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Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa!

Fertile vacation home with kitchen

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Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Smart TV, books
Exterior
2 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi
Dining

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 51250 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space

Explore the area

View in a map
Fertile, IA
  • Place, Storre Wildlife Management Area
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Buddy Holly Crash Site
    ‪20 min drive‬
  • Place, Surf Ballroom and Museum
    ‪23 min drive‬
  • Airport, Mason City, IA (MCW-Mason City Municipal)
    ‪20 min drive‬

Room options

About the neighborhood

Fertile

In Fertile .You'll be within 2 miles (3 km) of Storre Wildlife Management Area and 6 miles (10 km) of Mallard Marsh with a stay here. Grant Townhall and Winnebago Oxbow are also within 6 miles (10 km).
View more Vacation Homes in FertileOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Storre Wildlife Management Area - 3 min drive - 0.9 miles
  • Buddy Holly Crash Site - 20 min drive - 8.7 miles
  • Diamond Jo Casino - 22 min drive - 21.1 miles
  • Surf Ballroom and Museum - 23 min drive - 20.4 miles
  • Clear Lake State Park - 27 min drive - 23.0 miles

Getting around

  • Mason City, IA (MCW-Mason City Municipal) - 18 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Cafe Mir - ‬4 min walk
  • ‪Amidh Bakery - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Stecker Palace! - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪O'Tool 'Frig - ‬12 min drive
  • ‪Five Guys - ‬13 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa!

Welcome to Memento Vivere, in Fertile, Iowa! Memento Vivere means "Remember you have to Live" and this 122 year old house was completely brought back to life by its owners with modern amenities and a cozy atmosphere, all the while preserving its charm. This 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom cottage is the perfect place to get away from all the hustle and bustle of life. With a separate workspace, dining room, living room, kitchen, coffee/wine bar - this house has everything you need to relax and unwind.

Similar properties

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
3rd and Surf- 2 blocks from the lake, 1 block from the Legendary Surf Ballroom
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
5.0 out of 5, Exceptional, 200 reviews
3rd and Surf- 2 blocks from the lake, 1 block from the Legendary Surf Ballroom

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Ice maker
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Cycling nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Hunting nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Snowmobiling 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)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 1,250 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

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

Rules

We are very proud of this home brought back to lif
No smoking, no parties, no loud noise. Quiet time
If any additional cleaning is required past one ho

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
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, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. Long-term renters welcome. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation.

Frequently asked questions

How close is Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa! to the airport?

This vacation home is 15.7 mi (18-min drive) away from the Mason City, IA (MCW-Mason City Municipal) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa! have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

How close is Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa! to the beach?

This vacation home is 11.3 mi (18-min drive) from City Beach Park and 13 mi (22-min drive) from Clear Lake State Park Beach. Don't forget your sunscreen!

Does Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa! offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa!?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home.

What time is check-in at Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa!?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa! have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa! have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa! to downtown Fertile?

This vacation home is 0.1 mi away from Fertile.

Beautifully updated cottage right in the heart of Fertile, Iowa! Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 48 out of 48 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 48 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 48 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 48 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 48 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Brett A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful home with an awesome kitchen.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

John C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Have stayed here multiple times. The property was great again as usual.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

stewart r.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place for the holiday. Family lives down the road. We stay here every year .
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kirstin K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Would definitely stay again
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kim C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Best cottage we’ve ever stayed at; meticulously clean and comfortable. Fertile is small community with wonderful people, a beautiful park, and a lovely farm to table restaurant plus a unique store with many treasures. We will be back!
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

sharon s.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

William O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cindy P.

Liked: Cleanliness

The best kittle VRBO house EVER!

I would recommend this house and town 5 0ut of 5 stars. I love the Cafe Mir' for its big city menu and the beautiful little river town!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diane C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Weekend getaway

Very clean and cozy home!! Bigger than i expected. Tastefully decorated. Comfortable furnishings. Very cute town. We had dinner at the restaurant Mir, and were surprised that they were so busy had to wait for almost an hour. Oddly enough the antique store next door served alcoholism beverages on their patio and had live music. The food was incredible!!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeff G.

Liked: Cleanliness
What a fantastic property. Modern updates, everything you need in a quiet location. Great communication with the owner, easy check in process. Thank you for an enjoyable weekend.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Clark C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great renovation and location!

Very cute property in the small town of Fertile, IA. Location was perfect as it we were in for a wedding at the Winan Creek Barn venue. This was five minutes away vs almost 20 to the nearest hotel. Impressively peaceful on the back patio at night, and just a few blocks down the block from a great little restaurant called Cafe Mir. Definitely recommend if staying in the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

John P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect in every way

Beautifully restored and maintained, this house was the perfect place for us to stay in Fertile. The owner communicated well and was very accommodating. Highly recommend staying here.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

shannon z., Las Vegas

Liked: Cleanliness

Quick trip to see daughter in college

Excellent. House was clean and updated. Will try to stay here each time we come.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Rachel S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family Getaway

This Fertile house was a perfect place to spend a few nights. My family of four was able to spread out and my girls especially loved the gorgeous upstairs bedroom. Plus we were within walking distance to our favorite Iowa restaurant, Cafe Mir.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Hillary B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great stay

Nice property, great stay. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful and clean home!

Perfect place to stay. Quaint little town. The house is just as pictured, beautifully decorated, clean and plenty of room to relax.
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Andrew R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great

Great to get away to a spot we hadn't been Ate at Cafe Mir and Prime 'n Done, very yummy. Place was very clean and we loved it
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Julie M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place to stay!!

We loved it. It was perfect. They even put up a Christmas Tree.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lindsey R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect!

Couldn't have asked for a better experience. The cottage is adorable, spotless, and well stocked for any need that may arise during your stay! We'll definitely be back.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joshua B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Thanksgiving 2024

My husband and I visited Fertile Iowa to spend thanksgiving week with our son who is a college wrestler. We wanted to make our trip as close to our “home” as possible as we live in South Louisiana, and haven’t seen our son in many months. The home was very cozy and had absolutely everything we could ever need. I was able to cook several large meals with ease and entertain 4 other athletes including 2 high school aged girls. There was plenty of room and the home was very well decorated. We will hopefully be able to stay again in a few months when we come back to visit. Thank you for hosting our family ❤️
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dawn M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

John C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Weekend Getaway

My second stay at this location. Quiet, clean and comfortable. A short drive to both Clear Lake and Diamond Jo Casino. I really enjoy staying at this property and it is just like the pictures. I’ll be back again.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kay K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Sisters weekend

We had a wonderful time in this home. It’s beautiful, clean and so comfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Loree V.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect

This was our second time staying here and it's just as perfect as it was the first time. It's a great location and very clean. It's so relaxing and just a joy to come "home" to.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pam C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Absolutely Stunning

Beautiful property. Absolutely everything we needed and LOTS MORE! Lots of comfy blankets and pillows. Comfy beds. Campfire pit. Great communication with host. Easy check-in. Great instructions.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024