Camp Wandawega is a flawlessly re-created 1950′s summer camp. At $250 a night (plus a $60 airbnb…read moreservice fee), you can step back in time. Located in Elkhorn, WI about 90 minutes from where I currently live, on the way there, I drove by the place I used to camp as a kid and by towns I have met my parents in to go antiquing. Where many of the sites on the way were well-known to me, pulling into the camp site was familiar because it was like driving to the set of Moonrise Kingdom. Really, it was like plopping into any Wes Anderson movie. I could very clearly imagine children with their names emblazoned on sleeping bags and wooden tennis rackets being used as swords by campers. When I first arrived, I was early (although the reservation said there was a flexible check-in time). The cleaning lady was arriving in two hours, so I read outside for a while of (what would be) my cabin. The breeze was nice and my book was distracting, but then I started paying attention to a couple who were dipping their feet into the lake at the end of the dock while eating oranges AND drinking orange juice (?!?). That is commitment to Vitamin C, if I ever saw one. Once I moved past my internal giggle at the scurvy-free couple, I glanced at my phone and saw that time had slowed to a crawl. How can a morning at home go so fast and an hour at camp go so slowly? It is like that scene in The Jerk where he says the first day seemed like a week. Camp Wandawega is quite quiet, except for the crazy chipmunks. Sometimes, you can hear the muted, but distinctive click of the flagpole outside. Often, I caught myself looking to see if the crinkle of leaves or branch breaking was a person, but it was almost always a chipmunk (or, not to be out done, squirrels). If the chipmunks weren't there or if flags didn't move, I would have thought I was frozen by some witch's autumn spell. Overall, it seemed like it shouldn't all be there- the details. It felt like it all should have been swept away in a flood or be permanently planted in someone's dream, not surviving as well-preserved as it all is. There is no internet that I could connect to. I didn't need air conditioning or heat, but they are a window cooling unit and a floor heater respectively; nothing major to protect you from the elements. You are here to be (at least, a little) outside. There is a rope swing and open-air showers. There are old bikes and bird houses. The traditional camp colors of burnt red, forest green, and stark white are everywhere. Uneven stairs and rocky hills force your attention even while you walk casually around. The camp was at one point a brothel. Well, it was a speak easy, a distribution center for organized crime, a brothel, a lake resort and a church camp before the current owners bought it and renovated it to its current state. While at Camp Wandawega, what I felt was a constant pang of that very specific camp feeling. The anxiety before arriving your first time. The waiting of ONE MORE YEAR before your next camp experience always seeming like forever. The addiction in the autonomy and the freedom of no parents or siblings. You just being who you are. Someone good at archery. Someone who loves sitting on a dock. Someone who swings in a hammock. Someone who naps. Someone who hikes. While there, I got invited to a fire on the beach by one couple. At another point, a couple taking engagement photos came by to use the canoes. Untroubled people came and went. Some times a fish would come up to ripple the water in their hunger. The lily pads provided a little buffer from the reflection of the sun. There was the constant smell of a fire burning somewhere. What I recommend doing while at Camp Wandawega: -Eat PB&J. You can go into town for food, but why bother? -Sneak iced coffee or coffee grounds and a French press into the communal kitchen. -You don't really have to sneak, but sneaking around seems very camp-y. -Take a nap. Or several. -Read the books at the end of the bed (A Very Modest Cottage and Found, Free & Flea) by Tereasa Surratt. They will provide more information on the renovation of the property and the care of one of the cottages specifically. -Go on a walk around the whole site. You will find tipis (or teepees) and other fun finds. Just bring your hiking boots. -Canoe. (Language side note: canoe is a noun and a verb. English is so quirky.) -Sit with the liquor of your choice by a fire or just sit by the lake for a while. -Go on a bike ride. -Take pictures. You can't really take a bad one. During my time here, the bees were about. Flies and ants, too. Twice, a spider dropped down (seemingly from the sky) onto the book I was reading. Also, I am 99.9% sure there was a raccoon outside of my cabin door one night. Camp Wandawega is a natural and authentic place which makes it an ultimate place to reflect and assess. Yes, you have to constantly check your wine for bugs, but that is part of the magic of being fully present, isn't it?

AMAZING. This is an awesome place with rich history dating back nearly 100 years ago. The tree…read morehouse is soooo cool, there are many options as far as areas you can stay in. Teepees, old Army tents, the old "dormitories," and small cabins. We were here for a wedding over the weekend (which is rare from what I hear), and the place was recently renovated (in the last 5-7 years or so). This is a very rustic place with a historical feel. In the 1920's during the prohibition years, it was a speakeasy (my favorite part of their history), but there is much more. To learn more about the history check out, www.wandawega.com. This place is also a very well kept secret. I grew up less than 10 miles away from Wandawega, but had only heard of the lake not the "Camp" or "Resort." This place is meticulously decorated, clean, historical, rustic and all-around awesome.

This was our third year on the Island and it's definitely our happy place! The RV Park is very…read moreclean and well kept. Lawn maintenance is included so no worries about keeping up with mowing. The dock right in our backyard is also maintained by the park. The owners are really knowledgeable and so helpful. We look forward to many more years at our RV on the Island!!

When up for the weekend for some sun and to have some fun. Had a great time and dinner with some…read morefriends and cocktails then went the following day up to Blarney island and a awesome time so stop at the island on the chain

Living in a Ukraine paradise and loving it! Malcolm brother, Francis, would be proud!…read more Small, but very well kept and friendly campground. Was greeted by a spunky woman who help keep the kids on their feet by teaching them to calculate how much change they would get back when paying for ice cream. The site was small, but nicely shaded..but we had our own slip, which is the reason we checked this place out. The cruise to the Chain is about 45 minutes from this point (no wake), but the scenery is simply amazing. Wetlands and birdlife is abundant. Spotted out many white cranes trying to blend into the background while balancing on their one leg. This area is connected to the State Park and is great for canoes. Back to the resort ~ the pool was clean and comfy..no hot tub, but we didn't mind. Their calender is packed with activities for families, when we stayed it was a potluck (FREE) pig roast and dance that evening..and a golf cart parade for the 4th the next day. Was the perfect place for our weekend getaway. Quiet, Comfy and we came home very relaxed - even though it was one of the hottest weekend we've had this year - We'll be back again ~

We were able to get a reservation over the Fourth due to some delays we had in selling our home. I…read morewas told we would have full hook ups but that turned out to be grey water only and that was a joke- a 55gallon leech drum in the ground. Fire pit was movable. Sites were not level at all. The gravel is the wrong type that was poured. Many permanent residents. It is perma camping. They do have a store and a pool which was nice. Golf carts all around. The entire place is walkable. I never feared for my safety or that my stuff would be messed with. It was expensive and over promised and under delivered. Quiet at 10pm... nothing happening after 10 at all. Having running water was nice for a change as we camp at state parks but I'll take the state park.

Beautiful property and an even more beautiful host! Pat is the sweetest lady you could ever meet…read moreand her resort is adorable. Highly recommend

What an amazing experience. I absolutely loved it. The cabins are very nice, very clean very well…read moretaken care of. The best part is the owner. She's completely awesome. She is so accommodating, and will help you to feel exceptionally wonderful being there. I'll never forget it.

We booked a weekend stay at Ye Old Manor House for a belated anniversary weekend and because I had…read morean event in the area. The owners, Karen and John are lovely people! They are always available should you need anything. Most likely you won't need much because they have anticipated everything you could need and have done so with detail and care. We arrived later in the evening and they helped us find restaurants we could get delivery from since we were tired and didn't want to go out after the long drive. They greeted us with a complimentary brownie upon arrival. We slept well, much more comfortably than I usually do in hotels or stays away from home. You get a choice of many delicious breakfast items to choose from. They serve all kinds of food including vegan. They have their own veggie garden and use many homegrown veggies and herbs in their dishes. We had a tasty vegan frittata one morning and a tofu scramble the next. Served with vegan sausages, breakfast potatoes, fruit salad and unlimited coffee or tea. Other guests chose bacon, waffles, and eggs, etc. There's a Keurig machine, an ice maker and fresh water available 24/7 as well as a fridge with soft drinks. There is a gorgeous pool there! Unfortunately I forgot my swimsuit so we didn't try it but we will next time for sure. Other guests had a lot of enjoyment there. The grounds are lovely with gardens, seating areas and an outdoor fireplace. There's also a basketball hoop. Not only are the accommodations comfortable and homey, the owners are warm and friendly and we had wonderful conversations with them and fellow guests. We actually spent a couple hours lingering after breakfast because we all enjoyed the conversation so much! We admired their beautiful art on the walls as well. This is clearly more than a B&B for Karen and John, this is a dream come true and a definite passion project. They truly put their heart and soul into this property and it shows and is felt. We will definitely be back and will bring our kids as well. This place is a gem.

This is a lovely b&b! The charming rooms are comfy (I stayed in the Rising Sun). The numerous…read morereading nooks are cozy and replete with books. The gourmet breakfast is really tasty and served on china with real silver utensils. The gardens are delightful. The innkeepers are friendly and welcoming. There are wonderful original pictures and tapestries adorning the walls and interesting sculptures intermixed with the antique furnishings. There are so many windows that reveal the lovely views nestled in this very private estate. So many places to sit on patios outside, too. The entire property has a welcoming vibe so you really do feel relaxed and at home here. My stay was awesome and I will be returning.

This place is awesome. Old school lake Geneva Vacation spot. Very few options to get on the…read morelake for a reasonable cost. Thank god for chippewa!

WOW! So much value for what you pay!! We chose Heavenly Night to stay in. The room was clean and…read moretidy upon entry. All instructions were clear and we had no problem with the fireplace or Jacuzzi tub. The turtle cheesecake is a MUST order. So delicious. The ambiance was so romantic for a winter get away!! Breakfast was delicious and nutritious. Cannot wait to stay again in another themed room during every season :) We ate at cafe calamari in town during our stay. Super close and delicious!

Very lovely quaint place! Stone Grotto room was perfect, everything I pre-ordered was here waiting!…read moreThe decorations were amazing and the jacuzzi tub was very cozy! The fireplace was an awesome warm touch! Couples swing chair on the patio with a nice view. Parking right in front with very little travel to bring things from the car. The room is worth the price, probably below market for a B & B. Only note it's not a true B & B, no live hot breakfast, maybe before Covid there used to be? But the refrigerated breakfast was ok, nothing filling or spectacular. Added the cheesecake and it was definitely worth the extra $$!

Camp has a climbing wall, zip line, and low ropes course…read more Great food! We had tomato bisque with ham filled grilled cheese, soo tasty! Chicken tenders with fries were also on the menu and some tasty breakfast options as well. Very kid friendly food, and awesome staff! Thanks Camp Wonderland and Zac!

For a retreat center (and I've been to a good number of them in the IL/WI area), this one is pretty…read moregood. Can handle a lot of people, has a good dining facility, pretty decent food, and pretty decent facilities. It's not super run down and has things like tennis courts, bball hoops, a pool, a sand vball court, and more. Went for a weekend retreat and went kayaking (that was kind short though). Plus some of their housing has AC which is very nice during the summer time. They hold other camps here too so I imagine it books up fast. I'd come back!