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Bluebird House; A Charming 3BR Home Near Five Island Lake, Sleeps 6

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A compact kitchen with white cabinets, a built-in shelf with dishes, a stainless steel dishwasher, and a window with a curtain.
A staircase with wooden steps and a wooden handrail.
A kitchen with white cabinets, a black countertop, and a coffee maker.
A modern kitchen with white cabinetry, a black tiled backsplash, and a window with white curtains.
A two-story house with a green front door, a small porch, and a grey roof.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
This 3-bedroom vacation home in the city center accommodates 6 guests and features 2 bathrooms. Families can enjoy water sports, skiing, and kayaking nearby, while golf options are also available. Attractions include Harrison Park, along with games available on-site.

Highlights

  • Family fun awaits
    Top-rated for families.
  • Sledding nearby
    A rare find — snowy slopes for sledding are just minutes away.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
  • Washer
  • Onsite parking available
  • Refrigerator

Explore the area

View in a map
Emmetsburg, IA
  • Place, House of Dolls Museum
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Five Island Lake
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Wild Rose Casino
    ‪3 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Guest Bedroom (West Bedroom)

1 Queen Bed

Guest Room (East Bedroom)

2 Twin Beds

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

1st Floor Handicap Accessible Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

2nd Floor Family Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Kitchen
Office
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

Bluebird House; A Charming 3BR Home Near Five Island Lake, Sleeps 6

Welcome to the Bluebird House—a beautifully updated 1902 home where historic character meets the comfort and convenience of a whole-house stay.

Whether you’re visiting family, traveling for work, attending an area event or simply spending a few days in Northwest Iowa, you’ll have plenty of room to relax, spread out and feel at home. Why squeeze everyone into hotel rooms when you can enjoy an entire private home?

ROOM TO RELAX • SLEEPS 6+

The Bluebird House features three upstairs bedrooms with four beds:

• 2 bedrooms with queen beds
• 1 bedroom with 2 twin beds
• Additional sleeping options include a sofa and air mattress

With two full bathrooms—one upstairs and one conveniently located on the main floor—getting everyone ready is a little easier.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO FEEL AT HOME

This fully furnished home offers much more than a place to sleep. Enjoy a separate kitchen with a large pantry, dining room, comfortable living room, sunroom, private office, washer and dryer, and plenty of space for everyone to have a little room of their own.

Working while you’re here? The private office gives you a dedicated place to settle in and get things done.

ENJOY THE OUTDOORS

The large backyard gives you even more room to relax and enjoy the beautiful Iowa weather. Guests have access to an outdoor gas grill, firepit and lawn chairs. Just bring your own firewood and enjoy an evening outside.

A CONVENIENT EMMETSBURG LOCATION

The Bluebird House is conveniently located near downtown Emmetsburg and Five Island Lake, with restaurants, bars, a supermarket, Casey’s General Store, the local movie theatre and more within walking distance.

Wild Rose Casino, parks, shopping and additional restaurants are only minutes away.

Emmetsburg also makes a great home base for exploring Northwest Iowa. Area lakes, hunting and outdoor recreation, the West Bend Grotto, wineries and other attractions make for easy day trips while still giving you a comfortable home to return to at the end of the day.

MORE THAN A HOTEL ROOM

At the Bluebird House, the entire private home is yours to enjoy—three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, laundry, office, living spaces and backyard.

Come for a few nights, a week or longer. Settle in, make yourself comfortable and enjoy your own home-away-from-home in Emmetsburg, Iowa.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
Playpen for infants. (no crib) Take care on stairs
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Approval required with extra cleaning and use fee.
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Any small appliances you’ve used, are cleaned and put away, Your used dishes washed either by hand or in the dishwasher.
Any wet/ used towels placed either in the bathtub upstairs or in the shower or on the washer on the first floor. (Please don’t leave any used linens on the wood floors, especially if wet)
Garbage taken from the house and placed in the trash receptacles outside
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Thermostat is controlled through an app and set to 70degrees. You can use Alexa speaker to adjust as desired.
No firepit provided in the winter or spring time. Special rules apply for any use of the firepit and will be provided upon check-in.
No unregistered guests/visitors unless pre-approved, Gatherings only when previously organized in writing. Extra usage fee may apply. ;

Important information

You need to know

Property # 3110978
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 15
Note from host: Approval required with extra cleaning and use fee.
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

About the neighborhood

Emmetsburg

Located in Emmetsburg, this vacation home is in the city center. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Kearny State Park and Basswood County Recreation Area, while Victorian Museum on Main and Palo Alto County Historical Museum are cultural highlights. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing, or check out other outdoor activities such as snowmobiling, ice skating, and sledding.
View more Vacation Homes in EmmetsburgOpens in a new window
Map
Emmetsburg, IA

What's nearby

  • House of Dolls Museum - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Five Island Lake - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Kearny State Park - 16 min walk - 1.3 km
  • Sewell Park - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Wild Rose Casino - 3 min drive - 2.5 km

Getting around

  • Mason City, IA (MCW-Mason City Municipal) - 90 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬1 min walk
  • ‪A&W Restaurant - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪Don Jose Mexican Restaurant - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Kirby's - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬12 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Bluebird House; A Charming 3BR Home Near Five Island Lake, Sleeps 6 pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Bluebird House; A Charming 3BR Home Near Five Island Lake, Sleeps 6?

As of Oct 8, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Bluebird House; A Charming 3BR Home Near Five Island Lake, Sleeps 6 on Nov 1, 2026 start from $203, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Bluebird House; A Charming 3BR Home Near Five Island Lake, Sleeps 6?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Bluebird House; A Charming 3BR Home Near Five Island Lake, Sleeps 6?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Bluebird House; A Charming 3BR Home Near Five Island Lake, Sleeps 6 located?

Located in the heart of Emmetsburg, this vacation home is within a 5-minute walk of House of Dolls Museum and Harrison Park. Victorian Museum on Main and Emmetsburg City Hall are also within 10 minutes.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 29 out of 32 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 32 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 32 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 32 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 32 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice cute place
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Sep 11, 2026
Scott, Thank you for your review. Hope to see you back in the future.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Works great for my group
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2026
Verified review

4/10 Poor

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location
Disliked: Listing accuracy
Nice but not what we wanted
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2026
Response from VrboOwner on Oct 4, 2026
Kris, thank you for staying with us. We’re sorry the home’s layout wasn’t the right fit for your needs. All bedrooms are upstairs, as noted in our property description, and we understand that this arrangement doesn’t work for everyone. When you shared your concern, we offered a refund so you could find accommodations that better suited your needs. We appreciate your visit and feedback.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Well kept property, this was our second year staying. I plan to stay again next year if it’s available.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Nice older home updated with many modern conveniencies! Very clean! Love the extra built in storage throughout the house! Convenient location for food and parks. Loved all the games, the 2 parks within walking distance, Casey's and the short drive to the Blurry Bigfoot coffee shop! Highly recommend this updated cozy home!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

St. Pat’s home away from home

Stayed here for a long weekend. Location and property worked well for us. Plenty of room and close to pubs and restaurants.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Stay in Emmetsburg

The property was great for our stay. Margaret was a great host and communicated well! The place was very nice, clean, and it is a great location in town. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Our visit to the Albert City Tractor Show.

The accomodations were very nice and clean. The owner was very accommodating and easy to reach if we had any questions. Thank you for a nice and comfortable stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
The house met all our needs and then some. Set up nicely and stocked with things we never would imagine. Would definitely stay there again if ever back in the area.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay for St. Pats

Great location to downtown for the festivities. Great communication and house was really nice. Great renovation on an older home to maintain the charm and bring more modern. Will definitely look to stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent accommodations

Our stay at this home exceeded our expectations. The hostess was amazingly accommodating, the home was well equipped, clean, and up to date. Would highly recommend this home to anyone.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hunting

Great place and lots of amenities
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Comfy home away from home!

Wonderful home away from home. Margaret is a great hostess- thinks of everything! The house is very well stocked - from the kitchen to bathrooms. Comfy beds, blankets and lots of space to connect with our family. It was perfect.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on Mar 18, 2025
Kim, Thank you for staying with us. We’re glad you found everything you needed.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Loved our stay

We really enjoyed the space. The house was bigger than I could tell from the listing, which was a pleasant surprise. The kitchen was great for mealtime and we made good use of the fire pit and grill. The backyard offered a decent amount of privacy, with no immediate neighbors.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellence

We found the home to be very accommodating and comfortable. The kitchen was well equipped for making meals. The rooms were very comfortable. Easy check in/out process.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 17, 2024
Liz, Thank you again for staying with us. Please come back anytime. Margaret
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family visit 2024

House was in perfect location. Very clean and well stocked with everything! Communication was amazing. We’ll be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 17, 2024
Molly, We loved having you and your family stay at the Bluebird House. Thank you for the feedback and review. Margaret
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Home Away From Home

This home was very comfortable. Nicely decorated and clean! The amenities were numerous! Detergents, body washes, shampoos, lotions, condiments in the fridge and pantry…A very generous host. I would stay there many times over.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely house

I was traveling with family, unfortunately for a funeral. However, this house was a nice, relaxing place to come back to at the end of the day. Very clean & the hosts have thought of everything you might need. Easy, friendly communication with host, too.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Another great Saint Patrick's weekend stay

We stayed here again this year, and it was great. Really convenient location to walk to downtown and the park for the kids. House was clean, communication was great and check in and check out were seamless. Will be looking to make it part of our yearly tradition to the Saint Patrick's celebration. The kids love all the games that are at the house especially the lap harp that was a big hit this year.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We often stay at Vrbo's when we travel. We were very happy with our stay at the Bluebird House. The historic nature of the house was something my SIL and I really liked. And the house was completely updated and had everything a traveler could need was provided. Any questions we had were promptly answered by Margaret and Joe. Overall, our stay was great!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Return Visit

This was our 2nd stay at the Slice of Heaven property and it did not disappoint! The home was clean, well stocked, and as comfortable as the 1st visit. A winter storm came through during this visit and the property manager informed us that a snow removal service and ice melt were available if we needed them. We didn’t have to worry about anything - our stay was perfect!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Little Slice of Heaven in Iowa

We had a great stay. Centrally located in the city. It was great having the gas station nearby so we could walk to get anything we needed. The house was very clean and cozy. It had anything you could possible need if you forgot something. The communication with the owner was timely and she was very helpful with everything I asked or needed. I would highly recommend this house.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great for a Family!

We chose this location because it was so close to our family’s farm just outside Greattinger. This home was clean and VERY well stocked with all kinds of items that made it a true home away from home. It seemed that the hosts had anticipated every need we might have long before we did and provided for it! There were plenty of towels and extra linens. The kitchen cupboards/drawers were all neatly labeled and organized making it very easy to navigate. Overall great stay!! We highly recommend!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Very nice and homey

Margaret worked very hard to get ac fixed which was broken for about 8 hours in intense heat but after getting a technician out all was good and we enjoyed the rest of our visit. Thanks.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 26, 2024
Dee, thank you for your patience during the heat wave. The AC unit was installed new less than 2 years old so we wouldn’t have ever expected to have an issue but we’re thankful that Bauer Plumbing made the emergency call for us and was able to fix it. Thank you for letting us provide an adjustment for the inconvenience. We hope you’ll come back again.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Country town charm!

The Bluebird house description was true to form. The house was extremely clean and comfortable. Our attentive hosts thought of every last detail...down to providing high end toiletries, laundry detergent and extra toothpaste if needed. The kitchen is extremely well stocked for cooking and baking. The beds are comfy and linens super soft. The living space was perfect for our family. It’s a very short walk to the quaint downtown Emmetsburg, disk golf park, and beautiful lake park. This house is definitely a “must stay” if you are looking to feel right at home while away from home.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on Jul 25, 2023
Kim, Thank you for staying with us in Emmetsburg. We appreciate how well you and your family took care of the Bluebird House. It makes us very happy to know that we provide a home where you can enjoy yourselves and be comfortable and carefree. Please come back anytime. Margaret

About the host

Hosted by Margaret Kahn

Host profile image
Welcome to the Bluebird House!

After many years in the hospitality and service industries, I love being able to welcome guests to the Bluebird House in the heart of Northwest Iowa and Iowa’s Great Lakes region.

My goal has always been simple: provide a clean, comfortable, well-maintained home where guests can settle in, spread out and feel at home—whether you’re visiting family, coming to the area for work, enjoying Five Island Lake, attending a special event, or simply need a comfortable place to stay for a few days.

The Bluebird House offers something a little different from the typical hotel or motel: the character and charm of a historic home, along with the space, privacy and conveniences of having an entire house to yourself.

I’m always happy to hear from our guests. If there’s something that would make your stay more comfortable—or something you’d love to see added for a future visit—please let me know.

I hope you’ll enjoy the Bluebird House as much as I’ve enjoyed sharing it with our guests!

Why they chose this property

The Bluebird House puts you close to everything while giving you the privacy, space and comfort of having an entire home to yourself.

Five Island Lake, local restaurants, Wild Rose Casino and other Emmetsburg attractions are just minutes away, and the location provides convenient access to surrounding Northwest Iowa communities—whether you’re here for work, visiting family, attending an event or just getting away for a few days.

Why settle for a single little hotel room when you can have a comfortable home-away-from-home—with room to relax, a full kitchen, laundry and space to spread out?

Come for a night, a weekend, a week or longer. The Bluebird House makes it easy to settle in and feel at home.

What makes this property unique

The Bluebird House combines the character and charm of a historic 1902 home with the comforts and conveniences today’s travelers appreciate. Thoughtfully updated while retaining its original personality, it’s a place that feels like a home—not just another rental.

You’ll have the entire house to yourself, with plenty of room to spread out and relax, a full kitchen, laundry, comfortable living spaces and the privacy that’s hard to find in a traditional hotel stay.

But what really makes the Bluebird House special is that we want your stay to work for you. Visiting family? In town for work? Attending a wedding, reunion or local event? Staying for just a few nights or a little longer? We understand that every trip is different.

If you have a special circumstance, question or request, please reach out. Whenever we can reasonably accommodate you, we’ll do our best.

Our goal is simple: for the Bluebird House to become your favorite home-away-from-home whenever your travels bring you to Emmetsburg.

Thank you for considering the Bluebird House. We’d love to host you!

Languages:

English

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