8-29-25
Killasonna Lodge was our vacation home for 7 days, accommodating 5 adults. The ambiance was ideal if you cherish a peaceful, spacious and quiet waterfront lodge in nature. The beds were quite comfortable, and the kitchen was well equipped, but it took a while to find the pie server for our cherry pie comparisons! Stargazing was extraordinary and we loved having the old fashioned folding beach chairs. The lodge is ideally located on the peninsula, offering privacy, yet convenient to many attractions. Our hosts provided meticulous details on what is expected of renters and recommendations of things to do. We would definitely consider staying here again.
Les & Bonnie C.
Tucson, AZ
8-11-25
This cabin is perfection—fantastic vibe, wonderful amenities, clean, well stocked/organized, and the location on the quiet side of Door County, right on Lake Michigan, is absolutely perfect. We stayed for one week and had everything we needed.
Mindy H.
Orlando, FL
8-6-25
We really enjoyed our stay at Killasonna Lodge. John sent us all the information we needed about the cabin and Door County with recommendations for things to do and where to eat. The location is perfectly situated for everything you want to do. The property is exceptional with amazing views. We enjoyed coffee on the porch in the morning and sitting out by the lake and we loved the peaceful quiet surroundings.
Tim F.
Rockford, IL
July 8, 2025
What a wonderful home and location. Best place we’ve stayed in Door County because of how peaceful and quiet the location is which made it very easy to relax and unwind. Spent many hours on the back porch and by the lake.It’s obvious the owner cares and maintains the home and yard very well! A beautiful and unique home inside and out.Very happy with our stay and experience!
Matthew R.
Waukesha, WI
9-3-24
Great first visit to Door Co.
The property was even better than the VRBO listing. The lodge sits back from road down a wooded lane. It was very peaceful and quiet, and very dark at night. There are neighbors on both sides of the property but we did not feel like there wasn’t enough privacy. If the neighbors were home, we never heard them. The lodge was clean. There were plenty of dishes, silverware, pots, pans, lids and cutlery. The furniture was comfortable and so were the beds. Everything was conveniently labeled and John was very easy to work with. He provided lots of info about the area, places to eat, things to do, etc. John provided a complete guide to the lodge and the property which eliminated any guessing. We did not have to do a bunch of required cleanup before leaving. The location of the lodge was perfect. It was easy to get to the other side of the peninsula which has more restaurants, and grocery stores options. We loved the fact the lodge is on what we call “ the quiet side” of the peninsula. We really enjoyed sitting on the back porch in the morning, drinking coffee and listening to Lake Michigan and the birds. The lake was absolutely gorgeous and we spent time on the rocky beach area daily. We saw many water birds and a bald eagle. In summary we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We were well-rested by the end of our week. We plan to return in the future. We would love to visit in the fall. Thanks for a great stay!
Julie C.
Lima, OH
7-24-24
My husband and I spent a week at the cabin. It is beautiful inside and out! It was very clean and had everything a person could need. The back deck was so relaxing and an awesome place to relax. The bed was very comfortable. We had such a great time exploring the area.
Lynnda R.
Grinnell, IA
7-15-24
We enjoyed our time at Killasonna so much – near perfect weather! We found everything ready, clean and had no problems with anything at the Lodge. We chose a busy week in Door County and always looked forward to coming back to the lodge to relax, rest and recover. Your location is close to many of our favorite places; our son and his family went biking into the Dunes renting eBikes at the local outfitter, we golfed a bit at the Orchards, and enjoyed the Ridges and other places to walk in the area.
We are probably like many of your other guests – our favorite room was actually the porch. It’s a great way to greet the sun, always cool in the late afternoon and somehow, we found ourselves just visiting away as it got dark. The evening is priceless.
It has been a few years since we were last at Killasonna and we were glad to find it just as quiet as we remembered. Lots of changes in Door County but mostly on the Bay side. So thank you very much.
As for suggestions – really, none. Your instructions and info is detailed and pretty much answers any question. I may have missed it on your “places to go” list but the day we went up to Liberty Grove Park and its miles of sand beaches was special. Our 8 year old granddaughter absolutely loved it and the busyness of other beaches was left to, well, the other beaches. Its access is so easy if you have kids with “stuff” they like to bring along, too. Best restaurant for us was “CHOP” in Sister Bay. Wow, that was good.
Ralph Y.
Northfield, MN
I’m 56 years old and have been coming to Door County since I was a little kid. I have literally stayed all over the peninsula. Hands down, Killasonna has been one of my favorites. It’s on a lovely lot. The access to the water is amazing. The home is well tended to and (unlike most rentals) well appointed and furnished. The owners are lovely and communicative. STAY HERE. You will not regret it.
Joseph G.
Milwaukee, WI
8-19-23
Our family (father, mother, two gown boys ages 20 and 24) enjoyed a wonderful week at Killasonna lodge. The house is impeccably beautiful, welcoming with its warm wood interiors with all the modern conveniences. The property is goregous, right on the shore of Lake Michigan. All throughout the day, we enjoyed quiet time contemplating the beauty of the lake and shore from the comfort of the porch of the house, or down on the chaise lounges closer to the waterfront. The fire-pit area is spacious and well planned; there is an ample supply of dried firewood; and we ended each day with toasted marshmallows or s’mores. The property is quiet and secluded, but an easly and short drive (or cycle) from the best of Door County: Cave Point, Whitefish Dunes, the more ‘touristy’ towns on the other side of the Door Peninsula, and Cana Island Lighthouse. In short, we loved Killasonna, and we loved our stay. Hoping to return next year for another wonderful stay. Thank you to our hosts, who were responsive and helpful!
Mardah W.
Highland Park, IL
8-7-23
We had a wonderful week at Killasonna Lodge! The home is just beautifully constructed and the layout is perfect for our 3 generation family, giving my mom her own space on the main level. The kitchen is the best stocked of any rental we’ve ever stayed at, from utensils to spices and condiments! The fire pit by the water is fabulous as well, although the view from the porch is also excellent. We love the location, our family prefers the quiet side and proximity to Cave Point. We were a little surprised to find no television, but ended up not missing it at all. The only thing we could have used more of was closet space.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us.
Emily W.
Madison, WI
7-31-23
The property was just as described. John was very easy to communicate with about the property and the local area. The house was very comfortable and suited us well. Jacksonport is one of the quieter towns which was great for us. The house is within 2 miles of two of the best swimming beaches. We hope to stay again. This was one of our favorite properties.
Laura R.
Flossmoor, IL
7-25-23
Well appointed, incredibly authentic with lovely details. And a back porch that might be the best in the region. John was an excellent host, very communicative and helpful, right now to a Survival Guide with everything from biking routes to restaurants to parks and local attractions. He even emailed us during our stay to let us know about a concert in town while we were there. Incredibly thoughtful! We loved Killasonna and will remember it forever. Relaxing in the comfortable back porch chairs, looking out through the woods onto Lake Michigan, sipping freshly brewed coffee from the Blue Horse Cafe in Fish Creek will be a simple treasured memory for years to come. Thank you for the incredible hospitality.
Laura J
Chicago, IL
7-9-23
The location is fantastic. The house is right on Lake Michigan and in the woods. You can walk to the town for supplies, or to either the county or state parks, which are great. The kitchen is well stocked with pots, pans, utensils, etc. so cooking was super easy. The pictures reflect pretty accurately how pleasant the house is. Being so close to the lake, it enjoys a more moderate microclimate than inland. When inland felt more muggy and hot, it was extremely pleasant inside and outside the house. If you like being in nature, you should enjoy it.
Jay S.
Chicago, IL
9-3-22
This was a perfect spot for our annual girls’ trip. 6 of us were very comfortable for the week. We really enjoyed the beautiful location and spent every morning and evening on the covered deck looking at the lake and watching for birds. The location is very private and quiet. However, it was very easy to drive anywhere else on the peninsula if we were in the mood for more action. We hiked and rode bikes at Peninsula State Park. We took the car ferry to Washington Island one day. We enjoyed a fish boil in Ephraim. We enjoyed Lure and Chives for dinner out. We also cooked in a few nights and found the kitchen very well equipped. We also enjoyed several visits to Stone’s Throw Winery and were very pleasantly surprised to find high quality wine and delicious food there. I would highly recommend Killasonna Lodge as a perfect getaway for a group of friends, couples or a family.
Ellen B.
Naperville, IL
8-7-22
We have had the pleasure of staying at various lovely places in Door County over the years and have never been disappointed – from tent camping in Peninsula State park and staying in a quaint B&B inn near Sister Bay to renting a wonderful condo with a swimming pool and gorgeous sand beach south of Whitefish Dunes and renting private home on beaches north of Bailey’s Harbor. We have loved them all. Yet we both agree that Killasonna Lodge, with the quiet friendliness of people in Jacksonport and all of the wonderful natural beauty in the area, has been our hands down favorite place to stay. The incredible at-home comfort level that Killasonna Lodge provided – from the cozy beds to inviting living room furniture; lovely open yet cozy wood interior cabin feel with the many windows, large screen door for great breezes, and great well furnished lakeside deck; gorgeous lakeside ambiance with amazing sunrises; move-in cleanliness; many thoughtful in-home touches like dimmer switches and discretely labeled kitchen drawers; well-equipped conveniences and well-functioning equipment/appliances from the kitchen and bathrooms to washer and dryer; and helpful, very responsive, and thoughtful communication with owners made this place truly one-of-a-kind extra special! We have never gone back to the same place twice as we love exploring new places but we will need to change our practice as we both definitely want to come back to Killasonna Lodge. In fact, we never wanted to leave!
Elizabeth P.
Madison, WI
8-6-21
My husband and I, along with our two sons (9 and 10 1/2) and my mother just returned from a week’s stay in Killasonna Lodge. From the moment we walked in, we felt like we were home. The cabin is well equipped and the interior design is exactly what I’d pictured when we first started planning our trip. The five of us with more than comfortable there for the week. My boys enjoyed playing games in the loft in the evenings, and we enjoyed sitting out on the porch listening to the waves crash on the rocks. The lake views are lovely as are the sun and moon rises. When we did leave the lodge, almost everything we wanted was within a 20-minute drive. If you’re looking for a quintessential cabin in an idyllic location, look no further. We hope to be back some day.
Victoria G.
Chicago, IL
7-8-21
My wife and I have been vacationing in DC for over 22 years, renting lake houses, inland houses, etc., all over the peninsula to enjoy various locations and homes. This is one of the best properties we have ever rented. Amazingly clean, well appointed with EVERYTHING you need. I cannot stress enough just how well appointed this lodge is – it has everything you need and more. From the amazingly clean bathrooms, to the fully stocked kitchen where you can prepare meals. The home itself has amazing character and charm, and that wonderful cabin/wood lodge smell. The firepit, with included firewood, was perfect for those cool nights stargazing and listening to the water. Beyond the tangible things you’d expect to find in a rental home, the owners provide such amazing communication throughout the entire process. Very detailed information is sent including directions, pictures, things to do, places to eat, etc, even down to detours you might experience. Very helpful for those new to Door County and unfamiliar with the area. I would certainly recommend this to friends and family and anyone who is interested in just unplugging in DC (although, as 2 working professionals, it was great to have very fast internet when needed!). 🙂 Thank you John for opening up your home to us!
Eric R.
Long Grove, IL
8-27-20
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at Killasonna Lodge. It is in a secluded location with much privacy but close to everything. It was spotless upon our arrival and we found the kitchen to have everything needed. This was a great place to use as a base to explore all that Door County has to offer and to chill when we were done.
Sherri W.
Park Ridge, IL
7-12-20
We just wanted to write and let you know that we had a wonderful time staying at Killasonna Lodge. Both the house itself and location exceeded our expectations. Each room in the lodge was ‘just right’, not too big, not too small, with attention to detail and craftsmanship that was apparent, while maintaining a practical air that was never fussy or over the top, exactly what a lodge should be! Thank you for making the lodge available for others to enjoy! We’ve visited Door County many times over the past 20 years and this is our favorite place by far.
You probably plan to enjoy the property for many years to come, but please let us know if you are considering selling the place in either the near- or long-term as we’d certainly like to have a conversation with you on that topic before it hit the market.
Rachel E.
Evanston, IL
6-17-20
We had a wonderful week, aided by beautiful weather and a not very crowded (yet) peninsula. The cabin was awesome, and the survival guide was super informative. There was nothing we couldn’t figure out as the week progressed.
The location was ideal for our first trip to Door County – a little out of the way as Jacksonport seemed like the smallest town, but we liked that. Really enjoyed time in Bailey’s Harbor and Sister Bay the most. The only thing we’d suggest is to move the sunsets to your side of the peninsula! 😎
We loved the game space and that old school game table, but somehow in eight nights never got up to using it! Thanks again to wonderful weather, we only really had one day where we just kicked it around the house.
We will absolutely be back. Thanks again for letting us head up a night early. Gave us a full day to just drive the whole peninsula and get our bearings which was great.
Tim K.
Chicago, IL
9-8-19
My husband and I were looking for a quiet retreat and found that and more at Killasonna Lodge. It was so peaceful and tranquil. We absolutely loved sitting by the lake and listening to the waves crashing against the shores. It was hard to leave! The owners Survival Guide was very helpful…we are now a few pounds heavier after being introduced to Schartner’s Pies! Delicious! We would definitely go back.
Richard P.
Aurora, IL
7-30-19
The Killasonna is a perfect spot if you’re looking to experience a getaway right on the shore of Lake MI. We’ve been coming to DoorCo for several years and have stayed on “both sides” , and have come to appreciate the lower key quietness of the east side. This location is exactly that … close enough to the shops, coffee, and great restaurants of Door counties’ great little towns , but removed from essentially any traffic and noise. It’s a quick bike ride to Cave Point and you can drop your kayak/SUP board in the water literally steps from the back porch. The cabin itself was immaculate , every attention to detail was just right. Comfy beds , fully stocked kitchen , back porch with very nice and comfy adirondack chairs looking out over the lake , very nice hot showers, the list goes on. We will definitely consider another visit. Thank you John and Carolyn for quick responses to everything we needed.
Pete & Nicole A.
Neenah, WI
5-29-19
Beautiful lakefront cabin with amazing hosts. It’s spacious and cozy at the same time. Check in was easy, the cabin was clean and ready to go with firewood so we could get the fireplace going right away! Check out was just as simple with clear directions. John and Carolyn are responsive and provide tons of local recommendations. The location is great- close enough to the city to get a drink or a bite to eat on a whim, but remote enough to enjoy hearing the waves crashing from the lake and to see the stars on a clear night. Definitely recommend Killasonna to anyone looking for a great weekend getaway in Door County.
Timothy D.
Minneapolis, MN
9-29-18
We absolutely loved this cabin! Being able to watch the moonrise and sunrise on the lake in our own personal fire pit area was breathtaking! The cabin is very secluded and woodsy. There are really nice personal touches everywhere you look! The waves crashing really added to the ambiance. The beds were comfortable and an array of board games to play in an upstairs game area just outside of the bedrooms above. We couldn’t have been happier with the stay! Minutes to Cave Point County Park that had such stunning views of the lake suspended over rock. Baileys Harbor had a lot of great restaurants and a brewery. We were able to daily explore Door County and found more than enough to do between corn mazes, wineries, apple farms and much more! We will be back!
Laura P.
Chicago, IL
9-29-17
My husband booked a short weekend getaway for my 30th birthday. We had an amazing time in Door County/Killasonna Lodge. Everything was as described-no surprises. The owners made the stay so easy. Plenty of directions and details on the property itself and Door County. The lodge is beautiful. My favorite thing was falling asleep to the sound of the waves crashing, and having coffee on the deck in the morning. My husband also loved the property. We plan to go back again asap.
Chelsea Z.
Stoughton, WI
8-7-17
Our family of 6 adults and a 1-year-old spent a week at this wonderful, truly “quintessential” cabin in Jacksonport WI. Roomy enough for the whole family, this 3 bedroom home provided a spacious deck where we ate most of our meals. Each room is tastefully decorated, the kitchen well stocked with all the essentials for making your own meals. One of my favorite memories will be of the nightly fire pit right on the water’s edge. S’Mores! The location of the Lodge is perfect….close to all the parks and beaches, and just a short drive to all the towns and shopping. I found the owner of Killasonna Lodge to be very responsive and full of great suggestions and information about the house and the area. So appreciated and useful. Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with our family.
Julie W.
Chandler, Arizona
8-21-16
I spent a week in this beautiful home with my husband and two boys (ages 15 and 20). This house is in a perfect location in Door county, it was very central to all the adorable small towns close by but away from the crowds. The house feels very secluded. There are neighbors on either side but there are a lot of trees so you have to look hard for the houses. We loved the long driveway leading to the house. Made the house feel even more secluded. The house was very clean and roomy. My one and only complaint (and it’s minimal) is that I wish they provided bath towels. (They do provide bedding) We traveled from Texas and didn’t have room in our luggage for towels, so we had to purchase towels and leave them. Not a huge deal, but towels would have been an added bonus for us. We took advantage of the fire pit every night. The star gazing was amazing. I am a photographer and got awesome pictures of the night sky and many shooting stars. We also spent many hours just enjoying the porch and my boys hung hammocks in the trees. We did get in the water a few times but I advise to wear shoes as the beach is rocky. We loved the rustic of the beach. It was tree lined and rocky which made us feel the seclusion (we really like seclusion if you haven’t figured that out) and from the beach you can’t see many houses. The weather was warmer than normal when we were there. We were a little concerned since the house doesn’t have air conditioning but I can assure you, the house stayed very comfortable, plus there were ample fans if needed. The house also supplied basic spices and condiments. We ate out most meals at all the fabulous restaurants close by. We did a kayak tour one day. We were going to do the tour close to the house but it was too windy so they took us to the other side of the peninsula. It was still beautiful and we had a great time. We went to Cave Point county park a few times to jump off the cliff. This is super close to the house and easy to get to. I recommend going during the week to avoid huge crowds. We rented a speed boat from Sister Bay one day. We skied and tubed and just explored the shoreline. Definitely a highlight of the trip. We explored the small towns on the peninsula and I really enjoyed just driving the countryside and admire and photograph all the beautiful red barns. There was so much more to do while we were there but we opted for more relaxation at the house than being out and about.
Nancy H.
Cypress, Texas
6-2-16
Beautiful home in the perfect location. We stayed over the Memorial Day weekend and were able to enjoy the Maifest parade, flag ceremony, maypole dance, food, and vendors. It had such a great hometown feel where it seemed everyone knew someone, and if you weren’t from the area you were treated as if you were a lifelong resident.
I loved not having a television in the cabin, but hubby was longing for some connection to the outside world. Wifi worked perfectly fine, no complaints. The kitchen was well stocked with kitchen utensils, pots, and pans. The only negative observation was the use of duct tape keeping tiles in place in the bathroom shower and used to seal up a gap in one of the bedrooms. Otherwise everything was spotless and in good working order.
I have already recommended this cabin to a friend of mine and will continue to do so. My husband and I would certainly return if we were traveling with another couple.
Michael A.
Illinois
10-18-15
The lodge was exactly like the pictures. We had 3 adult couples. The bedrooms were nice sizes and having 2 full bathrooms was great. The property was clean and the kitchen was well equipped. We did a lot of cooking and the kitchen had everything we needed. The scenery was beautiful and you could watch the sunrise over Lake Michigan right from the house or walk a few steps down to the lake. We enjoyed using the natural fireplace, it really warmed the house. We appreciated having WiFi and a place to plug in for music. We hope to rent this property again on the future.
Jan R.
8-22-15
We came back to Killasonna for our third summer, finding it just as fresh. The architecture itself (designed by the owners) is splendid. You can sit in the great room and in the bedrooms and on the porch and sense the lake coming right in. You also feel the response of the woods all around you. It is like a great organ. We also love the location, a mile south of little Jacksonport with its invaluable little market and a mile or two north of Cave Point and Whitefish Bay dunes, oh so quiet and free of the crowds of tourists on the Green Bay side, priceless and fairly priced, clean, great sleeping, owners great to deal with.
Jim G.
Madison, WI
8-31-14
Our family has spend a lot of time on the North Shore of MN and we love Madeline Island but this was our first visit to Door County. When we travel we use VRBO and were impressed with the helpful pictures and related information on the Killasonna website. It sounded like the perfect cabin for us in a great location. Both of those were true. The cabin was better than we imagined. We love to cook and the kitchen is great. We also love to eat out and there is no shortage of places nearby. We were also in close proximity to great coffee shop. We were training for a rollerblade race which requires smoother roads than needed for biking. John said the road just outside the lodge was good – and it was great. The close proximity to excellent parks and beaches and hiking topped off our satisfaction. We managed to explore the towns, take several hikes and enjoy quiet times reading. The beds were very comfortable. The lodge is such a lovely design and the property is indeed right on the water. Even the rains felt magical and relaxing. We had only planned to land here because we were crossing WI looking at colleges for our daughter. But we so loved the lodge and the location (finding gallery’s in the middle of no where was also fun) that we all said we’d like to come back to Door County and stay in Killasonna Lodge.
John H.
Minneapolis, MN
9-23-13
If you are looking for an inspiring, and inspired environment to decompress, this is it. My fiance and I recently spent the week at John and Carolyn’s lovely Killasona Lodge. This was just the perfect spot to base our first visit to Door County. Although it was difficult to leave the lodge, we did manage to go for many walks on the beach, visit the wonderful farm stands, hike the trails at the nearby Whitefish Dunes park, and took in several of the peninsula’s restaurants. We only hope that Killasona Lodge will be available for many years to come. We will be regular guests!
Jeff
8-5-13
If you would like to vacation in Door County there is no better place to stay than Killasonna Lodge. The photos are beautiful and, even so, do not do the justice to the beauty of this spot or home. With the front doors and windows open you can hear the waves from the lake and it sounds so much like the ocean. We are a family of three and so this was a bit of a splurge before our son heads to college. It was worth every penny. We were even grateful for a rainy day so we could take a break from all the outdoor fun and sit on the large porch and lounge on the leather sofa and just enjoy watching the storm over the lake. So relaxing. There is so much to do. This location is perfect. We were able to go all over Door County and everything felt close. Whitefish Dunes and Cave Point are just a few minutes down the road and have beautiful hikes along the lake. We tried to explore it all: wineries, cherry picking, biking, beaches, great food, hiking, live music, outdoor movie theater. Every day was packed with activity and we would love to go back soon. John and Carolyn make sure that you have everything you need for an amazing stay including a guide to the house and area with great recommendation for restaurants and activities. They are very responsive. The kitchen was well appointed with everything we needed to make great meals at home which we enjoyed at the picnic table on the porch. The house was immaculate. Nothing describes the beauty of watching a moonrise over the lake while you are having a fire on the beach. One of our best vacations ever.
Gwen
Madison, WI
July 6, 2010
Dear John & Carolyn,
We have just returned from our cabin in northern Minnesota where we spent Juy 4th. I wanted to write you as soon as we got back to let you know how beautiful, comfortable, cozy and wonderful Killasonna Lodge was. It didn’t hurt that we had perfect weather for the entire week but having “The Lodge” to come back to after busy days exploring was food for the heart. I went back on your website to read about “Building the Cabin” because every detail was so perfect and the cabin itself was perfect. We’ve seen plenty of “lakehomes” here in Minnesota but they don’t hold a candle to what you’ve created on the shores of Lake Michigan. I sure hope you’re renting next summer because we’ll be back for sure and I’m trying to figure out a way to get out there this fall. We did meet the Reynolds family from down the shore and visited with them one evening.
It is a paradise and just what I would build if I ever have the opportunity. You must enjoy it beyond description.
We also had a wonderful time exploring all of the villages (and preferred “the quiet side”), managed to get out on Lake Michigan in a quiet bay by Penninsula Park and for a sunset and our daughter, who is a student at UW-Madison, joined us for 4 days.
Perfect in every way. Thank you!
Laurie Shorewood, MN
Hi John,Just wanted you to know that we’re back home in Stevens Point. We had a great week at your beautiful house. Even though it’s quite large, we still felt like we were in a cozy cabin what with the fireplace and the wonderful smell of cedar throughout the house. We spent most mornings having coffee or tea and talking on your front porch enjoying the view of the lake, each other, playing Othello (we all got addicted to that) and the lake sounds. We saw foxes run across the road a couple of times usually around dusk but also once mid day when we were traveling across the peninsula.
Our son and his partner, Kay, (from California) were here for the week and our 13 year old grandson, Daniel. Both boys brought their guitars so we had quite a lot of impromptu music on the porch. We hiked along the beach at Cave Point, swam in Clark Lake, miniature golfed at Pirate’s Cove (I got four holes-in-one!), saw the movie, Dark Knight, at the drive-in, did the 10 mile bike ride through Peninsula Park, and took our grandson to “Fishing for the Moon” at the American Folklore Theater. We ate at Trios the first night and had a few other memorable meals at the Summer Kitchen and the Gibralter Grill. Plus John and Kay cooked several gourmet meals since both of them are vegetarians and really like to cook. The weather was pretty darned perfect and we did manage to have a beach fire on Thursday evening to roast marshmallows. We watched a swarm of Mayflies? come out at dusk, go crazy for about 1/2 hour then disappear. Very interesting to watch.
I did want to mention that the first night there were storms south of us and around 11:00 p.m. all the power went out in the house. After waiting about an hour I became somewhat concerned because we had just loaded up the freezer with goodies for the week. We did find the flashlights you had left around the house and were looking up the number to call about a power outage when all the lights came back on. Great timing! It might be good to include the phone number of who to call in that kind of emergency. I assume we could have let this go all night but we were anxious about the refrigerator and weren’t sure if we were supposed to call someone or just wait it out. Your neighbors were also without power. I assume this happens fairly frequently in Door County. We currently live in the country (5 miles outside of Stevens Point) and we do lose our power on a regular basis although usually for just an hour os so. Anyhow, everything went very smoothly. You folks thought of everything, even down to the dishwashing soap, paper towels, and toilet paper. Much appreciated.
Thank you for letting us use your little spot of heaven. We do love Lake Michigan and the area–and if it rains, hey, it’s shopping weather. I found a really sturdy, small table to put on our back porch from an Antique Sale up near Ellison Bay for $25. Quite the deal. We didn’t use the phone at all (we all had cell phones) but we can wait for the security deposit. No big deal.
Diane D.
Stevens Point, WI
July 7, 2008Dear Carolyn & John,
Thank you for giving us the opportunity to visit Killasonna. We had a great vacation. Your lodge was very nice and the view of Lake Michigan was amazing. It was so peaceful and serene. Thank you also for the survival guide. We did almost all of the tips you sent in the survival guide. My daughter celebrated her 8th birthday. She said it was her best birthday ever. We visited The Dairy store, dipped candles at Candleworks, went to the Egg Harbor Family Fun Park, ate dinner at PC Junction (great place for kids), and finished the night off with an outdoor movie at Skyway Drive Inn. You were right about Not Licked Yet, the custard was tasty. Door County has a lot of great attractions, but I have to say just relaxing at the lodge was my favorite part of our vacation. It was very private and a great family vacation for all. We also got some rays at the nearby beaches. Whitefish Dunes was my favorite with a great sandy beach. My kids would play in the sand forever. My parents also came along and enjoyed the wineries and the farmers markets. None of us wanted our vacation at Killasonna to end. We definitely would like to visit again in the future. Thank you. Betty & Brian T. and Lynn & Bill D. Madison, WI
July 19, 2007Dear John & Carolyn: We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at your “cabin” in Jacksonport. For me, it was a joy to inspect the various construction/finish details of your place as that is what makes it so much nicer and more interesting than a lot of the properties available in the Door County area. Nice job on the doors, by the way. The knotty pine floor to ceiling makes it feel like a cabin and even with the vaulted ceiling in the family room, it had a very cozy feel to it. Lack of AC was never an issue on the lake with the windows open. And you cannot beat the constant sound of the waves breaking. The friendly neighbor dog visited us a couple times but other than that, we hardly knew you do have neighbors. The construction next door was never an issue for us as it never seemed that loud and we were out and about in Door County anyway during the daytime for the most part. We also found the kitchen to be well equipped, as we did make dinner most evenings (a necessity for our sanity with four girls, seven and 19 months old) Our oldest daughter was a bit concerned when we arrived and she discovered that there was no TV, but it was never a problem as she, like some of your other guests have found, was easily kept entertained with games and puzzles. We did not miss the TV at all, just picked up a couple papers in Jacksonport to check the weather forecast to plan our activities. We also visited Plum Loco, the animal farm located just west of Jacksonport about 3 miles I believe. We went there twice as the girls all really enjoyed the place and we were impressed with the way it was run and the owners were very nice. The craft shop in Jacksonport is run by a very nice lady and we found that she is the local source for chamber brochures etc. (you may have mentioned that). She also had hand-made dresses for American Girl dolls, a big hit with our oldest. In case nobody told you, they just repaved Cape Point Drive from just south of your place on into Jacksonport. It was a little bit of a mess while we were there but it’s certainly nice now. Thank you again for making your vacation home available to us. We will most definitely look to visit again in the future and see what we missed this time around. P.S. Thank you very much for the quick return of our deposit.
Sincerely, Rick, Sarah, Sophie, Alexandra, Isabella & Julia
Naperville, IL
May 29, 2007Dear John,
We have returned from our long weekend at Killasonna Lodge and just wanted to tell you that we thoroughly enjoyed our stay. The house has so much character, it is absolutely charming. And we had everything we could possibly need, you and Carolyn have done a great job outfitting the place with everything one might want to make it feel like a “home away from home.” My husband and our (almost 2 year old) daughter enjoyed waking up every morning to walk down to the lake and throw rocks into it, an activity that provided endless enjoyment to her. We explored much of Door County and determined that in fact we had chosen the best place to stay, a quiet retreat after the activities of the day. Thanks so much for sharing Killasonna Lodge with us!
Shannon
October 21, 2006Dear John & Carolyn: We have intended to contact you for some time now to tell you how much our family enjoyed staying at your cabin this summer. We arrived at one of the hottest times of the year, mid-July, and were concerned that it would be uncomfortable without air conditioning. However, with the supply of fans in the house and the open windows to the lake front, it couldn’t have been nicer. Each time we’ve visited Door County, which is usually at least once a year, we’ve always stayed on the bay side. This was such a treat to be on the lake side and we explored many sights we had never gone to before. We spent one afternoon at WhitefishDunes State Park, had our meal delivered to us on a train at PC Junction, and just puttered around the area. Our ten year old was drawn back to the lake each evening to sit on a lawn chair with her feet dangling in the water or seeing how far out she could walk on the rocks before she lost her nerve. We loved listening to the waves come in at night and spent many an evening at “the ocean” (as our three year old son called it), just relaxing, studying the aquatic life, enjoying the fire pit with marshmallows and so on. I got up early one morning at sunrise and walked down to the waters edge to photograph the sunrise. It was breathtaking and very much worth getting up for. The accommodations you provided in your lodge were so comfortable and we’ve told so many of our friends and family how much we enjoyed ourselves. Thank you for helping our vacation be so enjoyable by opening your home away from home to us. I am sure we will one day be back. Take care and thank you… Dawn, Dan, Alicia & Avery (Madison, WI)
September 17, 2006Hi John,
We really enjoyed our trip and stay at your lodge. We were all extremely impressed by the cleanliness and facilities of the house. It was nice having the lake so close and even though there was not much sand, there was enough to keep the 3 year old amused for hours building sand castles. We had fires and roasted marshmallows almost every night. We especially liked the hammock although we didn’t see it until later in the week. It worked well to put the little ones to sleep. We even worked on one of the 1000 piece puzzles in the house and even stayed a couple of hours longer than we intended just to finish it. Thank you for the return of our full deposit and I will certainly keep your email for another time or friends that might want the same trip. My wife and I might come up to Door County again for a weekend in a few weeks but there will only be the two of us. Do you have a smaller unit that might be available or can recommend something economical?
Thank you, Mike D.
(Beaver Dam, WI)
August 19, 2006john & carolyn.Thank you for opening your beautiful home to us. It is such a peaceful place and a gorgeous view. I particularly loved the detail in the carpentry and electric fixtures. It was also great that the firewood was included. I hope we didn’t burn too much. We also want to thank you for the quick return of our security deposit. We hope to be in touch again as we may rent your home again next year.
Mark and Sharon (Oak Lawn, IL)
August 19, 2006John and Carolyn,
We had a wonderful week at Killasonna! Your home is beautiful and we really enjoyed exploring down by the lake and all over the peninsula. I think we managed to hit a number of highlights…watching the Perseid meteor shower on the beach at your house our first night, a fish boil at the Sandpiper, lunch at Al Johnsons with goats on the roof, exploring the shops in Fish Creek, biking all over Peninsula State Park, the drive-in (our 5 year old loved Cars), the beach and playground in Jacksonport, and just relaxing on the porch and on the rocks by the lake.
We saw some grouses/partridges on the porch one morning while we were eating breakfast. Don’t know if you’ve seen them there before or not.
Construction on the lot next door is underway. They’ve cleared some trees and put in the driveway – at least as far as the power lines. I think you’re now the 2nd driveway heading north on Cave Point after the S-curve sign. There was only one day of construction, and we managed to be away from the house for most of it. Hopefully they won’t begin in earnest ’til the weather cools. The people on the other side of that lot (Pat and Gene from Milwaukee) were also hoping that it’d remain quiet while the weather is good!
Thanks again and we hope we can get back to Killasonna for some R&R next summer!
Best regards,
Jennifer M. (Plymouth, MN)
July 9, 2006Dear Carolyn and John,
Our family had a wonderful visit to beautiful Killasonna. Our son, Joe built great fires on the beach and on the 4th of July we were able to watch the fireworks from Jacksonport and Bailey’s Harbor. We all appreciated the quiet and serenity of Killasonna, no TV and only an occasional visit from a neighboring dog or wild critter invaded our privacy. The accommodations were so comfortable with just the right amount of modern conveniences. Thanks for the tips such as Bley’s market (wonderful steaks) and Fred and Fuzzie’s (loved the margaritas). Granddaughter, Dorothy (almost two years old), thoroughly enjoyed the parks at Jacksonport and Bailey’s Harbor. She also had fun with her mom, Beth at PC Junction and the Dairy View Country Store. Joe and Margaret rode their bikes throughout the area, while we pursued a great trail in Whitefish Dunes. We are all looking forward to a return visit in 2007.
Thanks for everything.
Allan and Tanya B. (Chicago, IL)
July 5, 2005John and Carolyn,
In November 2004 Rick and I had viewed your home’s location and outside property. But, that visit did not do justice to walking inside of your home. My first thought was that I was not leaving the whole week! Your home and the lake setting were just fantastic. We cannot thank you enough for opening up your gorgeous house to us. For the past 17 years we have stayed at various places on the “other” side. I know that in an earlier e-mail Rick had stated that we own land on Cave Point Drive and we thought it would be fun to experience the “quiet” side this year and to get a feel for what it would be like once we build our house. Rick and I had arrived on Saturday afternoon, went down to the water and just enjoyed sitting there. Rick’s parents and our grandson joined us late Sunday afternoon and they were in awe of the house and its surroundings. Jacob, who is 11 and has vacationed with us the past 6 years, walked in and said that this is the best place we’ve stayed at. Speaking of Jacob, I was concerned that not having a TV would be a problem for him. Well, he was content taking walks along the shoreline, frolicking in the water, sitting on the deck (he did have his Gameboy) and learning a new card game. But, my father-in-law could not go without watching the news so he brought a small TV. He had trouble getting good reception; but enough so he could catch the 9:00 p.m. news! We had planned on having a fire on the shore to enjoy somores and one night it was cool enough for the fireplace; we just never got around to it. Spent a lot of time sitting and reading on the deck and just plain relaxing! We truly enjoyed our week’s vacation and we all agreed that we would like to spend it at Killasonna Lodge again next year. If you could pencil us in for June 24-July 1, and let us know when you begin your 2006 reservations.
Thank you, Sue G.
Plymouth, MN
July 4, 2005Dear John & Carolyn:
Sorry for the delayed reply regarding our stay at Killasonna Lodge. Conference calls, meetings, business travel, email… Reality set in far too quickly after our stay at your “cabin” in Door County.
We had an incredible time, which was made even more enjoyable because of the Lodge and its surroundings. We kayaked, flew kites, biked, played on the beach, and did plenty of hiking (including the great walk to Cave Point and Whitefish Dunes). We even discovered some new trails that will definitely be on our top ten list for the area.
With all the activity, your home helped to balance our time with some much needed relaxation. It merges so well with its environment, you feel you’re part of the landscape, whether sitting on the porch or contemplating the next adventure from inside.
We really appreciate your sharing your home with us and look forward to our next trip to Door County and Killasonna Lodge.
With gratitude,
Gayle & Mary W.
Springfield, MO
July 19, 2004Dear Carolyn and John,
We had such a lovely stay at Killasonna Lodge! The cabin is absolutely gorgeous-all of your careful planning has really paid off. My parents, who happen to be John and Carolyn as well, have property on Beaver Island (2 hours by ferry into Lake Michigan from Charlevoix) and have been fantasizing about the perfect cabin to build. I took note of all of the fantastic details in your place and cannot wait to tell them all about your home. The loft is magnificent and I love the monochromatic theme of the knotty pine (right?) throughout, on the floors, walls, cabinetry, exterior. We also loved the game table-is it antique? We appreciated your suggestions for things to do with kids and made it to The Farm, PC Junction (adorable-they delivered my daughter’s milk in a sippy cup on the train), and went on a dairy tour. We made it to the beach at Whitefish Dunes on three separate occasions and enjoyed s’mores on the beach on Sunday Evening. The park in downtown Jacksonport was also a huge hit with our five year old son. It was wonderful to get away from the city for a week and to enjoy peace and quiet, although we ate entirely too much ice cream! Thank you for a wonderful stay!
Sincerely,
Laura Z.
Chicago, Illinois
July 6, 2004Dear Carolyn and John:
I just wanted to let you know that my family had a wonderful time at Killasonna. The weather couldn’t have been better (high 70’s), no rain and even the cool/cold breezes that come in off the lake rarely made it around Cave Point Park. The temp. difference between Cave Point and Killasonna were between 8 and 12 degrees. We spent quite a bit of time at Clark Lake just floating around on our tubes, and the kids enjoyed playing with Mrs. Krueger’s two grand kids, Emily and Trevor. We took you up on both the fire pit (4 nights) and the hearth (2 nights). My wife and I enjoyed our 15th celebration at Mr. G’s where we saw “My Way”, which was really excellent. We rented a couple of bikes at Peninsula State Park (brought 3 of our Mtn. bikes) and did the whole circuit plus a picnic. The rest of the time we were either shopping, touring or reading out on the stones.
We really enjoyed our stay. My wife said it was the best vacation everbut, the real test was the kids. I asked them where there would ratherstay, Clark Lake or Killasonna. It was unanimous, Killasonna!
Hopefully we can schedule another trip in either this fall or next summer.Sports have a way of dictating our schedules these days.
Thanks for all our advice and the use of your beautiful lodge.
Michael M..
Reedsburg, Wisconsin
K I L L A S O N N A L O D G E
Jacksonport, Wisconsin
John & Carolyn Brzezinski, Proprietors
For information, please call 1-224-223-9331 (10:00AM – 10:00PM)
or email: Killasonna Lodge