Entire home

THE ESSENCE of DOOR COUNTY, spacious & beautiful, and surrounded by gardens.

Photo gallery for THE ESSENCE of DOOR COUNTY, spacious & beautiful, and surrounded by gardens.

A house with a covered entrance, a white gate, and a garden with various plants.
A living room with a red armchair, a coffee table with books, a vase with flowers, and a dining area in the background.
A kitchen with a white sink, a window with a view of trees, and a red wall.
A patio with a table and chairs, surrounded by potted plants and a barbecue grill.
A white house with a garden featuring flowering plants and a lawn.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
Located on the lake, this vacation home features 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom, accommodating 6 guests. Enjoy activities like waterskiing, swimming, and hiking nearby. The outdoor areas include a deck, patio, and yard. Additionally, you can explore the Bay Ridge Golf Course and Francis Hardy Gallery in the area.

Highlights

  • Room to spread out
    Enjoy spacious layout that give everyone more room to relax.
  • Beach equipment
    A rare find — beach equipment ready to go for your days by the sea.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Close to Lake Michigan
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Barbecue grill
  • Fenced yard

Explore the area

View in a map
Ephraim, WI
  • Place, Eagle Harbor
    ‪1 min drive‬
  • Place, Francis Hardy Gallery
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Sister Bay Beach
    ‪5 min drive‬

Where you'll sleep

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom

2 Queen Beds

Downstairs living room

1 Double Futon

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

First Floor powder rm

Toilet

Upstairs bathroom

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

THE ESSENCE of DOOR COUNTY, spacious & beautiful, and surrounded by gardens.

"Plum Retreat" is a private, and cozy-and-yet-very-spacious portion of an adorable cottage hiding behind an ornate garden gate, and sleeps 2-5 guests over two levels. The property is part of the picturesque "Green Gables" property in the north part of Ephraim, and is within easy walking distance to galleries, shops, mini-golf, breakfast and pizza, and a short drive from Ephraim village and the water. Green Gables itself has the flavor of a romantic bygone Americana era, and boasts beautiful gardens and is adjacent to a much larger, exciting, and Smithsonian listed garden project, “The Secret Garden,” unique in Door County! The property is suitable for couples or families and at night it's dark and quiet for stargazing. The house oozes feel-good charm, with lots of windows and natural light, architectural details, and plenty of space indoors and out, to play and relax in. Outside there's a fantastic patio lounge area, and inside, a formal fireplace invites you to curl up on the sofa-bed (with an old record playing on the vintage stereo/record player)? Full kitchen, with oven, fridge, dishwasher, microwave, toaster etc. Upstairs there are two very large bedrooms (each with a king bed), and there's a true queen sofa-bed downstairs. All the bedding is non-allergenic. Wi-fi, a 49" TV with cable channels, Netflix and Amazon Prime in the living room, and a washer and dryer upstairs. The space works well for families, or just for a couple looking for a romantic or memorable Door County vacation. If this is booked, and your party is small, please consider VRBO listing #1656219, nearby. Thank you!
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:30 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 1658362
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

About the neighborhood

Ephraim

Located in Ephraim, this vacation home is in a rural area and on a lake. The Skyway Drive-In Theatre and Historic Noble House are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Peninsula State Park. Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf and Peg Egan Performing Arts Center are also worth visiting. Kayaking and scuba diving offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and hunting nearby.
Map
Ephraim, WI

What's nearby

  • Eagle Harbor - 1 min drive - 1.1 km
  • Francis Hardy Gallery - 3 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Sister Bay Beach - 5 min drive - 4.7 km
  • Sister Bay Marina - 5 min drive - 5.1 km
  • Peninsula State Park - 6 min drive - 4.7 km

Getting around

  • Green Bay Austin Straubel Intl. Airport (GRB) - 90 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant & Butik - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Wilson's Restaurant & Ice Cream Parlor - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Husby's Food & Spirits - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Wild Tomato - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪AC Tap - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is THE ESSENCE of DOOR COUNTY, spacious & beautiful, and surrounded by gardens. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at THE ESSENCE of DOOR COUNTY, spacious & beautiful, and surrounded by gardens.?

As of Oct 5, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at THE ESSENCE of DOOR COUNTY, spacious & beautiful, and surrounded by gardens. on Dec 6, 2026 start from $327, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at THE ESSENCE of DOOR COUNTY, spacious & beautiful, and surrounded by gardens.?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at THE ESSENCE of DOOR COUNTY, spacious & beautiful, and surrounded by gardens.?

Check-out is at 10:30 AM.

Where is THE ESSENCE of DOOR COUNTY, spacious & beautiful, and surrounded by gardens. located?

Situated on a lake, this vacation home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Eagle Harbor and Lake Michigan. Francis Hardy Gallery and Frykman Studio Gallery are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 82 out of 85 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 85 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 85 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 85 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 85 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The stay here was absolutely amazing!! The grounds are beautiful and Colin is a wonderful host!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Charming property with nice gardens. Very nice owner. Good proximity to a variety of things to do in Door County.Very quiet at night.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Such a charming place. The garden is beautiful and creates such a peaceful atmosphere. If you are looking for a quiet escape from downtown this is it! Highly recommend visiting!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was the first time we stayed at the larger unit at Green Gables. So spacious and cozy. We enjoyed the beautiful surrounding gardens and the relaxing and private patio. We love spending time in Door County and this VRBO combines the pleasure of vacation with the comfort of home.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was a wonderful place to stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very cute place to stay, even better than the pictures. House was clean, well organized, and very accommodating. Host had great communication and thought of everything. Highly recommend for a family getaway, girls weekend or a relaxing time away.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This property was beyond beautiful! We had a lovely stay. It was also the cleanest place I have ever stayed. The beds were so comfortable. We can’t wait to come back!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We came to door county for a wedding and brought our 15 month old with us. This property was very spacious for him to play and the grounds were absolutely breathtaking. The only thing I will note (was not a negative for us) is that all the bedrooms have sky lights without a shade. My son goes to bed before the sun goes down but it didn't bother him at all. I also love to wake up to the sun so it was perfect for me in that instance. However, if you are light sensitive you might want to use an eye mask. Overall we loved this property and the host was great at answering our questions, even brought over more coffee pods for us. I thought it was a drip coffee system so we brought ground coffee and it ended up being a keurig. We would love to come again and stay at this same location!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location, comfortable beds, spacious place and beautiful gardens. If morning light bothers you, bring a sleep mask as both bedrooms have skylights.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location extremely clean

2nd time we have been here . Great spot .
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Place

Collin was great!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Plum Retreat is so cozy and comfortable, we felt right at home. The house is very clean and the owner thought of everything! It was just perfect for us 4 friends. Thank you
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing stay in Door County

The Plum is a wonderful place to stay with great features. We celebrated a birthday and had more than enough room for family and friends.. Colin took amazing care of us and we loved everything about our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on Aug 15, 2020
Thanks, Jim. I’m so glad you enjoyed your time. Please consider revisiting next year/ I’m really excited about the garden development that just got underway!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect place

Beautiful retreat! Owner was super available with any questions. Perfect location - outdoor space is beautiful. Highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Girls getaway

Very spacious! Nice location! Quiet and zen, nice outdoor space.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Girls/ Birthday Weekend

Cozy, quaint, relaxing. 4days of eating at great restaurants, beautiful sights. The kitchen had everything needed, fireplace was wonderful to end our day. Beds were comfortable and beautiful grounds.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Plum Cottage, Door County

Wonderful place to stay. The patio and gardens are very pleasant, and being expanded (so we'll need to return). Felt like I was in a spacious manor, yet had all the modern conveniences. Ultimately, this is a place to decompress + venture out into Door County.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxation

Had a great fun time catching up with each other, shopping and eating tasty food!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place!

Plum Retreat was a great place to stay. Clean, welcoming, full of amenities and comfort. Beautiful gardens. Unlike lots of rentals, this is larger than the photos show. We’ll be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Door County Stay

This rental was clean, comfortable, and up kept. It was a very good and centralized location. Colin was very easy to work with and will rent from him again, when we get back up to Door County!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on May 10, 2023
Thanks Tom. I look forward to welcoming you again, perhaps when Green Gables is in full bloom!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This property was clean and well maintained and spacious and comfortable for our family of four. The fireplace was a welcome addition for our cooler chilly nights. The place had absolutely everything we needed. We will return! Thanks to Colin for offering such a lovely space.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful stay

Enjoyed a comfortable and cozy stay! Lots of attention to details, including labels on light switches and kitchen drawers. Unit was quiet and clean. Great location! Thanks, Colin!
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Cute property, nice location. Let us check out a little later. Nice outdoor space
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2019
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous

Highly recommend. The most beautiful flower gardens surround.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful property!

Plum Retreat was perfect for our stay in the Door County area with our family. Very spacious for the 6 of us, meticulously clean and extremely comfortable furniture/beds! The gardens are beautiful and we wish we would’ve had more time to stay and just enjoy being at the property. The host was readily available, although we didn’t have a single issue with our stay. We will definitely stay here again on a return trip.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

About the host

Hosted by Colin Welford

Host profile image
I am a musician - an orchestra conductor of ballet and Broadway musicals, a pianist and composer - originally from Manchester, England. I first landed in the U.S. (more than a few years ago!) as a grad student in Miami. Since then, music-making has led me to visit (or live in) all sorts of places on five different continents: From Shreveport to Budapest, The Philippines to Swaziland. Of course, along the way I've enjoyed, encountered, or endured hospitality of all styles: a room-for-rent in a stranger's house (100% language barrier included), corporate apartments, a corrugated-tin shack in the jungle, hotels ranging from 5 to 0 stars, cruise-ships, dive-boats and leaky barges, private island mega-mansions, African desert tents - and most recently, a very high floor in a glass and steel skyscraper! I had been working in vibrant Chicago where I was the Music Director of "Hamilton" for almost three years. At the same time I frequently found myself heading North to Door County, WI - a very special and different place, with all the 'small-town' charm and ways of a bygone era; whether during its pristine white winters, fresh springtime greens, its exciting summer buzz, or the stupendous fall colors.

I like meeting people of all ages and from different places and walks of life, and am interested in art, architecture and history, while being ever on the lookout for completely new experiences. I enjoy scuba-diving (I’m a licensed PADI Assistant Instructor - although I’m probably a bit rusty), longer-than-planned hikes, creating music & lyrics and outrageously improbable plot-lines for new comedic musicals, escape rooms, chess, puzzles, campfires (but NOT at Green Gables!), playing games on my iPhone that keep me up all night, foreign films, LEGO, and reading.

Languages:

English

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