Oak & Ember Guest Guide & FAQ

Welcome to Oak & Ember

The goal here is simple: slow down, enjoy the land, use the amenities safely, and let the woods do their thing. You’re staying somewhere intentionally quiet, intentionally small, and intentionally built around nature, fire, glass, stone, wood, and space to breathe.

This guide covers the basics: arrival, parking, hot tub, sauna, fireplace, doors, thermostats, trails, winery access, checkout, and a few local recommendations.

Quick Essentials

Check-in: 4:00 PM Check-out: 10:00 AM

Early check-in is sometimes possible when no one stayed in the cabin the night before. Send us a message and we’ll let you know. Late check-out is usually not available because our cleaning schedule is tight and we need the full turnover window.

Cabin location: We provide a property map on our website as well as provide reflective signs on the driveways and cabins that tell you which cabin is yours. Remember, there are 3 onsite so make sure you go to the correct location.

Parking: Park in front of your cabin. Please keep driveways clear and use common sense so other guests, service vehicles, and emergency vehicles can get through if needed.

Quiet property: Oak & Ember is a quiet, nature-first property 24/7. Please keep outdoor noise low and avoid anything that carries across the site. The defining sound out here should be the woods, not speakers.

Need help: Message us through your booking platform for normal questions. For true emergencies, call 911 first.

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi info is provided before arrival and also posted onsite in the kitchen.

The Property

Oak & Ember sits on 40 wooded acres with three modern cabins, walking trails, a pond, a viewing/yoga platform, and walking access to the neighboring winery.

The cabins are:

• The Point
• The Ridge
• The Pines

The property is meant for relaxing, walking, sitting by the fire, soaking, sauna time, and slow mornings. It is not meant for loud parties, off-roading, swimming, hunting, or exploring unmarked areas.

Please stay on marked trails and respect the natural areas. You may see wildlife, ticks, bugs, mud, snow, ice, branches, uneven ground, and all the normal stuff that comes with being in the Wisconsin woods.

Winery Next Door

One of the best parts of Oak & Ember is that Fawn Creek Winery is next door, with walking trail access from the property.

There are two trail connections by foot. Use the marked paths, be respectful of winery property, and check their current hours before heading over. They often have wine, live music, scenic outdoor space, and a laid-back woods-and-vineyard feel.

If you run into David or the winery team, say hello.

Please remember that walking back through the woods after wine is still walking back through the woods. Bring a phone, watch your footing, and use extra caution after dark.

Trails

You’re welcome to use the marked trails during your stay.

A few common-sense notes:

• Stay on marked trails.
• Wear shoes that can handle dirt, sand, mud, snow, or uneven ground.
• Watch for roots, branches, ticks, bugs, and slippery areas.
• Do not enter neighboring private property except through the marked winery trail access.
• Do not remove wood, plants, rocks, signs, or trail markers.
• No motorized vehicles, ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes, or off-road driving on trails.

Pond

The pond is for viewing, relaxing near, and walking around only.

No swimming, wading, skating, boating, paddleboarding, or entering the pond. The pond was not designed for guest entry, and the edges can be slippery. There is no lifeguard on duty at any time.

The viewing/yoga platform near the pond is a great place for coffee, stretching, reading, or a quiet sunset. Please keep it clean and use it at your own risk.

Wood-Fired Hot Tub

Each cabin has access to a wood-fired hot tub area. The hot tub is one of the best parts of the stay, but it does require some patience and common sense.

Before You Start

• Make sure the tub has enough water before lighting any fire.
• Do not light the stove/firebox if the water level looks low or something seems off.
• Do not use the hot tub if the water looks dirty, cloudy, unsafe, or unusual. Message us instead.
• Keep children supervised at all times.
• No glass in or around the hot tub.
• No soap, shampoo, oils, bath bombs, food, or drinks in the water.
• Do not use the hot tub if you feel dizzy, overheated, sick, or impaired.

Starting the Fire

Firewood is located near the hot tub/sauna deck.

Use small dry pieces first, then add larger pieces once the fire is established. Fire starters are provided.

There may be a sledgehammer and wood splitter available for making kindling. Adults only. Use them carefully, keep hands and feet clear, and do not use them after drinking.

Never use gasoline, lighter fluid, chemicals, cardboard trash, or anything other than the provided firewood and fire starters.

Heating the Tub

Wood-fired tubs take time. Start earlier than you think you need to. The water line/spigot next to the hot tubs are hot water lines from the house but still plan accordingly.

As the water warms, stir or circulate the water so the temperature is even. Always check the water temperature before getting in. Comfortable hot tub temperatures are usually around 100–102°F, and the water should never be used above 104°F.

If the water feels too hot, do not get in. Let it cool, leave the cover off, or add cooler water if instructed.

During Use

• Keep the firebox/stove door closed except when adding wood.
• Do not overfeed the fire.
• Keep kids away from the stove/firebox.
• Do not touch metal stove parts while hot.
• Keep the cover away from open flame and hot surfaces.
• Limit soak time and take breaks.
• Hydrate.

After Use

• Let the fire burn down naturally.
• Do not remove ashes or move hot coals.
• Replace the cover when the tub is no longer in use, unless the water needs to cool first.
• Let us know if anything breaks, leaks, smokes unusually, or does not seem right.

Sauna

The sauna is electric and controlled from the front control panel. The timer has a hard-coded 60-minute maximum.

To use:

1. Turn the sauna on at the control panel.
2. Set the desired temperature and timer.
3. Let it warm up.
4. Sit on a towel.
5. Exit immediately if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, nauseous, overheated, or uncomfortable.

Important rules:

• Do not sleep in the sauna.
• Do not use the sauna while heavily intoxicated.
• Keep children supervised.
• Do not put oils, liquids, towels, clothing, or objects on the heater.
• Do not pour water on the heater unless instructions posted at the sauna specifically say it is allowed.
• No food or glass inside.
• Turn the sauna off when done.
• Let the sauna cool with the door closed or as posted.

The 60-minute timer is intentional. If you want another session, let the sauna reset and start it again.

Living Room Fireplace / Furnace

The living room fireplace/furnace is controlled by remote.

Use the remote to turn it on and off. Do not open the unit, move logs, adjust internal parts, or place anything on or near it.

Keep blankets, bags, towels, paper, clothing, and furniture away from the fireplace. Turn it off before leaving the cabin or going to sleep.

If it does not work, message us. Please do not try to fix it.

Thermostats

Each bedroom area has its own thermostat and is controlled separately.

That means one side of the cabin can be warmer or cooler than the other. Adjust the thermostat in the area you want to change, then give the system time to respond.

Please keep exterior doors and windows closed when heating or cooling is running.

Patio Doors

The tri-panel patio doors are beautiful, but they need to be operated gently.

To Open

• Pull the handle to the right to unlock.
• Use the finger hold near the hinge to gently push the doors outward.
• Watch fingers and pinch points.
• Do not force the doors.

To Close

• Pull the doors back toward the inside of the cabin.
• While holding the door inward, turn the handle to the left to lock the pins.
• The door should feel secure and should not flex.
• If the door moves or flexes, the locking pins did not engage. Try again gently.

Please do not slam or force the doors. If something feels wrong, message us.

About the Cabins

Oak & Ember was designed to feel modern, warm, quiet, and connected to the land.

The cabins were built by Holtz Builders Inc. and designed by Sala Architects. The style is Nordic-inspired: glass, stone, black steel, wood, fire, simple lines, and big views into the surrounding woods.

Our biggest inspirations for our properties were from owners before us at Nordlys Lodging in Wisconsin, Live Oak Lake in Texas, and Pacific Bin in the Pacific Northwest.

The idea is not to overwhelm the land or the guest. We wanted to blur the line between habitat and shelter.

Local Recommendations

Hours, availability, prices, and seasonal schedules change. Always check directly before making plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

Checkout

Check-out is 10:00 AM.

We keep checkout simple:

• Leave used towels on the bathroom tile.
• Take trash to the designated trash area/bin.
• Put dishes in the dishwasher.
• Turn off fireplace, sauna, lights, and appliances.
• Close and lock doors and windows.
• Message us if anything broke or needs attention.

That’s it. No laundry marathon. No stripping the whole cabin. No weird chore list.

What if something breaks?

Tell us. We understand accidents happen. It is much easier to fix something when we know about it early.

What should we bring?

Good shoes for trails, swimsuits for the hot tub, layers for Wisconsin weather, bug spray/tick spray in warmer months, and anything personal you need for cooking, hiking, relaxing, or wellness time.

What should we not bring?

Speakers for outdoor music, glass for the hot tub area, fireworks, firearms for property use, ATVs/UTVs, illegal drugs, or party supplies.