Places to Stay : Washington Island

Findlay's Holiday Inn
Detroit Harbor
Washington Island
1-800-522-5469


Take a 7 mile ferry boat ride to Washington island and stay the night - or a few! Washington Island is a special place - it is quiet, restful, peaceful and a respite from the grind of work, and a different kind of Door County! And while you're there, check out Findlay's Holiday Inn! Click through to their website (www.holidayinn.net ) to learn all about Findlay's, and also all about Washington Island - they have a link to a very nice "virtual tour" of the island with great island information about its harbors, beaches, history activities and more!

We spoke with Jim Findlay, the owner of Findlay's Holiday Inn, who ahs owned the inn along with his wife Kathleen since about 1978! This is a "mom and pop" business, in Jim's won words, as both he and Kathleen are very active owners of the inn, cooking, cleaning and managing the business along with additional help of courses! And, oh, this has nothing to do with the chain of hotels called the "Holiday Inn" that we might all be familiar with Ð this one is all Findlay's!

"Guests keep coming back," Jim said when we asked him about his unique view of the place, and he said, "we serve the best breakfast on the island - maybe in all of Door County!" Wee, he may be right, since National Geographic Explorer once visited and did say it was the best breakfast in Door County!

There are two main lodging buildings, "Findlay's Holiday Inn" and "Holiday Too!" Holiday Too dates back to the early 1900's and houses 8 rooms. This part of the inn was home to many different businesses including a store in the old days, a tavern, post office and amusement hall. It's very woodsy, with old barn wood and timbers everywhere!

Findlay's, also with 8 rooms, was built in 1989 or so, replacing the original inn built in 1895, which burned down in October 1988. Here, each room has a very nice lake view, private bath, TV, air and many amenities! Both of the buildings have a common area - like a living room - where guests can gather and talk.

The restaurant, perhaps the largest on the island, boasts fresh white fish, caught in the lake daily, and fresh yellow perch, which on Tuesdays and Friday nights are part of the "all you can eat" bash! They make fresh breads and soups, and jams like strawberry, raspberry and cherry - from island fruit! They also serve lots more for diners, including prime rib, and have "Ethnic Nights" where they feature German, Mexican, Scandinavian and other fare! In peak season, they have live entertainment most of the evenings.

You can have a lot of fun on Washington Island - charter a fishing boat, just walk nature trails and Island museums, or just do nothing! It is truly an experience that is unique to Door County and most of the Midwest! Enjoy, have fun and give Jim a call for reservations at Findlay's Holiday Inn! Jim's says, "Come as a guest, return as a friend!" And we think he really means it.  And tell them, please, that DoorCountyNavigator.com sent you!

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