Cottage getaway perfect writer's retreat or a couple's haven.

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Entire home

Our cottage is nestled just off a quiet gravel road, among ample trees and sun.

The cottage is quiet with good car access to come and go as you please.

Enjoy the open floor plan with ample sun. The couch folds out into a queen bed.

Great room is equipped with a smart TV, library, white board, books, and games.

New and full size appliances, filtered water, coffee, kettle, and cookware.

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

Exceptional

2 bedroomsSleeps 2102 sq m

Popular amenities

Air conditioning

Kitchen

Barbecue grill

Outdoor space

Washer

Dryer

Explore the area

Indianola, IA

Simpson College15 min drive
Blank Park Zoo20 min drive
Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)21 min drive
Drake University30 min drive

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 2)

Main

1 Queen Bed

Main Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

Sleeper Sofa

1 Double Futon

Bathroom

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Dining Area

About this property

Come stay in this lovely mid-century modern cottage located between Norwalk and Indianola and just 30 minutes south of Des Moines, 15 minutes south of the DSM airport. Enjoy a full kitchen with an open layout and large living space, private bedroom with a queen sized bed, large walk-in closet, and full bath. Coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries included. Beautiful views of the country, a peaceful retreat.

Sorry no pets and no smoking on the property or grounds.

For more information and images about the farm and cottage, check out our instagram page @olio_farm 😁

Property manager

Casey & Jenn

Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Dryer

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

Barbecue grill

Breakfast included

Kitchen

Pet-friendly

Air conditioning

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Strictly prohibited on our property.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property

Safety features at this property include a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Indianola

Located in Indianola, this holiday home is in a rural area. Indianola Pickard Sports Complex and Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Blank Park Zoo and Warren County Fair.

Indianola, IA

What's nearby

Simpson College - 15 min drive
Des Moines Metro Opera - 15 min drive
Blank Park Zoo - 20 min drive
Jordan Creek Town Center - 29 min drive
Drake University - 30 min drive

Getting around

Des Moines International Airport (DSM) - 22 min drive

Restaurants

‪Casey's General Store - ‬15 min drive
‪Casey's General Store - ‬13 min drive
‪McDonald's - ‬16 min drive
‪Taco John's - ‬16 min drive
‪Dairy Queen - ‬15 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cottage getaway perfect writer's retreat or a couple's haven. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Cottage getaway perfect writer's retreat or a couple's haven. ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cottage getaway perfect writer's retreat or a couple's haven. ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Cottage getaway perfect writer's retreat or a couple's haven. located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 9 miles (15 km) of Warren County Fair, Des Moines Metro Opera and Simpson College. National Balloon Museum and Indianola Pickard Sports Complex are also within 12 miles (20 km).

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth F.

21 June 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Getaway w Friends

We enjoyed a well-stocked, clean, well- appointed cottage. We cooked all our meals in the kitchen. The surroundings were restful and beautiful. A great rural getaway for us city folks. Lots of options for our entertainment: walks, games, puzzles, videos. The hosts were welcoming and answered all our questions. I am disabled and use a wheelchair. This was very accessible. I was able to get all my concerns addressed before we came--what a gift.

Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joshua M.

17 June 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun in the country!

Absolutely beautiful place to stay. Owners are incredibly helpful and responsive. We can’t wait to go again!

Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lorraine C.

12 June 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stay During Ironman Race

I came to the Des Moines area to race in the Ironman 70.3 triathlon. I like quiet locations and found this home. While is is not very close to the race venue (downtown Des Moines), it was well worth the extra travel time. Home was spotless, extremely comfortable, and in such a lovely rural setting. The hosts (Casey and Jenn) were extremely responsive and very kind. Would definitely recommend this home.

Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lori R.

25 Apr 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet and peaceful

This place is great! Spacious and relaxing. The design of the place is well thought out and I enjoyed watching the sunrise each morning. I used my time here to vision cast and business plan so the whiteboard was a just right bonus. There is a path to hike around the property, outdoor patio, porch swing, all the things you need to enjoy a bit of Iowa county. Definitely will be back!

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tim L.

12 Apr 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Secluded, but not isolated!

My wife and I stayed as a midpoint for our four day trip; we live 3.5 hours away. We golfed, went to Kansas City for a baseball game (go Orioles), and went to Tulip Time in Pella. The cottage is in the country, but only 15 minutes from restaurants and shopping locations in Indianola. It was clean, quiet, and beautiful. Full moon while we were there and I think we could see every star in the universe. The owners live only a couple of hundred yards away, so easy to contact via the app or a short walk. Their farm is amazing. Highly recommend!

Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Veronica P.

17 Mar 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful, clean, excellent!

A peaceful and quiet mom & dad getaway. The place was very clean and comfortable. Lots of condements, teas/coffee, kitchen tools. Jenn & Casey let us check in early & check out a little later since there were no guests after us. They brought us some pasteries from a local cafe, Savor the Rise, which were wonderful. Great experience! Easy check in and check out. Quick communication. We would definitely stay again :)

Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tyler D.

12 Mar 2024

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Getaway

My wife and I stayed at the property for six nights, and we were both very happy with the rental. Everything is as it is pictured, and the rental is well stoked and very clean. Casey and Jenn are great hosts. They communicated with us throughout our stay and even left us a tasty treat. We have stayed in many rental properties and this has been one of our favorite places! We will definitely be back in the future.

Stayed 6 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jake B.

19 Dec 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Des Moines Area Getaway

We really enjoyed the space, communication, and location of this getaway. Being 20-30 from Des Moines, it’s a perfect weekend getaway. Definitely recommend.

Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sean D.

5 Nov 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Anniversary Spot

This is my second review of this place, as we came here after our wedding and returned this time for our one-year anniversary. Just like before, we drove up to a beautiful property, walked into a cozy, immaculate cottage and loved every second of our stay. This time with sheep (ba-ba's)! We couldn't have asked for better. Our hosts checked in often, though not ridiculously so, and made sure we had everything we needed. My wife and I will definitely be returning, likely for anniversaries! I highly encourage people to consider here if you're wanting a cozy little retreat, with plenty of animals!

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Daniel W.

25 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Monarch Country Cottage

Really enjoyed the well done, stylish and well supplied country get away. Great proximity to our friends and family. Peaceful setting!

Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Diane H.

9 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Little Cottage

We used the cottage as home base for visiting the bridges of Madison County—about 25 minutes away. The cottage is on a peaceful little farm and has everything you need for a wonderful stay. Communication with the property owners was great throughout. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for a restful getaway to farm country!

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Becky O.

5 Oct 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Minimal and creative!

The cottage was beautiful and spacious with tons of natural light and a restful minimalist aesthetic that will appeal to anyone with a creative soul. The furnishings were all thoughtfully selected and felt a cut above the usual IKEA type chairs and tables you find in many VRBO’s. The shelves were filled with lots of classic picks in fiction, business, and design to spark ideas. Would be a great spot for writing, drawing, meetings, and other types of creative thinking. Our only disappointment was that we didn’t see any dogs/cats, but we did get to say hi to the chickens! (:

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bruce F.

25 Sept 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Getaway

Convenient to both Indianola and SW Des Moines, but definitely out in the country.

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeremiah D.

26 Aug 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome!

This was a great stay. We are so happy with the setting, the property and our hosts! It was very relaxing and wonderful. We will be coming back!

Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Becky A.

30 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Complete relaxation

The house is very tastefully decorated with everything you could need. Check in & communication with host was a breeze. Thoughtful host host left delicious treats for is . Property is relaxing and peaceful.

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca F.

24 July 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

delightful summer weekend getaway and opera

This is a beautiful and comfortable cottage in the country. A quiet and peaceful retreat not far from city amenities. It's great to 'get away' but also convenient to drive into Indianola (and Des Moines, too) to attend Des Moines Metro Opera events. We also spent time with family in the area. This was the third summer in a row to stay in the Monarch Cottage and it did not disappoint. Morning coffee on the porch - either in the porch swing or the patio chairs - was delightful. We even got to enjoy a morning 'garden variety' midwestern thunderstorm: short-lived pouring rain and wind. Delightful. Casey and Jenn are generous, helpful and attentive hosts.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

SONJA S., HAMPSHIRE

15 June 2023

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome!

This is by far the nicest property we have stayed at through VRBO! It was perfect for the two of us - clean, comfortable, modern, and a lovely quiet rural setting - but close to other towns and the "big" city for leisure activities. We will find a reason to stay again!

Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Christina H.

7 Nov 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing hidden gem in central Iowa

This property is AMAZING. The communication, the amenities, the cleanliness, and the relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life…WONDERFUL. We have visited here twice now and will continue to make it our retreat for years to come! Thank you!

Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sean D.

25 Oct 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect "Minimoon" Spot

My wife (fiancee at the time of booking) and I needed a place to stay after our wedding, found this place and thought we'd give it a try. We were far from disappointed. Before even getting there, I was in contact with Jenn and Casey, and they made sure I had the information I needed prior to arrival (how to get in, amenities, etc.) Upon arrival, my wife and I were immediately taken in by how beautiful and clean everything was, they even left the lights on for us as we arrived late. They also surprised us with a very sweet and unexpected wedding present. The stay maintained that level of care and kindness as they worked with us over a minor Wifi snag, stayed in contact whenever needed and just all around did everything to make our stay enjoyable. Mornings were started with wonderful coffee they provided us and I highly encourage people to open the windows and breathe the air in the mornings while you enjoy your coffee. We walked the grounds/ walking loop at one point and found T-Rex as well as two of the cats, made for a beautiful and sweet start to the day. We didn't find Ryder that day BUT on our final day, the Mayor was brought to the Cottage for a personal visit, Frisbee and all. I honestly could go on for a long time about this place but I will simply recommend anyone considering it experience it themselves. My wife and I plan to make it an anniversary/ Iowa visit destination.

Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Matt B.

3 Oct 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Home

The house was perfect in every way. Had everything we needed and was incredibly clean. Unfortunately the weather was rainy all weekend so we didn't get to do much exploring but it really didn't matter thanks to the awesome porch and large windows in the home. If we had to be stuck inside somewhere, I'm glad it was here. The hosts were super friendly and very responsive which was great as well. Looking forward to our next stay.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

John P.

27 Sept 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nicest rental in 42 years of marriage - Amazing Place!

Been in about 12 different rentals since we have both been retired. This is still by far the nicest of all the places we have stayed. Sure did miss seeing Ryder this time but hope to get back here sometime in the future. The host are both super people too and missed seeing them as well this past stay. The rental was perfect and we enjoyed seeing the sunrise from our living room as well as the gorgeous sunsets! So glad we could visit here again!

Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

8/10 Good

Jessica P.

23 Sept 2022

Liked: Check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Was a great quite county getaway

Was an easy check in great country getaway for our 5th anniversary.

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tammy E.

22 Sept 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wedding in Iowa

This place was beautiful and very clean. Would definitely stay again. Check in was easy. We didn't have any issues connecting to wifi. Everything worked ! This place felt like home with all the little extras in case you forgot something. The bedroom could really use a TV but we were so tired from all the wedding stuff that we just fell asleep. Thank you for letting us stay here !!

Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sherry W., Goodyear

15 Aug 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful and relaxing retreat

Hosts are very responsive.

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Rebecca F.

24 July 2022

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet and restful retreat

We enjoyed our second stay at the cottage. . . .it is a wonderful and very comfortable lodging; it is convenient for us as we are 'in town' to attend opera performances of the Des Moines Metro Opera at Simpson College. Jenn and Casey are great hosts.

Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022