Exterior

Reviews of Lake MacBride Cabin & State Park! Near Amana Colonies, Iowa City & Cedar Rapids


Reviews

9.4

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 159 out of 214 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 46 out of 214 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 8 out of 214 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 214 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 214 reviews" "

9.0/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Cam and Julia A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Neat cabin in the woods
Our family really enjoyed this fun cabin in the woods! Plenty of room for all of us and lots to do on the property. It worked perfect for our extended weekend trip!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jamie G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful Getaway
My family had a different reason for seeking peace on our trip to the area. We were in town for a family funeral, and this little piece of heaven was exactly what we needed. The cabin was very welcoming, had what we needed, and had the peace that was very welcomed during this difficult time. We were close to events and family in Solon, but had a quiet, peaceful place to let down. The lake was a short walk from the property, with a convenient trail for walking, running, and enjoying nature.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay at the cabin.
We had a great time in Iowa. Staying at this cabin was a joy. We are thankful the owners took our last minute reservation. We can’t imagine staying anywhere else. This is a beautiful property filled with wildlife and scenic views. This cabin was very comfortable for sleeping and hanging out. It had everything that we needed. Even thought it was just my husband and I visiting this time, this cabin is the perfect spot for a larger family or group. There is tons of space. We highly recommend staying here. We hope to get back here again soon!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bob C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay!
Would highly recommend this cabin for a stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Wonderful Stay
It was perfect for us. It gave us room for the little ones to play and the adults to sit around and talk.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Renata M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great cabin
Had everything we needed for a quiet girls weekend.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

C K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect location!
Just a lovely cabin in a beautiful setting. Check-in was so smooth. We had a great experience!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

8/10 Good

Callie B.

Family celebration in December
We stayed in the month of December to celebrate my wife's upcoming 60th birthday with the family. The house is approx. 30 minutes from the Amana Colonies which is a must during the Christmas season. Because it was December and cold, we did not get to participate in many of the lake activities. However, we did enjoy going on a walk in the State Park and enjoyed playing games at the house by the fireplace.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2023

6/10 Okay

Suzanne C.

Disliked: Cleanliness
Lake house w/o lake access
It was wonderful to be close to Lake Macbride State Park. My husband and I took many wonderful long walks there. What didn't happen was walking to the lake via the trail by the house. At one point the trail disappears as you walk down. Please make this accessible for future guests! The other aspect of staying there was that the fridge was partially full which triggers my "ick" response and makes me feel more like a squatter than a guest. Beds were made as if in a hurry and everything seemed care worn which is fine at my house, but not at a guest house. At one point I was outside sweeping off the patio and wiping down the outdoor furniture and I'm thinking..."Why am I doing this?" Also, there were no bikes to be found. If the hosts would have checked in with us while we were there, I would have relayed all of this verbally. I hope this makes a difference for future guests.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Oct 2023
I'm SO sorry you struggled with your stay! I have a neighbor that keeps up the trail but he must have forgotten even though I had asked him to check it. The weeds are so tall at this time of year! Some people are grateful for the fridge condiments, others prefer to buy new ones. Sometimes we end up with too many at once! The bikes are in the giant shed but you didn't ask. I'm sorry it's hard to keep a deck swept & clean in the fall when you are surrounded by trees. I definitely would like to buy some new furniture but we're still recovering from the $20,000 new woodstoves & chimney repair after the Derecho storms caused so much damage. Hopefully soon! I got kitchen remodeling estimates so maybe next year? I'm an extremely responsive owner who has been doing this for over a decade. I respond, & most definitely when people reach out.

10/10 Excellent

William P., UNION HALL

Liked: Cleanliness
Family get together
It was a perfect location for getting together with some parts of the family staying in RVs at the state park and some staying in the house. Some folks walked between the RV park and the house.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

8/10 Good

Eugene G., Van Meter

Liked: Cleanliness
Not as I recalled
It is a beautiful property in a great location. We had many people that did not stay there for various reasons, but paid for the full stay. The beds were comfortable and the kitchen was good. The wiring was subpar by using extension cord wire which should only be for temporary use, but it was probably okay. No fire! The basement utility room had trash that people had left behind as well as the condiments in the refrigerator. Perhaps things should just be tossed. The deck was very enjoyable. I guess that our group was too old for all the stairs. I had looked at the place for an earlier reunion and chose a place in McGregor mostly because it was too far for people to visit rather than stay on the property, but it was a better choice. Fred Graves
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 22 Aug 2023
I've had the electrical examined and everything is up to code. I've even had the electrical box rewired. I use some extension cords so it is easier for people to plug in their chargers. It is a cabin, originally an 1800's church, from Boston. It was made into an A frame home. I try to keep as much of the original as possible. I have no idea why there were garbage bags in the basement utility room. That is strange and unusual. Sorry about that.

8/10 Good

brian e.

Liked: Cleanliness
Not impressed
We felt the pictures were a little misleading, as it appeared to have a lot more room than there actually was. While we enjoyed our stay, we were disappointed in the amount of space for congregating. There was sleeping space for all of us but the mattresses were hard as a rock. There was not enough room for us to all sit and eat together unless we sat on the deck. There wasn’t enough space for us all to sit and watch a movie together either. We did enjoy the deck; it was very nice and had sufficient space. The house was well stocked from kitchen items to towels and bedding and even a few condiments.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Aug 2023
I'm sorry you felt that way! It is a 3 bed/3 bath cabin. I'm not sure how many people were in your party but the layout works great for some groups.

6/10 Okay

Patricia E., Champaign

Mixed review
This property is in a good location with easy access to Coralville, Solon, and Cedar Rapids. The lot is large & has a spacious lawn. The fairly new deck is very nice. It is a pretty, somewhat secluded location. Access to the lake is via a trail that leads to the water's edge. Not much beach there, though. Upon arrival, we found the house had not been cleaned. The owner was very responsive to our concerns, buying us dinner & giving other discounts and refunds without hesitation. Much appreciated. Interesting place, but the house needs refreshing. A pet peeve of ours in vacation rentals is that the furnishings are often the owners' used & discarded items & that seemed the case here. Kitchen items were not in great shape. Pots and pans were sticky, rusty, & worn out. There were no dishtowels and dishcloths were stained, pot holders sticky & worn. There was a shortage of coffee mugs & glassware. There was also old food still in the fridge. In our experience, it is common to find condiments & other unused food items left for the next person. We never use these & would have much preferred an empty clean fridge for our use. The couches and futons seemed worn & were uncomfortable. Some dining chairs and barstools were worn & wobbly. Seating for meals indoors would accomodate 8 people. Wiring was concerning with many extension cords & nonfunctional outlets & switches. Renters should be aware that the stairs are narrow & tricky for some to navigate.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 17 Aug 2023
I'm so sorry your experience wasn't as wonderful as other people have experienced. The cabin was an 1800's church in Boston that was reassembled as an A-frame home. I try to keep as much of the unique features as possible. As far as the outlets go, I explained in the Welcome Booklet that most of them are activated by the light switch, so they actually do all work. I added extension cords so it is easier to plug in chargers, etc. I used to have new futon frames but they aren't built like the old ones and they broke! So while the futon mattresses are new, I replaced the frames with solid-built old ones. I don't have rusty pots and pans but people leave stuff behind in our cabinets without us realizing it. Also, like I advertised, the best beach is a minute away at the State Park! My trail is great for kayak launching or fishing.

8/10 Good

Kelli H.

Needs some TLC
I stayed here for four nights with friends. The location between the two lakes is fantastic and their are beautifully maintained trails all around. The house itself is fun and unique, but it needs a little updating. The house felt a little dirty (cobwebs on the fixtures and floors that made your socks dirty) and all of the furniture needs to be updated. The beds were all pretty old. They were very noisy to move around on. The sheets and comforters all seemed a little worn as well. The path to the lake wasn’t what I expected. It seemed more like following a deer trail, we had to go single file and push through branches and waist high grasses. Overall, with some updating, deep cleaning, and a bit of extra landscaping, this could be quite a retreat.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Sept 2023
We are always working on something! We spent almost $20,000 last year on new wood stoves and chimney repair because the Derecho storm damage ruined the piping on our older wood stoves. That set us back, but we are always making improvements. The trail gets maintained but it is weather dependent.

10/10 Excellent

Pete C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Our stay
We loved the accommodations! The only issue was we thought the walking path would take us to Lake McBride, not the Coralville Reservoir. Not a biggie, as we had a trailer for our kayaks & we just drove to McBride.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

8/10 Good

Roger H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lake McBride Cabin
Although the cabin is not on the lake, it is very convenient to get there, so that was OK. AC and frig are working very well, as we actually had to turn the frig lower, it was too cold. The only thing we were disappointed with was some type of odor in the sunroom so the daughter and son-in-law could not sleep there. They slept on the futons in the next room. Otherwise, plenty of room and things to do.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Jul 2023
I wish I had known so the issue could have been addressed. So strange!

8/10 Good

Jill C.

Lovely cabin
Home was very lovely and you have a trail leading you to private beach on lake. Only negative was the people the owners hired to care for home and grounds are lazy. Underneath though, it is a lovely home with nooks and crannies kids loved to explore.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chuck H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Property and Location
The house was clean and well maintained. Lots of room for outdoor activities. The beach access with kayaks was an awesome part of our stay. Would stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mary Ann A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place to stay for a long weekend while attending a family wedding
Great location with access to hiking trails, beach, lake view. Close to a cute town with restaurants and shops, as well as an easy drive to the University of Iowa campus
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sandee T., Prole, USA

Liked: Cleanliness
Weekend get-a-way
Our stay at the house was for 5 longtime friends over a long weekend, and we absolutely loved our stay. The host was very responsive and helpful with any questions. We had plenty of sleeping options. The lake was just a walk down the backyard hill from the house. There was a really beautiful State park less than .5 miles away where we hiked for miles in the woods. The town of Solon has many eating options that were also wonderful. We hope to come back sometime in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

8/10 Good

Kelly G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute and conveniently
This is a very nice property in a wonderful location with a beautiful view of the lake. A few things that surprised me, however, were 1) it’s about 15 miles from Iowa City so a fair distance, 2) one of the bathrooms doesn’t have a shower, only a bath. 3) the place comfortably sleeps about 7 adults, not 14. There was one “room” that was a converted patio. It was too cold to use in March. There are couches in the living room and on the upstairs landing that accommodate smaller people, but not full-sized adults. In the summer, I wouldn’t try to fit more than about ten adults. Otherwise, the location is gorgeous.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 14 Apr 2023
Thank you for enjoying your stay! 15 miles is a lot when you are in a metropolitan area, but as Iowans, we know 15 miles in the country, is 15 minutes away! Distance always feels longer when you are driving in unfamiliar territory. It's amazing to be sandwiched between both Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and the Amana Colonies while enjoying the beauty of Lake Macbride State Park. I'm sorry you didn't realize one of the bathrooms has a claw foot soaking tub and not a shower. I have all of the descriptions on my website so people know ahead of time. I also made sure to have a hand held shower head in the claw foot tub so rinsing hair is easier. I agree it is not a good fit for 14 adults! I have comprehensive descriptions explaining it is a 3 bedroom home with additional sleeping spaces, such as futons. As far as the 3rd bedroom being too cold in March? It has its own heating/cooling unit on the wall with a note explaining to turn it off when you check out. We've used it in below zero weather and it gets really hot in there. I'm sorry we don't keep the heat running in there when the place is empty. It can be empty for a couple of weeks at a time in the off season. I can control the rest of the house heat remotely, but that room has its own heating and cooling system, just like a hotel room. I'm so sorry about the confusion! I'm always happy to help out via email if you have any questions during your stay. I'm so glad you had a good time and you love the location! I hope you are able to come back soon.

10/10 Excellent

Shari A.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Wonderful Place for a Getaway
This cabin was a fun weekend getaway, close to McBride hiking trails and has its own water front access for kayaking. It was really quiet and secluded. We will stay there again!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lucas D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Place
We loved the space, beautiful location and great for a get together with family and friends, highly recommend and the host was fabulous with communication!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kristin B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great cabin
My friends and I rented this cabin over MLK weekend. We had planned to do this last year but had to cancel due to covid. The owner was super helpful in getting us rescheduled and finally this year we got together! The cabin is great with plenty of room for even a bunch of adults. I’ve rented this place several times and will continue to do so.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lee G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice place
Nice place
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2022

8/10 Good

Mary Ann M., Cherokee, IA

Rustic Retreat
This great little lake house, situated on Lake McBride was perfect for our family. Though, very rustic, we were able to enjoy cooking, game playing and hanging out. The weather was inclement, so weren't able to enjoy the outdoors (though looked amazing) Our 3-year grandchild was alright, but not suitable for younger children....steep stairs with large gaps.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Nov 2022
I have permanent baby gates for small children installed. I encourage all guests with small children to use them.

8/10 Good

Bobbi K.

Liked: Cleanliness
It was a good experience, very spacious home, nice accommodations and loved that our dogs we welcome
It was a good experience and love that my dogs were able to stay there also. Nice location. Very spacious and had all accommodations we needed.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Good location with room for the whole family
We have stayed here before and really enjoy the space and the location.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Regina B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Getaway
Had a great time having us all together. We’d planned on most everybody coming, but as it happens , some got sick and didn’t get to join us 🙁. But the rest of us enjoyed it. The teen boys had fun going down to the beach and we even managed to get my 91 year old mom down to the fire pit one night! If there was a downside, the location of the beds were different than I envisioned for our groupings, and a lot of stairs. Very nice to have a bathroom on each of the three levels! Overall a lovely experience!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

deborah t.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cabin in the woods
Quiet, woodsy lot complete with eclectic cabin great for quality family time.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

8/10 Good

Elizabeth M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Female friends (mid 60 year olds) visit each other every 2 years
We enjoyed our 4 day stay. However, the staircase in the center of the cabin and steps required to enter/exit any of the 3 levels made it challenging for some of the women in our group. The futons were mostly comfortable for our group. Generally friends do not share beds or futons, thus the 8 of us needed ALL of the sleeping accommodations provided.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Erin G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Quick weekend getaway
Cozy, eclectic, cabin style home with beautiful view! Lots of wildlife - birds, frogs & deer. Great location for the McBride Preserve.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2022

10/10 Excellent

Laura M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely cabin on a lake
Cozy, comfortable, plenty of space for a large group and gathering of family. Great location, hiking trails were lovely, even in frozen February. Awesome host, well stocked kitchen, cozy fireplace, lots of nooks for privacy if needed. Would love to visit for the summer sometime.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Marilyn S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lake MacBride Area Cabin
Great setting for Spring / Summer / Fall seasons; roomy enough for a family’s “stay-in” gathering in Winter season, too.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2022

8/10 Good

J J.

Liked: Cleanliness
59th. wedding anniversary getaway.
It did not meet our expectations after having seen the photos and read the descriptions. However, it was adequate.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 10 Feb 2022
I wish I knew what wasn't good enough for you. Sorry it didn't meet your expectations.

10/10 Excellent

Susanne P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Christmas
We stayed here over the Christmas weekend: my husband and me, our adult children, grandchildren and 2 granddogs. It is very close to McBride State Park: we were able to walk to the park's many trails from the rental. There are 3 bathrooms, 3 formal bedrooms and plentiful futons for sleeping. We ate all of our meals at the rental as it was very well equipped for cooking. The furnace kept us plenty warm so we never needed to use the woodstoves. There was some good birdwatching from the back deck. The indoor stairs are a bit narrow which may turnoff some guests with mobility challenges, but one can also enter the main level of the house from the back deck. It was wonderful spot for our crowd and I highly recommend the property for family get togethers.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Teresa L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Getaway
Very nice home. We had a great time and a great view!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021

10/10 Excellent

Andrea P.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay on Lake MacBride
We loved staying at the cabin next to Lake MacBride state park. Solon is just down the road. The location is quiet and beautiful. The home is warm and large enough for us to all be together and still spread out. The kids could watch movies and do puzzles. The kitchen had everything we needed. Thank you
Stayed 6 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Steph L.

Liked: Cleanliness
It was lovely!!
This was a perfect, cozy house for this retreat! I will be back !
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2021

10/10 Excellent

Amber H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Cozy getaway
We had a great time, with a great view of the lake. The weather was gloomy but it was perfect to play games inside and play games inside. We would definitely stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Robert H., Houston, TX

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Getaway
This hideaway was great for a relaxing time with family and friends. We enjoyed the huge deck and forest, including the state park. Close to Solon with good restaurants and brewery. We plan to visit again when we have our annual family reunion. Go Hawks.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

David S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Awesome cabin in the woods
We had a great getaway that was close enough that I was able to go into work a couple times and my wife and daughter were able to stay and relax in the cabin. We took our kayaks on Lake MacBride every day and the last night I took Lisa's kayak out on Coralville Reservoir. The lake was calm with no boats and not a single person in sight the whole paddle. I went to the State Park boat ramp and the fall colors were the best I have seen on Coralville in our decades of living in the area. We also enjoyed the hiking and biking trails. We rode into Solon a couple times on the crushed lime trail. Being fall weekdays we felt like we had the lakes and trails to ourselves. The kitchen and firepit were nice as well. We hope to stay again in the future.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

R.A. D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Girls’ trip
This place was right next to the most dreamy trails at the state park & it was so nice being able to walk right over! Downtown Solon was only 8ish minutes away & we loved the interior design store & the local restaurant on the end had such delicious food! Coralville with the big mall & lots of restaurants was about half an hour, but the route there is scenic with beautiful houses & wasn’t bad at all. The place was so nice with 3 different floors that worked great for my 2 sisters & I & our 5 oldest girls that we brought to celebrate my oldest’s 13th birthday. It felt like a treehouse or pirate ship without the tossing of waves! So fun! We especially loved the bathroom upstairs with the sky light! Our daughters loved swinging on the swing outside & in the little shed. There was great communication from the host & great explanations with pictures on the picture album! We would definitely consider staying again! Thank you so much!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

susy r.

Liked: Cleanliness
Highly recommended
Great location. Solon is a fun place with a great downtown area.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

8/10 Good

Jennifer J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place!
We enjoyed our stay here. Beautiful sunsets and lots of star-gazing around the fire! Unfortunately mother nature made it difficult to get to the shore line, but we will be back. We visited the Devonian fossil gorge which was fun with nice trails. We hope to be back soon.

8/10 Good

David B.

Liked: Cleanliness
It's a cabin!
Enjoyed our stay at the cabin, we had a great group and a lot of fun
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

8/10 Good

Jenny S., Des Moines, IA

Liked: Cleanliness
Weekend Stay
Property was pretty close to as advertised. We enjoyed the location, it is super close to the park entrance. It was well stocked and easy to access. My only complaint is the outdoor space was pretty overgrown. I am sure it more about time of year, it is fall and they are probably close to closing down. But, I spent a ton of time pulling burrs from the dogs and kids from weeds around deck. Also, the path to the lake and sand dunes was too overgrown to get through. All in all, nice place and would stay again if we could get to the lake.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Sept 2021
Jenny! I'm so sorry! I wish I had known about the trail while you were there. We fix issues as soon as possible. It has been the WORST year for weeds we've ever had. The last guests that told me about the trail (right after their stay), we sent a neighbor out right away to fix it. Apparently my 6 month weed spray didn't last 6 months! It looks like you stayed a couple of weeks ago. Now that we know about it, we're getting it fixed again. Next year, I'm looking for industrial strength weed spray!! Lol!

10/10 Excellent

Ruth N.

Liked: Cleanliness
We were a group of old friends from grade school now 70. We get together every year
Wonderful time. Beautiful views, nice walking trails in the state park nearby.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021

10/10 Excellent

zachary l.

Liked: Cleanliness
Nice cabin near the lake
The kids loved the very nice beach at lake MacBride. At just a short 4 minute car ride it was great to go swimming, rent a pontoon boat and kayaks. Sams Market in Solon has everything you need to make it through a week here, but Cedar Rapids and Iowa City are just a short drive away for a day of shopping, go-carting, and a Kernels Game. Coming home every night to this spacious home to relax around the fire pit or on the big back deck made for a very relaxing vacation.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021

8/10 Good

Katy H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family trip
We had a fun time. We had thought from the online information that there was a usable beach on the property but were able to go to the beach nearby.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2021