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Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn

Photo gallery for Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn

A hallway with a wooden staircase, grey walls, and framed pictures on the wall.
Property video
A stone with "Elkader Jail Inn" and "EST. 2008" engraved, a two-story house with a porch, and a grassy lawn.
A kitchen with wooden cabinets, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, and hanging pots.
A room with a brown leather sofa, a wooden coffee table, a colorful rug, a pool table, and a TV mounted on the wall.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroom

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Air-conditioning
  • Parking available
The current price is NZ$294
includes taxes & fees
26 Aug - 27 Aug

Explore the area

View map
Elkader, IA
  • Place, Carter House Museum
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Place, Keystone Bridge
    ‪6 min walk‬
  • Place, Field of Dreams
    ‪56 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

Elkader

At this holiday home, you'll be 0.6 km (0.4 mi) from Carter House Museum and 22.4 km (13.9 mi) from Froelich Foundation Museum. Highlights at this holiday home include a kitchen, a washing machine and a balcony. .Home features a coffee/tea maker, a hairdryer and an iron/ironing board. In-room dining is easy with a kitchen that comes equipped with a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. .Sights within a 30-minute drive of this Elkader holiday home include Mississippi River and World's Largest Strawberry.
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What's nearby

  • Carter House Museum - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Keystone Bridge - 6 min walk - 0.6 km
  • Pikes Peak State Park - 21 min drive - 38.9 km
  • Spook Cave - 22 min drive - 32.1 km
  • Field of Dreams - 56 min drive - 94.2 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Johnson's Restaurant - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪St Olaf Tavern - ‬11 min drive
  • ‪The Treats On Bridge Street - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪The Brim Coffee House - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪St Joseph's Catholic Church - ‬15 min walk

About this property

Entire place

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

Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn

Perfect for larger groups, the Emma Big Bear Suite features two connected rooms that can comfortably sleep up to five guests (queen, double, and twin beds). The suite is named after Emma Big Bear, a frequent guest of the Inn when it was still the jailhouse. The last of her tribe, Emma was known for her beautiful jewelry and tapestries. Coming from a humble background, she sometimes enjoyed a drink to stay warm and enjoy a hot meal. While your stay will be far more comfortable, you can enjoy the same cozy respite in her namesake suite. The bathroom is conveniently located just across the hall.

Historic Jailhouse Experience

Serve your “sentence” at the historic Elkader Jailhouse Inn! Built 150 years ago to house Clayton County’s most dangerous criminals, this recently renovated limestone mansion spans over 5,000 sq. ft. and sits on a 3-acre bluff overlooking the rolling hills of Elkader, Iowa.

Choose from one of four spacious suites, each with luxurious beds, spa-like bathrooms, and overflowing historic charm. Guests enjoy access to the gourmet kitchen, scenic patio, and the property’s most iconic feature: the original cell block. Authentic jail cells, historical evidence, and memorabilia make this a stay you won’t soon forget. Don’t forget to take your mugshot!

Traveling with a large group? Rent the entire Jailhouse for up to 20 guests—perfect for weddings, family gatherings, or weekend getaways. It should be a crime not to stay here!

Amenities & Guest Access
Private suite with access to kitchen and Cell Block
Cell Block features a large flat-screen TV, shuffleboard, and board games
Off-site hosts available 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM, 24/7 for emergencies
Location

Overlooking the charming town of Elkader, Iowa, the Jailhouse is just blocks from Main Street restaurants, boutiques, and the Turkey River. Explore nearby attractions including Pike’s Peak, Backbone State Park, Effigy Mounds, Yellow River State Forest, trout fishing, concerts at the Opera House, local golf courses, and scenic river floats. The historic charm and natural beauty will make you a repeat offender!

House Rules
No loud noise after 10 P.M.
No smoking
No parties or events
Only registered guests

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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
  • Refrigerator

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Hair dryer

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony

Laundry

  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector or gas appliances (host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)

Policies

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

No loud noise after 10 P.M. No smoking No parties or events No pets/Pets allowed No unregistered guests

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

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
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that 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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. 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. On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a smoke detector in all accommodation.

Property is also known as

347401

Frequently asked questions

Are there any beaches close to Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn?

The closest beach to Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn is Wyalusing Beach (23 km).

How much does it cost to stay at Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn?

As of 25 Aug 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn on 26 Aug 2026 start from NZ$294, 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.

Does Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn have a pool?

No, this holiday home doesn't have a pool.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn?

No, Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn does not offer an airport shuttle service.

Are pets allowed at Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn?

No, pets are not allowed.

Emma Big Bear Suite at Elkader JailHouse Inn Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

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

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026