The Dorr Hotel

The rooms were modern, clean, and quiet, and the beds were just right, especially for Valentine's Day. Staff were so welcoming, the gorgeous lobby had bubbly flowing, and the whole stay felt wonderfully relaxing.

The two pillows per person were too large for us side sleepers, and I had to move one of the chairs beside my bed to use as a nightstand. The bathroom could use better lighting. At that price, I expected filtered water so rinsing off would feel clean. I did appreciate that the toilet room was separate from the vanity and shower. Our room was spacious enough and comfortable for three adults, and surprisingly quiet despite the noisy festival weekend. For $450 a night, I expected a lot more. We were close to everything at the Sister Bay Fall Festival and had a parking spot, but that convenience came at a hefty price. My son chose The Dorr for our family vacation this year, and I’ve never paid anywhere near that much for a hotel. A man checked us in that evening and didn’t seem to know how to smile. Later, while we waited by the fire pit for our son’s family, he came out to say he had to turn it off. I understand he was probably leaving for the night, but it seemed someone should stay until expected guests have arrived before midnight. Our son arrived just after 10 PM and had trouble with the digital entry app. We’ll probably return for the festival someday, but I won’t pay that much just for parking. I’ll stay a few blocks away and walk or take the shuttle.

The property is beautifully maintained and always spotless, and James makes a point of greeting us by name whenever we arrive after a long trip. His presence is felt day and night, and he’s always around to help. He runs a superb operation. The staff reflect his standards: they’re well trained, friendly, organized, and quick with a smile. The warm, welcoming atmosphere keeps bringing us back to The Dorr year after year. We’re already looking forward to next year. Our hats off to James, his wonderful team, and this incredible property. Barry and Sue

The Dorr works for us mainly because of its excellent downtown Sister Bay location, especially during Fall Fest, when parking is scarce and people rely on shuttles to get into town. I could justify the cost for another festival, but not for a regular visit. I’ve stayed at about half a dozen other nearby properties, and most offered more amenities for less money, sometimes much less per person. Free festival shuttles are available elsewhere, too, so even for Fall Fest the price would still give me pause. We stayed for Sister Bay Fall Fest 2025, right in the middle of the action. The room was comfortable and remarkably quiet despite the crowds, thumping music, and commotion outside. The mattresses and linens were very comfortable, the table was a good size, and the balcony was perfect for watching the festival and parade. The two heavy pillows for side sleepers were a strange choice, though. I used just one, and the angle wasn’t quite right. Showering was frustrating. Sister Bay has soft water, so soap doesn’t rinse off cleanly and can leave a film. Some people don’t mind that, but it bothers me. Some hotels treat the water, but The Dorr doesn’t. Housekeeping was mixed across our three-night stay. The first cleaning was good, but daily service was lighter. They took care of the beds and trash, though they missed things like hairs in the shower. The hotel is unstaffed at night. That might make sense for a small boutique place, but not at the $420+ per night we paid for a standard room. Staff usually leave around 8 PM, and stayed later for the festival, but we still arrived after they’d gone. We couldn’t check in until they texted us an app link that was supposed to unlock the hotel and room. I tried many times without success. After two phone calls and seven attempts, I finally got the door open. The app remained unreliable for the rest of our stay, so late arrivals or anyone depending on it may get frustrated. For the price, the offerings felt thin compared with luxury brands such as Ritz-Carlton or Mandarin Oriental. There’s a cozy fireplace lobby featured in every photo, a sports closet with things to borrow, a fire pit that gets turned off at night, a very light breakfast, and little else. What we got out of the stay was mostly the location and included festival parking. The Dorr is a slick, modern boutique lodge in the heart of downtown, with comfortable rooms and minimal breakfast, but its value is questionable.