2 nights
Perfect Weekend Escape
Arrive, unplug, and let the Northwoods do the rest.
All stays
ResortAdults only#1 of 2 B&Bs in Chetek (TripAdvisor) · #3 Best Wisconsin Resort (U.S. News) · Relais & Châteaux member
Canoe Bay
Relais & Châteaux wilderness resort — 300 private acres, glacial lakes, and daily-changing farm-to-table dining in Wisconsin's Northwoods
About this stay
Canoe Bay is a Relais & Châteaux property set on 300 private acres in Wisconsin's Northwoods, built around three spring-fed glacial lakes. In operation since 1993, it's earned a reputation as one of the most romantic resorts in the Midwest — #3 Best Wisconsin Resort per U.S. News, Condé Nast Readers' Choice 2025. The 27 rooms are spread across 20 standalone and duplex structures, all designed for two adults. Standard cottages feature king beds, stone fireplaces, and two-person whirlpools; lakeside units add saunas, steam showers, and direct water views. The on-site Inn serves multicourse dinners that change daily, sourced from a 3-acre organic garden and paired with a Wine Spectator–ranked wine list. Breakfast is delivered each morning in handcrafted wooden crates. Adults only (21+), no pets, no smoking. An October 2025 cluster of negative reviews flagged food service failures; GM Renee acknowledged the issues and reported corrective steps.
- 300 private acres on three glacial lakes — genuinely no crowds, ever
- Relais & Châteaux member since 1993; Condé Nast Readers' Choice 2025
- 3-acre organic garden powering a daily-changing multicourse dinner
- Adults-only (21+), couples-focused — the whole property is designed for two
- Meals delivered to your cottage in handcrafted wooden crates
Good to know
Sleeps
Up to 2
Bedrooms
1
Baths
1 full
Property type
Resort
Amenities
Dining
- fine dining
Wellness
- Fitness Center
More
- canoeing
- free breakfast
- free parking
- hiking trails
- in-room dining
- in-room massage
- kayaking
- no pets
- organic garden
- paddleboarding
- private lake
- sauna
- screened porch
- snowshoeing
- steam shower
- stone fireplace
- whirlpool tub
- wine cellar
Rooms & suites
Sample itineraries
Two ways your advisor might shape the trip — open one for the full day-by-day and where to eat.
What guests say
4.6
Wonderful
354 reviews · Tripadvisor
Vibe
Deeply romantic, adults-only (21+) escape with a contemplative, unplugged atmosphere. The crowd skews toward couples marking milestones — anniversaries, honeymoons, significant birthdays — and many are return guests on their 5th or 9th visit. No children, no pets, no noise. Wildlife (deer, eagles, lightning bugs) is a genuine draw. Many cottages have no cell service; regulars treat this as a feature. Fall foliage season draws the biggest rush.
Rooms
27 rooms across 20 standalone and duplex structures, all built for two. King beds, stone fireplaces, two-person whirlpools, and private decks or screened porches are standard. Higher-end lakeside cottages add saunas, steam showers, and direct water views. The Escape Tiny Homes are a popular modern option. Older cabins — notably Rattenbury — have drawn criticism for worn furniture and dated bathrooms; worth asking the property about specific cabin condition before booking.
Food
The Inn is the centerpiece: multicourse dinners change daily, sourced from a 3-acre on-site organic garden, paired with a Wine Spectator–ranked wine list. Continental breakfast is delivered each morning in handcrafted wooden crates; lunch is also available to order. Dietary accommodations (gluten-free, vegetarian) are handled reliably. The food is nearly universally excellent — but an October 2025 cluster of reviews flagged serious service failures: forgotten orders, cold deliveries, undersized portions, and room-service trays left unset. GM Renee acknowledged the issues publicly and noted corrective steps.
Location
300 private acres in Wisconsin's Northwoods, 10 miles from the nearest town (Chetek). Three spring-fed glacial lakes on the property. GPS fails out here — the resort sends its own directions. Eau Claire airport is 33 miles; Minneapolis–St. Paul is about 90 miles. Intentionally remote. Five restaurants are within 5 miles. The nearest decent grocery run is Gordy's Market in Chetek.
Amenities
Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards are complimentary. Miles of hiking and snowshoe trails traverse the estate. Fitness center in the Lodge (cardio, weights, yoga mats). In-room massages via Gentry Massage (book in advance). A-frame loft library that guests consistently rave about. Small conference room for up to 14. No pool. Some lakeside cottages have private saunas.
Service
Staff is warm and unobtrusive — attentive without hovering. GM Renee is specifically praised by name across multiple reviews for personally following up after problems and for recovering lost items. Dietary needs handled well. The late-2025 food service issues are real and documented, but management response was transparent and prompt. Outside of food delivery, service ratings are consistently high.
★★★★★
A Remarkable Getaway
“Canoe Bay is a remarkable hideaway that combines luxury, nature and amazing design. The resort has stunning cottages that are all unique and well appointed. Our stay was outstanding due to the personalization of the hotel team. We enjoyed wine-paired dinners each night followed by breakfast delivered each morning in handcrafted wooden crates.”
John H
Traveled with friends · via Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Always wonderful, extra care this most recent trip
“We love the cabins for privacy and quiet, it's so easy with breakfast and lunch delivered and the beautiful scenery and walking trails. I have celiac disease and getting amazing gluten-free food for all meals has always been possible. Service was truly above and beyond.”
Tamara P
Couple's stay — 5th visit · via Tripadvisor
★★★★★
Cozy Escape even in the dead of Winter!
“Even though it was unbelievably cold, the cottage with its Fireplace, Steam Shower & Whirlpool was a perfect Escape. The attention to detail in every aspect is amazing from the food that is delivered to the 1st Class meals in the dining room, we were spoiled.”
Barb S
Traveled as a couple · via Tripadvisor
★★☆☆☆
Terrible service and a food operation in disarray
“They completely forgot our cheese tray delivery order. The dinner for two was delivered with no set-up whatsoever — delivery person put the tray on the table and left. This is a $200 dinner. The portions were incredibly tiny and included no bread. We have relatively small appetites but there was so little food that we had to drive into town to get pizza afterward.”
Joe P
Traveled as a couple · via Tripadvisor
★★★★★
The most magical, relaxing weekend getaway
“Everything exceeded our expectations including the magical, organic garden full of huge, beautiful blooms and vegetables used for the culinary, top-notch meals created and offered on-site. The screen porch was the perfect place to relax, enjoy a cup of coffee, read a book and be surrounded by nature in pure comfort and without the bugs.”
Anna T
Couple's weekend — Escape Tiny House · via Reviews
Where you’ll be
Ten miles from the nearest town, in a stretch of Wisconsin Northwoods where GPS gives up, Canoe Bay’s 300 acres wrap around three spring-fed glacial lakes. Forest trails wind past organic gardens and an A-frame loft library. Deer wander past cabin windows. Eagles fish the water. Some cottages have no cell service, and regulars arrive expecting exactly that.
Chetek (nearest town)
town
10 miles
Gordy's Market, Chetek
grocery
~10 miles
Lured Inn Bar Grill
dining
3.3 miles
Backwoods Bar & Grill
dining
4.4 miles
Eau Claire Regional Airport (EAU)
airport
33 miles
Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport (MSP)
airport
~90 miles
Turtleback Golf Course, Rice Lake
activity
~40 min
Old Abe Trail, Cornell
activity
~45 min