Last-minute Labor Day plans? Spend the holiday on the beach in Wisconsin!

The 10,000 square foot Castino Lakeview Mansion sits high atop a bluff with uninterrupted breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, complete with the lighthouse, hearty surfers, sailboats and sunrises. Just steps down the hillside stairs and across a grassy stretch lie an expansive beach and park, with sand volleyball nets and a playground, public restrooms in case you don't want to run back to the house, and tennis and pickleball courts on the next block. The area also hosts a variety of local festivals. Fireworks displays can be viewed from the veranda--best seat in town!

The house combines the feel of yesteryear's opulence with all the modern amenities. “Vintage Living, Modern Luxury,” as described in a recent novel. The home was built in 1912 by coal and shipping baron JP Reiss on the Great Lakes, who spared no expense. The features include mahogany trim, barreled dining room ceiling, and ornamental plasters, along with iron, stone and brickwork. It wouldn't be right to have such a classy home sit stark and devoid of hominess, so despite the risk of breakage (we’re very lenient on returning damage deposits--things happen) the house is fully furnished according to the feel of its heyday, with ample decorations for your viewing and using pleasure. Surprisingly, the historical decorative items are much safer from little hands than one would think at first glance since most are out of reach on mantles or hung on walls. However, you’re welcome to temporarily move things to other locations if it makes you breathe easier (as long as you return things to their original places). If you’re a minimalist, this is definitely not how you’ve decorated your home, but why not enjoy the Downton Abbey feel temporarily for a change of pace? Want a classy formal dinner in the elegant dining room? Our wedding crystal and china are there to enhance the experience. Feel like having a spot of tea in the parlor? Focus on the grand piano and ignore the big screen TV. We truly want you to make yourselves at home and fully enjoy the experience. Basically anything that’s within easy access is fair game for usage.

There are 10 bedrooms in the main house, including a bunk room for the kiddos and some comfy couches for napping. The house can comfortably sleep a combination of children and adults up to a total of 24.* If you're all all-adult group, the limit is 16. The coach house apartment, available for rent separately, can be booked in conjunction with the main house. (There are two additional bedrooms in the coach house, which also includes a full bath, kitchenette and small family room area.)
*1. There’s a small bedroom next to the powder room on the main floor next to the powder room for those not fond of or unable to navigate steps. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The five bedrooms on the second floor each have their own bathroom, 2 with fireplaces and 4 with lake views. The third floor has bedrooms 7, 8, 9 and 10. The Ballroom family suite has a small kitchenette, king bed, toddler bed, sleeper sofa, crib and bassinet plus its own bathroom. Crow’s Nest has a king bed and shares a hall bath with the 2 kid-oriented bedrooms—Stowaway corner (small room with 2 twin beds and a sitting area with desk and closet) and Matey’s Quarters which has a trundle bunkbed—full mattress on top, full mattress on the bottom, pull-out full trundle and a twin bed plus 2 dressers and a closet.
The main house has 9 bathrooms, 10 bedrooms, 11 fireplaces, 11 flat screen TV's (3 of them 50" screens), Wi-Fi and 2 outdoor patio fire tables. The veranda is our favorite “room” of the house, with seating for plenty and outdoor gas heaters that make it useable virtually year-round (blankies provided). Great place for storm watching if you’re lucky enough to catch one. There’s also a brick patio at the southeast corner of the property, ideal for people watching and lake viewing. Not recommended for storm watching, however, as there’s no overhead covering. There is a fully stocked kitchen (plus adjoining utility pantry with an additional full-sized frig) which includes a double oven, micro, and every serving item, bowl, cookie sheet, etc you could possibly need. There’s a kitchenette on the third floor with micro and small frig and a mini fridge in the lower level tavern if needed for overflow, and a full sized frig in the coach house if you book that as well. For outdoor cooking, there’s nothing like flipping burgers or grilling steaks on a giant gas grill on the veranda while overlooking Lake Michigan, the beach and the lighthouse on the point.
Plenty of space for your food and libations—plus your guests. Opportunities for large parties and work retreats are available (contact owner for event parameters and special events pricing).

The lower level is a playground for young and old, including a full mahogany bar complete with karaoke, foosball, ping pong, billiards, piano, plus laundry facilities in the back area. There's no need to ever leave the house, the grounds nor the beach. All types of fun and relaxation can be had on-site year round.

But Sheboygan has plenty to offer if you want to venture out. Sheboygan has been selected as the Number One Place to Raise a Family in America by Bloomberg's Business Week and Reader's Digest. From 4 star restaurants and a live performing arts theater (Weill) to Bookworm Gardens and an awesome children's museum, there's plenty for everyone. Dads can be on duty while moms stroll and shop the main street, or head over to the boutiques on the river walk while the kids play in the indoor water park at a nearby resort. The adults on duty can sip on adult beverages while the kids play Marco Polo in the pool and video games in the game room. Nearby nature sanctuaries and trails are great for the whole family as well, including a quarry for swimming and paddle boating.
And don’t forget to visit the top-ranked golf courses that surround Sheboygan. Sheboygan is also known as the 'Malibu of the Midwest,' and Surf Sheboygan is an appropriate motto! Wind surfing, yolo boarding, kite surfing, motor boating, sailing, charter fishing and good old fashioned swimming are great ways to take advantage of Mother Nature's gifts. Want to go exploring by water? We have 3 kayaks available for your use, along with lifejackets (you’re strongly encouraged to bring your own to guarantee perfect fit and ample inventory). The spacious beach is usually fairly wide open, even on the best summer days. Three blocks south on the lakefront is an exceptional YMCA, and a mile down on the lakefront is the aforementioned indoor water park with day passes available year round. Near the water park is a row of boutiques, and across the way is the river walk, with restaurants/bars, shops and fishermen (and their catches) galore.

Heading west from the mansion is the quaint yet full-service town of Sheboygan. The Weill Performing Arts Center, the Kohler Art Center and the fabulous Above and Beyond children's museum (including a new adjacent half a million dollar playground) are just a brisk walk away. Plenty of fine dining options as well as pub grub are also within walking distance and certainly within biking distance. We have 10 bikes on the premises for your use, with additional bikes available through local rental shops if our fleet isn’t enough. Again, although we have a smattering of bike helmets to choose from, we strongly suggest you bring your own to guarantee quantity and size to make for safe outings. Hiking at the Kohler Andrae State Park is another active endeavor, along with cross country skiing on the trails in town or at the Kettle Moraine State Park Trails. Evergreen Park and the reservoir are also appealing outings. Biking and hiking trails weave throughout the area.

If GOLF is your thing, this is the place for you! Our location is extremely convenient for accessing world class golf, including The American Club at Kohler, The Bull and Whistling Straits.
Road America Racing in Elkhart Lake is nearby. Witness racetrack tailgating at its finest. And the list goes on!
The bottom line is that there is plenty to do, with a welcoming, classy yet charming and relaxing home to return to at night. You can throw burgers on the grill, order out for pizza, or hire that local chef we mentioned to cater your meals for the ultimate in relaxation.

There's something for everyone--from swimming in Lake Michigan to golf, from spas to sports! You'll feel like royalty, as well as right at home at the mansion. Come enjoy this unique get-away with family, on a corporate retreat, a biking or charter fishing weekend, for a wedding to remember (max of 100 on site. Ask about wedding package details and special event fees for groups over 50). Or come in groups of 4 to get in a few rounds with your golfing buddies--the possibilities are endless!

Peak season has a 4 night minimum. This encompasses the time span from Memorial Weekend through the end of October. Four night stays typically entail arriving on Wednesday and checking out on Sunday, Week-long bookings are from Friday to Friday or Sun-Sun. Arrival or departure on a Saturday does not work as it cuts a weekend in half and makes it less desirable to other groups. If you are hoping for a shorter stay during the off-season, just ask and we can probably work something out. Weekday stays are also negotiable in price and duration.
Just know that once you get there it’s hard to leave, and you might just wish you’d scheduled a longer visit!

No matter what the occasion or the length of your stay, we hope you’ll grace us with your presence. You won’t regret choosing this unique venue for whatever type of get-away you have up your sleeve.