Places to Stay : Fish Creek

Parkwood Lodge
3775 Hwy. 42, P.O. Box 796
Fish Creek WI 54212
920/868-2046, 800/433-7592

In Spring 2008, Denise and Greg Stillman purchased the Beowulf Lodge, and have changed the name now to Parkwood Lodge. They plan many renovations to the property, and are open all year - no interruption!

Parkwood Lodge welcomes families and other travelers to stay in one of 60 rooms on 10 acres. Beowulf, named for the old English heroic epic poem, lies just 1.2 miles north of downtown Fish Creek (and just south of County Road. A).

“But if feels like an eternity out here. People keep coming here. It seems like you are away,” says Tiffany Porter, who has worked at Beowulf for more than five years. 

Your first stop should be the office for check-in. This is also the place where you can get a complimentary cup of coffee in the morning (12-cup coffeemakers and a small package of Door County brand coffee are also included in each room).

If you need to go online during your vacation, the computer in the office gives people over age 18 access. Also, a cable, suitable for laptop computers, can be used in the office area.

Game room, pool, whirlpool

The office adjoins a game room with pinball and other things to do.  Nearby are women’s and men’s locker areas with restrooms.

The game room leads to an indoor pool and whirlpool area.  There are lots of places to lie around—at poolside, on the outdoor patio or on the huge sun deck outside. The wood walls and ceilings give the pool area a rustic feel.  It’s all part of the warm and cozy feeling you’ll get at Beowulf.

“We don’t change much. We like the rustic feel. It relaxes you,” Tiffany says.

Rooms and suites

Of course, a great way to relax is in your room. You can choose from one of 51 rooms or 9 suites. They are located in five brown cedar buildings on the lovely landscaped property.   Each building has a different name—think trees.

We liked the Cedar building the best. This is the only one story building at the resort, and it houses just eight suites. All have wood burning fireplaces.

The outdoor entryway made us feel as though we were going into a private townhouse—you enter a suite on one side of a paved walkway or another.

The suites here were painted and re-carpeted in 2005 (Aspen building was enhanced in 2006). The Parkwood staff updates a different area of the 20-year-old resort each year.

We saw a deluxe one bedroom suite. It has a private bedroom with a queen-size bed. Also included in this suite is a living area with a wood burning stove and sofa sleeper and a fully equipped kitchen.

Another choice at Beowulf is the deluxe one bedroom family suite—the biggest option on the property. We saw one inside the Birch building.  It has a private bedroom with a king-size bed (can be converted to two twins), as well as a queen bed in the living area.

“I recommend this room to a lot of people—especially two adults and two kids. If they are going to be here a while, you have a full kitchen,” Tiffany says.

Another option is a one room king suite. It is a spacious room with a king-size bed, and a sofa (not sofa sleeper). The view of trees and gardens from the rooms is lovely.

“I highly recommend these rooms. You have a sofa, so you can sit there and watch TV and not have to prop yourself up in bed,” Tiffany says of the one room king suites.

Another option at Beowulf is a deluxe lodge room, which has two queen-size beds for travelers as well as a small kitchen—refrigerator, microwave.

Private baths

All accommodations have private baths. Most of the rooms have what the staff call “split bath.” This means the sink is separate from the enclosed bathroom with tub/shower. So one person can be getting ready in front of the mirror above the sink, while the other is in the shower—you get the idea.

All rooms have cable TVs (some also include DVD/VCR).  Other room styles available are called standard lodge rooms, kitchenette rooms and one bedroom suite.

There are lots of choices – so if you are getting confused, please don’t fret.  Tiffany is very patient and friendly, and she or another staffer will explain room features during your reservation phone call.   Of course, all the rooms have access to lovely grounds, dotted with picnic tables, charcoal grills, a playground for kids and two tennis courts.

Nearby attractions

You can even walk to nearby restaurants (but be aware: the trails are not lit at night). 

Parkwood is located just across the street from Peninsula State Park, home to hiking trails, golfing, American Folklore Theater and more. Families often choose Beowulf for annual reunions, according to Tiffany.

“We have a nice family atmosphere. We don’t take ourselves too seriously,” she says.

Chuck, a resident of Fish Creek, comes to Parkwood when his extended family is in town. “It’s a casual place and they are nice people,” he says.

We agree.  If you are looking for a nice place to bring the family, we think you may be a hero (remember, the poem?) choosing Parkwood.  And please tell Tiffany and the staff that DoorCountyNavigator.com sent you.

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