T+L Hotel Review Canoe Bay, Wisconsin

I’ve lived long enough in Wisconsin (26 years) for me to know that “up-north” usually doesn’t mean glamorous accommodations. Think rustic cabins that hug the many lakes of Wisconsin. There is one exception—Canoe Bay, the state’s only Relais & Châteaux property and, arguably, one of the best winter lodges in the country.

While the initial shock of being away from the city was unsettling, I soon settled into the rhythms of birdsong and not phonecalls (most cell service providers don’t operate up here but there is Wi-Fi). The sound of the waterfall is soothing, even when you go to the reception to get the keys.

Canoe Bay homes in prairie style are identical to Frank Lloyd Wright’s designs. My 1,100-square foot Treetop house was wrapped in honeyed wooden, both inside and outside. It had built-ins all over, two stone fireplaces electric, two decks and a soaking bathtub I couldn’t resist.

Owner Dan Dobrowolski, a former television meteorologist in Chicago, snapped up the 300-acre estate in the early ‘90s, opening Canoe Bay in 1993. He hired Wright protégé John Rattenbury to design two of the cottages, and Minneapolis-based architect Kelly Davis The rest was done in Wright’s design. Each building looks out over the resort’s private, 50-acre Lake Wahdoon. Canoe Bay offers a relaxing environment where you can switch off and unplug.

Some hotels are more about their vibe than amenities. Some travelers who are always on the go might be horrified by the idea of staying at a resort that doesn’t offer a full schedule of activities. Guests can stay as active—or inactive—as they want to.

An A-frame building houses an expansive two-story library open 24/7 with books arranged by category—many of them best-selling new titles—and a canopied outdoor patio with lake views. In the organic garden of three acres, there are cozy benches nestled among apple trees, flower beds, and vegetable gardens.

Renee Nyhus is a Colorado native and general manager at Canoe bay. She arrived there a decade before. She said that Canoe Bay is a very popular destination. girls’ weekend getawaysI am a solo artist who enjoys quiet time for my art and craft.

Canoe Bay is located in northwest Wisconsin. Here’s my full review.

The Rooms

Canoe Bay offers a range of accommodations—from guest rooms and suites with fireplaces and private decks to stand-alone cottages and villas. The Edgewood Villa is 2,000 square feet and designed by Rattenbury. It has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a Finnish sauna, and a Finnish style. To get the most out of each stay, I chose a standalone cottage or villa. Dobrowolski and Davis worked together to create the design of the villas and cottages. The look is a mixture of Wright’s Prairie style and Usonian aesthetics. The cottages and villas have a lot of woodwork with smart storage.

Canoe Bay village has cottages for rent with king size beds, separate living areas, and screened-in porches overlooking either Mallard Lake or a forested area.

Gilchrist + Soames toiletries are available in the bathrooms. The Treetop House, which featured vaulted ceilings with a stone fire place and steam showers for two people, also had a deep soaking bathtub. Mission-style lights, inspired by Wright, will be appreciated by architecture enthusiasts.

Food and Drink

Every morning, when I opened the villa’s door, there was a crate with a coffee carafe, two muffins with Greek yogurt and granola topped off with edible flowers. The guests can add hot dishes but I like a lighter breakfast so this was perfect.

Lunch can be ordered in a basket to be delivered anywhere on site. I selected the deck that overlooks the lake of the Rattenbury-designed, 2,000-square feet Edgewood Villa. It was a rare glimpse at this design masterpiece that is usually booked. I’ve eaten many grilled cheese sandwiches throughout my life and have even published recipes. a cheese cookbook, but the one I had at Canoe Bay—stuffed with artisan Wisconsin cheese and paired with tomato soup and a glass of buttery Sonoma-Cutrer chardonnay—was incredible.

Canoe bay’s restaurant offers a nightly dinner at the Lodge. In a large dining room overlooking the lake, guests can enjoy a three-course meal with wine pairings. The pan-seared Norwegian fish, the warm bread with maple butter and the lemon-chamomile tart are still making me swoon. My two dinners included a salad made from organic vegetables. Oenophiles will want to book tables in the wine room.

Activities and Experiences

In the summer, guests enjoy swimming in Lake Wahdoon. The boathouse has stand-up paddleboards (SUP), kayaks and canoes that are included in your nightly rate. Nyhus said that guests frequently catch bass and panfish in this area. Canoeing is something I’ve done before, but not alone. A staff member accompanied me, and I gained a wealth of knowledge about the local flora, fauna, and history.

There are no set schedules for activities in the resort. You can book them on an individual level, such as a tour with a resident birdwatcher or a guided tour through the organic garden. Binoculars and “The Birdwatcher’s Guide” are provided in each cottage.The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North AmericaTo help them identify birds, use the phrase “to help them”. Here, pewees, eagles and green-backed herons are common sights. My scheduled birdwatching trip was cancelled due to rain, but my guide still filled me in with all the details and enthusiasm of a nature show. Birds have regional accents just like humans. He pointed out the nest that was in my carport at my cottage, which I had missed.

Visitors who want to explore outside Canoe bay can visit Hillcrest Pottery, or the Chippewa Moraine Segment of the Ice Age Trail. They can also cross-country ski in winter. Local outfitters also offer fly-fishing for trout.

The Spa

Canoe Bay doesn’t have a spa, but you can get treatments done in the room. Last year the resort opened a fitness center that included treadmills, an exercise bike, an elliptical, yoga mats, weights, and spin bikes.

Accessibility, Sustainability and Sustainability

Canoe Bay has two cottages, recommended for guests with limited mobility. Dream Cottage 24 is ADA-compliant with a zero-threshold entry and shower, as well as doorways with handrails. Dream Cottage 8 is acceptable for most, although not fully ADA compliant. Contact the resort in advance of your stay to make further accommodations—from curbside check-in to in-room delivery of meals, books, movies, and other items. The path between the Lodge, reception and Inn is wide enough to accommodate a vehicle as well as motorized scooters and wheelchairs.

All of the resort’s sustainability efforts are tied to a small carbon footprint. This includes sourcing food from its organic garden and local farms, as well as maintaining the land for current wildlife populations. In order to avoid damaging the forest, and to release pollutants and toxins into the atmosphere, sustainable materials have been used in the construction of the cottages and cabins. Composting and rainwater harvesting are also practices.

Location

Canoe Bay can be found in the town Chetek, along the shores Lake Chetek. There are six lakes within the region. Eau Claire’s (Chippewa Regional Airport) is 45 minutes away and serviced by United Airlines via Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Sun Country Airlines provides non-stop flights between Fort Myers and Eau Claire from late January to mid-April. The majority of guests fly to Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, and then rent a vehicle for the two-hour trip.

Canoe Bay is not a chauffeured airport shuttle service.

Book Now

Canoe Bay does not have a loyalty program. Canoe Bay has announced special offers, discounts and promotions. on its website.

Rates for nightly stays at Canoe Bay Start at $355.

Each T+L Hotel Review is written by a reporter or editor who has visited the hotel. The hotel chosen must also align with our standards. core values.