Door County Accomodations
#4
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
Homestead Suites is a great place to stay... right in the heart of Fish Creek and at the entrance to Penninsula State Park... it's a lovely clean place.
Bring your bikes or rent them next door. It's a great central location for restaurants, shopping, etc. If you'd rather have a condo, they also have Evergreen Condos. There's a link on the site.
http://homesteadsuites.com/
Happy hunting!
Bring your bikes or rent them next door. It's a great central location for restaurants, shopping, etc. If you'd rather have a condo, they also have Evergreen Condos. There's a link on the site.
http://homesteadsuites.com/
Happy hunting!
#7
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
I second the Homestead Suites as well but our number one choice in Fish Creek is the Harbor Guest House. As it name implies it is right in the harbor with all apartments having great views.
Everything within walking distance except the Greenwood Inn our favorite for dinner.
Everything within walking distance except the Greenwood Inn our favorite for dinner.
Trending Topics
#8
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
We go to door county for a week every winter, and always get a place with a kitchen to save some $$ on food and since going out for EVERY meal can be overkill. Plus in winter there are very few restraunts open.
We Love the Birchwood Lodge in Sister Bay. We get their Grand 1 Bedroom Suite, it has FULL kitchen (full size stove, dishwasher, full size fridge, huge countertop, cupboards, a beautiful walk in shower with 3 shower heads, whirlpool in the bedroom, 2 tv's, CD player etc, 2-way fireplace. They have a website to look at for more information. http://www.birchwoodlodge.com/
The other place we have stayed is the Eagle Harbor Inn, we stay in their suites. Their suites are much smaller, but more homey/romantic. They have a 2-burner stove/oven, small fridge, and very small countertop for cooking, but it works. Regular bathroom, but have the 2-way fireplace and whirlpool in the bedroom. They also have a website. http://www.eagleharbor.com/
Also when going to a place with a kitchen, we take our "camping" bag with us that has our standard fare of Knives, Cutting board, paper plates, seasonings...and other kitchen things since the hotel usually has only bare bones kitchen items.
We Love the Birchwood Lodge in Sister Bay. We get their Grand 1 Bedroom Suite, it has FULL kitchen (full size stove, dishwasher, full size fridge, huge countertop, cupboards, a beautiful walk in shower with 3 shower heads, whirlpool in the bedroom, 2 tv's, CD player etc, 2-way fireplace. They have a website to look at for more information. http://www.birchwoodlodge.com/
The other place we have stayed is the Eagle Harbor Inn, we stay in their suites. Their suites are much smaller, but more homey/romantic. They have a 2-burner stove/oven, small fridge, and very small countertop for cooking, but it works. Regular bathroom, but have the 2-way fireplace and whirlpool in the bedroom. They also have a website. http://www.eagleharbor.com/
Also when going to a place with a kitchen, we take our "camping" bag with us that has our standard fare of Knives, Cutting board, paper plates, seasonings...and other kitchen things since the hotel usually has only bare bones kitchen items.
#9
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
My husband and I are thinking of going to Door County in mid to late July for our last hurrah before our first child is born. We would like to find a quaint town with some points of interest (shopping, restaurants, etc.) but are not interested in the touristy thing at all. We would also like to find a very comfortable accommodation - something charming but plush with lots of amenities. Given this is our last trip without children, we're willing to splurge. Any recommendations both on location and lodging? Thanks!
#10
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
We stayed on the lake side last year at the Blacksmith Inn in Bailey's Harbor. Much quieter than the bay side. You'll end up driving across for dinners but you won't be in the crush of tourists.
The rooms are decorated in modern Shaker and antiques, great firm beds, wonderful sheets, satellite tv, in room jacuzzi's that don't feel tarty, gas fireplace and air conditioning. Definitely a couples kind of place, quiet and romantic. The original building has the best lake views from balconies, the newer building is just as nice but views are obscured.
The rooms are decorated in modern Shaker and antiques, great firm beds, wonderful sheets, satellite tv, in room jacuzzi's that don't feel tarty, gas fireplace and air conditioning. Definitely a couples kind of place, quiet and romantic. The original building has the best lake views from balconies, the newer building is just as nice but views are obscured.
#11
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 836
Likes: 0
Oliverz5: If you want to avoid the 'touristy,' then you probably will want to stay on the Lake Michigan side (east, as opposed to sunset-facing Green Bay side).
More tucked away than the Blacksmith Inn is the Baileys Harbor Yacht Club, right on the water:
http://www.bhyc.com/
Another very nice, tucked away lodging spot is the Glidden Lodge, but it is about a 20-nminute drive before you get to any of Door County's main attractions.
www.gliddenlodge.com
Here is the link for info on a tucked-away spot just minutes south of Egg Harbor on the Bay side:
http://www.doorcountynavigator.com/h...inermotel.html
And the Door County Navigator site will lead you to tons of other lodging possibilities. You might also look into VRBO for a private rental.
Similarly, just about every local real estate office has private homes (the call them "cottages") for rent. I think they all go by the week, however. We rented the same house for 13 years (but sadly gone and replaced by mega-condos).
Also right in Egg Harbor, but on a secluded-feel site, is the Egg Harbor Lodge:
http://www.eggharborlodge.com/
Good luck to you and the OP.
More tucked away than the Blacksmith Inn is the Baileys Harbor Yacht Club, right on the water:
http://www.bhyc.com/
Another very nice, tucked away lodging spot is the Glidden Lodge, but it is about a 20-nminute drive before you get to any of Door County's main attractions.
www.gliddenlodge.com
Here is the link for info on a tucked-away spot just minutes south of Egg Harbor on the Bay side:
http://www.doorcountynavigator.com/h...inermotel.html
And the Door County Navigator site will lead you to tons of other lodging possibilities. You might also look into VRBO for a private rental.
Similarly, just about every local real estate office has private homes (the call them "cottages") for rent. I think they all go by the week, however. We rented the same house for 13 years (but sadly gone and replaced by mega-condos).
Also right in Egg Harbor, but on a secluded-feel site, is the Egg Harbor Lodge:
http://www.eggharborlodge.com/
Good luck to you and the OP.
#12
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Thank you for your responses. Being so unfamiliar with the area, I am confused. I love the look of Blacksmith Inn and must admit, I am swayed by the nice sheets comment. How far a drive is this Inn to nearby restaurants/sites? Is there anything to do or see right in Baily's Harbor? Also, any sense of driving distance between Minneapolis and Baily's Harbor? Thanks for all of your insights!
#13
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 836
Likes: 0
Minn MN-DC is about a 5 - 5.5 hour drive.
Baileys Harbor is just about halfway up the Peninsula. It's a pleasant little town (as noted, it's on the Lake Michigan shoreline - which can make it as much as ten degrees cooler than the rest of the Peninsula, a consideration if you're looking for warmth and beach time in June).
From B'smith Inn, you could stroll from one end of town to the other in a leisurely 20-30 mins. There are a couple of restaurants, a neat library (with visitor privileges), lots of shops, a bank (ATM), and a nice public beach.
Strolling up Ridges Road, which forks off the main highway (57) right near B'smith Inn, you can reach the public beach and also a back entrance into The Ridges,right by the range light (looks sort of like a lighthouse) (www.ridgesanctuary.org).
Driving this road a bit further will take you to Toft Point, another wildlife sanctuary area and home to nesting bald eagles.
So yes, there are things to do right out the door in Baileys Harbor. And there's a reason why they call it The Quiet Side. The 'feel' in the villages on the Green Bay side is busier/more commercial.
Overall, however, distances are not great on the Peninsula, so whereever you decide to base yourselves, you can hop in the car and drive in whatever direction (well, not too far east or west w/o getting splashed!) and find peace and quiet and beauty.
Baileys Harbor is just about halfway up the Peninsula. It's a pleasant little town (as noted, it's on the Lake Michigan shoreline - which can make it as much as ten degrees cooler than the rest of the Peninsula, a consideration if you're looking for warmth and beach time in June).
From B'smith Inn, you could stroll from one end of town to the other in a leisurely 20-30 mins. There are a couple of restaurants, a neat library (with visitor privileges), lots of shops, a bank (ATM), and a nice public beach.
Strolling up Ridges Road, which forks off the main highway (57) right near B'smith Inn, you can reach the public beach and also a back entrance into The Ridges,right by the range light (looks sort of like a lighthouse) (www.ridgesanctuary.org).
Driving this road a bit further will take you to Toft Point, another wildlife sanctuary area and home to nesting bald eagles.
So yes, there are things to do right out the door in Baileys Harbor. And there's a reason why they call it The Quiet Side. The 'feel' in the villages on the Green Bay side is busier/more commercial.
Overall, however, distances are not great on the Peninsula, so whereever you decide to base yourselves, you can hop in the car and drive in whatever direction (well, not too far east or west w/o getting splashed!) and find peace and quiet and beauty.
#14
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
oliverz5 -- the night we drove over to the White Gull Inn for a fishboil was I think about 20 minutes if that long. There are places to eat in Bailey's Harbor and the little town, as described, also the nature preserve, and kayaks at the Inn.
For me, part of the fun of Door County (coming from the East Coast where I live now, but having grown up in Wisc/Ill) was how effortless it was to drive up and down the top of the peninsula and see different little shops and eat in different restaurants. We tood a day trip to Washington Island -- there's an inn/restaurant with a cooking school that does amazing things for lunch (also dinner but that might get complicated with the ferry schedule). We also found an Asian Art Gallery with wonderful things and a very knowledgable owner -- Linden's in Ellison Bay, and enjoyed Johnson's Swedish Restaurant with the goats on the roof and swedish pancakes.
My hotel/inn standards are ridiculously high (my hsb works for the Four Seasons and we get comp days at their hotels) and I was completely happy with the Blacksmith Inn.
Hope you have a great time, whatever you decide !
For me, part of the fun of Door County (coming from the East Coast where I live now, but having grown up in Wisc/Ill) was how effortless it was to drive up and down the top of the peninsula and see different little shops and eat in different restaurants. We tood a day trip to Washington Island -- there's an inn/restaurant with a cooking school that does amazing things for lunch (also dinner but that might get complicated with the ferry schedule). We also found an Asian Art Gallery with wonderful things and a very knowledgable owner -- Linden's in Ellison Bay, and enjoyed Johnson's Swedish Restaurant with the goats on the roof and swedish pancakes.
My hotel/inn standards are ridiculously high (my hsb works for the Four Seasons and we get comp days at their hotels) and I was completely happy with the Blacksmith Inn.
Hope you have a great time, whatever you decide !





