Entire home

HIDE AWAY RETREAT - RATHBUN LAKE IS 300+/- YARDS AWAY... FISH, HUNT, RELAX....

Lakefront holiday home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for HIDE AWAY RETREAT - RATHBUN LAKE IS 300+/- YARDS AWAY... FISH, HUNT, RELAX....

Exterior - HIDE AWAY RETREAT - RATHBUN LAKE IS 300+/- YARDS AWAY... FISH, HUNT, RELAX.... (Melrose)
Outdoor dining - HIDE AWAY RETREAT - RATHBUN LAKE IS 300+/- YARDS AWAY... FISH, HUNT, RELAX.... (Melrose)
Exterior - HIDE AWAY RETREAT - RATHBUN LAKE IS 300+/- YARDS AWAY... FISH, HUNT, RELAX.... (Melrose)
2 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets - HIDE AWAY RETREAT - RATHBUN LAKE IS 300+/- YARDS AWAY... FISH, HUNT, RELAX.... (Melrose)
Outdoor dining - HIDE AWAY RETREAT - RATHBUN LAKE IS 300+/- YARDS AWAY... FISH, HUNT, RELAX.... (Melrose)
Escape to the serene countryside at The Hide Away Retreat, a 2-bedroom haven nestled near Rathbun Lake. Unwind in the private backyard with deck and fire pit or enjoy quality time by streaming your favorite shows on a large Smart TV.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 681 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

HIDE AWAY RETREAT - RATHBUN LAKE IS 300+/- YARDS AWAY... FISH, HUNT, RELAX....

The Hide Away Retreat sleeps 6 people (3 people in NOVEMBER) with 2 bedrooms, living room pull out queen sofa bed and 1 full bathroom. The location is 300+/- yards from Rathbun Lake on a quiet dead end dirt road about 2.5 miles from paved road. It has a large, private back yard with openness and trees for family gatherings. There is a deck on the south side (front of home) and a fire pit on the north side (back of home). The views from this cottage are beautiful with a view of a filling pond and large field with visiting horses, deer, turkey, and other wildlife.

If requested when booking or a week prior to arrival, the king bed can be split into 2 extra long twin beds. The second bedroom has two twin beds. A pull-out queen sized bed is also available in the living room. There is a large Smart TV for streaming your private premium channels and an eat-in-kitchen. The entire home has been newly painted and has all new flooring. There is a new refrigerator in kitchen, as well as new utilities in bathroom. All of the furniture in the living room are newer and in excellent condition. We ask that our guests check their shoes at the front door to keep the cottage cleaner and in top condition for future guests.

The Hide Away Retreat is located in one of the most optimal areas in Iowa for hunting wild game, morel mushrooms and is only a short walk from the edge of Lake Rathbun, known for excellent fishing: largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, walleye, bluegill, war-mouth, white bass and hybrid striped bass. There are numerous boat launches that are easily accessible for all of your water sport needs, and many public hunting lands with game for every season. So, whether you are seeking restful family time away from the hustle and bustle of suburban and city life, or out to hunt white tail deer, turkey, geese, ducks and coyotes, this cottage is set up to handle almost any activity.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach loungers

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

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

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Games
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • No lift (single-level property)
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In a rural location
  • Near the marina
  • On a lake
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector or gas appliances (host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 870 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Check out instructions are provided in the binder on kitchen table. Thank you!
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Rules

NO DRIVING ON THE LAWN! We added to driveway at entrance for trailers. Security deposits will be deducted for damage.
Please no shoes in the house.
No hunting on property.

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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 are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances 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

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property

About the area

Located in Melrose, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Appanoose County Museum and The Majestic Theater are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Lucas County Court House and Drake Hall at Bradley Gardens. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Melrose, IA

What's nearby

  • Rathbun Lake - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Lake Rathbun Area - 15 min drive - 10.8 km
  • Honey Creek State Park - 17 min drive - 15.3 km
  • Red Haw State Park - 37 min drive - 42.0 km
  • Leah Bradley Park - 44 min drive - 48.3 km

Restaurants

  • ‪The Red Barn - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪K C's Landing - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Lakehouse - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Dogg's - ‬18 min drive
  • ‪Leap Day - ‬16 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is HIDE AWAY RETREAT - RATHBUN LAKE IS 300+/- YARDS AWAY... FISH, HUNT, RELAX.... pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at HIDE AWAY RETREAT - RATHBUN LAKE IS 300+/- YARDS AWAY... FISH, HUNT, RELAX....?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at HIDE AWAY RETREAT - RATHBUN LAKE IS 300+/- YARDS AWAY... FISH, HUNT, RELAX....?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at HIDE AWAY RETREAT - RATHBUN LAKE IS 300+/- YARDS AWAY... FISH, HUNT, RELAX....?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is HIDE AWAY RETREAT - RATHBUN LAKE IS 300+/- YARDS AWAY... FISH, HUNT, RELAX.... located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Rathbun Lake and within 9 miles (15 km) of Lake Rathbun Area and Honey Creek State Park. Rathbun Wildlife Refuge Area is 8.2 mi (13.2 km) away.

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HIDE AWAY RETREAT - RATHBUN LAKE IS 300+/- YARDS AWAY... FISH, HUNT, RELAX.... Reviews

Reviews

Exceptional

All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 36 out of 38 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 38 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 38 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 38 reviews

9.8

Cleanliness

9.8

Location

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Get away from it all!

Nice house with amenities to keep us entertained on a location near the lake, but very private. We enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Leah W.

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

Great Getaway!

Our stay was great! This house is located in a very quiet area. The house was neat and clean. It was a perfect stay for our kayaking trip on Lake Rathbun.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carl L.

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

Peaceful visit

Awesome place to relax with nature and to getaway from it all.
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Allen W.

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

As advertised.

Although a smaller property it worked well for myself and 4 friends who were on a fishing trip. Nice quiet property off the beaten path!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

John W.

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

relaxing

great location deer in the field turkeys also close to the lake
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris C.

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

Perfect quiet getaway near Rathbun

This place had everything we needed for our annual guys weekend. The house was clean and ready, the host provided great communication leading up to and during the stay. I will likely return with my family.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

8/10 Good

Barbara M.

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

Rathbun Cottage

The cabin is lovely and well appointed. We had a wonderful time. The host was gracious and kind, and made sure we had everything we needed. Fire pit at night with the stars and the moon were very relaxing. Thank you for a pleasant experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

William C.

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

Fishing trip

The location of the house is down some gravel roads. The house was clean and had everything a group could ask for. We will be using this location more throughout the future for other fishing trips.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Irene P.

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

The quit retreat

The stay was great no traffic nice and quit the horses were great in the morning having coffee nature everywhere ( turkeys,deer,and yes bobcats) the cabin very clean and it is supplied very well with everything you need which a lot of places don’t they did a great job at this My wife and I will be coming back for SURE!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

8/10 Good

Amy C.

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

Very Nice Hideaway!

Overall we had a very nice stay. The lake wasn't as easy to get to as we thought from where the cabin was, unless you are okay with going through a bunch of tall weeds. Owners are extremely nice and addressed our concerns promptly. Quite a few spiders had to be killed in the house, but not unusual to find in a cabin in such a wooded area. Was very short drive to beaches and other fishing areas. Tons of wildlife was seen on and around the property!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kersten H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great host and communication. The host anticipated pretty everything that guests could need and provided it. Would consider staying there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Carla N.

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

Great holiday weekend!

We had a wonderful weekend and it was exactly the place we need d for our time in the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brandon S.

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

Hunting trip.

We had a great time!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kelly O.

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

Excellent place

Stay here on a week-long hunting trip had an awesome time accommodations were perfect George and Diane were great George really knows his hunting and the area around him
Stayed 8 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Cindy K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely beautiful country. Very peaceful! Property was exactly what it said it was. Host was very accommodating.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

John J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great little piece of paradise! Will definitely be back soon. Enjoyed the horses, deer, turkey and squirrels.Played corn hole and frisbee. Also the fire pit was great.
Horses
Fire pit
Moon rise
House
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jacob C.

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

Great Host

Host was very pleasant and kind. Accommodations were perfect.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jay W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was so peaceful and relaxing. Deer and turkey in the yard everyday. Communication with the owners was spot on responed very fast whenever we had any questions. Will definitely be going back.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lance H.

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

Hideaway Retreat

Stayed for two days. This place was very nice and neat. The owners seemed friendly and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah C.

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

Quite location

Nice quite house. Beautiful location.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lori P.

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

Very peaceful,clean and spacious!

The owners did everything that was possibly to please us! Very nice place!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Randy V.

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

Secluded

Very nice place
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Scott H.

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

Great place to stay

Cabin was real clean and stocked with everything you could possibly need. Very comfortable beds and furniture. Plenty of room to relax and hang out. George and Dianne are great host.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brandon S.

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

Hospitality

What great place to stay. The neighbors to the South are the best you could ask for! Had a wonderful stay! Thanks for everything!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kenya T.

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

Peace of heaven

We will definitely stay here again. Beautiful and well maintained. We enjoyed the quiet, yards games, and nature
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023