Get to Know the Trusted Owners of Moonsail Vacations

Welcome, traveler! We are Pam and Chris Schmitz, the owners and managers of Moonsail Vacations. When we started this journey in 2016, we had two little boys, Isaac (2) and Eli (1). As a stay-at-home mom, I needed an outlet and a way to make progress on something independent from my children. If you're a parent, you can probably relate. Becoming a vacation rental host seemed like the perfect way to ease into the professional scene while keeping the ability to stay home with the boys. We loved Door County, and its proximity to our home in De Pere made it the perfect spot to buy a rental. Thus, came the purchase of our first vacation rental in Door County. We purchased the Sister Bay Chalet in December 2016. We loved the Chalet for its Scandinavian charm and classic Door County vibe. After some light renovations we had it ready to rent for the 2017 summer season.

Our first night at the Chalet

Going into the short-term rental business I honestly didn't know what to expect. I had some experience renting out our house in De Pere for Packers games, so I had a feel for what it took to make a house "rental-ready." However, hosting people for a weekend whose only objective is to cheer on the Pack to a "W" is much different than providing a home base for families trying to make the most memorable vacations. The guests staying at the Chalet were typically families much like ours, so I could imagine what it would be like to be the guest and what my own needs would be in that situation. I quickly found so much meaning and purpose in hosting families at the Chalet and knew that I wanted to do more.    

Fast-forward a few years and we have five vacation rental options for guests to choose from in Door County. Each one offers something different, whether it's prime downtown location or a quiet wooded setting; room for 10 or a quaint cottage for 2; modern decor and amenities or more rustic Door County vibes. I love helping people design their best vacation - choosing the perfect property, planning the best itinerary and ending up with lasting memories.

Over the years we have not only fallen in love with hosting, but we have truly grown to love and appreciate all that Door County has to offer. Not just in the summer when the weather is dreamy and all of our favorite restaurants and shops are open, but in the quiet times too, when there are two feet of snow on the ground and we haven't seen the sun (or another person) in days. We love it all. Which is why we have finally made the decision to relocate to Door County from our home of 10 years in De Pere. As a family who craves outdoor time, Door County is a treasure trove of trails and roads for biking, running, hiking, cross country skiing, fat biking and sledding, etc. As we continue to explore, we will do our best to shine a spotlight on all of these treasures so that our guests can have the pleasure of experiencing them too!

Finally, after 5+ years in the vacation rental industry, we have found ourselves in a position to give back. With all of its natural beauty, high-end restaurants and shops and beautiful homes, it's easy to miss the economic short-comings in Door County. But the truth is, poverty does exist in Door County, specifically stemming from a shortage of affordable housing. It has been on our hearts for a while, and starting in 2022, we are committed to giving 10% of profits back to the community each year in an effort to help work toward resolving this issue. We know it won't solve the problem and our hope is that someday we will be able to make a bigger impact.

Now that you know a little bit about us, let us get to know you by hosting your next trip to Door County. We promise you will love your Moonsail Vacation. It's our priority to make it great!

~Pam and Chris