Entire home

The Rookery: the Perfect other home when you're away from your own nest.

Photo gallery for The Rookery: the Perfect other home when you're away from your own nest.

Read a book or just relax by the fire.
Relax in the sunny 3-season porch.
Huge living room with space for everyone.
The second queen room is spacious, inviting and oh, so comfortable.
This quiet room overlooks the back yard. For those who sleep better separately.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 12223.0 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen
  • Gym
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Baraboo, WI
  • Circus World Museum
    ‪16 min walk‬
  • Devil's Lake
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Ho-Chunk Casino
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Madison, WI (MSN-Dane County Regional)
    ‪54 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Single Beds

Finished basement/ Family room

2 Single Futons

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

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

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Outdoor play area
Garden

About this property

The Rookery: the Perfect other home when you're away from your own nest.

The Rookery is a 4-bedroom, mid-century family home. John Turner built it for his growing family in 1949. His business was oil. There is still a Turner Oil Station on Highway 12. Many of the local residents still remember playing in the house as children. It was built with all the modern conveniences of the time, and has a spacious yet cozy feel.
You'll find 4 bedrooms in the upstairs level: The master bedroom is an elegant room with a king-sized 4 poster bed, a cozy chair for reading, a huge closet, and a large chifferobe. The next room is a spacious queen room with a sleigh bed, vanity, large closet, and another beautiful chifferobe. Next is the twin room. It's perfect for kids or for those who prefer their own bed. Facing the back yard, this quiet room has 2 comfortable maple twin beds, and a large closet. The last bedroom is another queen room. It's cozy, quiet, and oh, so comfortable. Facing the east, it overlooks the large back yard, and greets you with a sunny "good morning." There is also a bathroom with tub and shower, vanity, and double sink.
The main floor consists of a large living room with a gas fireplace, a formal dining room, cheery breakfast nook, fabulous mid-century kitchen, and a relaxing three-season sunroom. There is a video camera located outdoors.

Property manager

Laura and Mark Hamdan-Krause
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Gym

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is allowed outside the house.
If caught smoking or having a pet in the house, guests will be charged an additional $400 to have the carpets professionally cleaned.

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
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 first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is recommended for transport to and from this property

About the area

Baraboo

Located in Baraboo, this holiday home is in the city centre. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Devil's Lake State Park and Devil's Lake, while Kalahari Indoor Waterpark and Noah's Ark Waterpark are popular area attractions. Travelling with kids? Consider Mt. Olympus Water and Theme Park and Ochsner Zoo. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Baraboo, WI

What's nearby

  • Circus World Museum - 16 min walk - 1.4 km
  • Devil's Lake State Park - 5 min drive - 4.6 km
  • Devil's Lake - 8 min drive - 6.2 km
  • Ho-Chunk Casino - 9 min drive - 9.2 km
  • Kalahari Indoor Waterpark - 14 min drive - 15.5 km

Getting around

  • Wisconsin Dells Station - 18 min drive
  • Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) - 54 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Log Cabin Family Restaurant - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Balanced Rock Winery - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Culver's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Rookery: the Perfect other home when you're away from your own nest. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at The Rookery: the Perfect other home when you're away from your own nest.?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Rookery: the Perfect other home when you're away from your own nest.?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Rookery: the Perfect other home when you're away from your own nest. located?

Located in the centre of Baraboo, this family-friendly holiday home is within a 5-minute walk of Al. Ringling Mansion and Al. Ringling Theatre. Ochsner Zoo and Circus World Museum are also within 1 mile (2 km).

Reviews

9.6

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. 77 out of 95 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 16 out of 95 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 95 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 95 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 95 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Michelle K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mystery Weekend Stay

Great location within walking distance to downtown. House clean and plenty of room for everyone.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay.

Older house conveniently located with ample space for a larger group.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wedding weekend

Great location for a marvelous stay!!! Highly recommend this place!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sam C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful place to stay

Spacious and clean place, would gladly stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dean M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Couples get away

The Rookery served us well during vacation to Baraboo. Close to many local attractions, including walking distance brewery and restaurants.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Girls weekend

We had a very nice time. The house was in a great location and very clean:
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great ski trip

Great location and very family friendly.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Paul J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic home and location

Great for walking every where around town. Beds comfortable Clean as well Would recommend to everyone
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Greg D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place

Very nice place with easy access to all the attractions in the Dells.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michelle K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Baraboo Mystery Weekend

Loved our stay at The Rookery! Fantastic location within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants. Quiet and comfortable house with lots of room for everyone.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Greg L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house in a great town

We love this house! This was our second time staying here and it's in even better condition than before.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Penny B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Close to everything

This was a very nice place to stay! Tons of room and perfect for a group! It had everything we needed!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lindi K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great family home

Great place to be with family, visit special spots in Baraboo, walk downtown and to library. We have stayed here before and would definitely come back in the future. Highly recommend this home
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

James K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend

Couldnt skii, but the area was fun to explore. House was a great central location!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cheri L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

50th Birthday celebration

Very clean, lots of room and lots of character, a very fun place to stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend Getaway

We return to this property frequently to enjoy all that Baraboo and Devils Lake has to offer. We love this house and look forward to returning in the future.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Stacy P., Middleton, Wisconsin

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great House for Girls’ Weekend

Clean, spacious, and perfect for a get together with friends.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023

10/10 Excellent

Archie G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Devils Lake / Wisconsin Dells

The house was comfortably large in a small town neighborhood located 10 minutes from Devils Lake and 20 minutes from Wisconsin Dells. It is a beautiful and fun area and we enjoyed it.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

HARVEY M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect location

This became like home over our stay of a week. It was a perfect location for walking to the center of town to experience the restaurants and other attractions. For someone who lives a distance from such things it was very welcome!
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Michael H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Place

We had a wonderful time, with lots to do at the Wisconsin Dells. It was nice after a long day to come home and relax. Very accommodating with our large family and the finished basement was a pleasant surprise. We would definitely recommend staying here!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Beth L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Another great stay at the Rookery

Clean and tidy. Comfortable like grandmas house. What more can you ask for?
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023

6/10 Okay

Debra D., Waukesha

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Get Away with Friends

We enjoyed the large living room, dining area, and the outside table and chairs. All agreed that the living room furniture and kitchen refrigerator, cupboards, and drawers need cleaning as well as basic maintenance. The location was great even though it was on a busy street.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Claudette M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice, nice, nice.

House was beautiful. Enough room for all of us. There were only 7 adults and 2 children due to a last minute cancellation. Everybody enjoyed the convenience of being together, without being on top of each other. Were able to walk to most places.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michelle K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Stay for Baraboo Mystery Weekend

We love the Rookery! This was our second time staying there and we will definitely be back again. Just like last time, check in instructions were sent in a timely manner, were very easy to follow and everything went smoothly. Property owners are super helpful and their response time is almost immediate. Everything was very clean and the whole house feels just so comfortable. We were relaxing within minutes of unloading our luggage!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Ron L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Reunion 2022

We traveled to Lake Delton for a family reunion and a group of us stayed at The Rookery. I cannot say enough about how wonderful the accommodations were. The house is absolutely beautiful with so much character and plenty of space for our group of 9 adults. The interior of the home is beautifully furnished and very comfortable throughout. The exterior is lovely with lots of mature trees, shade, pretty landscaping and plenty of sitting space. The house was very clean, well stocked, and welcoming from the moment we walked in. The location was perfect for our occasion. We highly recommend The Rookery. Thank you so much Mark and Laura for the use of your property…we really enjoyed our stay!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022

About the host

Hosted by Laura and Mark Hamdan-Krause

Host profile image
Mark and Laura are long-time Baraboo residents with a huge love for their little town. Active in their community through theatre, schools, church, and membership in community supported agriculture, they've found that living in a small community gives them superior quality of life.
Mark's been a teacher for 15 years, and Laura works for an estate lawyer.

Why they chose this property

Lovingly built for a growing family in 1949, this home was made to be lived in. It's centrally located with effortless access to a vast number of entertainment and activity options. With lots of room, a great location, huge yard, abundant off-street parking, incredible floor plan. This home was begging to be filled with guests!

What makes this property unique

For chilly winter nights, there's a cozy gas fireplace. Warm summer evenings beg for the shady backyard. Autumn afternoons call for reading in the sunroom. And at the end of a long day, the beds beckon weary travelers.
The huge dining room table is a great place to bring a family together for dinner, games, or to re-hash the highlights of the day. Every room has a comfy, welcoming ambience.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests