**Excellent Spot for Romantic Large or Small Island Wedding*!* (Event Fee Required for any party, reunion, or wedding large or small),
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 many 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 wood), 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 which are up ladder-stairs 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 may have neighbors during the summer. There are always 8 front acres that are private, but the barn in the back does sometimes house owners.
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 pull-out trundle bed and also a twin loft above (so it does sleep 7 if needed), but the rental fee is for 6 people MAX, additional people, regardless of age, is $30 extra per person. No one under 21 can rent. Pets are $30 each. Folks can pitch a tent in the yard, but it is again, $30 extra per person.
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).
-Wedding, parties and events are not FREE and guests who attempt to have uncontracted events will immediatly be asked to leave. The "Flash" wedding or event has been a new trend on island rentals, and only the max number of guests you have paid for are allowed on the property. Any additional guests or events must be discuss with owners. All weddings and events must be approved by owners, with signed contract and payment to rent property as a venue. This is a bookable wedding venue... flash weddings are illegal tresspassing and a breach of contract.
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