Magical Handcrafted Cabin on 20 Acres Printed in Book and Magazine
(36 Reviews)
- Minimum stay:2 nights
- Sleeps:8
- Bedrooms:3
- Bathrooms:1
- Property type:Cabin
- Internet:Yes
- Pets considered:Yes
- Wheel chair accessible:Yes
About the Property
Cabin, 3 Bedrooms + Bunk Area, 1 Bath, (Sleeps 6)
Featured in the coffee table book, 'Madeline Island Summer Homes' by Linda Mack, featured in MSP magazine 'Home and Design,' and also chosen as the site for several weddings, this unique cabin has been called 'wood poetry.' Nestled in the woods 2 miles from the wonderful beach of Big Bay (considered the best on the island), 'Billy Bunkhouse' is a charming and unique cabin built from century-old barn wood that was transported across the winter ice road to Madeline Island in a horse trailer. Set on 20 acres (with horses sometimes grazing about), the rustic cabin is a warm mix of log home craftsmanship in the American tradition (Courtesy of Douglas Construction, the owner's local construction company) and a bright and beachy aesthetic with white-washed pickled walls and stylish antiques accents.
Billy's Bunkhouse features 'relaxation spots' throughout the cabin and property with three cozy lofts with feather down bed covers, a balcony off the master bedroom, a swing on the front porch by a spouting pond, a fire pit (bring your own fold out chairs), and sunlit wooded meadows to picnic or camp in. Sitting by the pond is a perfect place to watch deer graze in the field, and the antique claw foot bathtub with a glass of wine is the perfect end to a hard day at the beach. On cooler nights, watch the fire in the wood stove and listen to the island crickets or frogs chirp 'goodbye mainland....'
Much like Madeline Island herself, this cabin is one-of-a-kind-unique, elegant yet rustic, peaceful, and full of personality. Once a guest here, you'll have had a true island experience.... (a.k.a, nit-pickers not welcome)... this is a country cabin on an island, not a Condo or hotel room or The Hamptons... outside there may be horses, bugs, and big beautiful moons... inside, there are antiques and an aesthetic design captured in a coffee-table book and design magazine. But be clear when booking... while clean, if you want sterile, this is NOT the vacation for you. Also, while the cabin has heat, it was built using 'passive solar' construction meaning that the house uses natural convection between rooms to help efficiently heat and cool the cabin. So while the rooms are visually private, the cabin does not offer total sound privacy between rooms to assist natural airflow. The upper lofts are not sound-proof, so if you are a group don't expect a total sound barrier.
Also, the owners often camp on the back acreage of the property, so you have have neighbors.
Frequently Asked Questions: The cabin is about 1 miles from the beach (Big Bay) and 7 miles from town. It's located on Benjamin Blvd. For sleeping arrangements there are 3 bedrooms: one queen, one full, and one twin with a twin loft above. The rental is for 6 people MAX, additional people, regardless of age, is $30 extra per person. No one under 21 can rent.
For a fee, guests can use the pool, spa, and sauna at the Inn on Madeline Island in town. There is a full bathroom and an outdoor shower (the hot tub behind the cabin is not for guest use, emptied).
What to expect: There is sometimes a caretaker on the property staying in the converted barn, workers coming periodically to mow the lawn, take care of the horses, empty the holding tank as is typical on the island.
Please note, the steps to the loft are steep, but there is a bedroom downstairs for small children or elderly. We also have a gate to keep children off the stairs and a big pillow for safety at the bottom.
Important in this day-and-age! There is no T.V or video, you just have the island to listen to and watch. There is Wifi but, like much on the island, it comes and goes with Lake Superior Winds it seems. So do prepare to 'unplug.' Cell phones don't work at the cabin (you have a phone for local calls only so bring a phone card if you will need to make long distance calls, you can receive calls), but you can use your cell phones in town where you can always get internet at the best library in the whole wide world!
And as mentioned above, there may be a lovely herd of horses grazing the 20 acres, so bring carrots or apples if you wish to interact with them... Otherwise, you can roam the 20 wooded acres.
'Billy's Bunkhouse' is considered one of the best spots on the island... Please love it with all the love that went into creating it....
-Sarah & Bob
Keywords: Cabin, Wedding
Owner
Member since: 2009
Property Type
- Cabin
- 1200 sq. ft.
House Rules
- Max. occupancy 8
- Events Allowed
- Non Smoking Only
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Meals
- Guests Provide Their Own Meals
Suitability
- Long-Term Renters Welcome
Bedrooms: 3 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8, Beds for 6-8
Bathrooms: 1 Bathroom
Other Amenities
Entertainment
- CD Player
Theme
- Away From It All
- Budget
- Family
- Historic
- Romantic
- Sports & Activities
- Tourist Attractions
Attractions
- Live Theater
- Museums
- Restaurants
Leisure Activities
- Boating
- Horseback Riding
- Horseshoes
- Miniature Golf
- Shelling
- Shopping
- Shuffleboard
- Sight Seeing
- Wildlife Viewing
Sports & Adventure Activities
- Cross Country Skiing
- Cycling
- Golf
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Kayaking
- Sailing
- Snorkeling/Diving
- Snowmobiling
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Water Skiing
Dining
- Dining Area
- Seating for 6 people
General
Kitchen
- Catering Available
- Coffee Maker
- Dishes & Utensils
- Dishwasher
- Kitchen
- Microwave
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Stove
- Toaster
Outside
- Outdoor Grill
Pool / Spa
Location
-
A
-
B
-
C
Chartering the surrounding Apostle Islands, Dancing at Tommy's Burned Down Cafe
Owner info
Year Purchased: 1998
About the owner: Sarah Luck Pearson and Bob Douglas built their dream cabin and lived on the island for 5 years before moving to California to be closer to Sarah's parents. They miss much about the island-- the great blue waters, the fine sand, the wonderful air coming across the ferry, the fun at Tommy's Burned Down Cafe-- but mostly cooking big dinners for friends and sitting around the campfire. Built entirely by friends and family, 'Billy's Bunkhouse' has a lot of love in it. Guests have noted that this feeling becomes a part of their vacation too.
Why the Owner Chose La Pointe, WI, USA:
We didn't buy this vacation home, we built it! The wonderful part of that was enacting our dreams. Bob would say, how bout a balcony?! And we'd do it. I would say, why not a pond off the front porch?! And we'd do it. Or an outdoor shower? And there it is! The result is a cabin that is customized for comfort and fun.
The Unique Benefits at this Cabin:
As for unique benefits of the house, the top loft is literally in the apex of the cabin, the bed in the top triangle of the ceiling. It's been called the Tree House or the Princess Bed as laying up there is so cozy and romantic, a place for enchanted dreams. At night, laying there with the windows open to a warm summer breeze, there is nothing better than to be lullabyed by the hundreds of 'Peepers' (frogs) that live in the nearby wetlands. It is also wonderful to just hop on your bicycle and peddle over in 5 minutes to Big Bay Town Park for a swim or a walk across the lagoon bridge to the forest boardwalk. With 20 acres surrounding the cabin, you feel great privacy and peace. And yet in 10 minutes you can be eating an ice cream in the village of La Pointe or dancing under the stars at Tommy's Burned Down Cafe.
Contact us
Send email
Photos
-
![Fall and Winter Wonderland...]()
Fall and Winter Wonderland...
-
![]()
-
![Relax by the pond...]()
Relax by the pond...
-
![Billy's Bunkhouse is featured in this lovely coffee table book]()
Billy's Bunkhouse is featured in this lovely coffee table book
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![Master bedroom with balcony]()
Master bedroom with balcony
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![Tree House Bed]()
Tree House Bed
-
![Cole at Big Bay Beach one mile away from our cabin]()
Cole at Big Bay Beach one mile away from our cabin
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![]()
-
![First floor loft with a Queen]()
First floor loft with a Queen
-
![Vintage Clawfoot bath and shower...]()
Vintage Clawfoot bath and shower...
-
![]()
-
![]()
VRBO #283194
This listing was first published here in 2010.
Date last modified - Saturday, May 27, 2017
Partner Offers
Tell us about your trip, then book it!
Peace of mind when checking out through VRBO
- We'll back you with our Book With Confidence GuaranteeTM
- You'll get comprehensive payment protection when checking out on our website
- We're always here for you with customer service available 24/7
Read more about our Book with Confidence GuaranteeTM
When you book through the VRBO website, your booking is backed by our Book with Confidence Guarantee
Learn more