Culture

New Bed and Breakfast Opens in West Okoboji

by apainter | April 26, 2008 at 01:00 pm

796 views | 2 Recommendations | 6 comments

West Okoboji, IA -- Longtime Northwest Iowa residents Ann and Donna Muilenburg have opened “The Okoboji Country Inn" just a hop-skip-and-a-jump from their gift shop, The Wash House, in West Okoboji. The Inn has just opened for business and is now accepting reservations.

The home now housing the Okoboji Country Inn was in the local Resch family 104 years. Starting with Peter Resch, five generations of the Resch family have lived in the Center Grove Township farm house. At one time you could see all of the lakes, Big Spirit, East and West Okoboji from the roof top room of the house. In March 2005 the Resch family farm was sold. In September of 2005, the Muilenburg's purchased the farm house and started preparations to relocate it adjacent to their gift shop. After several months of planning, the big move happened on June 1, 2006.

It took half a day to move the two-story farm house 3 miles along Hwy. 71 from Spirit Lake to West Okoboji. The extensive renovation of the Resch farm house has been completed and is now open to guests as the Okoboji Country Inn.

The Muilenburg's were inspired to start a bed and breakfast by a number of friends who had done something similar. Their family and friends have all given much support and encouragement in the endeavor. They hope operating the bed and breakfast will allow them to share the many enjoyable assets available in the lakes community with visitors. Their aim is to give guests the opportunity to re-energize their spirits by experiencing peace and beauty in a relaxed, rural lake setting.

There is easy access to the many activities in Okoboji and Arnolds Park as well as the surrounding area. For example: hiking, bird-watching, prairie flora and fauna, golf, skiing, snow-shoeing, antiquing, boating, sailing, museums, local Indian culture, etc.

The Okoboji Country Inn Bed and Breakfast Home is a member of the Iowa Greak Lakes Chamber and the Iowa Bed and Breakfast Innkeepers Association (www.iabedandbreakfast.com).

*Photography by Amelia and Doug Painter, learn more at www.ameliawrites.com

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amyjudd

flagged this story as Needs Improvement

at 13:08 on April 26th, 2008

apainter, I think your story has potential but needs some improvement. I've got a few suggestions, and if you give them a try, I'd be happy to remove this flag. I wasnt sure what was newsworthy in this story. News should always be about posting current stuff - new things you've discovered. Please review What Makes News News.

This sounds a lot like an ad for a bed and breakfast.

eastvanray

at 13:51 on April 26th, 2008

This is a blatent ad. I say remove it.

PRStaff

at 06:32 on April 28th, 2008

What a lovely inn. As a PR Director I am pleased this writer posted this article because my job takes me across the US and back again on a regular basis. I find the best lodging situations are found in local bed and breakfast establishments.

Since the author did not include the URL for this inn, I looked it up for anyone else interested. The website of this inn is at www.okobojicountryinn.com

PR Staff for ACT

PRStaff

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 06:53 on April 28th, 2008

apainter, I like this story. It's good stuff. I appreciate you reporting on quality lodging. It appears other writers feel it is an ad, but I disagree. We need writers and reporters that are doing soft news. Good luck with your writing!

PRStaff for ACT

kristie_CLA

at 11:24 on April 28th, 2008

I agree with PRStaff - this article was informative, not an ad. I have had an opportunity to stop at the Okoboji Country Inn recently while shopping at the Wash House. It is beautifully decorated – very inviting and comfortable. It is close to all the major area attractions, but far enough to remain peaceful and relaxing. More importantly, Donna and Ann are friendly, sociable hosts. I can’t wait to come back for a weekend retreat!

apainter

at 11:40 on April 28th, 2008

Thank you Kristie!

The article was never intended to be an advertisement in anyway. It was meant to be a soft news story for the Okoboji, Iowa, visitors and residents.

This new inn is really going to be a great retreat for Iowa Great Lakes visitors. I just wanted to help get the word out, especially since my husband and I did all the interior photography for this new local business.

Ann and Donna spent almost two years restoring the historical home and turning it into one of the area's most tatesfully decorated lodging establishments.

Hopefully the earlier readers will view the comments left by other readers and realize the value of this story. Neither West Okoboji or the City of Okoboji have local newspapers, so this Internet News Media site helps to fill that gap!

I'll upload a few more photos of the outstanding attractions near the inn. This should help to enhance the story even more.

Amelia Painter