Vacation Rentals by Owner

Perfect Getaway

Guest: Adventure Family (Pearland, TX)
Date of Stay: 03/10/12 Review Submitted: 03/16/12

We loved this place. Pictures did NOT do it justice. Very clean, comfortable and decorated nicely. We felt right at home. The kids loved the goats and chickens and was the cherry on top of our vacation. The owner had great tips on where to go and what to do and see. Extremely helpful and made the difference between and ok vacation and a GREAT one.

Owner response:Thanks guys for visiting us during this early spring.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Great Get A Way

Guest: Evelyn & Richard (Venus, TX)
Date of Stay: 03/01/12 Review Submitted: 03/08/12

We really enjoyed our stay in the cottage. It was very clean & comfortable. We really enjoyed cooking out on the grill on the deck. I was amazed at all the little details Mark & Suzanne have thought of. There was even laundry detergent to use. It was nice to be able to wash most of our clothes before we left so we didn't get home with a suitcase full of dirty clothes. The location was great, out in the country but less than 10 minutes to get into town. We enjoyed eating at Buddy's & went to Fisherman's Cove (it was really good) It was nice to be so close to the Diamond Crater State Park. It took less than 10 minutes to get there. We didn't find any diamonds but we were there when someone else found a 1.93 carat diamond. We would definitely go back & have already told several of our friends about it. It was a nice place to get away to. It was really great to sit out on the deck at night & look at the stars. The sky was so clear out there away from the city lights. We definitely had a wonderful time.

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

Great place to stay will hunting

Guest: Tommy (Crowley, Louisiana)
Date of Stay: 11/23/11 Review Submitted: 11/28/11

Really enjoyed our stay at cottage. We were deer hunting in Delight and needed a place to stay. Cottage was very close and had enough room for five guys. Mark made us feel right at home.We plan to stay again!!!!

Recommended for:Age 55+

A Hone Away From Home

Guest: Dawn and friends (Indiana)
Date of Stay: 07/25/11 Review Submitted: 08/07/11

I'm so glad that we stayed at the cottage. It was clean and comfortable. I had brought a group of women together for an adventure in rock hunting. The first impression when we walked into the cottage, was "This isn't a cottage, it's a 3 bedroom home !!!" The pictures do not do the real place justice. Our Diamond hunting was a bust but going to Wegner Crystal mine made up for it. We spent 2 days at the Crystal mine. I think if we go back to Arkansas to hunt for diamonds, it should be in April not the end of July. Mark and Suzanne were wonderful host and their knowledge of the surrounding areas was exceptional. We thought that a bug light for the back door light would keep the bugs from hanging around the light. Mark did one better, he brought tiki torches and oil for us to use while we sat out on the deck. The chickens and goats helped us feel welcome too. Each morning one of us would go out and talk to them. Right before we left, I was almost sad to leave my little friends. I would recommend this place to anyone. In fact, I'd like to stay there again if we get back to Arkansas. It was truly a home away from hom. Thanks Mark and Suzanne for letting us enjoy your cabin.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, sightseeing.

The Bell Family's excellent vacation

Guest: Chris, Terrell & Caitlin (Aledo, TX)
Date of Stay: 06/19/11 Review Submitted: 06/24/11

We stayed at this adorable cottage 6/19-6/23/11. We were very happy with the central location and surrounding area's beauty. The owners met us there soon after we arrived and were very friendly and informative. The chickens and goats were really neat, and the fresh eggs and veggies from the garden were wonderful! Ask Suzanne how to fix the cucumbers! Yummy! No luck at the diamond mine, and it was REALLY hot that day. The water park made the afternoon fun, though. Wegner's mine was great for a 2 hour dig- go early! We tubed the Caddo river even though the water was low- and still had a blast. We also did some bank fishing, not much luck- probably due to the jet skis! Overall we truly enjoyed this quiet, quaint, clean spot.The outdoor deck is great for star gazing. I can only suggest that you bring a large, lidded, skillet if you plan to cook for more than 2-3 people.(We buy frozen chicken and veggie skillet meals to cook on vacation). But that is a pretty small criticism for an overall GREAT place to stay. Other than that- this place should be perfect for your needs in this area. Thank you so much to the Wiley's- we truly enjoyed your property and the area! We hope to come back again soon!

Owner response:Suzanne took care of the skillet issue TODAY (had one at the house, ASK BECAUSE WE USUALLY CAN HELP OUT from the house..........crockpots, etc.) Thanks Bells.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

A True Gem Near a Diamond Field!

Guest: Pete & Shana (Warwick, New York)
Date of Stay: 04/03/11 Review Submitted: 04/14/11

After a pretty rough trip, we arrived at the cottage and felt like we were home! The description of the cottage is accurate, but it is larger than the pictures convey. And I agree with a previous post that it was very clean; we too are picky about that! We had a wonderful time and enjoyed our stay so much that we stayed an extra night. We traveled to Murfreesboro in order to try our luck at finding a diamond. Although we were not successful, we did find a wonderful area with a lot to explore. Our focus was visiting the Crater of Diamonds State Park (which we decided was more accurately described as Crater of Jasper) and we spent a lot of time there. There are some wonderful instructional materials available to assist with the search for diamonds. We tried both surface searching and wet screening, and chatted with some nice people from Michigan at the sluicing pavilion. We also had the opportunity to travel to other places in the area. Lake Greeson was beautiful; Narrows Dam was a sight to see. Washington, with its historical buildings and information center, was delightful. We would have liked to take the guided tour of the historical village but did not have time. We ate at Fisherman's Cove in Nashville, but utilized the well-equipped kitchen for most of our meals. The fresh eggs made a perfect breakfast each morning. There is also a Sonic right in Murfreesboro that is adequate for meals on-the-go. Mr. Wiley kindly gave us directions, advice, and guidance. He is very knowledgeable about the area and is a pleasure to talk to. Pete is an avid treasure hunter and was given permission to metal detect part of the yard. He found a few old shell casings, and one vintage label from a sardine can. The goats and chickens kept us company and were very entertaining. The only disappointment was not seeing an armadillo, and we gladly accept it! I would absolutely recommend this cottage!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Family Fun on the Little Missouri

Guest: Mdr (Texas)
Date of Stay: 03/17/11 Review Submitted: 03/25/11

Not far from the banks of the Little Missouri River, Suzanne and Mark have a delightful fishing cabin that was our home away from home---complete with goats, chickens and delicious farm fresh eggs. What a treat! You couldn't ask for better hospitality. The cabin is spotless! And Mark is an expert fly fisherman and was generous with advice that truly made my trip with our sons complete. Four Michelin Stars! Oh, and after you fish and dig for diamonds, be sure to eat at Los Agaves in Murfreesboro!

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

Great place to stay!!

Guest: Dawn (Illinois)
Date of Stay: 03/13/11 Review Submitted: 03/20/11

We enjoyed our stay at the cottage very much. The discription on the website was accurate but could not describe in full the beautifully decorated cottage. The photo makes the cottage look small but it fit three adults and two children comfortably. The cottage was clean (and we are VERY picky about that) and well maintained.The chickens and goats provided much entertainment for the kids and fresh eggs for breakfast each morning. Mark came by a few times...even bringing a crock pot for us to borrow while we stayed...and offered information on anything we asked for. He was very helpful and welcoming. We mined for diamonds for two days with no luck and plan to try again. We would definately stay here again.

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

Peace & Quiet

Guest: Larry & Robin (Independence MO)
Date of Stay: 10/16/10 Review Submitted: 10/23/10

We really enjoyed our stay at the Wiley's cottage. It was just as described and shown in the pictures, very clean with everything you need. If you want a peaceful and quiet place in the country, this is it. Our trip was all about the Diamond Mine, although we had lots of fun, no diamond found us! Mark and Suzanne are very nice and helpful. We had fun tending the goats and chickens. And especially enjoyed the fresh eggs every day. If the diamond fever strikes us again, we will be back to stay at the cottage and would recommend it to friends.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, sightseeing.

Lil Mo's Quiet Wonderful Getaway

Guest: ACPRLF (Tulsa, Ok)
Date of Stay: 09/03/10 Review Submitted: 09/09/10

The cottage was so comfy and cozy nestled in a quiet and peaceful surrounding. My fiance and our 4 boys enjoyed our visit tremendously and look forward to coming to AR and doing it again. Everything was just as described in the description and we even had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with Mark. If you are looking for a place to enjoy nature and relax in the comfort of a comfy cottage then Lil Mo's is the place for you! There are many wonderful things to do close by for family fun. We enjoyed our little goat friends, deer and chipmunks. Thank you for a great place to stay and spend some much needed family time!

Owner response:Welcome guys.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

Little Missouri River Cottage

Guest: lisa (Port Arthur, Texas)
Date of Stay: 08/20/10 Review Submitted: 08/23/10

We absolutely loved it. The cottage was very neat and clean when we arrived. It makes you almost not want to go home. Kudo to Mark for being so helpful and friendly. Hope to stay in the cottage again next year.

Owner response:Thx Lisa for impromptu inviting the hired hand in for a little breakfast. You are new friends.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Perfect getaway for nature lovers

Guest: Nature loving family (Medora, IN)
Date of Stay: 06/26/10 Review Submitted: 07/06/10

Arkansas really is the Natural State and this cabin is perfect for Nature Lovers. We had a great time with our 2 kids (19 & 22) during our stay at the Wiley's cabin. If you're looking for a fast-paced, big city, modern vacation...please look elsewhere and save this cabin for someone who will enjoy it. If you're looking to get away from it all and enjoy your family and spend time outdoors, you will love it here. This place is really convenient to so many activities...Mark will send you a list for your convenience in planning...we loved Diamond Crater Mine (no luck finding a diamond), taking a drive through the mountains to Queen Wilhemena State Park (saw deer and even a bear on the trip), canoeing on Caddo River, Narrows Dam... Look for the armadillo in the evenings, his/her den is on the property. Everyone goes to the Diamond Mine and they have screens and a bucket in the garage to save you some money when you go to the mine. I hope you have better luck than we did. You have to eat at Buddy's and sign the wall! For a nice dinner, drive 25 minutes and eat at Fisherman's Cove...you'll love it and have leftovers for the next night's dinner. Yes, as you read in an earlier review, there is only one small TV, but if you're like my family, it won't be on much anyway. This is the place to leave TV behind and play some games with the family at night, if you're not too tired from all the fun during the day. Are you really going on vacation to watch TV??? The description and photos on the VRBO listing are accurate. The place is comfortable, well stocked with towels, blankets, dishes, etc. Washer and Dryer with plenty of laundry supplies means you go home without a pile of dirty laundry...yeah!!! Suzanne even stopped by to make sure we had everything we needed and were enjoying our stay! We'd stay here again if I came back to the area.

Owner response:Thanks much Robin. An accurate description of our area and our cottage.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, sightseeing.

A Fine Family Vacation

Guest: Jamie and family (Cape Girardeau, Missouri)
Date of Stay: 06/14/10 Review Submitted: 06/21/10

My family really enjoyed our stay at the Little Mo Fly Fishing Cabin! It was clean and accurately described in the VRBO listing. It was hot when we were there, but the air conditioners really kept the place cool. The washer and dryer came in very handy. The cabin was stocked amply with towels, blankets and various sundries. Mark supplied us with a list of things to do in the area ahead of time and there were brochures in the cabin. We enjoyed the Murfreesboro area a great deal! The Crater of Diamonds was hard work with no luck, but Wegner's crystal mine was more than worth it!! Our favorite thing was the Little Mo Falls....well, and Buddy's Restaurant, but that''s everyone's favorite!! The people in town were more than friendly. And a trip to this area would be well worth it.

Owner response:Thx Jamie, heat's heat, and we are getting our fair share of it. But............a vacation is what you make of it and I am glad our suggestions fit the bill for your family.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, sightseeing.

Cozy place

Guest: visitor66 (LA)
Date of Stay: 06/10/10 Review Submitted: 06/14/10

Two bedrooms in original house. One bedroom add-on. One bathroom. One TV. Two window unit air conditioners --- one big one in the living room and one small one in the add-on room. DirecTV (no movie channels) Pros: Very clean. Convenient location. Very nice owner. Cons: Only one TV; Interior (hollow) door in the add on room to outside; no door guard Recommendations: add a 2nd TV so the kids can watch one and the adults can watch something else; recommend a basic movie channel package; door guards like the ones in hotels as the number of people that could possibly have the keys is high due to rentals; change the back door (add on room) to a solid door I'm probably a bit paranoid when it comes to home security. I think with those changes above, the Little Missouri River Fly Fishing Cottage will get rid of any "cons" for future visitors

Owner response:Cottages in the country are about ambience and scenery, and are set off by their own sentimental touches. Motels have modern trappings and questionable extra security, however they lack personal touch most of the time, and certainly room to move. Welcome to our cottage, the motels are in town.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children.

Perfect Getaway

Guest: Bruce, Sharon and Jan (Golconda, IL)
Date of Stay: 04/28/10 Review Submitted: 05/02/10

Our stay at Little Mo' Fly Fishing Cottage was great! I checked all the area choices for just the right place to stay and am so glad my research led me to the Wiley's cottage. The cottage is located on 2 acres of fenced privacy but is convenient to the entire Murfreesboro area. Mark provided great directions and even signs to point the way. The cottage actually looked better than the pictures. I wish we had had one evening cool enough to have a fire in the stove; but, other than that, our trip was perfect. We took in all the local sites: Crater of Diamonds, Wegners Crystal Mines, the Indian Village, Narrows Dam and Lake Gleeson and lots of shops. Buddies serves amazing portions and the Dairiette in Mt. Ida has great soft serve ice cream. Lots of fun stuff to do! If you are looking for a rustic getaway, Little Mo' Fly Fishing Cottage is a choice you won't regret. And, don't be surprised if Mark drops by to see how you're doing. It was so nice to meet the owner and feel that we were being hosted by a new friend. We didn't find a diamond at Crater of Diamonds but we have precious memories of our getaway.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, age 55+, families with teenagers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Just what we were looking for...

Guest: Sean and Amanda (Texas)
Date of Stay: 04/09/10 Review Submitted: 04/26/10

Mark and Suzanne, We can't thank you enough for allowing us to use your cottage for our 5year anniversary! Our 2year old had such a great time investigating the place, and it was kid-friendly, so we were able to relax and just let him find his own way around. Actually, the cottage was even more spacious than the pictures show-so prepare to be surprised when you get there. Aside from a few problems with wasps, which we dealt with using the bug spray already in the house, we had a great time grilling our meals outside and enjoying the beautiful weather. We can't complain too much about wasps, I mean, it IS the country! We were, of course, looking for diamonds for MOM, but still had a great time at the Diamond Mines, as well as fishing off the pier--and everything is SOOO close! KaDoHa Indian Village is where we found the most crystals, so I think everyone should go-if nothing else, just for the history-it's very cool! Thanks, also, for taking the time to greet us too--it was very nice to meet you! For everyone else, don't let the lack of online reviews fool you, they have a guest book FILLED with great reviews, so don't hesitate--it's a really great place! Sincerely, Amanda, Sean, and Chase

Owner response:This is one of many,many satisfied vacationers to our cottage. A satisified renter is our only desire.

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.