Somtara Madeline Island Lake Home

06/24/2022

11/18/2020

Well, the unusual 2020 Covid-19 Season is a wrap. And this last guest visit was just a great ending to such a strange rental season. To all of our guests and especially the housekeeping crew, thank you!

The 2021 Season is now active on the website. Please note these bookings currently assume we will be able to do same day turnovers in 2021. If the virus is still an issue, like 2020, some bookings may have to be adjusted to again allow for at least a full day between check ins. I am currently blocking dates and holding reservations, but as in past years, I will confirm intentions again in February or March before running any deposits. I hope everyone stays well and safe and can enjoy the upcoming holiday season. Until next year and again thank you, Tom

November 2...8, 2020
We spent our honeymoon here since we couldn’t travel overseas due to the pandemic, but honestly couldn’t be happier with this decision. The views are breathtaking and the house is perfectly cozy and inviting. We lucked out and somehow were gifted with numerous days in the 70’s! In November in northern Wisconsin! We can’t help but feel that we were being smiled upon. Perhaps a lovely gift from mother nature herself? Whatever it is, we adore it! We spent time wandering around the grounds and the island. Big Bay Town Park and State Park were both lovely. I even found a black bear track on the beach at the Town Park! We got yelled at by countless red squirrels too, hah! It was interesting to see all the different moods of Lake Superior too. From calm and mirror like to 3 to 4 foot waves assaulting the shoreline. Being treated to both sunrise AND sunset was one of my favorite parts of our stay. We did wander the town of La Pointe and bought some candles and coffee and then had lunch at the beach club. We did eventually find our way onto the ferry to go visit Bayfield as well but opted to mostly be island folk during our stay, and we have no regrets. We would love to come back here and continue our explorations. Going back to Milwaukee will be hard. We’ve been spoiled. Thank you so much for sharing this little slice of paradise with us. It was a much needed break from the ‘ho-hum’ during these crazy times, and the perfect way to celebrate our wedding together.
Kara and Joe, Milwaukee WI

10/04/2020

LATEST GUEST BOOK ENTRY

September 28 - October 3, 2020
We’re a couple in our 60’s that live in Wisconsin. We had some time off and needed a change in scenery. Madeline Island was a place we had never explored, so … here we are!
Our first thoughts when we drove up exceeded our expectations! This home is clean and thoughtfully laid out. Sitting by the water with a glass (or 2) of wine gave our minds room for thoughts and reflections … and some ideas for the future.
29th - Didn’t sleep well, pillows a bit hard, but loved the sound of the waves! Today was a day of rest, walk, reading and decompressing our minds. 30th - Perfect day for a hike after breakfast. Big Bay State Park; Point Trail, Big Bay Trail to the Boardwalk and back through the Woods Trail, 4 miles, maybe 4.5 total. Stunning views, lots of hikers too! Oct 1 - Took the ferry, drove the coastline to Herbster. On the way back we hiked Lost Creek Falls in Cornucopia. Stopped at South Shore Brewing in Washburn and Adventure Club Brewing in Bayfield. Beautiful day, chilly, still perfect!!! Oct 2 - Hiked trails on the North Side, 4 miles total. Today was colder but still great skys and we just don’t get tired of watching the waves and listening to them .. this is a great place to do that!! Oct 3 - Last full day - Cold but canoed Lake Superior along the shoreline. The sun popped out and made the day so worth it! We walked the boardwalk and reflected on what it would be like to live here … Popped a bottle of Champagne to celebrate an incredible time on Madeline Island and our stay at Somtara. Love this place and will return.
Ron & Linda, Wausau, WI

09/24/2020

So happy it was a "perfect week". Thank you DeeDee and Robin. Here's their guestbook entry:

September 17-24, 2020
Lovely Fall weather. Watched the tree’s leaves turn yellow, orange, and red. Beginning of stay windy and waves large. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday calmer. Many birds: eagles, loons, see gulls, and wee ones. Red tail squirrels, no bears.
Firepit is great and used it most nights. We grilled everyday - delicious goodies. Very relaxing on deck and daytime firepit. Sky was hazy everyday? Western Fires? New moon began on the 17th, to a crescent by end of stay.
The cabin / house is so very comfortable with all the comforts of home. We will be back in 2021, hopefully a summer week and another in September.
Thanks for the wonderful time! I slept great with the windows open, buried under layers of blankets. Great meals and relaxing hours by the water. A perfect week!
Thanks, DeeDee & Robin

08/14/2020

Guest book entry for stay August 9 - 14, 2020. Thank you!

Dear Tom & Sara:
We have been visiting M.I. for many years, since before our daughter was born and she is now 22!! I cannot think of a more beautiful and welcoming place to stay - Somtara is a precious gem that you have created. There is so much care and love and hard work that has forged this home - thank you for sharing this experience with us.
This was the first time we could spend time on the lakeshore - on the porch reading, the nightly bonfires, on the sand beach exploring and even watching the Perseid Meteor showers!! So many memories. And we even explored new places like the Lagoon at the Town Park by both e-bike and mopeds! 2020 has been a rough year for everyone and our stay at Somtara has helped us recharge and prepare for the rest of this challenging year. Be safe and well. Our sincere thanks. Laura, Dave, & Serena

08/09/2020

Latest from the Guest Book:
August 8 2020
The Hansen family had a wonderful time here. The weather was a little cold at first but it warmed right up. We went swimming everyday and also rented bikes from the Town so we could bike all over the island. One of the most fun things we did was go on a hike at Big Bay State Park. We we got there we went cliff jumping and swam through some underwater tunnels. We made a fire nearly every night which was a great way to end the day. While we were here there was a full moon in the clear sky which was very beautiful when it shined down on the lake!
The Hansen Family

07/30/2020

Sharing the latest guest book entry. Thank you Kelley and Luke. I'm so happy you all enjoyed your stay.

July 30, 2020
This was our first visit to Madeline Island. Staying at Somtara was such a treat. It was so peaceful & beautiful! We really enjoyed searching for interesting rocks in the water with the kids. We had a wonderful & relaxing family trip here. Thank you for sharing Somtara with us, it is truly a gem!
Kelley

07/04/2020

Here is the latest guest book entry. Thank you Matt and Victoria. I'm so happy you enjoyed your stay.

June 29 - July 4, 2020
We spent our honeymoon week at Somtara, and what a wonderful week it was. This is truly a special place. The view of the water and sky provided an everchanging spectacle that we never grew tired of. We enjoyed swimming in the water and sitting by the lake. The weather was perfect each day we were here. The whole island is a gem, a truly magical creation, with nature’s abundant reminders to appreciate what is around us and to take a moment to slow down and breathe. From the endless wonders of Big Bay to the majestic lake views, to the tranquil waters of the lagoon, to the soft sounds of birds singing, this island is a place we will never forget and hope to come back to many times. There could hardly be a better home base to experience it from than Somtara. We deeply appreciate all the thought, care and love that has gone into making this house and its grounds so inviting and relaxing. We’ll be back!
Matt and Victoria June 2020

10/30/2017

Shoring up and saving patio. Reinforcing riprap. Thank you Nelson Construction, La Pointe, Wisconsin.

10/27/2017

High water. Big Waves. Strong wind. Rip Rap no match.

05/25/2017

I have seen these in the ditch along Chippewa Trail

03/09/2017

For more information and more photos, visit our primary website; http://www.somtara.com

To book a stay, follow a link to 'Webervations', our online booking agent, from either the rates page or the bookings page.