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Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa!

Photo gallery for Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa!

A modern kitchen with wooden flooring, white cabinets, a black refrigerator, and a dining area with two chairs and a small table.
A modern living room with a TV, seating, and a kitchen in the background.
A modern kitchen with white cabinets, a black stove, and a microwave. There is a dining area with a round table and chairs.
A modern kitchen with wooden flooring, white cabinetry, and a built-in refrigerator.
A small, single-story house with a wooden deck, two chairs, and a table.

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 1% of guest reviews in this area

Highlights

  • Made for relaxation
    Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 5

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Barbecue
  • Deck or patio

Explore the area

View map
Fertile, IA
  • Place, Storre Wildlife Management Area
    ‪18 min walk‬
  • Place, Surf Ballroom and Museum
    ‪15 min drive‬
  • Place, Diamond Jo Casino
    ‪17 min drive‬
  • Airport, Mason City, IA (MCW-Mason City Municipal)
    ‪17 min drive‬

Where you'll sleep

2 bedrooms (sleeps 5)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

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

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area

About this property

Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa!

Welcome to Memento Vivere, in Fertile, Iowa! Memento Vivere means "Remember you have to Live" and this 122 year old house was completely brought back to life by its owners with modern amenities and a cozy atmosphere, all the while preserving its charm. This 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom cottage is the perfect place to get away from all the hustle and bustle of life. With a separate workspace, dining room, living room, kitchen, coffee/wine bar - this house has everything you need to relax and unwind.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
We are very proud of this home brought back to lif
No smoking, no parties, no loud noise. Quiet time
If any additional cleaning is required past one ho

Important information

You need to know

Property # 3138083vb
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
Long-term renters welcome
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Fertile

Fertile is home to this holiday home. Buddy Holly Crash Site and Surf Ballroom and Museum are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Storre Wildlife Management Area and Mallard Marsh. Discover the area's water adventures with kayaking and power boating nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling and hunting.
View more Holiday homes in FertileOpens in a new window
Map
Fertile, IA

What's nearby

  • Storre Wildlife Management Area - 18 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Winnebago Industries Factory - 14 min drive - 25.1 km
  • Buddy Holly Crash Site - 15 min drive - 14.0 km
  • Surf Ballroom and Museum - 15 min drive - 23.4 km
  • Diamond Jo Casino - 17 min drive - 34.3 km

Getting around

  • Mason City, IA (MCW-Mason City Municipal) - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cafe Mir - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪O'Tool 'Frig - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Five Guys - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪giovanni pizza - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Stecker Palace! - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa!?

As of 24 September 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa! on 23 November 2026 start from NZ$684, 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 Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa! located?

Situated in Fertile, this holiday home is 0.8 mi (1.3 km) from Storre Wildlife Management Area and within 6 miles (10 km) of Mallard Marsh and Grant Townhall. Winnebago Oxbow and Prairie Pothole Wildlife Area are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 56 out of 57 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 57 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 57 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 57 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 57 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely amazing place! The host was wonderful with communication. Local restaurant just up the street was also great! Highly recommend! We'll be back again some time. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Exactly what we were looking for! Close to neighboring towns, full kitchen, peaceful backyard, quiet area! Loved staying here
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place to stay just outside of clear lake. We had a great time! Make sure to check out the firefighting museum in clear lake Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Would definitely stay again
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The hostess was awesome. Always a beautiful place to stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place for the holiday. Family lives down the road. We stay here every year .
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Have stayed here multiple times. The property was great again as usual.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great stay

Nice property, great stay. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful place to stay for a long weekend!

The property was recently renovated and as beautiful as it looks in the photos. Would highly recommend this property if you would like to stay in the area.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was perhaps the most successful VRBO rental we have made. The house is beautiful-- well appointed and impeccably decorated. In an area where "nice" short term stays are hard to come by, this was a very pleasant surprise. Situated on a quiet street in a very small town, the vibe was totally relaxing. If you stay in Fertile, don't miss a dinner at Cafe Mir. In a land of low expectations for restaurant dining, Mir was a gem. This will be our go to for trips back to Iowa for family visits. Highly recommended!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 13 May 2026
Thank you David! We appreciate you taking the time to leave this wonderful review!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home with an awesome kitchen.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

The best kittle VRBO house EVER!

I would recommend this house and town 5 0ut of 5 stars. I love the Cafe Mir' for its big city menu and the beautiful little river town!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Girls weekend

This was a great place for a short girls weekend away stay. Quiet, beautiful and owner was very accommodating. Would stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Beautiful and clean home!

Perfect place to stay. Quaint little town. The house is just as pictured, beautifully decorated, clean and plenty of room to relax.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place to stay!!

We loved it. It was perfect. They even put up a Christmas Tree.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect in every way

Beautifully restored and maintained, this house was the perfect place for us to stay in Fertile. The owner communicated well and was very accommodating. Highly recommend staying here.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great

Great to get away to a spot we hadn't been Ate at Cafe Mir and Prime 'n Done, very yummy. Place was very clean and we loved it
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Amazing place!

Everything was perfect. Beautiful setting and well stocked for a getaway. Fire pit was an added bonus! Will definitely stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Nice place

Came for a wedding. Very clean, had everything we needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What a fantastic property. Modern updates, everything you need in a quiet location. Great communication with the owner, easy check in process. Thank you for an enjoyable weekend.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Best cottage we’ve ever stayed at; meticulously clean and comfortable. Fertile is small community with wonderful people, a beautiful park, and a lovely farm to table restaurant plus a unique store with many treasures. We will be back!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lovely home

The home was absolutely lovely. It was very clean and just had a wonderful feel. It was close to restaurants and activities. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great property

I would like to say the house is very clean, quiet neighborhood and I would highly recommend to anyone.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Family Getaway

This Fertile house was a perfect place to spend a few nights. My family of four was able to spread out and my girls especially loved the gorgeous upstairs bedroom. Plus we were within walking distance to our favorite Iowa restaurant, Cafe Mir.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Perfect

This was our second time staying here and it's just as perfect as it was the first time. It's a great location and very clean. It's so relaxing and just a joy to come "home" to.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

About the host

Hosted by Tracy

Host profile image
Both my husband and I are Iowa natives. My husband grew up in nearby Mason City and I was raised in the Iowa City area. We have strong family ties still in North Iowa and own property in Clear Lake where we love to spend time.

Why they chose this property

We fell in love with this town having visited a local restaurant called Cafe Mir. We were looking for properties for storage purposes and this fit the bill. The house is 122 years old and was in a sad state after being neglected for many of those years. Our choices were to tear it down or build it back and we chose the latter and didn't look back. We hope our guests enjoy the updated amenities and also enjoy this quaint North Iowa town.

What makes this property unique

In addition to the local restaurant, Cafe Mir, there is also a coffee shop and market open on the weekends .. Fertile Beans and the Fertile Market.

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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