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Private retreat! 20 acre 1908 Farmhouse on Private Lake.

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Photo gallery for Private retreat! 20 acre 1908 Farmhouse on Private Lake.

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

  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Parking available
  • Laundry room
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
Iola, WI
  • Place, Sunset Lake
    ‪24 min drive‬
  • Place, Central Waters Brewing Company
    ‪30 min drive‬
  • Place, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
    ‪39 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
Price is avg per night

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About this property

Private retreat! 20 acre 1908 Farmhouse on Private Lake.

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 outside 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.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM

Minimum age to rent: 25

Check out before 11:00 AM

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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

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Events

No events allowed

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Pets

No pets allowed

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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 417487vb
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher and a smoke detector

Frequently asked questions

Is Private retreat! 20 acre 1908 Farmhouse on Private Lake. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Private retreat! 20 acre 1908 Farmhouse on Private Lake. ?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Private retreat! 20 acre 1908 Farmhouse on Private Lake. ?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private retreat! 20 acre 1908 Farmhouse on Private Lake. ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Private retreat! 20 acre 1908 Farmhouse on Private Lake. located?

Situated on a lake, this farm stay is within 12 miles (20 km) of Brekke Lake, Rollofson Lake and Johnson Lake. Budsberg Lake is 11.8 mi (18.9 km) away.

Private retreat! 20 acre 1908 Farmhouse on Private Lake. Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 70 out of 71 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 71 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 71 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 71 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 71 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steve E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely our favorite place to stay...love it every time.
Stayed 13 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Julie H.

Well Rested

Excellent, private, peaceful, clean getaway
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steve E.

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
Verified

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

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
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Kristine R.

Rest and Relaxation

The farmhouse and grounds are absolutely charming. From the hot tub to the bedding - everything was nicer than we expected. We loved going for walks on the trails and enjoying all of the wildlife. The property was beautifully maintained and clean as can be. It is very secluded and quiet. We loved waking up with a cup of coffee and watching the loons. This was the perfect getaway for our family! Can't wait to visit again!
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steve E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We love this place and try to stay multiple times per year. Very charming old farmhouse with lots of privacy and a nice little lake.
Stayed 14 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steve E.

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Steve E.

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Margaret Q.

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
Verified

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
Verified

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
Verified

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.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dave G.

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
Verified

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)