7 Bedrooms - 57 Acre Private Lake Home - Sleeps 22
- Minimum stay:Contact owner
- Internet:No
- Pets allowed:No
- Wheel chair accessible:Yes
The Olive Branch is a private home nestled in 57 acres with mature trees and lake front that provides a breathtaking view.
The Olive Branch has been newly remodeled from a convent to an 'old world' style aesthetic. A spacious, yet intimate home to enjoy time with family and friends. The horseshoe shape design affords two secluded wings that house the bedrooms and three bathrooms. The Gathering Space, Dining Room, Screened Porch, Breakfast Porch and the Kitchen are large in scale and furnished with a vintage decor for entertaining and relaxation. The original Peter W. Bartholome Chapel provides a place for quiet reflection. The renovated chicken barn has been turned into additional entertaining space with bathroom, wood-burning stove, wet bar, and fire pit.
Nature surrounds the property. Walking trails are private throughout and are adjacent to 1100 acres of state land. Fishing on Fuller Lake is always a good catch. Canoeing can connect to Lake Hennessy.
Area Description
The Grey Eagle area has over 20 lakes. It is a beautiful drive filled with gorgeous lakes and well-tended farmland. The conveniences in town include; restaurants, bars, gas stations, post office, library, and churches.
Sauk Centre is just 15 minutes away with a world class golf course, raceway, theatre, public beach and parks.
Alexandria extends it's hospitality with shopping, dining, golf, water park, winery and many other activities for a great day-trip. The drive is just 35 minutes from Grey Eagle.
Take a step back in time and take in a movie at the drive in theater in Long Prarie which is just minutes away. While you are there, check out the vinegary and antique stores in town.
Vacation Rental Amenities
ACTIVITIES
• Boating (onsite)
• Yard Games (onsite)
• Hunting ( 1 mile)
• Shopping Area (15 miles)
• Canoeing (onsite)
• Restaurant (1 mile)
• Zoo (15 miles)
• Fishing (onsite)
• Snowmobiling (5 miles)
• Bicycling (20 miles)
• Hiking (onsite)
• Golf (15 miles)
• Miniature Golf (25 miles)
• Kayaking (onsite)
• Grocery Store (15 miles)
• Winery (25 miles)
• Lake (onsite)
• Movie Theater (15 miles)
The Olive Branch is the Perfect Place for:
Family Gatherings: The Olive Branch Retreat has hosted family Christmas Celebrations. The Olive Branch is comfortable being filled to the brim with people and fun activity. Some of these include broomball, ice skating and ice fishing on the lake. Card games, feasting and lively conversation. The Olive Branch is also a great destination for a quiet family Christmas gathering for a more calm and reflective encounter. The whole place is decorated for the season.
Special Events: The open house for our grand opening was set up like a wedding. Without doubt, wedding are absolutely fabulous here. For our Open House there was a live band in the Gathering Space; three buffet lines inside; a wet bar on the patio along with a steak & shrimp kabob grilling station and a second wet bar with chicken wing hors d’oeuvres set up in the Chicken Barn. It was a night to remember! You can host the grooms dinner on Friday night, the wedding on Saturday and follow up with gift opening on Sunday. Extend your stay for a couple days so you can enjoy the property for a couple days on your own.
Girlfriend or Couple Getaways: Some possiblities for a girlfriend or couples weekend is to bring in a massage thereapist, psychic, personal chef or have your meal catered (it is dinner out, without the drive). Call us if you would like referrals or bring in your own. What a great way to let the relaxation begin!
Crafting/Scrapbooking Escapes: We have ten folding tables that can be set up in pods in the 680 square-foot Gathering Space. This gives your crafters their own personal space large enough to spread out and get creative. Task lighting is available to ensure everyone can focus and no one gets sleepy too early.
Spiritual Retreats: Spiritual and church groups have appreciated the opportunity to “get away” for a more indepth retreat that offers socializing and fun as part of their bonding experience. There is something nurturing about the natural setting, remote location and the history of the home that is extra inviting to these guests. All denominations are welcome.
Grief Healing: There are so many things about the Olive Branch that make it an ideal place to heal. The water soothes. We offer a duck boat, a pontoon, and two canoes for getting out on the water. Our Chapel is on site and is the perfect place for quiet reflection. Our quiet corners are comforting and inviting. Inspirational literature is available in the library. It is the perfect place to be quiet - or be heard.
Business Meetings: The Olive Branch has hosted team-building activities for groups. There is plenty of outdoor space for team challenges and games. Cooking meals in the Olive Branch Kitchen has worked well as a team-building activity. Don’t forget to judge “presentation” as one of the criteria … there is plenty of china and serve ware to make dinners beautiful!
Keywords: House Retreat Resort
Property Type
- House
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Suitability
- Limited Accessibility
- Pets Not Allowed
Bedrooms: 7 Bedrooms, Sleeps 22, Beds for 14-22
Kitchen & Dining
- Microwave
Amenities
- Clothes Dryer
- Washing Machine
- Linens Provided
Other Amenities
Entertainment
- DVD Player
- Stereo
- Foosball
Outdoor Features
- Outdoor Grill
Location & View
Activities
- Hunting
- Snowboarding
- Ice Skating
- Shopping
- Laundromat
- Golf
- Cycling
- Swimming
- Fishing
- Snowmobiling
- Hiking
- Antiquing
- Restaurants
- Live Theater
- Health/Beauty Spa
- Playground
- Cinemas
- Bird Watching
- Wildlife Viewing
- Miniature Golf
- Sledding
- Walking
- Boating
Other Activities
Reviews
Write a review-
Returning to the Olive Branch Again and Again
Guest comment entered by ownerReturning to the Olive Branch Again and Again
- Guest Carol & Dave
- Date of stay 01/01/12
- Review Submitted 01/21/12
We have reserved the Olive Branch several times with family and friends. The attention to detail and environment are among the best I have had the opportunity to enjoy. This is truly an experience you do not want to pass up. It is quiet, beautiful and truly relaxing place to stay with a very warm atmosphere. The partners do a wonderful job making sure our accomodations are perfect. I would recommend this retreat to anyone who wants to get back to nature and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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July 4th Family Reunion
Guest comment entered by ownerJuly 4th Family Reunion
- Guest Terry
- Date of stay 07/01/11
- Review Submitted 07/13/11
We had a fantastic time at the Olive Branch. Your facility worked great. We couldn't have found a better place to accommodate all of us. It exceeded our expectations. Thanks for everything.Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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Guest comment entered by owner
- Guest Thorsons
- Date of stay 07/13/10
- Review Submitted 02/01/11
Thank you for opening the Olive Branch for our wedding. The back yard was beautiful overlooking the lake. My family enjoyed the casual atmosphere. We also enjoyed bringing our own food in to make this wedding the perfect get-together. We will be back for many anniversaries.Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
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Guest comment entered by owner
- Guest Julie and friends
- Date of stay 12/01/09
- Review Submitted 02/01/11
We enjoyed the Holidays at the Olive Branch. It was a perfect time to relax and spend time with family. We loved your decorating. It was nice to have a space for everyone. One person wanted to read and the next person wanted to fish. Thank you for opening your beautiful space.Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 0/0
Rates
PEAK RESORT SEASON: (MEMORIAL DAY THROUGH LABOR DAY) $425/week night .. $1835/weekend(Fri-Sun) .. $3175/week RELAXATION/REFLECTION SEASON: (SEPTEMBER - MAY) $395/week night .. $1555/weekend(Fri-Sun) .. $2555/week
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
This owner accepts: Credit cards.
Call the owner directly to confirm reservation details and pay with an approved method (credit card, check, or bank transfer), to protect your payment up to $1,000.
Calendar
Sorry this information is not available. Please contact the owner/manager for more information.
Location
- Nearest Airport: Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport at 122 Miles
- Nearest Motorway: Highway 94 West at 12 Miles
- Nearest Beach: Fairy Park, Sauk Centre, MN at 14.3 Miles
- Nearest Golf: Sauk Centre, MN at 12.6 Miles
- Nearest Restaurant: Grey Eagle, MN at 3 Miles
Owner info
Year Purchased: 2008
About the owner: The Olive Branch was once a retreat destination and home to the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls. In 2008 this extraordinary place was passed to the care and keeping of Marla Waseka and Jessica Town-Gunderson. They now offer this destination to the public for use as their own private destination. The Olive Branch has been renovated and restored into a cozy yet upscale retreat for all to enjoy. It includes light-filled rooms, incredible views, and vintage furniture all wrapped into a cozy ‘old world’ aesthetic. Careful attention has been paid to preserving the character of the home while updating it for modern comfort. The nun’s chapel has been maintained and is a welcoming spiritual place. The original footprint of the home remains. Its unique horseshoe floor plan creates many different spaces – a welcoming landscaped Courtyard upon entry, a large social gathering space, private bedrooms and cozy meditating spaces. In warmer months, the expansive patio offers ultimate outdoor dining and entertaining options. The nun’s chicken barn has new purpose – to beckon and entertain. Located closer to the lake, it is loaded with atmosphere. It provides additional gathering space with bathroom, wet bar, fire pit, and the original wood burning stove from the Convent. Nature is abundant at the Olive Branch. There are walking trails for contemplative strolling (pay attention to the wild flowers). The extensive yard is perfect for play and relaxation. The lake invites you to experience loon watching in a canoe, trophy bass and pan fishing from the boat, leisurely cruising on the pontoon and a quick swim off the diving dock. Marla and Jessica are dedicated to creating a unique and peaceful experience with unexpected surprises. The getaways you could plan here are limited only to your imagination. But a word of caution: whatever you plan to do here, be prepared to return to the regular world a little transformed, and more than a little relax
Why the Owner Chose Grey Eagle:
Grey Eagle offers a quick access to being on vacation yet easy accessibility to major areas for entertainment outside of the retreat. Once you are at the Olive Branch - you won't want to do more than relax and enjoy the nature setting.
The Unique Benefits at this House:
The Olive Branch has been newly renovated with old world charm and loaded with Character. There are several rooms for guests to enjoy their own space yet larger gathering rooms for certain times of the days. 2 wings are designed for sleeping so that your guests are not disturbed while others stay up late. Campfires and barn dancing is a wonderful time at the Olive Branch. A favorite hangout by many day and night. Nature is the key to enjoyment. 57 acres private plus another 1100 acres of attached state land offer the most in every nature activity. The lake is ready for you with a fishing boat, vintage pontoon, two canoes and swim dock.
Contact us
- Primary: (320) 393-7212 (Minnesota, USA)
Links to more information:
- CLICK HERE - The website for the Olive Branch Retreat
- Click Here to see All My Rental Listings
Photos
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Large great room with fireplace - fantastic area for large groups & conversation
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Fishing boat ready to launch. Trophy bass, northern and tons of panfish
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Newly remodeled inside and out with old world charm - 3600 sq ft private rooms
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Private Lake shared only with one other across the lake
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Lakeside master suite
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This listing was first published here in 2009.
Date last modified - Friday, May 24, 2013
(320) 393-7212 (Minnesota, USA)