Family Vacation Critic Favorite

Sun ‘n Sand Resort

176 N. Blue Star Hwy, South Haven, 49090, MI

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1 Room / 2 Adults

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2 adults
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TripAdvisor Rating

Editor's Rating

Overview

If families value the chance to stay in a historic locale when visiting a new place, the Sun ‘n Sand checks that box. With an original building dating back nearly a century, this classic roadside resort is a throwback to a bygone era of family travel, and one that’s been brought forward to meet the needs of 21st century families.

The Sun ‘n Sand Resort sits just outside downtown South Haven, Michigan, giving you and your kids a sense of serenity while lounging poolside or watching the ducks from a pond beach. Yet, you can easily pop into town for a bite to eat without much effort at all.

This seasonal South Haven getaway is open from May through October.

Our Editor Loves

  • Historic 1920's farm resort
  • Pond beach
  • Comfort, location and unique charm

Family Interests

  • Beach
  • Museum/Cultural

Family Amenities

  • Connecting Rooms
  • Cribs
  • Family Room 5+
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Kitchenettes
  • Pool
  • Refrigerator

Room Information

Find the Best Price for Your Stay

The Sun 'n Sand Resort has a total of 31 rooms spread out among three separate buildings: the Beach House, Lake House and Cottage House. All rooms feature wicker and pine furnishings, free Wi-Fi, cable TV, heating and air conditioning, and kitchenettes with refrigerators, microwaves and coffeemakers.

Air mattresses, and/or Pack 'n Plays for young children, are available in any room at no extra cost. Make a note of your request during the reservation process or call ahead to ensure your family has all the bedding necessary for a comfortable stay.

The Beach House
Each of the 16 rooms in the 1920's two-story main building at the resort has original hardwood floors. The Beach House has a wrap-around covered deck and is the closest building to the pool.

Beach House Single
This is the ideal room for a party of two adults, with a queen-size bed with a soft duvet cover. An air mattress and/or crib for a young child is available at no extra cost.

Beach House Double
Two queen beds make this Beach House Double Room ideal for parents traveling with two small children. Ask for Room 109 to score a queen bed with twin bunk beds to make your kids extra happy during your South Haven stay!

Beach House Suite
Need more space and privacy with older kids? The Suite in the Beach House includes two bedrooms with private entrances and is joined by a shared bathroom. Each room in the suite has a queen bed, sleeping up to four guests.

The Lake House
There are nine rooms in the single story Lake House building, each with a ceiling fan and access to the house's wrap-around deck. For reunions, parties or multi-family vacationing, the entire Lake House can be rented as all rooms have the ability to connect to each other.

Lake House Single
The Lake House's one single is a small, handicap accessible two-person room with a queen bed, with the option to connect to Kitchenette Room #305 to sleep a family of four comfortably.

Lake House Kitchenette Room
There are seven of these rooms with a queen bed, a kitchen counter, sink, and a cabinet with enough tableware for two guests. There are three sets of rooms, in addition to the single accessible room, that can be reserved as connecting units for larger families.

Lake House Suite
This large suite is the best bet for families in the Lake House, thanks to a queen bed, plus bunk beds (twins) and two bathrooms.

The Cottage House
The newest Sun 'n Sand house to get a makeover is a U-shaped building with six rooms in total; it is the closest building to the front desk.

Cottage House Single
A newly renovated queen bed room with fresh flooring and a new paint job is ideal for two adults. An air mattress and/or crib for a young child is available at no extra cost.

Cottage House Double
This is the same as the singles in the Cottage House, but with two queen beds, making this the choice for young families.

Reviews

What was expected for price and location

by Tammy D

I think some of the reviewers are being overly harsh. It is an older property so no matter how hard you try to clean, they may not look clean. They do have newer floors and paint and the owners do appear to try to keep things tidy. This is a property that is 3 miles outside of town and the high prices on or nearer the beach. I'm not sure what people expect from this type of property this far from the beach town. It was fine for the price. All the staff we were in contact were very nice.

Way overpriced

by tdulaney1

This is not a resort. We stayed in a "cottage" that can only be described as a room worth of bates motel. Bed was just a mattress on a frame no headboard or anything shoved in a corner. Windows had no curtains and the TV was a tube TV as old as I was. Left with several bug bites and paid more than we typically do to stay at a Marriott or Hyatt. Claiming these are "newly renovated" is Highway robbery.

Family Activities

Pool
A rare saltwater treat along the shores of the freshwater Great Lake, the Sun 'n Sand's new pool (built in 2012) is a delight for relaxing in and out of on one of the many chaise lounge chairs. A snack bar sits alongside the pool.

Beach-by-the-Pond
A small pond around back of the Sun 'n Sand has a charming sandy beach a stone's throw from the pool. This private little beach, complete with free beach toys and shovels, is a child's dream hotel feature!

Outdoor Area
In addition to the pool and pond beach, the resort features a waterfall that is illuminated at night, volleyball nets, koi feeding, a nature trail, and a fire pit lounge with chairs, wood and firemaking tools.

Family Dining

There is no breakfast (free or otherwise) or other dining offered at the Sun 'n Sand Resort, but there is a poolside snack bar serving refreshments and goodies.

Planning & Tips

All About the Extras
Pet Policy
Small pets are permitted.

Parking
Free parking is available throughout the resort.

Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi access is available in the rooms and throughout the property.

The Art of Smart Timing
This seasonal South Haven getaway is only open from May through October, meaning it is always peak tourist time.

Getting There
The Sun 'n Sand Resort in South Haven, Michigan is an easy two-hour drive from Chicago's two airports, 2.5 hours from Detroit and three hours from Indianapolis.

Getting Around
From your home at the Sun 'n Sand, you are two turns away (and five minutes) from the downtown hub of South Haven, with its charming 'main street' lined with shops, restaurants, ice cream parlors and antique stores. A few minutes more down the road and you're at the beach.