Entire home·Private host

Private Retreat in the Woods

Photo gallery for Private Retreat in the Woods

Outdoor dining
Smart TV, fireplace, books
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Property grounds
Property grounds

Reviews

9.8 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8186 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning
  • Fireplace
    Fireplace
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor space

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Private Retreat in the Woods

Come stay with us and enjoy our newly remodeled 1st floor Bathroom and Zone control Air Conditioner. A/C will be in our Great Room and 2nd Floor Bedroom.

Our home feels like a getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life! It is bright, cozy and charming. The wall of windows into the woods in the living room is a wonderful place to do some wildlife watching. Better yet, head outside to the private outdoor deck looking over the woods and listen to the birds sing.

The marina is owned and operated by Dept of Natual Resources, as well as the large grass area along lake Michigan. There is one fire pit area in front for anyone to use and options for launching your kayak to enjoy the Mink River Sanctuary.



Sleeps 8

3 bedrooms with queen beds and a loft with 2 twin beds. Upstairs there is one bedroom, a loft area and a full bath. Downstairs there are two bedrooms and a full bath. Wood floors throughout the downstairs.

The Cedar house has two family spaces, our Four Seasons room and our Great room both are separated by a door
There is a large dining table to enjoy meals together, as well as a place to gather to solve a puzzle or play board games. The kitchen counter has four new barstools.

Please understand we do NOT provide the following:
PET STAY
GARAGE ACCESS
WASHER AND DRYER
NO FIRES outside except to make food in the grill (please note we do not provide charcoal)

Many of our returning guests do not realize that Rowley's Bay Resort burned to the ground in September 2023. While we have no affiliation with RBR we were sad to see this happen. We hoping to see new owners in the near future.

Door County Adventures is still operating at the marina for rentals of kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, as well as zip line and Segway tours and many excursions. Rowley’s Bay flows into the gentle Mink River, where you can spot minks, ducks, butterflies, dragonflies, and other wildlife. We are located at the end of a cul-de-sac. We have free internet access for guests. We have recommendations and brochures at the property upon your arrival. We are happy to make other suggestions or answer questions through email, messages, texts or phone calls. We want to make sure our guests have a wonderful stay. Please note majority homes are full time residence, and we are strict regarding our quiet hours!

Here’s some helpful tips to Door County we will provide more during your stay

Restaurants suggestions:
Al Johnson's with the goats on the roof
Husby's (America food)
Wild Tomatoes
Chop's for incredible steaks
Alexander's Salmon and many other tasty items on the menu
PC Junction to have your food delivered by a miniature train
White Gull Inn (Breakfast)
Wilson's or Door County/ Ice Cream Factory
Tell us what's your favorite place

Things to do
Spring/Summer/Fall: swim/hike/bike in the five state parks, and 19 county parks that Door County has to offer. Bike from our house to Gills Rock. Check out all of the Door County Land Trusts for even more hiking possibilities. Gaze at the stars at Newport State Park, which was recognized as one of only 49 international Dark Sky Parks. Watch the sunset from the outdoor stage at Waterfront Park in Sister Bay. Check out the new tower, an engineering feat, at Peninsula State Park. Golf at the many courses or try some miniature golf if that is more your speed. Watch live plays at the Peninsula Players Theater, Northern Sky Theater, Door Shakespeare or Third Avenue Playhouse. Attend live music concerts at numerous venues, including Birch Creek, Midsummer Music Festival and Peninsula Players. Many towns have weekly outdoor music concerts. Tour Cana Island and Eagle Bluff lighthouses. Ride the ferries to Washington Island and Rock Island. Cruise on a sailboat or tour boat. Rent a pontoon boat, a speed boat or a jet ski. Enjoy fishing on Lake Michigan or Green Bay on a fishing charter. Attend an outdoor movie at Skyway Drive In. Enjoy the many festivals on the weekends. Sign up for a bike race or a run. Take a cooking class at Savory Spoon or an art course at various art studios. Go cherry picking. Spend time horseback riding or rent an ATV. Take the trolley tour. Walk through Edgewood Orchard Galleries to see all the amazing outdoor sculptures for sale. Relax at Nicolet Beach or rent a bicycle or paddle boat/paddle board/canoe/kayak there. Take photos at the crooked road (near the north ferry launch). The options for activities are limitless in Door County.

Winter: Snowshoeing, sledding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, fat tire biking, ice skating and hiking. Rentals are available in Fish Creek and other locations. Bowling at Sister Bay Bowl. Attend the many winter festivals on weekends throughout the season. Photograph or check out the ice shoves of Door Bluff Headlands Park and the Cave Point County Park icicles. Hang at our house in front of the cozy fire with a good book. Stay home and play board games, checkers or complete a puzzle.

Year round: Shop at interesting boutiques and art galleries. Attend concerts or plays at Door County Auditorium, Third Avenue Playhouse and the new indoor Northern Sky Theater. Create art at Hands on Art Studio. Dine at amazing restaurants. Spa days are a must. Winery, distillery and brewery tours.

Door County bans chain stores and restaurants, which keeps the charm alive. You will only see them in Sturgeon Bay.

Thank you
Karl

Property manager

Karl Vogt

Property amenities

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Car required
  • Onsite parking options include a garage

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Kitchenette
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Patio

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: No Smoking

Services and conveniences

  • Meal delivery service

Location highlights

  • Near the marina
  • On a lake
  • On a river

Things to do

  • Kayak
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Parasailing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Winery tours 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)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 2,000 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: Perfect for families

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
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 32-56-0447-00

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

Property is also known as

Picturesque Wooded Privacy Retreat
Picturesque Wooded Privacy Retreat (new to VRBO 2021)
Private, Picturesque, Cozy Retreat in the Woods Ellison Bay

About the area

Map
Ellison Bay, WI

What's nearby

  • Waterfront Park - 14 min drive - 11.7 km
  • Sister Bay Beach - 14 min drive - 11.6 km
  • Sister Bay Marina - 15 min drive - 11.9 km
  • Newport State Park - 17 min drive - 15.0 km
  • Peninsula State Park - 24 min drive - 19.9 km

Getting around

  • Green Bay, WI (GRB-Austin Straubel Intl.) - 105 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Skip Stone Coffee Roasters - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant and Butik - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Wild Tomato Sister Bay - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Husby's - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Sister Bay Bowl - ‬14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Private Retreat in the Woods pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Private Retreat in the Woods?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private Retreat in the Woods?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Private Retreat in the Woods located?

This family-friendly Ellison Bay holiday home is located on a river, 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Lake Michigan, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Ellison Bluff State Natural Area and Linden Gallery. Ellison Bay Pottery Studios and The Clearing Folk School are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Private Retreat in the Woods Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 87 out of 98 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 98 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 98 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 98 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 98 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

8/10 Good

Gary B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet and Cozy
The home is located off the beaten path which is exactly what we like! It’s steeped in nature, quiet, roomy, and has a lovely fireplace. We love coming in the fall making cozy fires. Kitchen is equipped for cooking in. Living area is comfy. The separate breeze way between the house and garage makes a nice second living space. It was a quiet place to read on a nice couch while the family was doing their thing in the living room. It’s a bit of a trip to shopping and restaurants. We plan that into our day, so it’s no big deal. Unfortunately, Grandmas Bakery is gone. Breakfast is different now, but we have wonderful memories. We enjoyed making new memories at this quiet and cozy destination.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Victoria D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very comfortable and welcoming!
The home was very comfortable. The temperature was zoned well throughout the home. The common areas accomodated us well. Plenty of places to enjoy each other's company. The kitchen area could have been cleaner. It would have helped to have a few supplies, to clean the area ourselves too. We enjoyed our stay and would book again!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Quick get away
Lovely place. Enjoyed the location
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Connie F.

Door County Visit
Great location. Glasses and silverware had been put away dirty. Couldn’t use ceiling fan - seriously dirty! Enjoyed sun room and the ability to control thermostats for each separate area. Overall, a terrific rental!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sofia K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quiet Retreat in the Woods
Located in a quiet wooded area of Ellison Bay, this home provided all the comforts necessary for a great weekend. All of the amenities of Door County are located just a few miles away from the house. The house was very comfortable and provided all that was needed. The extra family room was a really nice early morning spot to enjoy coffee while looking out at the surrounding forested area. Definitely would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Molly F.

Weekend review
Bathrooms were a bit dirty along with kitchen utensils. We needed to wash those before we could use them. The home was very cozy and welcoming. One thing you could mention in the post on VRBO is that charcoal is needed for grill.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

TJ T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Rowley's Bay Cedar House
We were pleasantly surprised with the rental. The property and house were very clean, appropriately decorated, and roomy as well as well having a well-equipped kitchen. The property was secluded and located in a quiet neighborhood very close the lake. We really enjoyed our stay and would definitely consider renting this property next time we vacation in Door County.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Linda C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Girls trip
Great place for girls trip. Big enough to hang out and not too far away from parks, shopping, and dining
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

John D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Long weekend getaway
Beautiful in the woods cottage. Great upper Door County location.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lawrence H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Late August in Door County
Five adults and one six year old were a perfect fit for this lovely house close to wooded area with no neighbors in sight when on the back deck. The upstairs bedroom with the door allowed for the six year old to go to sleep and stay asleep while we played games at the table. Pretty good star gazing from the back deck. And well equipped kitchen.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Denise h.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very functional, QUIET! Thankyou
The beds were so comfy. Hubby wants me to get the brand name. The woods were pretty. Its a short walk to the lake. Fun stuff in town! Thanks so much.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Karen E P.

Liked: Cleanliness
cozy house in the woods
Well stocked kitchen, cozy living area, comfortable beds. Water pressures was low in the upstairs bathroom.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michael S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Late July in Door County
This was a clean property and was as described. Unfortunately the resort near the property is closed due to a fire so there wasn't any activities that we could do at the nearby resort.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

George O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Celebrations and Cards
We’ve been enjoying this house for 20 years now. Wess is a wonderful host! My only regret is that we’ve never met in person! We celebrated our daughter’s 40th playing cards!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

James V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Cabin Tucked Away In Woods
We loved the cabin - it was great for our family of 6. We cooked a lot of meals there, enjoyed playing games and loved Door County. What a beautiful and charming place.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Madison H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Bachelorette Weekend!
We were looking for a reasonably priced accommodation for a low-key bachelorette party weekend, and this was it! The property was the ideal "quiet cabin in the woods" feel, which is what we were looking for. The closest town was Sister Bay, which we travelled to a few times for food and shopping (15 minute drive). We went to Al Johnson's for breakfast and saw the goats on the roof (bride's request) and we took a short hike in Ellison Bluff near Lake Michigan -- beautiful view!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Merton F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place for a family (of seven or fewer)
Great place for family of seven. Good gathering areas in the great room and place for games. Our family enjoyed the puzzles in particular. Deck was nice space outside. A few things would have made our stay better There was not enough shower soap for one week and no kitchen cupboard space for our food. The teflon coating on all pots and pans was mostly scraped off; therefore, not safe for use. Overall, despite a lot of rain, our family had an enjoyable week.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was a lovely home with plenty of room for our three generations. There were games and puzzles for the rainy days. The kitchen had all the amenities we needed, including a dishwasher which was great since we had breakfasts and some dinners there. The location is great and very quiet.
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary Ann S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Door Visit
Wonderful The dishwasher was leaking so we didn’t use it. The property manager came when called.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bailey T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Door County Short Vacation
The house was perfect. Location was nice, house was clean, and everyone had their own bedroom! Beds were comfortable.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lisa B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Friends
Our group of 5 friends visited Door Co about 30 yrs ago and decided we needed another trip up there again. We really enjoyed this location and the seclusion of this property. We had a wonderful time.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

April W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful cabin home in the woods
This a beautiful northwoods home. It is very spacious. The beds are comfortable. The bathrooms are new with radiant heating in the floor in the first floor bathroom. This home is the perfect quiet place to relax.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tracy G.

Liked: Cleanliness
House in Rowley’s Bay
We really enjoyed the layout of the house for 6 people. The fireplace was wonderful for the cool evenings. This location of DC is quieter and beautiful.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan G., Cincinnati

Liked: Cleanliness
Private retreat in Rowley Bay
Very quiet and peaceful. The house was clean and nicely equipped - we enjoyed our stay
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan G.

Liked: Cleanliness
50th (2 years late) get away
We finally made it up to Door County to celebrate our 50th birthdays, albeit 2 years later. The house was very nice & clean. It had a lot of supplies in the kitchen & bath that were a nice touch. We enjoyed the neighborhood, the woods and the quiet.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2024