Nature-Lover’s Retreat - 18 min to MSP and MOA

Summary:
Nestled on 2 wooded acres, this 3 level architectural gem offers unmatched tranquility and privacy. Take in views from the cozy sun-room, huge screened porch, or backyard patio, where you’ll likely to spot families of deer making their way through the forest. The property is totally immersed in nature and somehow it’s still in the heart of the metro. Only 15 minutes to downtown St. Paul and 7 minutes to Woodbury shopping, this home is close to everything…but it’s just so cozy that you may not want to leave.

Important Note: Before booking this beautiful home retreat, please ensure you have read our simple and straightforward “House Rules” on this page and throughout the listing, most important being the 10pm quiet hours.

The home sleeps 8 guests, with 3 queen beds in 3 bedrooms and 1 pull-out queen sofa bed in a spare bedroom attached to the laundry room. I unfortunately cannot allow extra day guests as this is the rule of the city of Newport. Besides, this is not a party house or a place to get rowdy…it’s a home designed for family and friends to reconnect and enjoy each other’s company in a cozy, relaxed natural setting. Just listed for the first time in March of this year, this is your opportunity to be one of the first to enjoy a truly unique experience. Your secluded retreat in the woods awaits…

Street parking is NOT allowed. The garage holds 2 cars and the driveway holds 2 cars, so 4 cars total. Please always park first 2 cars inside the garage, because tree branches do sometimes fall on driveway so this would be a great preventative measure. The driveway is long, curvy, gravel and has sloped edges, so please do not try to back down the driveway to avoid any issues.

The Space:

The home has everything you need, including a kitchen stocked with pots/pans, olive oil, salt/pepper, cooking utensils and cutlery/bowls/plates/glasses for 16.

Crockpot, blender, toaster, rice cooker, baking sheets, muffin pans, lighter, drip coffee maker, french press and coffee (Folgers. Rand or similar) are also available.

Board games and cribbage boards are here.

All beds are freshly made with backup linens, fresh towels and washcloths located in each bedroom closet or the linen closets. Feel free to make use of the laundry machines during your stay, as detergent and dryer sheets are provided.

Gas grill, grilling tools, and propane provided along with unlimited logs for the indoor fireplace and outdoor firepit.

Blazing fast internet through Comcast and a mesh router system. The Sonos system connects to the Wifi providing high-quality music quality throughout the house.

There are 2 indoor fireplaces for your use with unlimited kiln dried firewood, but please be sure to read the House Manual at the home with instructions of how to use.


Guest Access:

Check-in: 3pm
Check-out: 10am

You are renting the entire property. After you reserve the property, you will be provided the location of the house. There are keypads with a code for entry (provided the morning of your check-in). I can offer early check-in or late check-out for $75/hour, but please schedule this in advance so we can plan accordingly.

Please note that there are 3 exterior Nest cameras at each entrance facing the outside and NOT inside the house in any way. Inviting more people to the house that are not listed may result in immediate cancellation of the booking without refund.


HOUSE RULES:

(1) QUIET HOURS: Quiet Hours begin at 10pm in accordance with the St. Paul Noise Ordinance. From 10pm to 7AM - no outdoor socializing. My neighbors are VERY IMPORTANT to me and I have a zero tolerance policy on this rule. All outdoor socializing, must conclude by 10pm. No exceptions to this rule. A noise-monitoring system is present at the house.

As neighbors are close by and expect to enjoy their home in peace and quiet, if your group becomes so loud or disruptive that the neighbors feel that they need to call me or the police about it during or after your stay, there will be a damage claim of up to $1,000 to be deducted from your security deposit. Additionally, your group may be asked to leave at whatever time this occurs and there would be no refund of what you have paid to complete your stay. As you expect peace and quiet at your home when you are there, please extend the same courtesy to my neighbors so that I can continue to offer this great home to others such as yourselves.

(2) NO SMOKING in the house and NO SMOKING in screened in porch (smoking on the back patio is allowed). If I find evidence of this, a $1000 fee will be taken from your security deposit.

(3) GUEST LIST must be provided 2 weeks before your stay and must match your actual guests. Send first and last names in the message thread. A guest is anyone who will be on the property at any time during your stay, even if they are just stopping by. Each person is considered a guest for fee calculation purposes. Thanks for understanding. Please understand an open guest list party is NOT ALLOWED may result in immediate cancellation of your reservation and any guests over the amount listed when booking will be charged at $50/guest/night through your security deposit.

There is a limit of 8 guests on the property at any given time (a guest is any person on the property even if not staying overnight and just stopping by for a short time). For your reservation, the reservation fee includes 4 guests and each additional person, even if just stopping by and not staying overnight, is an additional charge which is calculated when you finalize your reservation. The additional charge is $50 per guest / per day. Thank you for your understanding.

SECURITY DEPOSIT
To ensure a comfortable stay for all guests and maintain harmonious relations with our neighbors, I kindly request a $1,000 security deposit. This deposit serves to uphold the 3 essential house rules, ensuring a smooth and pleasant experience for everyone involved.
If I find any evidence that smoking took place in the house, the fee is $1,000. Additionally, if you have extra guests that were not included in your reservation, you will be charged for each guest accordingly. Lastly, if I learn of these or other situations during your stay, your reservation is subject to immediate cancellation with no refund.

The security deposit will be held from your account 5 days before your stay as a pending charge. Rest assured, it will be released within 48 hours following your check-out, provided that the house rules are observed. I have yet to keep someone’s deposit as I have found guests to be more than respectful of my neighbors but due to past experiences, this is a necessary step in the process of maintaining positive neighborly relationships and I greatly appreciate your understanding.

While I prefer not to impose such measures, past experiences have highlighted the importance of these steps in maintaining the quality of our accommodations and fostering goodwill with our neighbors. Your cooperation and understanding are greatly appreciated.

INTERACTION WITH GUESTS
There is a keypad on the main door for entry. You will be given the code the morning of check-in. You will have the entire place to yourself. If you need something, just message through the app and I'm usually only 15 minutes away and can help with anything you need.