Entire home

The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country

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Exterior
Beach
2 bedrooms, desk, WiFi, bed sheets
Smart TV
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Reviews
10

Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 7102 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Kitchen
    KitchenKitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioningAir conditioning
  • Outdoor space
    Outdoor spaceOutdoor space

Check-in time

4:00 PM

Check-out time

11:00 AM

Explore the area

Map
Ossian, IA
  • Popular LocationToppling Goliath Brewing Co.21 min drive
  • Popular LocationDecorah Fish Hatchery22 min drive
  • Popular LocationLuther College27 min drive
  • AirportWaterloo, IA (ALO-Waterloo Regional)79 min drive

Room options

Similar properties

About the area

Ossian

A family-friendly stay in Ossian awaits you at this holiday home. You'll be 8.5 km (5.3 mi) from Prairie Farmer Recreational Trail and 14.4 km (8.9 mi) from Fort Atkinson State Park. Highlights at this holiday home include a kitchen, a balcony and a Smart TV. .Home features a living room, a TV and a coffee/tea maker. In-room dining is easy with a kitchen that comes equipped with a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. A rainfall showerhead and a desk are also available. .This pet-friendly holiday home offers a garden and barbecues. .Sights within a 30-minute drive of this Ossian holiday home include Bily Clocks Museum and St Wenceslaus Catholic Church.

What's nearby

  • Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. - 21 min drive
  • Decorah Bald Eagles - 21 min drive
  • Decorah Fish Hatchery - 22 min drive
  • Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum - 24 min drive
  • Luther College - 27 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪PIVO Brewery and Blepta Studios - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Whiskey Grove - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪The Zipper - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪The Bar - ‬11 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.

The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country

Take the road less traveled and wind down a peaceful mile long gravel driveway to find our fun and relaxing industrial "Shouse!"
The "Shouse" is built next to our main home on 36 acres of quiet country rolling hills near Ossian, Iowa. We are about 20 minutes from Decorah, Iowa. My husband grew up in the main home and it has a lot of family history as his grandfather helped drive the horses and wagons that carried the wood to build it. We built the "Shouse" originally to house our family screen printing business and then to house a small shrimp farming set up. After we got out of both of those the shed sat empty. A couple years ago my husband, Kevin, and I bought a small cabin in Eastman, WI that we rented on VRBO and it was then that we decided the shed should not sit empty but should be loved by others. That is how the "Shouse" came to be.
It features a small kitchen and an industrial bathroom that has a shower with corrugated paneled walls, wood tiles, and a relaxing rain shower head! There are two bedrooms. The first is a smaller bedroom with twin/full bunk beds and a desk to provide space to work if need be. The main bedroom has a queen bed and features lots of natural light from the patio doors.
The most amazing part of this space is the large open room that provides lots of space to unwind and relax with your loved ones! The living space features a large retro modern couch we like to call "Sherbet." The whole family can snuggle up and watch the 65" TV that is on a rotating wall. When you are ready to go lay down, all you have to do is unhook the wall and spin it so that the TV can be seen in the bedroom. The living space also features a small bar height table and stools and there is a queen sized bed if you have extra guests staying.
Outside the kids can have a good time playing on the wooden swing set and with the outdoor farm cats and two dogs.
If you are willing to take the road less traveled you will find a fun, rustic, industrial piece of paradise tucked away in the rolling hills of the driftless area!

Property manager

Kevin and Heidi Bohr

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony/patio
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming cats and dogs only
  • Up to 23 kg per pet

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Gravel flooring in public areas
  • In-room accessibility
  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

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

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Kayaking 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

General

  • 1 unit
  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,100 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs and cats are allowed
  • Maximum 1 (weight limit: 50 lb per pet)
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees.
  • Note from host: Please ket us know if you are bringing a pet

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 15
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 and a first aid kit
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Parties and events (including family gatherings and birthday parties) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 15. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector and a first aid kit in all accommodation. Contactless check-in is available.

We should mention

  • To make arrangements for your pet, contact the property directly using the information on your booking confirmation.

Frequently asked questions

Does The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country have a pool?

No, this holiday home doesn't have a pool.

Is The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country family-friendly?

You bet! With amenities such as a playground, a BBQ and children's dinnerware, it's no surprise that The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country is a winner with our family travellers.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country?

No, The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM. Check-out time is 11:00 AM.

The "Shouse"- Take the road less traveled- for fun & relaxation in the country Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 25 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 27 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 27 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Tye C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Love the location.
I've stayed at this property multiple times. Always excellent.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daniel O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great To Be Back!
Our return stay at the shouse was just as fabulous as the first. This was our 2nd year staying there while we attended the Christmas at Luther College concert. There is so much room to spread out and relax. The large tv is ready to accept your streaming logins and clears them when you leave. The kitchen is well stocked with pots, pans & utinsels for just about whatever you want to cook. The home baked cookies upon our arrival were a welcomed treat! Thank you for the wonderful stay! Dan & Lori
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bethany W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Pheasant hunting
We stayed a few days after the Iowa pheasant opener. Mostly hunted public land. Plenty of bird contacts, but mostly hens. The radiant floor heat was very comfy during those cold days. Plenty roomy and we used the cool spinning TV. Shower and bathroom were plenty warm. Could have used more places to hang towels and place toiletries. Kitchen was well appointed. Plenty of dishes and glasses. Appreciate keeping things sanitary, but the plastic covering over the mattress could have used a cotton mattress cover over the top of the plastic on the mattress. The plastic right under the sheets made for a sweaty sleep. Was nice and quiet, dark and overall comfy. We and the dogs slept well!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mark E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Shouse
Very comfortable and cozy. A suggestion would be more table lamps by the the bedside for reading.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

8/10 Good

Rebecca P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Weekend away
We had a nice stay - plenty of room for the family. Owners were really helpful and responsive. Close to Decorah which was our main place to visit. Kitchen well stocked with the things we needed for meals and cooking. Plenty of towels and wash cloths.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Nicholette

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wonderful place to stay! Very comfortable and plenty of room. Great location to feel the like you are in the country but a short drive to the surrounding towns. Owners were delightful and provided easy to follow directions. Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

Vicky M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Mabel steam engine weekend
Was the perfect place to go after a long day motorcycle riding. Then a day at the Mabel Steam Engine show. Quiet place to retreat too.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Georgia J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great getaway!
Our 2nd timing staying and we had just as much fun as the first time. Nice and quiet, close to Decorah and Calmar for hiking & breweries! Looking forward to coming back again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rhonda F., Ames, ia United Stayed

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful, quiet and convenient
The “Shouse” was excellent for our stay!! We fished trout streams, shopped Decorah and had the best location for Pivo brewery!! We loved the quiet, beautiful location!! Saw the Milky Way, stars galore at night, slept in and ate great pizza and ice cream for Teo Trees in Ossian. It was a true delight!! Perfect for 2 and up to 6-8!! We’ll be coming back in the fall with other family members!! Thanks for a lovely get away!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

William W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Stay
The hosts were excellent, as were the accommodations. We were a relatively close drive to anywhere we wanted to go. We will be returning.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Pamela D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very relaxing stay in the country We were still close to fun in decorah area.
Perfect location for us and our corgi.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jim S.

Liked: Cleanliness
A WONDERFUL Place To Stay While Visiting Family
We recently had the pleasure of staying at this delightful VRBO rental for a week-long visit with my Mother-In-Law and brought along our black lab for her to meet. From the moment we arrived, we knew we had found the perfect retreat for both humans and canines alike! The shouse exceeded our expectations in every way. It was not only beautifully designed and tastefully decorated, but also fully equipped with all the amenities we could possibly need during our stay. The attention to detail was evident throughout the entire space, making us feel right at home from the start. One of the highlights of this VRBO rental was its idyllic country setting. Surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, the property offered serene views and peaceful tranquility. The walking paths meandering through the picturesque landscape were a true delight, providing the perfect opportunity for our dog to stretch his legs and explore alongside us. We truly appreciated being able to immerse ourselves in nature and enjoy the great outdoors right on our doorstep. The owners of this VRBO property deserve special commendation for their exceptional hospitality. They were friendly, accommodating, and genuinely invested in ensuring our stay was nothing short of amazing. They went above and beyond to make us and our furry companion feel welcome, providing thoughtful touches that truly set this rental apart. Overall, our experience at this VRBO was absolutely fantastic.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tye&Sarah C., USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Clean, economical and location
I've stayed at the "Shouse" before and I'll stay again. Perfect location for NE Iowa Decorah area fishing and hiking trails. Hosts will help you with anything you need. Had a great stay again!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lisa S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Ossian
Overall worked out nicely for a weekend stay during Luther graduation. It's very quiet and relaxing place.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Daniel O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Escape!
We had a wonderful experience from booking through our stay at the Shouse. We were there to attend the Christmas at Luther College performance and we found the drive to the shouse from Decorah was relatively simply and very scenic. Our hosts gave very good directions. We enjoyed 2 beautiful sunrises and the location was very quiet and peaceful. The lit Christmas tree and baked treats within the unit upon our arrival were a great touch! The unit gave our group plenty of room to stretch out. Thanks Kevin & Heidi for the great stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Bradley M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing Hosts
We were in town for a week hunting, and had the best time. The accommodations were far exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend the shouse.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2022

10/10 Excellent

Edwin

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We loved everything about the shouse. Our stay was a quick overnight go to a wedding and overnight and leave. So a lot of the nice amenities we didn't get a chance to enjoy. Would definitely recommend to family and friends! The hosts were super nice and very accommodating!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kristina K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Shouse
We enjoyed our stay at the Shouse and visiting restaurants and breweries in Decorah!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marcus V.

Liked: Cleanliness
Clean and Roomy
Great area for us to wind down after busy days. Great room for the kids to sleep in and enough space for everyone else. Hosts were very helpful and the place was very clean, not to mention the beautiful countryside views.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Steve F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice
The posting really sums it up. The shouse is close to the house but you’d never know it. The host’s are vary nice and accommodating people
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sarahtye T., USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Very nice spot!
I like spending a few days 2-3 times a year fishing and exploring in Northeast Iowa area. The Shouse has a great location. The Shouse is comfortable, economical, spacious and tidy. I'll be staying here again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tracie K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Property!
We all enjoyed our stay at this beautiful property! The kids loved the open space, cats and dogs and the “shouse” was spacious, clean and suited our needs perfectly! Highly recommend and we will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Georgia J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Relaxing weekend getaway!
Secluded, quiet location with very friendly hosts. Excellent communication and suggestions on local events. Great family getaway- the kids loved the cats, dogs and new friends! We loved it and will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jodi S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location - quiet, short drive to Decorah
I stayed at the 'Shouse' for a few days on a writing/work retreat. Great location in the country. It was quiet and peaceful, and just a short (~20 min) drive into Decorah. Loved the long private gravel driveway for walks. Internet connection was essential for me and was solid the entire time. The property managers, Heidi and Kevin, were wonderful and communication was great.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Dan T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome country retreat
Great space with plenty of room and all the amenities you could ask for. Rain shower and awesome entertainment spaces. Quick 20 minute drive(or less) to a world class brewery(Toppling Goliath) and famous pizza(Mabe’s). Decorah has great coffee shops, restaurants and tap rooms, plus cool unique shops for everyone(clothing, kids toys, pets, gifts etc.). A country oasis with a historic and trendy college town nearby!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2021