Grand Beach is a small lakeside village in Berrien County, about ninety minutes from Chicago and just north of New Buffalo. Set on four wooded acres a short walk from Lake Michigan, The Neighborhood Hotel Grand Beach makes an easy home base for exploring it: mornings start with coffee by the fire pit or a dip in the pool, and the suites blend rustic cabin comfort with a touch of polish, so the day can end just as easily with a campfire and s’mores as with a quiet night in. The village around it has kept its resort-town character since it was master-planned in the early 1900s: a public nine-hole golf course, quiet beach access points along Lake Michigan, even tennis and pickleball courts. Here is what to expect if you’re planning a visit.
Beaches
Grand Beach sits directly on Lake Michigan, and getting to the sand is part of the charm: several quiet, unmarked paths lead from the village streets down to the water.
Directions to the closest public beach from The Neighborhood Hotel Grand Beach:
Exit through the main entrance and stay left (no cars allowed).
Pass over the ravine and creek.
When you approach a large house, head up the driveway and veer to the right.
The path to the beach is between the two houses.
**This is a perfect rock skipping beach with a stunning view of the sunset.
Walking time from the hotel: About 5 minutes.
- Beyond this closest access point, the village maintains several other named entries along the shoreline. The Village of Grand Beach has been adding lookout platforms and stairs at the Ely and Pine access points, and the Walnut access leads to one of the larger stretches of open beach. A viewing platform and stairs are also planned for the Lake access point. Since Grand Beach is under a square mile end to end, all of these are within roughly a 10 to 15 minute walk of the hotel.
- If you’d like to explore beyond the village, a handful of well-regarded beaches are within a short drive (these are too far to walk comfortably, so plan on driving or biking):
- Road-end beaches — Just south in Chikaming Township, spots like Pier Road and Townline Road offer quiet, low-key access at the end of tree-lined residential streets. Parking is limited and mostly roadside, and most are reached by wooden stairs down to the sand, so pack light.
- Cherry Beach — A short drive northeast in Harbert, this is the largest beach in Chikaming Township at roughly 657 feet of shoreline, backed by grassy dunes and shaded woods. It has a parking lot (township beach passes required) but no lifeguards or restrooms, and a fee/kiosk system is in place for the season.
- New Buffalo Public Beach — About ten minutes south in downtown New Buffalo, this 800-foot beach is the area’s most developed option, with a playground, picnic pavilions, kayak and paddleboard rentals, seasonal concessions, and lifeguards on duty Thursday through Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Parking is paid April through September, 8 AM to 8 PM.
- Warren Dunes State Park Beach — About twenty minutes north in Sawyer, this is the area’s biggest beach day out: three miles of shoreline backed by towering dunes, including Tower Hill at roughly 240 feet. There’s a concession stand, modern restrooms, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and a designated dog beach. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required for entry.
- Weko Beach — A bit further north in Bridgman, this 960-foot beach sits within 42 acres of wooded dunes and has a modern beach house, boardwalk with observation decks, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and a small-craft boat launch. A live bugler plays Taps at sunset every night from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and the city hosts free summer concerts there. A daily or seasonal parking pass is required in season.
The Golf Course
Grand Beach Golf Course is a public nine-hole course designed in 1911 by Tom Bendelow, the architect behind hundreds of early American golf courses. It plays to a par of 36 across 2,955 yards, with bent grass greens and fairways. The layout includes a blind tee shot on the first hole and two blind par 3s later in the round, features that are rare on modern courses but common to golf’s “golden age” of design.
Walking time from the hotel: About 10 minutes.
Hours and season: The course is open April 1 through October 31, with regular hours of 8:30 AM to 8 PM. The course closes to open play during resident league times: Sundays until 1 PM (July 7–Aug 18), Mondays until 11 AM (July 1–Aug 19), and Fridays until 11 AM (June 21–July 26). Hours can vary, so it’s worth calling ahead: (269) 469-4888.
2026 rates:
- 9 holes: $18
- 18 holes: $28
- Seniors (62+): $15
- Juniors (14–21): $15
- Children (6–13): $10
Tee times are not required, and clubs and power carts are available to rent. Steel spikes are not permitted on the course. Community members also organize Men’s, Women’s, and Kids’ summer golf leagues for residents.
What reviewers say:
A GolfPass reviewer summed up the round this way: “A real value including a golf cart plus green fee for under $45.”
Driving Range
The course maintains an open-tee driving range with room for 8 to 10 golfers at a time. A small bucket of balls costs $7.00, and a large bucket is $12.00. Course etiquette asks golfers not to walk out to retrieve or re-hit balls, since it’s both dangerous and disruptive to other players, and to be mindful of noise and space on a range that gets shared by a group at once.
Walking time from the hotel: About 10 minutes, since it’s part of the same golf course grounds.
Hours and season: The range shares the golf course’s schedule, open April 1 through October 31 with regular hours of 8:30 AM to 8 PM. A seasonal range pass is also available for $150, valid from May 15 through September 15.
Pro Shop
The Pro Shop sits in an old-school 1940s/50s-era building that also serves as the Grand Beach Village Hall, a detail one reviewer pointed out as part of the course’s charm. Beyond equipment rental, the shop carries clothing, hats, beach towels, coffee mugs, wine glasses, playing cards, and other souvenirs. It also functions as a snack bar, serving Michigan-made Sherman’s ice cream, pizza, nachos, pretzels, and hot dogs, with indoor seating where visitors can rest between rounds or beach trips.
Walking time from the hotel: About 10 minutes, since it sits right on the golf course grounds.
Hours and season: The Pro Shop follows the golf course’s schedule, open April 1 through October 31 with regular hours of 8:30 AM to 8 PM. Hours can vary, so it’s worth calling ahead: (269) 469-4888.
What reviewers say:
A Yelp reviewer put it simply: “The workers were nice, the price was good.”
Park + Racquet Sports
South of the golf course, along Royal Avenue, the village maintains its recreational core: a playground, tennis courts and a basketball court. The playground includes some older equipment, part of which the Parks and Recreation Committee has been working to replace, including a merry-go-round slated for removal on safety grounds.
Walking time from the hotel: About 30 minutes, so most guests drive or bike.
Tennis and Pickleball
Grand Beach’s tennis courts are part of the same recreational cluster on Royal Avenue, alongside the basketball courts and playground. The courts see regular use by residents and are mentioned periodically in village newsletters, including notices when they’re closed for maintenance. Several area vacation rentals also advertise their proximity to this park, noting tennis and pickleball courts within a short walk alongside the golf course.
Walking time from the hotel: About 30 minutes, same as the park, since the courts sit in the same cluster.
Running Trails
For trail running right in the village, the Grand Beach Nature Preserve is the best option. It’s a roughly 42-acre property owned by the Village of Grand Beach, bordering the golf course, with about 1.5 miles of compacted dirt and sand trails, roughly 4 feet wide. The trails loop past a small pond nicknamed the “Frog Pond” and are closed to golf carts, so they stay foot-traffic only. The Village has an active “Friends of Grand Beach Nature Preserve” group and is still working through a formal master plan, so expect a natural, lightly developed space rather than a fully built-out park.
Directions from the hotel: Head toward the golf course, the same direction as the Pro Shop. The preserve borders the course, with its main trailhead (known locally as the Golf View trailhead) accessible near the course grounds. Since the exact entry point isn’t posted online and the preserve is still being formalized, it’s worth asking at the hotel desk or the Pro Shop for the current access point when you arrive.
Walking time from the hotel: About 10 to 15 minutes, similar to the walk to the golf course.
Grand Beach Marsh Preserve
Right in the village, off Grand Beach Road at Deer Park Drive, the Grand Beach Marsh Preserve is an 11-acre nature preserve managed by Chikaming Open Lands. It protects a globally rare coastal plain marsh, a wetland type more common along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts than the Great Lakes, and is home to several rare or declining plant and animal species. A half-mile loop trail winds through the surrounding oak woodland alongside the marsh, with a stretch of sand prairie near the road.
Walking time from the hotel: About 15 to 20 minutes.
The preserve was originally set aside by The Nature Conservancy in 1984 and transferred to Chikaming Open Lands in 2009. It’s open year-round from sunrise to sunset, with roadside parking and no admission fee. Trails are foot traffic only, no bicycles or hunting, though leashed dogs are welcome. It’s a quiet spot for birdwatching, especially during migration season, and a good stop for anyone curious about the marsh, woodland, and dune ecosystem that shaped this stretch of the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grand Beach Golf Course open to the public? Yes. It’s a public nine-hole course, open to residents and visitors alike, and tee times aren’t required.
What are the golf course and pro shop hours? Both are open April 1 through October 31, with regular hours of 8:30 AM to 8 PM. The course closes to open play during resident league times, so it’s worth calling ahead: (269) 469-4888.
Do I need a tee time at Grand Beach Golf Course? No. Tee times aren’t required at the course or the driving range.
Is there a driving range at Grand Beach? Yes, an open-tee range with room for 8 to 10 golfers. A small bucket is $7 and a large bucket is $12; a seasonal range pass is also available for $150, valid May 15 through September 15.
Where is the closest public beach to The Neighborhood Hotel Grand Beach? A short walk from the hotel, through the main entrance and past the ravine and creek. It’s a quiet spot known for rock skipping and sunset views (full directions above).
Are there tennis or pickleball courts in Grand Beach? Yes, on Royal Avenue as part of the village’s park, alongside the playground and basketball courts.
Can I bring my dog to the beach in Grand Beach? Yes. From May 1 through October 1, dogs are allowed on the beach only between 6 PM and 11 AM and must be leashed. From October 2 through April 30, dogs are allowed at any time.
Can anyone rent the Grand Beach Village Hall? Village residents can rent it directly. Non-residents can also rent it, but only if sponsored by a village resident, and every booking needs Village Council approval.
Prices, hours, and amenities are subject to change. For current golf rates or tee time policy, contact the Pro Shop at (269) 469-4888. For beach permits, hall rentals, or general village questions, contact the Village Office at (269) 469-3141.
