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Cottage on Main/Monona Iowa is in the middle of everything in the driftless area

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Outdoor dining
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Property grounds
Smart TV
Exterior

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 61210 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Washer
  • Outdoor Space
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Monona, IA
  • Place, Froelich Foundation Museum
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Volney Park
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Spook Cave
    ‪16 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

Exterior
Centrally located in the NE Iowa Driftless Area!
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
5.0 out of 5, Exceptional, 58 reviews
Centrally located in the NE Iowa Driftless Area!

About the neighborhood

Monona

Located in Monona, this vacation home is in a rural location, within a 15-minute drive of Froelich Foundation Museum and Volney Park. .This vacation home is 8.9 mi (14.3 km) from Spook Cave and 10.9 mi (17.6 km) from Rossville Park.
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What's nearby

  • Froelich Foundation Museum - 8 min drive - 7.0 miles
  • Volney Park - 9 min drive - 7.4 miles
  • Spook Cave - 16 min drive - 11.0 miles
  • Driftless Area Wetlands Centre - 17 min drive - 16.7 miles
  • Casino Queen - 18 min drive - 17.7 miles

Restaurants

  • ‪Center Street Bar & Grill - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Subway - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Luana Tap - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪TJ's Pizza (monona) - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Heidelberg Pub & Eatery - ‬7 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Cottage on Main/Monona Iowa is in the middle of everything in the driftless area

COME STAY IN THE MIDDLE OF EVERYTHING in the driftless area. Enjoy a stay in a fully remodeled, clean, and nicely decorated cottage that was once a schoolhouse from the early 1900's before it was relocated to Monona. You will have a home which has room for up to 6 guests. Original hardwood floors throughout the main level, with a full kitchen and stainless steel appliances. The open concept layout is perfect for guests with the living and dining room open to the kitchen area. The living room features a 50-inch flat screen Smart TV and a large comfy couch. The bathroom has been fully remodeled with tile floors and an extra deep bathtub. There is one bedroom on the main floor with a full-size bed. Upstairs, it is a story and a half home, the master bedroom has a luxurious king-size bed and the third bedroom is equipped with two comfortable twin size beds. Outside, you'll find a private patio with a picnic table, table and chairs, fire pit, and charcoal grill. There is space for two cars in the driveway, one spot covered by a carport. This home is the perfect place to unwind and relax and enjoy the driftless area.. Come be our guest! We are right in the middle of everything. Book now! The area is beautiful!!
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, featuring a kitchen with a refrigerator and an oven. There's a private furnished patio. A kitchenette is outfitted with a stovetop and a microwave. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and a Smart television is provided for your entertainment.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as charcoal grills.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property amenities

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car required
  • Onsite parking options include a garage and a carport

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Kitchenette
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Games
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Charcoal grill
  • Firepit
  • Furnished patio
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • Smoking not allowed

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near the marina

Things to do

  • Golf
  • Kayak
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Recycling
  • Unit size: 1,210 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Turn off the lights, lock the doors, and return the keys
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Rules

No overnight street parking from November 15 through April 15 on Monona streets.
Quite time starts at 10:00 p.m. Thanks.

Pets

Pets not allowed
Note from host: We have a kennel here in town.

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: The steps are steep & open, but there is a railing

Events

No events 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
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

The Cottage on Main
The Cottage on Main Monona IA
The Cottage on Main Street Monona IA

Cottage on Main/Monona Iowa is in the middle of everything in the driftless area Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 99 out of 106 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 106 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 106 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 106 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 106 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Amenities

9.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tyler B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Everything was extremely clean. Great atmosphere! Host went out of their way to make us feel welcomed and made adjustments to our accommodations when needed. Would highly recommend!
Stayed 10 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tye C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Everything meet our needs. Stayed here to fish and hike NE Iowa. Good location.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Susie B.

Liked: Cleanliness
We really enjoyed our stay. The house was perfect and had everthing we needed. We would highly recommend staying at the Cottage on Main!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lyle E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Clean, neat and close to family. Air conditioned .Provided everything we needed and has car port.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

William F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Totally pleased, exceeded any expectations! Thank you
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alissa

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Truly a gem. Spacious and comfortable. Sparkling clean!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

kathe m.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place, great people
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eileen

Traveled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Very cute place! My only complaint would be the air conditioning. It didn’t cool the house down. Having extra fans would have been helpful. Other than that the place was lovely. Would stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Erin B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Clean comfort in beautiful Eastern Iowa

My husband, 3 kids, and parents stayed in a Monona while visiting family. We had a great time at Spook Cave and hiking at Pike's Peak. The house was a great sanctuary in the evening. So clean and comfortable!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Emily R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great getaway

It was a nice, welcoming home for our family for a couple of days! Clear check in and check out instructions. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lyle E.

Liked: Cleanliness

50 yr. Class reunion at Postville

It was another great stay at this property.! We plan to stay at another time again when back in Iowa.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Vlonda S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Cute little place

Perfect for what we needed for a short visit to Monona
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lyle E.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great relaxing space

It was convenient for visiting family members. It was close to family who live nearby. It was clean , comfortable and relaxing . We look forward to staying there again.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lisa J.

Liked: Cleanliness

Christmas fun

Easy peasy, comfy and sweet
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tracey P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Loved it!

The house was perfect for us! We were attending a wedding nearby and wanted a place where our grandbaby could have her own room. This
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary B., Tacoma, WA

Liked: Cleanliness

Girls Get-Away

My sister and I took our mom away for the weekend and this was the perfect home base for our Fall Color adventures. Everything is so tasteful and comfortable!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ron S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Just as described

Nice house, very clean.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Edwin G.

Liked: Cleanliness

We enjoyed our stay

Very clean and quiet.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Noah W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Thanks!

Very kind and accommodating!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tracy G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Labor Day Stay

We were fortunate enough to be able to reserve this house for our family over Labor Day weekend. It was just the right size for us, very clean and welcoming. Our hosts were easy to work with and all directions for check in and check out were clearly communicated.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

john s.

Liked: Cleanliness

A great home away from home

We always know that a stay at Daryl and Mary’s will be great! It never disappoints. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a place to stay while visiting NE Iowa.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Rachel M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wonderful Stay

We stayed here a few nights while we went hiking and exploring near Decorah Iowa. This home was a great place to relax and unwind after long day! Tastefully decorated it was such a neat little home and perfect for our little weekend getaway
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

LISA T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing home

I loved everything about this place. From the moment we walked in I felt like I was walking in to my home. Cozy and inviting, super clean and welcoming. Everything has been updated but still had the old home charm. We had everything we needed and it was great to come back, sit on the back patio and grill. The fire pit was nice to chill by after a long day. We even had some deer visit in the backyard. I look forward to staying here again in the near future.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tami S.

Liked: Cleanliness

The cottage

The house was very quaint. We enjoyed our stay. Daryl and Mary were very friendly. It was a perfect place to stay for our family.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joy B., Lena, Illinois

Liked: Cleanliness

Cottage on Main

Property is clean and homey. History of the house is fun to read and such a great alternative to a hotel.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024