I recently stayed at the Gonstead Guest Cottage. My partner and I wanted a quick getaway and rearranged our vacation schedule to accommodate Gonstead's 2-night minimum stay . This was the vacation spot I was most looking forward to and the one I was most disappointed by. The best parts? 1- Mt. Horeb is an amazingly wonderful small town we will be sure to return to. 2- The radiant heat throughout - no cold floors. 3- An iPod with 6,000 songs hooked up to a nice stereo system. Our beef? At $110/night, we strongly feel the Gonstead Guest Cottage is overpriced. We resented the 2-night minimum stay once we got there, and hated learning that we would be charged $10 to use their wood (we got a cord of wood from the gas station down the street for $5). We thought the price would guarantee us a nice stay. We were sadly mistaken and will not stay here again. Yes, clean (if you overlook the cobwebs) but you can't escape the strong smell of smoke from the fireplace. No problem, right? We'll just air it out. Sadly, that's not possible as the owners removed the hand cranks from the windows. Yes, they have bikes for you to use, but no air in the tires (even after promising to remedy this). Yes, they have a full kitchen with nice cookware but if they are charging so much it needs renovation. We'd also been told there would be cereal avaialble for us but nothing was there. We did love the town and will be back to visit it. We'll just seek alternate accommodations next time :) As a frequent B&B customer, I know my money should go further than it did here and am sorely disappointed in my stay. read more

I stayed there last week for a gonstead seminar and the experience was absolutely fantastic. I'd definitely go back again.

Loved this spot. Super cool, clean and cozy. Was met immediately in the driveway by the owner, despite it being late at night and below zero outside. In the cottage it was snug and warm. Amazing architecture, great amenities and everything I needed. The owners were there and eager to help in anyway. The next morning was spectacular, seeing the sunrise as the cottage fills with natural light. Can't wait to return. I highly recommend this place and the town. Really kind people there. read more

The owners were gracious host. The place is wonderful to stay in and gives you a inside sense of the Frank Lloyd Wright design and mindset. Enjoyed our stay and will sometime return. read more

Just got back from an amazing weekend at the Gonstead Guest Cottage. My boyfriend had reserved the cottage in advance for a surprise Friday & Saturday night stay, knowing we're both admirers of the FLW style of architecture. This place is right up there as an affordable option to enjoy the senses and simplicity of what FLW has to offer. This 1952 structure is obviously being lovingly restored by its current owners. A fire destroyed much of the structure in 1992, so the integrity of the home has been rebuilt over time. You can google Gonstead Cottage & Mount Horeb to learn more about the history. I don't think the fire touched the guest cottage, but there are enough updates since 1952 to be comfortable. The cypress ceilings, stone walls & heated floors were all new luxuries for me. And the wood windows are truly original. Anyone knowing single pane windows from that period would understand how temperamental they are to maintain with one owner, none-the-less to rental tenants in/out on the weekends. It's amazing that none of the window panes are broken or replaced with modern alternatives. The owners mentioned they are looking for fixes on the window cranks, which will be a good addition when heat builds up. But everything was tolerable as-is for us with 36-56 degree WI weather this past weekend. Here is my order of room preference: 1. The fireplace/living room. This is where you first walk in when entering the cottage (attached to the north end of the 3 bay garage). It's open to the kitchen and secondarily to the gallery/2nd bedroom/TV/den area. The fireplace itself is amazing. We had 2 fires in the evenings, spending about $20 total in firewood that the owners had put a lot of care into cutting, supplying and arranging in the closest garage attached to the cottage. The wood was stacked according to size, dry to burn without adding chemicals/firestarter, and smelled just like you would imagine your best moment in front of a fireplace could smell. Most of our stay was spent in this room, being warmed by the fire & listening to Ella Fitzgerald on the iPod system supplied by the owners. Imagine a warm cozy room, a glass of red wine & not a care in the world....for 2 days....seriously. 2. The bathroom. Although a bit strange to be at opposite ends of the cottage from the master bedroom, this may have been intentional design at the time. It's a bit small to fit 2 adults getting ready at the mirror at the same time, but the experience is worth the enforced privacy. When you're in the shower (which does fit 2 people), the stone wall emits a scent that when you close your eyes and awaken other senses, you'll swear you're showering outdoors. Heavenly! When you step out of the shower on a crisp Autumn day, you're suddenly reminded of the heated floors. Again, heaven. There is one outlet in the vanity light/mirror over the sink, but ample other outlets in the immediate area. Towels are well stocked and everything is perfectly clean. They even put out guest a sample size shampoo & a full bar of body soap in case we had forgotten something. 3. The master bedroom. The bed was cozy, with enough blankets, pillow options & 3 extra floor/table fans if needed. There were dozens of books & a mac that we didn't use. It was a little odd that the room had a door leading into the garage, but again we had to keep in mind the time period, intention & practicality of the layout. I personally think this bedroom may have been originally intended as a 2nd bedroom. We slept well & woke with the sun, sleeping in a few extra hours because that's what you do on vacation. Right? 4. Kitchen. This room is functional not yet the most authentic to the time period. I think the owners have focused on bigger priorities of restoring the home while still making sure this kitchen is useful, clean & efficient. I really have no complaints here. We had a stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, microwave, ceiling vent fan, full sets of pots/pans/utensils, plates/cups/silverware, teas & coffees, menu recommendations for local restaurants, you name it. We came in with minimal food & left full. If you're into Italian food, check out the local spot @ Sole Sapori...we went twice in 2 days. The 2nd time we purchased their sauce & cooked at the cottage. I'm hooked. 5. Den/TV room/Gallery. Possibly this may have been the original master bedroom? We didn't use this room much, since we stayed only 2 days and by the time we returned each day we preferred conversation by the fireplace rather than watching TV. But there was a TV with cassette & a separate dvd (blueray?) player. Each room also had great access to free wifi. This room would be especially peaceful for reading a book while overlooking a garden area, or exercise/yoga. The unique angles of the walls are obvious in this room & the hallway leading in. Overall, a wonderful experience that I hope to be able to return to in the future. We've already recommended to friends. Safe travels & happy times! read more

I surprised my boyfriend and rented this cottage for a nice romantic birthday weekend last December. We both loved it. The beautifully restored Frank Lloyd Wright style cottage is warm and inviting. We were able to make dinner in the kitchen and snuggle around the fireplace with our glasses of wine. The floors are heated with radiant heat so our feet were cozy. The shower wall is made of stone (I believe prairie stone) and when the water hits it it smells like you're taking a shower out in nature. The walls are interesting because they are angled outward near the base and all the paintings and photos are floating in space. The owners live in the house next door. They were very friendly and helpful. They were there for us if we needed anything but they gave us complete privacy. read more

My husband and I have stayed here 5 years in a row and that is because we absolutely love it! Gonstead Guest Cottage is charming, cozy, quaint, artistic, and with all of the essentials when getting away for some relaxation and leisure travel. I will mention a few of my favorite things about Gonstead Guest Cottage... The outdoor landscape and entry are inviting, serene, and warm. pod docked and connected to a nice stereo system. Plenty of basic kitchen appliances and utensils, as well as cookware and glassware-even frozen glasses in the freezer for guests who like beverages served in a frosted glass. His and Her bicycles complete with a nice sized bike tote to store items in. Gorgeous wide open hearth/wood burning fireplace! The smell in the air is rustic and welcoming. A very comfortable bed and plenty of warm blankets and extra pillows and the sheets...high thread count and comfy! Teas, coffee, and creamer to enjoy! A beautiful vase with 5 red roses-we were there to celebrating our anniversary, we come here every fall to celebrate. Mt. Horeb is such a wonderful town and community and the more we come and experience this little getaway the more we are feeling inclined to head this direction permanently. One of the reasons we feel this way is the hospitality within the town and foremost from Phil and Joyce Wall, owners of Gonstead Guest Cottage. Each and every time we have been welcomed in such a professional yet warm and inviting way. Phil and Joyce have always been so very accommodating, as we are respectful and reasonable guests. Gonstead has been our home away from home for the past 5 years and we hope to continue coming for many, many more! read more

We just got back from a relaxing weekend at the Gonstead Cottage and cannot wait to plan our next trip back. My other half is an architect and I studied art history in college, so we were beyond excited to discover that this place existed. When we arrived, we were greeted by Joyce and Phil. They provided us with information about the cottage itself as well as the Mount Horeb area (food, shopping, where to get a great cocktail, etc.). They showed us where firewood was (more on that later), asked if we were interested in using the bikes they provide (no, we are more of the "sit by the fire with our cocktails" type), and showed us how to use the television in living area. We asked some questions, got a quick tour of the cottage, and then were left to our own devices. Immediately, we noticed how incredibly comfortable all the spaces in the home are. Here's the rundown: -A cute kitchen with all the basics to prepare a simple meal, coffee and tea selections, plenty of cups and dishes, and my favorite part......frosted mugs waiting for us in the freezer. Common. How great is that. -Moving into the sitting area, we quickly discovered how amazing it is to sit on the couch and enjoy the fireplace. Even without a fire going, this is a cozy spot to relax and unwind. The second night we stayed, we used the fireplace and loved it. Joyce and Phil are kind enough to keep plenty of high-quality chopped firewood just outside your door. They have good-sized plastic bin near the pile and allow you to fill it up for $10 a pop. One bin kept a roaring fire going far into the evening for us and smelled absolutely fantastic. The living area has yet another comfortable couch and a nice television set up. We loved sipping coffee and watching some tv in the mornings. Also, when you sit on the couch, you have a perfect view of the angled walls and some of the other charming architectural aspects that the cottage has to offer. The bathroom was a bathroom. Cute, clean, and as other reviewers have indicated, it did indeed smell like you were showing outside. An interesting bonus. The bedroom was also incredibly cozy with a comfortable bed, lots of pillows and blankets at your disposal, and an Apple computer with free wi-fi should you need to check your work email during your vacation (don't though, it can wait). Alright, let's talk money for a second. $130 a night, two night minimum. I've gotta say, we've stayed in a lot of hotels and inns around the country and paid one hell of a lot more per night to stay in smaller, less comfortable, and less interesting places than the Gonstead Cottage. Spend the money. You are worth it and this place is worth it. Every. Penny. Ultimately, we were charmed to pieces with the cottage and the people running it. I'm in love with the architecture and have all of the admiration in the world for this fantastic couple who have dedicated themselves to renovating and up-keeping their home and this cottage. This is your chance to literally live in a work of art for a couple of days and that in itself is special. Enjoy:) read more

My husband and I are always looking for comfortable and private spots for a getaway from the urban hustle-and-bustle of Chicago. We had seen photos of this cottage online in the past, and finally had an opportunity to get out of town! We were amazed that this one-of-a-kind, mid-century-modern cottage, (an architectural gem) was an available place to stay. We marveled at the natural stone and wood interior surrounded by a peaceful garden. The first room is comprised of a full kitchen (a refrigerator to stock with your favorite Wisconsin brews) and a dramatic hearth/fireplace with a comfortable couch. Want music? An iPod/sound system was well-stocked with music for all tastes--we enjoyed Miles Davis and John Coltrane--perfect to set the imagination free. A spot-lit gallery/hallway displays local art and connects to another room with a cable TV/DVD player and a full bath. I loved the soothing interior lighting. There were several outdoor spots to sit and relax. We appreciated the library of art and historical books. I was grateful for the free wifi, always a plus for travelers. The owners are friendly and helpful and recommended great places to visit nearby. We look forward to returning in the fall or winter! read more

We stayed at the Gonstead Guest Cottage in April of 2013 and truly enjoyed it! We loved that the owners have stayed as true as possible to the authentic Frank Lloyd Wright style, down to the original windows, the stone walls/fireplace, and even the cypress ceilings. We especially enjoyed the beautiful wood burning fireplace (my husband loved showing off his fire-making skills!) and since he had a wood burning fireplace as a child, he was aware that one must start the fire slowly to warm the chimney and allow it to "draw" the smoke properly-that's just part of the charm of a "real" fireplace! Many places don't provide firewood for their guests, but the HUGE basket of wood that was available in the adjoining garage was only $10- we thought it was very reasonably priced, and it created a perfect fire! We loved that the owners showed us how everything worked, including the free WiFi. We were disappointed that there was too much snow and ice (this was the WI winter that went on forever!) to be able to use the available bicycles (this gave us more time by the fire!) Even though the kitchen is well-appointed, we enjoyed dining in the various quaint/reasonably priced restaurants downtown. What an enjoyable time in a beautiful setting- one could not ask for anything more (including our interactions with the delightful and accommodating owners!) read more