The Ellison Inn — Hotel in Town of Liberty Grove

We are so glad we picked this motel for us + our 2 toddlers. It was the perfect landing spot for our time in Door County. The price was great (book direct!) and we loved the hotel. Booking was a cinch, and communication with the owner was great. After driving through the crowded towns to the South, we were happy to arrive in Ellison Bay, where things are much more calm + old-school. The motel's exterior was cozy, and we were excited for the public beach + playground across the street. As we entered the motel, we were pleased to see the 70's style lobby, with modern twists. It was so nostalgic! The owner was there to greet us + she gave us great dinner recommendations. Opening our door to our Bay View room, we instantly noticed how CLEAN it was. It was truly spotless. And everything in the room was in great condition. It just felt so comforting. The room was also HUGE! We did miss having a little fridge in the room, but our cooler and the hotel's ice did solve that issue. Our highlight meal from the trip was definely the attached German restaurant. We had the special - Rouladen - and it was outstanding. The beach across the street was perfect for us. We spent a couple evenings there, watching the sunset + playing on the playground. There is a little grocery store in town + a bar/grill. We enjoyed them both! Our first activity, though, was the Ellison Bluff Natural Area. It was a great spot to watch the sunset +/or take photos - especially walking out onto the walkway! We loved Gills Bay. There we enjoyed Bea's Ho-Made products (pie + cookies!), Charlie's Smokehouse (smoked salmon!), Gills Rock coffee (breakfast sammies) + Top of the Thumb Gift Store ($20 t-shirts + tons of homemade goodies.) The highlight of our entire trip was Door Bluff Headlands County Park, where we hiked the natural trails and hopped the rocks at the water. A straight shot from Ellison Bay was Liberty Grove Town Park, where we enjoyed the beach + water several times on the trip. We're also glad we stopped at Uncle Tom's Candy Store - what a neat building with great treats! Further south, Cave Point County Park was another hit for the whole family. The owner went out of her way to make our 5-year anniversary special with a bouquet of locally grown flowers - we were both very touched. We went all over Door County + were so happy to come back to Ellison Bay each evening, away from the traffic + crowds. We hope this town, and the motel, stays laid-back and charming forever. When we visit again, it'll be a no-brainer to stay at...

I recently had a disappointing experience at Hillside Inn when they charged my credit card for damages to a door frame allegedly caused by my bike. I strongly believe that my bike was not responsible for the damage, and I am disappointed with how the hotel handled the situation.

During my stay, I took great care to responsibly park and secure my bike as instructed by the hotel. I even checked the room carefully before leaving to ensure it was in good condition. Therefore, it was disheartening to receive an unexpected charge for damages after I had checked out.

When I brought up my concerns to the hotel staff, they were dismissive and unhelpful. They simply insisted that the damage was caused by my bike, even though I maintained that I did not witness or contribute to it. It was frustrating to feel unheard and ignored as a guest. They produced pictures several days later and did not give me any video footage.

I understand that hotels need to protect their property, but it is crucial to handle situations like this with fairness and open communication. Unfortunately, Hillside Inn fell short in this regard. Charging my credit card for damages that were not caused by me is not only unjust but also reflects poorly on the hotel's customer service.

I urge potential guests to be cautious when staying at Hillside Inn. While the overall stay was adequate, their handling of disputed charges, lack of communication and lack of concern for guest experiences is a significant disappointment. I had hoped for a more understanding, kindness and fair resolution to...

Really nice hotel. Rustic but in a comfortable way.||I was pleasantly surprised by the Ellison Inn! I have been coming up to Door County my whole life and I have passed this hotel hundreds of times (when it was the Hillside). After scheduling an impromptu trip to Door Co for father’s day, I decided to give them a try as both the location and the price was right and I am glad I did. ||The no contact check in option was great because I did not have to hurry about getting up there as quickly as possible after work. The morning of my reservation, they emailed me my room number and the door code and I was able to take my time. There also is an option to check in at the front desk.||The rooms have been recently renovated and they were great. I got a room on the backside of the hotel and I had an outdoor space that looked out onto the woods. The room itself was painted nicely, but still rustic. The beds were comfy and the TV was great. My only suggestion would be more lighting; the room was dark once the sun went down. Either more overhead or a floor lamp would do the trick.||The bathroom was fine, retro but updated. The hairdryer was the best one I have ever used in a hotel and their toiletries are amazing. I want whatever they use for their handsoap.||I would absolutely recommend the Ellison Inn for anyone travelling to...