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Fire Fly Resort

15657 Lakeshore Rd, Union Pier, MI 49129-9340
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Traveller (63)
Room & Suite (13)
Pool & Beach (5)

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#1 of 1 ranch in Union Pier
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Property amenities
Free parking
Street parking
Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)
Internet
Fishing
Pets Allowed ( Dog / Pet Friendly )
BBQ facilities
Non-smoking hotel
Room features
Air conditioning
Housekeeping
Kitchenette
Refrigerator
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HOTEL STYLE
Mid-range
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Jacob C wrote a review Dec 2023
1 contribution
We were in Fredericksburg and were invited to come by Firefly to say hello to family at Thanksgiving. Did I say entering the Pentagon? No. We wanted to say hello and leave. Have you ever heard of too many Chiefs? The front gate charged my brother ( the RVer), $150 extra to let us come in for an hour. This place may have started off on the right foot, but it’s definitely a management mess now. Not one person could make a logical, easy decision. I’ve owned my own company for 44 years and this place was classic. You never, ever, treat customers like this. The solution should have been: “Welcome to Firefly, enjoy your visit and make sure you check out on the way out the gate! Enjoy your visit and tell your friends about us.” The whole time, employees were buzzing the place, giving us the evil eye because there were kids. OMG! Kids everywhere! And we’re the grandparents. At a family resort?? Not family friendly as billed. Bottom line, go find KOA down the road and don’t waste your money on this place. Bunch of hyped up junk Tiny Homes with driveways rented by the minute to park your RV. Come back and see this place in five years? It won’t be there. Total disappointment.
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Date of stay: November 2023
Value
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Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Ilona Dotterrer, Owner at Fire Fly Resort
Responded 8 Dec 2023
Hello! You posted your review to the wrong Firefly Resort! We are located in Union Pier Michigan not Fredericksburg! Please delete your post from our listing ASAP.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Abigail H wrote a review Oct 2022
1 contribution
After reading these reviews I thought I better write mine. We booked 5 cottages at the Firefly for a family reunion. We had the family with 2 toddlers stay in a mini-suite and the rest of us were couples so we had 1 and 2 bedrooms. One of the best aspects of the Firefly is the cottage experience and being so close to your family. We had almost all our meals together either in a cottage- it was tight- or out back near the grill and picnic tables. The online reservation system is a bit daunting til you get used to it. The back up phone manager is amazing! Each time I called her she did everything possible to make our stay the best. Each cottage is individually owned and furnished so the look of each cottage varies. Some are more updated than others. The website shows you clearly what each one looks like on the inside. The beach is the other best part. It is right down the road and steps. Best beach we have ever been to for the kiddies. We were all in the water every day! This is what I would call a vintage vacation setting. Laid back and like the old times. Location is excellent, staff responsive and cottages cute. The whole family voted unanimously to go back there next year!
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Date of stay: June 2022
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Room Tip: Explore Warren Dunes and eat at Froelich's in nearby Three Oaks.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Ilona Dotterrer, Owner at Fire Fly Resort
Responded 8 Nov 2022
Thank you for your gracious review. You perfectly captured the Firefly essence: family meals, kids on the beach all day, and the vintage vibe. Hope you will come back soon!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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dennis d wrote a review Aug 2022
1 contribution
We made a reservation for a 2023 family reunion at Firefly, needing 10 cottages for a one week stay. The rooms were reserved in October of 2021. We called today (07/2022) to confirm the reservation and get some information. We were told that we had no reservations and that there were no rooms available in July 2023. This was after we had told our reunion family that we were going to Firefly in July of 2023. This reservation was made in person via phone so there was no confusion on name, dates, number of cottages, etc. If you plan to go to Firefly, understand that their business practices are unacceptable. You will note that were entered August of 2022 as our travel date, since we were shut out of July 2023.
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Date of stay: August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Ilona Dotterrer, Owner at Fire Fly Resort
Responded 15 Aug 2022
Firefly has a simple reservation process. At the time of reservation, the guest contact and credit card information are required for the dates and cottage(s) they are reserving. The guest promptly receives an email to confirm the reservation - https://www.fireflyresort.com/prices-and-policy.html. Had this guest made a reservation in October 2021, they would have an email and their contact information would be in our reservation system. Firefly prides itself for being a relaxing and enjoyable experience for all guests – our reservation process is designed to be straightforward and quick, allowing our guests to focus on planning for a relaxing and enjoyable stay while at Firefly Resort.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Mary wrote a review Sept 2020
1 contribution
We paid premium prices and got crap. We didn’t get a written confirmation until our sixth call requesting it. We walked in to no dishes and a dishwasher full of dirty dishes. TV didn’t work, nor did the remote. We got empty promises of a refund and new TV. I filed a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. This place sucks!
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Date of stay: September 2020Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Ilona Dotterrer, Owner at Fire Fly Resort
Responded 28 Oct 2020
Mary, I am sorry about the inconveniences. I am an owner of one of the 18 individually owned units and am concerned about your complaints. If you like, I'd be happy to communicate with you privately to help. You can reach me at ild17@comcast.net. Thanks.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Jeanne W wrote a review Sept 2020
Louisville, KY96 contributions79 helpful votes
We enjoyed our stay here in #5. It was as advertised - definitely not luxurious but still very comfortable and quaint. Kids enjoyed the board games and the kitchenette was useful. It was tight - pots and pans are stored in the tiny oven, but everything was functional. We are average sized people under 6' so no problems with the bathroom. It was a little cluttered and I'd recommend tossing the multitude of coffee mugs but it is well-lit and has what you need. There are some stains here and there on the furniture but nothing terrible. We did request some extra cleaning, however, as the floors were dirty (like make your socks brown level), there was food on the cabinets and drawers, and the carpet hadn't been vacuumed, and given the extra cost for the "COVID-19 cleaning" and paying >$200/night, we felt that was warranted. Someone attended to that after our first night, and they cleaned it a little more, although to our dismay, later we found that no one had run the full dishwasher before our arrival. We didn't find a foot wash available on the property, which would definitely decrease the amount of sand brought in. I'd also suggest potholders and a pizza pan or making their whereabouts more obvious. The parking was easy, the beach was nice, and the fire out back each night was charming. The swing set for kids was nice too, and everyone was friendly. Even without a beach view, it was lovely. Wi-fi worked great - unfortunately even with multiple graduate school degrees, we couldn't figure out how to adjust the TV's volume, of all things, although we could get into netflix. So we used our own tablet when the kids really wanted to watch something. We found that the public beach access was actually more convenient as there are no stairs to it as the private beach access has. The beach has nice sand and it was not too crowded. I think we'd return here if the price was reasonable. The lack of basic cleanliness (even considering the communal nature of the place with requiring guests wash dishes and handle linens/trash, which we are totally fine with) was the only issue, not the unit itself.
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Date of stay: September 2020
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Ilona Dotterrer, Owner at Fire Fly Resort
Responded 28 Oct 2020
Thank you for your gracious comments. I am one of the owners of the 18 individually owned cottages. I appreciate your suggestions (especially the foot wash, which I have also advocated). We will address the other issues with the property manager. Please feel free to contact me directly with any other comments at ild17@comcast.net.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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CarSmith25 wrote a review Aug 2019
Plymouth, Indiana121 contributions30 helpful votes
+1
I had a wonderful extended weekend with my family at Firefly Resort. We stayed in cottage 16. It was super cute. I loved sleeping with the windows open and the fresh breeze. The bottom bed of the bunk bed was super comfy. There’s a collection of board games and DVDs in the cottage. It was also dog friendly. There are 4 shared charcoal grills, that we used twice. There’s a few big outdoor common areas, perfect to set up outdoor games such as corn hole. The beach is a short walk and it’s GREAT. I highly suggest using the private beach. You can even have fires on the beach, which is amazing. The beach wasn’t over-crowded, it was clean and the sand was soft and not rocky. We watched the sunset every night. My 4 year old made many “beach friends.” The private beach is also dog friendly. The public beach was not. Only complaint about the cottage was the frying pan was awful, if I stay again I’ll bring my own. But you don’t need to bring anything else because the cottage has it all! The cottages were full all weekend but the people there weren’t loud, or we couldn’t hear them? Also, they could use a little landscaping help... There’s a farmers market on Saturdays, at Skips, it right down the road. I highly recommend checking it out! I cannot wait to stay here again next summer!
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Date of stay: August 2019Trip type: Travelled with family
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Response from Flyer203063, Owner at Fire Fly Resort
Responded 12 Mar 2020
Hello! Thank your for your kind and gracious review! I own Cottage One at the Firefly. The owner of each cottage stocks the dishes, cookware, furniture, etc., so each cottage is different. Each spring the property manager goes through each cottage and informs the owners about the items that need replacing. The frying pan will be on the list! I hope you visit us again in 2020. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions. ild17@comcast.net. Thanks again. Ilona Dotterrer
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Cphllps21 wrote a review Aug 2019
Wixom, Michigan26 contributions2 helpful votes
+1
Firefly Resort was exactly what we anticipated and was the perfect spot for our vacation. Steps from Lake Michigan in a well maintained cottage offered beach time for me and naps off for him in air conditioned comfort. The resort has a bit of a campground feel and is nestled in an area teeming with vacation rentals but still quiet and relaxing. If you are looking for 5-star accommodations, keep looking. This is your basic cottage within walking distance to the beach. It also offers several small stores, coffee and food within an easy walk. Our cottage, #5, looks like it has been renovated recently but still holds the charm of the 1920 cottage. Heather and her team have been very friendly and accommodating to the few requests we had. Looking forward to coming again and bringing more family and friends too. Great for a family get together or friends getaway.
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Date of stay: August 2019Trip type: Travelled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Response from Flyer203063, Owner at Fire Fly Resort
Responded 12 Mar 2020
Thank you for your gracious review! You exactly captured Firefly vibe- relaxed, kid-friendly (yes, Virginia, those are real fireflies - let's catch some!), updated but with that '60s summer vacation freedom. (I spent my 60s' childhood just down the street from the Firefly, and love the area so much I bought Cottage One.) Hope you come back in 2020!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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richard w wrote a review Sept 2018
Oxford, United Kingdom26 contributions9 helpful votes
We arrived at #2 Firefly on a very hot afternoon. Before I go further let me just remind any readers that we paid $450 for 2 nights stay. We chose this place as it was dog-friendly and we needed to have our small bichon with us. He is well house-trained and gave no issues. Going in - we noticed there was no AC on and the cleaners were still there. (Actually the cleaning lady helped us take the luggage in - thank you!) The place was spotless but from the first glance it was evident that it was very basic. No tea/coffee making facilities - no ice in the fridge. These are small but much appreciated touches that reflect the total picture of what is on offer for the price you pay. A small place (to be expected) with a bedroom /kitchenette and a tiny bathroom/wc. The wc was literally jammed up against a wall on one side so it was very difficult to use and the shower was so small that we didn't even try to use it. The fridge had just been turned on(?) and so was warm - also the rubber beading round the door was badly damaged and coming away. There was a small coffee maker but no kettle for making Tea! The TV was a 40'(?) vizio - adequate but not excellent and the service was basic cable - enough to get local news and a few stations. There was a dvd player and lots of dvds on a shelf - but on inspection they were mostly old "screening only" dvds so ex-business products and really not worth tihnking about. It was extremely hot and the only AC was an aged frigidaire window AC unit. We switched it on and it was thunderously noisy - and that's how it was! It worked but not very efficient and just so noisy. All in all - for the price we paid we would have been better off in a hotel. We were so disappointed with firefly that we abandoned our stay after the first night and moved on in our journey to stay in a hotel near O'Hare airport for the 2nd night - where we enjoyed a luxurious and VERY comfortable stay with a snack meal and breakfast in our room for the same price as a stay in firefly - that says it all for us!!!! The hotel also was dog friendly and that was so welcome!!! In summary - Our advice to anyone looking for a lodging place near the lake (Michigan) would be that UNLESS you are prepared to forsake ANY type of convenience /luxury - stay in a hotel instead - you will get so much more for your money!!!!
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Date of stay: September 2018
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Trip type: Travelled as a couple
Room Tip: Some of the "cottages" are advertised as upgraded/updated - so there might be better...
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2 Helpful votes
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Response from Flyer203063, Owner at Fire Fly Resort
Responded 12 Mar 2020
Hello! I'm sorry you did not enjoy your stay at the Firefly. There are 18 cottages at the Firefly, so a mention of the cottage you stayed in would have been helpful. Each cottage is separately owned, so each one will have different appliances, furniture, dishes, etc. It is up to each owner to maintain their unit, and all owners do so. Some cottages are a bit more updated than others. Each spring, the property manager inspects each cottage to determine items that need replacing. BTW, the cottages were built in the 1920s. They have been updated quite well, but the construction prevents enlargement of the bathrooms. The bathrooms have been updated with tile showers and floors, and sinks. You are correct, the Firefly is not a luxury hotel. It is a place where kids can roam, play tag, catch fireflies, and play in the sweet Lake Michigan water. We apologize for any inconvenience.
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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indyvagabond wrote a review Jun 2018
Indiana42 contributions15 helpful votes
Great place to unwind. Quiet, You don't hear neighbors at night. 1930's property maintained in almost original, but with air conditioning and many modern upgrades. Calming interiors provide camp and beach life feel. Staff if friendly and accommodating. Easy to find. Short walk to easy beach access. The beach is fluffy sand similar to the gulf coast. Nearby rentals for beach toys, paddle boards, etc. Real oak floors nicely finished are easy to sweep up the day's sand (inevitable) and are easy on the feet. Their website is true representation.
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Date of stay: June 2018
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Trip type: Travelled with family
Room Tip: All good, just per the number of bed rooms you need.
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1 Helpful vote
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Response from Flyer203063, Owner at Fire Fly Resort
Responded 12 Mar 2020
Thank you for your gracious review which perfectly captured the Firefly feel. As you note, each cottage has been updated. Each cottage is separately owned, so each owner has made their own upgrades, and provided dishes, appliances, and furniture, without eliminating the vintage vibe. But the soft beach sand and the inviting Lake Michigan water, just steps away, are the real draws! Hope you can come back in 2020!
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Deanna S wrote a review Feb 2018
9 contributions3 helpful votes
I am currently at FIREFLY and although things are better now, I still have no wifi. I cleaned the cabin, as they had just finished a bath remodel and there was construction debris inside the cabinets and on all the dishes and cookware. The area and personnel are very nice over the phone, haven't met them, other than KIKI the maid and JOHN the maintenance man and they are very very nice. I admit I am a very picky individual so read my post with an open mind. I will stay here again just will make some changes knowing what I do now.
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Date of stay: February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Response from Flyer203063, Owner at Fire Fly Resort
Responded 12 Mar 2020
I am sorry your Firefly stay did not meet your expectations. I think you stayed in my cottage, Unit One, because I did a big remodel. I apologize for the condition of my unit. Unit One is in excellent condition now. If you stay there again, I will pay your cleaning fee. Please let me know. Ilona Dotterrer ild17@comcast.net
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This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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There are more places to choose from in the Union Pier area.
ALSO KNOWN AS
fire fly hotel union pier
LOCATION
United StatesMichiganBerrien CountyUnion Pier
NUMBER OF ROOMS
15
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FIRE FLY RESORT: UPDATED 2023 Hotel Reviews and 69 Photos (Union Pier, MI) - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Fire Fly Resort
Which popular attractions are close to Fire Fly Resort?
Nearby attractions include Galien River County Park (4.1 km), New Buffalo Public Beach (6.4 km), and Oselka Marina (7.0 km).
What are some of the property amenities at Fire Fly Resort?
Some of the more popular amenities offered include free wifi, free parking, and barbeque facilities.
Which room amenities are available at Fire Fly Resort?
Top room amenities include a kitchenette, air conditioning, and a refrigerator.
What food & drink options are available at Fire Fly Resort?
Guests can enjoy barbeque facilities during their stay.
Is parking available at Fire Fly Resort?
Yes, free parking and street parking are available to guests.
What are some restaurants close to Fire Fly Resort?
Conveniently located restaurants include Red Arrow Roadhouse, Brewster's New Buffalo, and Oink's Dutch Treat.
Are pets allowed at Fire Fly Resort?
Yes, pets are typically allowed, but it's always best to call ahead to confirm.