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"Birch Retreat" - cuteness and elegance combined!

Photo gallery for "Birch Retreat" - cuteness and elegance combined!

Living area
Room
Exterior
Exterior
Living area

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 479.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Ephraim, WI
  • Sister Bay Beach
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Sister Bay Marina
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Ephraim Public Beach
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Menominee, MI (MNM-Menominee-Marinette Twin County)
    ‪150 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Living Room

1 Double Futon

Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Garden
Dining area

About this property

"Birch Retreat" - cuteness and elegance combined!

"Birch" is a private retreat, part of a lovely cottage hidden behind an ornate garden gate; It is a cozy and comfortable private apartment for 2-4 guests comprising of two large and well-appointed rooms with modern touches within a ridiculously charming Door County setting! The "Green Gables" the property in which it is set, is a picturesque spot in the north part of Ephraim, with its own beautiful award-winning gardens, and is within easy walking distance to galleries, shops, mini-golf, breakfast and pizza, or a short drive from Ephraim village and the water. "Birch" gets lots of natural light from a large picture window at the front and from a sliding patio door at the back, which opens onto a small garden area with summery flowers. There's plenty of more open green space outdoors and around the Green Gables property. One large room has an elegant King bed, while the living room has a true Queen sofa-bed. The living room has a large and attractive library of books plus a 49" TV (with cable, Netflix, and Amazon Prime). All the bedding is non-allergenic. There is a very spacious walk-in shower enclosure within an ensuite bathroom. The apartment also is equipped with modest kitchenette facilities consisting of a microwave, fridge, toaster, coffeemaker and simple tableware/utensils. A contemporary dining table and four chairs completes the apartment, a lovely place to unwind and from which to explore Door County. In response to COVID-19, cleaning and sanitizing will be thoroughly undertaken, and guests are asked and to be ready to put on masks just when entering and exiting the building. Thank you!

If this unit is rented, please consider the neighboring (and again, private) larger unit, VRBO #1658362. For larger parties, booking both units at once provides for an amazing family experience.

As of Spring 2022, GREEN GABLES now has TWO OTHER great vacation rentals set within the same gorgeous acre and a half of lush gardens! Please visit the other two listings...

Brand new VRBO listing 2724012 is a spacious gorgeous home with full kitchen for 2-4, and VRBO listing 2798225 is a stunning romantic lodge-style retreat that is truly special. Ideal for a couple, though there's also a sofa bed too. Please do check them out! Green Gables is GROWING (both in the garden, and in great places to stay....!)

Property manager

Colin Welford
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 10:30 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Ephraim

Located in Ephraim, this holiday home is in a rural area. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Michigan and Peninsula State Park, while Francis Hardy Gallery and Frykman Studio Gallery are cultural highlights. Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf and Egg Harbor Fun Park are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Ephraim, WI

What's nearby

  • Sister Bay Beach - 5 min drive - 4.1 km
  • Waterfront Park - 5 min drive - 4.1 km
  • Sister Bay Marina - 5 min drive - 4.4 km
  • Ephraim Public Beach - 6 min drive - 3.7 km
  • Peninsula State Park - 9 min drive - 6.0 km

Getting around

  • Green Bay, WI (GRB-Austin Straubel Intl.) - 90 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Skip Stone Coffee Roasters - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant and Butik - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Wild Tomato Sister Bay - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Wilson's Ice Cream Parlor - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Wild Tomato Wood-fired Pizza and Grille - ‬13 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is "Birch Retreat" - cuteness and elegance combined! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at "Birch Retreat" - cuteness and elegance combined!?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at "Birch Retreat" - cuteness and elegance combined!?

Checkout is at 10:30 AM.

Where is "Birch Retreat" - cuteness and elegance combined! located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Eagle Harbor and Lake Michigan. Bay Ridge Golf Course and Francis Hardy Gallery are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 62 out of 66 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 3 out of 66 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 66 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 66 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 66 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

8.8/10

Amenities

9.4/10

Property conditions & facilities

8.0/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Julie R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Location and very Comfortable

The perfect spot in Door County-close to many of our favorite places and very cozy and comfortable property.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessica E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Girls Weekend

Spent the weekend in Door County with a friend. The communication with Colin prior to arrival was excellent along with maps and directions. The place was very clean and decorated super cute. Plenty of space for the 2 of us. Shame on me for not realizing the unit doesn’t have a kitchen but enough to get by for a few days. My only suggestions are a couple wine glasses and a fridge with a separate freezer compartment for ice. We had to buy ice for our happy hour cocktails. Ephraim is centrally located to many of the other towns and a short ride to Sister Bay.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Worked for us!

My spouse and I stayed 1 week during July. Host, Colin, is delightful and very responsive. The Birch unit is wonderfully located and is spacious with a comfortable bed, plenty of hot water in the shower, lots of storage space, reliable wifi, a mini-fridge, microwave & Keurig coffee maker. The living area has a large TV with Netflix & HULU available. We found it a little odd that the eating table & chairs was next to the bed and that we had to wash dishes in the bathroom sink, but it was workable. There is an upstairs unit that we were unaware of, and they have control of the thermostat. However, we could make some heat/AC adjustments to offset the upstairs settings. Unfortunately, as 'city kids' we like to enjoy the cool, quiet Door County nights but were unable to keep our patio door open because a very loud AC condenser unit was right outside. Overall, it worked for us and we would book this property again.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

David C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

David D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

English Charm + Wisconsin Welcome

Lovely home, very well appointed and maintained- we found Birch Retreat to be the perfect place to begin & end our 5-night in Door County. We thoroughly enjoyed the property and highly recommend it!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

4/10 Poor

Sanee B.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Cleanliness, listing accuracy

Comfortable but musty

Nice, comfortable property but stay was diminished by water condensation on living room window, limited view and musty odor in both rooms -won’t stay again and would avoid if you have mold allergies
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great getaway

We had an enjoyable stay at The Birch. It was clean and had everything we needed for the few days we were in Door County. Door County never disappoints!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beauty and Bliss

My husband and I stayed at The Birch in Ephriam. The setting was so beautiful with lovely gardens welcoming the guests through the gates/arbor covered with lush, green Virginia Creeper vines (which turn a brilliant red in fall. Easy access to both the rental and WiFi. A binder, provided by the host, contains everything you need to know about this lovely space. The rooms are large and impeccably clean.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

James T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Stay

Peaceful and very quiet. The garden was very beautiful.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leslie O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Charming!

Perfect space for a long weekend! Great location to explore Door County
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Amanda B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend Trip

Everything was wonderful! The place was nice and clean! Close to all the towns in Door County!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Jane

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
The Birches is spacious, comfortable, and well-decorated. There is nothing cheap about anything, and the owner is very available and helpful. I would have given this 5 stars, but it is a somewhat awkward arrangement. Although there are dishes, microwave, and a small fridge, there is no kitchenette. Dishes have to be washed in the small bathrooom sink, and there's no place to put them.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jack N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Romantic Getaway

My wife and I celebrated a month being married at the Birch Retreat and it was perfect for us. We had planned all our meals to be eaten out, which worked because the Birch does not have a kitchen, but does have a small fridge/microwave/silverware/plates etc. We were happy to have found a place close to many shops and restaurants without the crowd. The shared gardens were beautiful, we enjoyed drinks outback amongst the flowers, which felt like our own private sanctuary. Colin, the host, was pleasant and welcoming!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kaitlin S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely home and gardens!

The gardens were a delight and the apartment was lovely for our long weekend in Door County. The host was very responsive and helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Shannon O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy stay at Birch Retreat

Comfortable, clean, private retreat in Ephraim for the weekend.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful

Comfortable
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sandy Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Stay!

The Birch Retreat was adorable, well appointed, and exactly as presented on the site. Colin, the host, was easily accessible, very helpful and friendly. The grounds were beautiful and the location perfect for getting around Door Co. Definately book it!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Janet P., Milwaukee

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely

This is my second time in the Birch Retreat. The property is surrounded by beautiful gardens and is in a great location. Colin is a gracious host. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Terry D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Stay

My husband and I had a wonderful long weekend at this property. It was a lovely, relaxing venue. Thanks much. We are eager to return in the summer when the gardens are lush.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

joy k.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Comfy Cozy

Our cottage was amazing. After a long work conference, we escaped to Door County for an overnight. The room was cozy and so very inviting. The landscaping and gardens were absolutely beautiful. Very clean and nicely decorated. Be sure to read the newspaper article in the back of the Birch binder in the room. The story of Colin the owner is absolutely fascinating! We will definitely be back! Thank you!!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Once again, a wonderful stay in Birch at Green Gables

We stayed here a month ago and liked it so much, we had to return. This is an updated, clean, well-appointed, and centrally located property that is ideal for visiting Door County. The gardens are especially beautiful and peaceful. The owner is pleasant, reliable, and easy to communicate with. We would defintiely stay here again when we return to Door County.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dale M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful Gardens

If your looking for a place to rejuvenate yourself amidst life's peaceful and quite amazing gardens Green Gables of Door County is it. Convenient to outdoor hiking or biking, near restaurants, shopping and strolls in nearby quaint - yet you may want to immerse yourself in the "out the back door" relaxation of the "peaceful gardens". Quite and rather nice indeed!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Terrific place-tasteful, spacious and perfect location

We really enjoyed our stay at Birch. The beds are comfortable. Having two rooms made it easy to stretch out and relax. The gardens are a lovely place to getaway and enjoy. The owner is very approachable and easy to communicate with. The rooms are well-appointed, updated, and quiet. The location is a good jumping off point for Door County--restaurants, scenery, and great bike riding are all nearby. We hope to be back soon and often. Thank you, Colin.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Shannon O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Birch Retreat is very sweet!

With privacy, ample space, and a beautiful location in northern Door County, Green Gables offers an ideal setting for your Door County getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michong P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

One of the best place to stay in Door County

Excellent location with beautiful gardens and an amazingly attentive and gracious host.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2022

About the host

Hosted by Colin Welford

Host profile image
I am a musician - an orchestra conductor of ballet and Broadway musicals, a pianist and composer - originally from Manchester, England. I first landed in the U.S. (more than a few years ago!) as a grad student in Miami. Since then, music-making has led me to visit (or live in) all sorts of places on five different continents: From Shreveport to Budapest, The Philippines to Swaziland. Of course, along the way I've enjoyed, encountered, or endured hospitality of all styles: a room-for-rent in a stranger's house (100% language barrier included), corporate apartments, a corrugated-tin shack in the jungle, hotels ranging from 5 to 0 stars, cruise-ships, dive-boats and leaky barges, private island mega-mansions, African desert tents - and more lately, a very high floor in a glass and steel skyscraper! I had been working in vibrant Chicago where I was the Music Director of "Hamilton" for almost three years. At the same time I frequently found myself heading North to Door County, WI - a very special and different place, with all the 'small-town' charm and ways of a bygone era; whether during its pristine white winters, fresh springtime greens, its exciting summer buzz, or the stupendous fall colors.

I like meeting people of all ages and from different places and walks of life, and am interested in art, architecture and history, while being ever on the lookout for completely new experiences. I enjoy scuba-diving (I’m a licensed PADI Assistant Instructor - although I’m probably a bit rusty), longer-than-planned hikes, creating music & lyrics and outrageously improbable plot-lines for new comedic musicals, escape rooms, chess, puzzles, campfires (but NOT at Green Gables!), playing games on my iPhone that keep me up all night, foreign films, LEGO, and reading.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

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