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

Holiday home in Monona with kitchen and furnished patio

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

Newly remodeled kitchen, stainless steel appliances, everything you need!
Backyard patio and picnic table.
Book here today.
Open concept cozy living room, perfect for relaxing.
Rise and shine!

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 6112.4 sq m

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View map
Monona, IA
  • Place, Spook Cave
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Place, Pikes Peak State Park
    ‪30 min drive‬
  • Place, Yellow River State Forest
    ‪33 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

KING BED with sitting area in Master Bedroom.

1 King Bed

Main floor bedroom with double bed

1 Double Bed

Upstairs Bedroom with 2 TWIN BEDS.

2 Single Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

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!!

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Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
The steps are steep & open, but there is a railing
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
We have a kennel here in town.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to 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 rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
No overnight street parking from November 15 through April 15 on Monona streets.
Quite time starts at 10:00 p.m. Thanks.

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 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

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Monona

Located in Monona, this holiday home is in a rural area. Fort Crawford Museum and Villa Louis are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Mississippi River and Marquette Mitigation Sites Wildlife Management Area. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
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Map
Monona, IA

What's nearby

  • Spook Cave - 19 min drive - 17.6 km
  • Driftless Area Wetlands Centre - 21 min drive - 26.8 km
  • Effigy Mounds National Monument - 30 min drive - 35.9 km
  • Pikes Peak State Park - 30 min drive - 29.6 km
  • Yellow River State Forest - 33 min drive - 34.1 km

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

Frequently asked questions

Is Cottage on Main/Monona Iowa is in the middle of everything in the driftless area pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Cottage on Main/Monona Iowa is in the middle of everything in the driftless area?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cottage on Main/Monona Iowa is in the middle of everything in the driftless area?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

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

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is within 9 miles (15 km) of Froelich Foundation Museum, Volney Park and Spook Cave. Rossville Park is 10.9 mi (17.6 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

10/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Amenities

9.8/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.4/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy
Rating 10 - Excellent. 98 out of 105 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 6 out of 105 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 105 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 105 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 105 reviews

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Susie B.

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

Tye C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Everything meet our needs. Stayed here to fish and hike NE Iowa. Good location.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lyle E.

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

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

Lyle E.

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

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

john s.

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

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

Cheryl T.

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

Wonderful home

Clean and had everything we needed.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tammie O.

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

Looking at leaves trip

This home is very nice, people are friendly. Enjoyed our stay
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cooper H.

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

week long getaway

This was a great centralized location for our week in northern Iowa. We visited several caves and waterfalls throughout the week in the area and had a blast.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Kimbra

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
It was nice and small very cute house.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Terri J.

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

Great Stay!

The location is perfect and easy walk to town. Very close to relatives homes. The house had everything we needed. Very cute.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Was such a cute house ! A great option as no hotels in town and we were there for a class reunion so it was perfect to get to the events! We didn’t cook much but the kitchen set up would have worked well too. The steep steps to upstairs were not a problem
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bernard

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
We really enjoyed staying at this place in Monona, IA. It was well appointed, and met all of our needs. We felt it was in great shape and enjoyed that it had been remodeled, but it still had touches of it's historical charm. While it didn't pose any problems for us, folks with mobility issues or smaller children may have issues with the steeper and narrow stairs leading to the upper story. All in all, we were very happy with our stay and will stay again should the opportunity arise.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

2/10 Terrible

Valerie A.

Disliked: Cleanliness, communication, location, listing accuracy

Disappointment. Would not recommend.

In our opinion, we do not believe you should waste your time and money on this property! Our reservation was made months in advance & we were very excited about our trip. As we drove through town however, our excitement quickly turned to disappointment. We booked the property for four nights, but after seeing the house & neighborhood in person, we felt unsafe and left. One example: we asked the owner if the property had a crockpot or if we could bring our own. She said she would supply one. The crockpot supplied was used & in our opinion, very dirty. That made us question if the dishes were properly cleaned since the property does not have a dishwasher. We did not want to risk dirty dishes and utensils, so we left the property. Another example: the neighborhood, in our opinion, is ramshackle and depressed. We found it hard to feel safe in an area with dilapidated dwellings and a property quite close to the road. A third example: regarding safety, the stairs to the second floor are quite narrow and steep. We also found it off-putting that the host emailed prior to our trip, asking for our assistance "with a few items so the home can be turned over in a timely manner". We do not believe that guests should have to do the host's work. Nor do we think that the host should ask guests to "give us a great review". We would like to know how Vrbo designates hosts as "premier hosts". The host of this property does not answer emails in a timely fashion. We have waited two days, three days, and currently seven days and counting for an email reply. In summary, we would not recommend the property to anyone.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Lyle E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Totally pleased, exceeded any expectations! Thank you
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

kathe m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place, great people
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Eileen

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

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

Vlonda S.

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

Cute little place

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

10/10 Excellent

Lisa J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Disliked: Location

Christmas fun

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

10/10 Excellent

Tracey P.

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

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.

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

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, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Just as described

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

10/10 Excellent

Edwin G.

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

We enjoyed our stay

Very clean and quiet.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

About the host

Hosted by Mary and Daryl Schlein

Host profile image
We are high school sweethearts who have been married almost 50 years. We are born and raised in Monona, Iowa. After raising our family, Daryl retired and we decided this would be a fun retirement project. We are true "do it yourselfers" and have put much love and work into this little home that we lived in when we first got married. Come stay at the Cottage on Main.

Why they chose this property

This was originally an old school house that was moved to town around 1900. We believe the home was rented out to school teachers. We lived here for 7 years after we first got married. We built a new house and moved close by but held on to this little house. Daryl says its the house we forgot to sell. We have many memories in this home and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

What makes this property unique

We have lived here for generations so if you have local questions we can probably help or send you in the right direction. You will have a private backyard in a small rural town. Tractors drive by daily, as agriculture is extremely important to our area and our family. Wildlife and the natural beauty of scenic rural America is ever present here. We are truly in God's country here so come see for yourself peaceful, beautiful northeast Iowa. Our home is clean and cute come stay with us.

Languages:

English

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