Vacation Rentals by Owner

Heaven on Earth

Guest: Nicolas V. (Chicago, Illinois)
Date of Stay: 04/27/12 Review Submitted: 05/02/12

If you are looking for a BEAUTIFUL, serene, relaxing place to stay look no further than Lions Downe Cottage in Maiden Rock, WI, overlooking Lake Pepin. From the moment you open the door to this beautiful cottage you will fall in love with the place. Each room is more breathtaking than the last, and the view from the patio will make you not want to leave. It is such a calming experience when you are there, that once you leave you will miss the feeling and question why you are going back home in the first place. The description of the property as listed is spot on, and the owners were extremely helpful and patient with me and my multitude of questions and changes I made in my multitude of correspondence with them. I would absolutely recommend this rental to family, friends, heck even strangers looking for a beautiful, relaxing, retreat from the every day grind.

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Storybook Cottage on the Mississippi

Guest: Mississippi River Traveler (Orchard Park, NY)
Date of Stay: 04/07/12 Review Submitted: 04/15/12

My family just returned from a wonderful stay at this property. It is as beautiful and picturesque a house and setting as it seems to be from the pictures on line. I would absolutely recommend this vacation property to anyone who likes rustic charm while still maintaining the amenities. The views are beautiful and it is a very peaceful and quiet setting. We would definitely return.

Owner response:Thank you for your kind review! We do strive to continually improve and update Lion Downe without taking away from the rustic charm and warm atmosphere we originally fell in love with!

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

Sarah Adler

Guest: Jo & Jake Gerend Family (Golden, CO)
Date of Stay: 03/23/12 Review Submitted: 03/27/12

Great views, beautiful place. We had some kids, so the sleeping quarters were a bit challenging noise wise. But, overall, could not have asked for more. And, the weather was perfect!

Owner response:When someone from the Colorado Rockies thinks the view is great that means something! Thanks!

Recommended for:Adventure seekers, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Absolutely Charming!

Guest: Patricia L.
Date of Stay: 03/09/12 Review Submitted: 03/12/12

I expected the Lion Downe Cottage to be a neat place but it was much more than I could have imagined. It is absolutely charming! From the huge lions that greeted us at the entrance of the walkway, to the fairytale look of the cottage itself, it was stunning. Inside was a comfortable, cozy place to share quality time with good friends. I liked that the TV was in a closet, ready for instant use, but not the focal point. The magnificent view of the lake was the focal point and opposite that was the gorgeous floor to ceiling stone fireplace. The gourmet kitchen had everything you would want or need. The place was immaculate, the beds were very comfortable, and the nooks and crannies where some of the beds were tucked was very clever. The large hot tub where we could also enjoy the view of the lake plus eagles soaring was the frosting on the cake. We were sorry it was too cold to enjoy the beautiful screened porch but I have already made reservations and have planned my next trip there accordingly. The owner is very nice and answers all questions right away. I would highly recommend this property.

Owner response:Wow! We couldn't have said it better ourselves, thank you!

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Fairy tale cottage

Guest: Ann J (Wayzata)
Date of Stay: 03/02/12 Review Submitted: 03/05/12

We loved this place. The hot tub is the best....sitting out on the deck with the amazing view is amazing. Even in the snow! The cottage is warm and cozy and the setting is unmatched. We felt totally taken care of; directions were complete and we had everything we needed. The place was clean and everything we needed was there. We appreciated the wireless and the TV with DVD player (even if we never turned it on.) Linens and towels were plentiful. It was really great! There was plenty of room, but only for about 10 people comfortably, and those ten have to be willing to share beds. We'd love to go back in summer. The screen porch must be wonderful to sit in and drink wine as you watch the boats float by on the Mississippi River. The house is easy to find, easy to get to, and close to the Twin Cities. A great rental.

Owner response:Thanks so much for your kind words! We would love to welcome you back to Lion Downe to enjoy the stone arched porch; it is our personal favorite retreat for early morning coffee and an evening glass of wine to casually watch the world go by.

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

Perfect get-away for our knitting and crocheting group!

Guest: mellyd (Prior Lake MN)
Date of Stay: 02/16/12 Review Submitted: 02/23/12

We had a wonderful time at Lion Downe! The cottage is sensational and we loved every minute of it! The view is so spectacular – we want to experience it every season!!! The living room seating was perfect for knitting and crocheting and we loved the fact that the floor plan was open so you wouldn’t miss any of the action if you went to the kitchen for a snack! The view is sensational and we enjoyed watching the eagles fly by - sunsets are definitely photo worthy. Kudos to you for state of the art appliances (the most quiet dishwasher ever!) comfortable beds and living room seating!! It means we’ll return! The hot tub was well used and enjoyed. Thank you for everything you did to make our stay wonderful!

Owner response:Thank you! We can't wait to welcome you back to Lion Downe. Each season truly is amazing in it's own way, we have yet to pick our own favorite!

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

Perfect Girls Weekend Getaway

Guest: Heather W.
Date of Stay: 01/13/12 Review Submitted: 01/25/12

Thank you for a wonderful time, once again! This was our second stay at your cottage! Seven girl friends, laughter, crisp winter air, hot tub, fire place, great kitchen to cook in , wine and margaritas!! Love the new loft, additional shower and the new stainless steel appliances since last year!! The beds are super comfortable and each of us had our own bed. This is a great place for close friends and family to get away!! This place is amazing!! We will definitely be back for round three, next year!

Owner response:Thank you so much for your kind review! Although larger groups (up to 15) have enjoyed Lion Downe for years several of our repeat guests have commented on how happy they are with the expanded sleeping areas and new shower added this year. We can't wait to welcome you and your friends back to Lion Downe again next year!

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Great common area, Not So Great Sleeping Arrangements (for larger groups)

Guest: trvljones (Minneapolis, MN)
Date of Stay: 12/31/11 Review Submitted: 01/03/12

Lion Downe cottage is a top-notch property- great views, wonderful architetural, woodsy, private vibe. Loved the luxury touches throughout. The land & cottage look like they could be cast in a movie; it's that picturesque. Unfortunately, for a group of 12 adults it is not ideal. It's a bit tricky to discern sleeping arrangements from the listing, but important to understand there is only 1 true bedroom with walls and a door. This room has a king bed and a twin bed. The rest of the beds are lofted above the main livingroom/kitchen spaces and have no walls, which offers no privacy or noise prevention from the rest of the cabin. Some of the beds are tucked into corners with limited head room and/or tight quarters for any personal items like bags. This property is ideal for a family or two with children (Or two couples!) who are fine sharing sleeping spaces and rise & sleep on the same schedule. The lofts and ladders would be extremely fun for kids to sleep in and play. It's comfy, cozy, close to the city and has lots of great ammentities.

Owner response:Thanks so much for your kind words, we too believe it is that picturesque! Lion Downe is definitely enjoyed most by close families and friends that are comfortable with the cozy atmosphere and sleeping arrangements. Our extended family of 14 cherish sharing our time together by the grand stone fireplace in the great room. Bed time always reminds us a bit of The Waltons,(for those old enough to remember)...."good night John Boy, good night Mary Ellen, good night John....". ;)

Recommended for:Families with young children, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Girls Weekend - Escape from Reality!

Guest: Debbie (La Crosse, Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 11/18/11 Review Submitted: 11/22/11

The Lion Downe Cottage is absolutely beautiful. Not only the home itself but the views are breathtaking. We enjoyed the hot tub - maybe too much lol! We enjoy sitting around the fire and catching up with each other. Robert and Heather were great with work with and we definitely will book again.

Owner response:Thank you so much for your kind review! We are very excited to be adding a new shower to the upstairs bedroom suite, finishing off the sleeping area off of the top floor bedroom and installing all new stainless steel kitchen appliances to make your next stay even more enjoyable!

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

Second time around and counting!

Guest: Renee, Amy, Launa, Ann and Jan
Date of Stay: 09/23/11 Review Submitted: 03/24/12

This has been our second year for our ladies GDF weekend. Again, this year we had a great time and was only enhanced by the great wine and chocolate! We love the setting, the amazing view, the cozy fireplace and the new loft too! Fine cooking in the kitchen, fun card games at the table. We hope to be back again next year! Cheers and Thanks!

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I needed this!!

Guest: Kathy
Date of Stay: 09/17/11 Review Submitted: 03/24/12

Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful log home with me!! I feel as though I've been to a castle in Europe! I was in great need of a "get away" when your Mother mentioned coming here...I had no idea of the treat I was about to enjoy! We relaxed, had great conversation and even accomplished some office work. I feel so blessed! Thank you! Thank you!

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Perfect Mini Business Retreat!

Guest: Linda R.
Date of Stay: 09/14/11 Review Submitted: 09/19/11

I Just spent 3 days at your beautiful cabin for a mini business retreat. It was a perfect setup with the WiFi access and table to work on. Between the peaceful setting and having no interruptions, we got a lot of work done that could never been accomplished in that same amount of time in the office setting. We hit it hard one day (11 hours) then played half of the next day. On our last day, we headed to the pie shop in Maiden Rock for their Sour Cream Raisin Pie...it was the best we had ever had! This is a great place for work or play. Thanks for sharing! Linda

Owner response:Although we have never thought of Lion Downe as a place for a work retreat we love the idea ( so long as you are sure to enjoy the rest and relaxation that follows) ! Thank you!

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

Loved it!

Guest: Barry and Joyce
Date of Stay: 08/28/11 Review Submitted: 03/24/12

This home is an incredible design! We loved EVERYTHING about it! Thanks for sharing!

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Great Birthday!

Guest: Laune, Marx, Tracy, Josh, Sam, Zach and Jake
Date of Stay: 08/01/11 Review Submitted: 03/24/12

Thank you so much for accommodating us for Marx's 70th birthday party--it was a great surprise and our friends loved Lion Downe! As always (we've been here before), we enjoyed the home, great food, games, laughs and wildlife--saw two fawns this morning, a fox and four wild turkeys yesterday afternoon. We had a grand time!! Many Thanks!

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A Good Friend

Guest: Mark, Debbie, Ben, Katie, Rick and Hewey
Date of Stay: 07/14/11 Review Submitted: 03/24/12

Soon we will be packing up to leave. It will be like leaving a good friend, that is what your home has become over the past several days. Wow-awesome, and so very special, only partially describe Lion Downe Cottage. Great time had by the entire family, lots of laughs. Myself, I will miss the quiet mornings on the deck, just me, my coffee and the eagles. Sleeping was great and even food tasted better in these wonderful surroundings. A real jewel.

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Great Reunion

Guest: Debbie and Randy--Darien, IL
Date of Stay: 07/09/11 Review Submitted: 03/24/12

My husband and I came in for our 1st family reunion that I helped plan. Your home was the perfect place to relax before, but especially after the reunion! We loved the bald eagles flying over and also saw a deer and 2 babies in the woods. I am so glad I discovered you place and would love to come back and enjoy it for a longer stay! It truly was perfect!

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Happy 40th Anniversary!

Guest: Mark and Cathi
Date of Stay: 06/24/11 Review Submitted: 03/24/12

Thank you for helping my husband plan the surprise of my life for our 40th wedding Anniversary! Most of the comments in the guest book are similar--must be because they are so true! The views, the warmth, the amenities--this truly is a very special place. We don't want to leave and go back to reality. We loved the screened in porch with surround sound. Thank you for opening your home to us!

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Family Get together from all over the US

Guest: Paul, Terri, Adam, Kesti, Jacob, Maci, Kelsey, Dan
Date of Stay: 06/11/11 Review Submitted: 03/24/12

Thank you for letting us rent this beautiful cottage! It was the perfect way to bring our family together from Massachusetts, California, Ohio and Minnesota. We were able to relax, enjoy the wilderness and get away from the big city life. Everyone loved how each bedroom was made for them. We will be talking about this trip for many years to come! Thank you, again, for a wonderful week!

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Girls Weekend

Guest: Julia, Allison, tone, Lali, Danielle and Katie
Date of Stay: 06/05/11 Review Submitted: 03/24/12

Thank you so much for providing us with your beautiful cabin for our girls weekend! Were were blown away by how gorgeous it is. Pretty sure we'll be back! This place is heaven! We enjoyed gourmet dinners out on the deck and had late night talks down in the lower porch (which we all loved!). We loved all the little cozy nooks of the house. Laughs were had, memories were made--it was a perfect weekend! Thank you!

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A True Gem!!

Guest: The M Siblings and Significant Others
Date of Stay: 05/29/11 Review Submitted: 05/05/12

What a beautiful and lovely home you have! Thank you for sharing this little gem with us! This was our first sibling weekend getaway without our children--and what a perfect destination! My personal favorite was your beautiful screened-in stone porch downstairs--a place for relaxation, reflection, rest and rejuvenation!! Amazing! The cool breeze on my face during several short naps was delightful:) Thanks for sharing your opening your home. And, yes, the hoofed lamp, is a great conversation piece. Thank you! Thank you!

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Heaven

Guest: Mary Ann B
Date of Stay: 05/24/11 Review Submitted: 05/05/12

We are in Heaven! Can we stay, forever?? Thank you! This was a real healing retreat for all of us. Loved the "chromatherapy" hot tub. The spirit of the lake, the maple and oak forests, the winds, the thunderstorm--oh, what a fabulous escape to the lower porch to experience the magic, especially in the middle of the night. Thank you! PS. Keep the hoof lamp:)

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This Cottage is a HOME

Guest: Diana P
Date of Stay: 05/23/11 Review Submitted: 05/05/12

Your cottage is definitely a HOME! We felt it as soon as we walked through the door! Felt like a troop of Hobbits with all the arched doorways, and windows. The screened porch was my hi-lite with the view and the amazing sounds of the wind and nature. Sat out there 3 am to 4 am and watched/listened to a great thunderstorm pass over the lake. The entire house and grounds are truly magical--just what the soul needs for a perfect "getaway". Thanks so much for sharing!!

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Charming!!

Guest: Lorie A
Date of Stay: 05/22/11 Review Submitted: 05/05/12

What more can I say? Awesome views, fantastic company, all in all--a wonderful time!! The amenities and charming cottage made our stay perfect! Thank you!!

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30th Wedding Anniversary

Guest: Brian and Randi
Date of Stay: 05/13/11 Review Submitted: 05/05/12

Oh what an amazing weekend! Loved the family feeling of this setting and the simple, rugged, beauty! Thank you for helping us have a affordable setting that fostered memories we will cherish for a lifetime!

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Thank you

Guest: Joan, Linda, Theresa, Joyce, Tom, Ron and Gary
Date of Stay: 05/09/11 Review Submitted: 05/05/12

Thank you for sharing your home where we created more family memories--We left the essence of our love and playfullness behind.

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Great Beds

Guest: J Girls
Date of Stay: 04/08/11 Review Submitted: 05/05/12

Great time had by all! The beds were amazing!

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Coming Back!!

Guest: Jeff and Carla K
Date of Stay: 04/01/11 Review Submitted: 05/05/12

Thanks again for the great stay at your beautiful cabin! First night here we saw 15 deer walking through the woods. The kids got a kick out of that and they said the beds were the most comfortable beds they had ever slept in! Our friends came over Saturday night and we had a huge steak feast! We are definitely coming back!

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Great!

Guest: Karen and Adam
Date of Stay: 03/20/11 Review Submitted: 05/05/12

Thanks for a great weekend! We loved the place even more than we expected after looking at all of the pics online! Hope to come back and visit again soon!!

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Fantastic Weekend

Guest: Karin (Minneapolis)
Date of Stay: 03/18/11 Review Submitted: 03/23/11

My boyfriend and I just spent the most fantastic weekend at your cabin. The pictures on your site are completely accurate, but I don't think a photo can capture quite how perfectly lovely the cabin and surrounding woods actually are. The views are amazing and the cabin is well kept and very comfortable. It was exactly what we were looking for and hope to return again! Thank you so much!

Owner response:You managed to put into words exactly how we feel about the views at Lion Downe, thank you!! We would love to welcome you back to enjoy one of the other seasons, as each is amazing in it's own way.

Recommended for:Girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Our Wedding

Guest: Jackie (Maiden Rock)
Date of Stay: 01/28/11 Review Submitted: 01/04/12

We had our wedding at this beautiful cottage in January 2011. And it was everything we had imagined for our winter wedding. We live near here so it is extra special to us. The home was beautiful! We loved it and our guests did too. We would suggest this to all of our friends. Thank you so much for all of the wonderful memories. My Husband and I look forward to visiting again.

Owner response:We are so glad you chose Lion Downe for such a special occasion and enjoyed it so much!! Thanks for the great review!

Recommended for:Romantic getaway

Could Not Have Asked for More

Guest: MJ (Minneapolis)
Date of Stay: 10/17/10 Review Submitted: 10/20/10

My new husband and I just returned from a 3-night stay at Lion Downe Cottage and we could not have asked for more. The cottage is cozy and comfortable while totally equipped with modern conveniences. The atmosphere is totally welcoming; we felt as though we were staying at the home of a well known friend. While it sleeps six, the cottage was still warm and cozy for two. The photos do not do justice to the amazing views of Lake Pepin from every window. The colors this time of year were beautiful. We highly recommend the cottage and its surrounding villages for a relaxing and rejuvenating getaway. Book now!

Owner response:WOW!!! Thank you so much for your kind words! It is so nice to hear from guests who feel the same way about Lion Downe Cottage as we do! Heather and Rob

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

Beautiful; Mosquitoes unrelenting though

Guest: VacationFamily (Eagan)
Date of Stay: 09/06/10 Review Submitted: 08/19/11

As you can tell from the photos, this is a stunning house. The only thing to warn people about is that the mosquitoes are absolutely horrendous and, unfortunately, they significantly limited our outdoor time. When we drove in with our car, the heat from the engine attracted what seemed like hundreds of mosquitoes. Likewise, after a brief period on the deck (gorgeous view), we ran for shelter.Otherwise, it's as wonderful as others have noted.

Owner response:Although many magical things have occured at Lion Downe Cottage regretfully ridding the woods of mosquitoes isn't one of them. ;) Joking aside there is a week or two a year when there are a lot of the little ones (?after a recent hatching?) where we have to wear mosquitoe spray when walking in the woods by the parking area; however the rest of the year there are no more than at our home in the twin cities, and it never limits our enjoyment of the amazing deck and unparalled views as they tend to stay deeper in the woods.

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Spectacular!

Guest: ELee (Clinton, MS)
Date of Stay: 03/14/10 Review Submitted: 05/29/10

We had a ball! everything was great. The weather afforded us rain, snow, sunshine, wind. The accomodations exceeded our expectations. The atmoshpere was so "home-like". I loved the eagel watching, the peacefulness of the lake, the decor was so inviting. I look forward to a stake in the summer.

Owner response:Every time of the year can be a great time, if you are at Lion Downe Cottage! When you return we should have the new enlarged deck and 8 person Hot Tub up and running!! Thank you for your review!!

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

Perfect Weekend Getaway!

Guest: Alp514 (Minneapolis, MN)
Date of Stay: 01/15/10 Review Submitted: 01/21/10

Lion Downe Cottage is large enough to sleep a big group without losing any of the small cottage charm. It has a breathtaking view of the river and every inch of the cabin is darling!

Owner response:Thanks so much for your kind review!

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

Guest: kathy
Date of Stay: 11/23/09 Review Submitted: 11/22/09

Oh, my goodness! We had a fabulous time! The wine and the chocolate were a nice touch! (By the way, Toblerone was the first chocolate I bought when I visited Germany/Austria/Switzerland almost 30 years ago. Thanks for the memory!) My friends were so surprised and pleased...and are already talking about "next time." We spent five hours cooking and eating (from the first chopping of an artichoke for our appetizer to the last washing of the sticky pan that sauteed the pears for dessert). Simply fabulous! We arrived just as night settled in, which caused everyone to say, "Wow!" when the motion-sensor light illuminated the cottage! It was a fairy-tale beginning to a most satisfying weekend! Thanks so much for sharing your home :-) We will talk about this weekend forever! Happy Thanksgiving!

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Guest: Sharon and Alex
Date of Stay: 11/15/09 Review Submitted: 11/14/09

Hi Rob, our weekend at your cabin was wonderful! We will definitely be back. My husband couldn't stop commenting on how perfectly crafted the cabin was. It far exceeded our expectations. Any the views were magnificent! Thank you so much for your hospitality.

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Guest: Ellen
Date of Stay: 11/13/09 Review Submitted: 11/12/09

The place is fabulous, and you and your wife have provided a lovely haven for vacationers! What a spot…that stunning location overlooking the river and then the long and winding road in…wow! I used to have a bell like you have outside on the deck, but alas, it was stolen, as heavy as it is…I took a photo of it, in hopes of finding a replacement someday..do you recall where you got yours? Mine was a wedding gift, from 1990, from some Nature Store that no longer exists. So, we are only all compliments…. We will return, we’ve decided! Thanks for your attention to every detail! (Oh, one of the guests owns a wine bar, knows her wine, and said the bottle of wine you left for us to enjoy was excellent! I tasted and had to agree!)

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Guest: Kim
Date of Stay: 11/10/09 Review Submitted: 11/09/09

I have stayed at Lion Downe two times with a group of colleagues and both have been wonderful experiences. We have rented other VRBO's and found this property far superior in comparison. The setting is beautiful, the area is quaint and there are many nearby towns and attractions, from a Winery/Cidery to Lake Pepin and wonderful dining at the Harbor View. Also a perfect place to relax and take in the beautiful views. Beautiful place to get that perfect shot for photographers. Eagles nests are nearby and wild life is plentiful! Highly recommended!

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Guest: Carol
Date of Stay: 11/09/09 Review Submitted: 11/08/09

Hi Robert. Everything was just great. A lot of the ladies think we should make it a yearly retreat! This is high praise. You see, we've rented the same private home/lodge in Wisconsin for the past 18 years, but it was recently sold as part of a divorce settlement and is no longer available for us. We loved it so much and weren't sure we could find a suitable replacement. But we may have in Lion Downe! Let's hope you keep renting it for a while. And you'll be glad to know that we are a lot more mellow now than we were 18 years ago!

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Guest: Jill
Date of Stay: 11/08/09 Review Submitted: 11/07/09

Your home was very lovely. It was so quiet and very peaceful in the area. We were very happy with our experience.

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Relaxing

Guest: Rob & Tamara (Southern Wisconsin)
Date of Stay: 11/04/09 Review Submitted: 11/18/09

What a gem of a place you have. The generosity you have in sharing your "home" with others is given unselfishly. We farm so we don't get much time off, but this was our 25th anniversary so we wanted time away from our very busy lives. It was truely amazing to be able to do nothing! We spent time with just us! No landlines (if we didn't own a business there would have been no cell phones) no television, no one driving in my driveway, no noise. We didn't want to leave! Thank you so much for sharing your home!!

Owner response:Thank you for your kind and gracious comments!! We look forward to hosting you again!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway.

Absolutely beautiful!

Guest: Kim651 (Eagan, MN)
Date of Stay: 10/23/09 Review Submitted: 11/10/09

I have stayed at Lion Downe two times with a group of colleagues and both have been wonderful experiences. We have rented other properties before and found this property far superior in comparison. The setting is beautiful, the area is quaint and there are many nearby towns and attractions, from a Winery/Cidery to Lake Pepiin and wonderful dining at the Harbor View. Also a perfect place to relax and take in the beautiful views. Beautiful place to get that perfect shot for photographers. Eagles nests are nearby and wild life is plentiful! Highly recommended!

Owner response:Thanks for returning to Lion Downe Cottage for your rest, relaxation and adventures!

Recommended for:Families with teenagers, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Guest: Kelly
Date of Stay: 09/25/09 Review Submitted: 09/24/09

Hello Robert, Just wanted to thank you for sharing your loving cabin with us!!! We all agreed that you have a beautiful, accommodating home that we truly enjoyed!

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Guest: Cindy
Date of Stay: 08/16/09 Review Submitted: 08/15/09

Rob and Heather, We had a great time!! The cottage is beautiful and I hope I have an opportunity to stay there again. Thank-you for sharing your place!!

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Get Away

Guest: Lots of laughs (Minneapolis, MN USA)
Date of Stay: 08/13/09 Review Submitted: 08/25/09

We came to Lions Downe as a group of nurses that were all in need of a refreshment and time to be ourselves. We all have lives that tend to keep us too busy and little time to laugh. We found the house to be what we needed to all get together for our annual long week end. The home was very well maintained and clean. We took advantage of the kitchen and grill to cook meals there. There were 10 of us and with 3 bathrooms it really worked out nicely. The rear view of the lake was breathtaking. We experienced the eagles soaring over the house several times. We heard the train but did not see the tracks where it ran until we went sight seeing. We traveled to the little towns that were along the lake/river and found some wonderful treasures. Wonderful bakeries, stores, winery/cidery, antiques, restaurants and more. Everyone was very friendly and eagar to help us. We had beautiful weather to be outside in. My encounter with the owner Rob was always friendly and accomadating for all of us. He made himself available for any questions or needs. We found wine, chocolate and flowers awaiting us. A very nice personal touch. We all would recommend this house to others not only for summer but other seasons as well.

Owner response:What a pleasure for Heather and I to know our local nurses were able to recharge their batteries at Lion Downe Cottage! Thanks for providing care and comfort to those in need, we really appreciate everything you do!!

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

Guest: Karen
Date of Stay: 08/09/09 Review Submitted: 08/08/09

Dear Rob, Thank you so much for the lovely time we were able to spend at Lion Downe Cottage. Two of the group did pick berries and they were wonderful. Again Thank you very much. Take care Karen and cohorts

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Guest: Joellyn
Date of Stay: 08/03/09 Review Submitted: 08/02/09

Good Morning Rob and Heather, I just wanted to let you know that our stay on Saturday night was perfect! What a beautiful retreat from the world. It was an adventure just to discover each room as we explored the house. It is the perfect place for a gathering like ours. Sitting on the porch and catching up on what was happening with our new jobs, hanging out on the deck watching the sailboats, sharing a great meal around that beautiful table and gathering in the living room to end our evening with a hilarious session of the game Apples to Apples. Great memories were made. Having previously worked in tourism all of us love to travel and so not surprisingly several people in our group are considering returning with family or groups of friends in the future. Thank you for the wine and chocolates and for sharing your tree house with us. It was exactly what we needed. Best, Joellyn

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Guest: DAWN
Date of Stay: 07/25/09 Review Submitted: 07/24/09

Dear Rob and Heather ! Can’t tell you what a wonderful experience it was staying at your CABIN. It exceeded our expectations and we were in HEAVEN. It was the greatest. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE NICE TOUCHES AND WE HAD THE GREATEST TIME. WE ALL WANT TO BRING OUR HUSBANDS UP THERE AND STAY AGAIN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

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Guest: Sue
Date of Stay: 07/12/09 Review Submitted: 07/11/09

Hi Rob and Heather, We got back this afternoon from our fun weekend at the Lion Downe Cottage. The friends we shared the cottage with were so impressed --not only with the awesome view, but also the beauty of the home. We were so surprised to see the bottle of wine, chocolates, vase of wild flowers, and note from you. What a nice touch you've added since the last time we were there! Also - fun to have a guest book to sign. It was a beautiful weekend in Stockholm and Pepin - we shopped and dined, and also went to the Eagle Center in Wabasha. See attachments - Very interesting!

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Lione Downe Poem

Guest: Kathy, Ed, Pauli, Don, Sue and Dave
Date of Stay: 07/11/09 Review Submitted: 02/29/12

A Weekend away to share Three couples without a care... Wow! What a place! With flowers in a vase. And wine that's more than fair! Can you imagine the view? There are a few! Binocs for the boats. Warm--no coats. Blue, pink sunset here! We loved our weekend away The Lion Downe to stay. We'll come again As soon as we can. Now, we say farewell today.

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