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Upscale and modern. A hidden paradise on the backwaters of the Mississippi River

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Photo gallery for Upscale and modern. A hidden paradise on the backwaters of the Mississippi River

The view as you pull into the property. Parking right outside the front door.
Furnished kitchen with the basics, open to the dining area.
Beautiful high top dining table, seats 6 comfortably.
Open floor plan with loft pictured.
Living area

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Air-conditioning
  • Parking available
  • Laundry room
  • Kitchen
£151
avg per night

Explore the area

View in a map
Alma, WI
  • Place, Lock and Dam No. 4 Observation Area
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, Buena Vista Park
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, National Eagle Center
    ‪10 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 6)

Loft

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Garden
Dining area
The current price is £151
avg per night

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The Great River Retreat on Mississippi backwaters: views, modern & peaceful!!

About the area

Alma

Located in Alma, this guesthouse is on the waterfront. Mississippi River and Five-Mile Bluff Prairie State Natural Area reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Pepin Depot Museum and LARK Carousel. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
View more Guest houses in AlmaOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Castleberg Park - 5 min drive - 7.5 km
  • Lock and Dam No. 4 Observation Area - 6 min drive - 8.5 km
  • Buena Vista Park - 6 min drive - 8.9 km
  • Danzinger Vineyards - 10 min drive - 12.5 km
  • National Eagle Center - 10 min drive - 13.9 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Subway - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Wabasha Warehouse Liqour - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬15 min drive
  • ‪Eagle Valley Cafe - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Red Ram Saloon - ‬7 min drive

About this property

Upscale and modern. A hidden paradise on the backwaters of the Mississippi River

Open year-round! Nestled between the small riverside towns of Alma and Nelson, Wisconsin, The Great River Retreat Guest House sits on the backwaters of the Mississippi. What once was a day cabin with no running water or electricity to speak of, was completely remodeled in 2013. Every detail was considered, from the hand-scraped wood floors, the Amish rough sawn pine ceiling, the natural stone marble counter tops, the real stone slate surrounding the free-standing wood stove (there to keep you cozy on a cool night), to the screened-in deck with stunning views of the calm Mississippi backwaters and the trains passing by. You’ll feel like you just escaped into paradise.

The cabin sleeps six people comfortably in it’s one bedroom and large loft area. Enjoy incredible views as the sun rises and sets and watch as the fisherman and water skiers go back and forth during the day. You’ll also have access to the water and use of our dock so that you can fish, swim, or just relax. Experience what it’s like to stay at a truly unique place.

If this place seems a little too tight check out VRBO Listing: 821489 as this is the Main House adjacent to the property that is also available for rent.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Amenities

Air conditioning
Parking available
Laundry

House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

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, a smoke detector, a first aid kit and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

Frequently asked questions

Is Upscale and modern. A hidden paradise on the backwaters of the Mississippi River pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Upscale and modern. A hidden paradise on the backwaters of the Mississippi River?

As of 20 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Upscale and modern. A hidden paradise on the backwaters of the Mississippi River on 21 Mar 2026 start from £151, 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 Upscale and modern. A hidden paradise on the backwaters of the Mississippi River?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Upscale and modern. A hidden paradise on the backwaters of the Mississippi River?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Upscale and modern. A hidden paradise on the backwaters of the Mississippi River?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Upscale and modern. A hidden paradise on the backwaters of the Mississippi River located?

Situated on the waterfront, this guesthouse is 0.3 mi (0.4 km) from Mississippi River and within 6 miles (10 km) of Wings Over Alma and Lock and Dam No. 4 Observation Area. Buena Vista Park and Castleberg Park are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Upscale and modern. A hidden paradise on the backwaters of the Mississippi River Reviews

Reviews

9.8

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. 92 out of 108 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 108 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 108 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 108 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 108 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stan J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cabin exceeded our expectations, beautiful views of the river and sunset. Easy Check in and out. Will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matthew L.

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

Fishing paridise

Beautiful location and property
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Linda B.

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

July 25

Absolutely loved the big screened in porch! Great views, conversation and no bugs!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Imran R.

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

Great stay

We enjoyed our stay at the house overlooking the lake. The owners were fantastic to work with and the place was really nice! I would definitely recommend it.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matt S.

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

Great stay

We stay in numerous vacation rentals and we loved this place. Very clean, exceptional host and an absolutely beautiful place. My wife and myself had a great time on the water and in the home.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Savannah F.

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

Great for a group!

Beautiful house and location, loved the pool table, plenty of space, and great communication. Would love to stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christina M.

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

Nice little getaway

This was a great spot for our family of 6 to get away for a few days. Kitchen fully stocked, Screened in porch as nice to sit on and look out at the water.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah D.

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

Cute cabin

We had a nice stay and were able to be with a larger group that stayed at the main property yet still have our own area for our family and it worked well for working remotely.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sarah B.

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

Anniversary get away

Lovely view and charming little guest house. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Thank you.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Josh and Annette T.

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

Wow!

This property both a fantastic view of the river and backwaters. If you are a train enthusiast, this is the place to stay! Thank you, Jess and Jeremiah. We loved it and will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Erica B.

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

Beautiful winter getaway

My husband and I stayed her in December looking to wind down after the craziness of the holidays. It was the perfect place to watch movies, play yahtzee, and look at the beautiful scenery.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021
Verified

8/10 Good

Jody S.

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

Nice spot to unwind

We wanted a get away for our family to kick off my oldest son’s graduation week. It was a good place to come together.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nicki and Michael P.

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

Cabin on the river

Very nice, comfortable place to stay. The screened in porch overlooking the river was a perfect place to start and end the day. There is an active train track very near by. Not a bother, but people might want know. Lots of outdoor activities near by!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tom E.

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

Great location and view!

Our group came up for a fishing trip, of course the first thing you notice is the great views. The property was clean, and we had great communication with the hosts. It is short driving distance from all the good local restaurants. We use these types of services often and we have come across very few that feel this comfortable like your staying at a friend’s place. We look forward to coming back!!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Darren P.

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

Amazing stay

We had sn amazing weekend between the great view of the river and the Eagle Center and shops in wabasha. Though it is set up for being able to make anything at the house, we hit some of the local restaurants. The sandwiches at Nelson Cheese Shop were the highlight. There were about 30 bald eagles in Alma when we were there. There is also a Kwik Trip there which came in very handy.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christine K.

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

Relaxing

This property is a little gem. Absolutely loved the view of the Mississippi backwaters and enjoyed the trains too. Mornings with a cuppa coffee, listening to the birds, watching the breeze ripple the water's surface and counting the train cars (had to at least once 😉). We'll def be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

gloria q.

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

Comfortable stay

This was our second stay at this property. It is peaceful (except for the trains, which we like) and private. We got a pontoon and went out on the river for a full day. There are also some good day trip destinations from there. Ate at Nelson's 3 times, dining choices in the area are mostly your basic burger joint. Recommend this property.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Archival

8/10 Good

Michael M.

Awesome escape

We rented this house last minute and we were extremely happy we did. It was clean, reasonable price and coming from Eau Claire it was a nice distance. We have children and busy lives and needed a few days to relax and unwind. The only downfall was that the DVD player did not work and we had brought some movies to watch. Another note, if you are a light sleeper there are trains that go by several times a day - no horns blowing or anything though. It did not bother us one bit.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Nels O.

Charming place on the river. Awesome!!!

The property actually exceeds what you expect when you see the pictures. It is very nice. The hosts, Joe and Libby were exceptional. They helped us put our boat in, answered all our questions, gave us great recommendations, gave all of us rides on the jet ski, and even gave us a bottle of wine as a thank you for staying. They are very down to earth and easy to talk to. It doesn't get much better than that. The one area we were concerned with was the train tracks so close. Well, after the first night, I didn't really hear them anymore, and our kids kind of liked watching them go by. Having the dock to tie the boat to and to swim off of was a huge plus. We would stay at this place again in a heartbeat.
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Sarah B.

Relaxing gem!

Five college girlfriends stayed here for a long weekend and couldn't have been happier! We are in our early 30s and a good mix of outdoorsy types and a little more high maintenance girls and we were all thrilled! The cabin is gorgeous and easily accommodated all 5 of us. We spent a lot of time on the screened in porch and around the fire ring. Two of us spent a lot of time out fishing on the dock...we aren't pros but had fun reeling in some catfish and even a snapping turtle! The neighbor Leigh was a real treat! He always made sure we could get the fire started, fished with us (thankfully handling the snapping turtle), and gave a few of us a tour of his impressive garden on a rainy morning! We loved the small towns near the cabin and made a trip to Slippery's and the bald eagle museum in Wabasha and then to a winery and shops in Alma. There is a train track that gets a lot of traffic right by the cabin but no big deal! We'd all agree that we'd come back once a year if we could! Absolutely wonderful, thank you Joe, Libby and Leigh!
Archival

8/10 Good

Maren C.

Clean and Modern

I recently rented this cabin for a girls weekend trip on the river. We were very impressed and loved how upscale and modern the cabin was. It was clean and had great furnishings, and the cabin owners were very friendly and hospitable. Very charming! It was great to have air conditioning and modern appliances.. you definitely will not be "roughing it"! We loved the screened in porch and took advantage of its bug free views of the river the entire weekend. There is a sound system with speakers throughout the house which was great! The river area is kind of hard to access for certain individuals who may have physical impairments. You go down a hill and a steep flight of stairs, and up and over loose rocks on the railroad tracks, back down the rocks, and then down the hill to get to the river. I would not recommend this cabin if you want to spend a lot of time on the water, or if you are a light sleeper as the trains come by frequently throughout the day and night (but they were pretty entertaining!) This rental was great for relaxing outdoors and had a nice area for outdoor games. It is fairly close to cute little towns with fun "hole in the wall" bars.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

christopher R.

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

Nice view, perfect location for trainspotters.

Great porch with nice view of the Mississippi. Great location for train spotters
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Britney H.

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

Perfect location for roadtripping the Great River Road.

We enjoyed our stay and thought the location was perfect to go both north and south on the River Road. The screened in porch overlooking the river was our favorite feature. We didn't get to use the dock because a train stayed on the tracks all 3 days we were there. We live near train tracks so are used to them, but yes,like the listing states the tracks (2 of them) are right outside the porch and used heavily throughout the day and night. Luckily the river view isn't obstructed too much as it's higher than the trains, and with the windows/door shut the sound can be muffled. Yes plan ahead and bring your own kitchen wares if you plan to cook. All and all, cute place, good location and easy check in/check out. We would come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Catherine F.

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

Amazing views!

We thoroughly enjoyed our two night stay at this property. Gorgeous, peaceful views looking out to the river. We loved watching the trains go by, loud, but fun. The property is spotless, everything you need to have a great time.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kim S.

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

Winona College Visit

Was a great location to both attend our daughters graduation from Winona State and have a family fishing trip. It was only a 30 min drive to Winona and a much better option for us than a hotel stay. Super close to boat landing and places to eat. We had a great time utilizing the porch for cards and drinks and the sunset was SUPERIOR! We will be planning on staying here again!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022