The Country House Resort
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The Country House Resort is an adult retreat (allowing children 13 and older) transfixed with unmistakable charm that makes you feel that you have arrived at “heaven’s” door. More than a hundred years ago, the lack of roads did not deter the tourists who set forth in boats from Chicago and Milwaukee to Door County’s 65-mile peninsula located on the northeastern tip of Wisconsin, donning a 250-mile shoreline. Capitalizing on the boom, in 1907, Dr. Sebald Fichtner transformed the former Ingebret Torgerson farm, the first homestead in Sister Bay, into “Forest Idyll,” fantasizing visions of a grand hotel. These days, even the doctor probably wouldn’t dream that this coveted region, some 230 miles north of Chicago, attracts 2.1 million year-long vacationers. Beyond his wildest expectations would he imagine that after numerous additions, remodeling and refurbishing projects, “Forest Idyll” has become one of the grand dames of the area, dubbed as “The Cape Cod of the Mid-West.” The Country House Resort, Sister Bay, Door County, Wisconsin, is an adult retreat (allowing children 13 and older) transfixed with unmistakable charm that makes you feel that you have arrived at “heaven’s” door. The historic landmark is accented in native stone and framed in cedar. Private verandas maximize the surrounding views of the Green Bay waters, woodlands, gardens and fountains. Jerry and Joan Zaug bought the inn in 1989 and today operate it with their growing family. Describing the distinctive features of the Country House, a quarter mile off Highway 42, Jerry says, “Probably the number one thing is the location and the property itself. Most lodging establishments are on the highway. They have a parking lot, a small flower bed and a big building. We are just a very nice piece of property. It’s secluded and yet we’re within walking distance; we’re only a-third of a mile from downtown Sister Bay. You can walk the shoreline trail right into the village. We have 27 wooded acres and 1,000 feet of shoreline.” Behind “heaven’s door,” guests will discover 46 superbly decorated, luxuriously appointed rooms and suites. Amenities include refrigerators, coffee service, TV, DVD/VCR/CD and daily maid service. Ten different room types assist budget-minded, discerning travelers and others to secure accommodations that will suit their particular necessities. Celebrating an anniversary, honeymoon or special event? Consider a “Specialty Room,” which will further augment the occasion with such perks as two-person whirlpool, two-person body spray shower and wet bar. Those who prefer nights spent relaxing in the great room in front of a gas-lit fireplace or 25-inch TV can reserve a one bedroom or two bedroom/two bath suite complete with king beds. Two-person whirlpool, wet bar and panoramic water views enhance the stay. If privacy is the utmost concern, the Carriage House contains all the features of a Specialty Room, but is stationed separately, east of the parking lot. A cathedral ceiling and private balcony overlooking the majestic landscape and seascape provide even more magic. Consummate views of the property are achieved in the spectacular Penthouse, which includes full kitchen, gas-burning fireplace and two-person whirlpool. Make note, for business retreats, club events or reunions, the Penthouse Suite accommodates up to 12. Furthermore, the resort lobby/lounge area can facilitate up to 25 people. This is also where the day begins noshing on a complimentary, continental breakfast. Jerry defines the morning fare as a “European-style buffet.” Selections include: citrus fruits, waffles, French toast, muffins, salami, a cheese assortment and European-style fresh-baked breads. After breakfast, since the Country House Resort is a resort destination within itself, vacationers (of which more than half are repeat guests) tend to stay on the property. “There’s nature trails…there’s a trail that goes down to the water’s edge where we have a dock. We have rowboats down there that are complimentary or they can fish.” Jerry continues, “The nature trail is a chipped trail; it has a number of benches on it and people will sit and you’ll see them reading a book or even painting. Also, we have bicycles and bicycle trails that go around the village that are separate from the highway, and there’s also town roads that aren’t that busily traveled that people will bike around—and the bikes also are complimentary, we don’t have a lot of extra charges—you pay for the room and everything else is complimentary.” Guests also have at their disposal a 14 foot-diameter outdoor whirlpool where the stars burn romantically at night, an outdoor, heated pool, a Pro Bounce (synthetic cushion) tennis court with practice backboard; not to mention horseshoes, shuffleboard, croquet, badminton or volleyball. Shoppers or guests seeking lunch or dinner can stroll to nearby Sister Bay’s specialty stores and restaurants. Though all the seasons boast their own special charm, Jerry says the fall creates a colorful impression. “We are a long, narrow peninsula; the water keeps the land warm. So we never get a freeze typically until November sometime; that’s also why we have a number of orchards up here.” In any season, for an ultimate getaway, you know on which door to knock.
Country House Resort
| Country House Resort
Guests will discover 46 superbly decorated, luxuriously appointed rooms and suites.
The view from the private balcony in the Carriage House shows the fountains, gardens and Green Bay.
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