Escape to the Kentucky countryside at Ark Adventure Retreat, just 20 miles from the incredible Ark Encounter. Relax by the seasonal above-ground pool or unwind on the upper-level deck overlooking tree-lined landscapes. Inside, enjoy modern comforts and elegant décor in spacious living areas with an L-shaped sofa and smart TV.
Reviews
9.89.8 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
4 bedrooms3 bathrooms1000 sq ft
Popular amenities
Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air-conditioning
The current price is £389
£389
includes taxes & fees
5 Aug - 6 Aug
Add dates for prices
About this property
Ark Adventure Retreat
Summary:
For a secluded vacation in the Kentucky countryside just outside of Cincinnati’s metropolitan area, Ark Adventure Retreat is a dream vacation home come true!
The Space:
You’ll be close enough to enjoy life in the big city yet far enough away for the privacy and relaxation that can only come with life in the ‘burbs. As the name suggests, you’ll be within just 20 miles to the Ark Encounter, a one-of-a-kind biblical themed attraction you simply must see to believe. Visitors from all over the world come to see this amazing, man-made wonder, and we can assure you that you will not be disappointed by what you find! Cincinnati proper is less than a half hour drive north, where you can catch a sports game, visit a historical museum, book a tasting at a bourbon distillery, shop to your heart’s content, or plan evening meal at one of the eclectic local restaurants. You don’t have to go too far for entertainment, however, as your very own seasonal above-ground pool awaits at the home for hours of fun splashing and playing under the warm Kentucky sun. The spacious, fenced-in back yard offers plenty of opportunity for play as well as relaxation. The upper-level deck offers space for taking your meals al fresco while overlooking the tree-lined landscape.
Heading indoors, you’ll find a fresh and modern interior accented with comfortable furnishings and elegant décor. The cozy living room includes an L-shaped sofa and a smart TV, the perfect place for streaming a movie or your favorite shows. The open floorplan organically guides you into the kitchen, fully equipped for all your mealtime needs with stainless steel appliances, glossy countertops, and well-stocked cabinets. Lay out a spread of delicious afternoon hors d’oeuvres on the island, with high-top stool seating for 3 available for quick bites. The formal dining room table can seat 4, offering views and access out onto the back yard. Tap into your competitive side in the garage-turned-game room, including ping-pong and foosball tables as well as Jenga and Connect 4.
This home sleeps up to 10 guests between 4 private bedrooms.
- Bedroom #1 includes a king size bed and ensuite bathroom with a single vanity and walk-in shower.
- Bedroom #2 includes a queen size bed.
- Bedroom #3 includes a full bed.
- Bedroom #4 includes 2 queen size beds, a work desk with chair, and an ensuite half bathroom.
The home also includes an additional full guest bathroom with a single vanity and shower/tub combo.
THINGS TO NOTE:
- Washer and dryer in home.
- Driveway parking available for 2 vehicles.
- This home is equipped with an exterior Ring System and is monitoring the front and back porch.
- Above ground pool is not heated and open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Pool rules are as follows:
- Pool Liability Waiver. By signing the vacation rental agreement, you choose to waive certain legal rights, including the right to sue. Guest acknowledges that there is no lifeguard on duty in the pool area. As such, Guest is responsible for Guest’s safety and the safety of any guests of Guest. Guest acknowledges that children or disabled individuals may never be left unattended near or around the pool area. Guest hereby assumes all responsibility for Guest’s and their guests safe use of the pool and pool area. Guest agrees to all terms and conditions of this Pool Liability Waiver.
o No diving.
o No intoxicated persons may use the pool or spa.
o No glass containers in or around the pool or spa.
o No alcoholic beverages of any kind.
o Children may never be left unattended with access to the pool or spa.
o No lifeguard on duty - you and your guests shall swim at your own risk.
- Pools and spas are chemically serviced and cleaned regularly before your arrival. Please advise the office if your pool/hot tub is not clean, and we will make every effort to contact a pool cleaner, but please understand that WE CANNOT GUARANTEE that the pool person will be able to return to the property.
- Possible violations include but are not limited to: not limiting sound amplification outdoors, over-occupying parking areas, over-occupying the rental property, and failing to follow your agreement with the Management Company.
Just 30 minutes outside of Cincinnati, this is the perfect location for those seeking access to metropolitan activities while staying in a rural community with serene landscapes. This home is within easy reach of some of Cincinnati’s most popular attractions like the Bengals Stadium, Riverfront Park, and Great American Ballpark. Beyond this central area, there’s still so much more to explore. From Cincinnati’s street art revolution which has transformed neighborhoods with 180+ public murals, to its serious beer culture, revitalized historic neighborhoods with trendy shopping and dining like Over-the-Rhine, and authentic Art Deco architecture and design, this culturally diverse city is a can’t-miss destination.
Back on the Kentucky side of the river, you’re in prime Bourbon Trail territory. Check out distilleries and sipping points where you can sample Northern Kentucky’s bourbon, often paired with traditional southern foods. From Walton, you’re also within an hour of other major metropolitan centers Louisville and Lexington. Make day trips to explore these urban areas, while The Gem Vacation Rental gives you the best of both worlds with its peaceful, countryside setting.
Grocery in Cincinnati:
• Kroger - A major supermarket chain with numerous locations throughout Cincinnati. Walmart Supercenter - Several Walmart Supercenter locations can be found in the area.
• Meijer - Another popular chain with multiple stores in Cincinnati.
• Whole Foods Market - Known for its organic and natural products.
• Trader Joe's - Offers a unique selection of groceries and specialty items.
• Aldi - A budget-friendly grocery store with multiple locations.
• Costco Wholesale - A warehouse club with a variety of products.
• Jungle Jim's International Market - An iconic grocery store offering a vast array of international and specialty items.
Grocery in Northern Kentucky:
• Kroger - Kroger has several stores in Northern Kentucky, as well.
• Walmart Supercenter - You can find Walmart Supercenters in the Northern Kentucky area.
• Meijer - Meijer also has locations in Northern Kentucky.
• Aldi - Several Aldi stores are available in the region.
• Remke Markets - A local chain offering a variety of grocery products.
• Save-A-Lot - A discount grocery store with multiple locations.
• Fresh Thyme Farmers Market - Known for natural and organic products.
Attractions in Cincinnati:
• Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: One of the oldest zoos in the United States, known for its diverse animal collection and beautiful botanical gardens.
• Cincinnati Art Museum: A museum featuring an impressive collection of art from different cultures and time periods.
• Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal: A historic train station turned museum complex with the Cincinnati History Museum, Museum of Natural History & Science, and the Cincinnati Children's Museum.
• Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum: A must-visit for baseball fans, celebrating the history of the Cincinnati Reds.
• Cincinnati Music Hall: A historic concert venue and home to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.
• Great American Ball Park: The home stadium of the Cincinnati Reds, offering tours and a great baseball experience.
• Fountain Square: A vibrant public space in the heart of downtown with events, shops, and dining options.
• Cincinnati Observatory: The oldest professional observatory in the United States, offering stargazing events and educational programs.
• Cincinnati Art Center: A hub for the arts, featuring galleries, exhibitions, and educational programs.
• Krohn Conservatory: A beautiful glasshouse with a wide variety of exotic plants and seasonal flower displays.
Attractions in Northern Kentucky:
• Ark Encounter: A life-sized replica of Noah's Ark in Williamstown, featuring exhibits and a zoo.
• Creation Museum: A museum in Petersburg, Kentucky, focusing on biblical creationism and natural history.
• Newport Aquarium: Located in Newport, Kentucky, this aquarium showcases a diverse range of marine life.
• BB Riverboats: Enjoy river cruises along the Ohio River with dining and entertainment options.
• Devou Park: A beautiful park in Covington, Kentucky, offering hiking trails, playgrounds, and scenic views of Cincinnati.
• MainStrasse Village: Located in Covington, this area is known for its cobblestone streets, German architecture, and local shops and restaurants.
• Behringer-Crawford Museum: A local history museum located in Devou Park.
• Roebling Suspension Bridge: Walk or drive across this historic bridge connecting Cincinnati and Covington.
• Purple People Bridge: A pedestrian-only bridge connecting Cincinnati and Newport, offering great views of the Ohio River.
• Covington's Historic Licking Riverside District: Explore historic homes and architecture in this charming neighborhood.
• Kentucky Speedway: A 1.5 mile oval race track.
Property amenities
Pool/Spa
Communal pool
Hot tub
Private pool
Internet
Available in the house: WiFi
Parking and transport
Parking on site
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Ice maker
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
4 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2.5 bathrooms
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Entertainment
TV
Outdoor areas
Balcony
Firepit
Garden
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Work spaces
Desk
Office
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
Near a zoo
Things to do
Arcade/game room
Foosball table
Optional golf privileges
Water park
Casino nearby
Cycling nearby
Fishing nearby
Theme park 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)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
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 first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.
About the area
Located in Walton, this holiday home is near theme parks and near a water park. Brianza Gardens & Winery and Boone County Distilling Co. are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Wolsing Trails & Wetlands and Big Bone Lick State Park. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Florence Speedway or UC Health Stadium. Discover the area's water adventures with nearby fishing, or enjoy the great outdoors with cycling. Visit our Walton travel guide
How much does it cost to stay at Ark Adventure Retreat?
As of 19 Jul 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Ark Adventure Retreat on 5 Aug 2026 start from £389, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
Is Ark Adventure Retreat pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Ark Adventure Retreat?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Ark Adventure Retreat?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Ark Adventure Retreat?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Ark Adventure Retreat located?
This family-friendly Walton holiday home is within 2 mi (3 km) of The Abner Gaines House, Walton Citizens Park and Walton Nature Trail. Walton City Hall and Walton Branch Library are also within 2 miles (3 km).
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Ark Adventure Retreat Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
We enjoyed our stay and the house had everything we needed and was clean and comfortable. The host was easy to communicate answering our questions quickly.
Great place to stay if you are going to the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter. Place was cleaned and well stocked. The neighborhood is quiet and family friendly.
The house was really nice and a perfect central distance between the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter. The hot tub was a fun treat! The kitchen was fully stocked. The host was super helpful and even brought extra blankets for those sleeping in the cooler basement. All of the beds are extremely firm, so keep that in mind. Overall, we had a very nice stay!
This is a great house to stay in! Very cute and clean! It has plenty of room for everyone to move around and the game room, hot tub, and pool are definitely great amenities. The property is located in a very nice neighborhood, and I loved the trees in the backyard! Really pretty! Would definitely recommend staying here!
We had a great stay while visiting the Ark and sight-seeing in Cincinnati. House was as pictured and pool was clean. Games in garage were an additional hit with the kids!
We had a great time staying in Walton and enjoying all the Ark Adventure Retreat had to offer. We spent time in the game area, relaxed in the spacious living room, and enjoyed the hot tub. We were close enough to hikes, the ark, and enjoyed being in Walton. Lots of ammenities to help you through the week.
We stayed 4 days. The pool and garage area were fun. The house is a little small for 9 of us but not bad. The dining area was tight. Overall, a clean house and a nice stay.
The Ark Adventure Retreat was a great house that fit our needs perfectly to visit with my family over Thanksgiving break. It is located between The Creation Museum (40 minutes) and The Ark Encounter (25 minutes) which we visited during our stay. Communication with the host was quick and easy. The house was clean, comfortable and spacious giving our teens and young adults plenty of space. The hot tub was warm, clean and helped the muscle after a long day walking at the museums. There is also a game room the garage although we did not use it on this trip. The kitchen was well stocked and had everything I needed to cook during the week we were there. I would recommend Ark Adventure Retreat and would stay there again.
My husband and I and our friends (husband/wife) enjoyed this property. The pool was refreshing since our stay had a several days with high 90 temperatures. Grocery and restaurants close by.
House was accurately described, clean and had everything we expected. It was great for us as we visited the Ark and Creation museum all week. Close to grocery stores and restaurants as well as a community park. The hot tub was a plus as well as the garage games. We did end up buying ourselves some card / board games to play as the house didn't have any. Thanks!
We stayed here with another family, so 9 people total. The backyard was great for the kids to play in and the hot tub was an nice extra. The living room doesn't have a ton of space for a larger group, but our kids were playing out in the garage with the pingpong table most of the time. We visited both the Ark Encounter and the Creation Museum while we stayed. I would definitely recommend!
This home is conveniently located to several attractions, restaurants, & shopping. The interior is exactly as described in the listing. All this in a quiet neighborhood. Loved this property. ❤️
We stayed here for two nights while visiting the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter with friends. Perfect location for this! The home was clean, comfortable and well maintained! We were not able to enjoy any of the backyard amenities since it was raining both days we were there, but it looked very nice! Would highly recommend!
The house was nice and well kept overall. Had a few small maintenance issues but the property manager responded immediately and took care it. She was extremely helpful and even opened up the pool so we enjoyed that. The house is a bilevel so keep in mind there are steps. But we would absolutely recommend this property.
Overall stay was good. House was clean and comfortable. Beds were great. Kitchen was not what I would considered well stocked- not enough pots and pans/cookie sheets to cook for 6 people, no can opener, serving spoons, tongs etc. luckily we had family from the area and they brought their pots etc. advertised as secluded, but it is in a subdivision. Back yard opens to farm. We would stay here again and overall experience was good.
It was a great stay. There was room for all of us. The game room was loved by ALL. Thank you for leaving the snacks. The kids enjoyed them. It was nice to have when we arrived from our 8 hour drive. Having a home to fulfill our needs was very welcoming compared to a hotel. We were able to get together in one space and it felt comfortable. We came to see The Ark Encounter and The Creation Museum. The house was a perfect distance from both. We enjoyed the town of Walton very much. We visited a local church and they were very welcoming. We would definitely stay again!! Thanks for all your hospitality!
Overall the home was clean and had nice accommodations. If you are staying with multiple families or a large group please make sure to bring your own kitchen supplies as there are very few on hand. We were a bit disappointed that we weren’t informed before arriving that the washer and dryer were out of service, and that there was an issue with the shower draining properly. Please note the ping pong table is youth sized, not intended for adults. Overall we enjoyed our trip to the Ark and that was important to us!
Location was convenient, 20-25 minutes from the Ark, about 30 minutes or so from the Creation Museum. Good middle point. Two local 'diner" eateries offered good food and quick services - open breakfast/lunch/dinner. "super" Kroger was within a few miles.Plenty of room for our family of 5, but I think it would be tight for a lot more. (Sleeping area, yes, but common areas would be tight.) One blanket per bed, no extra blankets and bed pillows on site, asked for more and they were brought promptly the next day after arrival. Hot tub was not up to temp and very cloudy the first day - they came and took care of it...somewhat. Manager/host was very responsive, but this should have been done before we arrived. (Also, guest bath tub did not drain, did not ask them them come fix this.)Some coffee included - enough for just me for 3 days for sure!We thought the beds were very firm - too firm. I slept on the couch one night.Back yard was nice - fall trees, fenced yard, deck. I asked beforehand if they had any spices onsite and they responded "just salt and pepper", but they did have more than that - garlic salt and a few more. We didn't end up cooking after all.The games in the garage were fun! No board games.TV in living room and downstairs bedroom only (not in other bedrooms).It seems this is not a homeowner who manages, as they did not know the property personally.Overall, a good location, beautiful yard, great fall weather, comfy couch, good Wi-Fi.
We had a great stay! This property was very clean in a nice neighborhood and was convenient for everything we wanted to do! Owner was very attentive and informative… highly recommend!