Big Brick Bungalow - Lower Unit

She's a brick...Duplex! This is the lower level unit of a home where guests can enjoy arcade games, 2 smart TVs, and an outdoor firepit. Recently renovated and decorated, and only 2 miles from sandy beaches. Near tree-lined hiking trails in the national park, casino, wineries, boat rentals, cafes, Michigan City Zoo, splash pad and park, outlet malls, & antique shops; the perfect getaway for up to 10 people who want to relax or adventure!

To avoid any confusion, potential guests should thoroughly read ALL information below before requesting to book. (We promise that the info below will better prepare you for your trip and answer 99% of your questions!) Thank you!

UNIT PERKS:
--This rental includes its own private unit within a house: You and your group will have your own private entrance, kitchen, living areas, and bedrooms. The only shared area where you may encounter other guests is in the backyard patio, where guests of the upper unit may also use the firepit. This lower unit sleeps a max of 10. It is a 4 bedroom (2 of which are connected by an open wall), 2 bath unit with a pull out couch in the living area. It has its own kitchen with a fridge/freezer, sink, stove, oven, microwave, toaster oven, blender & coffee maker. Essentials like plates, cups, cookware, utensils, & paper towel will be provided for your use.
--Along with coffee, creamer and sweetener are provided.
--Cooking spray, olive oil, salt/pepper are provided.
--The unit consists of the main floor (2 beds/1 bath) and the basement (2 beds/1 bath). A hair dryer and showering essentials/bath towels are available.
--All bedrooms have some form of dresser storage and hangers for clothing storage. There is also an iron and ironing board.
--Small beach toys for kids and a large woven beach towel is provided for each guest.
--Retro style arcade game, popcorn machine, and a few board games are available for your use.
--Guests can park up to three cars in the driveway. There is also free street parking directly in front of the house.

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS:
--Main floor: One king bedroom and one queen bedroom. One bathroom with tub on this level.
--Basement level: One king bedroom connected by open wall to bedroom with two twin beds. One common area pull out couch (queen sized). One bathroom with shower on this level.

TECHNOLOGY:
--A large, flat screen smart TV is hooked up in each living area (2 total), though we recommend the outdoors over the tube! ;)
--High Speed Wifi is provided.
--A washer/dryer is available for your use in the basement.

ADDITIONAL INFO:
We welcome guests of all backgrounds! However, due to prior disrespectful renters and property damage, we will only be accepting booking requests from:
--Users who are "verified" and who already have positive reviews from other hosts.
--Renters that are above the age of 25.
--Renters who are not bringing pets.
--A maximum of 10 guests per reservation. Extra guests are not allowed. If you are interested in including more guests (up to 14), please consider renting the entire house (“The Brick Bungalow”), which can be found by clicking on our profile to see all of our properties.
--We value our relationship with our neighbors, so events/gatherings/parties are not to be held by guests. In order to keep the unit in excellent condition for future guests, we are firm on these rules. We apologize for this inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.

***As hosts, we have sustained damages to our properties in the past. Because we value our relationships with our neighbors and because we aim to keep the properties in top condition, we do require guests to have previous positive reviews from past trips. If you do not have previous positive reviews from past trips, we do require a fully refundable $500 damage deposit. The deposit is returned on your day check out when the cleaning team arrives and confirms the property is in good condition.***

***Smoking is NOT allowed inside or around the property. If there is any evidence smoking occurred inside or within 50 feet of the property (smoke smell, ashes, paraphernalia, etc) there will be an additional $300 cleaning charge and/or loss of security deposit if one was collected.

***Note that the neighborhood itself is transitional, and while our guests have never had safety issues while staying with us, the area hosts eclectic mix of people: both locals and tourists. The police station is less than a mile away, along with many other popular restaurants and attractions. If you have any specific questions or concerns, please feel free to read previous location ratings/reviews from other guests, and/or reach out prior to booking.

***Note that there are train tracks a few blocks away. When a train goes by, you may hear the whistle. Train schedules vary greatly so there is no telling how often you will hear it while vacationing—Many of our guests have said they never heard it, some say they heard it clearly but it didn’t bother them, and others say they were bothered by it. We've provided sound makers in each room (and beside the pull out couches) for light sleepers. The vast majority of our guests do not complain of the train, but you are welcome to bring ear plugs for nighttime if you’re a light sleeper or if you’re concerned.

***Note that if you are bringing infants/babies, the units are NOT baby-proofed. (Furniture is NOT secured to walls, outlet blockers are NOT included, cabinets/drawers are NOT locked, etc.) You assume responsibilities for all guests.

***Note that all guests will have to climb steps up the front porch. Please also note that the steps which lead to the basement of the lower unit are incredibly steep. (The duplex is historic.) If all guests in your party are NOT able-bodied, it will be difficult to access the basement of the unit. There is also a low threshold on your way down into the basement area, where guests will need to be mindful of their heads. (We have signs up as a reminder as to not hit your head when walking up/down the stairs, but like to mention it here as well.)

***Note that sharing walls in a historic home means you will hear guests above you (in the upper unit) if it is occupied during your stay. We’ve provided sound makers in each bedroom in case this is bothersome. We kindly ask that guests are mindful of quiet hours as not to disturb others.

***We’re happy to provide a (shared) outdoor area with 8 chairs, a lighter, and a firepit; guests who wish to utilize this area should plan to bring their own firewood or purchase some at any of the nearby local stores like Meijer, Walmart, Menards, etc. (We used to supply firewood at our properties, but storing it attracted rodents and caused damage, so we now ask that guests bring their own.)

CHECK-IN INFO:
--Guests who book will receive detailed check-in instructions and a key code for entry on the morning of their scheduled arrival. All of this will be communicated through AirBnB messenger.
--Please note that Michigan City is on Central Standard Time (CST). Check-in is after 4 p.m.; guests must check out by 10 a.m. so that we can clean/prepare for our next renters before they arrive.
--Our cancellation policy is moderate.

Michigan City is a great vacation spot. A variety of activities are available for everyone, regardless of age/ability/interests.

Favorite spots include restaurants/cafes:
--Shoreline Brewery
--Panini Panini
--The Goblin & The Grocer
--Lakeshore Coffee & Specialties
--Hokkaido Sushi
--Fish Camp
--Zorn Brewery

Grocery Stores nearby include:
--Nature's Cupboard
--Meijer
--Walmart
--Jewel (Chesterton)

Things to do:
--Michigan City Beaches
--Michigan City Zoo
--Michigan City splashpad park for kids
--Michigan City Outlet Malls
--Michigan City park (with weekly live music and jungle gym for kids)
--Michigan City Skate Park
--Blue Chip Casino
--The nation's newest national park includes tons of additional beaches along Lake Michigan, and fourteen hiking trail systems at the Indiana Dunes.
--May guests also enjoy visiting wineries and breweries throughout the region, horseback riding, as well as antiquing.

*Please note that the neighborhoods throughout Michigan City are often transitional, and while our guests have not had any personal safety issues in the many years we’ve been hosting, Michigan City hosts an eclectic mix of people: both locals and tourists. The police station is typically less than a mile away from all of our rentals, along with many other popular restaurants and attractions. If you have any specific questions or concerns, please read previous location ratings and reviews from other guests for this specific property, and/or reach out with any specific questions prior to booking. Over the years we’ve been hosting, our rentals have averaged between 4.6 and 5 stars (out of 5) in the location category.

A car is the best mode of transportation around the area. Feel free to bring your own bikes, as biking along the lakefront is beautiful!