Testimonials

We’ve been to Red Barn Retreats twice for Hope Harbor staff trainings, the first time in 2018 and the second time in April 2022.  It’s the perfect central location for us as staff travel from our 3 sites – Marshall MN, Winona MN, and Parker SD.  The retreat center has all we need – a spacious kitchen with all of the “necessities”, comfortable beds, a relaxing gathering space with a couch and chairs, and a fantastic room for us to do our training.  Marty is very attentive to needs but stays out of sight if not needed.  He even mailed something to me that I had forgotten when I left.  Thank you, Marty!  I highly recommend Red Barn Retreats!

I have been going to Red Barn Retreats for 10 + years. It is one of my favorite places to join with my fellow crafters. Red Barn is a beautiful country retreat, but not far from Mankato if you need to make a quick trip. Red Barn takes their guests’ suggestions into consideration to continue to make the space more comfortable! Can’t recommend a better location to enjoy time to craft and relax.

My name is Emily Kern and we have a group that comes to Red Barn Retreat twice a year.  We have been coming since 2015 and have looked forward to every weekend retreat with Marty at Red Barn.  Marty is so kind and easy to work with which makes the weekend stress free in every way.  Red Barn is so clean, quiet, and such a great space to relax and enjoy!  We highly recommend Red Barn Retreats!!

I have been coming to Red Barn Retreats annually for over three years and it has always been a positive experience. What my group loves: being greeted by a cute and playful dog and a very kind and gracious Marty; using the lift to get our gear upstairs; having everything we need on hand; being able to snowshoe, hike or walk on the property. Marty is always quick to respond to questions and any suggestions we leave, he listens and makes changes. It’s a beautiful facility, we are always satisfied and we would highly recommend Red Barn Retreats to anyone looking for a home away from home getaway.

God bless!

Our group of ladies has been crafting at Red Barn Retreats since 2011 and will continue to visit every year until we can no longer drive! The Red Barn has become a fantastic Ladies Weekend. It’s no longer just for scrapbooking, many of the ladies bring along different craft projects like floral arrangements for their daughter’s wedding, wind chimes made from old sterling kitchen utensils, Christmas cards and many more.

We keep returning each year for many reasons. The barn is exceptional, it sleeps so many people comfortably, it’s spotless and well stocked. We never want for anything. The location is far enough away to feel disconnected from everything, yet it’s only a two-hour ride home for most. The grounds are beautifully landscaped with native wildflowers, corn and soy fields, and nothing but open blue skies.  Crafting is almost a second thought to everything else available. We take walks down the long gravel roads in the evenings and count the lightning bugs on the way back.  Red Barn Retreats is a true getaway.

Marty and Shelley are wonderful hosts. Marty is always there when we arrive to help carry our belongings in. We were so delighted to hear that he had installed an elevator to make moving our stuff in and out of the house so much more convenient.  They are so friendly and do everything to make our stay flawless. Frankly, it’s so well run, that in 11 years, I don’t believe we’ve ever had to call them for an issue. They stop by to visit every year, and I’m sad if I miss their visit because I’ve needed to run into Mankato for more supplies!

All in all, our Red Barn weekend is truly my favorite weekend of the whole year.

The Red Barn Retreat has been a great get away tradition for our Scrapbooking group! After seven years, we look forward to every January like it’s our first. The Red Barn layout gives us space to spread out our things for crafting, spaces to read, nap and simply chat without feeling cramped. We appreciate the amenities that the Red Barn Retreats provides like a massage therapist, lift for our heavy craft supplies and the proximity to Mankato means a quick shopping trip for supplies or snacks is easy for us!

Best facility we have visited – quality of everything!! Great craft room? Loved the  lighting and sound system was fantastic. Lot of towels were appreciated.

The lighting on the tables was excellent for hand work. Helps those 85-year old eyes hand sewing. You earn a “10” in cleanliness.

Thank you for providing this perfect place for get togethers and crafting. We thoroughly enjoyed our time and your space.

I just wanted to thank you for having such a great site for my family to reunite.  We had a fabulous time and all loved the facilities.  The work area is so generous and roomy, making if comfortable no matter what kind of project you are working on.  Also, we appreciated that with the blowing snow, you were able to clear out the parking area AND to move our cars for us!

Having Stefanie come in was great also.  She ended up eating supper with us and called us all her aunts!  We enjoyed her company a lot.

Anyhow, we all loved your retreat place and wanted you to know.

Thank you for an amazing weekend.   It was so wonderful.   Everything about the barn, Marty helping us carry all our loads of stuff in, and your preparing the bonfire for us.   Those extra touches were special!

We definitely decided we do want to return for another retreat.   The question is when?   We did talk about March, but need to check a few things to see which weekend.  And I see that those weekends are filling up fast.  We did talk about the last weekend in March, into April 1st.   Would like to ask you to pencil us in, but not sure that will work for some of the girls.   Hopefully we can let you know soon!  Thank you so much.

We had such a wonderful time at the retreat!  Jack was the best and we felt bad to leave him.  :O)

We are wanting to plan another weekend, we all talked and decided Red Barn Retreats has been by far the best we have been to in a very long time!  Please don’t change anything (Especially Jack)! Well, maybe a ramp to lug our totes up.  lol…  (dumb waiter installed!)

Thank you again!

We were able to walk the land with Jack – love him! Very clean and comfortable. Sound system is great. Massage – Stefanie was fabulous. Nice, nice sheets and pillows. Appreciate the fact that you provide the linens.

“Our group can’t say enough about the wonderful accommodations at Red Barn: It’s quaint, comfortable, spacious and the addition of the lift was such a nice treat. It’s fun to note the little enhancements each year. We have made so many amazing memories here and look forward to so many more at the farm (AKA Red Barn)!