See all properties
Entire home

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

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

Stunning staircase with a beautiful, framed artwork and elegant white trim.
Stylish hallway leads to a cozy living area with a sofa and rug.
Cozy retreat with a large bed, nightstand, and decorative wall piece.
Relax in a comfortable living space with a sofa, armchairs, and a dining table.
Relax in a warm and inviting space with a cozy fireplace, plush seating, and a console table for storage.

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

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

Add dates for prices

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

Similar properties

Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop

SO MUCH FUN! ARCADE, PL TBL, PNG PNG, YARD GAMES, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR POOLS!!

  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, 54 reviews
The price is CA $432
CA $983 total
includes taxes & fees
Aug 18 - Aug 19
SO MUCH FUN! ARCADE, PL TBL, PNG PNG, YARD GAMES, INDOOR AND OUTDOOR POOLS!!

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

Pets not 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

About the area

Map
Des Moines, IA

What's nearby

  • Drake University - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Iowa Events Center - 4 min drive - 4.2 km
  • Hoyt Sherman Place - 4 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Casey's Center - 4 min drive - 4.6 km
  • EMC Expo Center - 4 min drive - 4.6 km

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

Frequently asked questions

Is Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

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

As of Aug 10, 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 Aug 17, 2025 start from CA $584.76, 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.

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.

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

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro located?

Located in Drake, this family-friendly Des Moines vacation home is within a 15-minute walk of Drake University and Knapp Center. Waveland Municipal Golf Course and Des Moines Community Playhouse are also within 2 mi (3 km).

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

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

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 41 out of 46 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 46 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 46 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 46 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 46 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Bonnie P.

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Amanda D.

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

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

Erica N.

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

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

Carrie C.

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

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

10/10 Excellent

Keith C.

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

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

Andy H.

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

Big, Spacious Home

This house is very nice and spacious. We were able to sleep 12 comfortably here. Very clean too. Would recommend.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Lynda G.

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

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

Courtney V.

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

Wonderful Place

This place was wonderful to stay in. It was clean, comfy, and had so many activities for the kids. The property manager is also so kind and accommodating. My mother-in-law was ready to move in. I would recommend any group to stay here. My family is already thinking about when we can stay again.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

kimberly m.

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

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

Evie Ann V.

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

Charming 130 yr old house

This place exceeded our expectations! The furnishings were on point and nothing was forgotten! The host is very responsive and accommodating! Definitely recommend this place! Thank you again!!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kurt B.

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

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

Troy H.

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

Family Vacation

We really enjoyed the weekend that we spent at your property. The house has been remodeled very nicely with all the amenities. It was stocked very well with dishes in the kitchen and towels, and sundries for bathrooms and the outside. The house was very clean, and the outside porch was very usable, and had plenty of seating. The beds were very comfortable and the rooms were clean and large.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Connie S.

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

Comfortable Stay

The house was much larger then we expected. It is a very beautiful house. Very clean. The only issue we had there are several steps up to the house.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

8/10 Good

charlie n.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location

lost jacket

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