Breakfast takes on new meaning when you are served a delectable breakfast in a beautiful dining room!

First, though, you will enjoy your early morning cup of rich coffee or your choice of teas or hot chocolate in the privacy of your guestroom. That is certain to get your day off to a good start!

Then, at the time you’ve designated, you come down to the inn’s dining room to indulge……….in whatever you choose from the breakfast buffet. Eat as much as you please or as little as you want. This is your getaway and it’s all about you feeling pampered and well cared for.

A self-guided walking tour of prominent downtown historic buildings has been a favorite with guests of the Port Washington Inn, who are often attracted to the inn by its history.

In fact, the history of Port Washington Inn is connected to the German brewing tradition by George Blessing who built this home for his family when he moved to Port Washington from Chicago after purchasing the Port Brewing Company.

This past fall (2009) the Port Washington Wisconsin Historical Society featured all establishments that produced or served beers within Port Washington’s history. This event was attended by one of the Blessings’ grandsons who shared several stories of his Grandfather Blessing. This grandson has visited the Port Washington Inn several times and each time we are regaled with his memories of time he spent here with his grandparents and extended family.

As with any community, there were ‘movers and shakers’ who propelled Port Washington’s growth from a meager Lake Michigan harbor to a thriving center of trade and the county seat of Ozaukee County, Wisconsin.

The evidence is recorded in a ‘Homecoming’ Book published around 1908 in which are pictures and advertisements of significant businesses as well as prominent residences, the George Blessing home among them. A copy of this book was gifted to the inn by the Blessings’ grandson. The Port Washington Inn now has had several of the photos from the book professionally copied and framed; they are on display in the parlors.

It’s time to celebrate the inn’s fresh new look, most especially on the exterior but evident as well on the interior where we’ve been painting and finessing. Far from feeling its age (107 and counting), the inn’s exterior now matches the tasteful interior. The careful attention to the trim details of the building have taken time and patience to replicate but not to do so would have been to lose the integrity of this historic Port Washington landmark.

George and Eva Blessing, who built this home in 1903 would, we believe, be pleased to see how it has been preserved and shared as a bed and breakfast inn. They came to Port Washington from Chicago when George purchased the Port Brewing Company. Their house on Sweetcake Hill was situated to take advantage of the views and the breezes of Lake Michigan just four blocks down the hill. What an idyllic setting they chose and what a wonderful home they built! We are proud and happy to share the Port Washington Inn bed and breakfast with our guests.

When visiting Port Washington, the Port Washington Inn bed and breakfast on Sweetcake Hill gives you an atmosphere of serenity, elegance, and comfort in one of Port Washington’s historic homes built in 1903. Here the comfort quotient will have you believing you’ve traveled back in time to a less harried, more generous time and place. Here you may feel as though you’ve landed in the midst of a serene photo as the inn draws you into its quiet beauty.

Movies are great (the best of them are) and our movie video collection at the Port Washington Inn has always been popular with our guests. But the collection is becoming a piece of history as it is completely on VCR format. Now, not only does each of our guestrooms have a VCR but it also has a DVD player! So bring your Netflix movie with you to watch uninterrupted.

“Love is in the “Frigid-aire” so grab your sweetie to celebrate Valentine’s Weekend during the 36th Annual Winter Festival; “Romancing the Snow” in Historic Cedarburg, Wisconsin, February 13 & 14. So, don’t be stupid, cupid…wend your way to romantic Cedarburg and be our funny valentine.”

For all the details visit: http://www.cedarburgfestivals.org/winterfestival.html

All events are open to the public and most are free.
Info: 262-377-9620 or 888-894-4001
Saturday 8am – 10 pm
Sunday 8 am-3 pm

Stay at the Port Washington Inn and add a Lake Michigan view to your Valentine’s weekend while saving 30-40% on your stay! Port Washington, only 9 miles from Cedarburg, offers a variety of locally owned restaurants plus a chocolate shop (The Chocolate Chisel) and a wine making shop (From Vines to Cellar), Bernie’s Meat Market, and stunning views of Lake Michigan!

Such was the case when my friend Linda handed me a copy of Julie and Julia the other night. Watching it was pure joy! Meryl Streep brought Julia Child back to life for us and Amy Adams’ portrayal of Julie Powell reminded me of our daughter whose savoring of food has had a similar impact on her life.

Food is so basic to our existence, yet we hunger for it to be satisfying as well as enriching. Julia Child recognized that the cuisine she was enjoying in Paris was a satisfying as well as an enriching feast and she wanted everyone in America to experience their daily sustenance as a feast.

Countering the male bias of the Cordon Bleu, her joyful determination won the day. More of us will identify with Julie’s immersing herself in cooking to escape the stresses of her job. Our kitchens are, afterall, the places where we reign supreme, making decisions about the food we will prepare, and how it will be served. Ultimately, food is more enjoyable when shared, as Julie quickly realizes when her husband leaves. Food lovingly prepared is food lovingly enjoyed as it brings people together.

Our little granddaughter brings smiles to our faces as she delights in her exploration of new foods and in pretending to prepare food. At fifteen months, she was absolutely thrilled to receive a miniature kitchen complete with pots, pans, and utensils. When she visits our kitchen, she wants to see what is being prepared and she wants to taste it. Her earliest memories of being at Grandpa and Grandma’s house are of being in the kitchen. She was a very observant infant as she watched food being prepared both at her house and here. We can’t help wondering where her love of food will take her!

Combining genealogy research and a leisurely vacation is easily accomplished when you make the Port Washington Inn your headquarters. The Ozaukee County Archives Research Facility is just three blocks down the hill in the restored 1907 Electric Interurban Depot building. There is direct link research capability with the Wisconsin Historical Society Archives and the National Archives Center. Located adjacent to the Ozaukee Interurban Trail, the center serves also as a rest stop, welcome, and information center for trail users.

Note: cross country skis and snowshoes can be rented from Laacke and Joys in Mequon (www.laackeandjoys.com)

The Port Washington Inn’s situation within a residential neighborhood affords our guests outdoor seating in a parklike setting. The inn’s great food, complimentary beverages, and generous rooms and common areas all combine to make an extended stay a delight.

There is a five (5) night minimum stay requirement for the event but the exact dates are flexible.

Room Rates are as follows:
(tax rate is 12.6%)

Noelle’s Room:
$150/night

Helen’s Room:
$170/night

Dorothy’s Room: $190/night

Grace’s Suite: $225/night

Top of the World Suite: $225/night (this suite ONLY will accommodate up to four people; there is an extra person charge of $75/night)

Since the dates of the event are definitely high demand in this area, our policies governing reservations for these dates are as follows:

• 5 night minimum stay (we are flexible about which 5 nights)
• maximum occupancy is two people (the same two people) per room for duration
• 50% nonrefundable deposit upon booking
• Balance to be paid June 30, 2008

WE ARE A NON SMOKING ESTABLISHMENT.
Smoking is allowed outdoors ONLY.

ADDENDUM: In case of last minute availability of rooms for this high demand event, reservations will require nonrefundable payment in full at the time of booking.