Special to DoorCountyNavigator.com
White Lace Inn, 16 N. Fifth Ave. Sturgeon Bay, opens
its lovely doors to travelers year-round. So whether you are dreaming of a Door County shopping excursion, a romantic respite with someone special or just in the mood for a quiet getaway, consider reserving one of the 18 rooms and suites at White Lace Inn.
We recently caught up with Dennis Statz, who owns and operates White Lace Inn with his wife, Bonnie. The couple also owns the Dancing Bear Gift Shop, 13 N. Third Ave., Sturgeon Bay-one of the many downtown locations open during the winter and spring in Door County.
Q. Please describe White Lace Inn's key amenities.
Dennis: The inn consists of four houses with total of 18 rooms and suites. We have 15 rooms with a fireplace, 12 rooms with whirlpool tubs of which nine rooms or suites have both a fireplace and whirlpool tub. Most of rooms have queen-size beds and four large suites have king-size beds. We have lots of gardens, a gazebo, and we are located in a historic residential neighborhood two blocks from historic downtown district.
We're open every night of the year. Everything in Sturgeon bay is open year-round-the Door County Historical Museum isn't open quite year-round but the Door County Maritime Museum is open year-round as are shops and restaurants. We have fairly busy times coming up. In December people want to go Christmas shopping. And mid-January through end of March is a big time of year especially the month of February which is 'Valentine's month,' and a lot of folks go away in February because of Valentine's Day. There is an ebb and flow to the year.
Q. What do you like to recommend people do in Door County?
Dennis: It depends on what people are interested in. You never run out of things to do. There are five state parks, 18 county parks as we as municipal city parks; you will never see them all. There are more than 350 miles of shoreline, biking, hiking, restaurants, art galleries, theatre.
Q. What makes White Lace Inn unique?
Dennis: What we are is a couple's getaway. In fact, we have had many, many small weddings here-more than 1,300. Many took place in the gazebo. We host many people for special occasions-birthdays, honeymoons, anniversaries. But not everyone comes on a special occasion.
Q. What about breakfast highlights? Any favorites?
Dennis: We do a variety of things. We make a full homemade from scratch breakfast-such as baked French toast or eggs for main entr�e. Often we will serve a croissant with a filling such as cheese and asparagus. There are side dishes, a variety of breads, and a lot of cherry and apple muffins and breads.
Q. Any special offers coming up?
Dennis: We offer off-season rates that start late October and go to mid-June. And especially on weeknights--Sunday through Thursday nights-it's almost outrageously a bargain (to stay here.) They are noted on our Web site-www.whitelaceinn.com