The Healing Refuge — Hotel in La Crescent

The hosts are very friendly and the overall experience was okay. The location was really nice as it was right off of I-90 so you can go to a lot of places pretty quick. The kids in our group loved the pool.

Some things to be aware of: Cleanliness: while the main lodge was mostly clean, the one I stayed in (the one next to the main one) was pretty musty smelling when we got there and we had to keep the windows open to clear it out. Allergies: if you have a cat allergy I'd avoid this location. While it's pretty easy to avoid the (adorable) barn cats, one family member did have a reaction after laying on the sofa in the smaller lodge. Grilling: Either bring heavy duty grill cleaner or don't grill. There was 2 outdoor grills plus a blackstone-type griddle but without a cover. All 3 required cleaning and the 2 grills we actually couldn't start. We used the Blackstone and then after we were done cooking (and the griddle cooled) one of the cats hopped up and was intent on licking the entire thing. Territorial dog?: This is more so a warning on if their dog Ruby has just had or recently had puppies. While the puppies were gone for our visit, it seemed like Ruby was a little territorial. The first 2 days of our trip she was off-leash and our dogs would be outside while leashed. This was fine except that there was 2 instances where one of our family members, who was pregnant and walking with a 1 year old and a dog, got cornered by Ruby. This left us feeling pretty uncomfortable/unsafe. I'm not sure if this was noticed by the hosts or not, but it seemed like the back half of our visit they had Ruby...

Over the 4th of July weekend my family held our reunion at Heart & Soul Ridge in Dakota, MN. What a fabulous experience! With 32 members in attendance all were thrilled to learn that the Airbnb could accommodate a group that size. The farm offers a large array of amenities. The beautifully decorated Lodge has 3 bedrooms that sleep 9-10 guests with a spacious fully loaded kitchen, an indoor heated indoor pool (the kids swam in everyday) & a game area. Then there is the charming Cottage where I stayed with bedroom & loft above with beds. Perfect for a couple with children. The Bungalow which was grand central is equipped with a kitchen that was useful in prepping food for a crowd, a loft that sleeps one couple & 2 bathrooms to accommodate our large family gathering at the pavilion for meals & celebrations. Included is a huge table, large seating area, BBQs & large fire pit area. Lance, Chrissy & their 5 darling children have done a beautiful job of making guests feel like family & offer a tour of their many livestock such as pigs, cows, goat, sheep, horses, turkeys,tons of chickens & their precious English Red Labs. Chrissy’s gardens are bursting with flowers that she generously shares in all the Airbnbs adding a country touch everywhere. If you haven’t stayed at a farm style destination you are in for a delightful treat. Heart & Soil Ridge is definitely a learning experience & the...

My wife and I stayed at the lodge on the Heart & Soil Ridge property just after Christmas. When we first came across the listing we thought it might be too good to be true. I mean a private, heated indoor pool in Minnesota?! We decided to book it and surprise our kids with the news for Christmas. This is the best Airbnb we've stayed at yet. Christine and her husband Lance are so nice and very welcoming! The kitchen is beautiful and includes a large island for prepping food which is always convenient. They have all the amenities too including an Instant Pot, Kitchen Aid stand mixer, and a nice coffee area. The pool area is secure and you need a 4 digit code to enter each time which is a great safety feature with kids. The pool itself is 3 feet deep on each end and quickly slopes down to 4 feet, 4.5 feet, and 5 feet at its deepest in the middle. They do have life jackets, goggles, and miscellaneous pool toys. The hot tub worked well and was a nice option in addition to the pool. There is a big bedroom downstairs which includes a bunk bed. Then upstairs are 2 additional bedrooms with another eating area and a couch. You will not be disappointed by this place! We already look forward to...