Places to Stay : Baileys Harbor

Blacksmith Inn On the Shore
8152 Highway 57
P.O. Box 220
Baileys Harbor, WI 54202
920-839-9222
800-769-8619


The Blacksmith Inn On the Shore, located on the Lake Michigan side of the peninsula, is perhaps the state-of-the-art modern day B&B, whose owners, Joan and Bryan, have graciously blended the past with the present. Each room and common space abounds in enough artifacts, antiques and original construction to put us in-touch with that yesteryear period; you can almost hear horseshoes bending to the blacksmith’s hammer.

Yet in respectful harmony are the modern day fittings and architectural details that make a stay at the inn extra special. Every room at the inn has a water view, and a shared balcony. The view is exceptional – especially if you are an early riser and want to see sunrises! We toured each and every room and loved them all!

When you walk through the narrow double doors, you immediately get a feeling of the past, and a feeling that you are going to like this place! The warm common room, where breakfasts are put out each morning, is small and quaint. The exposed timbers (stovewood construction) in some of the walls are original. Each of the 7 rooms in the original house, are spectacular – meticulously decorated in period pieces, cozy quilts, throw rugs and more! One of the rooms on the main floor has the original barn doors gracing the southern wall!

The blacksmith shop looks pretty much how it did at the turn-of-the-century. The original house was a private residence for over 80 years, occupied by the Zahn’s – some of whom was actually born in the blacksmith shop!

The owners and innkeepers, Joan Holliday and Bryan Nelson (who have owned the inn since about 1996), have done a wonderful job of preserving the history, charm and elegance of the inn. In 2000, they added an entirely new building (but done in old-world charm) to the inn (The Harbor House), just to the north of the original Zahn house, which has 8 more spectacular rooms, each with a private balcony overlooking the bay! This building is gorgeous, and no detail was overlooked. From wide plank old growth pine floors throughout, to fireplaces, whirlpools, original Moses Eaton stenciling designs and comfortable in-floor radiant heat, this is one elegant place to stay. Check the wide plank floor boards: you will discover that replica rosehead nails have been used - awesome touch.

The Blacksmith Inn also offers The Orchard House right across the street from the inn. This house was in the early 1900’s and is available for a minimum of 3 or 4 night stays, and is also rentable by the week, and you can rent the first floor suite or the entire home. While we have not yet toured the house, it looks to be quite in keeping with the wonderful job that both Joan and Bryan have done on the Zahn House and Harbor House offerings of the Blacksmith Inn.

The Details
Rooms:

• 7 in the original Zahn house/blacksmith shop – Open all year
• 8 in the adjacent Harbor House building

Rates: Always check with the innkeepers for current rates, but this iwill serve as a guideline:

• Original House (Zahn House) and Harbor House (built in June 2000) range from $185 - $235 per night, but always check with the innkeeper for current rates.
• The Orchard House – check the Blacksmith Inn website

Restrictions:

• No pets
• The property is completely smoke-free.

Amenities:
All rooms have whirlpool, fireplace, private baths, water view, and refrigerator, TV/DVD, CD player. EXQUISITELY AND METICULOUSLY DECORATED - you will think so too! Kyaks, sunfish sailboats and bikes are available to guests at no charge.

Meals:
Continental breakfast in the common room included—guests free to breakfast in-room or on deck.

We think you will agree that this is a fabulous inn! Check out all of the details at The Blacksmith Inn On the Shore website right now! This is one of our favorite places in Door County

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