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The Historic Ola Babcock Miller Retreat with Hot Tub

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your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for The Historic Ola Babcock Miller Retreat with Hot Tub

Outdoor dining
Exterior
Interior
Interior
4 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 12158 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Washington, IA
  • Central Park
    4 min walk
  • Sunset Park
    9 min walk
  • Conger House Museum
    15 min walk
  • Iowa City, IA (IOW)
    37 min drive

Room options

Similar properties

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 with Hot Tub

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.
During your stay at this vacation home, you're just a quick walk from Central Park. Enjoy features like a spa tub and an arcade/game room. Enjoy your stay with amenities like free WiFi and a kitchen in the vacation home.
  • Air-conditioned home with kitchen, washing machine, and 2.5 bathrooms
  • Free WiFi (speed: 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices))
  • Amenities include a car charging station
  • Just a 4-minute walk from Central Park and 9 minutes by foot from Sunset Park
As a guest of this vacation home, you'll find a spa tub, barbecue grills, and an arcade/game room. The front desk is open around the clock.

Property manager

Clay Whisler

Languages

English

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • A hot tub

Internet

  • Free Wi-Fi, with a speed of 100+ Mbps (good for 1–2 people or up to 6 devices)

Parking and transport

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

Kitchen

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

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathrooms

  • 2.5 bathrooms
  • Bath or shower
  • Towels provided
  • Toilet paper
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Hairdryer

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 any requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Area rugs in public areas
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • No lifts
  • 6 steps to reach property
  • 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

  • Fitness facilities nearby
  • Golf nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Hiking nearby
  • Basketball nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

Safety features

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

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)

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

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

Special check-in instructions

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

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated 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
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account which will enable you to manage your booking.

The Historic Ola Babcock Miller Retreat with Hot Tub Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 14 out of 14 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 14 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 14 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 14 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 14 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Deanna I.

Liked: Cleanliness
Girls weekend
Great weekend with friends in a gorgeous Victorian house. Beautifully appointed and the beds and bedding were so fluffy and comfy! The neighborhood is quiet, the hot tub was relaxing and there’s ample driveway and some street parking. Would highly recommend and would go back.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cindy B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Burke Family
Beautiful house, beautiful decor, and very welcoming and comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful, clean, quiet stay
A group of girlfriends and I stayed for two nights and had a wonderful time! Everything was wonderful except I will say the beds were a bit hard. I think a mattress topper on each bed would make it perfect! The owners were excellent at communicating and we will stay again if the beds are made softer!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

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