If you are looking to stay on the water and prefer to have an entire home for your family vacation, then the Cedar Beach House may be the place for you.

The spacious and sprawling two-story inn sits on Lake Michigan lakeshore in Baileys Harbor.  There are wonderful water views from most of the rooms.

Walk a few feet out the back door, and enjoy the yard and sandy beach as well as a patio and charcoal grill.   You are also just down the block from Baileys Harbor attractions—the Marina, shops, restaurants and the town hall and park.

Back at Cedar Beach House, you have a variety of accommodations to enjoy.  There are four suites—each decorated and furnished in a different way. The owners, Ray and Mary Spangler, said the inn is a popular choice by people hosting family reunions.  Indeed, with 1,188 square feet on the lower level and 744 square feet on the second floor, people can spread out and have their own private areas to enjoy as well as common areas indoors and outs to gather together.

This is a charming (with white exterior, black shutters and white picket fence) with a portion of it built in 1911; the owners say a restoration and updates throughout the structure were made in 1992.

Accommodations: Lots of Choices!

(Note: the house can be reserved in its entirety and two of the suites—the Carousel Suite and/or the Patio Suite—can be reserved on their own)

The first floor entryway leads you into a formal dining room and fully equipped (including a dishwasher and microwave) kitchen. We took note of the lovely European and Asian antiques in the inn. The dining room’s side buffet and large wall mirror are special and among the first two pieces you will see.

On the lower level is the Porch Suite. It has two bedrooms with queen-size beds, two bathrooms and a long enclosed sunroom with pretty views of the water.

Head up the staircase to find the Whirlpool Suite.  It has a bedroom decorated with lovely antiques.  The suite also includes a great room with a large screen TV and gas fireplace. The leather sofa here is a sleeper kind.

The bathroom, as you may have guessed by the name of this suite, has a whirlpool tub (Jacuzzi brand) as well as a shower.

We adored the Carousel Suite, named for a rocking carousel rabbit that was handcarved by the inn’s owner.  This suite has a bedroom with a full-size bed tucked sweetly under the window. And we can imagine hearing waves putting you to sleep at night.

Also, available in this suite is a living area with TV, a dining area and a fully equipped kitchen.   The Carousel Suite has its own entry separate from the front door, making it possible for it to be rented on its own.

Back downstairs, people can also rent the Patio Suite on an ala carte basis (without the full house).  It has two bedrooms, and we admired the French antique bed in one of them as well as the petite vanity.   The intimate bathroom has a unique shape. The vessel sink and other finishes really doll it up.

Tips for enjoying Door County

The owners, who make bikes available to their guests, advise seeing Door County on two wheels.  “Stay close to the shore and visualize everything,” Ray said.

He also recommends the Cedar Beach Inn to people looking for something unique.  “We are one of the few whole house rentals.  You can come as a family and put your stuff all over. You have the whole house to yourself, and it is on the water,” he said.

We agree. This is a nice place for a family reunion under one roof. And keep in mind the Carousel Suite and Patio Suite –if you just want to try a portion of the Cedar Beach Inn for now.

Features at a glance:

• Whole house rental: four suites and common areas
• In town, Lake Michigan shoreline location
• Also available to reserve separately: Carousel Suite and Patio Suite
• Digital satellite HDTV
• Whirlpool, fireplace
• Two fully equipped kitchens
• Two laundry facilities
• Air conditioning (except for Patio Suite)
• Wet bar
• Sunroom and two balconies overlooking water
• Walk-to-town location
• Bikes
• Patio
• Charcoal grill

No we know you will love this place.  You will find it like we described from our in-person tour, so when you book it, please do us a favor too and tell them that DoorCountyNavigator.com sent you to their beach at Cedar Beach House!