Condo

The Nest - next to bakery and downtown

Photo gallery for The Nest - next to bakery and downtown

Sit and visit or stretch out and relax on these twin comfy couches.
Living area
Living area
Living area
Living area

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Hot tub
  • Dryer
  • Gym
  • Kitchen
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Oskaloosa, IA
  • City Square Park
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • William Penn University
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Southern Iowa Fair
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Ottumwa, IA (OTM-Ottumwa Industrial)
    ‪27 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Living Room 1

1 Queen Bed and 2 Single Sofa Beds

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen

About this property

The Nest - next to bakery and downtown

Keep it simple at this peaceful and centrally-located two bedroom two bath nest, stylishly set up with everything you need to make it home as long as you might need or like to.

This downtown location next-door to our famous Dutch bakery, Jaarsmas, home of the Dutch letter and all sorts of baked goods from pies to bean sprout bread and more pastries than you might imagine, is close to everything great in Oskaloosa, with Ride Nostalgia bike rentals right on the property to enjoy a piece or all of our 14 mile paved bike trail.

The space:
Natural light pours into this nest, named so by a friend who walked in and shared, "Wow, it almost feels like you're in a bird nest up here - you can see out from every angle." It's true! Watch the sun come up, be warmed and inspired by it all day and the sun sets behind the town structures out another window at dusk.

Gather all together in the open space from the colorful well lit living room open to the kitchen or hang out on your own in one of the two cozy and comfy bedrooms, also filled with natural light.

For your convenience, we have left the two bathroom concept, as it is super convenient, in that two people can shower simultaneously with hot water and plenty of pressure - wonderful! There is also a spacious area at the top of the steps with a full body mirror for an extra space to get ready and may have a desk area, if the need arises from guests.

The kitchen, connected to the living area and also surrounded with natural light, is stocked with serving ware, pots, pans, cooking and baking utensils, both a stove top tea pot and an electric counter one, a Ninja blender, toaster, Nespresso & Mr. Coffee coffee machines and a French Press. While we give you pods for the first few cups of Nespresso coffee, you may want to preorder more, as the Nespresso varieties surpass the goodness of the grocery store brands. Ground coffee, spices, cooking oil and other pantry items are set up for you. There is seating for 7 and two folding chairs in the closet as needed.

The living room naturally lit with two walls of windows has two couches, a swivel chair, upholstered sitting stool, 70 inch smart tv with roku, fubu and more. Enjoy a book from our varied collection for all ages, a game or simply conversation in this comfortable and spacious room. Most of our games and toys for all ages were purchased at The Work of Our Hands (in our neighboring town, Pella), which carry beautiful and unique handmade treasures made by artisans in developing countries ensuring artisans get a fair price for their products.

The king sized bedroom includes full closet, two bedside tables with lamps, hooks on the wall, an Alexa device for music, other audios and alarm, an overhead fan/light fixture, and a suitcase stand. This room is directly across from both bathrooms.

The full sized bedroom includes two night stands with drawers, lamps, a six drawer dresser, large leather upholstered bench, an Alexa device for music, other audios and alarm, and an overhead fan/light fixture. The large hallway and stairway is between both bedrooms and this bedroom backs to the living area.

There is a brand new full sized washer and dryer for your convenience.

Feel at home all week long for work or school in Oskaloosa or for a weekend visit in this location and enjoy delightful day trips easily within the county and beyond!

Tee up at one of our golf courses, 18 holes with an award-winning restaurant on its premises and the 27 holes with a PGA professional on its premises, and both along our 14 mile trail around Oskaloosa.

Throw discs in the woods, at the park, or on a quicker course, all three along the bike trail and minutes from this home. We have an active frisbee golf community.

Schedule a brewery, winery and cheese making tours and tote your finds in a bike basket to dine under the sky along one of the miles and miles of trails in Mahaska County.

With an active and talented chamber, historical society, arts and conservation board, Mahaska County is a gem for natural learning and adventure.

With an active and talented chamber, historical society, arts and conservation board, Mahaska County is a gem for natural learning and adventure.

Some notable scheduled events for 2022 are just around the corner!

-Plaid Friday and Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25 & 26
-Merry Little Downtown Christmas and Lighted Christmas Parade on December 2 & 3
- Annual Bluegrass Festival and other live music events at Southern Iowa Fairgrounds.

… and the following repeated events take place at a variety of times throughout the year:
-Thursday night band concerts at the square, 8:00pm, June to mid August, since 1864!
-Laura Days at Nelson Pioneer Farm, Tuesdays - Fridays in July. Sign up through: https://nelsonpioneer.org/np_events/lauras-days/
- George Daily Auditorium offers high quality performing arts from community schools to scheduled professionals.
- Muse Music Monday night open mic or local performer from 6-8 at Smokey Row.
- Outer Space at Oskaloosa Art Center - live music, comedy, and open mics, for scheduled events, check faceofmahaska.com
-Nelson Pioneer Farm will give you guided tours by appointment or take a self guided tour from May through September. They also and have scheduled weekly events on their calendar. https://nelsonpioneer.org/
-Autumn Acres at Stam’s greenhouse Fridays from 12-6 and Saturdays during the day, starting the 2nd week in September through the end of August. Fun for the whole family!

Bike Trails and Bike Rentals:
We have a wonderful 14 mile bike trail that goes all around Oskaloosa through restored prairies, woods, and farm fields and has a good variety of entry and exit points for most of us who may not have time for the whole route. Travel easy and rent a bike from Nostalgic Rides in Oskaloosa, right on this property.. We expect a couple high demand experiences: the Schwinn bicycle built for two and the adult Tricycle, so if those two would be a must for you, let us know and if they are available, we'll be sure to reserve them for you!

All of our guests have a three day pass to our YMCA, just a few blocks from this home. This includes open gym, lap swims, work out equipment, and class options for an extra charge.

Property manager

Christian & Melissa Ray
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
There are carpeted steps entering this condo.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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 fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Oskaloosa

Located in Oskaloosa, this condo is in the city centre. Edmundson Golf Course and Tassel Ridge Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Keomah State Park and City Square Park. Southern Iowa Fair and Fun Valley Ski Area are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Oskaloosa, IA

What's nearby

  • City Square Park - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • William Penn University - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Mahaska Health - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Southern Iowa Fair - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Lake Keomah State Park - 11 min drive - 9.6 km

Getting around

  • Des Moines International Airport (DSM) - 71 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Scotters Coffee - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Taco John's - ‬12 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is The Nest - next to bakery and downtown pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Nest - next to bakery and downtown?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Nest - next to bakery and downtown?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Nest - next to bakery and downtown located?

Located in the heart of Oskaloosa, this condo building is within 1 mile (2 km) of City Square Park, William Penn University and Mahaska Health. Southern Iowa Fair and VanderWilt Park are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 28 out of 28 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 28 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 28 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 28 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 28 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia B.

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

Great place

This place is great! Just like the pictures. Very clean and located in a great spot. Very spacious and welcoming. The host is very nice as well. We will definitely book here again for a future stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rochelle C.

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

Thanksgiving

Visiting our kids for Thanksgiving. Great location and very clean. Host was easy to communicate with!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Janine S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christina H.

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

Nice place while waiting for a wedding

We were in the area for a wedding and decided to book a condo instead of hotel. I do not regret our decision. It was so nice and homey. If we are ever back in town I would stay again. There are quite a bit of stairs leading up to the condo so it was a little difficult for elderly mother. It was super nice to have our own room.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pam O.

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

Nice!

Friendly hosts, nice property!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This property is fully outfitted and ready for all your needs! Missy is responsive, helpful and has the cutest most decked out place in the area! We will be booking with her again and we’re so at home in her place.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leslie O.

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

So cute

I loved this property. The decor was really cute and the location was convenient. Loved the bakery next door and the church bells. Owners were very quick to respond to requests. Beds were very comfortable and the Alexa’s in each room was a nice touch. Will definitely stay here again on our next trip to Oskaloosa.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gloria K.

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

Home away from HOme.

Both my daughter and I loved the place. Very comfortable. Loved the view from second floor. Only two issues 1. Water never seemed to get warm enough. 2. the traffic from the cross street often noisy at night.. Aside of these two issues, the stay was great! Might come back again.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth D.

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

Everything we needed for our stay

Melissa and Ray were wonderful hosts, keeping in touch with us and quickly answering all of our questions beforehand. The condo is comfortable and clean (and next door to an institution in town, Jaarsma Bakery!). Thank you for sharing your place with us. We will definitely stay here again when visiting family in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Margaret B.

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

Cute place!

The Nest was a perfect spot for us when we were in town for a wedding. The location was easy to find and access. The parking spot right next to the door was good, however if you drive a big farm truck it takes a little bit to get backed in. I loved having a regular size coffee pot! And two clean bathrooms to get ready in was awesome! Thanks for the great space and know where to look when we come back to visit!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ellen P.

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

perfect for us

comfortable, spacious, quiet. all the amenities we could want (thank you for the coffee!)
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brandon C.

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

Great communication leads to great stays!

We were in town for an event in Knoxville, IA and had a great stay. There was a little issue that the owners worked on feverishly. The place is pretty small, but great for short stays as a group, or an extended stay with just a few. Amenities were as needed, beds were comfortable, and appliances worked well. The location is in downtown Oskaloosa which made any trips to stores or businesses very convenient. Our hosts went above and beyond with communication, were very friendly, and provided a great stay. We will definitely look them up in the future if we are going to be in the area!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Joan R.

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

Girl’s Trip

We loved the property! It was very cozy and comfortable. We could walk to downtown for restaurants and shopping. The bakery next door was a treat! We went to Pella for Tulip Time and it was nice to be just 15 miles from there. Over all a great time. Missy was very helpful
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Connie Y., Lees Summit MO

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

Family at the Nest

We had a great stay at the Nest ! Property was exactly as depicted in description and pictures. The condo was very clean and well maintained, decorated very nicely. Kitchen was well stocked. Missy was very responsive through texts, though, we had no problems at all. We were in the area for Tulip Time in Pella and this location worked out great for us to get away from the crowds in Pella. If we ever come back to the area, we would definitely want to stay at the Nest again!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Natalie C.

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

Wonderful home!

We were in town visiting our son at William Penn. This house is super comfortable and homey! The kitchen was well equipped with everything you could want. The beds were super comfy. It was a great location and the owners were super accommodating! We would DEFINITELY rent this property again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Andrew O., Olathe, Kansas, USA

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

Turkey day

Great time with family made all the better with a great place to rest our heads. Beautiful property in a great location.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

JANA S., Joplin

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

Great place to stay

Was a perfect place to stay for what we needed it for. Visiting our granddaughter at college. Had everything we needed to cook her a few homemade meals She loved the homey feel it gave her.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Dee P.

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

SE Iowa Road Trip

This was the perfect accommodations for our stay while touring SE Iowa. It is beautifully decorated and no detail was left out. Hosts were very helpful. It is within walking of many restaurants, coffee shop, bakery, etc. in Oskaloosa and within a short driving distance of Pella and other sites. I would definitely recommend The Nest if you’re traveling in this area.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Terry B.

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

Downtown Oskaloosa

We visited our son and daughter-in-law and five grandchildren. Not a fan of Oskaloosa hotels and this place was great! Comfortable beds and furniture. Stylish decor. Walking distance to downtown shops and sites. Well stocked kitchen and bathrooms. Will re-book on future visits if available. Easy check in and checkout.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lucas M.

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

Where do I start

This property was charming, lovely, sensational, cool, nostalgic. Decorated beautifully, space was perfection for our needs with our family. We visited in the middle of a scorcher heat wave. I was nervous being in the top unit that we would roast; we did not! The AC kept us cool when we needed a break from touring the town, visiting the bakery, local shops (amazing too) love the history of this town! Loved that we were in walking distance of it all!! Our main reason for this stay was for the racing at Knoxville and Oskaloosa. We found a lot more to add to our trip with the advice from our host & hostess!! A much needed time away from our busy schedules back home. Every one of us thought this property was just gem!! We hope to stay there again in the future. I also, have to share we stayed at the cottage last year for a long weekend and loved that property as well. We certainly appreciate the time and effort you put into your homes to make our stay safe and memorable. It truly makes it effortless, from the stocked kitchen, bathrooms, supplies, and so much more! Thank you both so much Chris & Melissa for creating exceptional properties and sharing that with your guests!! We truly had an exceptional time!!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Mary G., Las Vegas, Nevada

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

Great place to stay while visiting Oskaloosa.

Great place to stay while in Oskaloosa. Centrally located with walking distance to coffee shops, bakery, garden park & more. Very clean & fully equipped kitchen.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
My daughter and I were there for a friend's graduation party. It had all the amenities we needed to enjoy our stay. The beds and furniture were comfortable, and the bathrooms and kitchens were stocked with enough towels and appliances for our stay. Water pressure was good. It is next to the town square, so it was a short walk to the local scene. We didn't do too much of that, since we were in town for other reasons, but when we wondered around it was cool. My daughter liked the Arcade in the mall, and it was a blast for me too since I grew up with the games in the 80's. It is unlimited play for a whole day for one price. I wasn't any good at them anymore, but it was nostalgic and fun. There are Alexa things in every room. I unplugged them all because I am from the generation that doesn't trust intrusive technology, but I can see the appeal for those who enjoy that sort of stuff. Unplugging them is an easy fix. The disclosed possible "road noise" in the welcome packet from the street out front of the place was not noticed by us. We would stay again, if we were in the area again, but I don't foresee that for another 4-8 years when the next graduation may occur.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Eddie F., Elkhart Kansas USA

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

Great Rental for a Family

It was great place to stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Melanie K., Canby

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

Peaceful and Comfortable

We are on a long road trip, so this location with walking proximity to everything (coffee shop, book store, downtown Park/bandstand, library, restaurants etc) was just splendid! Plenty of space, nice and cool. Our kids loved the toys and books there as well! We hope to be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Gina C., Twin Lake

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

Excellent location with everything you need.

Super clean, stylish upper unit. Very comfortable and homey. Really enjoyed our time.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Hosted by Christian & Melissa Ray

Host profile image
We are parents, grandparents, mentors and a couple who enjoy bringing the best for people we host. We've enjoyed traveling as well and love the feel of a home away from home, where we can walk out the door and enjoy places around town that the locals know about. Chris loves finding great food and drinks wherever we go, and Missy likes finding paths to hike and boutiques with beautiful things. We both love visiting our children and grandchildren in NewJersey, Tennessee, Missouri and Iowa, and meeting them in fun locations!

Why they chose this property

Parking is right outside your entry door. If you arrive at night, the light above the door is a motion sensing light so will come on automatically upon your arrival. To exit, you can back into the parking space in front of the building and exit with ease, either directly onto the main street in front of the home or through the bakery parking next door.

Everything you might need is within walking distance. Coffee and baked goods next door, delicious pizza, wings and salads across the street and two doors down and just a couple blocks to shopping, Smokey Row Coffee shop, Taso's Steakhouse, Mi Ranchito Mexican restaurant and a couple breakfast and lunch eateries, Brickhouse Cafe and Julie's Restaurant.

Its worth a drive or rent a bike from Ride Nostalgia (on this property) and enjoy dinner at Wood Iron Grill with alfresco dining overlooking one of the town's beautiful golf courses. Lake Keomah State Park is just a short 6 miles East of this location and there are at least 20 nature preserves for exploration in Mahaska County.

Cedar Bluffs Natural Area along the Des Moines River, with its 225 acres of forest and prairies and over 3 miles of trails, is one of the top hikes in the area. Motorcycle and ATV enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels "rip" not far from there at Bluff Creek OHV. People come from all over to experience Eddyville Dunes Sand Prairie where cacti dot the trail and you can watch for box turtles, six-lined race runner lizards and a great variety of birds from the wooden bridge at the pond.

These are just a small fraction of the natural parks set aside for explorers in this area! Enjoy the search filled with something to see and learn on every single visit.

Check out our welcome book for more about this gem of an area!

What makes this property unique

History lovers:
Visit mahaskachamber.org/history or simply walk around town and read the history markers for a self-guided historical tour all within easy walking distance of The Antebellum. Walk through, eat alfresco (spring, summer, fall) attend event or set one up in The Alley, lined with beautiful flora and read about folks from Oskaloosa who have been recognized internationally for their contributions to the public. Events and scheduled tours of the Pioneer Farm, including Laura Days brings people from near and far!

Explorers: You'll love the options here! Bike or hike miles and miles amongst restored prairies, forests and along waterways. Nostalgia Rides has bikes for your simple fun around town or a ride on part or all of our 14 mile trail around Oskaloosa. Learn together at the state of art conservation education center and learn more about the local reserves set up for your nature delights!

Enjoy vintage, antique, thrift and boutique shopping in and around Oskaloosa! Taste chef's specials and signature dishes at delightful eateries, including Wood Iron Grille, home of 2019 Best Burger in Iowa, schedule a brewery tour, take a winery tour inside and out, schedule a dine and wine after some wine tasting at Tassel Ridge, learn all about cheese making at Frisian Farms and bring home your choice of gouda, and by all means hang out at Smokey Row Coffee Shop, location of all kinds of presidential hopeful stops and simply loved by our community as a great hangout or great place to work spot.

We hope your stay includes a Thursday summer night! Our community band, playing since late 1800's is a must! The events this town offers are also a must; check out mahaskachamber.org/calendar for Art on the Square, Sweet Corn Serenade, Autumn Acres, Annual Christmas Parade, and more!

Just a few miles from Oskaloosa is also Iowa's largest reservoir, Lake Red Rock; there are boat rentals, miles of the Volksweg Trail, and educational tours. Cliffs are beautiful there!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests