FIRST STREET INN

Greunke’s First Street Inn in Downtown Bayfield, Wisconsin

Quaint Lodgings in Bayfield

Greunke’s First Street Inn has twelve charming rooms. Six units have private baths, color TV, and queen beds. Two have queen beds with a half bed. Four rooms, reminiscent of the inn’s earliest days, have shared facilities. Offering affordable nightly rates for lodging in downtown Bayfield, Wisconsin.

Centrally located in downtown Bayfield, Wisconsin, the inn is a short walk from Lake Superior, the Madeline Island Ferry, Apostle Islands Cruise Service excursions, town pool, shops and most of Bayfield’s attractions. Shuttle service available to Big Top Chautauqua shows. Please visit the Bayfield Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Bureau for more information.

Historic Lodging on Lake Superior

First Street Inn is two of Bayfield’s oldest and most historic structures; the LaBonte House built in 1863 and the Wachsmuth House in 1880.

There are seven rooms in the LaBonte House on the second floor above Greunke’s Restaurant. These rooms are reminiscent of the inn’s past, furnished with pieces from earlier years. Some have a queen size bed, others have a queen and twin, and there’s a large suite with three queen size beds, private bath, loft, color tv and wet bar. Guests at the LaBonte House also have access to a porch overlooking Bayfield’s North First Street.

Lodging in the Wachsmuth House are in four restored rooms, each on the second floor and named for one of the Apostle Islands. They have private baths, air conditioning, plush carpet, color tv, down comforters and access to a porch overlooking First Street.

Accommodating guests for over 149 years

Bayfield, Circa 1865. An ambitious young man, of French-Canadian descent, secured the property at 17 North First adjacent to the Hotel, for his residence as well as vocation. Nazar LaBonte, some years later heartened by his own as well as the village’s success, set out for St. Paul. Along with a contingent of businessmen and entrepreneurs, LaBonte convinced the railroads of the peninsula’s potential. Part of the deal was a commitment that would take 6 years to meet. As Nazar helped organize the labor, the railroads provided the resources.

In the meantime, the LaBonte House welcomed its first guests. Numbers swelled the village into a town. The boarding house and the LaBonte family residence, between the Hotel Bracken and Whisker Wachsmith’s tobacco shop was doing brisk business.

Today, stepping in Greunke’s is like stepping back in the ‘40’s. The Coca-Cola memorabilia, the working Wurlitzer and old soda fountain counter conjure images reminiscent of a Norman Rockwell cover on the “Saturday Evening Post.”

Today these historic buildings are combined into Greunke’s First Street Inn.

The Inn has been listed in the directory of Historic Wisconsin Inns and Harvard’s Let’s Go Guide to the United States.

According to one frequent guest, “the best things about staying at First Street Inn are the homey atmosphere, and the best Breakfast in Bayfield…I recommend First Street Inn and Greunke’s to all of my friends. I know I can count on the service and the hospitality.”

All lodging (except Wildrose) is located on the second floor (stair access only). 1/2 bath is a stool & sink.

Room #1 – Double and twin bed. A charming front room, with a view of the lake. Sunny and comfortable. Shared bath. » Photos

Room #2 – Two queen beds, a half bath and cable T.V. A front room, with a view of the lake. Largest room in the old Inn. » Photos

Room #3 – Fondly remembered as “Cowboy Room” offers a comfortable oak four poster queen sized bed and private half bath. » Photos

Room #4 – This is a small but comfortable room with a double sized bed, shared bath, is reminiscent of quaint & charming European guest hotels. » Photos

Room #5 – This is a simple but comfortable room, has a queen size bed and shared bath across the hall. Air conditioned. » Photos

Room #6 – One double and one twin bed. Comfortable and homey. Stained glass lamps and fixtures. Lovely in its simplicity. » Photos

Room #7 – Known as “The Studio”. Large and spacious, 3 rooms, this contemporary addition has one queen sleigh bed, plus one queen and one double bed, color T.V., private bath, sofa, refrigerator, air conditioning, lots of art and stained glass. Sleeps 6. » Photos

York – Queen sized and twin bed, private bath, color T.V., cable, air conditioning, cherry wood desk and fashionable winged floral print chair. » Photos

Manitou – Queen sized and twin bed, private bath, color T.V., cable, air conditioning, cherry wood desk and chair. » Photos

Madeline – Queen sized and twin bed, private bath, color T.V., cable, air conditioning and small roll top desk. » Photos

Raspberry – King bed, private bath, color T.V., cable, air conditioning. » Photos

Wildrose Suite – Two and a half bedrooms, with queen, full and twin. Enjoy a big screen 60 inch T.V. with VCR. Private bath and shower with air conditioning. Sleeps 5 comfortably. Oak antique wood desk, chair and full size antique barber chair. Lower level double exits. » Photos

Blue Room» Photos