Fresh Coast Motel
4123 Main Street
Fish Creek, WI
A classic Door County motel, done right.
About Fresh Coast Motel
The Fresh Coast started life as the By the Bay Motel in the 1940s, two low buildings on the main strip of Fish Creek directly across from the harbor. Mitch and Katie Ehly and Luke and Katie Nelsen, two Milwaukee couples, bought the property in September 2023 and found it in considerably worse shape than the exterior suggested: the renovation reinforced the foundation in places and gutted the rooms to the studs. Eight months later, Fresh Coast opened in May 2024, every room rebuilt inside without disturbing the original 1940s footprint. Fish Creek is Door County's most walkable village: Peninsula State Park half a mile down the road, the harbor across the street. USA Today recognized Fresh Coast as one of the best roadside motels in the US in its first full season.
What Fresh Coast Motel Is Known For
Fresh Coast earned a spot on USA Today's Best Roadside Motels list in its first full season of operation. What earns that: the property sits directly across from Fish Creek Harbor in Door County's most walkable village, every room is individually designed, and two Milwaukee couples gut-renovated it in 2023 without disturbing the 1940s layout that made the location worth keeping. The recognition came quickly because the property opened correctly rather than gradually. Original bones, genuine renovation, a location that does significant work on its own.
Amenities
- Pets Welcome
- WiFi
- Fire pit and Adirondack chairs on front patio
- Harbor views (front building rooms)
- 8-person outdoor sauna (opening July 2026)
- Luxury tile showers
What Guests Love
- Directly across from Fish Creek Harbor: the view from front-building rooms is one of the best motel locations in Door County
- All rooms individually designed, coastal palette, no two alike
- Peninsula State Park half a mile away: hiking, biking, a lighthouse, and 20-plus miles of trails
- One of Door County's most walkable villages at the door: beach, restaurants, and galleries all within minutes on foot
- Dog-friendly rooms available
Worth Knowing
- Check-in is fully contactless via mobile app. There is no on-site staff. The owners are reachable by text and respond quickly, but the experience is designed to run without a front desk.
- Front-building rooms have harbor views; back-building rooms face inland. Worth specifying your preference when booking.
- Rooms in the back building can carry some noise between floors. Light sleepers may want to request a ground-floor room.
- The 8-person outdoor sauna opens in July 2026 and may not be available for stays before then.
- The Deckhouse, a 5-bedroom vacation rental on the property, is a separate booking and not a motel room.
- Door County fills quickly from July through August and during fall color season. Book several weeks ahead for weekends.
- Pets are welcome. A pet fee applies; contact the property directly to confirm current amounts and any restrictions before booking.
The Room
The two buildings have different characters. The front 1940s building holds the kings and the queen, several of which look directly out to Fish Creek Harbor and Peninsula State Park beyond. The back building holds the double-queen rooms. Both buildings have exterior corridor access; rooms open directly outside. Every room is individually designed, a coastal palette with natural textures and high-end finishes, no two laid out or decorated identically. Beds are high-quality, linens are good, and the rooms are clean throughout. Air conditioning is standard. The bathrooms are compact, true to the 1940s proportions the building started with; the tile work is new and the showers are well-done. Note: The Deckhouse, a five-bedroom vacation rental with harbor views and an infrared sauna, sits on the property and shares the address. It is a separate booking for groups, not part of the motel rooms. Dog-friendly motel rooms are available.
The Grounds
Fresh Coast occupies two low buildings on the main strip of Fish Creek, directly across from Fish Creek Harbor and Peninsula State Park beyond. The front patio faces the water with a fire pit and Adirondack chairs that draw guests out in the evenings. The two-building layout is original 1940s motel bones, rebuilt inside during the 2023 renovation without touching the footprint or the location. An 8-person outdoor sauna is scheduled to open in July 2026. The beach is a short walk across the road.
The Experience
Fresh Coast is a motel where the fire pit on the front patio becomes the default gathering spot after a day in Door County. Guests pull in from the harbor trail or the bike path, drop their gear, and end up in Adirondack chairs comparing notes about the hiking they did or where they found the best fish fry. Check-in is contactless throughout: a code arrives before you get there, and the owners are reachable by text when anything comes up. Fish Creek is one of Door County's most walkable villages: the beach is across the street, Peninsula State Park is half a mile away, and the restaurants and galleries on the main strip are a few minutes on foot in either direction. The only decision most evenings is whether to stay by the fire or walk somewhere for dinner.
Details
Fish Creek, WI 54212
The Boutel designation is earned, not purchased. Boutels is editorially independent and has no financial relationship with any listed property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fresh Coast Motel have EV charging?
No, Fresh Coast Motel does not have EV charging.
Does Fresh Coast Motel have WiFi?
Yes, Fresh Coast Motel has WiFi.
What is there to do near Fresh Coast Motel?
Fish Creek Beach: 0.1 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk. Peninsula State Park: 0.4 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk. Cave Point County Park: 16 miles, about a 30 minute drive.
How far is Fresh Coast Motel from Fish Creek Beach?
0.1 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
How far is Fresh Coast Motel from Peninsula State Park?
0.4 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
How far is Fresh Coast Motel from Cave Point County Park?
16 miles, about a 30 minute drive.
Is Fresh Coast Motel pet friendly?
Yes. Fresh Coast Motel welcomes pets. A pet fee applies; contact the property directly to confirm current amounts and any restrictions before booking.
How far is the Fresh Coast Motel from Fish Creek Beach?
Fish Creek Beach is directly across the street, about a 30-second walk from the front of the motel.
Does the Fresh Coast Motel have a sauna?
Yes. An 8-person outdoor sauna is on the property. Confirm current availability when booking.
How far is the Fresh Coast Motel from Peninsula State Park?
Peninsula State Park is approximately 0.4 miles from the motel, about a 5-minute drive or an easy walk.
What is Door County peak season?
Door County draws the most visitors from July through August and during fall color season in mid-September through October. The Fresh Coast Motel fills quickly during both periods: book several weeks ahead for weekends.
How does check-in work at Fresh Coast Motel?
Check-in is fully contactless. You receive an access code before arrival via the mobile app. There is no on-site front desk, but the owners are reachable by text and respond quickly.
Does the Fresh Coast Motel have harbor views?
Front-building rooms have direct views of Fish Creek Harbor and Peninsula State Park. Back-building rooms face inland. Worth specifying your preference when booking.
Does Fresh Coast Motel have a pool?
Fresh Coast Motel does not have a pool. The property has a cedar-lined sauna.
Is parking available at Fresh Coast Motel?
Yes. Free on-site parking is available at Fresh Coast Motel.
Does Fresh Coast Motel include breakfast?
No. Breakfast is not included at Fresh Coast Motel.
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Things to Do Near Door County, Wisconsin
Fish Creek Beach
0.1 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
A calm, clear-water beach on Green Bay, quiet enough to swim, kayak, or paddleboard even on busy summer weekends.
Peninsula State Park
0.4 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
Wisconsin's second most visited state park: 3,776 acres, 20 miles of trails, a lighthouse, and some of the most dramatic bluff views in the Midwest.
Cave Point County Park
16 miles, about a 30 minute drive.
Limestone sea caves carved by Lake Michigan waves, one of Door County's most photographed spots, best viewed by kayak.