Chicago's ONLY Urban Beach House combines the best of beach life and urban life! This property offers a unique lifestyle, perfect for couples, students, faculty, families and vacationers. Enjoy convenient access to Loyola Park’s wide open sandy beaches with tennis courts and volleyball courts on the sand. The house features a large living room with decorative fireplace, family room with bar and French doors leading to a deck.
Reviews
9.49.4 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
4 bedrooms3 bathrooms
Popular amenities
Beach view
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free Wi-Fi
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Only Urban Beach House in Chicago
Chicago’s ONLY Urban Beach House combines the best of beach life and urban life! Perfect for couples, students, faculty, families, and vacationers who want to experience the beach house lifestyle while enjoying all of the amenities, conveniences and excitement of an urban location.
Virtual tour link: https://www.smartfloorplan.com/p/t/shell5.php?id=v450743
1131 W. Morse Ave. is uniquely located just steps from Lake Michigan, Loyola Park and the sandy shores of Loyola, Leone and Albion Beaches. Enjoy convenient access to the CTA Sheridan Bus, the CTA Morse Ave. “El” train station and the Metra train station at Morse Ave. Bicycle enthusiasts can rent a Divvy bicycle within a short distance of the property and explore Chicago’s premiere Lakefront path and bicycle routes.
Loyola, DePaul and Northwestern Universities will find this property conveniently located to their campuses. Loyola is in walking distance and DePaul and Northwestern are a short CTA stop away. The house is surrounded by dozens of restaurants and bars, retail and a movie theater all within steps of the house. The City of Evanston, the home of Northwestern University, is a short commute and is considered the Northshore’s capital for restaurants, shopping, and nightlife.
Loyola Park offers wide open sandy beaches perfect for exploring. The park is a haven for the sports enthusiast with four tennis courts, basketball courts, three baseball diamonds, sports fields, volleyball courts on the sand and land, a field house, a playground, a fitness circuit course, a nearly 2/3-mile walking trail along the beaches of Lake Michigan, and more.
PROPERTY OVERVIEW: 1131 W Morse is loaded with features, including:
• a large bedroom with 1 King sized bed that converts to 2 Twins (sleeps 2) • a 2nd bedroom with 1 King sized bed that converts to 2 Twins (sleeps 2) • a 3rd bedroom with 1 Queen sized bed (sleeps 1-2) • a 4th bedroom with 1 Twin sized bed (sleeps 1) • a lower level Family Room with a couch convertible to a Full bed (sleeps 1-2) • The house sleeps 8-9 people • Bedrooms can also be offices • 3 full bathrooms with newly rehabbed oversized showers • a newer chefs kitchen with granite countertops and stainless steel appliances, plenty of cookware and appliances • a large living room with decorative fireplace • a family room with bar and French doors leading to a deck • an office/game room • a fitness room with workout equipment, weights, ball and yoga mats • WIFI • two tv’s and cable (Netflix, Amazon Video, etc.) • washer/dryer with laundry supplies, ironing board and iron • front porch and 2 rear decks • complete patio furniture set • an outdoor fire pit and new 6-burner gas grill for cooking • large rear yard with yard games • direct access to the park and beach • 2 indoor garage parking spaces for an additional fee (Free street parking or two garage spaces for $15/night per space) • air conditioning • 100% smoke free • 100% pet free
Bedroom Descriptions Commodore Room: King bed can be converted to two Twin XL beds
Lake Room: Twin XL beds can be converted to a King bed.
Boat Room: Boat themed room with Queen bed. (sleeps 1-2)
Rogers Room: Rogers Park, Chicago themed room with Twin bed and balcony
Cabin Room: couch convertible to a Full bed (sleeps 1-2)
Property amenities
Beach
Beach nearby
Beach loungers
Beach towels
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Car not required
Onsite parking options include a garage
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Hob
Kitchen island
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Toaster
Bedrooms
4 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
3 bathrooms
Bathtub
Hair dryer
Shower
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Living room
Entertainment
Games
Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Firepit
Garden
Gas grill
Outdoor furniture
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Work spaces
Desk chair
Office
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
In-room accessibility
No lift (single-level property)
Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Housekeeping on request
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
Near a health/beauty spa
Near a zoo
On a lake
Things to do
2 outdoor pickleball courts
Arcade/game room
Gym
Basketball nearby
Birdwatching nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Ice skating nearby
Motor boating nearby
Swimming nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
If you used the garage opener, return it to the kitchen countertop.
If you used the grill or fire pit table, make sure the propane gas is turned off.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
Events allowed
Additional fees and rules apply. Please inquire.
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 20
Note from host: Additional fees and rules apply. Please inquire.
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Property Registration Number 60626, R20000058489
We should mention
A car is not required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Located on a lake, this holiday home is in Rogers Park, a neighbourhood in Chicago. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Millennium Park, while Lincoln Park Zoo and Field Museum of Natural History are popular area attractions. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Wrigley Field or United Center. Looking to get your feet wet? Power boating, fishing and swimming adventures can be found near the property. Visit our Chicago travel guide
Is Only Urban Beach House in Chicago pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Only Urban Beach House in Chicago?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Only Urban Beach House in Chicago?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Only Urban Beach House in Chicago?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Only Urban Beach House in Chicago located?
This family-friendly Chicago holiday home is located on a lake, within a 10-minute walk of Lake Michigan and Loyola University Chicago. Lincoln Park and Aragon Ballroom are also within 3 miles (5 km). Morse Station is 6 minutes by foot and Loyola Station is 11 minutes.
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Only Urban Beach House in Chicago Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Keith & Gina were wonderful hosts!
Location was perfect. Easy walk to Red Line for access to all we wanted to do. Beach & Lake Michigan were steps away.
Fully equipped and comfortable for our group of eight. Situated on block from beach and four blocks from the red line. The host was very prompt and attentive. Great stay.
Me and my family had a wonderful stay in this beautiful home filled with character and perfect spaces for fun and comfort! Its literally steps away from loyola park and beach. The neighborhood is bustling with beach goers; there's everything you need within walking distance: stores, shops, restaurants, bars. I would definitely stay here again and highly recommend it.
Well appointed and nicely laid out house. Quiet neighborhood, grocery stores and restaurants nearby. Beach is a 1 minute walk from front door. Beds very comfortable.
Very comfortable house. We had 7 adults stay at the house for 3 nights. We enjoyed the deck & backyard in the evenings. Between the park/beach and the neighborhood, there was a lot to explore.
This was a perfect house for my family and I to celebrate the holidays. So much room, plenty of comfortable places to sleep and relax. It isn't just a beach house and can be used anytime of year. Parking was super easy. Amenities were just what we needed. Gina and Keith were really good to us.
Six adults spent the weekend and it was terrific. Great beach, parks and art.
The owners are very responsive and parking was good- we rented the garage and parking passes were provided for the street. Even on the weekend we managed to park the 3rd car easily.
We loved the area and short walk to the beach, we enjoyed the parade of beach goers from the front porch swing.
We had everything we needed in the kitchen and the beds are comfy.
😎
Excellent communication with Gina, property was very clean. The house had everything we need for our party of 8. The location is as specified in the online listing. We also took the Red line (5 min walk from the house) train downtown one evening. All in all, would highly recommend this place. Plenty of good eating options closeby as well.
We were here to visit my son and celebrate his 30th birthday so the location was chosen because he lives two blocks away but when the weather was sunny it was an idyllic location a half block from the park and beach where we could go for a dip, take morning walks and runs. On Sunday we walked a few blocks to the farmers market and in the evening went to Roger’s Park Social, a great local bar. Also very close to the red line. The rooms were clean and spacious and the beds were comfortable. Beach towels and chairs were also provided.
p c.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified
4/10 Poor
deb z.
12 Nov 2025
Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy
This is a sweet old house in a wonderful neighborhood. It's amazing to be able to walk to the end of the street and explore the shore of Lake Michigan (which we had practically to ourselves given the weather was chilly). Morse Fresh Market is a great little grocery store just a few blocks away. There are fun streets to walk, good restaurants, friendly people. I would give it 4-5 stars except that there was a major safety issue I am concerned they won't fix since they have obviously been aware of it for some time: the door nob in the upstairs bathroom is broken and one of us was locked inside for quite awhile until we figured out how to jimmy it (they had put tape over the lock mechanism but over time it had worn through). If it had been a child locked in, it would have been scary and possibly dangerous. The house is also not particularly clean (and we're not too picky about such things) and needs someone to take a screwdriver to the hinges on the cabinets. The policy of charging extra for parking in the garage is ludicrous, especially since parking on the street creates a hassle for people who live there (they did comp our garage parking because of the bathroom fiasco).
Five picky women enjoyed every inch of this lovely home. The home is one house away from the park and Lake Michigan beach. The kitchen and bathrooms were well provisioned - everything we needed, including a spare toothbrush. Comfy beds and fluffy towels. There are 3 bathrooms, which was fabulous for a bunch of gals. We used the deck and the propane fire pit - and we purchased the 2 extra garage parking spots to ensure parking (although if you time it right, you can park right in front of the house). Gina was incredibly responsive. Highly recommend.
Gina and Keith are excellent hosts who respond quickly to any and all last-minute questions and obviously work hard to provide every amenity, small and large, to accommodate their guests. Our extended family, including adult children, their spouses, and four grandkids, enjoyed our stay and created some wonderful lifelong memories at the beach—made comfortable with plenty of beach towels, chairs, and an umbrella—and in the city, which is readily accessible by car or train. (They provide street parking permit but I’d recommend you rent a space or two in the garage for the most convenient access to the house.) Thank you, Gina and Kieth. We definitely hope to be back again!
Pros
• Perfect access to the lakeside, beaches, and a system of walking paths
• Close to L transit, buses, and a bike station 1.5 blocks up
• Grocery options a short bike or transit ride away
• Ample dishware and flatware, dishwasher – pods provided
• Well stocked kitchen with decent quality gear
• Good Wi-Fi and Xfinity TV service
• Good outdoor layout – large deck with bench seating, dining table
• Large propane NexGrill in good working condition
• Large lawn; great space for kids to run around
• Basement level with open room and exercise equipment
• Laundry room has large W/D on the basement level, and 3rd bathroom with shower
Cons
• Lower deck has some rot; there are exposed screw heads creating a safety hazard
• Fridge water dispenser was not working properly; mgmt. said, “there is no replacement filter available.”
• House has not had a recent deep cleaning e.g. dried grapes under the FR coffee table
• Every room’s corners have spiderwebs and accumulated dirt. Dust and grime present on many surfaces and walls
• Bedroom windows have no screens - no good way to flush room with fresh air
• Ergometer not in working order
• Other maint. items: broken seat chair, missing kitchen cabinet knobs, kitchen garbage slide-out has issue with left slide, missing front panel on fridge drawer, one stove burner does not light
Overall we enjoyed our stay at this home and can recommend for people who need a lot of space, close to Lake Michigan, and enjoy great indoor / outdoor living.
Peter C.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024
Verified
6/10 Okay
Dianne S.
12 Aug 2023
Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Chicago trip
The park and the beach were lovely. That was the best part of the trip! I'm so glad we rented the garage as parking on the street would have been impossible-it’s jam packed with cars most of the time. First impression was terrible as we encountered a homeless person in the alley on the way to the garage. (The next day, he & his belongings were thankfully gone.) The house is old but charming. The cleaning crew missed some things. As soon as we arrived, we had to sweep the upstairs due to sand. I checked out my bed sheets with a quick swipe of my hand - sand…I stripped the sheets and washed them immediately. The next morning my daughter said her sheets had sand as well & she threw them in the wash as well. The other beds were fine. Some of the doorknobs were loose. My husband shut one of the bedroom doors and when he tried to open it the doorknob came off in his hand. He’s a fixer upper type & fixed the problem knobs. The kitchen was well equipped but the sink appeared to not have any support other than the drain pipe. There was a gap between the top of the sink and the counter. For the amount of money we paid for the house, I expected better. But I’m totally unfamiliar with Chicago and guess that everything is pricey.
Dianne S.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023
Verified
2/10 Terrible
Jamila L.
27 Aug 2023
Liked: Check-in, location
Disliked: Cleanliness
Great location, BUT....
My family had a similar experience to one of the last reviews in Aug 2023. Let me break it down.
Pros:
-Great location, steps away from the beach and a park nearby.
-Street parking available, and they provide permits, and there's also a garage you can rent
-Worked w/ me to get me close to my budget
Cons:
-No central air: they're a/c units, however, they didn't seem to be cooling properly. One of the units clearly had mold. When I brought it up to Gina, it was essentially dismissed and said they'd been checked and there was no mold. Only when my brother in law took photos and sent them directly to her, was when action was taken. The unit ended up getting replaced a couple of days later. Please keep in mind, this was a safety/health issue. We had elderly folks, kids, and family members with asthma
-Fire alarm went off several times, we presumed due to the heat in the home, as no one used the oven or did any cooking that day
-My family saw a mouse in the kitchen; it was spotted twice
-The door knobs were loose- had issue getting in the home. Gina was available to remedy and maintenance came out the next day to fix issue
-Home was dirty: massive cobwebs and dirt/dust in many spots.
-Kitchen sink literally coming apart from the counter
-Unacceptable to rent a home in these conditions!
Overall, the experience was not good. While there was *some* resolution, there was never even an apology for the inconveniences/conditions of the home. I have photos, unfort no way to attach.
Lovely home in quaint neighborhood. Found ourselves daydreaming about living there. Close to transportation and restaurants. Quick walk to the beach. Entire family had a great time.
Great location and space. Host was very accommodating.
The house was spacious, and the hosts were very accommodating with parking and communication. There were some slight plumbing issues, that were handled right away and did not affect the stay. There were AC units in all bedrooms, and the location is unbeatable with access to the beach.
We had a wonderful family stay. The house is very comfortable. Having the lake down the street was amazing. It's an excellent location for getting to Loyola and Northwestern. The house is very tastefully decorated and the hosts were always helpful. The garage, in spite of the extra charge, was a massive help. Great house!
The location is just steps away from the beach and Lake Michigan! The house is large and spacious. There was everything we needed right in the home. Definitely would stay again.
This is a super cute house in a convenient location to the beach. Would definitely recommend use of the garage as street parking can be limited and tricky. Would definitely stay here again!
We had an amazing stay at the Urban Beach House! It was a beautiful house with plenty of space for us, including lots of outdoor space, and just a three-minute walk to the beach. The hosts were super responsive and helpful as we were getting settled in as well. We would definitely stay again!