Summary Welcome to the Cordova Retreat! Wake up to morning fog rolling over Kentucky horse country. Our remodeled 3BR/2BA farmhouse sits on 1.5 acres just 7 minutes from the Ark Encounter. Sleeps 11 — king suite, two upstairs bedrooms, and a kids' bonus room. Wood-walled kitchen, dining for 8, cozy living room, breakfast nook, and a back deck overlooking hills and horses. Keyless entry, fast WiFi, and fire pit. Everything you need, nothing you don't.
The Space This isn't just a house that happens to be near the Ark — it's a place worth staying in on its own. The open-concept main floor connects the kitchen, dining area, and living room so families can spread out without being separated. The vaulted cedar ceiling in the kitchen is the kind of detail that makes people put their phone down and look up. The fireplace mantle and built-in bookshelves anchor the living room. The king suite is on the main floor with its own closet and access to the full bath. Upstairs, two more bedrooms and a bonus room give kids and larger groups plenty of space. The back deck faces west — grab a chair and a cup of coffee and watch the fog burn off the valley in the morning.
Guest Access The entire house, yard, deck, and fire pit are yours for the duration of your stay.
The Neighborhood Your nearest neighbors are horses and rolling hills. The property sits in quiet Grant County farmland — dark skies, no traffic noise, the kind of stillness that's hard to find anymore. That said, you're not far from anything:
Ark Encounter parking lot: 7 minutes Dollar General / gas station: 5 minutes Walmart, Starbucks, Cracker Barrel, fast food: 15 minutes Local favorites: Beans Café, Kelly's Homestead, Moon Birds, Belles BBQ Also a great base for the Creation Museum, Kentucky Horse Park, Bourbon Trail, Cincinnati events, or weddings at The Josephina Event Venue
A local recommendations handbook is in the house with our picks for coffee, brunch, and dinner.
Getting Around A car is essential — this is rural Kentucky. But the tradeoff is worth it. You're 5 minutes from basic supplies and 15 from anything you'd need. The Williamstown exit and Ark Encounter parking lot are a straight 7-minute drive.
Interaction with Guests My wife and I live in Cincinnati, about 45 minutes away. We have a local cleaning team and maintenance contact available if anything comes up. We're also reachable by message anytime.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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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
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Williamstown
Located in Williamstown, this holiday home is in a rural area and near theme parks. Eagle Creek Country Club and Rose Hill Farm Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Webb Park and Williamstown Lake. Ark Encounter and Ararat Ridge Zoo are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby power boating, or enjoy the great outdoors with horse riding.
Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky Int'l Airport (CVG) - 44 min drive
Restaurants
Subway - 11 min drive
El Jalisco Mexican Restaurant - 8 min drive
Hansie Flip Burgers - 8 min drive
Emzara's Kitchen - 14 min drive
THE GALLERY COFFEE SHOP - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Cordova Retreat - 7 Minutes from the Ark! pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at 7 min to Ark Encounter, fire pit?
As of 30 Jul 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at 7 min to Ark Encounter, fire pit on 1 Nov 2026 start from £463, 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 at Cordova Retreat - 7 Minutes from the Ark!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Cordova Retreat - 7 Minutes from the Ark!?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Cordova Retreat - 7 Minutes from the Ark!?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Cordova Retreat - 7 Minutes from the Ark! located?
Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 6 miles (10 km) of Ararat Ridge Zoo, Ark Encounter and Rainbow Maze. Kangaroo Walkabout and Webb Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
The backyard view is fantastic and the back porch is so relaxing any time of day. There was plenty of room for our 2 families to stay together comfortably.
Kristi B.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Jul 2026
Thanks so much for the kind words, Kristi. We’re glad you enjoyed the backyard view and relaxing back porch — those are some of our favorite parts of our house. — Michael
Our host was very accessible and kind. The house was exactly as described with a beautiful view of hills and trees. As the host explained, we did have a few ants our last day, but it was likely due to us leaving bananas on the counter. Kids got to pet the neighbor’s dogs and horse! The house is a short drive to the Ark Encounter. We really liked that.
Julie W.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Jul 2026
Thank you for choosing to stay with us and for the kind words. We’re glad you enjoyed the view, the nearby animals, and the easy drive to the Ark Encounter. Your feedback is helpful and we’ll keep working to make our house even more comfortable.
Old farmhouse that has been renovated and sits on a hill with a wonderful view of the countryside. Perfect location for visiting the ARK. The last evening, we spent a beautiful night sitting on the back deck, grilling out, and enjoying the stay. Our granddaughter said she wants to come back and stay in the Kentucky house.
We loved the view from this property! Watching the cows and the horses in the pasture right from the back patio was the best. The location is very close to the Ark Encounter and Creation Museum as well.
We enjoyed our stay in this beautiful farmhouse with its spectacular view! It is warm, cozy, inviting, relaxing, and very peaceful! Our grandchildren had fun with the neighbors dogs, petting the horses, and loved sleeping in the loft. It was a great destination for our visit to The Ark Encounter!
This home was absolutely perfect for our trip to Kentucky to explore the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter. Location was perfect! The views from the back porch were stunning. The home was quiet and so comfortable for our family of four. Highly recommend this farmhouse!!!
Love love love this home. It had everything you need..the house was amazing the views were so tranquil. Everyone in our group was very please with the home.
Highly recommend.
We came with our family and my parents to visit the Ark Encounter. We loved our visit in this farmhouse with the most beautiful view. It was plenty of space for the 7 of us and it was such a quick drive to the Ark. we have already recommended it to others.
We had a great stay at Cordova Retreat! It's in a great location for visits to the Ark Encounter and very close to town as well. The house had everything we needed and more than enough space for our group. I'd love to come back in the spring or fall to enjoy the back yard and fire pit.
The property is gorgeous and the house is beautiful and full of character. There was plenty of space for us and our 5 kids. We enjoyed using the fire pit in the evenings. The yard has a beautiful view, and is nice and quiet while still being close to everything we needed. Would definitely reccomend to others!
A cozy house that can still fit quite a few people. Great views and nice kitchen! The driveway is on a steep hill and can only fit about four cars so be prepared for that.
The house was clean and in good shape, just as pictured. Communication with the owners was seamless and they were very timely to respond to any questions. It felt like you were out away from everything, but less than 10 mins from the Ark! Definitely somewhere to stay again.
We had such a great time! The house was beautiful and we especially enjoyed the peacefulness of the fire pit and the views. Our kids had so much fun petting the horses!
My family and I were in town to visit the Ark and Creation Museum. We only stayed one night but it was very comfortable and peaceful. We enjoyed have coffee on the back porch watching the horses and cows graze.
We had a wonderful time with 5 of our grandchildren ages 4-11. The house is quaint and great spaces to be alone or big areas to watch tv and play games. The big yard was great for the kids to run around. The hilltop views of the rolling hills and sunsets were a huge bonus. We couldn't have asked for a better experience.
Tim B.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025
About the host
Hosted by Michael Clary
Hello there! We are Michael and Laura Clary. Michael is a pastor at Christ the King Church in Fort Thomas, KY. Laura is a nurse who works for a crisis pregnancy center. We have hosted hundreds of people for short or long term stays in our home over the years, so showing hospitality is in our blood. We love creating places for people to enjoy time together, laughing, and making new memories.
Why they chose this property
We chose this area because it reminds me (Michael) of the rolling hills of West Virginia where I grew up. This house is a place of rest and prayer from the busyness of ministry life. And it's great being so close to the Ark Encounter. Almost all of our guests are Bible believing Christians!
What makes this property unique
This house is an old, renovated farm house with lots of character. The view from the back deck is so quiet and peaceful, and we love to pet the horses that live on the farm next door when they're out.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests