The Decker House Hotel in Maquoketa, Iowa, is described as a historic and "peacefully haunted" gem, with guests noting its eerie similarities to older homes, including wide baseboards and well-worn banisters. Some guests have reported an eerie atmosphere with a cold draft and faint, lingering scents, contributing to its reputation for subtle, historical hauntings rather than overtly frightening experiences. Guests have reported an atmosphere that feels both peaceful and haunting, similar to an old, historic home. Specific sensory details that contribute to the hauntings include cold drafts in the upper floors and the faint scent of freshly bleached sheets, evoking a feeling of the past. The hotel's historic architecture, such as wide baseboards and well-worn oak banisters on the staircase, is often mentioned as contributing to the eerie and "time-travel" feel of the place.