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Apartment

Beautiful Large Loft on Historic Water Street in Downtown Decorah

Photo gallery for Beautiful Large Loft on Historic Water Street in Downtown Decorah

Living area
Living area
Games room
Games room
Room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Made for relaxation
    Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
  • Cue up the fun
    One of the few properties with an on-site pool table.
  • At the centre of it all
    Stay in a top rated central location, steps from the best attractions, dining, and entertainment.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near Agora
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

  • Garage parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Internet access
  • Dryer

Explore the area

View map
Decorah, IA
  • Place, Agora
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, Porter House Museum
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum
    ‪5 min walk‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

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

Spaces

Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Beautiful Large Loft on Historic Water Street in Downtown Decorah

No cleaning Fee! Welcome to The Decorah Loft – a spacious two-bedroom, two-bath apartment with over 1,600 square feet of comfort. Located between the historic Hotel Winneshiek and Mabes Pizza, you'll be just steps from Decorah's top restaurants, museums, and shops. Unique to Main Street: Each bedroom has its own private full bath; perfect for two adult couples wanting their own bath. The full kitchen opens to a large living area, complete with a 7-foot pool table and sectional couch. Longstanding vacation rental with lots of repeating guests. The Loft’s two-car attached garage is a favorite of Luther Parents visiting in the winter and offers secure storage for vehicles, bikes, kayaks, or fishing gear. Keywords: LOFT, APARTMENT, UNIT, DOWNTOWN, STORAGE, GARAGE, STEPS,

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Check out before 10:30 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

Important information

You need to know

Property # 395831vb
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 and a first aid kit

About the area

Decorah

Downtown Decorah, a neighbourhood in Decorah, is home to this apartment. Silvercrest Golf Club and Toppling Goliath Brewing Co. are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Ice Cave Hill Park and Decorah Bald Eagles. Agora and Amundsons Clothing are also worth visiting. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing, and don't miss out on the sledging.
View more Apartments in DecorahOpens in a new window
Map
Decorah, IA

What's nearby

  • Agora - 1 min walk - 0.0 km
  • Amundsons Clothing - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Porter House Museum - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum - 5 min walk - 0.5 km
  • Dunnings Spring Park - 3 min drive - 2.2 km

Getting around

  • Waterloo, IA (ALO-Waterloo Regional) - 88 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Dixie's Biergarten - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Family Table Decorah - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Culver's - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Beautiful Large Loft on Historic Water Street in Downtown Decorah pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Beautiful Large Loft on Historic Water Street in Downtown Decorah?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Beautiful Large Loft on Historic Water Street in Downtown Decorah?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Beautiful Large Loft on Historic Water Street in Downtown Decorah?

Checkout is at 10:30 AM.

Where is Beautiful Large Loft on Historic Water Street in Downtown Decorah located?

Located in Downtown Decorah, this apartment building is steps away from Agora and Amundsons Clothing. Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum and Porter House Museum are also within 10 minutes.

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. 73 out of 81 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 8 out of 81 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 81 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 81 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 81 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeff H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great stay and perfect location.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Josh U.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great location
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

C S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a great property in a great location. I’m not much of a review writer but want to express how much we enjoyed our stay in this well cared for rental. The description is very accurate and likely undersells the quality and comfort of the space, book with confidence!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Brenda B.

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

Relaxing getaway

A very homey location near all downtown activities!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paula M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Met some friends for the weekend and enjoyed staying here. Clean, cozy, and had all the conveniences of home. Perfect location to walk the town. I would definitely book again!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jane R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great time! The place was comfortable and convenient. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Heather A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Host was very communicative. Apt was clean and location was great.Had a little problem with being woken up at 6:30 a.m. by someone sanding the floor next door. Hosts generously compensated us. Also, drain in one of the bathroom sinks would not drain properly.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Paula O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place. Loved the location. The space is large and inviting. Plenty of room for the 4 of us. The kitchen is well stocked and the bedrooms are comfortable. Easy walking to several restaurants and local shops. We came to fish for trout, stayed a week. Centrally located to good trout streams and a visit to the seed savers exchange is a must. Lots of good hiking trails as well. We plan to stay here again.
Stayed 7 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Scott J.

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

Perfect location in Decorah

Lots of character, good space for cooking and gathering, top notch location and logistics including private parking space.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jeff S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place to stay. Access to downtown is easy and convenient. Plenty of room for the four of us. Communication was great. Used the garage for our car and was also able to charge our EV as well. The ability to charge was a great surprise. Thank you.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Helen C H.

Huge apartment in great location

We had a great time. The apartment is great. Loved the pool table. All the little extras (e.g., cooking oil, q-tips) that were provided were great too!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2016
Response from VrboOwner on 3 April 2020
Thanks much. We added the pool table last year and it's been a big hit. Hope to see you again soon!
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Cheryl M.

Charming, comfortable and great location

We stayed at this property with another couple and it was perfect. Plenty of space to hang out, cook and play pool together, but we each had our own bedroom and full bath. Decorah is charming! We enjoyed walking the trail along the river, and exploring the local shops and restaurants. The Loft is in the perfect location and we could walk everywhere. Great weekend getaway!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 3 April 2020
Thanks much for the nice review and so glad you had fun in Decorah. It's a great town and staying downtown and walking or biking around is the way to go.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kevin K.

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

Finding a Nicer Place Would Be a “Lofty” Goal

This place was great! Very spacious, with bedrooms well-removed from the living area. The location right on Water St is pretty much as good as it gets. Our 2.5 year old had a great time running around, reading the kids books and playing with Legos and cards. Ample A/C to keep it comfortable in hot weather. The smoke detector started beeping at 5am one morning and I was super stoked when I found a step stool, screwdriver, and spare battery to replace it without any trouble - love a place that is well stocked. We had a great time.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 27 July 2025
Thanks your for the kind works and happy to hear you had fun in beautiful Decorah!
Archival

8/10 Good

Ruth R.

Perfect, would return

We were booked for two adult couples, but due to a death in the family there were only two of us able to make the trip. The property would have been perfect for the four of us, but the two of us enjoyed it all the same! Great floor plan, everything we needed was there. The only thing that would make this property better is if it had a balcony, but that just isn't part of the layout here. Would definitely stay here again if we return to Decorah.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2017
Response from VrboOwner on 3 April 2020
Thanks for the kind response. The place is indeed popular with and perfect for two couples. We have lots of guests comment that it's better than two rooms at Hotel Winneshiek (right next door) at half the price. Hope to see you soon. Thanks for staying.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This is a wonderful VRBO. Location is perfect. The layout is ideal for couples to share. Restaurants and shopping are just minutes away. It is quiet.We are in our 70s and the stairs to the 2nd floor are not a problem. Nor are the few stairs to the bedroom area. We enjoyed that seperation so early risers didn’t bother anyone. Decor is clever. A wall of books was a fun surprise. We have already booked it for another stay in 3 months. Highly recommend.
How cute is this? We claimed this room because of it.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Craig R.

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

Fall Visit to Decorah

No complaints. This worked well as a hub from which to visit Decorah and surroundings (e.g., the Driftless Center, Pike's Peak Park, Dunning's Spring, the Fish Hatchery, the Norwegian Museum, Spillville and the Bily Museum, etc.) Local restaurants & the Food Co-op were good as well.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Troy P.

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

Fantastic Loft

Couldn’t ask for a better location in Decorah. You’re in the center of all the action downtown. Very walkable to Luther and other touristy spots like Dunning Springs.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Dan W.

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

Homecoming gathering.

Very clean, well stocked, great gathering spaces. Regulating the temperature was a challenge.I would stay there again. We could not locate the book with guidelines and directions and how to use the place.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Patricia V.

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

Beautiful space

Nicely decorated and comfy. Good beds. Each bedroom has a bathroom off of it. Right downtown so close to restaurants and shops . Sept. 2021 some restaurants are closed Monday and Tuesday.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gwen W.

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

Love this place!

This was our second stay at the loft and I would definitely reserve it again if/when we return to Decorah. Everything is as stated on the VRBO sight. Location is perfect and the pool table is a bonus.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anne B.

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

Trendy loft in heart of Downtown

Very accurate listing, everything was just as we expected it! Private garage was a great bonus on a rainy morning packing up. I loved the decor, so many quirky and fun pieces. Kitchen was fully stocked with all the basic utensils. The bedrooms were very quiet, allowing those who went to bed early to not be bothered by those in the living room. Location was amazing, right in the heart of such diverse downtown district. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lori M.

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

The Loft - Perfect Decorah Stay

This property exceeded our expectations! It is an excellent location right in town, the garage was great for our bikes, we could walk or ride anywhere we wanted to go (Trout Run Trail, museums, the local food coop, ice cream, beer! Restaurants, shops, etc)…the furnishings are so comfy and high quality, the decor is thoughtful and charming, Leah is very responsive and easy to work with if you have questions. Very private and quiet, even tho it’s in town. There were just two of us, but the property had two lovely bedrooms, good beds, high quality linens and towels, a great living area and well- appointed kitchen, washer and dryer, and it was cool and comfy on our July vacation. It would be good for any fun getaway with friends or family. I just can’t say enough, we’ll return!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Daryl W.

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

Decorah adventure

Unfortunate for property owner a rain storm resulted in water damage to an area of the building. Leah was attentive and considerate of us as her guests during this challenge. Recommend both Loft Apartment and owner as great experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Katie D.

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

Perfect!

This was a great location, great host, easy to find with parking. Loved everything about it!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

About the host

Hosted by Leah Barber

Host profile image
Decorah Loft has been our family’s vacation home for over 15 years and before that it operated as one of the original vacation homes in Decorah. We’ve raised our kids enjoying the space and the surrounding area. As a family of five, we love visiting and exploring Decorah, with each of us finding something special to enjoy—whether it’s biking, hiking, shopping, fishing, kayaking, and lots of classes at Vesterheim. We truly enjoy sharing our getaway with you and hope you’ll discover what makes Decorah such a great place.

Why they chose this property

The Loft on Water Street is the premium vacation rental in downtown Decorah. The apartment is in a prime location next to Hotel Winneshiek with attached two-car garage and is equivalent of two large hotel rooms plus full kitchen, separate family room and pool table. Both bathrooms were completely redone in Winter 2013.

What makes this property unique

Prime main street location with 2 full bathrooms, large family room, and the only main street living quarters with an attached tuck under garage!

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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