6,000+ sq ft historic lakefront estate on Long Lake in Valparaiso, IN.
Private beach. Pontoon boat. Hot tub. Sleeps a max. of 30 guests. Parking for 20. Near Indiana Dunes, 45 min from SW Michigan & 1 hr from Chicago.
This restored estate blends historic character w/ modern comfort. Designed for family reunions & adult friend gatherings, this is a private destination built for reconnecting.
Min age to book: 30
**Proof of identity via valid driver's license required upon booking
**Primary renter must remain on the property during the reservation period
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Recent Property Improvements
We've continued to invest in the property to make each stay more comfortable & enjoyable. Recent updates include:
• Expanded lakefront deck w/ additional stairs to the beach
• New outdoor furniture throughout the property, including beach loungers, umbrellas, dining tables, Adirondack chairs
• New upper-level patio furniture, including a fire table, two couches, two chairs overlooking the lake
• Whole-home Generac backup generator
• Max-capacity washer/dryer
• Fishing boat upgraded w/ a 5HP Mercury motor
Coming soon:
• Tesla Universal Wall Connector
• UniFi whole-property Wi-Fi system
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Plan a 3-5 Night Stay
Many guests initially book a weekend & later wish they had planned longer. There's more to do here than most expect, & the location makes it easy to build a full itinerary.
Day 1: Settle Into Lake Life
Arrive, unpack & let the pace slow down. Spend the afternoon on your private beach, take out the kayaks or paddleboards or simply relax along the shore. In the evening, grill dinner on the patio & watch the sunset over Long Lake before ending the night in the hot tub.
Day 2: Explore the IN Dunes
Drive to Indiana Dunes National Park for a full day of Lake Michigan beaches, hiking trails & sweeping dune views.
Day 3: Downtown Valparaiso & Local Parks
Spend the morning in downtown Valparaiso. Children love the splash pad & open space at Central Park Plaza, & there are walking trails & playgrounds throughout the Valpo Parks system.
During the summer season, the Chesterton European Market offers open-air shopping, artisan food & live music.
Day 4: Chicago or SW Michigan
Take the South Shore Line train into Chicago for a day of shopping, theatre or dining. Families may enjoy Navy Pier, museums or the lakefront trail.
Prefer a quieter drive? Head north toward New Buffalo or St. Joseph & explore SW Michigan wine country before returning to your private lake retreat.
Day 5: Enjoy Long Lake
Spend one final day slowing down & enjoying everything the property has to offer. Take out the fishing boat, kayak or canoe, relax on the beach loungers, spend time in the hot tub or gather around the fire table. Many guests tell us their favorite memories are the unplanned moments spent together at the lake.
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Sleeping & Layout
The home comfortably accommodates large groups in a way most lake properties cannot.
• 7 private bedrooms
• 2 shared sleeping areas
• 6.5 bathrooms
• Large sunroom overlooking the lake
• Multiple indoor gathering areas
• Outdoor patio & lawn spaces
• Maximum overnight occupancy: 30 guests
The layout works well for grandparents, couples, families w/ children & mixed-age groups who want both privacy & shared space.
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Detailed Sleeping Configuration
Bedroom 1 (Main Level, Accessible)
• King bed (sleeps 2). Ensuite w/ claw-foot tub, shower & dual sinks.
• Walk-in closet, TV.
• Sleeper sofa in adjacent living room (sleeps 2).
Bedroom 2 (Main Level, Accessible)
• King bed (sleeps 2). Ensuite bath. Private exterior access.
• Additional oven/stove, sink & counter space.
Bedroom 3 (Upper Level)
• King bed (sleeps 2) + sleeper sofa (sleeps 2). Shared bath (w/ Bedroom 4) w/ dual sinks & bidet. Lake view.
Bedroom 4 (Upper Level)
• Queen bed (sleeps 2). Shared bath (w/ Bedroom 3) w/ dual sinks & bidet. Lake view.
Bedroom 5 (Upper Level)
• Queen bed (sleeps 2). Shared bath (w/ Bedroom 6) w/ jacuzzi tub. Lake view.
Bedroom 6 (Upper Level)
• King bed (sleeps 2) + sleeper sofa (sleeps 2). Shared bath (w/ Bedroom 5) w/ jacuzzi tub. Lake view.
Bedroom 7 (Lower Level Bunk House)
• Three bunk beds w/ trundles (sleeps 9) + sleeper sofa (sleeps 2). Ensuite bath.
Bedroom 8 (Garden Suite)
• Second-floor detached unit w/ separate exterior stairs & door. Full bed (sleeps 2). Ensuite bath. Kitchenette, dining table for two & small sofa. Private entry & not accessible w/in the main house.
Bedroom 9 (Teen Suite/Garage Loft)
• Three queen beds (sleeps 6). Climate controlled. Accessed via stairs w/in the garage. Bathroom access in main house.
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Kitchen Spaces
Primary Kitchen
• Island seating
• Breakfast nook seating 8
• Two dishwashers
• Oven/stove
• Refrigerator w/ ice maker
• Reverse osmosis water
• Fully stocked cookware & dishes
Prep Kitchen (Bedroom 2 Suite)
• Sink, counters, oven/stove
• Ideal for catering or overflow cooking
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Lakefront Amenities & Watercraft
• Private beachfront access to 65-acre Long Lake
• Private beach & dock
• Expanded deck w/ additional lake access stairs
• New outdoor furniture throughout the property, including picnic tables, Adirondack chairs, lounge chairs, umbrellas & lakeside seating for large groups
• Upper-level patio w/ fire table, two couches & two chairs overlooking the lake
• 23-foot Bennington pontoon w/ 50HP Yamaha motor, fits 10 + driver
• Fishing boat w/ 5HP Mercury motor available at no additional charge
• Canoe, kayaks + paddle boards available at no additional charge (canoe + kayaks may be used outside of boating season, weather permitting)
• Swim pad + lake floats
• Beach towels provided
• Outdoor hot tub (fits 7)
• Outdoor shower
• Grill + patio
• Sculpted gardens, fountain + pond
The pontoon boat is generally available from mid May-mid October. If you have questions about its availability during your stay, please reach out!
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Comfort & Practical Details
• Whole-property Wi-Fi
• Smart TVs
• Central AC/heat
• Two HVAC systems plus mini-splits regulate climate throughout the home
• Max-capacity washer/dryer onsite
• Whole-home Generac backup generator
• Parking for 20 vehicles
• Outdoor security cameras (none inside)
• No pets
• No smoking indoors
Coming Soon:
• Tesla Universal Wall Connector
• UniFi whole-property Wi-Fi system
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Entrances & Property Layout
The property includes 3 main levels (upper, main, lower), plus two additional sleeping spaces located just outside the primary footprint of the home.
The Garden Suite/Bedroom 8 is a second-floor unit w/ its own exterior staircase + entry. It connects to the main house via the upper-level outdoor balcony.
The Teen Suite/Garage Loft is located above the detached garage across the driveway. It's climate controlled & accessed via interior garage stairs. Bathroom facilities are located in the main house.
All doors have locks.
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House Rules & Property Policies
To preserve the property & maintain a peaceful environment for neighbors & future guests, the following policies apply to all reservations.
The primary renter must remain on the property during the reservation period.
Occupancy
• Maximum occupancy at any given time is 30 guests
• Only registered guests are permitted on the property unless pre-approved
Events beyond standard overnight use must be disclosed & approved in advance.
Damage Responsibility
• A damage deposit is required at booking
• The damage deposit does not limit or cap a guest's financial responsibility for damage to the property
• The primary renter is financially responsible for any damage that occurs during the reservation
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Boat Rental & Water Safety
• Pontoon rental is available for $395/day from 8am-8pm
• Pontoon rental includes gas, insurance, a 20'x8' swim pad & pool noodles
• Pontoon use requires a signed contract, valid driver's license & in-person orientation
• Fishing gear is not provided. Guests planning to fish must have a valid Indiana fishing license
• Use of Long Lake & all watercraft is at guests' own risk
• Guests are responsible for supervising children at all times near the water
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Fire & Fireworks
• Outdoor fire pits may be used responsibly & must be fully extinguished before leaving the area
• Consumer fireworks are permitted only during IN state-designated dates & times. Guests are responsible for compliance w/ state law & any resulting damage.
• The interior fireplace may not be used during summer months
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Smoking Policy
• Smoking is allowed only in the designated area near the driveway. All cigarette waste must be properly disposed of.
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Pet Policy
Pets are not permitted on the property due to allergies. This includes indoor & outdoor areas.
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Decorations & Property Care
• No tape, nails, command strips, adhesives on walls or woodwork
• No confetti, glitter, sparkles
• Furniture must be returned to original locations
• General cleanup is expected prior to departure
• Spills should be cleaned immediately, as original floorboards may allow liquid to seep below
• Guests are responsible for any damage beyond normal wear
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Mechanical Notes
• Whole-home Generac backup generator provides backup power during outages
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Security
• Outdoor security cameras located around the exterior of the property for safety
• No cameras inside the home
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We ask all guests to treat the property w/ care & respect. This estate has been thoughtfully restored & is intended for gatherings that value connection, not disruption.
