Entire home

On the water in the Historic Heart of Ranier, Minnesota

Photo gallery for On the water in the Historic Heart of Ranier, Minnesota

Watch the villagers go by from the rocking chair front porch
Reflection of the sunset from the lakeside
Twilight from the dock, including slips for your personal or rented boat/pontoon
Historic artist rendering of the house in the 1930s
On a clear night, you can see the Milky Way

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1+ bathroomSleeps 660.4 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Beach view
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
International Falls, MN
  • Voyageurs National Park
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Smokey Bear Park
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • St. Thomas Aquinas Parish
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • International Falls, MN (INL-Falls Intl.)
    ‪9 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Double Futon

Office 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

1 bathroom, 1 half bathroom

Full Bath

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Half Bath, with toilet & sink

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

On the water in the Historic Heart of Ranier, Minnesota

With sweeping views from the deck or dock, the Mermaid Landing (1/2 of the Shabby Chic Lake House duplex, owner does not live on site, but has the Mermaid Loft upstairs for their use when they happen to be in town & sometimes for friends wanting a special vacation) is sure to be your favorite spot for relaxation and fun. This downstairs unit has one tub/shower bathroom and an additional 1/2 bath. It sleeps up to 6 on three double beds in three separate rooms (2 bedrooms and a sleeping porch with a pullout). There's also a large corner sofa that could sleep a couple kids. The bedrooms are on the small side, but we were able to fit 2 separate bedrooms and a full bath plus a 1/2 bath without sacrificing a living room, full kitchen, dining area, and porch area for a pullout bed. Other than peak season, the Mermaid Landing usually rents for around the same price as a hotel room.. The beds are high enough off the ground to easily accommodate suitcases underneath and there is a hanging bar attached to the bed.
It has a full gourmet kitchen with stainless appliances, glassware and dishes and any thing you need to cook, Keurig coffee maker with variety of pods, gas grill, patio furniture and umbrella, deck and dock, sand beach swim area, free wifi, cable, smart tv, ( in season and when available; 2-5 bikes(bike to town on the bike trail for your morning latte), 4 k kayaks, two stand up paddle boards, fishing rods and tackle (you'll need to get a fishing license)), 100% cotton bed linens and bath towels, beach towels, dock blankets, washer and dryer in house, and more. Just step off the rocking chair front porch and you're almost at Loony's Brew Pub (formerly Woody's). The Rainy Lake Grill Restaurant is 1 block and the Ranier Municipality (on and off sale) is 2 blocks and Tara's Wharf's Ice Cream shop is across the alley. The Cantilever Hotel, distillery and restaurant is across the street.
During the summer months, a couple of times per month, our little village is lucky enough to have Loony's host a live band(I haven't heard a bad one yet!). Loony's deck is next door to the Shabby Chic Lake House and so if you happen to catch one of these nights, you will probably hear the music until 11 or even midnight sometimes, especially if it's a nice night and you have your windows open. During our annual Ranier Daze festival that falls on the 2nd week of August, there will definitely be a band. July 01st is the Canadian Independence Day and fireworks that can be seen in Ranier usually bring a fun night in our little village.

Property manager

Geoffrey Tarr
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
With prior approval from owner
default

Pets

Pets allowed: less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
With prior approval & non refundable deposit
default

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: with prior approval from owner
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Ranier

Located in Ranier, this holiday home is on the beach. Cantilever Distillery and Plaza Lanes are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Voyageurs National Park and Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
International Falls, MN

What's nearby

  • Voyageurs National Park - 4 min drive - 3.3 km
  • Smokey Bear Park - 6 min drive - 5.5 km
  • St. Thomas Aquinas Parish - 6 min drive - 5.8 km
  • Voyageurs National Park - 13 min drive - 12.3 km
  • Rainy Lake Visitor Center - 17 min drive - 15.7 km

Getting around

  • International Falls, MN (INL-Falls Intl.) - 9 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Tim Hortons - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Boston Pizza - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪La Place Rendez-Vous Hotel - ‬10 min drive
  • ‪Border Bar Pizza Parlor - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is On the water in the Historic Heart of Ranier, Minnesota pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at On the water in the Historic Heart of Ranier, Minnesota?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at On the water in the Historic Heart of Ranier, Minnesota?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is On the water in the Historic Heart of Ranier, Minnesota located?

Nestled on the beach, this Ranier holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Ranier Beach and Cantilever Distillery. Ranier City Park and City Beach are also within 15 minutes.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 82 out of 84 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 84 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 84 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 84 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 84 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Joseph K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Enjoyed stay. Highly recommend
4 great nights
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joey E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Good spot great views
Family of three was just right for the size and space. Very clean and updated kitchen. Views are great and couldn’t get any closer to the water than this one is. Can’t wait to try it in the summer.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

MJ A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lake side stay
Such a beautiful home on the lake, filled with such fun decor. House was loaded with lots of extras...we enjoyed our stay so very much!!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessica D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great spot!
Convent cute little spot on rainy lake. Close to wonderful restaurant/distillary, local bar, and ice cream joint. Everyone was happy!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jamie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Getaway
What a beautiful property to stay at. The property was exactly what we were looking for and was a great area to vacation. We loved the great restaurants and the ice cream shop nearby also!! Thanks for a great and relaxing vacation!!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachel W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
My favorite rental
Really nice, quality space. So many VRBOs are cheap and full of cheap junk, and this space was really nice and thoughtfully curated. The owners and property managers were all fantastic.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nichole G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mermaid was worth it.
The mermaid is a cute little house on the water in Ranier. It is located perfectly between driving to towns to check out and Voyageur National Park. Amy was great to work with and communicated with us everything we needed to know. The place I would say is more for max of 4 people vs up to 6 like suggested
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Barbara B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lake life
Great location and great views. Fun swimming and paddleboarding.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Melinda P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great for Couples
This is a very cute, renovated older home. We had 4 people (2 teens and 2 adults), and that is the maximum I would want there. It is in a beautiful location, close to all the action. The AC drowns out any noise from people visiting the bar next door.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dustin B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Voyageurs NP visit
We stayed here for 4 nights to explore Voyageurs National Park and surrounding area. We enjoyed everything about the place. Our kids especially enjoyed the kayaks, paddle boards and fishing gear. The ice cream place next door was a plus as well. Awesome place!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful and Relaxing
This property is everything we needed and wanted. The owners were very kind and communicated well. They even texted to let us know that there was a high likelihood of seeing northern lights on one of the nights we were staying. The house was very clean and well stocked. We loved our stay and if ever in the area again, we will not hesitate to book here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Karen G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family get together
This is the second time we have stayed at this beautiful property. The water was calm enough to take out the small kayaks this time. The cabin is equipped with everything we needed. Highly recommend and will stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great.
Have stayed here several years and it has been awesome. No complaints, but parking is limited.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Deena C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Mrs.
Loved the cottage and location
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Angie S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect weekend getaway
We rented the cabin for a weekend getaway of snowmobiling. We loved everything about the area, cabin and owners. Descriptions were exact. We will be back to enjoy a different season.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2020

10/10 Excellent

Nick T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Absolutely perfect
My wife and I stayed here for a long weekend and were extremely impressed with this space. It was so well done. It actually felt like home. We have stayed at a lot of VRBOs and this one is our new favorite. The fact that it is just steps from the water is a huge bonus as well. We will definitely be back.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Highly Recommended House!
The property description is completely accurate. The sheets, towels, linens are top notch. The neighborhood is welcoming and peaceful. Geoff and Amanda are very responsive and Amy is wonderful! Five Stars!!
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Louis W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Vacation!!
First time we have ever rented a house for vacation. Did not disappoint. Great location, clean and well decorated house. Loved the books and pictures of Rainy lake history. Fully stocked kitchen and comfortable beds! Everyone wants to do it again, which we will!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

A G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful lake house!
Our family of three loved our stay! We made use of the kayaks, paddle boards and fishing equipment available. The location was great, walkable to restaurants and ice cream and grabbing a drink. We also spent lots of time just relaxing on the dock. Inside, we had everything we needed, including 1.5 baths. The inside is beautiful. Would highly recommend!
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Rachel M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Adorable lake front cottage
Our family enjoyed another wonderful stay at The Mermaid. The cottage is perfectly situated in the heart of Ranier on magnificent Rainy Lake. The accommodations are extremely clean and decorated adorably with Rainy Lake history and charm. Fully stocked kitchen, comfy beds, gas grill for dining on the deck and a magnificent for ideal sunsets of our border. We will continue to come back!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Cindy K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Fun
It was so much fun. We started the week with a Cousin Family Reunion. We had a great time fishing and enjoying Rainy Lake. The Mermaid House is in a perfect spot close to Restaurants. I would highly recommend it. We had a wonderful vacation. Cindy Kopplin
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kendra K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Business & Self Care
Our initial visit was business related which also provided time for self care. The cottage is inviting, cozy and decorated delightfully. The dock was a most welcoming site for respite, reading and sipping wine. The beds are comfortable, sheets colorfully Lilly Pulitzer like with quality through & through from the comforters and towels. The view, sounds and pulse of the area was just what our hearts & souls needed. The cottage is perfectly designed to provide the comforts to any traveler with maximization of space. Thank you for making your home a beautiful option to call home while we travelers long for clean, comfort and contentment.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Keith S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect
First of all Geoff and Amy were great at corresponding with me before the visit. They continued to reach out to help me anyway they could. The place was clean and felt like a well stocked home. I enjoyed being right on the lake and next to everything in the small town. I hope to stay here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kelly E., Duluth

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family getaway
Thank you for a quick getaway during coronavirus. We just needed a few days away with our family. Mermaid Landing is such a sweet home. Each morning we fished from the dock and actually caught a few fish! We took the kayaks over to the small beach nearby so my son could jump from the dock. Our boys loved walking over to Taras Warf just a few steps away to get ice cream each day. It was just the sweet getaway we needed. We will miss the morning lake view and sunsets! Thank you Amanda and Jeff!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

JD H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Gorgeous Christmas Adventure
This small lake house is exquisitely decorated and just large enough for a family of three or four. We were extremely comfortable and fell in love with the view of the lake. The home is heated with water which keeps the air moist, and the house warm even during a polar vortex. The neighborhood is cozy with good food and spectacular drinks just down the road. A small sledding and skating park kept our child's interest. In the summer this home would be magical, in the winter it is a delight. The hosts were receptive, friendly, and also out of our hair. Like having a good friend down the road. If you find yourself in this area don't miss this experience!
Stayed 11 nights in Dec 2022

About the host

Hosted by Geoffrey Tarr

Host profile image
I'm an original Ranier girl, born and raised 3 doors down. I left after high school and became a flight attendant for Delta and have lived full or part time in a variety of places, including Hawaii, New York City, South of France, England, and currently live in the south for 28 years (Atlanta & Chattanooga) and just couldn't find any place like home. My husband and I chose to vacation in Ranier every summer. This house has been vacant since 1950 and when it came for sale, our local realtor/fishing guide extraordinaire friend convinced us (it wasn't hard) to take this historic home on and restore it. After a lot of sweat and love, it's now ready for the world. We decided to make it a duplex so we could have lots of family and friends visit and rent it out as well. (because it needs to be shared:)

Why they chose this property

We built it like it was our home that has loving attention to detail, right down to the dishes. If you are lacking something, please let us know!

What makes this property unique

Step right off the deck onto the dock. We are also right next to the city boat ramp. Sweeping views of sunsets, the night sky, and on many a very lucky night, those magnificent northern lights!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests