Door County Waterfront Cottage on Sawyer Harbor | 3BR/2BA | Sleeps 10 | Cottage in Sturgeon Bay
3 Bedroom Cottage in Idlewild, Sturgeon Bay
SAWYER HARBOR RETREAT — Waterfront Cottage on Door County's Sawyer Harbor | Sleeps 10 | Private Dock | 4 Kayaks
Sawyer Harbor Retreat is a privately owned, whole-home waterfront cottage on Sawyer Harbor in Door County, Wisconsin — one of the Midwest's most sought-after vacation destinations. With 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, a sleeping loft, and room for up to 10 guests, this is a rare find for families and groups who want genuine waterfront access, privacy, and the space to spread out.
The property sits on a quiet stretch of Sawyer Harbor with a private dock, 180 feet of shoreline frontage, and unobstructed water views from the living room, main bedroom, and outdoor patio. You are not sharing this property with anyone — it is entirely yours for the duration of your stay.
THE HOME — Layout & Sleeping Arrangements
The cottage is bright, open, and thoughtfully arranged to accommodate large families and friend groups comfortably.
Main Level:
Primary Bedroom — King bed, ensuite bathroom, water views, dedicated desk/workstation, ceiling fan
Guest Bedroom — Queen bed, ceiling fan, direct access to the second full bathroom
Open-Concept Living & Dining — Gas fireplace, large dining table, Smart TV, board games, and ample seating for the whole group
Fully Equipped Kitchen — see details below
Upper Level:
Sleeping Loft — 2 queen beds + futon (sleeps up to 6), books, games, and cozy seating — consistently the favorite space for kids and teens
Bathrooms:
2 full bathrooms (1 ensuite in primary, 1 shared on main level)
THE KITCHEN — A Genuine Highlight
The kitchen is one of the most consistently praised features across our 130+ guest reviews. It is stocked and organized the way a home cook would want it — not a bare-bones rental kitchen.
You'll find high-quality cookware organized and labeled, a full spice rack, a blender, a rice maker, a dedicated coffee station, full-size appliances, and ample counter space for group meal prep. The large dining area is perfect for family dinners, morning pancakes, puzzle nights, and everything in between. For outdoor cooking, there's both a gas grill and a charcoal grill on the patio.
This is a kitchen that encourages you to cook — and many of our guests do exactly that.
WATERFRONT ACCESS & OUTDOOR AMENITIES
The property's private waterfront setting is the centerpiece of the experience:
Private dock on Sawyer Harbor (water levels vary seasonally — see note below)
4 kayaks + 1 canoe available for guest use at no charge
Fire pit with Adirondack seating for the whole group — firewood provided
Large grassy yard — ideal for lawn games, kids play, and relaxing in the sun
Gas grill + charcoal grill on the patio
Patio dining table with umbrella — perfect for outdoor meals with a water view
Public boat launch just 1 minute from the property — excellent for guests bringing a boat or additional watercraft
2026 Water Level Note: Water levels in Sawyer Harbor are lower than in prior seasons, which may affect kayak launching depth at the dock. Kayaks are still available; launching may require a bit more effort depending on conditions.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY FEATURES
We've thought ahead for families with young children:
Pack 'n Play / travel crib available on request
Children's books and games throughout the home
Calm, protected harbor water — significantly less boat traffic than open bay properties, making it safer and more peaceful for kids
Large enclosed yard with no busy road frontage
Easy self check-in via keypad — no waiting for key handoffs
PARKING
The large private driveway accommodates up to 4 vehicles comfortably — no street parking required. Guests bringing boats or trailers will find the public launch just down the road.
LOCATION — Close to Everything, Quiet When You're Home
Sawyer Harbor sits just south of Sturgeon Bay at the gateway to Door County's most popular destinations. You are 10 minutes from downtown Sturgeon Bay and within easy reach of everything Door County is known for — without the noise and congestion of the busier resort towns.
1 min — Public boat launch
5 min — Idlewild Golf Course
7 min — Potawatomi State Park (hiking, kayak launches, tower views)
10 min — Downtown Sturgeon Bay (restaurants, breweries, shops, marina)
10 min — Haines Beach
23 min — Door 44 Winery
40 min — Fish Creek and Peninsula State Park
40 min — Green Bay
CONNECTIVITY & PRACTICALITIES
High-speed Starlink Wi-Fi throughout the home — reliable for remote work and streaming
Smart TV with streaming apps
Washer and dryer available
Self check-in via keypad (instructions provided in advance)
Carbon monoxide detector, smoke detector, fire extinguisher
100% non-smoking property
WHAT GUESTS SAY
Sawyer Harbor Retreat holds a 10/10 rating across 45+ reviews on VRBO, where it is recognized as a Guest Favorite and ranks in the top 5% of eligible listings. Guests most frequently highlight the cleanliness, the kitchen, the waterfront setting, the responsiveness of the host, and the overall sense of calm the property provides.
"Better stocked than expected." "The most beautiful sunrises." "We'll be back every year."
ABOUT YOUR HOST
Dana is a Door County local, a verified Superhost with a 100% response rate, and responds to messages within the hour. Detailed arrival instructions, local recommendations, and a digital guidebook are provided to every guest before check-in.
Book with confidence: this is a whole-home rental with no shared spaces, no on-site owner, and no shared driveways. The only space not accessible to guests is the garage, which is used for owner storage.
Door County Waterfront Cottage on Sawyer Harbor | 3BR/2BA | Sleeps 10 is located in Idlewild. Door County Waterfront Cottage on Sawyer Harbor | 3BR/2BA | Sleeps 10 provides accommodation, featuring Balcony/Terrace, Accessibility, Laundry, among other amenities. This Cottage features Balcony/Terrace, Accessibility, Laundry, to make your stay a comfortable one.
Door County Waterfront Cottage on Sawyer Harbor | 3BR/2BA | Sleeps 10 has 3 Bedrooms , 2 Bathrooms, and max occupancy of 10 people. The minimum rental for this property is 1 nights, but this can change depending on the season you plan on staying. Previous guests have given good rated it, and VRBO labeled it a top-rated Cottage because of the excellent services rendered by the owner or manager of this Cottage, and has consistently provided great experiences for their guests. Most families or guests that use it recommend it to their friends and some of them are repeat guests. Cottage has a friendly neighborhood, and the Idlewild has interesting places to visit. If you want to learn more about the Cottage in Idlewild, such as places to visit and things to do nearby, you can check below to learn more.
This Property is OneKey Eligible
Earn OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible vacation rentals, villas, cottages, cabins, and more when you book on Vrbo.
Amenities
Facility Overview
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Ceiling fan
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Air conditioning
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Heating
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Bathtub or shower
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Towels provided
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Hair dryer
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2 bathrooms
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3 bedrooms
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Bed sheets provided
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Sofa bed
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Dining table
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Fireplace
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Living room
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Microwave
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Dishwasher
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Stovetop
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Oven
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Cookware/dishes/utensils
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Ice maker
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Spices
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Toaster
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Refrigerator
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Laundry facilities
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Washing machine and dryer
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Car required
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Onsite parking
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No pets allowed
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Wheelchair accessible
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If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
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Smoke-free property
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Wildlife and game walks nearby
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Water sports equipment
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Hunting nearby
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Kayak on site
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Birdwatching nearby
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Horse riding nearby
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Golf nearby
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Jet skiing nearby
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Swimming nearby
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Ecotours nearby
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Marina nearby
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Games
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Books
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Smart TV
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Unit size: 1336 sq ft (124 sq m)
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Near the bay
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In a rural location
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Near a hospital
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On the lake
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On the waterfront
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Desk chair
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Desk
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Children's books
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Travel crib
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Playground
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Iron/ironing board
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Free WiFi, with speed of 25+ Mbps
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Firepit
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Furnished patio
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Charcoal grill
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Dock
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Garden
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Yard
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Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
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Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
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Fire extinguisher
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First aid kit
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Deadbolt lock
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Close to skiing
Policies
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 host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed this property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room this property is managed through our partner, vrbo. you will receive an email from vrbo with a link to a vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Reviews
FAQ's
Is this Idlewild cottage pet-friendly for guests?
No, pets are not allowed at this property. Check the guest reviews to learn what guests had to share.
Does the Idlewild cottage have a swimming pool?
No, this Idlewild cottage does not have a swimming pool. Check the Facility Overview section for details about the pool and other available facilities.
How much does it cost per night to stay in Idlewild cottage?
Best-rates for the Idlewild cottage starts from $444 per night with includes Security/Safety, Sports/Activities, Fireplace/Heating, Wellness Facilities, Guest Services, Entertainment, Child Friendly, Kitchen, Parking, View, Balcony/Terrace, Accessibility, Laundry, Air Conditioner, TV, Bedding/Linens, Barbecue/Outdoor Cooking, Internet with all other facilities. matches every traveler with their perfect accommodation, whether you are traveling with a group, friends, family, or pets.
Is Idlewild cottage a family-friendly place to stay?
Based on the information we have received from the owner or our partner, this is considered to be a family-friendly property. Families have rated this cottage Good or guests have recommended them suitable for families. As reported by the owner or manager, the cottage has specified that children are welcome. Please see details about suitability for your family or inquire with the property to learn more.
Is the Idlewild cottage wheelchair accessible or offer services for disabled guests?
Based on the information received from our partner, the Idlewild cottage has not specified they are wheelchair accessible. Likewise, there is not an elevator specified as being available at the property. Specific accessibility details may be addressed in the property details section of this page.
What is the minimum night stay policy for the Idlewild cottage?
Based on the information reported by the owner or manager, the Idlewild cottage indicates 1 day stay policy at this cottage. Guests are cautioned that the minimum stay policy may differ based on seasonality or availability and may be at the discretion of the owner or manager.
What cancellation policy is in place for Idlewild cottage?
Guests are cautioned that the cancellation policy may differ based on seasonality, availability, or current travel restrictions. Guests should also be aware that this policy may be subject to change and should be confirmed prior to booking. More details may be available on this page in the property description. However, early check-in or late check-out can sometimes be negotiated between the guest and the owner or the manager of this property.
