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

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Interior
Interior
Exterior
Interior
7 bedrooms, desk, travel crib, free WiFi

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

7 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 203000 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Fireplace
  • Dryer
  • Washer

Explore the area

Map
Des Moines, IA
  • Drake University
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Wells Fargo Arena
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Iowa Events Center
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)
    ‪14 min drive‬

Room options

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About the neighborhood

Des Moines

Drake stay.With a stay at this Drake vacation home, you'll be within half a mile (1 km) of Drake University and 2 miles (3 km) of Burns United Methodist Church. Des Moines Community Playhouse and Waveland Municipal Golf Course are also within 2 miles (3 km).
View more Vacation Homes in Des MoinesOpens in a new window

What's nearby

  • Drake University - 2 min walk - 0.1 miles
  • Hoyt Sherman Place - 4 min drive - 2.0 miles
  • Wells Fargo Arena - 4 min drive - 2.9 miles
  • Iowa Events Center - 4 min drive - 2.9 miles
  • Principal Park - 5 min drive - 3.3 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Casey's - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Black Cat Ice Cream - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Burger King - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪Drake Diner - ‬18 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.

Property manager

Ryan

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
  • Living room
  • 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

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

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 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. 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.

How much does it cost to stay at Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro?

As of Jun 30, 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro on Jul 1, 2025 start from $425.0, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

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

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 40 out of 45 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 45 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 45 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 45 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 45 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Michelle K.

Liked: Cleanliness
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

8/10 Good

Anel P.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

8/10 Good

Ross E.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mitchel C., Iowa

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice location.

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

10/10 Excellent

Jaclyn B., Elkader

Liked: Cleanliness

State tournament

We came to Des Moines for state wrestling. The house is big, was very clean and accommodating. I had one question about the internet while we were there and the owner was very responsive. Check in and out were very easy. They have games, exercise equipment and plenty of room for everyone to spread out. We would definitely stay there again!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer E.

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice house

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tammy B.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

10/10 Excellent

Tami P.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

10/10 Excellent

Melody S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great amenities, tricky outside stairs

Our family loved the thoughtful and fun amenities provided in this large home. The small Christmas tree was especially thoughtful since we were gathering for the holidays! The host had good communication as well when we had questions. One note - the outside stairs and railings leading into the house are run down and not up to code. The risers are different heights, and the treads are uneven (especially the cement stairs). It was particularly hard to see the cement stairs down to the driveway at night (maybe host could add some solar powered lights?). Our family has some older folks and one family member with visual impairment, so the different height risers was hard. Host offered for us to walk up from the neighbor's driveway, but it was a bit too steep and too far for my older parents. (We appreciated the offer though!) We'd love to stay again for another holiday gathering, especially if the outside stairs are brought up to code.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paul K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great property

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

10/10 Excellent

Kurt B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Large Older Home for Family Thanksgiving

Shared this house with my extended family for Thanksgiving - six adults and six kids of all ages. House was spacious enough to spread out in. Decent kitchen and large dining room met our needs. House is older - a lot of interesting nooks and rooms, but heating was inconsistent. Owner noted that heating vents may have been closed to cause that issue. Piano, TVs, air hockey, board games, kids toys were all a hit. Neighborhood is older and fairly quiet, close to Drake University. It met our needs very well.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jody T., San Jose

Liked: Cleanliness

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

10/10 Excellent

Wyatt Y.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great spot!

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

10/10 Excellent

Keith C.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family Stay for the Fair

We had a great stay at this property! It has a great location near Drake with grocery stores and restaurants nearby - some within walking distance. We had a family gathering for the fair (a <15 min drive or <5 min to fair shuttle) and it was great for the kids. We enjoyed having the extra space for family get together. Dinners were easy with the kitchen and large dining table. Highly recommended this place for groups given the size and location!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Julie D.

Liked: Cleanliness

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Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

charlie n.

Liked: Cleanliness

lost jacket

Did you find a jacket in the front downstairs bedroom?
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

kimberly m.

Liked: Cleanliness

Enjoyed our stay!

This is an older home but has been decorated and kept well. The littles loved the bunk beds, game room and many kid friendly extras!! Everyone slept well on comfortable beds and the house was very clean! We loved the amount of space we had and especially loved the large table that allowed us all to sit around it and visit! Our hosts were easy to communicate with and very friendly, I would suggest using the WiFi to communicate from the house if needed as I couldn't count on Verizon from there. Overall, we enjoyed our stay, would recommend it and stay there again!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jody J.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

10/10 Excellent

Erica N.

Liked: Cleanliness

Loved it

Super house! Very clean, kitchen things were labeled, lots of seating. Loved all the bedrooms and beds available. Host had great communication and very friendly.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great find!

The rambling old home is warm and inviting. The wide open space and windows adds charm to the house and the many rooms afford plenty of space.
Stayed 1 night in May 2024

8/10 Good

karen m., Orange City

Liked: Cleanliness

Bed shortage

The place was nice it was clean. The only problem I had was listing said there were two queens in the living space and there was not. There was just two sofas that did not pull out. So I was short beds, and one of our families had to go to a hotel. Bunkhouse occupied the kids, but as for my single adults that I thought I was getting separate beds for that became a problem. By the family leaving and going to the hotel that freed up the bunkhouse for my single adults.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Adam B.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

10/10 Excellent

Lynda G.

Liked: Cleanliness

94 DG Relays Reunion

We were in town for our 30th anniversary, graduating from Drake. The house was perfect for 5 of us - bedrooms were comfortable and bathrooms were clean. Plenty of space to hang out inside and out - numerous Scrabble games on the front porch. Highly recommend!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amanda D.

Liked: Cleanliness

Business Trip

My team was in Des Moines working on a project. Their stay was wonderful - clean, accommodating, comfortable. We will definitely be booking again. thank you for your wonderful hospitality.
Stayed 11 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carrie C.

Liked: Cleanliness

State Pool Crew

We had such a great weekend and this was an amazing place to stay. Can’t tell you enough how comfortable the beds and the whole house was. Only thing missing was a pizza cutter but they had plenty of knifes that did the job. I would definitely stay here again. Thanks for a great place to stay.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024