Ok, folks, we’ve been dropping a few clues about the work happening behind the scenes, and we’re finally ready to share the full story.

Back in December, we mentioned a few updates in our blog, Snowy Days and Warm Winter Nights: Spend a Weekend in Bayfield, Wisconsin. Since then, we’ve been busy working on changes designed to make planning your Bayfield, Wisconsin getaway a little easier.

Because if we’re being honest, the feedback we occasionally hear is confusion around our multiple properties. Sometimes guests think they’re staying at The Motel when they actually booked a room at Bay West. Other times, terms like Lakeview or Lakeside lead people to picture rooms sitting directly on the shoreline rather than perched above it.

Such misunderstandings can shift expectations and sometimes lead to disappointment. And that’s something we never want our guests to experience.

So with that in mind, here are a few of the things we’ve been working on:

• Our website has a new look (and videos) to help you picture your Bayfield vacation
• Our properties have new names to help you clearly book the stay you want
• Our newest property is located in downtown Bayfield, where you can be right in the heart of it all

Each of these changes is meant to help you plan your stay more easily and choose the Seagull Bay experience that fits your travel style best.

So let’s dive in.

A Fresh Look at Seagull Bay Online

It’s only been two years since we last updated our website, but a lot has changed since then. And just like our boys, the Seagull Bay brand has been growing right alongside us.

We still have The Motel and Bay West—properties we purchased from Mike and Jeanie Goodier in 2017. In 2024, we added the Brownstone Cottage located on the same property as Bay West. Then in November of 2025, we welcomed The Mill House in downtown Bayfield, Wisconsin to the Seagull Bay family (more on that in a bit).

Along with these additions, we’ve been steadily remodeling rooms at The Motel and Bay West and sharing the before-and-after progress with you. But with those ongoing changes has also come a bit of confusion.

Some guests thought they were staying at The Motel when they actually booked Bay West, or the other way around. 

The trees in front of Bay West have also grown taller and fuller over the years, limiting the lake views in some areas. 

And while we’re slowly remodeling rooms, we haven’t completed every one yet. Each year we’re working within the limits of our time and budget.

Because of all that, we partnered with a copywriter and web designer to create a website that better explains the differences between our properties and helps you book the stay that best matches how you like to travel.

When you land on the Seagull Bay homepage, you’ll now see the headline:

“Three Unique Stays Designed to Fit Your Travel Style in Bayfield, Wisconsin.”

As you scroll, the next headline reads:

“In Three Easy-Access Locations.”

Our hope is that these updates make it easier for you to choose the property—and the room—that fits your trip, whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with family.

From there, each property now has its own dedicated page instead of everything being grouped together in one long list. Each page also includes a short description of the property’s vibe and a video so you can get a better sense of what it’s like to stay there.

Here’s how the properties are now described:

• The Motel—A Lakeside Property
• The Outbounder (formerly Bay West)—A Wooded Property
• The Mill House—A Downtown Property
  

And when you click “Book Now,” you’ll only see rooms available at that specific property. No more endless scrolling, trying to sort out which room belongs where.

These updates may seem small, but they’re meant to make planning your stay simpler and more transparent.

And as part of that effort, you can see we’ve made a few name changes.

New Names Reflect Three Unique Stays in Bayfield, Wisconsin

Along with the website updates, we introduced new names and clearer descriptions for each property.

The original Seagull Bay Motel was built by the Duquette family (you can read the full history on our website). But like many places in Bayfield, the property has grown and evolved as different owners and generations shaped it.

What began as a simple lakeside cottage has gradually expanded into multiple properties—each offering its own experience.

Here’s a closer look at each one.

The Motel

The Seagull Bay Motel remains the cornerstone of our business and holds a special place in my heart because it’s where this journey began.

The property sits above the shoreline of Lake Superior and the Brownstone Trail, with sweeping views of Chequamegon Bay. Guests often describe the feeling here as peaceful and relaxing.

The motel includes four separate buildings that share the same parking area:

• The Main Building
• The East Building
• The Guesthouse
• The Cottage
  

Many returning guests have favorite rooms here, and we’re continuing to update spaces over time while keeping the charm that people love.

The Outbounder (formerly Bay West)

The Outbounder began as a single-story family home before being converted into a multi-unit property by previous owners in the early 1990s. It also includes the Brownstone Cottage, located along the same driveway.

Like The Motel, The Outbounder sits above the shoreline of Lake Superior and the Brownstone Trail. Over the years, however, the surrounding white pines and willows have grown tall and full, limiting lake views in some areas but creating a cozier Northwoods atmosphere.

Guests who stay here often lean into the outdoor side of Bayfield—heading out for hikes or mountain bike rides, booking kayaking tours, or gathering around the fire at night to swap stories from the day’s adventures.

The Mill House

The Mill House—formerly the Garden Guesthouse operated by the Bayfield Inn—is our newest property.

This five-unit cottage sits right in the heart of downtown Bayfield. Beyond the carefully maintained cottage garden, the current interiors are clean and traditional—but not for long.

Guests who stay here will likely be those who enjoy being close to the rhythm of town life, where shops, restaurants, parks, and live music are at your finger tips.  

And that brings us to our newest chapter.

Seagull Bay’s Newest Property: The Mill House in Downtown Bayfield, Wisconsin

The Mill House officially joined the Seagull Bay family in November 2025.

Originally located across the street, the building was moved to its current location many years ago. While we don’t know its full history, relocating buildings was fairly common in Bayfield’s early days. The Apostle Islands Booksellers building, for example, has a similar story.

While guests love the lakeside feel of The Motel and the wooded setting of The Outbounder, we couldn’t pass up the chance to offer a downtown stay.

The Mill House gives guests a front-row seat to Bayfield’s inviting downtown life. Just a half block from Memorial Park—where free lakeside concerts fill the summer air—you’ll find yourself surrounded by the easy rhythm of town.

Right now, we’re working on adding our own Seagull Bay touches to each of the five suites. When the updates are complete, we’ll share full before-and-after photos.

The design direction is inspired by the cottage garden outside. Think moodier tones, shades of green, warm terracotta tiles, and modern finishes that still feel timeless.

We can’t wait to show you the finished spaces and welcome you to The Mill House by Seagull Bay.

A Collection of Stays in Bayfield, Wisconsin

We hope you’re as excited as we are about the website updates, the new property names, and the addition of The Mill House.

We also know that change can feel a little strange, especially for those of you who’ve been staying at The Motel long before Isaac and I became its owners.

But while some things have evolved our goal remains the same:

To offer warm hospitality, peaceful places to stay, and a chance for you to slow down and enjoy Bayfield.

In 2017, Isaac and I returned to his hometown to raise our family in a place we love. Every update we make is part of that bigger story.

And we can’t wait to keep sharing our slice of Bayfield, Wisconsin with you.

Take a peek at what’s new and start planning your next getaway.

Your memories with a view,

Mollie, Isaac, Axel, Ridge, and Banks