Places to Stay : Baileys Harbor

Orphan Annie's Schoolhouse Inn
8097 School St
Baileys Harbor
920-839-9156

Wow – this inn is for the books – literally! Yes, there really is an Annie, and yes, three generations of his family attended school . . . right in this building which was the town school from when it was built around 1917 until 1981! This is a classic, and really an interesting find on the “Quiet Side” (Lake Michigan side) of Door County.

We met with Annie and toured the many large and beautiful themed rooms in this building. She and Loren have done an outstanding job in renovating and transforming the building into an inn, which has been opened since 1995. And most of the rooms have their own private entrance from outside. We love their tagline: "Where you can sleep in class."  So true!

So listen up class, the school bell has rung, and Orphan Annie’s Schoolhouse Inn is in session! Here are some notes you can study!

The Inn
We toured the entire 7 suites of the inn, with Annie as our host and guide. In general, these rooms are huge, well decorated, bright, airy and fun! We will try to capture the essence of the Inn here, but there are just so many nice touches throughout the inn, it will take you hours to just take them all in and enjoy!

The Homestead – Farmhouse Theme
This large corner room has a farmhouse theme, and comes complete with quilt-covered king bed that can be split into 2 twins (nice option). A small sink, refrigerator, loveseat and sleeper sofa sit atop original wood floor. Wood ceilings, primitive wood benches, a small farm house kitchen table and TV/VCR are all bathed in the sunlight flowing through the 5 large windows lining one wall, and the 3 more on the other that let all the natural light spill into this roomy offering. It’s airy, open, comfortable and pleasant all around! Two-ceiling fans add to the ambiance. The bath is private, and has a pedestal sink and full shower. And, you can step outside to a private deck for a nice spring, summer or fall day respite.

Tourist Room – 1950’s Theme
Right away, you see the bed covered in a green/brown/blue/coral colored quilt which whispers 1950’s! This room also has a loveseat, couch, and a wonderful twig floor lamp, a table and chairs (very ‘50s), TV, ceiling fan with palm blades (thoughtful touch), and 8 bright windows again letting in all the natural light you can need. The bath has a shower unit and pedestal sink.

Upper Deck – Beach House Theme
Well, it’s called the Upper Deck because it has a private deck that is raised. A blue plaid loveseat and matching easy chairs, antique cushioned rocker, themed lamps with shades adorned with lighthouses and birds, additional accents like a wood sign that warns: “Swim at your own risk,” a beach ball and other niceties complete the theme of this well-orchestrated room. A small wet bar sink, coffee maker and other amenities complete the room. This room sleeps a maximum of two – it is a mansion for two people!

Library Room – an ADA Compliant Room
Well, there is a very good reason Annie has dubbed this the Library Room – this carpeted room actually WAS the town library until 1995! This room is so well done, it is difficult to describe. A double 4-poster bed plus one single bed make this a spacious offering for a small family. With a bookshelf (get it?!) used as a divider in the center of the room, a huge painted (library style) painted table with a birdhouse, lamps and sunflowers atop it, an eating table with 4 chairs, a large seating area with floral couch and 2 coordinating cushy chairs, TV and sliding glass doors that lead to the deck – this is one wonderful place to stay! There are so many details and decorative accents to the room that just unify it and make it one – this is so difficult to achieve but Annie and Loren have done it. For example, take a look above the doorways – Annie has stenciled a bookshelf complete with a variety of books – so well done and so in with the theme.

Garden Room – Greenery and Floral Theme
A butcher block table accents the kitchen area, while a double bed with a wooden frame awaits you after a busy Door County day. A bookshelf separates the bed area from the seating area, and it is stocked full of books, games, cards and decorative pieces. You can just see yourself pulling down one of the games on a stormy night and having a good time. Two couches, wicker and green chairs, glider rocker, a round dining table with 4 cushioned wooden chairs, and old-fashioned iron stove (“A Modern Glenwood”), microwave and sink make this room comfortable - whatever part you’re in. Floral accents, green plaids and other garden items grace the entire room. Well done! A sliding glass door leads to a pergola deck with a suspended 2-seater swing, and a table and chairs – all overlooking (what else?) the garden rich with sunflowers and more.

Sunnyside Suite – Sun is the theme!
Slightly below ground, with 3 windows on the upper part of the walls, the Sunnyside Suite offers a lot. Enter, descend some steps, and this is like a small apartment! A full kitchen with eating counter, one bedroom and a pull down Murphy bed, sleeper sofa, glider rocker, bookshelves with books and games, a white wicker chest for a coffee table and plenty of space make this “room” special. The bedroom has a queen bed – but forget about some standard headboard. This one is a lattice headboard topped with intertwining vines and miniature white lights – unique, original and so very inviting. The large bathroom has a lighthouse scene, and a picket fence painted wall. Full shower.

Northern Lights – Adirondack Theme
This 3 bedroom suite will give you some genuine “northern exposure,” and is perfect for families. As you enter from outside, you walk into an entry hall where an antique school desk warms your welcome. The main bedroom has a queen bed with floral quilts, and another unique picket fence headboard (with lights)! Off the main bedroom is a small room with a with a green lattice headboard topped with hanging wisteria flowers and white lights.

The third bedroom, behind sliding pocket doors, has a daybed/trundle bed combination, with a distressed green picket fence headboard – this is awesome! Annie and Loren are a great team – Annie thinks up things like the headboards, and Loren is well skilled to make them! The main room has a full kitchen, a Navajo-pattern couch, and 9 windows! The large bathroom has a door leading to the small bedroom, and one to the hall.

Conclusion
There isn’t enough room to right all that you would want to write about this special inn. You can walk to many of the town offerings from the inn as well. Coincidentally, lots of school teachers find Orphan Annie’s Schoolhouse Inn to be inviting and interesting, and so they stay here! There is no other inn quite like this one in Door County – with the rich history of the building itself, the first-class way Annie and Loren have decorated the place and its quiet location. Your first assignment is to check out Orphan Annie’s Schoolhouse Inn right now! There will be no excuses for turning in your assignment late! Enjoy!

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