Awing its guests with expansive rural and unpolluted countryside, the serene state of Iowa gives city dwellers a rare opportunity to explore mother nature’s raw beauty.
The charming towns in ‘The Hawkeye State’ also hold some of America’s greatest histories, as well as delights its guests with America’s quirkiest attractions. From the biggest strawberry in the world (standing at an impressive 15 feet tall) at Strawberry point, to Grotto of the Redemption, a religious shrine of 4 million dollars worth of precious stones, minerals and rocks, Iowa warms its guests with its quaint quirky appeal.
To complement your stay in this unique peaceful state, here are 10 great (and equally quirky) Airbnb vacation rentals that ensure you true Iowan hospitality!
1. Cozy & warm stay in a Manor built in the 1800s (60 USD)
Nestled in a quiet corner of the warm, friendly of town of Clermont, this gracious Airbnb host, Becky, promises a comfortable stay in the master suite of her historical 1860s brick manor. While vintage in the charms of its facade, guests would find the remodelled interior cosy and homely, with its earthy colour palette and elegant wooden furnishings. After a tiring day exploring the rich history of the ‘Brick City’ or doing one of its many outdoor activities; canoeing down the river or taking a bike ride to the nearby Elgin, you can look forward to a pleasant respite in the spacious suite, reading a good book or catching up on your favourite Netflix series (plus points), while snuggling up on a cosy 4-poster queen bed. OR you could treat your tired muscles to a nice long soak in the claw foot bathtub of your private bathroom.
A little footnote about the host. As praised by multiple guests, Becky is gracious and a great conversationalist. You would be well impressed by her hospitality and on how clean and cosy she keeps her home. You would also be very pleased with the scrumptious breakfast spread she cooks in the morning. If you’re interested in the rich history of the town, Becky is more than willing to fill you in about her town over a nice cuppa joe!
Brick Manor Bed & Breakfast
Address: Clermont, IA, United States (see map)
Price: 60 USD
Number of Guests: 2
2. Get the best of both worlds in a 1900s Home (45 USD)
Conveniently situated a 2-minute drive from Downtown and West Des Moines, this Airbnb offers their guests a balance of both the modern and historical side of Iowa, in their 1916 home. Perfect for a mid-sized family, the host ensures guests a nice and quite stay, with the privacy of the whole third floor, consisting of 2 spacious bedrooms (one queen bed, one twin bed) with an interconnected full bathroom.
The house itself is comfortable with wooden floors and rustic furnishing. Antiquer’s would especially be charmed by the historical home as many of the original fixtures are still intact and in use. After a day out about town, guests could enjoy a relaxing evening by the warm fireplace in the living room or on the patio in their peaceful garden. But beware, their charming dog Bruce might just persuade you to a friendly game of fetch! You are also welcomed to the full use of the kitchen and fridge, saving you money on food, while guests with extended stays have the convenience of using the laundry in the basement.
Private Floor in Historic Home
Address: Des Moines, IA, United States (see map)
Price: 45 USD
Number of Guests: 3
3. 3. A writer's retreat in the countryside (65 USD)
If you’re a writer, looking for a quiet little place that’ll inspire you to write, or if you’re a group of girls looking for a place to host your girls next retreat, congratulations, you’ve both found it!
Situated in the rural town of Fertile; by the Winnebago river, guests can expect an ideal place for relaxation and self-reflection. The host offers his spacious upstairs area of his converted creamery, that consists of 1 big bed room, another smaller bedroom. Both bedrooms you’ll find are tastefully decorated with a mix of modern minimalism with a twist of country charm; the bigger room has comfortably sized queen bed while the other a decently sized twin bed.
You would have access to the entire creamery and the surrounding peaceful countryside during your stay; which includes a large working kitchen, 3 living rooms downstairs, complete with the hosts library of eclectic books & the large yard with a beautiful setting of the countryside.
The surrounding area you’ll find is peaceful and serene, with Clear Lake being a short 10-minute drive away. You could have a bonfire in the yard, have a picnic by the riverbed across the creamery, take a hike in the nature trails nearby or just wander in the beautiful picturesque countryside. This place offers visitors a chance to enjoy a simple life.
Upstairs Of Old Creamery in Iowa
Address: Fertile, IA, United States (see map)
Price: 65 USD
Number of Guests: 5
4. The perfect group getaway stay with mother nature (75 USD)
One mile from the beautiful Mississippi River, on the outskirts of McGregor, this cute, quaint and clean A-shaped loft is the perfect place for your group weekend getaway with mother nature. You’ll enjoy full privacy of the loft in the woods, located above the host’s detached garage, complete with a 2-bedrooms, a comfortably sized living space, a big deck to admire the lush green surroundings, a kitchen and a bathroom. Guests would also have the modern comfort of free Wi-Fi, a big screen TV and Netflix to catch up on your binge watching! This little place is tucked neatly in a quiet little area close to the beautiful Pike Peak State Park, where guest can go on a long scenic hiking trail, have a BBQ and be awed by the most spectacular view of the mighty Mississippi River!
A-Frame Loft in the Quiet Woods
Address: McGregor, IA, United States (see map)
Price: 75 USD
Number of Guests: 4
5. Calming respite in a Cottage in the woods (85 USD)
Immerse yourself in nature in this private cabin. Take a romantic walk with your significant other in the solitude of 140 acres of beautiful forests. Wake up in this elegantly decorated cottage and feel at ease sipping your morning coffee on the porch while listening to the serene sound of nature. Breathe in fresh oxygen snuggling up in the evening by the fire pit, sippin’ on a cold tall glass of sweet tea. Whatever tickles your fancy, what’s certain is that you’ll find yourself totally relax and at peace during your stay at Honeybee Cottage!
Honeybee Cottage at Star's Hollow
Address: Janesville, IA, United States (see map)
Price: 85 USD
Number of Guests: 2
6. Unique stay at a Silo On The Ridge (70 USD)
Ensure yourself a unique stay in Iowa in this one of a kind Airbnb! How many people do you know that can say they’ve stayed in a beautifully restored silo in Decorah? This is a quirky way to enjoy Decorah, where the host would happily give you a horse drawn carriage ride through town. Located just outside of beautiful Decorah, Iowa where you can float the Upper Iowa River, bring your bike and ride the new 11-mile trail, sit and watch the world famous Eagles Nest, take a shooting lesson from a world class local gunsmith, or visit their award-winning local breweries. There is so much to be done! The silo is surrounded by some of the best fishing and hunting in the country.
Silo on the Ridge
Address: Decorah, IA, United States (see map)
Price: 70 USD
Number of Guests: 2
7. Luxurious retreat in a lavishly decorated Spanish Bungalow (114 USD)
My personal favourite on the list, this host promises a stylish retreat in their centrally located Spanish Bungalow in Des Moines. A short distance from supermarkets, restaurants, parks, trails and downtown Des Moines; convenience is the key word when renting out this Airbnb. Humble looking with its traditional Spanish facade, its interior is brimming with personality; the host has taken a great effort to ensure a luxurious feel living in her lodging; decorating the living space with vibrant furnishings and arts from both local and regional artists. Flooded with natural lighting, inspired by its flourishing surrounding nature, the home is complemented by loads of thriving green plants. Guest would sleep comfortably in one of two equally tastefully decorated bedrooms offered; one with a luxury, memory foam queen and the other with a plush twin bed. An extensive list of amenities is available at this Airbnb, from a coffee maker, piano and full basement with an extra bathroom, shower, laundry, treadmill and pool table.
Unique Spanish Bungalow
Address: Des Moines, IA, United States (see map)
Price: 114 USD
Number of Guests: 5
8. An eccentric stay in a Church Art studio (110 USD)
For the creative minds and art enthusiasts looking for some solace, this 140-year-old Church converted art studio would definitely peak your interest. Decorated with the artist’s original oil paintings, you’d basically have an eccentric stay in a private art gallery in the rural town of Malvern. Embrace complete solitude in the comfort of a warm studio apartment in the downstairs of the church. Complete with living amenities & surround sound system, staying here would feel at home. There are 2 queen size beds in the bedroom and a full-size futon in the studio living room. If you want to be inspired by nature, the Wabash Nature trail is two blocks away from the church, offering 63 miles (101km) of groomed path, perfect for biking and hiking. Though rural in its nature, the humble town has a lot to offer from delicious eateries, a bar, a grocery store, library, pharmacy, gift shop, and even an art gallery! If you want to explore beyond the borders, Downtown Omaha’s Old Market is a short drive away. You could also take a slow cruise, admiring The Loess Hills Scenic Byway. This is a perfect lodge for a small town getaway!
1873 Project Art Church
Address: Malvern, IA, United States (see map)
Price: 110 USD
Number of Guests: 4
9. An ideal family Retreat in Keosauqua (105 USD)
Planning a family retreat in the outdoors for a large family can be costly, but luckily for you, this remodelled church offers a great deal on affordability and outdoor activities ideal for a family of 10! The host has beautifully restored this 160-year-old church for the comfort of its visitors. Keeping a home-away-from-home feel in mind, the interior is warmly decorated with soft furnishings, multiple plump chairs and a full kitchen with a breakfast bar. It has an outdoor patio for warm, quality time around the fire. Children would be entertained by the many outdoor activities offered like basketball, corn hole game, croquet set and more!
Perfect for a big family retreat, this rental can host up to a clan of 10 with its spacious rooms and living quarters. Suggestions on the interesting places could be recommended by the host, who conveniently lives across the street. Activities such as horseback riding, swimming, nature walks and bicycle rides are readily available in this rural town. As a plus point, the host, owning a few establishments in town, would also give a generous 15% off for all guest renting of Kayaks, Canoes and Bicycles!
The Methodist Church Retreat
Address: Keosauqua, IA, United States (see map)
Price: 105 USD
Number of Guests: 10
10. A picturesque countryside Church wedding (100 USD)
The last Airbnb on our list can double as a great countryside retreat and also a picturesque wedding venue. Newly remodelled, this 1860’s church promises you the perfect vintage spring countryside wedding, with its rustic white wooden facade and its expanse landscape, lush with farmlands and untouched greenery. The interior of this charming chapel is also warmly decorated with hardwood floors, a spacious common area and a kitchen with full amenities, you could definitely host an intimate private dinner with your closest friends and family!
Surrounded by lush cornfields and untouched woodlands by the Burr Oak Creek, visitors could catch a magnificent view of the sunrise, while woodland creatures of deer, foxes and songbirds would surely delight you with their presence in the morning. You’d be amazed at how much the host, Sarah and her mother Jane, would make your stay, providing guests with a spacious bedroom with a queen sized bed, fresh soft towels, basic living amenities (sans internet connection for a complete immersion in nature) and the promise of complete silence in the night. If you want to get away from everything, this place is for you! Being 7 miles (11km) from the nearest town, traffic noise would be non-existent; you would be left in your own solitude. Maybe you would like to take the rough trail access to the river for hiking or horseback riding, or if you have your IA fishing license, you could go for a serene fishing trip down the Burr Oak Creek, as it is a registered ‘put’ n’ 'take’ trout stream.
Elliott's Burr Oak Church
Address: Osage, IA, United States (see map)
Price: 100 USD
Number of Guests: 12
11. Spacious luxury condo in the heart of dowtown Des Moines (from USD 60)
Grab the chance to stay at a luxury condo when in Des Moines. Just ten floors high, this luxury condo complex is a much better deal than another hotel room. Jennifer’s spacious luxury flat is big enough to accommodate four people and has all the amenities you could ask for. Some of these include a king-sized bed, Wifi access, TV, heating, air conditioning, hot water, dryer, and washer among others. The building also has a sauna and gym where guests can work out and relax after long days of exploring downtown Des Moines. Guests can also make the most out of their stay with access to Netflix and Roku for a superb staycation away from home.
The Downtown Luxury Condo 10 Floors High!Des Moines, Iowa, United StatesTop guest reviews
Amenities & Room:
very stylish apartment plus jennifer is an excellent communicatorvery clean and in a fantastic central location the view makes the room even cozier at nightit's a studio apt so if you bring a friend just be aware that it's wide openjennifer had been super accommodating when it came to some last minute room changes during my staythe bed was really comfortable the bath/shower was great and the full kitchen was functionalCleanliness:
spotlessly clean and attractiveit was clean and well equippedjennifer's place was super clean and comfortablespace is clean and surprisingly quiet from street noiseplenty of crisp white clean towelsHost:
our host was great she thoroughly communicated with usjen was a fantastic hostjennifer was a great host that responds in a very quick mannerjennifer was a great hostwe loved the accommodations and the hostRead more reviewsLocation:
the location is outstandinggreat location in downtown des moinesgreat location for downtown des moinesgreat location in the kirkwood hotelamazing location walking distance to many great restaurants and very unique space
12. Chic one-bedroom loft for four just minutes from dowtown Omaha
Located in the historic city center of Downtown Haymarket District of Council Bluffs, and just nearby Downtown Omaha, Nebraska, this chic and spacious one-bedroom loft is the deal to take when visiting Iowa. Tammy’s place can sleep four guests on two queen-sized beds. Access to basic amenities like Wifi, indoor fireplace, free parking, air conditioning, and hot water are available to guests. There is also a big kitchen with granite countertops and is fully decked with cooking appliances and cookware for those who would rather cook meals than eat outdoors every night. The beautifully furnished space also has an indoor fireplace for cold nights out, and a cozy night in. Look no further and book Tammy’s loft for a long weekend or two in downtown Iowa.
Loft apartment just minutes to Downtown Omaha .
A retreat away from everything
Statistically being one of the most stressful times in recent years, with the ever frustrating 9-5 office jobs and the perpetually loud ambiance in the city, even the best of us need a little time off, a retreat away from it all to rejuvenate and find some peace of mind in our own solitude. With these 10 Airbnb vacations rentals, Iowa state is giving you the perfect solution to do just that, offering its best hospitality, all you need to do now is decide and pick up the phone!
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