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Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro

Family-friendly stay near Drake University

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Photo gallery for Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro

A bedroom with a large bed, a bedside table with a lamp, and a chair.
A living room with a sofa, coffee table, and a piano. There is a dining area with chairs and a table.
A staircase with white balusters leading to a landing, a framed map on the wall, and a hallway with a door leading to a living room.
A cozy living room with a fireplace, a comfortable armchair, a white cabinet, and a bench with cushions.
A dining area with a wooden table and chairs, a mirror on the wall, and a view into the living room.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

7 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 20279 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Gym

Explore the area

View in a map
Des Moines, IA
  • Place, Drake University
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Knapp Center
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Des Moines Community Playhouse
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Airport, Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)
    ‪12 min drive‬

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About the area

Des Moines

Drake stay.Within a 15-minute walk of this Drake vacation home, you'll find Drake University and Knapp Center. Broadlawns Medical Center and Des Moines Community Playhouse are also within 2 miles (3 km).
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What's nearby

  • Drake University - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Knapp Center - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Henry G. Harmon Fine Arts Center - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • La Casa Cultural Center - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Des Moines Community Playhouse - 3 min drive - 2.8 km

Getting around

  • Des Moines International Airport (DSM) - 20 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Drake Diner - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Tacos Degollado - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Smokey Row Coffee - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Habanero’s - ‬6 min walk

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro

Historic 1895 home completely remodeled with all new bathrooms and kitchen and original hardwood oak floors refinished throughout. Brand new kitchen with island seating and large dining table. Original fireplace with infrared insert. Walking distance to Drake stadium and Knapp center and all facilities. Minutes drive or even bike to downtown and all metro area. So central to almost everywhere in the metro and in a great neighborhood.
Just finishing up this remodel now with final touches so book early to be the first ones to use the beautiful space full of original character and updated features. I plan to continue to add to the property with additional touches as time allows.
This is a great space to entertain large family gatherings or multiple families and more bedrooms than most single family homes. Fun to imagine what life was like in this historic home back in 1895 in its original glory.

Huge dining table sits 8 comfortably and potentially more with provided extra chairs.
Peninsula/island has bar top seating for 3 or 4 more
Brand new appliances
All new paint and flooring throughout
Refinished original oak hardwood floors.
All beds and bedding and bathroom towels etc new.
Main Living room seats 10 comfortably and more room if extra chairs brought into the space.
Upstairs living room seats 4 comfortably and game room with TV and air hockey table and a wall. Mounted infrared fireplace.
Massage/heat powered lift reclining chair upstairs.
3 all updated bathrooms including one tub/shower others are shower only.

Outside enjoy a massive front porch with swing and stone table with chairs around. Also a grill is out front on a brand new patio with furniture.
Small front yard but enough space to play.
Drake University owned open lawn space they use for practice fields etc right across the street for public use to play field games or sports. I also have large portable tailgate tents and some tables and folding chairs that can be rented for $30 if requested before your stay.

Large parking lot in back of house for around 5 cars and another 6 or so can parallel park in the double wide long driveway. Alley access too for convenient entering and exiting or if bringing a trailer.

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Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen island
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 7 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Fireplace
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Porch/lanai

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoking not allowed

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Gym

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Unit size: 3,000 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

Strict quiet hours enforced after 10 pm.
No smoking in the house or on porch as it has carpet and also is damaging to the ceiling and furniture with smoke and odor.
Must have 5 star profile rating to book this property instantly. Otherwise please inquire with host and explain why rating is not a 5.

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. Long-term renters welcome. For guests' safety, the property includes a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, and a first aid kit in each accommodation.

Frequently asked questions

How close is Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro to the airport?

This vacation home is 6.4 mi (20-min drive) away from the Des Moines International Airport (DSM) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this vacation home.

Does Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro offer free breakfast?

This vacation home does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro?

No, there is no casino at this vacation home, but Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino (18-min drive) is nearby.

What time is check-in at Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro?

Free parking is not available at this vacation home.

Does Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro have a pool?

This vacation home does not have a pool.

Does Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this vacation home.

How close is Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro to downtown Des Moines?

This vacation home is 2.5 mi away from Des Moines.

Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 60 out of 65 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 65 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 65 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 65 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 65 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Emily Z.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great for a big group. Good communication with host!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Piper O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had an excellent stay at this Vrbo! The host was awesome and the accommodations exactly what we were looking for. Thank you for the great experience!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Dennis E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful, well maintained home, large enough for our family gathering
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Aarika B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house is super nice and all of the beds were very comfortable!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Theresa T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay!

Plenty of room for everyone.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Randy and Nicole G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This home and hosts are fantastic! Very detail oriented owners. Good quality furnishings that enhanced the stay (I.e. linens, beds)
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

J R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was the perfect stay for family traveling in from around the US. Easy location for multiple airport trips, space for everyone to eat together, and large comfortable bedrooms. The play space for the 3 year old was more than perfect, with toys and books! We would stay here again. Thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

jeremy g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spacious and very comfortable and convenient for our family. Loved the piano, too! Thank you for a lively stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mitchel C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice location.

Good location. Lots of room
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Wyatt Y.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great spot!

Good location, lots of space.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sherry A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay

The owner was very gracious with accommodations and what they have to offer. I recommend this lovely VRBO for family gatherings. Our family really liked it.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Dirk C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The home is beautiful. Ryan was an awesome host, great communicator. Location is close to everything you need or would want to do. There were 12 of us and all loved that there was enough room to spread out and also be together when we wanted that.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jessica O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Suited our needs

We had 2 families of young adults and teens. Plenty of space for our needs and well located.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Rachael B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Retreat

This was a great well stocked location. Plenty of room for our retreat. It had everything we needed. We would stay there again!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Adam B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great property!

My coworkers and I had a fantastic stay at this house. We each got our own bedroom which was a big plus and there were plenty of bathrooms and amenities for all of us. Would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

Anel P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Weekend stay

Everything was great. Anything we needed was there only thing we had a problem was there were ants in the kitchen and bathrooms, But other than that the stay was comfortable and great.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Andrew R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for what we needed

It was really close to downtown. The place was great for us, and accommodated all of our needs!
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Paul K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great property

Large house and pictures do justice . A lot of bedrooms and great living room
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tammy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fabulous

We loved this property! It was a lovely, big house for our sports team. The location was great and the neighbors were super friendly.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Michelle K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The BEST VRBO we have ever stayed in!! Absolutely beautiful! So many great little extras and little details. We were in town for our daughter's wedding and it was the perfect home to accommodate us and our extended family. So much space to spread out with places for all ages to enjoy! The beds were wonderful and the decor was gorgeous! Hope to be back again!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Robyn M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We stayed here during our annual trip to the Iowa State Fair and Adventureland. We had 5 couples and 2 children. We had plenty of space for all of us, including bedrooms. There were even toys for the kids! We had plenty of seating at meal time and found everything we needed in the kitchen for meal preparation. The beds were so, so, so comfortable! We would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jody J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Race

Nice house. Very clean and organized
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tami P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Home for Large Group

We had a large group stay in this wonderful home recently for a conference held at the convention center. It was a cozy and welcoming home and it functioned perfectly for all who stayed here. Communication was clear and check-in / check-out was easy. Definitely recommend this home.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jody T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for a group of 10 people

We stayed for a family wedding and the house was very accommodating for 10 people. Anywhere you want to go in Des Moines is only 15 minutes from this location!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jody J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay

Ryan was a wonderful host. Very helpful and answered quickly. Hose was very clean and nicely remodeled
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024