Imagine driving down scenic Highway 50 to Elmdale and turning west. In just 90 minutes you will be surrounded by the authentic tranquility of Kansas.
Hear the rustling of leaves, marvel at a pristine night sky and experience golden serenity.
Deep in the heart of West Chase County, surrounded by lush soybean fields and embraced by a gentle valley with streams, lies a vacation rental silo known as “Owl’s Nest Silo House.”This is not just any house; It is a carefully designed log cabin, built in 2019, that you can call home for at least a weekend.
We’ll send you inspiring, reassuring stories and personal reflections straight to your inbox.Gerald Wiens, the man behind this retreat, originally had a vision of building a log cabin for sporadic weekend rentals.
“We decided to build a log cabin and rent it out on the weekends, hopefully as an Airbnb. We think only a few weekends a month,” he said. However, barely anticipating the overwhelming demand during the pandemic year, the Paw Print Cabin was occupied for over 180 nights! An old silo stood near the cabin. It was in admirable condition and gave Gerald an idea.
With a little creativity, sketches, models and plan considerations, he set out to convert the silo into a living space. However, the circular structure presented some challenges. “That’s basically what happened. And then, you know, we looked at a lot of ideas. We had drawn small models. We had different floor plans,” Gerald said, according to KSN. The result? A four-story marvel that stands 45 feet tall.
Entering the Silo vacation rental, the entryway flows seamlessly into a unique circular living room, an intimate space designed for comfort and relaxation. Two cosy leather armchairs immediately catch the eye, perfectly positioned to encourage heartfelt conversations or solitary moments of reflection.
For those seeking entertainment, a modern flat screen television is strategically mounted above a magnificent stone gas fireplace. Whether you’re in the mood for a movie night or just want to enjoy the soft warmth of the flames against the backdrop of your favourite show, this living space offers the perfect backdrop.
And don’t forget practicality: a discreet guest toilet is cleverly hidden under the spiral staircase. This space-saving design ensures that guests don’t have to travel far to enjoy amenities, even in the comfort of the living room.
Furthermore, Owl’s Nest Silo House offers an extraordinary journey to the peak of comfort. To reach the grandeur of the fourth floor with the master bedroom, you must embark on a fascinating climb of 45 steps that wind upwards. The second floor offers a cosy bedroom for three people. Here Gerald has created a custom bunk bed with a double bed on the bottom and a single bed on top.
Meanwhile, I had a challenge to overcome: installing a bathroom on the floor of a room. The solution? The entire third floor is dedicated to this spacious bathroom, which serves both bedrooms. But what makes it special is the spacious shower, which dwarfs those in typical homes. It is pure luxury that allows guests to pamper themselves in style. The highlight of this architectural masterpiece is the master bedroom, which features 16-foot-high ceilings and a luxurious king-size bed.
Gerald has put his heart, soul and countless hours into this project. The Silo recently opened its doors to its first guests.
Curious about prices? It costs $175 per night, with a two-night minimum stay and an additional cleaning fee.
But note how Gerald gently warns: if you’re looking for a Disneyland-like experience, this may not be for you. This is a destination for those who truly appreciate nature. Gerald and his family did all the construction themselves, with occasional help from his grandson, an architecture student. For those interested, the cabin is already listed on Airbnb under “Chase County vacation rentals,” and the Silo vacation rental will soon join its ranks.
“To say it was a labor of love, I mean we spent a lot of time here. “If you had to pay me to do it, I’d hate to say how many hours it took because it’s not a typical build,” Gerald said. See how amazing this Silo vacation rental is by watching the video below: