The Inn at Wawanissee Point allows guests to experience a rare blend of immense natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and complete spiritual peace. This unique Inn combines history, superb artistry, and luxury, granting visitors a cherished restorative experience.
Located at E13609 Tower Road in Baraboo, Wisconsin atop the Baraboo Bluffs, the Inn at Wawanissee Point offers a private, adults-only romantic retreat, perfect for those celebrating a memorable occasion or simply seeking refuge and restoration from the demands of modern life. Four gracious rooms with full baths provide private pampered repose; an outdoor hot tub and campfire invite starlit relaxation. Guests can socialize at a nightly wine and cheese reception at the Inn’s Indigo Lounge. Multiple amenities support a welcoming and rejuvenating stay, blending convenience with comfort; rooms boast 4K streaming and high speed wi-fi, while whirlpools, soaking tubs and spa showers nurture restoration. Fireplaces provide cozy gathering places throughout the seasons.
Upon first entering the Inn, guests witness a breathtaking view of the Lake Wisconsin Valley through a southeast facing picture window inspired by the skyboxes at Lambeau Field.According to Dave Holdener, owner of the Inn, this moment inspires amazement and awe, one he refers to as “seeing is believing,” as guests absorb the panoramic view for the first time.
The Inn at Wawanissee Point offers abundant options for recreation and relaxation, both on the property and at surrounding attractions and natural areas. Guests can enjoy kayaking and canoeing on Lake Wisconsin, a 22-mile section of the Wisconsin River located only seven miles away. Devil’s Lake State Park is located about ten minutes from the Inn as well; there, guests can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities or relaxing on the beach famous for its purple-hued Baraboo quartzite.
Alovely spring flows through the Inn’s surrounding acreage, bubbling up through a sand and silica mixture and feeding into Parfrey’s Glen, the first protected nature site in Wisconsin, which adjoins the Inn’s property. Guests enjoy visiting Parfrey’s Glen to see its incredible historic gorge or to observe its varied birds and wildlife.
For wildlife enthusiasts, a trip to the nearby International Crane Foundation offers a chance to view every species of crane in the world in a srecently updated natural setting and associated facility.
Guests will relish exploring the moss-covered trails winding through the Inn’s 42 secluded, forested acres.According to Holdener, the beautiful mature trees surrounding the Inn offer an ideal opportunity to engage in forest bathing, the process of immersing oneself in nature to achieve health, peace and harmony.
Inn guests are treated to a gourmet three-course breakfast prepared by Dave’s wife Trudy. A selection of cakes, pies, pastries and homemade granola is followed by a hot prepared meal including locally sourced egg and meat dishes, potatoes, French toast and more. With advance notice, special dietary needs can be accommodated. Guests can enjoy the phenomenal view of the Lake Wisconsin Valley as they dine indoors or on the outdoor deck in pleasant weather, watching hummingbirds nearby.
For lunch and dinner, the Holdeners enjoy referring their guests to the outstanding selection of restaurants and wineries located
close by. Ishnala Supper Club in Lake Delton and the Del-Bar Supper Club in Wisconsin Dells offer guests top-notch dining options; nearby wineries include Wollersheim Winery, Balanced Rock Winery and Baraboo Winery. Driftless Glen Distillery in Baraboo offers fantastic before-dinner tours of the onsite distillery. Through a partnership with the Inn, these tours are offered to Inn guests free of charge.
The Holdeners have crafted a phenomenal lodging experience for their guests for almost 20 years. Dave Holdener, originally from a north Chicago suburb, first camped in the area with his parents and three younger siblings in the 1960s. Baraboo Hills was his father’s favorite place, reminding him of the immense natural beauty of the Swiss-German countryside of his roots. He purchased an acre of land on Tower Road for his family camping outings, and built happy memories there through the years. Dave and Trudy Holdener eventually returned to camp in the region with their children. Through a series of fortuitous events, the couple purchased land near the original Holdener family campsite and then built the Inn at Wawanissee Point.
Constructed over the course of six years, the Inn at Wawanissee Point features the unique, artistic woodwork of two cherished Holdener family members. Trudy Holdener’s father, Alois (Louie) Hastreiter, a Bavarian master cabinetmaker, selected red oak for much of the custom woodwork, doors, columns and more that he fashioned throughout the Inn. He also crafted decorative wood inlay throughout the main level of the Inn. Richard Holdener, Dave’s brother, used his expertise as a master cabinetmaker to contribute additional fine woodwork throughout the Inn, including in the kitchen, balcony, roofs and stairwell.
The Holdeners recently capitalized on their southeast-facing location and constructed an adjustable solar field. Consequently,
they also installed a level 2 charging station, available to guests day or night.
In addition to caring for their guests and lovingly tending the exquisite Inn and surrounding gardens, forest and trail, the Holdeners are excited to support the Tunnel to Towers (T2T) Foundation, which provides essential housing assistance and other services for veterans and their families. Dave and Trudy Holdener have pledged to give T2T ten percent of all guest room revenue for the month of
July 2024.
Dave Holdener encourages potential guests to explore the Inn at Wawanissee Point website and looks forward to speaking to those interested in establishing a reservation. He highlights experiences his guests will enjoy, from savoring the three-course gourmet breakfast to stargazing in the outdoor hot tub. In Holdener’s words, “When is the last time you got to enjoy the tranquility of a campfire? If you have not yet stayed at the Inn at Wawanissee Point, now is the time to book it. Seeing is believing.”
This article is from the
EY June 2024 Issue