a repurposed church. The main common area is huge. The projector TV was great for watching sports and movies. The kitchen is large and adequately equipped. 6 adults stayed here with room for more . We enjoyed the pool table and ping pond table. I recommend it for a one-of -kind vacation experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sherry

Liked: Cleanliness, room comfort, communication

Perfect!

This property was perfect for us! Everything was clean, the place was spacious, the neighborhood was really quiet and the wineries were fun! Definitely recommend this place. We met the owner and she was very friendly. I don't think I'd rent this place for a party, neighborhood is too quiet. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Beth L.

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

The Bell Tower

We had the best time celebrating New Years here! House was clean and spacious with so much character. Sleeps 7 comfortably. Host was very gracious and responsive. Our teens had a blast with the ping pong and pool table. Had a hard time regulating the electric baseboard heaters upstairs, but that is likely user error. It was definitely warm! The only thing I’d recommend is updating the listing to let everyone know how close the rental next door is. No issues with the neighbors at all, they were great- but we didn’t realize how close they would be. More worried about how loud we were cheering during the bowl games ;)
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Eric S.

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

Great get away

Nice place for a getaway. Close to the beaches and restaurants in St. Joe and plenty of space to sprawl out in the house.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Emily G.

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

Perfect for our group!

This house was the perfect fit! Large community space for the kids to play and watch movies and enough room of all of us! Easy checkin and very clean! We will be back
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Robert L.

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

It was a beautiful house

The house was what it was in the pictures. It was beautiful and clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Allison O., Sunbury, Ohio, United States

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

Cool place!

Everything was as advertised. We really enjoyed the stay. The decor was really cute. The floor was dirty when we got there, it was swept but not washed. Our feet were black before bed. Otherwise everything else was clean and organized. The owner was responsive to questions as well.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2021