A complete Getaway house review. Tiny cabin rentals helping people disconnect and connect with nature.
It can feel impossible to step away from day-to-day life for even a brief period. Our fingers shake with the need to Instagram our morning lattes as our phones ring and buzz nonstop. And we frequently lack the time in our busy schedules to get away from the noise. These days, you just need to take the initiative to arrange some much-needed downtime. And I know just how to do it.
You might have seen an ad for it on Instagram called Getaway.
Two Harvard undergraduates, Jon Staff and Pete Davis, founded the business in 2015 at the Harvard Innovation Lab in an effort to combat the incessant stress of city living. (They even presented the concept to Shark Tank, but decided to go it alone after rejecting billionaire Chris Sacca’s offer of $500,000!)
A Getaway house provide a foolproof way to connect with nature if, like me, you have no idea what you’re doing in the big outdoors.
PROMO CODE: Save 25% off any April or May stay with code FIRSTBLOOM
What is a Getaway House?
A Getaway house is a tiny cabin that is located in a rural place not too far from the city, whether it be in the woods or on a mountaintop. As I said before, the purpose of these homes is to help you unplug.
The cabins are equipped with the necessities to motivate you to use less technology, spend more time outside, and develop relationships with your fellow travelers. They provide you a cell phone lockbox (don’t worry, it’s optional) and there is no WiFi (depending on location you could still have cell service) to help you with your digital detox.
I can imagine you wondering, “Do you at least get toilet paper?” Yes, is the answer. But I’ll talk about that more later.
Where are Getaway Houses Located?
Since their launch in 2015, Getaway house has been rapidly growing across the country. Each location, or “Outpost” as they refer to their locations, has been carefully chosen to be no more than two hours outside of any major city, making it simple and practical to access.
When one of my friends mentioned wanting to reserve a Getaway house for their birthday weekend, I first learned about them. Since then, Getaway’s tiny cabins have become my go-to for extended weekends to unplug in nature.
Personally, my closest Getaway house location is a perfect getaway to the Kettle River, which has a genuine Northern Minnesota feel thanks to its majestic pine and birch trees, is a short drive outside of Minneapolis, about 1.5 hours.
The cabins are near several state parks, like Banning and Moose Lake, as well as the beautiful Lake Superior shoreline. Quite literally, a perfect cabin getaway just outside of Minneapolis.
These Outpost locations are listed on the Getaway house website’s ‘Escape From’ menu as the cities that each location is close to. Just remember that a Minneapolis Outpost means up to a 2-hour drive from Minneapolis, not Minneapolis itself!
All Outpost Locations
The following cities offer Getaway outpost nearby:
West Coast (See All)
- Los Angeles, CA
- Portland, OR
- Seattle, WA
Southwest (See All)
- Austin, TX
- Dallas, TX
- San Antonio, TX
- Houston, TX
Midwest (See All)
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Columbus, OH
- Detroit, MI
- Indianapolis, IN
- Kansas City, MO
- Milwaukee, WI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Cleveland, OH
- St. Louis, MO
Southeast (See All)
- Atlanta, GA
- Charlotte, NC
- Raleigh, NC
- Greenville, SC
- Nashville, TN
- New Orleans, LA
- Orlando, FL
Northeast (See All)
- Boston, MA
- New York, NY
- Washington, DC
- Pittsburg, PA
It is simple to escape even if you only have one or two free nights to spare because each location has been carefully chosen to be accessible in a matter of hours by car. View every location here.
Included at a Getaway House
Although simple, the homes have the majority of amenities you might require while there. Each one of them has a bed or bunk beds, a small kitchenette, and a bathroom with running water (yes, there is a flushable toilet and you can take a hot shower, so you don’t have to use the great outdoors as your bathroom). Even towels, body wash, shampoo, and conditioner are available in the restroom.
These minimalist tiny homes have the majority of amenities you might require while there.
Yes, there is electricity. Having said that, I wouldn’t bring any high-voltage electronics because you’re in a small, wooden cabin, you’ll probably blow a fuse, and you’re supposed to be disconnecting!
Very comfortable sleeping arrangements are provided. I’ve slept in some surprisingly plush beds at Getaway Homes. It feels like you’re sleeping on a cloud. They also have excellent pillows and blankets.
No matter what time of year you reserve a stay, you can sleep comfortably thanks to the AC and heat.
A stunning, game-changing picture window is also located right next to the bed. You’ve probably seen the recognizable window if you follow Getaway on Instagram. It is enormous and provides a clear view of the surroundings from your cabin.
From the comfort of your bed, it gives the impression that you are outdoors. If you’d rather not wake up to the sunrise or have passersby peer inside, there are also room-darkening, privacy blinds.
What to Expect
What you can expect to find in your cabin is listed below:
- AC/Heat
- Queen Bed (incredibly comfortable I might add), or two lofted queen beds if you opt for a cabin that sleeps 4
- Storage space for your bags
- A small mirror
- A kitchenette
- Mini fridge, sink (with drinkable water),
- Propane burner, plus propane canister
- Basic cooking and dining essentials (Dishware, cutlery, Pan and kettle, etc)
- Paper towels, foil, soap
- Bottle openers, lighters
- Complimentary olive oil, salt, pepper, cream, and sugar
- Small selection of food for purchase (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc)
- Small dining table with sufficient seating for 2
- private bathroom suites (complete with a hot shower, sink, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and a first aid kit
- A radio, books, and games (vary by location)
- Outlets
- fire pit, grilling grate, outdoor picnic table, and chairs
“Exactly what I needed: peace and quiet in nature with my pup. I loved sitting at the large window with hot cider, watching the rain in the morning, and cooking s’mores by the fire at night.” – Courtney K., Getaway Guest
Not Included at a Getaway House
There are a few items I advise bringing with you even though the cabins are furnished with a lot of the necessities already! The majority of these items I successfully remembered and brought with me, but there were a few that I wished I had. I’ll mention those below.
- Hammock; Not required, but is crucial to any camping excursion to unlock the ultimate relaxation. It gives a whole new meaning to hanging out in the woods.
- Cast-iron pan; You can cook directly on the grilling grate that is provided at your cabin, but cast iron pans make it simpler to move food from the kitchen to the fire and typically a much better cooking surface.
- Wireless speaker; Your cabin has a radio, but if you want to listen to music while hiking or outside, you’ll need another speaker.)
- Headlamp; Even though there is light outside each cabin, a headlamp is still useful for walking at night, putting logs on the fire, and keeping track of your s’mores.
- Bug spray; By wearing bug spray, you can focus on the fun activities and experiences that camping has to offer without being bothered by insects.
- Glassware; The cabins have cups and mugs, which are fine, but you might want to bring glasses if you’re planning to celebrate a special occasion or just want to drink something that looks nice with a nice meal. I personally own a set of plastic wine glasses that are perfect to enhance the tiny cabin experience.
- Games; You can bring books, games, journals, art projects, or anything else you want to do to pass the time during your stay.
- Food, drinks, and snacks; Most grocery stores are close by, but if you can avoid going there by planning ahead, you should.
Getaway House Safety
We covered how great the cabins are, but you might be wondering, “Is a Getaway house safe?”
I felt incredibly safe during my stays in Getaway houses, This is why.
A secure digital lock is installed on the front door of each cabin. You receive a text message with the specific name of your cabin on the day of check-in. There’s nothing to worry about because you can lock your door at night and keep your belongings inside while you go on adventures during the day.
The cabins are each at least 50 to 150 feet apart, making them naturally socially distant in terms of cleanliness. Employees of Outpost, wearing PPE (personal protective equipment), thoroughly clean the cabins between stays.
You can view The Getaway house’s checklist here for a detailed description of the steps they are taking to ensure guests’ safety and cleanliness right now.
Additionally, each Outpost has on-site (though largely unnoticed) staff at your disposal, despite the fact that the Getaway’s cabins are intended to feel remote. During your stay, you can easily text (if you have cell service) or call (using the phone in your cabin) for help with things like toiletries, bug spray, or suggestions.
Things to Do Near Your Getaway House
Prior to your arrival, The Getaway house will send you a welcome email with a link to an article about what’s nearby your particular Outpost, whether it’s close to Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, or any of their other locations.
Here’s an example of what you’ll get. Which includes recommendations for nearby hiking trails, markets, and restaurants.
Every Outpost has a scenic nature trail that is a short, straightforward hike on Getaway property in case you want to take a stroll without getting in your car and driving to a trailhead.
Numerous Outposts are close to lakes, rivers, and waterfalls, in addition to hiking opportunities.
For example, one of the biggest attractions in Kettle River (located in Willow River, no, I’m not kidding) is the Kettle River itself. This picturesque waterway is perfect for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Anglers will find plenty of smallmouth bass, walleye, and northern pike in the Kettle River, and there are several local guides who can help you find the best spots.
For those who prefer a more leisurely pace, the Kettle River is also great for floating or simply enjoying a swim on a hot summer day.
This vacation is a great chance to catch up with your significant other or best friend. Seriously, talk. relating to your hopes, fears, and recent feelings, and what you feel you need more or less of. I feel lengthy (or short) camping excursions go best with a bottle of wine nearby and the campfire crackling just out of reach.
Last but not least, there is something you can do in every Outpost across the nation: nothing. That is correct! What does it matter if you spend the entire day curled up in bed, reading a good book while gazing out these enormous, gorgeous cabin windows? To me, nothing could be more ideal.
Pet Friendly Cabin Getaways
Dog-friendly cabins. Yes, you read that right. They provide a dog bowl, treats, waste bags, and even a leash. The website states that there is a $40 pet fee per stay and that unless you specifically mention having a dog with you, you won’t get the dog amenities. Personally, I can’t comment on this, but some reviewers claimed the area is too small for a larger dog, so use caution.
Is A Getaway House Right For You?
I’m the kind of person who would be just as content sleeping in a tent on the ground in the middle of a forest as I would in a five-star hotel. I thought the Getaway house was a nice middle ground because it had just the right amount of amenities while still being truly rustic and out of the way. However, even though glamping and tiny homes are extremely fashionable and well-liked, they aren’t for everyone.
If you want a fun getaway with a big group of 5 or more people, I’d say this experience might not be the best fit. Each cabin can accommodate a maximum of four people with its two queen-sized beds. If you dislike the outdoors or going without technology for extended periods of time, it might not be a good fit for you.
It’s an ideal way to unplug, exhale, and get away from the grind of daily life, even for a short while, for an escape with 4 or less, whether it’s with your family, closest friends, significant other, dog, or even by yourself!
“Pack”ages, Loyalty Programs, and Offers
Getaway is constantly offering discounts and enticing promotions on their website. But they also disappear so take advantage of them when you see them.
You can also take advantage of their long standing offers and discounts they offer;
Pack Offerings
Getaway offers multi-night packages or “packs” where you can lock in a price. There are 3, 4 and 6 night packs available. All packs can be used for any cabin at any location.
- Choose Your Pack – Select the pack that best suits your schedule. After purchase, your account will be credited with your pack promo code.
- Book When You Want – Log into your account, pick your dates and cabin type. Upon booking, your credit will automatically be applied. You’ll receive your cabin information the week of your stay.
- Disconnect – Get away. Enjoy the benefits of nature and a real break. Talk to your loved ones or enjoy the magic of the woods. Repeat.
Getaway Often Club
Getaway wants to make it easier for people to get away often. A routine that gets you out of the city and away from distractions so you can refuel in nature.
They’re excited to start the Getaway Often Club, a loyalty program that’s so easy, you don’t even have to sign up. There’s no need to track points or get an app.
Stay 7 nights and your next night is on them.
Refer a Friend and Save
Do you have a friend or two who needs to be outside? If you tell a friend about Getaway, they’ll send them a $25 discount on their first stay. You’ll get up to $35 off when they book.
Healthcare Professionals
As a small way of saying “thank you” for all you do as a healthcare worker, Getaway offers to take 15% off any future booking.
Give yourself time to unplug, recharge, and put yourself first. Each code can only be used once per reservation, and you can get a new code here every time you make a reservation.
Military, Veterans and First Responders
You deserve to getaway. It’s important to give yourself time to calm down. Getaway wants to make it easier for our hardworking service members to get out into nature and relax.
That’s why their happy to give 15% off every Getaway to all active duty military, veterans, and first responders. Each code can only be used once per reservation, and you can get a new code here every time you make a reservation.
Students
Getaway gives students 15% off if they want to get away.
Students deserve a break. Student Beans will give you a 15% discount on your Getaway if you are a student, so you can go outside and have #MoreFreeTime.
When you check out, use our Getaway student discount code to save 15% on your order.
Register with Student Beans and show proof that you are a student to get this discount right away. It’s free!
How To Book A Getaway House
Booking a Getaway house is as simple as reserving a hotel. A calendar with available dates will appear after you visit the Getaway website, choose your home base, and provide the number of people in your party and the number of beds you’ll need.
Booking in advance is advised Depending on the time of year or the days of the week you want to book, rates start at $99 per night and go up from there (summer and weekends are usually the priciest times).
You’ll receive the exact campsite address via email after making a reservation. The company won’t email you the name of your cabin or the keycode to open the door until the morning of your stay. The day of your stay, you can check into your home starting at 3 p.m.
Hopefully this expansive Getaway house review has helped guide you make an informed decision on these tiny cabins.
