We were so happy with our stay. The rooms were clean, the views were wonderful, and the animals were adorable!

We enjoyed the quiet, the territorial views, the stars, the fireplace, the hot tub, and visiting the animals down on the farm. Looking forward to a return visit!

It was a great place to stay and Joe was absolutely great!!

This property is the perfect getaway for a group of friends looking to get out of Chicago. The house was very spacious and oriented toward catering to larger groups (we had 8 people total). The check in/check out process was very easy. The whole group had fun on the 9-hole golf course, especially watching the cows! We went into the town of Galena for a day which was wonderful (about a 25 min drive). Great shopping, restaurants, etc. The location was close enough to town but far enough in the country that the stars at night and rolling hills with fall foliage were perfect. There was a wedding happening on property that weekend and we hardly heard a peep as our house was so far away. This was an awesome stay and getaway and would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a good place for a larger group!

Perfect weekend away!

Had a girls weekend at the Octagon and it was lovely. More room than we needed but it was so great. The hot tub wasn’t working due to a parts issue, but the hot tub at the other house was great. Just bring flashlights. It’s dark at night and you have to walk over to the next house. Only thing I would change is maybe remove the apples in the drive if there are a lot. These attract a lot of flies and bees and can be a bit of a nuisance when guests are hanging out on the deck. Next time we will bring the kids, there is lots to do for the entire family.

This house was really amazing for a number of reasons. SPACE - We stayed here and are a family of 10. Having bathrooms and bedrooms on every floor really helped us spread out and feel like we had lots space. The main floor has a large living/dining area so you can all eat/relax together inside (or some could be outside while others inside). The basement was perfect for our late night board games and the tv was great for the night owls in the group. VIEWS - The views are STUNNING. The huge porch offers lots of different seating options, each with its own unique view of the valley below. The view from the fire pit at night was also incredible. There was a full moon while we were there, and we could not stop commenting on how beautiful everything looked even at night. The amount of stars you could see at night was nothing short of breathtaking, especially for those who are stargazers. PORCH - The porch is the perfect size for any group. We were able able to sit together and relax when we wanted, and separately when we didn’t. Having that amount of outdoor space is really unique and special. ACTIVITIES - The area has a lot to offer. There are animals on the ranch that you could visit, lots of trails around the area, and you’re close to Galena. Staying at the house, you have the luxury of being able to go to the owners club that has pools (and an arcade, exercise room, etc). We were all really excited to go to the pool, and then we ended up loving the outdoor space at the house so much that we barely left! JOE (last but certainly not least) - It’s obvious from other reviews that Joe is a really wonderful person and adapts perfectly to every group, and I’m here to reiterate that sentiment. Joe really goes above and beyond. He immediately remembered all of our names (how does he do that?!) which added a nice personal touch. He made sure our group had everything we needed, always had a smile on his face, and was happy to help with any requests that we had. The coffee maker wasn’t working properly, and Joe being the guy he is, promptly came by with another one and noted that he understood the importance of coffee - which of course made every one laugh. With a large family like ours, you can imagine what might happen if we suddenly didn’t have coffee in the morning. I really don’t think the experience would have been the same without Joe. He is a true rare gem. Overall, we had a really great stay and all agree that we will be back soon! THANK YOU!

This was our first time visiting Galena and not only did we fall in love with the scenery but we had an amazing time in this home. Joe was friendly, helpful, and really would go out of his way to help us feel comfortable. The house was perfect, tons of space, had everything we needed (and more) and honestly I look forward to coming back. One negative is that the jacuzzi attached to the house was not working but it didn’t slow us down in the end. We were allowed to use another one (a little smaller) in the neighboring house which was still nice. Afterwards we ran back to the house (it was chilly and dark - a few of the girls got startled by a bunny which was hilarious but no one was hurt, just a moment of panicked screaming). Other than that everything was wonderful and we were left wanting to have spent more time to do all we wanted to do. Loved the house!

This house was much more than we needed size-wise, but it was a lovely property. We enjoyed the fire pit and the panoramic views! Joe the ranch hand was super friendly. Our only feedback would be that about half the lightbulbs were burned out so the house seemed very dark. Also, while the house was clean, there were lots of dead flies in the window sills and on the floors. Not a deal breaker, but a quick walkthrough before the guests arrive to check on these basics would be our feedback. Thanks for hosting!

The days we were there were very cold and wintery. We didn’t even leave the property as we were so content. Very much enjoyed the large sunny windows overlooking the snowy hills. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Loved the hot tub and the ping pong. A wonderful quiet restorative and fun get away!

We stayed in this home with 10 people. We wanted a bedroom for everyone and plenty of elbow room. This house was perfect for our needs. The views from the deck were spectacular. We would stay there again for sure!

The property has incredible views and Joe the ranch hand was great at helping up get situated. Plenty of space and the hot tub was perfect on a cool evening. Location in terms of proximity to downtown Galena is really great as well!

My family and I had a great time this weekend at the octagon! The views are beautiful, the space was clean, the beds were comfy, and there was plenty to do! We had access to anything we needed (toilet paper, towels, kitchen necessities, water and ice via the fridge door, games, coffee maker, etc). My one question is in regards to the listing. It states that there are 4 bathrooms, but we only had access to 3? However, I would definitely stay here again. Thank you for a fun, safe weekend!

This was my first vrbo.com experience. So, the process of getting to know about the property via vrbo messaging option did not work very well for me., The owners (Mark) responded on-time. However, it was difficult to understand the quality of the place before I reached. When we got there, the property matched all with the online description but it was bit older than what I "imagined". It is in a very very secluded place and we loved it - so quiet. The house is very beautifully furnished and decorated - We liked every part of it. Beds were comfortable, pillows were sufficient; (upstairs small bedroom's comforter were smelling too dusty) bathrooms are well-maintained. Kitchen came with all utensils (we brought our own - just to be safe and we used it for most part). There is a huge TV - but we never ended up using it... Heater/AC - was a mess, On the first night, we didn't keep it too cold and the bedrooms ended up too hot at night and some of us couldn't sleep properly. Next night, we set the A/C correctly, and somehow we managed to sleep. By the time we figured out all these, we checked out! Overall, fine place for more headcount of guests to be in one place. You can't find any better place to accommodate around 10-12 people under one roof than this.... I surely will plan for this place in the future if we end up doing this next year or so.... Sunrise and sunset from the property is absolutely priceless. Last but not the least - Caretaker - Joe - is a great guy - very respectful, responds quickly and was very helpful.

We rented the Octagon house for the group of 5 families with two teenagers (total 12 people). Master bedroom and two others on a main and upper level are spacious enough, however there are three bedrooms on a lower level - two of them are very small, and another one with the nice bed, but no door, just a curtain. We were there in August 26-30th, 2021, it was hot and humid – upper-level bedrooms were too cold and noisy, and lower-level bedrooms too hot. Three fens are very noisy, and did not help to get the temperature down. For the company of 12 people there is not enough silverware, good thing we brought some paper plates and plastic silverware. Main level does not have enough lights, especially in a dining area. There is an ironing board, but no iron, not enough toilet paper - if you are going for 4 nights, bring some with, as well as paper towels. Outside porch has enough seating, however, there is no shade during the day – it will be nice to have at least a fabric tent. Fire pit looks nice, we would like to make a fire, but there are no sitting places there except of three small logs. The location is nice and quiet, beautiful views, however it is very remote. Trip to Galena was nice, our shopper lovers enjoyed it a lot, especially Donna Rosa boutique. Unfortunately, there is no activities for the part of the group that likes activities other than shopping. Not sure, what was a cleaning fees paid for – everywhere a lot of spiders and spider web, bugs, indoor and outdoor, especially in the hot tub area. Overall, we had a good time, but we think that the house should be maintained better and is overpriced.

I didn't realize how "remote" our location would be when we booked our family get away. It turned out to be a perfect place for all ages. Weather wasn't great, so we really utilized the time to just be together!

Nice property in a beautiful setting. A couple of the items that were supposed to be available were not, but Joe got them for us. Dishwasher top rack needs to be repaired/replaced. Need a supply of knives in the cutlery drawer. Otherwise, the accommodations were fine. Had some noisy neighbors one night, but otherwise it was a peaceful retreat.

The Octagon house was a spacious retreat for my family getaway. We loved the swim passes to the Galena Territory Pool. Joe meeting us upon arrival and giving a tour of the ranch was also amazing. The only complaint would be the broken dishwasher top shelf and the limited silverware and hot pads in the kitchen. There were 12 of us and we cooked a lot! The 20 minute drive into Galena was gorgeous and we enjoyed all the shopping the food in town. Great weekend getaway was had by all!

Had a nice time at the Octagon. House had plenty of room and kids enjoyed exploring the property.

Excellent place, spacious, great hosts, you can see some animals in their ranch while you’re there!

I rented the property for my wife’s birthday and it was perfect. Great house, plenty of space, entertainment options and outdoor areas. The ranch hand Joe was awesome! He took my wife and her friends down to see the cows, which was the highlight of the trip. The farm animals were a hit. Perfect spot for a weekend getaway. Would absolutely stay there again.

Great Home...Great Town...JOE WAS AMAZING...Thank you for a great Birthday weekend for my wife and family...

We really enjoyed our time here. Lots of room to spread out. Perfection for social distancing! The ATV ride with Cowboy Joe was a highlight. He was so friendly and welcoming. The hot tub was a perfect way to relax. Highly recommend!

We came out from Chicago and thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Aside from some trouble with the coffeemaker, we loved everything about this beautiful home. The large great room and kitchen were perfect for our family mealtimes and evening board games. The grounds are beautiful and our daily walks to visit the farm animals and take in the views were some of the highlights of our trip. Joe was super friendly and attentive to our questions. The hottub was the perfect end to a day of hiking and sightseeing in nearby Galena. Would come back in a heartbeat!

The house was wonderful, really enjoyed the hot tub and short trip to chestnut!

This was the perfect spot for our family to get away and enjoy some quiet time! The views were incredible and the setting serene. Just what we needed to feel rejuvenated!