The Beacons of Minocqua

Our first time at Beacons. It's in a great location, and it was nice having a slip right by the condo. The place is quiet and the people are great.

I love how neat the Bearskin trail is. It's usually really quiet and surrounded by nature, and I can walk right into Minocqua on the trail.

The lake access was lacking, including access for bringing kayaks and canoes. The whole stay was extremely disappointing and far below the “resort” standards advertised on the website. We respect rental policies, but the extra fee felt unreasonable given the condition of the accommodations. The unit was poorly maintained and had safety, cleanliness, and amenity problems. The elevator was dirty and slow, and the stairs weren't easy to access. There was no light in the laundry room, a safety hazard, and the washing machine didn't work, which we expected to have for a longer stay. Several outlets were faulty. The TV didn't work, and the hair dryer was broken. The towels and sheets were old and frayed, and weren't replaced. The cookware was poor quality and basic kitchen items were missing, despite the “full kitchen” claim. The blinds were inadequate, so guests and passersby could see directly inside. Noise from upstairs was constant, with no sound insulation, making it impossible to relax. The pool closed at 8 PM on weekdays, which was very limiting for a peak summer “resort.” They advertised a “three-bedroom” unit, but one bedroom couldn't be used because its door was stuck, and that seemed like a fire hazard. There was also soap scum buildup in the bathroom, a clear lack of proper cleaning.

Our first trip to the Northwoods was a really enjoyable one, and this resort was a terrific base for exploring the area. It's an awesome place. Some appliances are a little dated, but they all worked.