The Hugh/Walking Distance to Waterloo Downtown

Entire loft in Waterloo, Illinois

  1. 6 guests
  2. 2 bedrooms
  3. 4 beds
  4. 1 bath
Hosted by Christy
  1. Superhost
  2. 4 years hosting

Listing highlights

Top 1% of homes

This home is one of the highest ranked based on ratings, reviews, and reliability.

Self check-in

Check yourself in with the keypad.

Extra spacious

Guests love this home’s spaciousness for a comfortable stay.
The O'Bannon House has another apartment open and it is magnificent: Welcome to The Hugh! This upstairs unit spans the entire length of this grand 190-year-old home. It is newly refurbished to its original glory and boasts original brick walls and unique nooks. You are only a block and a half walk to charming downtown Waterloo and all it has to offer.
(If you have a larger group, you can rent out The Ruby below (sleeps 4) and the Hugh above (sleeps 6) to accommodate your entire group!)

The space
Only fifteen steps before you enter one of the greatest Air BnBs you've ever seen (in our humble opinion :) ). We've tried to anticipate everything you will need to make your stay comfortable and inviting. As you ascend the steps to the second floor you will enter a hallway area. Walk to your right and you will see our beautiful kitchen and living room combo, with a bathroom off to the right. If you walk to the left you will see two gorgeous bedrooms, a child's creative playroom, and a carved-out office space. Because the unit is upstairs and over 190 years old there may be some uneven floors or walls; you may sag a bit too if you were 190 years old! This quiet upstairs apartment is completely refurbished and we are sure you will feel as if this is your home away from home!

Guest access
To access The Hugh you will park in the back of the unit where you will have two parking spaces all your own. You will have your own patio furniture and a charcoal grill. The large backyard courtyard is divided up for both of our units of short-term rental guests, offering privacy and relaxing nature.

Other things to note
There are so many lovely little nooks and crannies throughout this space. There is a large alcove in the back of the living room where we've carved a sleeping area. (There is a trundle bed with two twin beds in this nook). There is also a dormer area in one bedroom where we have a desk to work. The most enchanting little space of all is our secret room. Kids LOVE it! It's their own little space to play and rest, and as they discover this little area it may be a chance for you to rest, too. :)

Where you’ll sleep

1 of 2 pages

What this place offers

Courtyard view
Kitchen
Wifi
Dedicated workspace
Free parking on premises

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Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 83 reviews.

Guest favorite
This home is in the top 1% of eligible listings based on ratings, reviews, and reliability

Overall rating

  1. 5 stars, 100% of reviews
  2. 4 stars, 0% of reviews
  3. 3 stars, 0% of reviews
  4. 2 stars, 0% of reviews
  5. 1 stars, 0% of reviews

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for cleanliness

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for accuracy

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for check-in

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for communication

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for location

Rated 5.0 out of 5 stars for value

Guest reviews mention

Where you’ll be

Waterloo, Illinois, United States
Exact location will be provided after booking.

Neighborhood highlights

Set on a quiet, safe street, our home offers the best of both worlds! The city limits of St Louis are only about 17 miles away, yet we are located within walking distance of all that the idyllic town of Waterloo offers: award-winning restaurants, cute shops, and cool breweries. Enjoy our stocked coffee/breakfast bar, a fully-equipped kitchen, a park-like backyard with a fire pit, and a public library right behind us. We now have two units open in the home - The Ruby (a downstairs unit that sleeps 4) and The Hugh (the upstairs penthouse that sleeps 6). The other downstairs apartment is home to our groundskeeper and his dear elderly parents. We are excited for you to experience The O'Bannon House!

Meet your host

Superhost
247 reviews
4.99 out of 5 average rating
4 years of hosting
Lives in Waterloo, Illinois
Welcome to The O’Bannon House For years my husband has told me stories of his childhood memories of his great-grandmother’s family home-The O’Bannon House. He describes it as a place of warmth and hospitality. He speaks of the ornate antiques and the beauty of each old piece. He says he remembers its high ceilings that felt open and majestic. Great-grandma was proper and precise but welcoming. Her home was classic and timeless. It was so impressive that its rooms are etched in my husband’s mind after all these years. In this spirit, our building-The O’Bannon House- was named. This building dates back to 1833 and was one of the first structures to have been built in Waterloo. In fact, the house was constructed before Waterloo was even named. It originated as a Catholic girls’ school; then a veterinarian’s office; and finally, it has been home to many families and individuals in the community. There are three units within The O’Bannon. Each unit is named after a beloved great-grandparent. At present, the first phase of the renovation as an Air BnB is complete as the Ruby Suite (the suite you have chosen). The Ruby marries the aesthetics of this 1833 historic home with a bit of modern glamour, too. The other two spaces are long-term rentals, for now. Just as my husband’s memories evoke feelings of warmth, grandeur, and hospitality, it is our hope that your stay here will do the same for you. If there’s anything we can do to make your visit more enjoyable, please, don’t hesitate to let us know. Rick and Christy Johnson, owners

Christy is a Superhost

Superhosts are experienced, highly rated hosts who are committed to providing great stays for guests.

Co-hosts

  • Amy

Host details

Response rate: 100%
Responds within an hour
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Things to know

Cancellation policy
House rules
Check-in after 3:00 PM
Checkout before 11:00 AM
6 guests maximum
Safety & property
Carbon monoxide alarm
Smoke alarm
Pet(s) live on property