# Home Port Vacation Escapes

> Home Port Vacation Escapes is a direct-booking vacation rental in Port Washington, Wisconsin: one 1865 Cream City Brick house 4 blocks from downtown Port Washington and Lake Michigan, offered as the whole house (sleeps 14) or as either of its two apartments. Dogs are welcome in all three listings and booking direct means no OTA service fees.

Address: 426–428 E. Grand Ave, Port Washington, WI 53074
Owner: Dave
Email: stay@homeportvacationescapes.com
Website: https://homeportvacationescapes.com

## Listings
- [Home Port Vacation Escape](https://homeportvacationescapes.com/whole-house): Whole house, 426–428 E. Grand Ave. Sleeps 14, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Rating 4.80 from 9 reviews. Cleaning $198, pet fee $79 per pet per stay, early check-in/late checkout $30/hr up to 2 hrs. Book: https://homeportvacationescapes.holidayfuture.com/listings/161404
- [Be Still & Know](https://homeportvacationescapes.com/be-still-and-know): Lower unit, 428 E. Grand Ave. Sleeps 6, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms. Rating 4.95 from 46 reviews. Cleaning $105, pet fee $49 per pet per stay, early check-in/late checkout $20/hr up to 2 hrs. Book: https://homeportvacationescapes.holidayfuture.com/listings/161403
- [Grace Adventure House](https://homeportvacationescapes.com/grace-adventure-house): Upper unit, 426 E. Grand Ave. Sleeps 8, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathrooms. Rating 4.95 from 28 reviews. Cleaning $99, pet fee $49 per pet per stay, early check-in/late checkout $20/hr up to 2 hrs. Book: https://homeportvacationescapes.holidayfuture.com/listings/161405

## Stay policies
- Check-in 4:00 PM, checkout 10:00 AM
- Dogs welcome in all three listings.
- 6 parking stalls behind the house.
- Wi-Fi throughout.
- 100% refund up to 30 days before arrival, 50% up to 14 days.
- No smoking inside.

## Current direct-booking offer
- 20% off Sun–Thu nights, Nov 1–Dec 20
- Code: MIDWEEK20
- Terms: 20% off the nightly rate for stays that check in Sunday through Thursday, 2-night minimum, arrivals Nov 1–Dec 20, 2026. All three listings. Direct bookings only with code MIDWEEK20. Not combinable with other codes. Cleaning fee, pet fees and taxes still apply.

## Upcoming local events
- [Fall Street Festival](https://visitportwashington.com/): Sat Oct 3, 2026, Port Washington
- [Christmas on the Corner](https://visitportwashington.com/event/port-washington-christmas-on-the-corner/): Sat Dec 5, 2026, Port Washington
- [Cedarburg Oktoberfest](https://www.cedarburgfestivals.org/oktoberfest): Sat–Sun Oct 3–4, 2026, Cedarburg
- [Cedarburg Ladies Night Out](https://www.cedarcreeksettlement.com/): Thu Oct 15, 2026, Cedarburg
- [Five Festive Friday Eves](https://www.cedarcreeksettlement.com/): Fridays Nov 20, Nov 27, Dec 4, Dec 11, Dec 18, 2026, Cedarburg
- [Santa's Dash Away 5K](https://www.cedarburgfestivals.org/dashaway): Sat Dec 12, 2026, Cedarburg
- [Kohler Food & Wine](https://www.kohlerwisconsin.com/explore-more/events): Oct 22–25, 2026, Sheboygan & Kohler
- [Spellbound in Kohler](https://www.kohlerwisconsin.com/explore-more/events): Oct 30–Nov 1, 2026, Sheboygan & Kohler
- [Kohler Holiday Market](https://www.kohlerwisconsin.com/explore-more/events): Nov 20–22, 2026, Sheboygan & Kohler
- [Set the Season Aglow](https://www.kohlerwisconsin.com/explore-more/events): Fri Nov 27, 2026, Sheboygan & Kohler
- [Sheboygan Jaycees Holiday Parade (34th annual)](https://sheboyganjaycees.com/holidayparade/): Sun Nov 29, 2026, Sheboygan & Kohler
- [Making Spirits Bright](https://makingspiritsbright.com/): Dates TBA, Sheboygan & Kohler
- [Breakfast with Santa](https://www.kohlerwisconsin.com/explore-more/events): Sun Dec 6, 2026, Sheboygan & Kohler
- [Old World Christmas Market](https://osthoff.com/old-world-christmas-market/): Dec 4–13, 2026, Elkhart Lake
- [Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival Kickoff Extravaganza](https://www.milwaukeedowntown.com/signature-events/milwaukee-holiday-lights-festival/holiday-events/): Thu Nov 19, 2026, Milwaukee
- [Deer District Holiday Market](https://deerdistrict.com/market/): Nov 20–Dec 6, 2026; closed Nov 26, Milwaukee
- [Cocoa with the Clauses](https://www.milwaukeedowntown.com/signature-events/milwaukee-holiday-lights-festival/holiday-events/): Sat Dec 12, 2026, Milwaukee
- [Santa's Mailbox](https://www.milwaukeedowntown.com/signature-events/milwaukee-holiday-lights-festival/holiday-events/): Mid-Nov to mid-Dec, Milwaukee

## Location
- 4 blocks from Lake Michigan in Port Washington, Wisconsin
- Walk to beaches, marina, lighthouse, downtown shops and waterfront restaurants.
- Ozaukee Interurban Trail
- Sauk Creek Nature Preserve
- Lion's Den Gorge
- Pirate's Hollow Waterpark
- Milwaukee: 35 min
- Cedarburg: 20 min
- Sheboygan/Kohler: 45 min

## About the host
- [Meet Dave & Brisket](https://homeportvacationescapes.com/about)
- I'm Dave Hall — a Milwaukee resident, certified life coach, musician, and former worship pastor and missionary who has spent a lot of years helping people find their spiritual footing, first in churches and mission work and now on the Camino de Santiago.
- I've walked four Caminos (Norte 2019, Portugués Coastal 2023, and two more in 2024 and 2025 with Dan Mullins' Magical Musical Camino).
- I run CaminoLife Coaching (caminocoachdave.com), am writing a book entitled Walking Toward Fire: One Pilgrim's Journey of Loss, Recovery, and Return on the Camino de Santiago (due out late 2026), and am launching Caminolife.app in Spring 2027.
- Home Port is where I get to practice hospitality at home instead of on the trail.
- We all know how it feels to arrive somewhere and find no coffee filters, a dull knife, and no laundry soap.
- I built Home Port to be the opposite of that: sharp knives, good cookware, real coffee, plant-based soap in the laundry, dog bowls by the door.
- I want people to walk in, exhale, and feel like the house was expecting them.
- The best part of hosting is meeting guests personally, hearing their stories, and reading the messages afterward — the family reunion that finally happened, the couple who played the piano at midnight, the dog who claimed the deck.
- That's why the site says "making memories." It's the whole point.
- Built in 1865 of Cream City Brick — the pale, locally made brick Milwaukee and the Lake Michigan shore are known for.
- For decades, the first floor was the "Hometown Dental" office.
- Four blocks from downtown Port Washington and Lake Michigan; the marina, lighthouse, beaches and coffee shops are all a short walk.
- The remodel began in 2021.
- For decades, the first floor was the "Port's Hometown Dental" office.
- Dave took two years to redesign it and began renovations in 2021.
- It was completed and named Be Still and Know in 2023.
- We tore out every wall except the brick center wall, where we changed the size and placement of the openings and added many reinforcement beams (now covered with barn wood, some inside the brick wall).
- The piano room was the reception area.
- What is now the bedroom off the kitchen was the reception office.
- The kitchen was the X-ray room.
- The larger bedroom was their break room, and the en suite bath was another office.
- We added the back hall to provide access to the door at the rear corner of the building as well as the back stairwell.
- One-on-one and group coaching for people preparing for, walking, or coming home from the Camino de Santiago.
- A trip-planning and route-matching app ("Find My Camino").
- Launching Spring 2027.
- Writing on pilgrimage and the second half of life.
- A book due out late 2026 — One Pilgrim's Journey of Loss, Recovery, and Return on the Camino de Santiago.
- If you're planning a trip to Port Washington and have a question the site doesn't answer, email me: stay@homeportvacationescapes.com.
- I answer myself.

## Machine-readable
- [Full details](https://homeportvacationescapes.com/llms-full.txt)
- [Structured facts](https://homeportvacationescapes.com/facts.json)
- [Local events JSON](https://homeportvacationescapes.com/events.json)
- [AI assistant guide](https://homeportvacationescapes.com/for-ai)

## Taxes applied to a quote
- Wisconsin state sales tax: 5.0%
- Ozaukee County tax: 0.5%
- Port Washington local room tax: 8.0%

## Listing details

### Home Port Vacation Escape (Whole house)
The whole historic Cream City Brick home for families, groups, and dogs.

- URL: https://homeportvacationescapes.com/whole-house
- Booking page: https://homeportvacationescapes.holidayfuture.com/listings/161404
- Address: 426–428 E. Grand Ave
- Sleeps 14, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
- Rating 4.80 from 9 reviews
- Accessibility: Lower apartment is fully handicap-accessible.
- Layout: The house is two apartments connected by interior stairs.
- Beds: Downstairs King wrought-iron canopy bed; Downstairs Queen sleigh bed; Downstairs memory-foam pull-out sofa; Upstairs Queen Wrought Iron and Brass bed; Upstairs White Wooden Queen bed with Twin above; Upstairs fort-like kids' beds
- Amenities: Wood-burning stove; Multi-jet showers with Venetian marble and soaking tub; Fast Wi-Fi; Air fryer and high-end cookware; Two kitchens; Deck grill; Two giant TVs; Two washers/dryers with free plant-based soap; AC and radiant heat; Firetable; Backyard; Free parking: 6 stalls behind the house; Smart-lock self check-in; Fully stocked kitchen: sharp knives, quality cookware, spices, coffee, coffee maker; Dog-friendly; Kid-friendly; Baby grand piano; Heated Spanish tile floors; European antiques; Persian rugs; Original art; Private entrance for the upper apartment

### Be Still & Know (Lower unit)
A fully handicap-accessible lower unit with historic character and spa-like bathrooms.

- URL: https://homeportvacationescapes.com/be-still-and-know
- Booking page: https://homeportvacationescapes.holidayfuture.com/listings/161403
- Address: 428 E. Grand Ave
- Sleeps 6, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
- Rating 4.95 from 46 reviews
- Accessibility: Fully handicap accessible.
- Layout: This is the lower unit, 4 blocks from downtown Port Washington and Lake Michigan.
- Beds: King wrought-iron canopy bed with ensuite bath; Queen wrought-iron sleigh bed; Leather pull-out queen sofa with memory-foam mattress
- Amenities: Fully handicap accessible; Gourmet kitchen with granite counters; High-end stainless appliances; 5-burner gas stove with air fryer; Baby grand piano; Spa-like bathrooms with multi-spray walk-in showers and Venetian marble; Big-screen smart TVs; Fast Wi-Fi; Washer/dryer with plant-based detergent; Non-toxic cleaners; Organic coffee; Keurig; Teas; Dog-friendly

### Grace Adventure House (Upper unit)
The private-entry upper unit with European antiques, Persian rugs, original art, and kids' beds.

- URL: https://homeportvacationescapes.com/grace-adventure-house
- Booking page: https://homeportvacationescapes.holidayfuture.com/listings/161405
- Address: 426 E. Grand Ave
- Sleeps 8, 2 bedrooms, 1 bathrooms
- Rating 4.95 from 28 reviews
- Accessibility: The lower unit is the fully handicap-accessible space; this is the upper unit.
- Layout: This upper unit has a private entrance and smart lock.
- Beds: Upstairs Queen Wrought Iron and Brass bed; Upstairs White Wooden Queen bed with Twin above; Fort-like kids' beds
- Amenities: Private entrance; Smart lock; European antiques; Persian rugs; Original art; Fort-like kids' beds; Kitchen; AC; Washer; Fast Wi-Fi; Dog-friendly; Kid-friendly; Free parking: 6 stalls behind the house

## FAQ

### Where is Home Port Vacation Escapes?
Home Port Vacation Escapes is in Port Washington, Wisconsin, 4 blocks from downtown Port Washington and Lake Michigan.

### Are dogs welcome?
Yes. Dogs are welcome in all three listings. Pet fees are shown on each property page and in the quote calculator.

### What time is check-in and checkout?
Check-in is 4:00 PM and checkout is 10:00 AM. Early check-in and late checkout can be quoted up to 2 hours.

### Can we check in early or check out late?
Yes, up to 2 hours when the place is ready: $20/hour for Be Still & Know and Grace Adventure House, $30/hour for the whole house. Ask Dave, even the morning of.

### Is there baby gear?
Yes. There are two high chairs and two pack-n-plays — one of each downstairs and upstairs — plus a child bed in the upstairs second bedroom closet.

### Are cats allowed?
No. Dogs are welcome in all three listings, but cats are not accepted.

### What kind of grill is there?
The grill out back is gas, and guests are welcome to use it.

### Is coffee provided?
Yes. Beans with a grinder plus Keurig pods; a Keurig, drip coffee maker and French press are all available.

### Is there parking?
Yes. There are 6 parking stalls behind the house.

### Is the whole house one space?
The whole-house listing combines the downstairs and upstairs apartments. They are connected by interior stairs.

### Which listing is best for a big group?
The whole house sleeps 14 with 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, two kitchens, and two washers/dryers. The two apartments are connected by interior stairs.

### Which listing is handicap accessible?
Be Still & Know, the lower apartment, is fully handicap accessible.

### What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation is 100% refund up to 30 days before arrival, 50% up to 14 days.

### Are live prices shown here?
Yes. Dates, availability and the full price (room rate, cleaning, pet fee, lodging tax and service fee) come live from our booking system, and the total matches checkout.

## Pricing note
Live availability and exact pricing are on each property page's quote calculator, and the total matches checkout. Deep-link to checkout with dates: {bookingUrl}?start=YYYY-MM-DD&end=YYYY-MM-DD&numberOfGuests=N.