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Private retreat! 20 acre Farmhouse on Private Lake. Hot tub under the stars.

Photo gallery for Private retreat! 20 acre Farmhouse on Private Lake. Hot tub under the stars.

Welcome to the Helvetia Hideaway!
A great front porch for sitting…
Front porch
Back of house has a pergola, outdoor hot tub, and fire pit!
Outdoor hot tub in back of house.

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Hot Tub
    Hot Tub
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi
    Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Iola, WI
  • University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
    42 min drive
  • Ho-Chunk Gaming
    46 min drive
  • North Star Mohican Casino
    66 min drive
  • Stevens Point, WI (STE-Stevens Point Municipal)
    42 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

Private retreat! 20 acre Farmhouse on Private Lake. Hot tub under the stars.

Located on 20 acres in the Helvetia Township, this vintage hobby farm provides wooded land, marsh, fields, and 650 feet of lake frontage for every type of activity. Relax by the wood fireplace on the main floor, sit in the outdoor hot tub and watch the stars, or enjoy a stroll throughout the wooded trails trimmed for your enjoyment. One guest shared, "I didn't know places like this existed anymore."

With 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathrooms and just under 2,000 square feet of space there is plenty of room for the whole family, or a spacious retreat for a couple.

Centrally Located:
- Just outside of Iola, WI. Approximately 4 miles to the Iola Old Car Show Grounds; convenience of a nearby grocery store.
- 18 miles to downtown Waupaca, WI, or 20 miles to the Chain of Lakes.
- 27 miles to downtown Stevens Point, WI

Special Note: In order to maintain this special and well kept 1908 farmhouse we kindly ask that pets stay outdoors, guests smoke outside, and everyone removes their shoes while indoors (thank you in advance!). We love this home, and think you will too - all floors are hand washed and the place is spotless on arrival ensuring you have a cozy and comfortable stay with all the amenities you could need.

Property manager

Dan and Kathy
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Hot Tub
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

No pets allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Iola

Located in Iola, this farm stay is in a rural area and on a lake. Central Waters Brewing Company and Foxfire Golf Club are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Wisconsin Bowhunter's Museum and Wilderness Springs Trout Farm. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Iola, WI

What's nearby

  • Central Waters Brewing Company - 31 min drive
  • Crystal River - 38 min drive
  • University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point - 42 min drive
  • Ho-Chunk Gaming - 46 min drive
  • North Star Mohican Casino - 66 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Subway - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Crystal Cafe - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪B J's Schmidt's Corners - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Too-Dars Diner - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪The Iron Grille - ‬10 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Private retreat! 20 acre Farmhouse on Private Lake. Hot tub under the stars. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Private retreat! 20 acre Farmhouse on Private Lake. Hot tub under the stars.?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private retreat! 20 acre Farmhouse on Private Lake. Hot tub under the stars.?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Private retreat! 20 acre Farmhouse on Private Lake. Hot tub under the stars. located?

Situated on a lake, this farm stay is within 20 mi (32 km) of Central Waters Brewing Company, Brainerd Bridge Park, and Peoples Park. Waupaca Woods Shopping Mall and Tigerton Historical Society Museum are also within 20 mi (32 km).

Reviews

10

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. 68 out of 69 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 69 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 69 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 69 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 69 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Steve E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A great stay once again!
We absolutely love this place!
Stayed 9 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leo P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quiet Quaint Rural Immersion
Highly recommend! Nicely updated farmhouse w well-stocked kitchen, very quiet, abundant rural wildlife—sandhill cranes, wild turkeys, rabbits, deer— neighborhood pond, and quality local attractions, such as Crystal Cafe, Ice Age Trail (hiking) accessed at Iola Winter Spots Club, plentiful grocery store…
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Denise W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
None like it
This place was awesome! I want to tell everyone about it, but then again I don't because we don't want it booked solid when we want to return :) We met Kathy at arrival and she gave us the tour--the pictures don't do it justice. Peace and quiet, not much traffic on the road; we heard a loon calling the first morning, and had sandhill cranes in the yard our last day. Serenity... Kathy was a fantastic host, offering suggestions for places to see and do, etc. We hope to visit your beautiful haven again soon--thank you for sharing it with us!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mikki S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Home, wonderful stay!
The home was clean and the pictures don’t do justice to how beautiful it is! Hosts were very accommodating, great stay!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pamela B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful
Property and grounds were nicely kept. House was well stocked. Plenty of blankets, pillows, towels. Kitchen had plenty of dishes and a dishwasher. Communication was great with the Property Owner. She gave us some locations to check out. Property was also nicely located to neighboring towns. The Iola area was beautiful and we enjoyed driving around looking at the many farms and beautiful houses. Was very surprised at all the lakes and rivers in the area. Great Stay! Lovely Hostess!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steve E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved it again!
We've been coming here for a few years now and absolutely love it every time. Can't wait to come stay again!!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jessica H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lovely farm house
Had a relaxing time at the farm house. Very clean and charming. Brought back memories of being at our grandparents’ farm growing up. Had the lake all to ourselves and enjoyed seeing the sand hill cranes fly in and out each day. Kathy was so kind and helpful, and quick to communicate throughout our stay. Thanks for a lovely time!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Laura S., Grand Rapids

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful setting, clean, comfortable and convenient
We loved our stay at this home. Fishing was a lot of fun, the hot tub was a great feature, and the home was more spacious and relaxing than we had even anticipated. The owners put a lot of thought into making sure it is stocked with all the essentials and more. Probably managing the encroaching poison sumac growth in the dock area is the only thing we had a concern about. We would definitely stay again!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steve E., Fayetteville, Arkansas

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome as always!
We've stayed here many times now and every time we hate to leave. We will be back again next year!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Leo P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Exceptional Quality & Quiet
Quality—updated tastefully decorated farmhouse w very good quality cookware, table settings, etc. Large backyard w occasional sandhill cranes, rabbits, and…an otter(?), plus a nice 1/2 mile hiking trail. Quiet—no hum of freeway traffic, just an occasional car; no airplanes, … I’ve never stayed anywhere so quiet. Will be returning—highly recommend!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Ashley S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful Retreat
The property was beautiful and peaceful . . . exactly what we were looking for. Kathy and Dan were great and they have a great place to stay if you want to get away for a bit to relax and unwind. We highly recommend it. Thanks!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Steve E., Fayetteville, Arkansas

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Third time is a charm!
This was our third time staying at this property. As has always been the case, we absolutely loved it and will be coming back for a fourth time very soon.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

J S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Getaway
This farmhouse and the entire property are wonderful. I can't say enough good things. The best part about all of it is that you can tell the owners love it and have enjoyed restoring and decorating the house and maintaining the property. Kathy met us there and she was so welcoming and kind. The house is charming; it still feels like an old farmhouse, but cozy and with modern amenities, like central air and a hot tub. We caught lots of fish, enjoyed kayaking the lake, went hiking, biking and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. We would go back in a heartbeat!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Ann R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The Perfect Peaceful and Relaxing Getaway
The property is just as described and includes virtually anything you may need or want including grill, bikes with helmets and chairs to sit and relax and enjoy the views. There are mowed paths the owners made around the property for short little hikes and plenty of back roads to walk and bike. The fire pit and hot tub add to a wonderful evening star gazing and the lake and beauty of the property make for wonder days just sitting on the porches or in the yard relaxing. The 1908 house is very modernized and is very comfortable. Kathy and Dan are excellent hosts and were very flexible in response to some special requests we had. There are several excellent restaurants not far from the property and a grocery store nearby. Would definitely recommend this property.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Steve E., Fayetteville, Arkansas

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Authentic farmhouse in a beautiful setting
What a great place. This farmhouse has been updated but still holds that old-time charm that homes like this should have. From the creaky floors to the sloped upstairs ceilings, this home shines in authenticity while at the same time providing much appreciated upgrades like air conditioning and modern appliances. The lake out the back door was a favorite of our stay. The water is clear and the fishing is great. I spent many mornings on the lake just listening to the birds and frogs. We can't wait to come back again...this time for longer!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Margaret Q., Chicago, Illinois

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gorgeous house and property
Our family very much enjoyed our stay at Helvetia Hideaway. They have every amenity you may need, and Kathy is helpful and responsive. The house and property are impeccable, and the setting is so peaceful. We will definitely go back!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Nick J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Just what we needed!
What a wonderful place to get away! This farm house has everything you need for a nice relaxing getaway. The kids had such a good time exploring the trails and swimming in the private lake. You will need to row out a short distance to swim. The yard is nice and big for any yard game you want and the hot tub hits the spot in the evenings. We made all our meals here and had everything we needed to cook our meals. The house and beds are comfortable and relaxing! Our only regret was not booking for a longer stay. There's a golf course and groceries 10 minutes away. Dan and Kathy are fantastic hosts and make themselves available for whatever you need!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Angela F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Picturesque home and location!
This rental can be relaxing like a retreat or a place to keep busy with activities, and both if you like! We had a lot of down time to recharge and re-group as a family on our get away, but also took advantage of the outdoors and amenities. Plenty of room for our family of 5 (3 teens). We fished and swam in the lake. Brought some of our own floaties and rowed out to jump in; lake is spring-fed and clear in the middle. There's a 4 mile route on back roads that we biked and some days walked. We had fun evenings relaxing around the fire pit and also in the hot tub or playing games that were provided. great sunsets! Home has everything you need including central A/C, all your kitchen needs, crock pot, nice appliances and newer washer and dryer. Wifi works great, TV took our Roku and also has DVD/VCR unit. We enjoyed a couple meals out: At Wheelhouse in Waupaca- outdoor patio available., then once we had delicious take out from Crystal Cafe in Iola (amazing rhubarb pie), and in Scandanavia there's a cafe Scandi haus for drive up coffee , and we had their tasty crepes. Highly recommend this lake side farm home and owners Kathy and Dan were friendly and attentive with many great suggestions for a comfortable and fun stay.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Joshua C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect fishing getaway
This was the perfect getaway and our first VRBO experience. Dan and Kathy were communicative, honest, and easy. The fish were biting non-stop (your mileage may vary, but live bait was getting us serious pan fish). The house is tasteful and relaxing, while the property was large and private. It was comfortable, easy, and just what we were looking for. We were looking to take our family out of the city for a week of privacy, fishing, and no stress. We found it. It reminded me of childhood fishing trips, but with a hottub and wifi. I'd be happy to go back, and I definitely recommend this place to others.

10/10 Excellent

Dave G., Mascoutah, IL

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Sweet Retreat
Dan and Kathy are excellent host. We had a great time fishing and golfing. The farm house is incredibly charming and secluded. Everything you need is documented and labeled. We cooked several times and had everything we needed. To have success fishing the lake we found you need to place your lure in the gaps between the lily pads and slow retrieve until you are outside the pads and then crank them. We caught Northern Pike, Bass, Crappie and Bluegill. The area is teaming with wildlife we saw turkeys, deer, geese and cranes everywhere. We will look to return next year! Thank you.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

François M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice getaway from the city
We enjoyed spending four days in Dan and Kathy's house in Iola. The house is very nice and secluded, surrounded by woods and a lake ; it was a restful stay. We also enjoyed the area, notably a pontoon boat escape in the chain'o lakes near Waupaca (30 minute drive)

10/10 Excellent

Kim D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had the best, stress free vacay EVER!
The farmhouse! The location! The fresh air! The owners! Every single thing was perfect. We will be back and we're telling our friends. We loved it at the farmhouse. So well put together, so equipped for everything! Thanks Dan and Kathy! You were the best hosts ever!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2019

10/10 Excellent

Jonathan S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Kind Owners, Bad Luck
When we were scheduled to visit, there was a terrible storm that wiped out power in July 2019 for days. The owners kindly provided a last-minute refund and were very pleasant to work with. I never saw the property, but I can attest to the caring and concern of the owners.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent stay!
What a wonderful getaway! Everything is as pictured and very clean! Backyard area affords beautiful, serene views of meadows and lake and beautiful sunsets! If you’re looking for a place to get away and decompress, this is it! All interactions with the owners were prompt, warm and welcoming! Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Dean Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent
We enjoyed all of the property!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2019

About the host

Hosted by Dan and Kathy

Host profile image
We fell in love with this century old farm at first sight, with no intention other than returning the property to its original glory. After several years of cleaning, refinishing, and painting the property, we decided we wanted to share it with others. We enjoyed going to our little retreat (only 11 miles away from our own old farmhouse), but contemplated selling it. Our daughter and her husband bought the property from us in 2016. We tackle the management of this property together and enjoy sharing these special spaces and meeting all our neat renters!

Why they chose this property

We have a love for century old farms, history, and antiques. We needed to keep this home from falling into more disrepair. Like with most older farmsteads, it's an ongoing project!

What makes this property unique

This home has such a special feel, the minute you drive in. We loved the quiet lakefront and peaceful setting. You truly feel "away from it all" yet, you are close enough to the basic amenities (e.g., a grocery store!). From the nice little kitchen, the pretty sunroom (with a view of the lake), to the fireplace in the living room, the wooded views, and the hot tub under the stars, we fell in love with the property right away!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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