Wisconsin Hotels

The American Club Resort: For A Taste of the Elite, Stay at...

by deecat

Right up front, I want to say that Allan and I could not afford to stay at The American Club today. Our daughter Jill was about eight when we went, and she took a friend with her. It was a special deal.

The first thing that I noticed about The American Club is how much it values heritage and tradition. The lawns and gardens are artfully designed and maintained, and native prairie plants and elaborate foliage from English formal gardens are used. Every aspect of this lovely resort denotes gracious living.

Each room is different as is each bathroom. Since the Kohler family owns it, you can just imagine the bathroom fixtures. (For those of you who do not know, Kohler Company is foremost in bathroom fixtures.)

Each time new products come out, they are used in the constantly changing and updated bathrooms. Our bathroom was antique-looking with a top pull chain. The Shower was incredible with five different environments such as a rainforest. The room was large and lovely with quality antiques and impeccable taste.

What The American Club is most famous for is its restaurants and eating areas. (See Restaurant tip for specifics)

I will say, we were quite impressed with The Greenhouse that serves only desserts. It is actually like a greenhouse but made of stained glass. The philosophy is: "We keep the custom from the great manors and hotels of Europe who have a tradition of pausing after the entree. As if to separate two different experiences, dessert is delayed."

The American Club accommodates that custom by having a cloistered walkway that leads you to The Greenhouse. Inside, you are surrounded by beauty...glass, greenery, twinkling lights, dark oak, and black wrought iron. Within the courtyard gardens, amid the splendor of the stained glass, you are able to order delicious desserts. A truly decadent experience.

Interlaken Resort and Spa: Wonderful Location With Its Own Lake...

by deecat

What a location! The resort is located on a bluff with fabulous views of Lake Como and the surrounding countryside. There is a nice outdoor pool that looks out over the lake!

In addition, there is a wonderful indoor pool that is all glassed in and toasty warm in the winter.
There is a wonderful dining room calledThe Lake Blufff Dining Room and a large lounge called The Woodshed Lounge. From both of these places, there are breathtaking views of Lake Como.

The resort has 144 spacious guest rooms and one and two bedroom villas. The rooms have either a King, a Seko Queen, or two double beds. The rooms include cable TV, VCR's, coffee maker, iron, full-sized ironing board, and movie rentals. The villas are fully furnished and has cable TV, VCR, full kitchen, dining are, fireplace, and one or two full baths.

Prices are for two adults sharing the same room. $10.00 extra for each additional adult .
There are special discounts of:AARP, government and corporate rates.

My favorite memory from The Interlaken Resort was when my girlfriend, Mickey Scales, and I took a long weekend in the middle of winter. (We were burned out from teaching at the time.)

We snowmobiled on the frozen lake, sang along with the entertainer in the Lake Bluff Room, drank delicious "Grasshopper" drinks for lunch, and had one of the finest meals ever in the Lake Bluff Room.

Besides an indoor and outdoor pools, Interlaken Resort also has a complete Country Spa. They boast that this spa pampers you at affordable prices. There is a sauna, private whirlpool bath, German skin conditioning oils, pedicures, manicures, full body massages. They offer aerobic classes and provide a fitness room. They have a hair salon also.

I have used these services on several different occasions, and I must say that they are excellent, especially the full body massage!

There are many activities offered such as volleyball, tennis, boating, parasailing, swimming, skiing, and snowmobiling on the frozen Lake Como.

White Gull Inn: Our Honeymoon Haven in Door County Wisconsin

by deecat

In 1963, Allan and I went to Door County Wisconsin, Fish Creek, and stayed at the White Gull Inn for our Honeymoon. We stayed in what was known then as the "Honeymoon Room" (on the first floor) because it was one of the only rooms with a private bathroom.Our visit there was during the 2nd week of August, but it was quite cool. We used the fireplace each night.

Today, The White Gull Inn has a different owner, has been renovated, and all the rooms have private baths!

What has not changed over the years is quiet elegance, the delicious food, and the midwestern friendliness.

They still have the hearty breakfasts, the delightful lunches, and the quiet, candlelight dinners. In addition, they have kept the traditional "fish boils"

The White Gull Inn was established in 1896, and the owners have meticulously maintained the "look" of that era throughout their many renovations.

The White Gull Inn was a warm, hospitable Inn in 1963, and it still is that same friendly, warm place today.

Side Note: On our 20th anniversary, I purchased an artist's pen drawing of the White Gull Inn and gave it to Allan. It still hangs in our Great Room today.

The White Gull Inn was perfect for a honeymoon then; it still is today!

All rooms have private baths; most have fireplaces; many have whirlpool baths. All the rooms have lovely antiques, and the chosen fabrics for the bedspreads and drapes maintain the warm, "turn-of-the-centry" ambience.

The mattresses are firm; the rooms are air conditioned; all the plumbing is quite modern.
I do not remember cottages in 1963, but they have cottages (in addition to the Inn) today.

Jan and Andy Coulson have owned and run the White Gull Inn for 32 years, and they still greet their guests with great enthusiasm.

I took this photograph of my new husband (Allan) in 1963, as he stood outside the Inn by the "White Gull Inn" sign. At the time, he had a crew cut and was 23 years old!
CLICK TO GET A BETTER LOOK

Best Western Quiet House & Suites Mequon: For Large Rooms That Are Quiet.....

by deecat

On our three-day family vacation, one night we stayed in Mequon, Wisconsin, at the Best Western Quiet House & Suites

. The hotel is located near two restaurants (walking distance) and several shops. It is the top of the line for the Best Western brand with very large rooms with a living room area and upscale decor in even the standard rooms. There are also large one-bedroom and loft suites, Whirlpool suites with four-poster beds, and theme suites that reflect the colorful history of the area.

A little history about The Quiet House:
In the late 1800s, Julius Vogt established the original Quiet House in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it featured comfort and hospitality. Besides Mequon, there are Quiet House & Suites in Dodgeville, WI, Prairie Du Chien, WI, Red Wing, MN, Galena, IL, and Amana Colonies in Williamsburg, IA.

The Quiet House & Suites scores in the top 5% of all Best Westerns in North America for cleanliness and quality.

Jill and I used the Indoor/outdoor swim-thru pool that is open year round. It was wonderful and had a unique "snake-like" shape.

There was also an exercise room and a hot tub.

Continental Breakfast comes with the room.
There were donuts, muffins, toast, cereal, fruit, juices, coffee, and tea available.

Data ports, copy, fax, and free local calls were all available.

I would highly recommend the Best Western Quiet House & Suites in Mequon, Wisconsin (between Milwaukee and Cedarburg)

Note: price is per person. There were three of us, and we paid about $140.00 with the tax.

The Pfister Hotel: "Grand Hotel of the West"....

by deecat

The Pfister Hotel is, indeed, the "jewel" of downtown Milwaukee. I have stayed there three times and always loved it. The most fun time that I stayed there was with my daughter Jill on her 18th birthday. We stayed two nights, ate the famous Sunday Brunch, had massages on the top floor, looking out over the city, and took advantage of the wonderful original portion of the hotel.

The Pfister was built in 1893, and for the last 111 years, it has been known as the "Grand Hotel of the West." It has a breathtaking lobby with old-world elegance and 19th Century architecture. Another interesting note is that the hotel houses the largest display of Victorian art found in a hotel of any in the United States! It is rated as Four-Diamond Hotel.

I especially liked the chandeliers, the sculptured ceilings, and the extraordinary antiques.
I would suggest staying in the traditional rooms rather than in the newer Towers.

The service here is remarkable and done with impeccable style.

The accommodations are superior with wireless, high-speed Internet access, round-the-clock personal service, and marvelous decor.

There are several shops in the Pfister:

The Emporium Gift Shop
Roger Stevens (Men's Apparel)
Janice Salon, Beauty and Personal Care
Private Gardener Floral Shop

The Pfister Hotel offers a wide variety of dining experiences:

Celia for fine dining.

Cafe at the Pfister is more casual.

Blu is a cocktail area on the 23rd floor with views over the city.

The Lobby Lounge has afternoon tea or cocktails with a pianist

Of course, there is 24-hour room service with a complete menu.

Conrad C. Horneffer: Rooms Named After Important Local Citizens

by deecat

At the Washington House Inn, we stayed in the Conrad C. Horneffer Room on the second floor in the front of the hotel.

Each room is named after an important citizen from an early time period. The name is placed on a plaque on the outside door of the room to identify it. Our room is affectionately known as "The Window Room" because it has 7 tall windows that are covered with lovely cream-colored wooden shudders.

On the previous page, if you look at the photo of the Washington Inn and zero in on the second floor, four of those windows were ours; the other three are not in the photo. The room was 35 feet long and 14 feet wide! The windows are so long that they are divided into three sections for opening sections at a time. That windowed-wall is also painted that same cream color as the shudders.

The other walls are papered in a lovely pattern with cream, green, and peach tones. The two beds have antique headboards (not matching) with two somewhat matching end tables. In addition, there is an antique wardrobe chest for a closet, an antique chest which opens up to view the television, a small dropleaf table with two chairs, an antique wooden cabinet with a sink, and a lovely cushioned Blue Velvet chair.

In the corner is a wonderful stand-up brass mirror that is ideal for checking your outfits.
I also liked the long, narrow hallway after you enter that leads into the main room because it gives much privacy.

The carpet is green with tan highlights, and the down bedcovers are green, cream, and shades of rose. There are antique scounces on the wall as well as two lamps, one on the small table, and one is a floor lamp.

But, my favorite source of light is the three crystal and brass antique hanging lights. In such a large room, all this light was delightful.

As I said, the sink is in the bedroom and right off the bedroom is a small bath with cream colored small tiled floor and a huge whirlpool bath with marble trim. The bathtub also has a great shower.

Luxurious towels and body products are provided as well as a heated, timed light.

The rates for the Washington House Inn range from $95.00 for a queen sized bed, standard tub/shower to $235 for a suite with a king-sized pencil post bed, fireplace, loft, tub room with oversized whirlpool bath and fireplace! These rates are based on double occupancy. $20.00 is charged for each additional person. And, of course, state and local taxes are added to that price.

From this description, wouldn't you agree that the rooms offer both comfort/convenience with the the charm/elegance of the past?

The great thing about this Inn is that each room is unique. All feature antiques, down comforters, phones and color TV/VCRs with cable. This three-floor Inn has an elevator and a sauna.

The Washington House Inn: In The Heart of Historic Cedarburg, Wisconsin

by deecat

While visiting Cedarburg, Wisconsin, we stayed at the lovely Country Victorian Bed and Breakfast called the Washington House Inn.

The Washington House was Cedarburg's first Inn, and it was built in 1846 on this same site. Then, in 1886, the original structure was replaced by the present Victorian Cream City Brick building. It existed as a hotel until the 1920's. At that time, it was converted into offices and apartments.

In 1983, it was purchased and renovated into the Washington House Inn, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Then in 1994, a historic home down the street was purchased and renovated as a companion to the Washington House Inn. This lovely home is called the Schroeder Guest House. You have a choice of staying at one of the two places.

Late in the afternoon, wine, fruit, and cheeses are served as part of the daily social hour. A delicious continental breakfast is served, and it includes: cakes, muffins, breads, fresh fruit, cereal, scones, bagels, freshly squeezed juices, teas, and coffee.

All the baked goods are homemade and delectable. Recipes taken from an authentic turn-of-the-century Cedarburg Cook Book are used.

The room where social hour and breakfast are served is stunning. It has large, lace-covered windows, a fireplace, antique tables and chairs, lovely Bone China Dishes, and gorgeous linens.
You are surrounded with elegance, but it is not "stuffy". The staff is friendly, efficient, and so willing to make your stay memorable.

SUPER 8: "Always a Super8 to be found...."

by RobMorgan

This is the first place we stopped at for our first nights sleep in the USA.
After a long flight, then drive South for quite a while (until my eyes were closing....) we had to stop.

This is a fairly basic place to stay, no frills at all. It feels like one of the early Super8`s that needs to be modernised.
The cleanliness was not up to scratch, but, when you need sleep............who cares !!!
The lad behind the desk was very good & gave me a discount when he found I was from the UK.
Continental breakfast is supplied, but you have to get up early before it`s all gone.

THE VILLAGE INN, Cornucopia.: "Peace & quiet...zzzzzzzz !!!"

by RobMorgan

HARBOR`S EDGE, Bayfield.: Close to Lake Superior.....

by RobMorgan

Clean & comfortable. Stayed for 2 days.
Mike Rasmus, the Inn Keeper, has only been here since January & is renovating the whole motel, doing it room by room.
The only criticisms we have are the coffee maker was in an awkward place (with only 1 coffee satchet in it), under the tv, with no electric socket for it & the towels were far too small.
I think a continental breakfast would have made the motel more enjoyable too, just a feeling of lack of that "personnal touch" which Mike should add if he wants a Victorian feel to the place.
Otherwise, a great place.
(Yes, I know I`m critical of the places we visit).