La Pointe, Wisconsin
*Per current Covid cleaning restrictions about cleaning times needed to sanitize safely, we can not do early check-ins or late check-outs....so please don't request as regulations don't allow it now.... but now onto our great spot!
**Excellent Spot for Romantic Large or Small Island Wedding*!* (Event Fee Required for any party, reunion, or wedding large or small). Not suitable for those that aren't comfortable using steep stairs....
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. The cabin sleeps 6 but there is an extra trundle bed to sleep 7 if needed...
Please note, this handcrafted home does not have traditional stairs... but rather steep stairs to two lofts. They are not easy to navigate for physically challenged or for kiddos (although kids love it most!). There is a bedroom downstairs, but the other two bedroom are up the stairs and the bathroom is downstairs, so please book with this clarity in mind.
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:
-No early check in.
-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 non-contracted events will 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 trespassing 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.
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, Unique, Fun
1
Great location. Beautiful, unusual architecture. Expect funky, not modern.
What a lovely hideaway in the middle of beautiful Madeline Island! The house itself was everything that it was advertised to be...rustic, cute, comfortable. Yes, the steps were like a ladder but we knew that coming there. Our hosts were very accommodating in letting my daughter and family hook up their camper half way through our stay when their vacation plans got mixed up for a reasonable fee. Our check in was delayed....we arrived at almost 5pm and the cleaner was still cleaning so we came back at 6pm and she was done...not clean though were some of the outside spaces near the house...loys of bird droppings on the grill (which was not cleaned by previous folks) and on the chairs on the little balcony. We just did not use them. Other than that, we had a wonderful stay. Great firepit! And the frog count in the pond was constant entertainment for the grandsons!
Great, unique place. Get a grill cover! The robins pooped all over the grill. No dishwasher detergent. No paper towels in holder. Sinks could use a scrubbing. Toilet leaked a lot when flushed.
The place was good overall but not worth the money. There should have been more transparency about the ladder to get to the bedrooms. It was difficult to sleep between the metal roof and mice.
Pros: beautiful cabin in a great location. Cons: old sketchy furniture, no fire woods, did not have simple pantry items like salt and pepper, the bathroom sink would fill up after running the water for 30 seconds, there is a beautiful hammock with cute candle lanterns on the top but no candles, could not connect to WiFi as the network name and password was wrong, any communication with the property manager took at least 24 hours to get a response. Bottom line: this place must have been a great place at some point but not anymore.
We loved this gorgeous and whimsical home. Quiet and peaceful, great star viewing, and our teens loved looking for frogs in the little pond. The pulley basket to the loft is a brilliant touch. Hope to visit again! Thanks!
The house looks like something from fairy tale, very lovely. Location is in the forest so it is very calm and romantic. The huge plus is the pond with frogs, we were watching them hunting flies and it was very entertaining.
Thank you for sharing your little piece of heaven with us ?
Loved pulley to get things up and down the stairs. Very clean, quiet and off the beaten path. Great location for access to parks on the south side of the island.
Absolutely wonderful - beautiful interior and a great location. We had an amazing trip to Madeline Island and it was perfect! We arrived on a hot August day and the place was wonderfully cool with air conditioning. The loft rooms were amazing - my kids were in heaven and immediately taking pics to show all their friends. Such a relaxing night with everything we needed. It felt like a dream!
Inviting, cozy and quaint!
Fun cabin on the island. Plenty of room and fun layout for the kids. Large yard to run around in. The island is awesome. This was our second visit to the island and first time staying. There was some mice poop on counters which was a little concerning. I don’t mind mice and know it’s typical but poop on the kitchen counter means there wasn’t a wipe down recently. We also noticed some bees and wasps in the cabin. We got one outside right away. Then saw another flying high so hoped it would just stay away but my uncle ended up getting stung in the foot Saturday evening. We found two more that might and a few more Sunday morning. There are two hives on the back of the cabin I assume their climbing in.
Your dates are Available!
Total
Includes taxes and fees