Entire home

Quiet Cottage in the Valley with Outdoor Sauna

Holiday home in Winona with kitchen and fireplace

Photo gallery for Quiet Cottage in the Valley with Outdoor Sauna

Interior
Private kitchen
Property grounds
Dining
Room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Fireplace
  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View map
  • Place, St. Mary's University of Minnesota
  • Place, Minnesota Marine Art Museum
  • Place, Winona State University
  • Airport, La Crosse, WI (LSE-La Crosse Municipal)

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Kitchen
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Quiet Cottage in the Valley with Outdoor Sauna

Nestled in the bluffs of Winona, Minnesota, The Driftless Retreat is a cottage in the valley just one mile from Saint Mary's University and a 10 minute drive to downtown Winona and the Mississippi River.

The cottage features a private front and back entrance, large backyard, and woodburning fireplace.

Our hope is that The Driftless Retreat is just that, a retreat away from the every day. We believe that every detail matters and take pride in making your time here relaxing and enjoyable.
The space
The Driftless Retreat is located along Gilmore Valley Road. There is a steep shared driveway and the cottage is first home on the left. The space includes two bedrooms with a king and queen bed. There's also a pull out bed in the sofa in the living room. The kitchen has stainless steel appliances and a coffee and tea bar along with typical cooking items. The bathroom has a rain shower and hand held shower head. We supply all natural Public Goods shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and hand soap. There is a medicine cabinet and storage closet in the bathroom where you will find towels for each guest. A washer and dryer is available for guest use at no cost. There are two televisions on the property in the living room and master bedroom with access to Netflix. Finally, there's a beautiful wood burning fire place in the living room for small fires on cold evenings.
Guest access
We will send you a code before check-in that will get you in the front and back door.
Other things to note
Be careful as you leave the driveway as it is steep.

This property uses a surveillance device (smart doorbell) and is only used for security purposes.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:30 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

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 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 deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Winona

Winona is home to this holiday home. Westfield Golf Club and Winona Indoor Tennis Center are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Mississippi River and Aghaming Park And Preserve.
Map
Winona, MN

What's nearby

  • St. Mary's University of Minnesota - 1 min drive - 1.4 km
  • Lake Park - 6 min drive - 6.0 km
  • Minnesota Marine Art Museum - 7 min drive - 6.4 km
  • Winona State University - 8 min drive - 6.8 km
  • Sugar Loaf - 11 min drive - 11.4 km

Getting around

  • Winona Station - 8 min drive
  • La Crosse, WI (LSE-La Crosse Municipal) - 35 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Zesto West - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Culver's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Caribou Coffee - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Quiet Cottage in the Valley with Outdoor Sauna pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Quiet Cottage in the Valley with Outdoor Sauna?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Quiet Cottage in the Valley with Outdoor Sauna?

Checkout is at 10:30 AM.

Where is Quiet Cottage in the Valley with Outdoor Sauna located?

Situated in Winona, this holiday home is 0.8 mi (1.4 km) from St. Mary's University of Minnesota and within 3 miles (5 km) of Fitzgerald Library and Remlinger Muscle Cars. Cotter Fields and Memorial Park are also within 3 miles (5 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. 35 out of 35 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 35 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 35 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Mike S.

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

A cozy retreat

We enjoyed the peaceful setting of the home and the easy access to so many activities in Winona and surroundingarea. Biking, hiking, river-watching and tasty dining experiences all added up to a wonderful stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Beth M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We really enjoyed our stay at the Driftless Retreat. Our first visit to Winona and attending the Great River Shakespeare Festival. We had a wonderful time and hope to return. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Scott N.

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

Quiet - Clean - Convenient

This place is as advertised. Enjoyed our stay in Winona!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sheri T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What an amazing place to stay my daughter and I brought my grandson to move into Winona University. Everything was clean and very comfortable. Communication with the owner was excellent as we will be going to many football games over the next four years. We definitely will be looking to re-rent this beautiful retreat.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Colleen H.

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

Perfect

We had a great stay. The home was clean and welcoming.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Austin H.

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

Weekend stay at cottage

Beautiful small house in a quiet countryside just as advertised! Loved the sauna and the option to be as close or as far from Winona as you wanted.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mike M.

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

Clean, nice, quiet spot

It was well maintained, the host had great communication, and modern facilities. Light on cookware, but otherwise just what we needed as a base for our time in Winona.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shelli W.

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

Nice vibe!

Fresh eggs, fresh flowers, non toxic products, excellent pillows and easy To Do list upon leaving.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

ANN J.

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

Judging at Minnesota Equestrian Center

Convenient, Clean, Quiet
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Suanne R.

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

R & R at its best

Heather was kind, responsive and she genuinely wanted us to enjoy our stay. A wonderful host! The house and its amenities were exactly what the photos and listing outlined. We enjoyed the quiet, simple home while having quality family time. We would highly recommend this home for a few days filled with rest + relaxation.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mike

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Great.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melanie W.

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

Idyllic retreat cottage

The cottage was clean, serene and charming, well stocked with lots of natural light and great view from living room. The beds were VERY comfortable as was the rest of the furniture. It was quiet and peaceful, just a short drive to great restaurants (Nosh) and hikes. One recommendation is to move the microwave from cabinet to a shelf near sink or by kitchen window. We look forward to our next visit.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Gretchen O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Excellent stay for visiting family and exploring Winona. The vast fall view from Garvin Heights was exceptional. This was my second stay and I am sure I will be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karisa N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very clean and comfortable house. We enjoyed a relaxing weekend and the host was very responsive. Would recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michele T.

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

Cozy and quiet

Great retreat ! Perfect for a family with older kids that need a little space. Kitchen with basics , Wi fi for kiddos , close to Winona for fun but quiet at night to rest with comfy beds. We would definitely stay here again :) … love the Driftless Retreat
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kerry S.

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

Wonderful, cozy place

My son and I stayed here three nights so that we could attend his orientation at Saint Mary's University. We learned a lot about the area on foot, and coming back to this cottage at the end of the day was always a great relief! Very relaxing; it fit our needs perfectly.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Todd H.

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

Nice time

The biking and hiking get-away that we needed to make it through the end of the school year. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristi M.

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

Winona stay

Home was clean and acurate to the posting. It was nice to come and go while seeing our kid at St Marys. We enjoyed downtown and things nearby.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ashley K.

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

Perfect girls getaway

We loved out stay at The Driftless Retreat. The home was beautiful and cozy. All the little touches really made it extra special. We enjoyed the sauna even during frigid weather of well below zero. Heather and Shawn were very responsive to any questions we had. The king size bed is super comfortable!! Perfect vibe for our creative girls weekend. We will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristine J.

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

Thanksgiving getaway

This was the perfect location to St Mary’s University where my daughter goes to school! The home was clean and the host was very communicative! Perfect place to have a family Thanksgiving! Love love love! Would rent again! Thank you!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nkauseng M.

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

Lovely Weekend Getaway

We loved the place and location of this very comfortable home. It was the perfect size the a small mama getaway for our group of 4. It was far enough away from the city for that quiet aspect and close enough to be able to explore the city.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

L B.

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

A good option

I am a fan of this part of Winona. Gilmore Valley is quiet, but still convenient to town. The house is a clean and soothing space. .This was a good value for price. We didnt try the sauna, but it looked nice and it is lovely to have the option for a firepit. There is no coffee table in the livingroom which looked nice, but was functionally odd. Also, the shower has a very low lip with a curtain, which means water can easily leak out onto the floor. Otherwise no complaints. I would be happy to stay again
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Renee T.

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

Sisters Weekend

Wonderful stay!! Check in and check out was very easy and simple. Sauna was a great perk(:
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sean C.

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

Place to unwind

Quiet and tucked away, but close to many nice attractions and restaurants. It was an excellent place to disappear to
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Eileen F.

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

Lowly house : very quiet

Perfect setting outside of Winona proper. Very clean; beds were super comfortable. We will be back
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

About the host

Hosted by Heather Beier

Host profile image

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests