Entire home

The Historic Ola Babcock Miller Retreat

Photo gallery for The Historic Ola Babcock Miller Retreat

Exterior
Terrace/patio
4 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Smart TV, ping pong
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Reviews
10

Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 12158 sq m

Popular amenities

  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer
  • Air conditioningAir conditioningAir conditioning

Check out the area

Map
Washington, IA
  • Popular LocationCentral Park4 min walk
  • Popular LocationSunset Park9 min walk
  • Popular LocationConger House Museum15 min walk
  • AirportCedar Rapids, IA (CID-Eastern Iowa)54 min drive

Most relevant reviews

About this property

Entire place

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

The Historic Ola Babcock Miller Retreat

Old house lovers buckle up! This historic remodel is brimming with charm, craftsmanship, and character. Built to entertain couples, friends, family, or groups seeking a retreat, this house will keep your crew cozy, curious, and inspired. Enjoy cocktails in the parlor, or bring the group together for a movie in the living room. Host a ping-pong tourney or keep things quiet with a book on the upstairs sleeping porch. Take your morning coffee on the quaint breakfast porch or front porch. This home has four upstairs bedrooms. The primary has a king bed and en-suite. Two bedrooms have a queen bed and the fourth bedroom has two full sized beds. On the main level, guests are free to add a supplied air mattress in the living room (made private with pocket doors). You’ll enjoy white linen sheets and duvets on all beds. Once home to IA's first female secretary of state, Ola Babcock Miller, this house tells a unique story. The original family boasted numerous notable accomplishments. One ran for governor. Another had the state library named after them, and another was named one of America's 100 most influential people after founding Gallup Polling, still in business today. After spending a year renovating the home, we aimed to keep its unique history alive. We picked historical colors: sophisticated greens and Midwest whites. We kept unique, antique light fixtures and saved the original fireplace (decommissioned), pocket doors, floors, and woodwork. All that's to say we sprinkled modern touches all throughout. Whimsical wallpaper, fresh tile shower, and butcher block kitchen counters/stainless appliances were important to give guests an upscale, truly unique bnb stay. Like many old homes, this one has rooms on rooms on rooms. We imagined groups being able to split up and enjoy the home on their own while coming together at the end of the day. The butler's pantry, breakfast porch, sleeping porch, and parlor are unique rooms that allow guests to slip away for some privacy. We've called it the ultimate hide-and-seek house more than once. This home sits on a diverse street with some other neat old homes. Its proximity to downtown makes it ideal for guests who want to stay in a quiet location. Pop downtown during the day and enjoy Washington’s cafes and unique shopping options. Also check out Washington's Guinness World Record-Winning movie theater. On S Marion you’ll likely see families out on walks with kids and enjoy additional privacy with front porch screens and privacy lattice on the south-facing deck.

Property manager

Clay Whisler

Languages

English

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • On-site parking

Kitchen

  • Fridge
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Paper towels
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room
  • Dining room

Entertainment

  • Smart TV with cable/satellite service
  • Ping pong table
  • Games room

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Barbecue
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near a laundromat

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • 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.
  • 6 steps to reach entrance
  • Area rugs in public areas
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a hospital
  • In a village

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room on site
  • Table tennis on site
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • At least 80% of lighting from LEDs
  • Recycling
  • Reusable coffee/tea filters
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products provided
  • Water-efficient showers only
  • Unit size: 1700 sq ft (158 sq m)

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 - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

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
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
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
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

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Washington

This holiday home is located in Washington. Kalona Historical Village is a local landmark, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Lake Darling State Park and Central Park. Kayaking and fishing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hunting and hiking nearby.

What's nearby

  • Central Park - 4 min walk
  • Sunset Park - 9 min walk
  • Conger House Museum - 15 min walk
  • Riverside Casino and Golf Resort - 27 min drive
  • University of Iowa - 38 min drive

Getting around

  • Cedar Rapids, IA (CID-Eastern Iowa) - 54 min drive

Restaurants

  • Wagon Wheel Bar and Grill - 20 min walk
  • Casey's General Store - 2 min drive
  • Casey's General Store - 14 min walk
  • Mi Pueblo Real - 16 min walk
  • McDonald's - 3 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is The Historic Ola Babcock Miller Retreat pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Historic Ola Babcock Miller Retreat?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Historic Ola Babcock Miller Retreat?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Historic Ola Babcock Miller Retreat located?

Situated in Washington, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Central Park and Sunset Park. Conger House Museum is 0.8 mi (1.2 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 10 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 10 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 10 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 10 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 10 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Liz M., Hiawatha, Iowa

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect for Our 20-year Friendship Celebration
What a history lesson and celebration! We stayed at the Ola Babcock Miller house to celebrate 20 years of friendship. The house was perfect for our get-together. It is impeccably designed and the amenities were five-star. We also had dinner at Cafe Dodici and was "wowed" by the menu and wine list...very authentic. We made a pact to go back every year.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Meg C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful house and great location!
This house was absolutely gorgeous, clean and spacious for our girl’s weekend!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sara D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family gathering
The home and host were welcoming in every way. Our family enjoyed a long weekend of fun and relaxation. We are looking forward to a return visit to this beautiful and spacious house!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

jeff s., Grand Rapids, Mi

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice place
Great old farm house. Beautifully restored, great place to stay
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Johnny S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great house
Our stay was perfect. The house was all that was advertised. I give it a 5 star. The host was great I will definitely stay here again
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Dana A., Oregon-City

Liked: Cleanliness
Quick SE IA getaway
Great house, great decorating, overall great presentation
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lindee P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful historic house meets every need for Girl’s Getaway!
This rental is a gem. Beautiful house with rooms aplenty in quaint Iowa town. Everything from ping pong to comfy furniture, luxurious towels, amazingly restored woodwork and floors, easy check in, and front porch with rockers, and a backyard deck, sun room, and breakfast nook. You can’t go wrong in staying here! Highly recommend!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachel J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Get Together
This was a great house and location for me and my siblings to get together. Plenty of space for everyone.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tiffany S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cousin Getaway
We chose a central location for our cousin getaway and this quaint location did not disappoint!! Everything was so grand down to the bath towels and linens!! Thank you so much for providing us with a place filled with history and style!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gretchen C., Midland, TX

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful!
So nicely redone. This house for our needs perfectly. The point pong table was a big hit. There was enough space for everyone and everything was clean and serviceable. We also loved that there were so many close coffee shops! I think we tried 3. We enjoyed reading all the historical info throughout the house. What a nice touch. Overall, we had a great stay and if we return to Washington, we would stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023