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Harstad Suite at Elkader Jailhouse Inn

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Relax on the covered porch with a round table and two chairs, taking in the view of the surrounding houses and lush greenery.
Enjoy cooking in this well-equipped kitchen with a large island, sink, and ample counter space.
Cozy retreat with a dining table, mirror, and shelf unit, featuring a fireplace.
Experience the charm of Elkader Jail House Inn, established in 2008, in a beautifully maintained setting.
Cozy retreat with a skylight, wooden bed, and comfortable seating area.

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Entire home

1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Outdoor space
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
The current price is NZ$412
includes taxes & fees
8 Aug - 9 Aug

About this property

Entire place

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

Harstad Suite at Elkader Jailhouse Inn

HARSTAD
This penthouse suite is our largest suite, boasting the best views and spacious seating areas. Two queen beds make the room fit for up to 4 inmates. Play cards at your very own cafe table, soak in the air massage tub or clean yourself off the bidet, this suite has it all. The Harstad Suite is named after local author and 26 year Clayton County Sheriff’s department veteran Donald Harstad. Sip your morning coffee and dive into one of Donald’s many crime novels that fill the book cases.

THE JAILHOUSE

Enjoy your sentence at the historic Elkader Jailhouse Inn. Built 150 years ago to house Clayton County's most dangerous criminals, the recently renovated 5,000+ square foot limestone mansion sits on a 3 acre bluff overlooking the rolling hills of Elkader, Iowa. Enjoy 4 spacious suites that pamper you with luxurious beds and spa-like bathrooms while overflowing with character and historic charm. As an inmate you will have access to the gourmet kitchen, scenic patio overlooking the valley, and of course everyone’s favorite: the cell block. The authentic jail cells, evidence, and paraphernalia make this a stay you won’t soon forget. But don’t worry it won’t stay on your record. Don’t forget to take your mugshot! Entertaining a big group? Rent the whole jailhouse for accommodations of up to 20 inmates! Perfect for all occasions from a weekend getaway to a wedding party. It should be a crime not to stay here!

THE TOWN

The Jail house overlooks the quaint town of Elkader, Iowa, the county seat of Clayton County. Your accommodations are just blocks from the Main street restaurants and boutiques that line the Turkey river. Ample shopping and dining attractions are within walking distance. The town and surrounding countryside of Northeastern Iowa provide plenty of leisure activities from Pike’s Peak and Backbone state Parks, to the historic Effigy Mounds, not to mention abundant trout fishing, including within the nearby scenic Yellow River State Forest. Catch a concert at the Opera House, cut cards at the Casino in nearby Mcgregor, hit the links at one of the area's golf courses or spend a day on the water floating a local river. The natural beauty and historic charm will make you a repeat offender!

Property manager

Penn Nobis

Add dates for prices

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • Bedroom
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Games
  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Location highlights

  • In a rural location

Things to do

  • Casino nearby
  • Golfing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Property does not allow children

Similar properties

Property grounds

Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader Jailhouse Inn

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, 9 reviews
The price is NZ$397
includes taxes & fees
10 Aug - 11 Aug
Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader Jailhouse Inn

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

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

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

This property does not allow children

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 not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property
Harstad Suite at Elkader Jailhouse Inn Elkader
Harstad Suite at Elkader Jailhouse Inn Private vacation home

About the area

Map
Elkader, IA

What's nearby

  • Carter House Museum - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Keystone Bridge - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Spook Cave - 29 min drive - 31.4 km
  • Pikes Peak State Park - 40 min drive - 43.5 km
  • Wyalusing State Park - 55 min drive - 64.9 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Johnson's Restaurant - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Fennellys' Irish Pub - ‬11 min walk
  • ‪Schera's Restaurant & Bar - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪St Olaf Tavern - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪The Burger Barn - ‬5 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Harstad Suite at Elkader Jailhouse Inn pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Harstad Suite at Elkader Jailhouse Inn?

As of 6 Aug 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Harstad Suite at Elkader Jailhouse Inn on 8 Aug 2025 start from NZ$411.88, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

What time is check-in at Harstad Suite at Elkader Jailhouse Inn?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Harstad Suite at Elkader Jailhouse Inn?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Harstad Suite at Elkader Jailhouse Inn located?

Situated in a rural location, this holiday home is 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from Carter House Museum and within 16 miles (25 km) of Froelich Foundation Museum and Spook Cave. Bloody Run Creek Wildlife Management Area and Mississippi River are also within 20 miles (32 km).

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Harstad Suite at Elkader Jailhouse Inn Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 7 out of 8 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 8 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 8 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

2.0/10

Amenities

2.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

2.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Angie M.

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

Visit home to Elkader

We have stayed at the Elkader Jail House many times and the Harstad Suite is a great room for the 4 of us. The large kitchen and family space on the first floor provide plenty of space for everyone to get together and relax. Its nearby my family and takes the stress off anyone needing to make space for all of us to sleep. Its comfortable, clean and an easy to walk downtown. We'll be back soon!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

2/10 Terrible

Cole

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I was unable to enter the property and the attempt to contact the hosts was unsuccessful. I was forced to stay at a new B&B
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jean S.

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

A wonderful place to stay

The Inn is beautiful! My husband I spent 2 nights in the Harstad Suite. It was spacious and comfortable and I loved the big bath tub. Highly recommended.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

RODNEY C.

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

The jailhouse inn

We enjoyed our stay. The kitchen was amazing. Our room was perfect. And it was fun meeting other guests
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Crystal W.

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

Great bath tub

Clean suite in Elkader. Unique property. The kids enjoyed the shuffleboard game. The highlight was the huge tub perfect for bubble baths!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Michael S.

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

Charm, location, and comfort.

We chose the Jailhouse for it's proximity to Backbone and Pikes Peak state parks, it's an easy drive to both. The Inn was clean, comfortable, and full of history. Our suite was spacious, and had a magnificent view of Elkader's historic downtown. We will surely be back next fall.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Deanne E.

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

Unique place

We loved the uniqueness of this property. Will stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2020

10/10 Excellent

Ben V., Milwaukee, wi

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

Loved the place

Loved the place
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2020