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HIDE AWAY RETREAT - RATHBUN LAKE IS 300+/- YARDS AWAY... FISH, HUNT, RELAX....
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Reviews
10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6870 sq ft
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Melrose, IA
- Place, Rathbun Lake5 min walk
- Place, Knoxville Raceway
- Place, Lake Rathbun Area15 min drive
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)
2nd bedroom
2 Single Beds
Living Room
1 Double Sofa Bed
Master bedroom
1 King Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom
Bathtub or shower · Toilet
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
HIDE AWAY RETREAT - RATHBUN LAKE IS 300+/- YARDS AWAY... FISH, HUNT, RELAX....
The Hide Away Retreat sleeps 6 people (3 people in NOVEMBER) with 2 bedrooms, living room pull out queen sofa bed and 1 full bathroom. The location is 300+/- yards from Rathbun Lake on a quiet dead end dirt road about 2.5 miles from paved road. It has a large, private back yard with openness and trees for family gatherings. There is a deck on the south side (front of home) and a fire pit on the north side (back of home). The views from this cottage are beautiful with a view of a filling pond and large field with visiting horses, deer, turkey, and other wildlife.
If requested when booking or a week prior to arrival, the king bed can be split into 2 extra long twin beds. The second bedroom has two twin beds. A pull-out queen sized bed is also available in the living room. There is a large Smart TV for streaming your private premium channels and an eat-in-kitchen. The entire home has been newly painted and has all new flooring. There is a new refrigerator in kitchen, as well as new utilities in bathroom. All of the furniture in the living room are newer and in excellent condition. We ask that our guests check their shoes at the front door to keep the cottage cleaner and in top condition for future guests.
The Hide Away Retreat is located in one of the most optimal areas in Iowa for hunting wild game, morel mushrooms and is only a short walk from the edge of Lake Rathbun, known for excellent fishing: largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, walleye, bluegill, war-mouth, white bass and hybrid striped bass. There are numerous boat launches that are easily accessible for all of your water sport needs, and many public hunting lands with game for every season. So, whether you are seeking restful family time away from the hustle and bustle of suburban and city life, or out to hunt white tail deer, turkey, geese, ducks and coyotes, this cottage is set up to handle almost any activity.
If requested when booking or a week prior to arrival, the king bed can be split into 2 extra long twin beds. The second bedroom has two twin beds. A pull-out queen sized bed is also available in the living room. There is a large Smart TV for streaming your private premium channels and an eat-in-kitchen. The entire home has been newly painted and has all new flooring. There is a new refrigerator in kitchen, as well as new utilities in bathroom. All of the furniture in the living room are newer and in excellent condition. We ask that our guests check their shoes at the front door to keep the cottage cleaner and in top condition for future guests.
The Hide Away Retreat is located in one of the most optimal areas in Iowa for hunting wild game, morel mushrooms and is only a short walk from the edge of Lake Rathbun, known for excellent fishing: largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, walleye, bluegill, war-mouth, white bass and hybrid striped bass. There are numerous boat launches that are easily accessible for all of your water sport needs, and many public hunting lands with game for every season. So, whether you are seeking restful family time away from the hustle and bustle of suburban and city life, or out to hunt white tail deer, turkey, geese, ducks and coyotes, this cottage is set up to handle almost any activity.
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Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
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House Rules
Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 3–17
Events
No events allowed
Pets
No pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Check out instructions are provided in the binder on kitchen table. Thank you!
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
About the area
Melrose
Located in Melrose, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Appanoose County Museum and The Majestic Theater are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Lucas County Court House and Drake Hall at Bradley Gardens. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Melrose, IA
What's nearby
- Rathbun Lake - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
- Lake Rathbun Area - 15 min drive - 10.8 km
- Honey Creek State Park - 17 min drive - 15.3 km
- Red Haw State Park - 37 min drive - 42.0 km
- Lake Wapello State Park - 57 min drive - 63.3 km
Restaurants
- The Red Barn - 11 min drive
- Lakehouse - 12 min drive
- Krazy Connie's Landing - 16 min drive
- Dogg's - 18 min drive
- Leap Day - 16 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.8/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
9.8/10
Location
9.8/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
2 Sept, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Kelly O.
14 Nov, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent place
Kelly O.
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2022
10/10 Excellent
Kersten H.
16 Sept, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Kersten H.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Brandon S.
21 Apr, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hunting trip.
Brandon S.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveller
25 Jul, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Get away from it all!
Verified traveller
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Jacob C.
28 Apr, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Host
Jacob C.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
10/10 Excellent
Cindy K.
22 Aug, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy


Cindy K.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Leah W.
26 Aug, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Getaway!
Leah W.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Carl L.
7 Dec, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peaceful visit
Carl L.
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2023
10/10 Excellent
Lance H.
31 May, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hideaway Retreat
Lance H.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
John J.
14 Aug, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy




John J.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Sarah C.
21 Jun, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Quite location
Sarah C.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
10/10 Excellent
Lori P.
12 May, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very peaceful,clean and spacious!
Lori P.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
10/10 Excellent
Scott H.
17 Apr, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place to stay
Scott H.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023
10/10 Excellent
Randy V.
6 May, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Secluded
Randy V.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
10/10 Excellent
Brandon S.
11 Apr, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hospitality
Brandon S.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
10/10 Excellent
Jay W.
8 Aug, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Jay W.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
Kenya T.
23 Jul, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Peace of heaven
Kenya T.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
10/10 Excellent
Allen W.
10 May, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
As advertised.
Allen W.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
John W.
3 Sept, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
relaxing
John W.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Brian G.
2 Nov, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Awesome experience!!
Brian G.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2022
10/10 Excellent
Eric J.
19 Aug, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Get away
Eric J.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Matthew K.
6 Nov, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Getaway
Matthew K.
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2024
10/10 Excellent
Chris C.
3 Jul, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect quiet getaway near Rathbun
Chris C.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024
10/10 Excellent
Lee G.
15 Nov, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The perfect spot.
Lee G.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023
About the host
Hosted by Dianne Lynch
My husband and I decided to purchase this home in the summer of 2020. We adored the location in the country and had a vision to rent it out on a short term basis to nature-lovers like ourselves. Our favorite part about Hide Away Retreat is sitting on the deck in the warmer three seasons and listening to all of the many wild birds in our area. From time to time, you will also see deer and turkey roam the yard.
My husband loves to fish although we rarely get enough time for it, and we both hunt as often as we can. This cottage is about 35 minutes to the nearest town but with such beauty, we rarely want to leave this area.
Geo and Di
My husband loves to fish although we rarely get enough time for it, and we both hunt as often as we can. This cottage is about 35 minutes to the nearest town but with such beauty, we rarely want to leave this area.
Geo and Di
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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