Vacation Rentals by Owner

Great place to Settle Inn in the fall

Guest: Karla and Ken (Minneapolis MN)
Date of Stay: 10/07/11 Review Submitted: 10/16/11

We just spent 5 nights at the Settle Inn, and have to agree with all the other raves about this place - comfortable, tastefully decorated, clean. We wanted a place where we could enjoy the lake view if the weather didn't permit being outside. It was a very pleasant place to spend time both inside and out. For those who need it -- the wi-fi worked great. Had a little trouble with the satellite TV service cutting out but Dana was there right away to tend to it and got it working in time for us to watch the Lynx win the WNBA championship!

Recommended for:People with disabilities, age 55+, families with young children, girls getaway, romantic getaway, sightseeing.

Beautiful, relaxing family vacation!

Guest: kolij27 (Cedar, MN )
Date of Stay: 09/22/11 Review Submitted: 10/10/11

We had such a great time at the Settle Inn on Duck Lake. Our family of 4 includes a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old. The kids loved playing in the sand on the beach. The cabin was comfortable and nicely decorated, with well-appointed kitchen, we had everything we needed! The lake is beautiful, the weather was beautiful, everything was so peaceful. We brought the boat and fished a little, but mostly hung out and relaxed. We had a blast and would definitely recommend!

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

what a week!

Guest: scott and lacey (st. augusta mn)
Date of Stay: 07/16/11 Review Submitted: 07/24/11

My family just got back from a spectacular week at the settle inn. It was everything I had hoped it would be. The swimming beach is so nice and sandy. Our daughter is 18 months old and she took to the water like an old pro! It was so much fun to see her playing in the sand and learning how to swim. The weather was extremly hot last week, but dana brought us an extra fan to help keep us cool. We had very good luck fishing off the dock. We even caught enough fish to have a fish fry for lunch. I would love to go explore this lake with a boat once the kids are a little older. We also brought our 2 dogs with for the week and I know they had a lot of fun to. The cabin and surroundings are very pet friendly. We look forward to our next trip. Thank you

Owner response:What a perfect place to spend the hottest week of the summer of 2011-- enjoying the beach and crystal clear waters of Duck Lake! When you need a break from the heat and some shade, enjoy relaxing on the breezy deck. Wonderful family memories are made right here!

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

Great family vacation on Duck Lake!

Guest: Paul (Hugo, MN)
Date of Stay: 07/09/11 Review Submitted: 01/16/12

This cabin is everything you would want on your summer vacation in Minnesota. Beautiful sandy beach and nice clean, clear water, that has a gradual for the little ones. We have three little boys and they had a blast playing in the water, fishing, tubing, and watching the fire at night. The dock is deep enough for the big kids to jump off, but just make sure you don't disturb the fish because we caught enough for two fish dinners. We have been to several cabins up north and this was one of the best we have been at. The boat lift is very nice, so you don't have to worry about it hitting the dock with the waves and with little kids the aluminum docs was great, because of no wood splinters. The cabin was also great with all of the creature comforts, but we spent a lot of time on the lake. We look forward to another trip this year to Duck Lake. Paul Hugo, MN

Recommended for:Age 55+, families with young children, pet owners.

Vacation at its best

Guest: Paul (New Richland, Mn )
Date of Stay: 09/18/10 Review Submitted: 10/09/10

Quiet, peaceful, with plenty things to do. While fishing we enjoyed watching 3 bald eagles soaring above us. We saw loons swimming in front of the cabin. Wood peckers, yellow finches, & blue jays were busy feeding at the bird feeders. The cabin was clean, and well equiped, it meet our every need. The weather was cool during our stay, the fire place, outdoor fire pit was enjoyed. Duck lake is a gem. Our hosts made every effort to assure that our stay was a positive experience. We hope to be able to come back next year.

Owner response:Autumn on Duck Lake is our favorite time of year. Most of the cabin owners have closed up for the season and our vacationers with young families have gone home to enjoy the real-time pace of their lives. For those lucky enough to be able to relax and enjoy the solitude that September brings, the experience is delightful! Imagine waking up and looking out over a lake scene with steam rising from the water, so much so that it appears to be thick fog. As the sun rises, the fog disappears, and the sky becomes the bluest blue one can ever hope to see. The reflection of the majestic colored trees in the calm water is breathtaking. After nearly forty years, I still am awestruck--the experience never grows old.

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

Great Cabin... Great Fun... Great Memories!

Guest: Christy (Illinois)
Date of Stay: 07/31/10 Review Submitted: 08/08/10

We have so many good memories of beautiful Duck Lake and our stays at Fairyland Resort. It was great to be able to come back and to have such an awesome place to stay. Thank you, Tickners, for a delightful week at your lovely cabin. Everything, including the weather, was just perfect. So looking forward to returning next summer!

Owner response:A little bit of the Fairyland Resort lives on at Settle Inn on Duck Lake. Dana's grandparents would be thrilled to know that favorite guests of theirs from 40+ years ago are once again enjoying the majestic norways, sandy beach, and, of course, the call of the loons.

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

Great Cabin!

Guest: Meredith (North Dakota)
Date of Stay: 07/10/10 Review Submitted: 07/19/10

We just got back from a great vacation at this property. There were 4 adults, 2 toddlers and an infant. The property is great for children and adults alike. We have spent time at many different properties and cabins in this area of MN and haven't ever been as impressed as we were with this one. The beach is great- nice and sandy and flat, which is great for kids. The lake is small enough to be able to enjoy and take the little kids for a ride in the fishing boat and paddle boat. The owners are very nice and make you feel at home with lots of games, movies, etc. Also, it may be helpful for people who want to rent this cabin who do have children to know there is also a regular dining table besides just the high top table. There is also a spacious deck for outdoor dining and visiting. Thanks for the great accomodations!

Owner response:Our sandy beach and clear, clean water are definitely the winning combination for our guests!!. Stay on the beach until dinnertime; why head for a restaurant in town when we offer three separate dining tables for four--the hightop pub table overlooking the great room (if you want to eat a pizza while watching the ball game on television), the casual dining area with lake views, and the outdoor table and four swivel chairs with a large umbrella on the spacious deck so you can enjoy your delicious meal straight off the gas BBQ. No need to "dress for dinner" during your stay. You will feel as though you are really on vacation when you are a guest at Settle Inn on Duck Lake!

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Our Family Vacation at Duck Lake

Guest: Rick and Susie (Hastings, MN)
Date of Stay: 06/26/10 Review Submitted: 07/08/10

We couldn't have been more pleased with our stay at Settle Inn on Duck Lake. The cabin and property were everything we wanted and more. We have a family of five and there was plenty of room for sleeping, eating and playing. The cabin was clean, spacious and well organized from the great kitchen to the cozy family room. The beach was huge and sandy all along the shore. The lake was wonderfully clear, sandy and free of weeds in the swimming area. We caught lots of fish out in the boat and a bunch of sunnys right off of the dock, the kids loved every minute of it. When we went off on day excursions, we found the towns in the area to be filled with fun shops and things to do. We'd recommend a visit to Dorset for a meal, mini golf and really good ice cream! Dana and Barb have really thought of everything to make a week at Duck Lake hassle free. The entire family agrees that this was one of our best vacations ever and we will definitely be back.

Owner response:We were certain that if young families spent a week at the cabin, they would fall in love with our casual lake lifestyle. Dana's grandparents operated a resort on Duck Lake from 1948 through 1974 and their guests returned year after year. No place else can match our sandy beach and sunny location on the east end of the lake. We are thrilled when our satisfied guests ask to reserve for next summer!!

Recommended for:People with disabilities, families with teenagers, families with young children, girls getaway.

Weekend on Duck Lake

Guest: John, Janet & Jessica (Grand Forks, ND)
Date of Stay: 05/28/10 Review Submitted: 06/01/10

We had a wonderful weekend on Duck Lake. We went fishing and caught lots of fish. The cabin was beautiful and as described, very clean. The firepit is very large and we enjoyed having a fire every evening. The cabin was equipped with everything that you needed and more. There was satellite TV and also movies and games supplied. I would definetly receommend this property. Thank you!!

Owner response:As an owner, it is so rewarding to hear the laughter coming from across the lake as we see the teenage guests enjoying a wild ride on the paddle boat. And I must say, the fish really are biting! Let the summer begin! We love it that our guests enjoy their stay on Duck Lake as much as we enjoy having them!!

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Guest: The Carmichaels (-)
Date of Stay: 08/30/09 Review Submitted: 08/30/09

“A beautiful little gem of a cabin on a gorgeous lake”, is the first thing we thought upon our arrival at Settle Inn on Duck Lake! Dana and Barbara are gracious hosts and really know how to give vacationers a lot return on their R&R dollar. Our family spent two weeks snuggled away in the cabin, I say snuggled because weather wise snuggling was one of the things we did in the never ending rain we endured during our stay. The few times we were on the lake though, wow incredible. Great lake for water sports and combined with what is Duck Lakes BEST beach located less than 70’ from the cabins front entrance an awesome swimming lake. The best part of the beach, its private and all yours! Children will love to run of the dock and jump into the lake. Now if I was going to chose a place to stay and get rained on consistently, this cabin would be in the uppermost part of my list. Dana and Barbara have appointed this home in a tasteful and functional manner. We would start each day off with grinding fresh coffee beans in the provided grinder and sit on the deck and get lost staring at the lake. Then, when the rain would start we would go inside and turn on the satellite and catch up with the news or the latest garbage talk on Jerry Springer. The abundant reading material and board games in the cabin meant that even the weather would not tarnish this vacation. Sleeping arrangements were also wonderful with great mattresses and splendid cool nights. You simply cannot go wrong when you and your family settle in on Duck Lake! Thanks again Dana and Barbara, we will be back!

Owner response:When the weather is good, enjoying the out of doors is what you will want to do. But on rainy gloomy days, what better place to watch a movie or play a board game or read a book in front of the fireplace with a view of the lake? We have selected books, movies and games to appeal to almost every taste.

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Guest: Cray and Jean Eppler (Fargo, ND)
Date of Stay: 08/19/09 Review Submitted: 08/19/09

We had a wonderful week on Duck Lake. The weather was the best we've had all summer and we were blessed to spend it here. The cabin had everything we needed.It is so darling!I must also say the beds were very comfortable. We enjoyed the beautiful sunsets each night and the best star gazing ever ~ seeing at least 40 shooting stars. We also enjoyed watching the birds in the birdfeeders as well as the squirrels and the chimpmonks. Dana and Barb we thank you for sharing your cabin with us and make our stay so enjoyable!

Owner response:We keep the feeders filled with oiled sunflower seeds and are constantly amazed at the abundance of birds; our favorites are the goldfinches and nuthatches, but we have even seen an occasional scarlet tanager. Of course, the hummingbirds enjoy visiting the petunias in the planters on the deck.

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Guest: Deile (O'Fallon, IL)
Date of Stay: 08/11/09 Review Submitted: 08/11/09

My family and I have just returned from Duck Lake which has been described, "as our best vacation yet" by our eight year old (a child who has been on Safari in Africa)--we would have to agree. The accommodations were luxurious for a week in the woods with all the modern conveniences for those of us who aren't into "roughing it". The views and surroundings are beautiful and relaxing -- the water laps against the shore in the evenings while the loons call from across the lake. There is quiet seclusion one would never get from a public resort while not being remote or isolated. Located 15 minutes from Park Rapids there are plenty of local restaurants, shops and groceries before the calming drive through Minnesota's lush landscape back to a lakeside haven. Aside from retrieving necessities it is hard pressed to find a reason to leave such an environment. You certainly don't want to miss the sunsets! The owners have done a wonderful job in creating a beautiful and relaxed accommodation which is very family friendly. We will be returning to Duck Lake with plans to bring our dog who will enjoy the surroundings as much as we did! Unlike so many vacations which can become harried, our relaxing vacation at Duck Lake has lingered with us after our return. We cannot say enough about what a great week we have had....

Owner response:Sometimes it is necessary to take a little break from all the frenzy and commotion to enjoy the little things--the cry of the loon, the croaking of the frogs, the rumble of the thunder from the distance, the waves lapping the shore, the lonely call of the mourning dove.

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Guest: Megan24 (Minneapolis, Mn)
Date of Stay: 06/14/09 Review Submitted: 06/14/09

We just returned from a perfect weekend on Duck Lake! The cabin has a wonderful family friendly layout and is beautifully decorated! The sandy beach is perfect for kids and adults alike! And if our dogs could type they would tell you how much fun THEY had! The property is super pet friendly! Our dinner practically cooked itself in the gorgeous kitchen and clean up was a snap with the dishwasher! Our weekend was simply luxurious! The owners have done a fantastic job of combining modern convenience with rustic charm. From the movie/game selection to the washer and dryer no detail was forgotten. We even enjoyed the comfy beds! We are already planning our next trip!

Owner response:The dishwasher and the coffee grinder have been the biggest hits with our guests. And the fact that we consider dogs to be important members of the family that shouldn't be left behind when the rest of the family goes on vacation!!

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