NEW BUFFALO, Mich. - Booking an overnight stay in New Buffalo, Mich., usually means you've got one of two options: the B&B or the beach house. These are typical digs in Berrien County's lakeside hub that, come summertime, crawls with tourists from Chicago, Indiana and Michigan proper. Winter is pretty quiet, but during high season, you're lucky if you can score a square foot of sand even months in advance.

We recently happened upon a third lodging option that's likely to be just as popular when things heat up: the luxury condo-hotel.

New Buffalo's Marina Grand Resort opened in July 2006 right on New Buffalo Harbor, upping the stock in chic shelters in the area known as Harbor Country. Part hotel, part luxury condominium, Marina Grand combines the best of both worlds: There's a concierge desk in the modest lobby, but the rooms are so quiet and private, they feel like home. There's a top-notch tavern adjacent to the hotel, but the suites include fully equipped kitchens and dining areas adequate for hosting a formal meal.

Not to mention location, location, location. Marina Grand is right on the water, a few blocks west of Whittaker Street in the heart of downtown New Buffalo. It's within walking distance of Whittaker Street's dining options and boutiques, the village's main grocery store (if you're putting that kitchen to use) and, of course, the beach. Waterfront access may not be that much of an incentive in January, but cozy fireplaces and great comfort food justify scoping out Marina Grand Resort now for summer travel.

CHECKING IN: From the outside, Marina Grand Resort resembles a beachy-keen condominium building. Despite the name, there's no grand entrance or flashy resort facade _ just a small parking lot, a few patio chairs for lounging near the entrance and modest signage stenciled into a glass entryway. Inside, that simplicity translates into tasteful stylishness. Reflecting a modern Scandinavian aesthetic, all of the walls are white, a few sparse pieces of furniture sit on concrete floors, and a simple reception window is front and center facing a cozy cylindrical fireplace.

ROOMS: Very white, very modern and stylishly sparse _ kind of like staying in an upscale Ikea. My room was a one-bedroom _ the smallest of the suites _ and it was comfortably large. Upon entering the suite, the open-plan kitchen featured maple cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and an island that overlooked a modest dining area and the sweeping living area. A wonderfully plush white couch (which can be made into a sofa bed) sat in front of a gas fireplace and flat-screen TV; a French door opened out to a small patio overlooking the marina. The king-size bed was dressed in simple white linens and centered against an unusual, dark wooden headboard that featured built-in lighting and nightstands. In the bedroom was another, smaller flat-screen TV as well as a desk and chair; a sliding glass-door led to the patio. There are also two-bedroom suites, which can sleep up to eight people; two- and three-bedroom loft suites (which sleep six and eight, respectively), as well as standard but spacious king and queen rooms.

BATHROOM: In my one-bedroom suite, there were two _ both incredibly stylish and simple, like the rest of the suite. The master bath featured double sinks with modern fixtures set against taupe-colored marble. There was an enormous, wall-length mirror; simple single-bulb, frosted-glass pendant lighting; and a deep, luxurious soaking tub and oversized shower. A hair dryer was beneath the sinks. The half-bath, located just off of the kitchen, featured a large, round white porcelain sink with dramatic fixtures, and coordinating large, round mirror and round lighting fixtures.

KID FRIENDLY: A family of four could be quite comfortable in a one-bedroom suite, with the kids on the sofa bed in front of the huge flat-screen. Other surefire kid-pleasers include the game room, with table tennis, foosball and a handful of arcade games; bike rentals; and not one, but two swimming pools _ one outdoor (closed during winter) and one indoor.

ROOM SERVICE: Complimentary coffee and homemade cinnamon rolls are on offer in the lobby from 6-10 a.m., but no room service.

PERKS & PEEVES: All rooms have small patios with a clear view of the harbor, which, even in the morning fog, is pleasant to gaze upon. In warmer weather, the hundreds of square feet of harbor-side patio space (including a roof deck and outdoor dining areas) are a hit, as is the outdoor pool. And for the duration of the cold months, the indoor pool is a nice option _ as well as the small fitness center, when it's too cold for a jog on the beach.

Adjacent to the lobby is Bentwood Tavern, a new modern pub. Renowned local chef Jenny Drilon's upscale comfort-food draws regulars and guests for dinner and drinks nightly, as well as lunch on the weekends.

Peeves are few.

My suite had a couple minor flaws _ an armoire that didn't quite close, a faulty light bulb _ but when these were mentioned at checkout, I was told that they were the responsibility of the owner. That's the rub with staying in a condo-hotel: Management can't control everything. Then again, if you like your room enough to buy it, you probably can.

BOTTOM LINE: On a Saturday night in November, my one-bedroom suite was $179. King and queen rooms start from $109 on winter weekdays; three-bedroom lofts can run as high as $828 on summer holiday weekends. Parking is free for guests; tax is 8 percent. Three rooms are handicap-friendly.