The 10,000 square foot Castino Lakeview Mansion sits high atop a bluff with uninterrupted breathtaking views of Lake Michigan, complete with the lighthouse, hearty surfers, sailboats and sunrises. It's just steps down the hillside stairs to the expansive beach and marina, with sand volleyball nets and a playground, public restrooms in case you don't want to run back to the house, and tennis and pickleball courts on the next block. The area also hosts a variety of local festivals. Fireworks displays can be viewed from the veranda--best seat in town!
The house combines the feel of yesteryear's opulence with all the modern amenities. The home was built in 1912 by coal and shipping baron JP Reiss on the Great Lakes, who spared no expense. The features include mahogany trim, barreled dining room ceiling, and ornamental plasters, along with iron, stone and brickwork. It wouldn't be right to have such a classy home sit stark and devoid of hominess, so despite the risk of breakage (we tend to be very flexible on returning damage deposits--things happen) the house is fully furnished according to the feel of its heyday, with ample decorations for your viewing and using pleasure. Want a classy formal dinner in the elegant dining room? Our wedding crystal and china are there to enhance the experience.
There are 10 bedrooms in the main house, including a bunk room for the kiddos, plus a sleeper sofa. The house can comfortably sleep a combination of children and adults up to a total of 24. If you're all all-adult group, the limit is 16 for optimal comfort. The coach house apartment, available for rent separately, can be booked in conjunction with the main house. (There are two additional bedrooms in the coach house, which also includes a full bath, kitchenette and family room.)
The main house has 9 bathrooms, 10 bedrooms, 11 fireplaces, 11 flat screen TV's (3 of them 50" screens), Wi-Fi and 2 outdoor patio fire tables. The veranda is our favorite “room” of the house, with seating for plenty and outdoor gas heaters that make it useable virtually year-round (blankies provided). There is a fully stocked kitchen (plus adjoining utility pantry with an additional full-sized frig) which includes a double oven, micro, and every serving item, bowl, cookie sheet, etc you could possibly need. There’s a kitchenette on the third floor with micro and small frig and a mini fridge in the lower level tavern if needed for overflow, and a full sized frig in the coach house if you book that as well. For outdoor cooking, there’s nothing like flipping burgers or grilling steaks on a giant gas grill on the veranda while overlooking Lake Michigan, the beach and the lighthouse on the point.
Plenty of space for your food and libations—plus your guests. Opportunities for large parties and work retreats are available (contact owner for event parameters and pricing).
The lower level is a playground for young and old, including a full mahogany bar complete with karaoke, foosball, ping pong, billiards, piano, plus laundry facilities in the back area. There's no need to ever leave the house, the grounds nor the beach. All types of fun and relaxation can be had on-site year round.
But Sheboygan has plenty to offer if you want to venture out. Sheboygan has been selected as the Number One Place to Raise a Family in America by Bloomberg's Business Week and Reader's Digest. From 4 star restaurants and a live performing arts theater (Weill) to Bookworm Gardens and an awesome children's museum, there's plenty for everyone. Dads can be on duty while moms stroll and shop the main street, or head over to the boutiques on the river walk while the kids play in the indoor water park. The adults on duty can sip on adult beverages while the kids play Marco Polo in the pool and video games in the game room. Nearby nature sanctuaries and trails are great for the whole family as well, including a quarry for swimming and paddle boating.
And don’t forget to visit the top-ranked golf courses that surround Sheboygan. Sheboygan is also known as the 'Malibu of the Midwest,' and Surf Sheboygan is an appropriate motto! Wind surfing, yolo boarding, kite surfing, motor boating, sailing, charter fishing and good old fashioned swimming are great ways to take advantage of Mother Nature's gifts. Want to go exploring by water? We have 3 kayaks available for your use, along with lifejackets (you’re strongly encouraged to bring your own to guarantee perfect fit and ample inventory). The ample beach is usually fairly wide open, even on the best summer days.Three blocks south on the lakefront is an exceptional YMCA, and a mile down on the lakefront is the aforementioned indoor water park with day passes available year round. Near the water park is a row of boutiques, and across the way is the river walk, with restaurants/bars, shops and fishermen (and their catches) galore.
Heading west from the mansion is the quaint yet full-service town of Sheboygan. The Weill Performing Arts Center, the Kohler Art Center and the fabulous Above and Beyond children's museum (including a new adjacent half a million dollar playground) are just a brisk walk away. Plenty of fine dining options as well as pub grub are also within walking distance and certainly within biking distance. We have 10 bikes on the premises for your use, with additional bikes available through local rental shops if our fleet isn’t enough. Again, although we have a smattering of bike helmets to choose from, we strongly suggest you bring your own to guarantee quantity and size to make for safe outings. Hiking at the Kohler Andrae State Park is another active endeavor, along with cross country skiing on the trails in town or at the Kettle Moraine State Park Trails. Evergreen Park and the reservoir are also appealing outings. Biking and hiking trails weave throughout the area.
If GOLF is your thing, this is the place for you! Our location is extremely convenient for accessing world class golf, including The American Club at Kohler, The Bull and Whistling Straits.
Road America Racing in Elkhart Lake is nearby. Witness racetrack tailgating at its finest. And the list goes on!
The bottom line is that there is plenty to do, with a welcoming, classy yet charming and relaxing home to return to at night. You can throw burgers on the grill, order out for pizza, or hire that local chef we mentioned to cater your meals for the ultimate in relaxation.
There's something for everyone--from swimming in Lake Michigan to golf, from spas to sports! You'll feel like royalty, as well as right at home at the mansion. Come enjoy this unique get-away with family, on a corporate retreat, a biking or charter fishing weekend, for a wedding to remember (max of 100 on site. Ask about wedding package details and special event fees for groups over 50) or to get in a few rounds with your golfing buddies--the possibilities are endless!
Peak season has a 4 night minimum. This encompasses the time span from Memorial Weekend through October. Week-long bookings are from Fri-Fri or Sun-Sun. If you are hoping for a shorter stay during the off-season, just ask and we can probably work something out. Weekday stays are also negotiable in price and duration.
Just know that once you get there it’s hard to leave, and you might just wish you’d scheduled a longer visit!
No matter what the occasion or the length of your stay, we hope you’ll grace us with your presence. You won’t regret choosing this unique venue for whatever type of get-away you have up your sleeve.
