Have you ever sat down and watched an entire Hallmark movie? You might be tempted to tap out early thanks to the syrupy romance and the small-town baker who somehow owns a five-bedroom Victorian on a part-time salary. I’m going to challenge you to stick with at least one of these holiday specials… particularly 2016’s Christmas in Homestead, set right in Iowa. After the final embrace and the very improbable snowfall, grab your coat, toss a bag in the car, and head toward a real Iowa escape that delivers its own version of movie magic: a secluded, joyfully odd, unmistakably charming Airbnb in Prole.
Timberlandia, as the owners call it, sits just south of the Des Moines metro on two acres of shade trees and soft lawn, bordered by more than 50 acres of timber. The cabin is tucked right into the Middle River Valley at the meeting point of Madison and Warren counties, which already sounds like the beginning of a novel your favorite aunt would recommend. A hammock swings under the covered patio. A gas grill waits nearby like it has strong opinions about your burger technique. A fire pit circles up easy nights under the wide Iowa sky. And yes, there’s an indoor fireplace for the full, heart-warming, “someone bring me cocoa before I cry” effect. The cabin itself feels like the owners built it with travelers in mind, then added more for good measure.
The upstairs living room wraps around a massive wood-burning fireplace, the kind that fills a room with the quiet crackle of burning oak. A reading nook leans right into the glow, flanked by a Polk Audio sound system and an honest-to-goodness vinyl turntable stocked with an eclectic collection. Winston, the resident bronze deer professor, keeps watch beside Bear and Mouse, who look like they’ve seen a semester or two of hijinks. Downstairs, the vibe shifts into ski-lodge nostalgia with vintage skis, snowshoes, and a massage chair that seems suspiciously advanced for its age. A 70-inch TV turns the lower level into a movie den or sleepover zone for anyone who claims they “don’t need a bed.”
The bedrooms continue the theme of comfort without losing personality. The main room has a soft queen bed with extra blankets stored away for cold nights. Upstairs, the three-level bunk system is part engineering feat and part childhood dream: twin on top, full in the middle, a trundle below. Adults fit comfortably, though kids tend to claim the top bunk with immediate and feral enthusiasm. Extra guests can spread out on the futon, couch, or double-high air mattress, and nobody ends up wedged somewhere regrettable.
The kitchen invites cooking, which isn’t always the case with vacation rentals. There’s a Maytag stove, a full oven, plenty of utensils, a stack of spices, and a cabinet of glassware that covers everything from Champagne to chocolate milk. The long acacia table seats six or eight if you get friendly. Board games and puzzles wait nearby for the inevitable “we’re staying inside, it’s cozy, and we’re not sorry” kind of day.
Prole itself deserves a moment. The area feels rural without drifting into isolation, and the people wave like they’ve already decided they trust you. Wildflowers burst through the fields each spring, turning drives into a full technicolor stretch of the Middle River Valley… another Hallmark season waiting for its soundtrack. Nearby Zo-El Annett Woods, just east of the cabin, offers a short loop trail and a suspended bridge over a deep ravine. Middle River Water Trail sits within reach for kayaking, plus Howell’s Greenhouse and Pumpkin Patch, Summerset Winery, and the Great Western Trail bring a steady stream of local character.
By the time you make a fire outside, settle into the hammock, or wander over to Antler Hill for a pink-and-gold summer sunset, Iowa starts to work its steady charm. The kind that doesn’t try too hard. The kind that feels earned.
Visit Iowa, spend a day exploring Prole’s trails or sipping wine at Summerset, and settle into this charming Iowa Airbnb for a stay that feels like the part of the Hallmark movie everyone secretly likes best. The one where you’re not waiting for the kiss… you’re already rooting for the place…