Looking North - Great views from screen porch, living room, kitchen & bedrooms
Location: Sister Bay, Door County, Northeast, Wisconsin, USA (Lake side, 5 miles east of Sister Bay)
Accommodations: House, 5 Bedrooms + Detached Unit, 3.5 Baths (Sleeps 12)
Keywords: House
Thank you for looking at Craignair, our family's vacation home. Due to the limited amount of time that we rent, and the fact that our previous renters have chosen to return, we only have two summer weeks available in 2012.
June 17th to June 24th -or- August 24th to August 31
Great way to start or end the summer and at a reduced rate!
Our fall calendar has one week available after September 16th - make your reservations soon as we are usually booked by the end of February.
Craignair, a beautiful century old home on 450 feet of private Lake Michigan shorefront, was featured on the pages of Better Homes and Gardens in 1955. It has been lovingly cared for by our family for 64 years. Located on a secluded lane, in a tucked away corner of Northern Door County, it is perfect for quiet get-a-ways, yet 10 minutes away from busy Sister Bay by car.
The main house is steps away from the water and boasts a warm cheery atmosphere. The living room is resplendent in knotty pine, balanced by a significant fieldstone fireplace. The room is highlighted by an inspiring panoramic lake view. The attached sun porch welcomes cool lake breezes, is generously proportioned with vaulted ceiling and has views in 3 directions. The dine-in kitchen with vaulted ceiling makes cooking for a crew a snap, while a gorgeous lake view takes the mind off the task. The dining room seats 12 at two tables and contains a dry bar with small fridge. A ¾ bath with shower is off the living room.
The three downstairs bedrooms feature airy cathedral ceilings and yet more fantastic water views through picture windows. The green room has 2 full size beds, the red room and white room have one each. A full bath with shower/tub, is located between these rooms.
Upstairs, the yellow room has a private entrance to a full width lake view balcony and a full size bed. The blue room has two twin beds. A half bath services these rooms.
A complete coach house apartment above a newer detached garage offers privacy, while still being close to the action. There is one double and one twin bed built into the living room walls and a bunk room that can fit four as well. A small kitchen and ¾ bath make this unit self sustaining. The lake view and fireplace make for a comfortable, relaxing stay.
The spacious yard is fronted by a very private rocky beach and shallow waters. A 20 x 28 foot lake front deck with gazebo, is an entertaining centerpiece great for sunning and funning! A propane and Charcoal grill and 2 picnic tables make outdoor feasting an easy possibility. Perhaps a strenuous game of volleyball or shooting hoops is your desire or maybe reading in a shaded hammock. No matter your degree of output, there is something here at Craignair to interest you! A wooden swing set is offered for the younger set.
The house is 5 minutes by car from a boat launch and close to Northern Door County attractions and restaurants.
For more photos and information search us on Facebook, Craignair - a state of mind.
Vacation Rental Features
- Amenities
- Washer
- Dryer
- Off Street Parking
- Parking for RV/Boat/Trailer
- Wood Fireplace (2)
- Beds
- Double Bed (6)
- Twin/Single Bed (3)
- Bunk Bed (2)
- Crib
- Entertainment
- Cable/Satellite TV (2)
- DVD
- VCR
- Video Library
- CD Player
- Stereo System
- Kitchen
- Full Kitchen
- Cooking Utensils Provided
- Refrigerator (2)
- Microwave
- Outdoor Features
- Gas/Electric BBQ Grill
- Charcoal BBQ Grill
- Deck/Patio
- Balcony
- Gazebo
- View/Location
- Lakefront : Beautiful rocky shore
- Communications
- Telephone
- Other Amenities
- Screened porch, dry bar w/small fridge
- Suitability
- Pet Friendly
- Kid Friendly : The garage apartment is perfect for teens and young adults.
- Smoking Not Allowed
- Activities
- Golf
- Tennis
- Shopping
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Boating
- Waterskiing
- Jet Skiing
- Swimming
- Windsurfing
- Biking
- Mountain Biking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Fishing
- Hunting
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Basketball Court
- Antiquing
- Live Theatre
- Horseshoes
- Miniature golf
- Horseback Riding
- Theme Park (Amusement Park)
- Cinemas/Movie Theaters
- Museums
- Rafting
- Shelling
- Hiking
- Restaurants
Rate Details (In US Dollars)
Summer: $2,500 + tax / Fall (after Labor Day) $1,500 + tax
Inquiries via email only - thank you. We do not supply towels or linens
Tax is 11% charged with each rental.
$500 Security Deposit - Fully refundable when terms are met.
2012 Specials June 17 to June 24 -or- August 24 to August 31 --- $2,000.00 + tax.
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
Owner's Profile
Owner Description
Year Purchased: 1948
We four brothers (Ross, Bill, Ames & Jamie) are fortunate to be the third generation entrusted to care for this beautiful and unique place in the world. Like our mother and her father before that, we don’t look at ourselves as owners as much as custodians, protecting and caring for Craignair until it is time for our children to take our place. We were tight as kids and the guardianship responsibilities have strengthened our ability to work together and stay close as adults. We each contribute in our own way, finding joy in doing jobs here that would be drudgery at home. We have truly been blessed.
Why the Owner Chose Sister Bay
We have spent our entire lives summering at this wonderful site so it could be said it was more heritage than a conscious choice. The story below tells better than we can how our Grandfather discovered and chose to renovate this piece of paradise.
Excerpts from October 1955 Better Homes & Gardens article entitled “From shanty to showplace”
It was a late summer afternoon. Ames Ross had gone walking along the shoreline of Lake Michigan in northern Wisconsin. He was thinking of the site of a future home for his family. The warm sun reflected on the beach and back from the beach was a growth of brush and grass and evergreens.
Then, his reveries were interrupted. A rusted iron pump and a shabby farmhouse stood just up a slight grade from the beach. The windows were boarded up. Inside he was met by cobwebs and dust and emptiness. It was hardly a homey impression.
But Ames Ross is an architect and could see things other people might miss. First he took in the condition of the house-foundation, framing and roof. To his great surprise all these important parts were in good shape. The house was small. Its first floor was broken into four tight cubicles-all inadequate as separate rooms. Upstairs there were two bedrooms. When remodeling was completed the 4 small rooms had been opened to become a single large living room. A new wing was added off the living room for the kitchen, dining area and downstairs bathroom.
An old shed was joined to the house by a small porch. The shed was remodeled into 2 first floor bedrooms. A large screened porch completed the first additions. Two years later, the family added a guest room and bath.
The Unique Benefits of this House
Part of the reason Door County is so popular is because it offers a wide range of vacation opportunities. The trick is to find a situation that meets your needs & desires.
If you are looking for the hustle and bustle of downtown or new construction or a place to be near your docked boat, Craignair is not right for you. VRBO offers many choices that will better fit your requirements.
If your vision of an ideal vacation includes peace & solitude at a spacious, century old lakefront estate, while a short car ride away from Door County's shopping, entertainment and restaurants, you have found the right place. Welcome to Craignair!
Property Photos
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- Looking North - Great views from screen porch, living room, kitchen & bedrooms - Door County House Rental
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- - Door County House Rental
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- Looking south from living room - screened porch. - Door County House Rental
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- Main house living room w/ fieldstone fireplace and terrific views of the Lake
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- Main house living room - East view of Lake Michigan
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- Kitchen - main house looking west.
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- Kitchen - looking east at lake.
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- Dining room
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- "White room" with awesome lake views. 1st floor main house.
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- Red room - imagine waking up to this view! Outside door - sm patio with 2 chairs
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- Green room (master) looking east. 1st fl main house.
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- Yellow room - 2nd fl main house.
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- Floor plan of main house showing 1st & 2nd floors. Lake side is along the bottom
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- Photo taken from a helicopter in 1988. You can see how private the area is.
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- The views are absolutely magnificant. The view from here is truly panoramic.
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- Garage apt - that is the twin bed looking east at the lake. Very relaxing.
Traveler Reviews (3)
Family vacation getaway
Guest: Ellen
(Overland Park KS)
Date of Stay: 07/18/10
Review Submitted: 07/26/10
My family and I just spent a week at Craignair and we couldn't have asked for better accomodations. It's quiet secluded location made us feel like we were the only people on the peninsula. Enjoying the beautiful view of the lake and listening to the water was a favorite past time. The house suited our large group perfectly. Everyone had a comfortable bed to sleep in with plenty of privacy. The dining room table sat 12 adults and 1 child allowing us to share lots of good conversations and plenty of laughs. And we couldn't believe all the outdoor amenities available to us. Between yard toss, bocce ball, croquet, volleyball, biking and hiking there was never a dull moment. We also enjoyed our time spent on the screened patio as well as the separate deck towards the shoreline. Thank you Ross for opening up your family vacation home to visitors. We truly enjoyed ourselves and would highly recommend Craignair to anyone vacationing in Door County.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
On Golden Pond
Guest: Anonymous
Date of Stay: 07/10/10
Review Submitted: 07/17/10
Three adult couples rented this great old house for a week of rest & relaxation. It was definitely the experience everyone wanted. There was plenty of room for us to spread out to our own separate places when desired. The view is magnificent! Because we were on the lake side (the quiet side) we had complete privacy, but were only an 8 minute car ride from town. But the best for us was that the water is shallow where we were, so we never saw a boat or jet ski. The house was set back from the road, so we experienced no car noise at all either. The only sounds were the water and the birds. We put in our classical cd's to play on the outside speakers, drank our wine, and were in heaven. I think the early morning was everyones favorite time of the day. We each had time alone on the deck that sits a little ways away from the house. I think we all got up earlier than we do at home to enjoy the morning time with coffee and the sunrise. My son-in-law enjoyed both the kayak, the row boat and one of those bikes in the garage. The house also was located in a good spot for runners. The guys each put in about 15 miles on and off during the week and never worried about traffic. The kitchen was stocked with all the utensils needed to cook with and allowed us to eat in when we were to lazy to leave. There were three refrigerators and a bar area to keep wine, beer, and water. The bathrooms were large enough for all of us and the large table in the dining room area allowed us all to have enough elbow room for dining and playing cards together. The owners, Ross & Jamie were both wonderful to work with. We had plenty of information ahead of time and knew what to expect. They both greeted us upon arrival and explained the workings of the home. They were helpful with restaurants and places of interest. We plan to return next summer.
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, people with disabilities, sightseeing, pet owners, adventure seekers, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
great lakeshore experience
Guest: Jude
(Shorewood, WI)
Date of Stay: 08/23/09
Review Submitted: 06/17/10
My husband and I invited our grown children and our grandchildren- plus family friends - for a week in this lovely lake house last August and are returning in June 2010. Our group in 09 consisted of 8 adults and 3 children. The house suited us perfectly - lots of space for both family and private time. The kitchen is modern, stocked with every dish or utensil needed to feed a big group. Beds are comfy and the bedrooms nicely decorated. Everyone enjoyed the kayaks, the bikes, and the week-long croquet tournament that was joined by all. The lake is gorgeous, the night sky was breathtaking, and the surrounding woods guarantee a peaceful stay. Dealing with the owners was totally pleasant and easy. The property is even lovelier than described on VRBO site. Clean, in great condition. There's lots to do in nearby towns, sightseeing and water sports of all kinds. I recommend renting a pontoon boat in Sister Bay and exploring the bay area. Also nearby miniature golf and go-carts. We are returning this year and hope to make this an annual tradition. We've rented quite a few vacation homes through VRBO: this one was the very best!
Recommended for:Romantic getaway, sightseeing, pet owners, girls getaway, age 55+, families with young children, families with teenagers.
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Vacation Rentals by Owner Listing #88279
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Date last modified - Wednesday, February 08, 2012
