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| Details | |
|---|---|
| Bedrooms | 2 |
| Bathrooms | 1 |
| Sleeps | 10 |
| Other | |
| Suitability |
|---|
| No Pets |
| No Smoking |
| Suitable for Elderly |
| Wheelchair Accessible |
| FlipKey traveler rating |
| 28 reviews |
| Stayed here? Write a review. |
Get the real scoop!
All reviews are written by verified travelers
Details
| Rental type | Other |
| Minimum Stay | 1 night |
| Living space | 2000 square feet |
| Bedrooms | 2 Total |
| Bathrooms | 1 Total |
| Sleeps | 10 |
| Suitability |
Pet friendlyNo Smoking allowedNo Suitable for childrenAsk Suitable for the elderlyYes Wheelchair accessibleYes |
| Theme | Adventure, Budget, Wilderness |
Description from the owner
We are close to Giant City Cabins and the amazing Shawnee Hills wine trail in Southern Illinois. We are located in the Heart of the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. People from all around say that we have the Best Location to the Shawnee National Forest and the wine trail.
Our Loft is ideal for Birthdays, weddings, and just a great getaway! Sleep perfectly at the Alto Wine Trail Loft knowing that you are in a wonderful place that is so close to everything.
RATED NUMBER # 1 BY TRIP ADVISOR FOR BEST VACATION RENTAL IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Southern Illinois Cabins for rent, Southern Illinois cabin Rentals, giant city state park,souther...Read more
Amenities
Location
Southern Illinois Cabins Rental on Wine Trail
Carbondale, Illinois
What's Nearby:
Additional Location Information
Located on Main Street in historic downtown Alto Pass, the Alto Wine
Trail Loft provides new accommodations for experiencing
the wineries and wilderness of Southern Illinois. Close to all the cabins in Southern Illinois, the Wine Loft is a vacation loft rental in Southern Illinois.
A unique getaway in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest, the Loft is a
private vacation rental, close to Giant City, Southern Illinois University, and the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail.
Our Guests say that we have the Best location to enjoy the Southern Illinois Wine Trail has to offer.
Rates
Rates shown in $ USD (change)
| Date | Weeknight | Weekend Night | Weekly | Monthly | Minimum Stay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rate Summary | $125 - $135 | $135 | $800 | $0 | 1 night |
| ALL YEAR RATES | $125 | $135 | - | - | 1 night |
| All Other Dates | $135 | $135 | $800 | - | 1 night |
| Can't find rates for your travel dates? Contact the owner | |||||
Additional notes from owner
$20 per person after 2 people.
Availability
AvailableUnavailable Last updated: April 18, 2013 ◀▶
What Past Guests Are Saying
Overall Rating
ExcellentVery Good
Average
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FromChicagoGina
Chicago, IllinoisLoved it!
Left on 04/15/2013 for a stay in April 2013
I'm a parent of a SIU student. In the past, we have stayed at a hotel on 13. I had no idea about the beauty of Southern Illinois we were missing! The pictures don't do justice to the relaxing, casual and modern vibe of this clean loft. Gps made it easy to get to and the scenic overlook and views of orchards and wineries on the way there were breathtaking. The location is close to the college, Giant City State Park and other hiking, and wineries. The owner Brian was great and the place was well stocked with the essentials. (Thanks for having coffee and shampoo!) I will never stay in a hotel again. For a few bucks more, this beautiful loft made the trip to the college a vacation.
Response from Brian Stone - 04/18/2013
Owner
Gina! Come back anytime! Hot Coffee will be waiting for you!
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Wally H
Effingham, Illinois, United StatesAmazing! Super clean and swank, and the perfect location on the
Left on 03/10/2013 for a stay in January 2013
Wow! Totally loved this place. Such a cool vibe to the place, and the perfect location. Utra clean and comfortable. Very close to Von Jakob, Hedman's, Alto Vineyards, Bald Knob Cross, and not far from other great locations on the Southern Illinois Wine Trail. Even walking distance to the incredible alto Pass scenic overlook, which is one of my very favorite spots in Southern Illinois!
Check in was hassle free, we just grabbed the key and were ready to go. The loft was absolutely spotless. So clean! We loved the atmosphere. Super swank and mod, it felt like staying at a deluxe condo. Beautiful wood floors, fully furnished with large couch, easy chairs, breakfast bar, well equipped kitchen, two private bedrooms (this was just my wife and I, but one loft would be perfect for two couples) and more. Everything was so comfortable and cozy, we felt right at home.
The location is perfect. Easy to find, and perfect central location right in the heart of the wine trail - easy to get to all the best wineries (also not too far from Fuzzy's and the Blue Boar in Cobden!)
Thanks for a great weekend!Response from Brian Stone - 03/20/2013
Owner
Wally!!!!! WOW!!! Thank you so much for the great review!! Please come back and stay anytime!!!
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Idris H
Chicago, IllinoisA Blissful Getaway
Left on 01/13/2013 for a stay in January 2013
Our experience at The alto Wine Loft was an exceptional visit! It exceeded our expectations. The loft was like home away from home, comfortable, stylish and the owners were truly hospitable. Initially the journey from Chicago was a bit challenging due to the inclement weather, dark roads and navigation issues, but Brian (the owner) was kind enough to guide us throughout. Once we found the loft the rest was history! Julie (the property's caretaker) welcomed us upon arrival and made sure our every need was met. They made sure to set out maps and entertainment and dining guides for us. Julie and Brian were always available via telephone and encouraged us to call if we needed them. The only downside was the lack of cable! Granted when you visit wineries, your main focus should not be cable television, but it would have been nice to have! Other than the lack of cable ( which the free high-speed wi-fi made up for) the experience was truly glorious. We definitely plan on making the trip again and may even invite friends this time. We would recommend the Loft.
Response from Brian Stone - 01/16/2013
Owner
Idris,
You guys were also wonderful as well!! Come back anytime! I will have a bottle of wine waiting for both of you!
Brian -
Samantha-WI
WisconsinWould recommend to anyone travelling to Southern IL!
Left on 10/29/2012 for a stay in October 2012
I first heard about the alto Wine Trail Loft in a Midwest Living article about the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. The article said that girlfriends love this little loft, and since my mom and I were planning a girl's weekend, I thought it would be perfect! Little did I know how wonderful this restored General Store would turn out to be.
My experience beginning to end far surpassed every expectation I had! I called Brian (the owner) to make my reservation, and we ended up chatting for 40 minutes - he recommended all kinds of things for my mom and I to do and see, and I have to say, he was pretty spot on! The reservation was a piece of cake, and when we arrived, the loft was exactly what I had pictured. The pictures on Tripadvisor and Brian's website are identical to what you'll find walking into the building: a little kitchenette, dining area, a living room, full bath, and two bedrooms each with a dresser, closet and queen-size bed. We stayed in the back of the loft (there's a front unit and a back unit), which also had a large, private back porch. It was perfect for ending the day with a glass of wine, or waking up with a cup of coffee! Brian also provides free wi-fi, and while he has a TV in the living room my mom and I never turned it on, although I'm sure it'd be perfect to pop in a DVD and relax.
The property was clean and well cared for (Julie, Brian's housekeeper, is a sweetheart!), and it's obvious they do everything they can to keep their guests comfortable. Another bonus to the property is you're in a great location to go anywhere on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail! It's only 20 min (driving slowly, ogling the fall colors...) south of Carbondale, and within 20 minutes of all the wineries in the area. You could walk to alto Vineyard! There's also a great little store about 100 yards from the loft called Grammar's Market - they have the best biscuits and gravy you'll ever try! They also have your typical staples - a food selection, Dvds, little trinkets, and a few pieces of tack in the back corner :). And of course, like everyone we met that weekend, they were very welcoming and friendly. You're also a short walk from a scenic stop that overlooks a beautiful valley with Bald Knob Cross in the background. At sunset, it's absolutely stunning. If I was forced to complain about one thing (which I've already mentioned to Brian), it's that the lighting in the bathroom isn't ideal for doing your make up. Good news is, if you take one of the full-length mirrors from the bedroom and lean it up against the sliding glass doors, you have perfect natural light to use instead!
Hopefully by now I've convinced you to go see the alto Loft for yourself, but if not, feel free to read all of the other amazing reviews Brian has received! I will most definitely be back myself - with my mom, my girlfriends, my boyfriend and another couple...this place is perfect for any combination of travelers! I'm disappointed I didn't find this place before October...I don't know that I can wait until the weather warms up to go back!
Thanks, Brian, for a wonderful experience, and I look forward to staying with you again! -
TarheelMom919
Cary, North CarolinaPerfect Get-a-Way!
Left on 10/02/2012 for a stay in September 2012
We visited the alto Wine Trail Loft for a girl's weekend and enjoyed the expeirience immensely. The unit is sparkling clean and well appointed and located in a quaint village of 400 away from the hustle and bustle. One of the girls with us is in a wheelchair and the rear unit was perfect for accomodating her circumstances. The owner Brian and the care taker Julie responded to our needs (some urgent) and can't thank them enough for all they did to make this visit comfortable and memorable. I'm a definite fan of the alto Wine Loft and would return and recommend it to all my friends and family.
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Elizabeth S
Chicago, ILRight in the middle of everything.
Left on 09/01/2012 for a stay in August 2012
We were kicked out of our vacation at Orange Beach, AL by hurricane Issac. With 7 days left of our vacation, we weren't sure what to do next, but we knew that we had to head north or our entire vacation would be rained out.
We had been to the Shawnee Wine Trail once before and thought it would be fun to go back. After doing some searching of the various places to stay, we came across a web-site for the alto Vineyard Lofts. After looking over the amenities, and finding that at least one of the lofts was available for the time that we needed it, we decided to give Brian a call.
Like everyone we encountered in Southern Illinois, Brian was completely friendly and accomidating, as was the caretaker Julie. Brian had a deal going on for august and September that if you stayed two days (between Monday and Thursday), you would get a third day for free. We ended up staying 4 nights and, even with out the free day, it was very reasonably priced.
Brian has taken an old general store and turned it into two loft style apartments. One loft faces out the front, the other out the back. Although we didn't see the second loft, I assume it is the same as the one that we stayed in. Each loft has two bedrooms with queen sized beds, a large living area, a small eating area, a full kitchen and a nice sized bathroom. In addition to all the space, he also provides linens, towels and cookware. Brian even leaves you with the little things like dish soap, toilet paper, full sized bottles of different body washes, shampoos and conditioners. The beds were comfortable, as was the livingroom funiture. If you are staying in the front loft, you have the covered front porch with two benches. If you are staying in the back loft, you have a fenced in patio with outdoor funiture.
Overall, we were extremely satisfied with our stay. There are a few things that could be done to improve the place, but I have a feeling that Brian is very open to suggestions. For one, he could add a few more things to the kitchen like some additional plates, utinsels, pans and bowls, etc. It may not be a big deal if you plan to eat out a lot, but we did mostly eat in. Since there isn't a dishwasher, a dish drying rack would also be helpful. In addition, things like mirrors could be added to each bedroom and some floor lamps to the living room.
The thing that we were most dissappointed in was that there wasn't even basic cable. We were able to get about three channels on the TV. Luckily, there was a DVD player and we brought some movies with us, plus there was wi-fi. Cable have been nice mostly because there isn't much to do on the wine trail after about 6:00 during the week and probably about 8:00 during the weekend. Most of the small stores close at about 5:00, if they are open at all. All the wineries close between 5:00 and 8:00, depending on the day of the week. Plus, most of them do not open until between 10:00 and noon and since it only takes about 10 - 20 minutes to get to any of the main wineries, you have a little time in the morning too.
As I said before, everyone was very friendly in the little town of alto Pass. Brian, Julie, the two ladies who run the little general store down the street, the woman we meet at the post office, and even people just walking by. We need to send a special thank-you to Julie for calling on us to make sure everything was okay. When we mentioned that we needed an iron, she brought us her own.
We were a little dissapointed that both the fudge shop and the Root Beer Salon were closed, but we did get a sandwich and some breakfast from the general store down the steet; both were excellent.
Overall, our experience was fantastic. We visited 10 of the 12 wineries, drove out to Bald Knob and went to the Labor Day wine festival. I would definitely go back and I would highly recommend staying at the alto Vineyard Lofts. -
cdld91
Fenton, MissouriA Wonderful Place To Stay
Left on 07/29/2012 for a stay in July 2012
On July 27-29, my wife and I rented a loft for the weekend with my brother and sister-in-law. The place is fantastic. Two large bedrooms, a very nice living room and kitchen, with stove, refrigerator, microwave, dishes and silverware...pretty much all you need to make yourself at home, including a flat screen TV and wifi. The loft has very nice decor and is in an old General Store. This place is a gem and needs to be seen to be appreciated. The owner communicates well with the renter and genuinely cares about his customers. Julie, the local caretaker of the two lofts, is great. You can tell she takes great pride in insuring the units are to everyone's liking. I highly recommend alto Wine Trail Lofts to anyone wanting a getaway to the Illinois Wine Trail.
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katie a
chicagoGreat weekend!
Left on 07/22/2012 for a stay in July 2012
This place is perfect. Great location and beautiful accommodations. Brian (the owner) has thought of everything. Don't even hesitate to book this place, snatch it up before someone else does! Book Jillian of Shawnee Shuttle to make your wine tasting experience even better!
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Rachel S
Affton, Missouri, United StatesWe felt at home, only better.
Left on 07/21/2012 for a stay in July 2012
We stayed six days and felt at home. This was our first vacation and we were so comfortable. It was so hot outside, all we could do was stay indoors. We hooked up our ps3 and used the wireless for Netflix. When we did venture out, we found hidden surprises and lovely wineries. We loved the place and the surrounding areas.
Response from Brian Stone - 08/02/2012
Owner
Rachel!
I am so glad you all liked the Alto Loft! Please come stay with us anytime!
Thanks again,
Brian
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TheAllbrittons
ILA weekend to remember!
Left on 06/24/2012 for a stay in June 2012
Alto Wine Loft is a hidden treasure amongst the rolling hills and wineries of Southern Illinois. We rented the loft the day of our wedding and for the next day as well. The loft is modernly decorated and provides plenty of space to relax and enjoy conversation. The day of the wedding it provided enough space for 7 bridesmaids, mother of the bride, and the bride (me), to get ready before the wedding. A nice note welcomed us when we walked in the door, along with a bottle of delicious wine! What my husband and I enjoyed the most was the memory foam mattresses and the other amenities (full kitchen, patio, etc.). The next time we need a fun get-a-way, we will be renting this loft again!
Response from Brian Stone - 08/02/2012
Owner
ASHELY,
I am so happy you and your husband loved the Alto Loft! I also am super happy you were both comfortable in the Beds! Please come back anytime!
Thanks again,
Brian
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Lorann H
35790Great location. One drawback
Left on 06/09/2012 for a stay in June 2012
Loved the location, new furnishings, quiet location, spacious living area. Only drawback was the very very firm bed which was uncomfortable. Still giving 5 stars since everything else was well done. Caretaker is available to answer questions and is very helpful. There is a market one block away but closed on Sunday's. Nice and comfortable outside fenced in patio area.
Response from Brian Stone - 08/02/2012
Owner
Loran,
Our Beds are all new and Top Quality. NO Beds in the Alto Loft were Bought "firm." I hope you will come back soon and try us again!
Thanks,
Brian -
dweber02
44881Great Place to Stay for Southern Illinois Winery Tour
Left on 05/08/2012 for a stay in May 2012
I stayed here with 4 girlfriends for our winery tour. Perfect location - right in the middle of all the wineries, and the loft was awesome. There are 2 almost identical units - both have 2 bedrooms with queen beds and one bath. The decor is contemporary and uncluttered. Very nice!! We all loved it. We also recommend hiring Jillian, the driver/owner of Shawnee Shuttle. She was very knowledgable and entertaining. Had a great dinner at Yellow Moon Cafe.
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tjones6818
44633Central location for winery visits in the quaint town of alto, I
Left on 05/08/2012 for a stay in May 2012
Easy to get-to location. Each unit has two bedrooms with a queen bed in each. Sleeps 4 comfortably. New lofts in an older building - not what you would expect from the outside. We were pleasently surprised. Very roomy and all new interior. Full sized appliances in the kitchen area. I would definately recommend the Lofts if you are heading to visit the wineries in Southern IL,
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sldufhglviuser
wisconsinOff the Beaten Path bit of Heaven
Left on 04/06/2012 for a stay in April 2012
This place was a wonder off the beaten path. Little alto Pass is a place to decompress and was a great headquarters for exploring southern Illinois. The apartment was awesome! Neat as a pin, immaculately decorated ... just the perfect place for us. A complimentary bottle of wine sealed the deal. We would stay here again in a heartbeat. To think we stumbled upon this place in a random Google search. Go here, you won't be disappointed.
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tina_b0_bina
37519Awesome place!!!
Left on 02/03/2012 for a stay in November 2011
This is such a gem in the rough! My friend and I really needed a girls weekend. We couldn't have found a better place to stay. Brian is a super friendly guy who went out of his way to make sure we had what we needed. Alto Pass is such a cute town. There is a little country store just down the way that serves very good b&g;! I highly recommend staying here and will be back in the near future! Thanks for a fabulous time Brian!
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Zaina F
Kilgore, Texas, United StatesThis place was perfect!
Left on 01/03/2012 for a stay in December 2011
Rented the loft for 3 nights the week between Christmas and New Years. Perfect location for visiting the wineries. Right in the middle of at least 10 wineries, and next to a convenient little food market in alto Pass. Loved the decor, it was cozy, comfortable, and modern with romantic lighting. Beds were comfortable, shower worked great, heater kept us more than warm. The high ceilings and brick wall also made it a great place to play music. We created our own party with dancing and music after the wineries all closed at 5pm.
Response from Brian Stone - 01/13/2012
Owner
Thank You So much for the great review! Come back anytime!
Brian -
readingcycle
St. LouisWow! Great place, it was just what we needed and wanted.
Left on 11/21/2011 for a stay in November 2011
This vacationi rental was a great place. It was very clean and decorated in a detailed mannor. When you first walk in you are greated with the fresh pine aroma from the natural pine flooring and trim. The bathroom was beutiful with a very unique sink. We loved the place and will definately come again. I have told all my friends about it and hope they go and experience it for themselves. The town was small and quaint with a nice walking trail that was just outside the door. The local wineries were very close and larger towns were within easy driving distances. If you want a nice quiet get away within driving distance from the city...then this is the place for you. : )
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Greg G
29669More than what was expected!!
Left on 11/15/2011 for a stay in November 2011
My wife and I stayed at the loft for our 5 year wedding anniversary and to visit family. The loft is very spacious and had everything we could ask for. When we did need something, Julie was right there and had it for us before we even finished asking. The loft has 2 big bedrooms and the town itself, while off the beaten path, was very cozy. The loft was very clean and is actually better than the pictures show. A must stay!
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BBeck6
Sugar Grove, IllinoisClean, Contemporary, and Very Private.
Left on 07/25/2011 for a stay in July 2011
The best B&B; we've ever stayed in! Very private, clean, and best of all, the decor is very uncluttered, urban and hip. Conveniently located near many of the area's wineries. My only suggestion would be to add a stereo system with an iPod dock and WiFi. Our tip: be sure to check out Hedman's which is just a few block's away for an outstanding meal and, in my opinion, the area's best Chambourcin!
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cbasten
Carpentersville, IllinoisPerfect Graduation Weekend Celebration
Left on 06/16/2011 for a stay in May 2011
My son graduated from SIU and couldn't find any hotels in the area, and then I started searching online for cabins and came across this loft. I feel like I found a diamond in the rough. Brian was really great and even provided some dining recommendations that worked out great.
My parents came down with us to see their grandson graduate and the loft worked out fabulous for all. It was 100% better than any hotel would have been so all the hotels being filled was a blessing in disguise.
The loft was impeccably kept and very comfortable. I would highly recommend staying at the loft. The little town was so cute I kept saying that I could imagine a movie being filmed there. It sort of felt a little like Mayberry to me. :) enjoy!Response from Brian Stone - 06/26/2011
Owner
Caron Thank you so much for the wonderful review come back anytime!
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Slot10
Hawthorn Woods, IllinoisComfortable, relaxing and pleasant vacation rental.
Left on 06/14/2011 for a stay in June 2011
We had an enjoyable stay at the alto Pass Loft on the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. Our lodging was comfortable, clean and just nice to have a "non-hotel" accommodation. It's a nice size with 2 bedrooms, a big living room and kitchen area. It's a store front and the area is quiet with an old town feel. You definitely need a car - there's really not much in the immediate vicinity but perfect for wine country. It was a little far from the SIU campus since we were going back and forth a lot for a college visit, but definitely worth the trip to have access to the winery, the trails, Giant City, Makanda and more. A highlight of the trip was bringing the wine, fruit, cheese and crackers from Blue Sky and Rustle Hill back to the loft and enjoying it on those cozy leather couches in the living room. A comparable priced hotel room wouldn't have offered us that same experience. The caretaker Julie was very nice and had cinnamon rolls waiting for us when we checked in and Brian, the owner couldn't have been more helpful. Although I had teenagers with me, I'd say the best guest experience would be for those over 21 years old! Go enjoy the wine trail! Great experience - check it out.
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sgreenedu
Saint Louis, MissouriWow!
Left on 04/18/2011 for a stay in April 2011
As soon as we pulled up to the alto Wine Trail Loft, we were amazed. The outside felt like you were back in the early 1900's. When we opened the door, our jaws dropped at the exceptional remodel! The decor was modern and everything was immaculate. There were fresh muffins waiting for us and a nice note offering help at any time. The Loft had such a great energy about it! We were so excited to start our weekend at the wineries after checking in at the alto Wine Trail Loft. I have stayed at many B&B; type places, and this was by far, the best!!!
*Also, any time we were having trouble finding where we were going for a winery, within a minute of being parked on the side of the road, someone would stop to help us find our way. Everyone was so nice and helpful! Real southern charm! -
slo85
Benton ILGreat clean place, will stay again!!
Left on 03/21/2011 for a stay in March 2011
We rented the loft for us and another couple. We ran the wine trail all day and then stayed at the loft. The location is great the rooms were excellent, the brownies were amazing, very stylish, comfortable, ect. We have nothing bad to say about the loft. We are looking forward to staying here again. You also get 10% off at selection winery's.
Response from Brian Stone - 04/01/2011
Owner
Selena Thank you so much for staying at the Alto Loft!! Would love to have all of you back soon!
Brian
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Tammy40
Naperville, IllinoisHidden Gem
Left on 11/24/2010 for a stay in October 2010
My family of four was visiting my daughter in S.I.U and we were looking for a place to stay other than a hotel - again. We found the alto Loft on-line and we were a bit unsure about how it was going to be. Once there we knew that we found a place that we would like to frequent again, as well as a place to tell our friends about. When we first walked in we were surprised to find a fresh apple pie baked for us on the counter. The caretaker Julie, helped us with directions and with any questions that we had. The next morning we woke up to find out that we were in a little town store front located by a walking trail. It was fall time, so the leaves were the perfect color to enjoy the peace and quiet. It was very clean, modern and roomy. It was located near many state park/forest perserves and wineries - we will return again without any doubts!
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olemiss_1993
Oxford, MississippiPerfect Getaway
Left on 11/12/2010 for a stay in November 2010
We absolutely love the loft! Brian, the owner, has done an outstanding job converting an old general store and blacksmith’s shop into two great getaways. We stayed in the front loft and loved the view of the quaint little town. Julie met us upon arrival with delicious cinnamon rolls and directed us to a beautiful walking trail directly outside our door. Great attention to design and detail with the exposed brick wall, good fixtures, hard wood flooring, quality appliances and furnishings… and not to mention, the loft was fully stocked with everything we could possibly need in the kitchen and tons of linens in the bath. While in town, we had lunch at the eclectic Root Beer Saloon and loved it. Centrally located, yet private and quiet, the loft is the perfect romantic getaway. We cannot wait to return! Thanks again for the hospitality!
Response from Brian Stone - 11/18/2010
Owner
WOW! Thanks Suize & Bryant Please come back soon!
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dfish1965
Saint Louis, MissouriOur home for a great anniversary weekend!
Left on 11/07/2010 for a stay in November 2010
My wife and I enjoy the Shawnee Wine Trail and decided on a last minute weekend getaway. Most properties in the area were booked, but I discovered alto Pass Wine Trail Loft online Thursday night. I sent an email and Brian the owner replied within an hour that he had a vacancy! By mid-Friday morning everything was set.
We arrived about 7:30pm Friday night and the caretaker met us with the key (and a basket of incredible cinnamon muffins). The Loft is nicely decorated with two bedrooms, comfortable bedding, spotless bathroom and a small kitchen. It had absolutely everything we needed. (I will add that the heating system worked very well on a night where the temperature got down to 25 degrees).
Since it is a newly renovated property, there were a few odds and ends that had not been completed yet (no knobs on kitchen cabinets, porch light not hooked up yet) but in no way did these detract from our stay. I suspect the owner will be spending a few weekends this winter tying up the loose ends.
We know the area a little bit, but Brian made some suggestions of places to try (Yellow Moon Cafe and Trail's End Lodge) that were spot on. Combined with two favorites from a previous trip (Hedman Winery & Rustle Hill Winery) we ate like royalty the entire weekend.
Don't worry about finding good food on the Shawnee Wine Trail - there are some incredible chefs living in Southern Illinois. My wife is a vegetarian so there is truly something for everyone.
The best part of the Wine Trail Loft is its central location - you can be at any of a dozen wineries within 30 minutes or less. It's unfortunate there aren't more little shops or cafes in alto Pass, but maybe that will change soon as the economy gets better.
All in all, we had a very nice weekend at alto Pass Wine Trail Loft. -
MelaniMoore
Wentzville, MissouriIn the heart of Paradise!
Left on 10/14/2010 for a stay in October 2010
I can't express how great this trip was. We took a chance and reserved the loft before the construction was even done (which means before any pictures were even posted)...and I'm so glad we did. It's in the perfect location for the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail. For my husband and I, it wasn't our first time going to the wine trail, however, we did bring my brother and his girlfriend. We stayed in the back loft and it was perfect. The deck is great for hanging out and drinking wine, or eating breakfast. The only downfall was not having a baking sheet for our buscuits :) Brian was also very informative about the progress of the place and was very great when we got there to share with us great places to eat and to go. We definitely appreciated his help - in which we had an awesome dinner at a nearby restaurant! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone, and am trying to figure out another date that my husband and I could go back!
Response from Brian Stone - 10/24/2010
Owner
Thank You so much Ms. Tanner You are all welcome anytime!
Brian
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Gretchen62
Benson, ILA great way to enjoy the Shawnee National Forest
Left on 10/14/2010 for a stay in October 2010
We were looking for adventure and found it in this quaint little town. We didn’t want a hotel experience and wanted to get a true feel for the Shawnee National Forest area.
We contacted Brian, the owner, before he was scheduled to open for business, and he did all he could to get the Loft ready for us on the weekend we were traveling. He was super to deal with and went above and beyond to make sure we had a great weekend.
The location is perfect. It is just a short drive to cycling on the Tunnel Hill State Trail, hiking at Giant City State Park (and many other area hiking trails) and delicious dining. Brian gave us tips on the local restaurants and wineries, which was very helpful since we had never been to Shawnee before. Our only complaint was we didn’t have enough to time to see everything we wanted to see!
Our group consisted of two couples and the Loft was very comfortable for us. It was nice to have the two separate bedrooms but have a shared living area. We would highly recommend checking out the alto Wine Trail Loft if you are looking for something different than the typical hotel experience.Response from Brian Stone - 10/24/2010
Owner
Gretchen Thank you for all your kind words! Come back soon!
brain
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