Vacation Rentals by Owner

Perfect home base to recreating

Guest: Sue (Milwaukee, WI)
Date of Stay: 08/01/11 Review Submitted: 08/11/11

This was our first experience with a VRBO property and an excellent one it was! This cottage is charming, clean, full of modern amenities and the owner was very responsive to inquiries. Would definitely recommend to friends and family. Thank you Amy! Sue, John & Sara, Milwaukee WI

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Awesome!

Guest: Pam (Mulberry, Florida)
Date of Stay: 06/19/11 Review Submitted: 07/01/11

One word description - awesome! We were looking for a place to stay for a week of golfing...found this fantastic cottage on vrbo.com. The cottage was like a home away from home. It was so peaceful sitting at the table eating breakfast and lunch while enjoying the glorious view of the Mississippi River. This property was very clean and well maintained. The owner was fantastic to work with. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for just about any type of get away or vacation. Pam and Harold of Mulberry Florida

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Very Unique/charming Property at Excellent Price

Guest: Barb of Northwoods Business Services (Cumberland, Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 02/18/11 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

I rented the cottage several times a year since 2007 for family and business visits to La Crosse. I travel extensively and this location is one of the best properties I rented thru VRBO. I enjoy every season here--sometimes to be alone, sometimes to entertain. Dakota is a quaint little town and the cottage has the best residential location for privacy and view. When I walk into the yard and house, serenity surrounds me. I wonder if the cottage was designed so that the windows frame the water---everywhere the water. And then I am only 10 miles from La Crosse area restaurants and shopping. This is a very unique property at a very good price. (The owner has been excellent to work with over the years--good off season rates and always responsive.)

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Rick and Kovi
Date of Stay: 11/24/10 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

We've had a very relaxing turkey day. Your cottage was warm and inviting. Beautiful view of the river. Took a long hike to wear off some of the food. Great place to watch trains go by Our family had an enjoyable stay.

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Guest: Carol
Date of Stay: 11/01/10 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

Swan watching was a success. We had a great time here. Looked in your guest book and found out that my sister and husband stayed here! A Family House here on the River--full of lightness and laughter. A very good place.

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Right next door to a busy, bright, loud, auto repair shop.

Guest: Terry (Arlington Heights, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 09/12/10 Review Submitted: 09/16/10

The picture of the property artfully disguises the fact that this cottage is right next to a busy auto repair business. We were awakened several mornings by engines running, car doors slamming, etc. The bright business lights block out any hopes of seeing stars at night. Would not recommend this place for peace and quiet. This cottage is located in Dakota Minnesota, not La Crosse Wisconsin. There is a road and a busy set of ralroad tracks between the cottage and the river.

Owner response:Regret spending time on Terry--but I must speak up for my cottage which has pleased guests for five years. Terry stayed 5 nights, never spoke to me or complained. Stated "she didn't know what her husband wrote " when I called upon reading her false review. My guest book contains dozens of lovely reviews from guests. Please don't miss the cottage and beautiful Dakota because of one person motivated by who-knows-what. The garage is across a road, obscured by trees and road, Moon and stars shine every night--obscured only by a dark outlook on life. The cottage is the private corner lot of a residential block with tree hedge surrounding yard. The train is far across the road and guests enjoy watching. I am a real estate investor and purchased the cottage because of the privacy, view & location. I would not invest in real estate with a bad view or bad neighbors. Note that Terry complains even that the cottage is located in Dakota--which is clearly stated in VRBO--stating the fact as though it is negative. Terry never contacted me to ask to shorten her stay or to discuss her concerns. I wonder if her goal was for me to offer her a refund (after enjoying the cottage for 5 days) if she took down the review.

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Guest: Laurie & Frank
Date of Stay: 07/07/10 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

We vacationed in Europe in farm houses and cottages . . . your cottage is lovely and reminds of our stay in Bath, England. The view is amazing. We are already thinking how we can get back here in the fall or winter. Your taste in music, decor and books are so me; I felt so at home here. thank you for opening this lovely place to us.

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Charming place that feels like home

Guest: Karen, Dan and family (Evanston, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 06/04/10 Review Submitted: 08/21/10

Our second stay was earlier this summer. Our family once again had a lovely time. The owner is gracious and easy to work with. She has created a charming space that feels like home when you walk in the door. This clean and well-maintained home includes many nice features...a well-outfitted, modern kitchen, cozy seating areas both inside and outside, a closet filled with games and drawing supplies for the kids (we found the board game "Password" and the kids loved playing and still talk about it from our first trip there two years ago) and relaxing bedrooom decor. The view of the river is stunning and the bird watching was great fun. We've seen three bald eagles sitting in the Dakota Eagle Tree at the same time! The National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota is about an hour away. We enjoyed both our visit to the center and our lunch in a quaint Wabasha restaurant just two blocks away. Hiking at Great Bluffs State Park was awesome. A beautiful natural setting with breathtaking views of the river, bluffs and valleys in several locations. It was also fun to watch the river traffic (including a large boat all lit up with pleasant music wafting our way as it continued up the river on an early evening cruise) and the occasional trains on the tracks down the hill and across the road...the trains do not interfere with the river view. After a couple of steps to get into the cottage, all of the living space is on one floor so it would be convenient for those who find climbing stairs challenging. Everyone in the family (adults, children and dog) look forward to our next trip to the La Crosse area to stay at our "home away from home" there. If I offered a home for vacation rental, I would use this cottage as an example of how to do it right. We highly recommend it for your stay in the La Crosse area.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, pet owners, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: The Canadians from Milk River
Date of Stay: 10/21/09 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

This is our third annual October visit to the cottage and we appreciate it more each time.

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Guest: Patricia & Marvin
Date of Stay: 10/11/09 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

We had peaceful days here. We needed to get away; the river refreshed us. Your house and decorating is lovely. The antiques are beyond a doubt my favorite. I love your combination of colors and enjoyed looking again and again at the artwork. I hope to return. This is my birthday--can't think of a better way to have spend the days leading up to it.

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Guest: Lynette and Mother
Date of Stay: 09/22/09 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

Such a special time and place--too soon passing, likek the river and the trains. This lovely, calm house has given us very special memories---a perfect end-of-summer place for me and my precious 86-year-old mom. She read, painted, rested and loved the view. Every thoughtful detail added to our enjoyment. Music, books, movies. My love here was the flowers . . . everyday the morning glories gave me such a thrill. All the good vibes that come from within this place speak both of its history and of you. We elave with a feeling of having been in a great place at a wonderful time.

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Guest: Paul and Sandy
Date of Stay: 08/17/09 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

What a great stay we had as we spent the month of August at the cottage. As new to this area, I did not know what to expect but I now know that this is an undiscovered jewel. We feel we only scratched the surface of all there is to see and do here. You folks do know how to enjoy life. We really enjoyed the cottage--you should post a history of it.

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Guest: The P . . . . Family
Date of Stay: 07/25/09 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

We had such a wonderful weekend--4 adults, 2 babies and a dog. We enjoyed dinner on the patio, the beautiful view of the river and your comfortable cottage. Thank you for your hospitality--we had a great time.

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Guest: Jacqy
Date of Stay: 07/07/09 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

The coolest place I've ever stayed bar none!

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Guest: Michael and Kim
Date of Stay: 06/25/09 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

We came to watch my son play baseball for the La Crosse Loggers. This home has been the perfect retreat. The cottage is very comfortable. We were even impressed by the lightening, thunder and rain. Thanks for taking such good care of us.

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Guest: Wayne, Shirley, Lynn and Laurel
Date of Stay: 06/12/09 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

Nature has presented this house with a beautiful view. Thanks for sharing it with us.

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Guest: Glen and Bernita
Date of Stay: 05/29/09 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

We enjoyed our 3 days at 380 River Street----mornings on the front patio watching river activity, trains and birds--eagles, wood ducks, orioles.

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Guest: Joe, Gina and Family
Date of Stay: 12/25/08 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

Thanks for the great house to celebrate Christmas in!! Kids came from Minneapolis. We came from Milwaukee. This was the perfect meeting-in-the-middle point. Very cozy house, great decor. Saw two eagles nesting across the street. Very awesome. Thanks again.

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Guest: Tom
Date of Stay: 11/02/08 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

What a wonderful place. Peace, the River makes a great view and everything inside is interesting. The swan watch was a success--hundreds to the north, robins still in the backyard, eagles, falcons, ducks, woodpeckers, nuthatches and more. Thanks for a great place.

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Guest: Faye and Tyson
Date of Stay: 10/18/08 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

I didn't write in your book last year so I'd better do it this time. We have had an amazing stay at "The Last Resort"--our Dakota home. The view from here of your Mississippi River gets better every year. I love the cottage and everything in this quaint little town.

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Guest: Faye and Tyson
Date of Stay: 10/18/08 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

I didn't write in your book last year so I'd better do it this time. We have had an amazing stay at "The Last Resort"--our Dakota home. The view from here of your Mississippi River gets better every year. I love the cottage and everything in this quaint little town.

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Guest: Rose & Gordon (From Canada)
Date of Stay: 10/17/08 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

The cottage here in Dakota is beautiful and picturesque. What a beautiful and massive river the Mississippi is. The view out of your windows is phenominal. We thank you so much. We will return.

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Guest: Lucille, Mary, Sally, Liz and Barb
Date of Stay: 09/09/08 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

Our group of sisters and mom welcomed your warm and inviting space. All needs were met and we relished the shared laughter, wonderful plums from the trees, stories, road trips around the area, the beautiful American Queen steamship, the train whistles, glorious views of the mighty Mississippi, meals prepared, evening walks around the quiet streets, and the friendly neighborhood. What more could we ask for. Thank you.

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Guest: Larry and Joan
Date of Stay: 09/05/08 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

The spirit of the cottage, the furnishings and the allotment on which it rests are calm and welcoming.

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Guest: Dennis and Penny
Date of Stay: 08/01/08 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

The cottage is very cozy and relaxing. Just what we needed on vacation. The location is great for hiking, biking and canoeing. The people here are extremely friendly. We had a marvelous time.

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Guest: Pauline and Frank
Date of Stay: 07/13/08 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

Thanks so much for this lovely cottage. We're eating dinner watching the moon over the river. We look forward to returning next July.

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Guest: Jackie and John
Date of Stay: 06/09/08 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

A wondrous Holiday. Flooding rain. Lightening flashing across the river. A beautiful house. Would love to find one like it in Madison. Especially liked: Root River Trail--a great bike ride. Trempealeau Hotel--great food. Local grocery store--good and character. Thanks.

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Guest: A Duluthian, Madisonian, and Minneapolisite
Date of Stay: 05/02/08 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

What more could a gal-pals weekend ask for? The lovely house, the rushing river, the intimate location, the spring weather, the conversations, the commaraderie and the picturesque train--all made for a recipe for excellent girlfriend weekend. Thank you so much, Amy, for opening your eclectic house for us.

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Guest: Ryan and Sue
Date of Stay: 04/18/08 Review Submitted: 03/11/11

We came to the cottage to recharge our spirits next to the wonder and strength of the River and indeed the cottage was the perfect place. Yesterday the whole family gathered here to celebrate a birthday, hike along the River and share a meal. All of your personal touches in the cottage made us feel at home. We will come again.

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