Picture this: the kids are already racing down to the beach, just 60 seconds from the door, while you're still unpacking the car. The sand is soft, the water stays shallow and clear forever, and it's a private beach for members only, so it never feels crowded.

Afternoons happen on the deck. Someone's on the big sectional with a book, someone's firing up the propane grill, and the table for eight is already set for dinner with the lake right in front of you. When the sun starts to drop, everyone wanders back to the shoreline to watch Lake Huron turn gold, then pink, then purple.

After dark, the porch glows with a soft, warm light strip, the perfect backdrop for one more drink outside. Light the fire pit, pass around the s'mores, and look up: Sand Point is far from city lights, and on clear nights the stars reach all the way down to the water. (Bring your own firewood; the logs you'll see around the property are just for decoration.)

Inside, the great room has vaulted ceilings and windows that fill with morning light, plus plenty of room for all 16 of you without anyone stuck in a corner. Cook together in the fully stocked kitchen (yes, there's a Nespresso, a Keurig and a drip coffee maker for the coffee people), then spread out between the kitchen bar and the dining table.

★ WHERE EVERYONE SLEEPS ★
Ground level (walk-out)
♛ Bedroom 1: a bunk with two twins on the bottom and one on top, the kids' favorite
♛ Bedrooms 2 & 3: a double bed each
♛ Living room 2: full-size pull-out sofa + twin rollaway, with its own Smart TV for movie nights
Main level
♛ Bedrooms 4 & 5: a double bed each, steps from the kitchen and deck
Top floor
♛ Bedroom 6: a king suite with its own bath and a quiet desk, for whoever needs to sneak in a call. The 4moms pack 'n play (crib) lives up here too, ready for your little one.

Everything inside is brand new or freshly renovated, from the linens and towels to the mugs. There are three full baths. The main-level and top-floor baths are fully renovated. The ground-level bath already has a new toilet, vanity and mirror, with the rest of its makeover planned for this winter.

★ WORKSPACE ★
A private office with a desk, rolling chair, docking station, monitor and reading lamp, plus high-speed Wi-Fi.

★ GETTING HERE & PARKING ★
Heads up, it's a little tricky! GPS takes you to 5815 Oak Pointe Dr, the lake side of the house, where there's no parking. Drive around to the back on M-25 (Port Austin Rd): the driveway has room for 5 to 6 cars, and the main entrance with the smart lock is right there. To reach the private beach, go out the 1st-floor sliding door, turn left on Oak Pointe Dr, and after about 30 seconds you'll see the path on your right.

★ CHECK-IN ★
Self check-in with a Yale smart lock. Your code is the last 4 digits of the booking guest's phone number. Check-in after 4:00 PM, check-out before 11:00 AM.

★ SAFETY ★
Fire extinguishers on every level, plus a fire blanket and a first aid kit in the kitchen cabinet. Smoke and CO alarms throughout. Lake Huron is beautiful but powerful, and there's no lifeguard, so please keep a close eye on children near the water. Our only camera is a Ring doorbell at the front door; there are none inside.

★ GOOD TO KNOW ★
✔ High-speed Wi-Fi, A/C and heat, washer and dryer, iron and steamer
✔ Beach towels and beach essentials
✔ Your well-behaved pups are welcome too: up to 2 dogs, approved in advance, $200 pet fee
✔ No smoking inside, no parties or events, no fireworks. Quiet hours 10 PM to 7 AM

★ OUR FAVORITE LOCAL SPOTS ★
Beachy's Bar & Restaurant (6567 Main St): great food and cocktails with a beachy vibe
Thumb Brewery (6758 Pine St): a family-friendly brewery with great pub food
Wooded Island Sports Grill (6868 Michigan Ave): a fun patio with outdoor games
Kayak to Turnip Rock from Port Austin
Go-karts at Key North, mini golf at Sandy Dunes, roller skating at the Caseville Family Arena, and the splash pad at Bird Creek Park