Keep it simple at this peaceful and centrally-located two bedroom two bath nest, stylishly set up with everything you need to make it home as long as you might need or like to.
This downtown location next-door to our famous Dutch bakery, Jaarsmas, home of the Dutch letter and all sorts of baked goods from pies to bean sprout bread and more pastries than you might imagine, is close to everything great in Oskaloosa, with Ride Nostalgia bike rentals right on the property to enjoy a piece or all of our 14 mile paved bike trail.
The space: Natural light pours into this nest, named so by a friend who walked in and shared, "Wow, it almost feels like you're in a bird nest up here - you can see out from every angle." It's true! Watch the sun come up, be warmed and inspired by it all day and the sun sets behind the town structures out another window at dusk.
Gather all together in the open space from the colorful well lit living room open to the kitchen or hang out on your own in one of the two cozy and comfy bedrooms, also filled with natural light.
For your convenience, we have left the two bathroom concept, as it is super convenient, in that two people can shower simultaneously with hot water and plenty of pressure - wonderful! There is also a spacious area at the top of the steps with a full body mirror for an extra space to get ready and may have a desk area, if the need arises from guests.
The kitchen, connected to the living area and also surrounded with natural light, is stocked with serving ware, pots, pans, cooking and baking utensils, both a stove top tea pot and an electric counter one, a Ninja blender, toaster, Nespresso & Mr. Coffee coffee machines and a French Press. While we give you pods for the first few cups of Nespresso coffee, you may want to preorder more, as the Nespresso varieties surpass the goodness of the grocery store brands. Ground coffee, spices, cooking oil and other pantry items are set up for you. There is seating for 7 and two folding chairs in the closet as needed.
The living room naturally lit with two walls of windows has two couches, a swivel chair, upholstered sitting stool, 70 inch smart tv with roku, fubu and more. Enjoy a book from our varied collection for all ages, a game or simply conversation in this comfortable and spacious room. Most of our games and toys for all ages were purchased at The Work of Our Hands (in our neighboring town, Pella), which carry beautiful and unique handmade treasures made by artisans in developing countries ensuring artisans get a fair price for their products.
The king sized bedroom includes full closet, two bedside tables with lamps, hooks on the wall, an Alexa device for music, other audios and alarm, an overhead fan/light fixture, and a suitcase stand. This room is directly across from both bathrooms.
The full sized bedroom includes two night stands with drawers, lamps, a six drawer dresser, large leather upholstered bench, an Alexa device for music, other audios and alarm, and an overhead fan/light fixture. The large hallway and stairway is between both bedrooms and this bedroom backs to the living area.
There is a brand new full sized washer and dryer for your convenience.
Feel at home all week long for work or school in Oskaloosa or for a weekend visit in this location and enjoy delightful day trips easily within the county and beyond!
Tee up at one of our golf courses, 18 holes with an award-winning restaurant on its premises and the 27 holes with a PGA professional on its premises, and both along our 14 mile trail around Oskaloosa.
Throw discs in the woods, at the park, or on a quicker course, all three along the bike trail and minutes from this home. We have an active frisbee golf community.
Schedule a brewery, winery and cheese making tours and tote your finds in a bike basket to dine under the sky along one of the miles and miles of trails in Mahaska County.
With an active and talented chamber, historical society, arts and conservation board, Mahaska County is a gem for natural learning and adventure.
With an active and talented chamber, historical society, arts and conservation board, Mahaska County is a gem for natural learning and adventure.
Some notable scheduled events for 2022 are just around the corner!
-Plaid Friday and Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25 & 26 -Merry Little Downtown Christmas and Lighted Christmas Parade on December 2 & 3 - Annual Bluegrass Festival and other live music events at Southern Iowa Fairgrounds.
… and the following repeated events take place at a variety of times throughout the year: -Thursday night band concerts at the square, 8:00pm, June to mid August, since 1864! -Laura Days at Nelson Pioneer Farm, Tuesdays - Fridays in July. Sign up through: https://nelsonpioneer.org/np_events/lauras-days/ - George Daily Auditorium offers high quality performing arts from community schools to scheduled professionals. - Muse Music Monday night open mic or local performer from 6-8 at Smokey Row. - Outer Space at Oskaloosa Art Center - live music, comedy, and open mics, for scheduled events, check faceofmahaska.com -Nelson Pioneer Farm will give you guided tours by appointment or take a self guided tour from May through September. They also and have scheduled weekly events on their calendar. https://nelsonpioneer.org/ -Autumn Acres at Stam’s greenhouse Fridays from 12-6 and Saturdays during the day, starting the 2nd week in September through the end of August. Fun for the whole family!
Bike Trails and Bike Rentals: We have a wonderful 14 mile bike trail that goes all around Oskaloosa through restored prairies, woods, and farm fields and has a good variety of entry and exit points for most of us who may not have time for the whole route. Travel easy and rent a bike from Nostalgic Rides in Oskaloosa, right on this property.. We expect a couple high demand experiences: the Schwinn bicycle built for two and the adult Tricycle, so if those two would be a must for you, let us know and if they are available, we'll be sure to reserve them for you!
All of our guests have a three day pass to our YMCA, just a few blocks from this home. This includes open gym, lap swims, work out equipment, and class options for an extra charge.
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A Class-y & spacious 1500 square foot retreat in a century old brick schoolhouse
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A Class-y & spacious 1500 square foot retreat in a century old brick schoolhouse
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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
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
About the area
Oskaloosa
Located in Oskaloosa, this condo is in the city centre. Edmundson Golf Course and Tassel Ridge Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Lake Keomah State Park and City Square Park. McGrew Fine Arts Center and Southern Iowa Fair are also worth visiting. Kayaking and waterskiing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain biking and cycling nearby.
Oskaloosa, IA
What's nearby
City Square Park - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
Oskaloosa Public Library - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
William Penn University - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
Southern Iowa Fair - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
VanderWilt Park - 2 min drive - 2.2 km
Getting around
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) - 71 min drive
Restaurants
Casey's General Store - 19 min walk
McDonald's - 11 min walk
Scooter’s Coffee - 10 min walk
Trio - 3 min drive
Casey's General Store - 3 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is The Nest - next to bakery and downtown pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at The Nest - next to bakery and downtown?
As of 13 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Nest - next to bakery and downtown on 13 May 2026 start from NZ$218, 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 The Nest - next to bakery and downtown?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at The Nest - next to bakery and downtown?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The Nest - next to bakery and downtown?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is The Nest - next to bakery and downtown located?
Located in the heart of Oskaloosa, this condo building is within a 10-minute walk of City Square Park and Oskaloosa Public Library. William Penn University and Mahaska Health are also within 1 mile (2 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Loved the place! Very homey & comfortable A big plus was being next door to the Jaarsma bakery We were 20 min from the Pella Tulip Festival which made it very convenient Ate at the Tasos Steakhouse in Oskaloosa 2x in 2 days of that says anything. Loved everything about the towns
This is an excellent stay in Oskloosa! The location is great and you have many different options for food and entertainment within walking distance. The description of the rental is spot on. The kitchen has all the equipment you could need the rooms are very comfortable and communication with the owner is quick and easy. We Loved the decor it is very uplifting and warm. I would recommend this stay to anyone looking for a comfortable clean and convenient place to stay!
So close to the lighted parade this weekend and the square shopping. The place was decorated for Christmas which is why we were there with family. We got donuts the first morning from the jaarsma bakery next door. Delicious and convenient!
Missy is very easy to communicate with and we navigated a tiny hiccup early in the visit very easily and smoothly. We will definitely use one of Missy's properties for any future visits to Oskaloosa.
Thank you, Eddie and Ruth, it was nice meeting you and your grandchildren.
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Barbara
6 April 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This was a great stay. Really easy to get access answered questions that we had Great location! Able to walk to great restaurants and coffee. Recommend Smokey Joe’s Coffee ; Breadeaux Pizza and visiting The Book Vault! Was a truly fabulous stay.
This place is great! Just like the pictures. Very clean and located in a great spot. Very spacious and welcoming. The host is very nice as well. We will definitely book here again for a future stay.
We were in town for a very short family reunion. The Nest is a great space, very comfortable, incredibly well stocked and our host provided a wealth of information about the property and surrounding areas. The fact that the property has two full bathrooms is a game changer. And the downtown location was so handy- everything we needed was within walking distance . We will definitely stay again.
Great place to stay while in Oskaloosa. Centrally located with walking distance to coffee shops, bakery, garden park & more. Very clean & fully equipped kitchen.
Was a perfect place to stay for what we needed it for. Visiting our granddaughter at college.
Had everything we needed to cook her a few homemade meals She loved the homey feel it gave her.
We loved our stay in The Nest! It was so cozy and plenty of room for four ladies. There were many thoughtful details throughout the property, and we especially appreciated the well stocked kitchen. We also remarked that it was the first VRBO that did not reek of artificial scents and fragrance, which we were very grateful for. We loved the proximity to downtown and the bakery, but this came with quite a bit of street noise in the night. But we felt it was worth it and would stay again!
comfortable, spacious, quiet. all the amenities we could want (thank you for the coffee!)
Ellen P.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jennifer
5 August 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
This property is fully outfitted and ready for all your needs! Missy is responsive, helpful and has the cutest most decked out place in the area! We will be booking with her again and we’re so at home in her place.
Our stay was righty after the Pella Tulip Festival, wonder to see all the tulips, so we spent a couple days going back and forth. We also went to the Amana Colonies for a day. We stayed during the hottest week of May with the high each day in the 90s, it was nice come back to a place that was very comfortable because of the air conditioning.
Gary W.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 4 August 2022
The incredible air conditioning has been quite a blessing, already back in May! Thanks for finding and choosing The Nest for your stay as you branched out to your delectable day trips!
I loved this property. The decor was really cute and the location was convenient. Loved the bakery next door and the church bells. Owners were very quick to respond to requests. Beds were very comfortable and the Alexa’s in each room was a nice touch.
Will definitely stay here again on our next trip to Oskaloosa.
Leslie O.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 8 July 2024
Thank you, Leslie!
About the host
Hosted by Christian & Melissa Ray
We are parents, grandparents, mentors and a couple who enjoy bringing the best for people we host. We've enjoyed traveling as well and love the feel of a home away from home, where we can walk out the door and enjoy places around town that the locals know about. Chris loves finding great food and drinks wherever we go, and Missy likes finding paths to hike and boutiques with beautiful things. We both love visiting our children and grandchildren in NewJersey, Tennessee, Missouri and Iowa, and meeting them in fun locations!
Why they chose this property
Parking is right outside your entry door. If you arrive at night, the light above the door is a motion sensing light so will come on automatically upon your arrival. To exit, you can back into the parking space in front of the building and exit with ease, either directly onto the main street in front of the home or through the bakery parking next door.
Everything you might need is within walking distance. Coffee and baked goods next door, delicious pizza, wings and salads across the street and two doors down and just a couple blocks to shopping, Smokey Row Coffee shop, Taso's Steakhouse, Mi Ranchito Mexican restaurant and a couple breakfast and lunch eateries, Brickhouse Cafe and Julie's Restaurant.
Its worth a drive or rent a bike from Ride Nostalgia (on this property) and enjoy dinner at Wood Iron Grill with alfresco dining overlooking one of the town's beautiful golf courses. Lake Keomah State Park is just a short 6 miles East of this location and there are at least 20 nature preserves for exploration in Mahaska County.
Cedar Bluffs Natural Area along the Des Moines River, with its 225 acres of forest and prairies and over 3 miles of trails, is one of the top hikes in the area. Motorcycle and ATV enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels "rip" not far from there at Bluff Creek OHV. People come from all over to experience Eddyville Dunes Sand Prairie where cacti dot the trail and you can watch for box turtles, six-lined race runner lizards and a great variety of birds from the wooden bridge at the pond.
These are just a small fraction of the natural parks set aside for explorers in this area! Enjoy the search filled with something to see and learn on every single visit.
Check out our welcome book for more about this gem of an area!
What makes this property unique
History lovers: Visit mahaskachamber.org/history or simply walk around town and read the history markers for a self-guided historical tour all within easy walking distance of The Antebellum. Walk through, eat alfresco (spring, summer, fall) attend event or set one up in The Alley, lined with beautiful flora and read about folks from Oskaloosa who have been recognized internationally for their contributions to the public. Events and scheduled tours of the Pioneer Farm, including Laura Days brings people from near and far!
Explorers: You'll love the options here! Bike or hike miles and miles amongst restored prairies, forests and along waterways. Nostalgia Rides has bikes for your simple fun around town or a ride on part or all of our 14 mile trail around Oskaloosa. Learn together at the state of art conservation education center and learn more about the local reserves set up for your nature delights!
Enjoy vintage, antique, thrift and boutique shopping in and around Oskaloosa! Taste chef's specials and signature dishes at delightful eateries, including Wood Iron Grille, home of 2019 Best Burger in Iowa, schedule a brewery tour, take a winery tour inside and out, schedule a dine and wine after some wine tasting at Tassel Ridge, learn all about cheese making at Frisian Farms and bring home your choice of gouda, and by all means hang out at Smokey Row Coffee Shop, location of all kinds of presidential hopeful stops and simply loved by our community as a great hangout or great place to work spot.
We hope your stay includes a Thursday summer night! Our community band, playing since late 1800's is a must! The events this town offers are also a must; check out mahaskachamber.org/calendar for Art on the Square, Sweet Corn Serenade, Autumn Acres, Annual Christmas Parade, and more!
Just a few miles from Oskaloosa is also Iowa's largest reservoir, Lake Red Rock; there are boat rentals, miles of the Volksweg Trail, and educational tours. Cliffs are beautiful there!
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests