Vacation Rentals on the Rise in Phelps County: Upscale & Rustic Stays Attract Travelers

Vacation rental options are expanding in Phelps County, giving visitors several fun options to experience the area, including a new upscale stay in downtown Holdrege.

James and Katherine Stewart officially opened The Corliss, 814 4th Ave., in July and have already welcomed several happy guests. The rental is available on the Airbnb platform, where they advertise the opportunity to “stay behind the mural that has a view of its own!”

The Stewarts recently completed a renovation of the upper level of their building, which once served as Holdrege’s City Hall and Fire Department. The first floor is now home to Riteway Milk, owned by the Stewart family.

PCDC helped with the project by granting the Stewarts a GO! DREAM building integrity matching grant, a GO! HOME site improvement/demolition matching grant, and a GO! HOME code compliance grant.

Katherine said she describes the rental as “cozy, clean and modern.” It has a Midwestern upscale feel with a unique couch, modern light fixtures and the most amazing view of east Holdrege on Highway 6 & 34.

James said they decided to name the rental The Corliss after his mom, who is named Corliss.

“My mom is a distinguished lady, and this is supposed to be a distinguished and upscale place,” he said.

The Stewarts enjoyed the renovation process, even with a few bumps in the road, and they find it satisfying to welcome guests to Holdrege and to see the positive reviews come in on Airbnb.

They hope The Corliss attracts travelers, tourists and people in the area for business to stay in Holdrege rather than Kearney. They are appealing to travelers looking for an upscale vibe, similar to the new Drive Golf & Lounge in downtown Holdrege.

“I just love The Drive because when you walk in the door, it’s like you’re teleported into a big city someplace else,” Katherine said. “Some people are used to finer things, and we wanted our rental guests to have that experience as well.”

The two-bedroom, one-bathroom unit features a full kitchen with laundry, a dedicated parking spot, Wifi, and games/books for entertainment. It rents for $183 on weeknights and $199 on weekends with a two-night minimum stay on weekends.

The Stewarts have already partnered with Lost Way Brewery to offer coupons for brewery drinks to visitors, and they welcome partnerships with other area establishments.

So far, they’ve had such a fun experience as Airbnb owners that they are considering opening another rental in a more rustic location.

Rough Acres Ranch

Denise Swanson, owner of The Drawer Upscale Resale, started her adventure into Airbnbs in 2019. She and her husband, Jeff, also own Swanson Cattle Company, and after a hired man moved out of one of their farmhouses, she decided to turn it into a vacation rental.

Denise said her family thought she was “nuts,” but now they enjoy visiting with guests and welcoming tourists, hunters, and families to their farm. The “Swanson Cattle Company Bunk House” has welcomed many tourists over the years, including repeat guests. She is rated as a Superhost on Airbnb and is ranked in the top 5% of rentals based on ratings, reviews and reliability.

Recently, another farmhouse they own became available, and Denise couldn’t wait to put her passion for decorating to work and create another Airbnb rental. She just opened “Rough Acres Ranch” located in the sprawling hilly pastures south of Holdrege (11182 724 Road, Holdrege). It’s a perfect spot for families looking to get away from it all (or even local families seeking an unplugged staycation) or for hunters or travelers just looking for peace and quiet.

Denise has a flair for decorating with repurposed items and was able to decorate the entire house with just a few new-purchase items. The remote farmhouse has a cozy “boho” yet old-fashioned welcoming feel. Denise’s son, Zach, crafted a cozy porch swing for the side porch, and a fire pit beckons people to enjoy a peaceful night in the middle of the Nebraska prairie.

Denise said the only challenge to owning an Airbnb is finding the time or help to clean the house between guests if there are back-to-back stays. Otherwise, she highly recommends the vacation rental business as a good investment and an extra source of income.

Her daughter, Lacey, also operates a local Airbnb rental in the basement of her Holdrege home. Other local vacation rentals listed on Airbnb include an apartment called the 1008 Hundred Hill and The Shop House in Bertrand.

Peg Holen operates the Holen Horse n Homestay LLC near Overton in Phelps County. This stay offers visitors a room in a large hundred-year-old farmhouse. A stay at the Holen Horse offers a “serene, fun and relaxed atmosphere” with optional meals available upon request for an additional charge. She has operated the vacation rental for nine years and is also a guest favorite rated in the top 1 percent of rental.