Places to Stay : Fish Creek

Juniper Inn
N9432 Maple Grove Rd.
Fish Creek
920-839-2629

www.juniperinn.com

Looking for a romantic B&B, down a country road and away from the crowds? Well we found one for you, and it is a beautiful inn that you, too, will be happy to discover!

The Juniper Inn is tucked away about a mile East of Hwy 42 on the north end of Fish Creek, amidst open fields, meadows and hills full of Juniper trees. This is such a nice location if you are looking to escape the hustle even in the quiet towns of Door County. Fish Creek, probably the most popular town in the County, can get awfully busy in the summer. This inn is a welcomed respite from the crowds, and its beauty and location are what Juniper Inn guests comment most about: "how beautiful, nice and quiet Door County can be!"

We met with Mark Sneen, the owner and innkeeper, for about an hour or so, and toured this well appointed, adults-only four-room inn. The building itself is impressive, boasting a windowed cupola about 35 feet in the air that is wonderful to view from the inside -you can stand on the ground floor in the common room and look all the way up to the cupola.

When you enter, you see a cozy library and conversation room off to the right loaded with bookshelves packed with reading enjoyment from short stories to French plays. Two supple leather wingback chairs as well as a fabric wingback and a couch surround an oriental-style carpet, framing a lovely conversation or reading area.

Ahead is the Common Room, which also houses a great selection of books. Two tables that seat 4 serve as the breakfast tables, while a loveseat, rocker and cushy-upholstered chair and ottoman surround the fireplace. Off the back of the room is a screened-in sun porch, where guests can take their breakfast on a nice day. The porch, graced with hanging baskets bursting with flowers, overlooks the hilly meadows and Juniper trees.

The woodwork and floors throughout the house are maple -very lovely, light and airy. Follow us up the staircase to the rooms! Upstairs, you can walk the perimeter around an opening which looks down into the Common Room, and up into the vaulted cupola. Impressive.

The Rooms!

The Red Maple room, which faces the front road and meadows, has colorfully hand-painted maple leafs accenting the walls. The queen colonial high bed, an armoire which hides the TV and video, a beige tone-on-tone loveseat with wicker coffee table and a wingback chair complete the room. A Gerhard Miller print adorns the wall -lots of nice touches throughout here, like plants and coordinating accessories.

The Evergreen, our favorite, is enormous! A medium tone wood panel queen bed frame, with floral garland draped across the headboard, commands your attention. A wonderful armoire with curved top, in pine and green wood, conceals the TV and video. Again, meticulously hand-painted evergreens adorn the walls and corners. A nice sitting area with rocker, couch, and plaid wing back chair, beckons you to relax and unwind. A fireplace and one-person whirlpool, along with a private balcony really complete the ambiance of a well-put together retreat. The view is wonderful: rolling meadows, fields and Juniper trees. We spoke with a couple checking out of the Evergreen, and they said that it was very nice here, and that Mark was an outstanding host!

The Sunflower room was not available for viewing, but has a double-whirlpool, fireplace and private balcony as well.

The Lilac Room was a smaller room, with black wooden queen bed frame, armoire, a floral chair and ottoman, and niceties like a floral Tiffany-style lamp, floral bags, ceramic bunny with a floral garland and more make this a very cozy room indeed.

All the rooms have queen beds and private baths, are carpeted, have piped-in music if you want it, and phone jacks in case you have to get online. No kids, no pets allowed.

We took a peak at the guest comment books, and here is what some had to say:

• "We really enjoyed getting away to this beautiful home!"

• "This place is absolutely gorgeous!"

• "The Evergreen is a fantastic room for a weekend getaway!"

• "You exceeded our expectations! The only thing we could think of to make our stay better is to stay longer!"

We agree with the sentiment! We found all of this to be true of The Juniper Inn!

And another very nice touch we have not seen anywhere else: on your nightstand sits a carafe of cream sherry and two glasses for your relaxation pleasure!

The Breakfast!

The breakfast part of this B&B is called a "continental plus." Mark serves home made granola, as well as other cereals, fresh muffins or coffee cake, fresh fruit, coffee, teas, juice and milk, and his famous Scandinavian Fruit Soup -a cold, sweet soup made with citrus, Door County cherries, apples, raisons, apricots and dried plums! Sound good? Mark will give you the recipe!

The inn is not far from Peninsula State Park, which makes it very convenient for biking and hiking.

We were impressed with the quality of the inn in appearance, in its cozy atmosphere created by its well-appointed rooms, and with Mark, who goes out of his way for his guests routinely! Open year-round, we think you will find this retreat a genuine Door County treat! Visit their website for lots more information and current rates -and tell Mark you saw him on DoorCountyNavigator.com!

© 2000 Door County Navigator. Disclaimer