Places to Stay : Sturgeon Bay

The Orchid Inn
3273 Mathey Rd.
Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
920/746-0196

Have you ever stayed in a B&B inn on the grounds of a thriving garden center? The Orchid Inn, located on the premises of Briggsville Gardens in Sturgeon Bay, give you that opportunity. This is a great place for people who love to garden and for anyone, really, who relishes natural vistas and tasteful amenities in a three-room B&B inn.

Location
The Orchid Inn is tucked behind Briggsville Gardens, where a garden center, nine greenhouses, a nursery and water gardens thrive. So, prepare to indulge all your senses when you stay at the Orchid Inn. It smells lovely just walking up the flagstone path to the inn. And, of course, there are abundant gardens to see all over the place: magnolias, daffodils and perennials blooming in the spring, and lilacs and peonies are coming next. Guests will hear the sound of waterfalls from their rooms, too. Colorful annuals as well as a lot of unusual trees and shrubs are all around.

“We are always expanding. There is always something different,” says Richard Briggs, host at Orchid Inn and co-owner of Briggsville Gardens.

“If someone stays here who is really into plants, they are going to think this is seventh heaven,” adds Tammy Briggs, host at Orchid Inn and co-owner of Briggsville Gardens.

Checking in
Seventh heaven indeed. Find the check-in desk in the entryway of the Cape Cod-style Orchid Inn. Tammy will greet you and give you a tour of the Orchid Inn and grounds. If no other guests are present, you can sneak a peek into the other guest suites, too. All three suites have private baths as well as refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, a flat panel TV/satellite service, wireless Internet and private patio/deck.

Each suite is named for an orchid and is creatively decorated; orchid books, art and fresh flowers are included. Guests are welcomed with a basket filled with wine/champagne, glasses, popcorn, coffee, berry mix and biscotti. It also includes a $15 gift certificate, which can be used on a purchase at Briggsville Gardens.

Breakfast
But before we go on a suite tour, let’s not forget the big “B,” which stands for breakfast. It is delivered to your room by Tammy. You receive a “breakfast delight:” quiche, bread pudding, strata and other morning favorites. Beverages, fresh fruit, and bagels are also on the menu.

If you prefer, you can enjoy breakfast in the common area/dining space on the lower level near the check-in area. But we think you’ll prefer to languish in your suite, where there is a table and chairs as well as outdoor space and furnishings and much more.

The Lady Slipper Suite
This is the only suite located on the lower level. So, if you prefer not to walk up stairs, this may be the choice for you.

The Lady Slipper Suite is outfitted with a queen-size bed in a deep wood tone. The linens are done in burgundy and white. The framed photographs on the wall were taken at an orchid show in Neenah, Wis. by the owners’ daughter, Amy Briggs.

Don’t miss the lovely sun porch, affording privacy and southern view of the lovely gardens. “All rooms have good views of the gardens,” Richard says.

There is a cozy place to curl up and read, too, of course. And the private bath has a tub and shower.

The Phalaenopsis Suite
Another choice is the Phalaenopsis Suite, located on the second level. This is a spacious suite with a focal point of a three-sided gas fireplace. You can see the fire from the four-poster, queen-size bed, which is adorned with linens in chocolate brown and blue. The bathroom, with tub and shower, is nicely decorated and has natural light, as well.

You will probably be drawn to your own private upper-level deck, which has a north view of the gardens.

The Cattleya Suite
Also on the upper level is the most spacious suite at the Orchid Inn: The Cattleya Suite. The king-size, four-poster bed with canopy is a focal point. So is the pretty Asian sideboard, which holds the 42 inch flat-screen television.

This bathroom has a walk-in shower (no tub). The lovely glass-covered piece on the vanity is a Cattleya orchid, carved out of soap.

The pretty Cattleya Suite has a private outdoor deck with peaceful views of the gardens and the waterfalls. “The Orchid Inn is sort of private, sort of secluded. It’s really unique,” Richard says.

Learn about gardening, too
In addition to the luxurious suites and the delightful breakfast, another benefit of staying here is the opportunity to enroll in a workshop or seminar on a gardening topic.

Programs are held regularly spring through fall, and more information is online at www.briggsvillegardens.com. For example, people can learn to create their own container gardens, hanging baskets or living wreaths. Other topics include how to prune trees and shrubs and build water gardens.

“The Orchid Inn is something we are tying into other things we are doing: Briggsville Gardens and the classes and seminars. It’s a sort of retreat type place. It is quiet. And we are not that far from Sturgeon Bay,” Tammy says.

Off the strip and near it all
The Briggs have lots of tips for things to do in Door County. They especially like to recommend museums and galleries that are located inland on the scenic Peninsula.

“If people are not afraid to go off the beaten path, they will find some interesting places,” Tammy says.

We agree. The Orchid Inn B&B is located just a tad off the main highways and is a special and intriguing place. And when you arrive, breathe the air, enjoy looking at the natural surroundings, taste the wonderful breakfast and please tell the innkeepers that DoorCountyNavigator.com got you there.

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