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Beautiful Log Home on 5 acres private beach-steps down the road!

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The Refuge Log Home
Private Waterfront
3-Season Porch
Woods
Living Room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8223.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View map
Sister Bay, WI
  • Sister Bay Beach
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Waterfront Park
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Sister Bay Marina
    ‪12 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

1st Floor Master

1 King Bed

2nd floor bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

2nd floor Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

2nd floor Bunk room

2 Single Bunk Beds

2nd floor Combination Bedroom / TV Room

2 Single Beds

2 bathrooms

1st floor Ensuite

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

2nd Floor Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Beautiful Log Home on 5 acres private beach-steps down the road!

The Refuge Log Home is nestled in a beautiful, wooded 5 acres across the street from Lake Michigan and is 4 miles east of Sister Bay in Northern Door County, WI. Listen to the waves from the home or take a short walk (300 ft) down the road to our private property with 100ft of shoreline. Enjoy the water from an Adirondack chair, a canoe or kayak, or wade right in! The wooded setting is quiet and sheltered and the lake may be viewed from the separate waterfront property.

Have fun exploring the woods. Deer are frequently seen. if you're lucky, you might spot a turkey family, an owl, or the newly discovered porcupine that occasionally makes an appearance. Spend your evenings around the fire enjoying the incredible stars. The home is located on a peaceful dead-end street with light car and foot traffic. It is less than ten minutes to downtown Sister Bay, a wonderful town with fun shops and great restaurants to explore and enjoy. Sand Bay Beach is just five minutes away and the villages of Baileys Harbor, Ephriam and Fish Creek are close too.

These two properties, woods and water, are the perfect getaway for family and friends!

The open floor plan is spacious and comfortable. The whole family can gather around the stone fireplace. There are many cozy places to retreat to for some quiet relaxation. Enjoy the outdoors from the front porch or the screen porch in back. Or grab a book from the bookcase and head up to a window seat in an upstairs dormer for some quiet reading.

The home has four private bedrooms, one on the main floor with a King size bed and three more upstairs. The large bonus room with three sky lights over the garage is perfect for movie nights or reading. The built-in bunks in the bunk room are always a thrill for kids! Please note that the 2nd floor bunk room does not have doors to close it off from common areas.

The Refuge is a true retreat any time of year. Whether it's enjoying the long days of summer on the screen porch, the crisp Fall nights around the campfire, hunkering down on a cozy wintry night by the fire, or spotting the first sounds and sights of Spring, we sure you will enjoy your stay.

Lake Michigan Water change from year to year. The Photos show both high and low water levels.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Guest is required to sign and abide with the rental agreement terms. Photo ID is required. Minimum age to rent is 25.
Security deposit of $300 required.
No events/parting, pets, smoking, fireworks allowed. Quiet Hours between 10pm and 7am

Important information

You need to know

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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Sister Bay

Located in Sister Bay, this holiday home is in a rural area and near the beach. Frykman Studio Gallery and Corner of the Past Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Sister Bay Marina and Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Sister Bay, WI

What's nearby

  • Sister Bay Beach - 12 min drive - 8.0 km
  • Waterfront Park - 12 min drive - 8.0 km
  • Sister Bay Marina - 12 min drive - 8.4 km
  • Newport State Park - 28 min drive - 22.7 km
  • Cana Island Lighthouse - 36 min drive - 23.8 km

Getting around

  • Green Bay, WI (GRB-Austin Straubel Intl.) - 100 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant & Butik - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪Husby's Food & Spirits - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪AC Tap - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Sip - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Twelve Eleven Wine Bar + Provisions - ‬12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Beautiful Log Home on 5 acres private beach-steps down the road! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful Log Home on 5 acres private beach-steps down the road!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful Log Home on 5 acres private beach-steps down the road!?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful Log Home on 5 acres private beach-steps down the road! located?

This family-friendly Sister Bay holiday home is located near the beach, 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from Lake Michigan, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf and Sister Bay Beach. Waterfront Park and Sister Bay Dog Park & Community Garden are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 157 out of 161 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 4 out of 161 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 161 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 161 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 161 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Brianna G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice, fully stocked house. Great, quiet location. Close to Sister Bay, but far enough away to feel secluded. The private beach access was also a plus (just a little unclear as to where the entrance was). Would visit again.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary a.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Our family's second stay at this lovely cabin, and we hope to make it an annual event! We actually spent most of our time on the screen porch, wonderful.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dave S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A perfect place for gathering. Spacious, yet cozy and comfortable with lots of natural light. The kitchen is huge and well stocked with dishes, appliances and anything you might need to cook a big breakfast or dinner, which we did often. The front porch and surroundings are great for gathering and exploring without infringing on nearby neighbors. A private rock beach just a short walk away is a great place to sit around a fire pit and soak in the sights and sounds of the lake. We definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a nature fix that’s still close to the attractions and nearby towns that make Door County special.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristin H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful place!!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robin P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend getaway

Overall, the property is wonderful. Did a family weekend here and it is exactly as discribed. We recommend and we will come stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kim S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great family location

Enjoyed the accommodations….convenient for local attractions and shopping.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sara M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful location

We have been spending time in Door Co for over 40 years, and this has to be one of the best cottages we have ever rented. Great location, quiet, and access to private little beach area was enjoyable.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Samantha Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fall fest!

A beautiful home in a good location with lots of space. We hope to be back soon!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

chris w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

26th Anniversary

Great house with nice location. Would definitely stay again
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

carol s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family time

Great place . Perfect for our stay. Very well equipped and perfect in every way
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Eliza D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Post Thanksgiving getaway

We loved this property! It was a perfect cozy cabin to rest and relax in after a busy holiday week!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Susan M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Happy high school reunion for four friends

Wonderful warm and cozy place for a reunion. Well-equipped kitchen, lovely screened porch, access to rocky beach, and welcome solitude. Hosts are great communicators.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Another beautiful memory made

The property was absolutely Beautiful and we were definitely in our element. We were very comfortable and spent an evening reliving old memories and making new ones.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Curtis S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely stay in a beautiful cabin!

A lovely stay in a beautiful home. We had a great weekend and enjoyed the fire pit at both the house and the beach each night! The kitchen was completely stocked with any kitchenware needed to make dinners and breakfasts together for our group. Great place to hang out as a family in between seeing many beautiful sights in Door County.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

June W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely spot

The house is well maintained and lovely. The only suggestion I have is to label the light switches and provide info on how they work. There were so many different ones which took multiple times turning on and off, figuring out the dimmer options, etc, it was a little confusing at least at first. (And not much the owner can do about it, but wow were the Mayflies thick!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Douglas W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Property hosting done 100% correct. 6 Stars.

The home was beautiful and spacious. It was one of the best provisioned rentals we have ever stayed in. Plenty of cooking gear - pots and pans, dishes, cooking utensils and even spices and coffee, plus games, puzzles, books, dishwasher, laundry machines, good internet and and video streaming. Total stress free relaxation.Location, location, location. Located 10 minutes out of Sister Bay off a low traffic road. Pretty much ideal for a secluded low key stay with easy accessibility to most of what Door County has to offer. This property's outstanding condition and its owners attention to details easily make this a 6 star rental. Everyone in our group, including the kids said how much they enjoyed their stay and all voiced interest in a return visit when our calendars might permit. If someone is debating renting this home they need to just stop thinking and do it before their dates are taken by someone else.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Susan K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Cosy Family Getaway

The Refuge is just that. We (6 adults) were in the area for a family wedding and we loved coming “home” after wedding-related events and curling up by the fire and relaxing. The house had everything we needed and more! We loved the lakeside views from the beach and had a wonderful time exploring beautiful Door County.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Judith L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Refuge

Wonderful log cabin. Spacious with many bedrooms. Had a great time. It was a cousin’s weekend together lots of fun
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Molly R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Friends stay

Beautiful location and home. Spacious, well stocked kitchen, library. Lake area provided wonderful views of lake. Nice fire pit. Close to Sister Bay and great shopping and restaurants.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Anne V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful

We loved our stay at this peaceful wooded retreat. The walk to Lake Michigan was very close. The home was clean and nicely furnished. I would definitely recommend this place!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Property nestled in the woods,

We had a great stay. Our first time to Door County. It is beautiful this time of the year. The property is in a great location to use as home base for the sights and scenes of Door County.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alan and Laurel B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Private and peaceful

The “Refuge” is appropriately named, this is a cabin that you feel good about returning to at the end of day. Very comfortable, cozy, and located in one of the most private and peaceful locations on Door County.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Deb S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Roomy cabin in the woods

We had a great time at The Refuge. The house was beautifully secluded in woods and wildflowers. The property's private access to the lake just down the road from the house offered an awesome spot to sit and watch the water and the moonrise. The house was very spacious, the kitchen well stocked, and dining on the back enclosed porch pretty darn magical. Also appreciated the quality mattresses.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amanda D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Girls Weekend Getaway

This property was Beautiful. House was perfect for our Girls weekend. We had 5 young adults and 3 adults. The house had more than enough space for all of us. Kitchen was FULLY stocked. Far enough away from all the crowds but close enough to enjoy all the amenities Door County has to offer. Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hannah

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous Retreat!

We had a wonderful time staying at this cabin. We’ve stayed many times and enjoy the solitude and fireplace. Really appreciated the firewood in the garage (pay per bundle) since Gary took over!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

About the host

Hosted by Gary & Kitty Brendemuehl

Host profile image
The Refuge Log Home is Owned and Operated by Gary & Kitty Brendemuehl. We have been married for 43 years and are blessed with three children and 6 grandchildren.

Why they chose this property

For our 40th wedding anniversary we stayed at The Refuge. The area is wonderful, quiet and peaceful and surrounded by nature! And it’s only 5 miles to resturants, shops and other activities in Sister Bay. We enjoyed hiking in the parks and taking the grandkids to the beach. We enjoyed our time together so much that we started looking for our own home away from home. When The Refuge became available, we knew that this was the place for us and we purchased it.

The Refuge was built in 2005 by the original owners. It was their family vacation home and vacation rental for 15 years. Many families made great memories over the years, and we are working carefully to help create memories that will last a lifetime.

We hope you will stay with us soon!

What makes this property unique

The open floor plan is spacious and comfortable. The whole family can gather around the stone fireplace. There are many cozy places to retreat to for some quiet relaxation. Enjoy the outdoors from the front porch or the screen porch in back. Or grab a book from the bookcase and head up to a window seat in an upstairs dormer for some quiet reading.

The home has four private bedrooms, one on the main floor with a King size bed and three more upstairs. The large bonus room with three sky lights over the garage is perfect for movie nights or reading. The built-in bunks in the bunk room are always a thrill for kids! Please note that the 2nd floor bunk room does not have doors to close it off from common areas.

The Refuge is a true retreat any time of year. Whether it's enjoying the long days of summer on the screen porch, the crisp Fall nights around the campfire, hunkering down on a cozy wintry night by the fire, or spotting the first sounds and sights of Spring, we sure you will enjoy your stay.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests