25 Years and Counting: The Unique History Of The Chanticleer Guest House
In 1993, while the rest of the world was obsessed with The X-Files, Snoop Doggy Dogg, and Chevy Chase’s short-lived talk show, Bryon and I were obsessed with two old buildings.
We bought the run-down property that would soon become this truly one-of-a-kind Door County bed and breakfast in June of 1993, and immediately set about extensive renovations that, much to our surprise, would continue for many years. Our vision for the property never wavered; we saw The Chanticleer as a unique experience, one that would give our guests a luxurious, yet rustic experience that pays homage to the beauty of Door County with design and decor that is unmatched in terms of quality and authenticity.
The journey begins: Darrin and Bryon in 1993.
Through the renovation process, we encountered frequent and unexpected surprises and setbacks, learning the ropes of opening and operating a high-end place of Door County lodging as we went along. As two twenty-somethings who were new to the Door County area, we had to prove ourselves, but our commitment to building the B&B of our dreams kept us on course.
The main Guest House, which was built in 1916, required extensive renovations to bring it up to the level of amenities and luxury that we envisioned. The four Suites in the Guest House – the Grand Suite, Rose Room, Garden Room, and Loft Room – opened to the public on Bryon’s birthday, October 2nd, 1993. We welcomed our first guests on that day with excitement and anticipation, but we knew our vision was not complete.
A Work In Process: Construction on the Guest House
After a few years of teaching ourselves how to be innkeepers while developing our great service and highly-rated breakfast items, we turned our attention to the renovations of the Barn. We began the work in August 1996 and opened the Barn to guests on February 7th, 1997. The Barn’s unique lobby area, and its Suites – the Stable Suite, Granary Room, Sunflower Suite, and the gorgeous Meadows Room – have joined the Guest House in receiving the acclaim of guests hailing from all over the world.
Once our renovations on the original property were complete, and we saw our vision finally realized, Bryon and I considered how we could continue to grow our business and exceed the expectations of our guests. When the 40 acres across Cherry Road were put up for sale in 1998, the answer became clear: we would use our unique expertise to redefine luxury Door County cabin lodging. We purchased the property in September 1999, christened it “Chanticleer Mountain”, and began construction on the first two Cabins, the Tamarack and Hemlock, in early 2000. Always ones to out-do ourselves, we took it up a notch for the next two Cottages, the Evergreen and Oak, both built in 2005. These larger cottages offer double-occupancy options for guests, and enough room for larger groups.
Over 25 years later, Bryon and I are extremely proud of our Door County Bed and Breakfast. We believe we offer something superior not only in luxurious amenities, but also in terms of ambiance, amenities, location, and service. If you’ve never visited us, take a look at our newly-redesigned website, where you can enjoy high-quality photos and immersive virtual tours of all of our breathtaking suites, rooms, cabins, and cottages. Or, next time you’re in the area, stop by and see the beauty of The Chanticleer Guest House for yourself.
Still smiling: Darrin and Bryon in 2017
We hope to see you soon!
– Darrin Day
