[See all properties](http://www.expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?regionId=&adults=2&children=&sort=RECOMMENDED&useRewards=false&semdtl=&userIntent=&vip=false) Entire home # Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa Vacation home in Urbandale ![Living area](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/111000000/110790000/110789800/110789796/493eafe9.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=598&ra=fit) ![Exterior](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/111000000/110790000/110789800/110789796/7d064c30.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) ![Private kitchen](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/111000000/110790000/110789800/110789796/51b60097.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) ![Living area](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/111000000/110790000/110789800/110789796/dbfdedf3.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) ![Terrace/patio](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/111000000/110790000/110789800/110789796/d402477c.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) - Overview - Amenities - Policies - Location Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa provides laundry facilities and more. Stay connected with in-room WiFi. 10 Exceptional ### Entire home 5 bedrooms4 bathrooms ## Popular amenities - Dryer - Washer - Pet-friendly - Air conditioning ## Add dates for prices Check-in Check-out Travellers ## About this property ### Entire place You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party. ### Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa Unwind in this exquisite, book-themed retreat where every chapter of your stay is filled with comfort, relaxation, and entertainment. Whether you're hosting a family reunion, wedding party, work travel, a reading retreat, or just looking for a cozy getaway, Once Upon a Stay is the perfect backdrop for your story. (This home is under new management! We are experienced hosts with a great track record with guests, just switching up how we do things this year - we look forward to hosting you!) Thoughtfully designed with soft pastel hues, literary-inspired décor, and cozy nooks, Once Upon a Stay is a haven for book lovers and those looking for a unique, relaxing escape. Home Highlights: \- Event-Ready: Perfect for special events like family reunions, weddings, and corporate retreats with spacious gathering areas. \- Fully Equipped Kitchen: Has all you need for preparing meals or hosting a dinner party, stocked with all the essentials. \- Living Areas: The open living areas offer comfortable seating, board games, and a library of books to lose yourself in. Let the natural light and luxurious finishes create a space you’ll never want to leave. \- Outdoor Spaces: Relax in the backyard, complete with covered dining table, outdoor furniture, a BBQ grill, and plenty of room for storytelling around the fire or sipping wine on the patio. \- Work-Friendly: A peaceful office space with a desk or comfy chairs, for those mixing business with pleasure. \- Furry Friends Welcome: With a dog door leading to a fenced backyard, your pets can roam freely and enjoy the stay just as much as you do. ($75 non-refundable pet fee; max of 2 pets). \- Electric Car Charging Station: Keep your EV charged and ready to go. \- Garage Parking: 2 spaces in the garage, including 1 electric vehicle charger, plus additional free driveway/street parking. Nearby Attractions: Located in the heart of Urbandale, Once Upon a Stay is close to parks, trendy cafes, and shops, offering both city convenience and quiet retreat vibes. You’re also a short drive from popular attractions like: \- Kollmorgen Park - 2 minute drive \- Barrett Boesen Park - 4 minute drive \- Horizon's Ridge Park - 4 minute drive \- Central Standard - 8 minute drive \- Kue'd Smokehouse - 8 minute drive \- Waukee Triumph Park - 8 minute drive \- Mickey's Irish Pub - 9 minute drive \- Kinship Brewing - 11 minute drive \- Waukee Ice Cream Shoppe - 12 minute drive \- The Brenton Arboretum - 16 minute drive \- Raccoon River Park - 19 minute drive \- Paws and Pints - 20 minute drive \- Downtown Des Moines - 20 minute drive \- Wells Fargo Arena - 20 minute drive \- Grays Lake - 25 minute drive \- Iowa State Fair - 28 minute drive \- Saylorville lake - 30 minute drive Planning a book weekend with friends? Let us know! We can provide a planning spreadsheet to get you started. Here's a list of some local bookstores to visit during your stay: \- Wandering Raccoon Books - 11 minute drive (6 miles) \- Half Price Books - 14 minute drive (7 miles) \- Beaverdale Books - 22 minute drive (10 miles) \- Reading in Public Bookstore + Cafe - 20 minute drive (12 miles) \- The Little Book - 22 minute drive (14 miles) \- StoryHouse Bookpub - 22 minute drive (16 miles) \- Plain Talks Books & Coffee - 22 minute drive (16 miles) \- Nos Books - 21 minute drive (14 miles) Bedrooms: \- BR1: A king bed with ensuite master bathroom \- BR2: A full bed \- BR3: 2 Twin beds \- BR4: 2 Twin beds, one bed can be expanded to a king size if needed \- BR5: A queen bed (lower level) House Rules: \- No smoking \- Pets allowed for a non-refundable $75 fee (max 2 pets) \- No filming or professional movie shoots \- Must be 25+ to book \- Please report any damages that occur during your stay Book Now & Begin Your Story: Whether you're here to relax, celebrate, or embark on a new adventure, Once Upon a Stay is the perfect setting to create unforgettable memories. ## Property amenities ### Internet - Available in the house: WiFi ### Bedrooms - 5 bedrooms - Bedsheets provided ### Bathroom - 3.5 bathrooms - Bathtub or shower - Hair dryer - Shower - Soap - Toilet paper - Towels provided ### Laundry - Laundry facilities - Washing machine ### Comfort - Air conditioning - Heating ### Pets - Pet friendly - 2 pets total ### Suitability/Accessibility - Smoking not allowed ### Services and conveniences - Iron/ironing board ### Safety features - Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property) - Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property) ## Similar properties ![Microwave, oven, stovetop, dishwasher](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/118000000/117650000/117643000/117642935/7c434299.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium) ### Spacious 5-bedroom house close to everything in Waukee, IA Waukee - Washer - Dryer - Air conditioning - Gym 10 Exceptional 10 reviews CA $443 CA $837 total includes taxes & fees Nov 2 - Nov 3 [](https://www.expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-11-02&endDate=2025-11-03&selected=117642935&PinnedHotelID=117642935&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) ![Interior](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/91000000/90900000/90899700/90899689/bc1399c2.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium) ### Beautiful remodeled historic Drake Univ home minutes from downtown and all metro Drake - Kitchen - Washer - Dryer - Free WiFi 10 Exceptional 53 reviews CA $596 CA $1,167 total includes taxes & fees Oct 20 - Oct 21 [](https://www.expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-10-20&endDate=2025-10-21&selected=90899689&PinnedHotelID=90899689&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) ![Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/112000000/111690000/111686600/111686518/fcdd6ca1.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium) ### Spacious and clean 4-bedroom townhome in Urbandale with fitness room, WiFi Urbandale - Kitchen - Washer - Dryer - Free WiFi 10 Exceptional 18 reviews [](https://www.expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-11-01&endDate=2025-11-02&selected=111686518&PinnedHotelID=111686518&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) ![Dining](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/120000000/119290000/119287400/119287323/c503016e.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium) ### Convenient functional quiet 5 bedroom 3 bath home in Clive. 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ACCESS TO POOLS! West Des Moines - Hot tub - Kitchen - Washer - Dryer 9.8 Exceptional 64 reviews CA $349 CA $1,061 total includes taxes & fees Nov 3 - Nov 4 [](https://www.expedia.ca/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-11-03&endDate=2025-11-04&selected=59044008&PinnedHotelID=59044008&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) ## Policies ### Special check-in instructions You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions ### Pets Pets allowed Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees 2 total pets ### 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 Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property 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](https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/staticmap?&size=660x330&map_id=3b266eb50d2997c6¢er=41.637524,-93.83394&zoom=13&channel=expedia-HotelInformation&maptype=roadmap&scale=1&path=color:0xFFFFF|weight:2|fillcolor:0x005AEB7F|enc:sed%7DFb%7Du%7BP%3FU%3FU%40Q%3FU%40U%40S%3FSBU%40S%40U%40SBSBSBUBS%40SDSBSDSBSDSDQDSDSDQFSDQFQDSFQFQHQFOFSHOFOHQFOHQHOJOHOHOHMJMHOJMJMJMJMJMJKJMJKLKJKLILMJILILKLGLIJINILGLGLGNGLGLENELENELGNCNCLCNELANENANANALANANAN%3FN%3FN%3FN%3FL%3FN%3FN%40N%40N%40N%40L%40N%40NDN%40LDNBLBNDNDLDNDLDLDNFLFLFLFNHLFLHLHLHJHLHLHLLJHLJJJJJLLJJHLLLJLHLJLHNJLJLHPHLHNHNHPHNFPHNFNHRFNFPFPFPDRFPFPDRFPDRDRBPDRDRBRDRBRBRBRBTBR%40R%40RBT%40R%40T%40R%40R%3FT%40T%3FP%3FT%3FT%3FR%3FT%3FRAT%3FRARATATARCRARATCRCTCPCRCRETCRERERCPERERGPERGPGPEPGPGRGPGNIPGPINGNIPINIPILININKNKLILKNILKLMLIJKLMJKLKJMJKHMJMJMHKFMJMFMJMFOFMHMFMDOFMDMFODMDOBODMDOBMBOBOBOBM%3FOBO%40O%3FO%40O%40M%3FO%3FO%3FO%3FOAOAO%3FMAOCO%3FOCOCMCOCMCOEOCMEOEMEOGMEMGOEMGMIMGOGKKMGMIMIMIKKMKMIKKMKKMKKKMKKKMKMKMKOIMKMIOIMIQKMIQIOGQIOGOIQGQGOIQGSGQEQGQEQGSEQESESEQESCSESCSEUASCQCUCSCUASASASCU%3FUASAS%3FUAS%3FU%3FS&key=AIzaSyCYjQus5kCufOpSj932jFoR_AJiL9yiwOw&signature=YpVP0FjJPUNgSLKbDsquOWNtvXY=) Urbandale, IA #### What's nearby - Mercy Medical Center West Lakes - 9 min drive - 8.3 km - Living History Farms - 9 min drive - 8.7 km - UnityPoint Health - Methodist West Hospital - 10 min drive - 8.7 km - Jordan Creek Town Center - 11 min drive - 10.1 km - Drake University - 20 min drive - 23.7 km #### Getting around - Des Moines International Airport (DSM) - 37 min drive #### Restaurants - ‪Hy-Vee Market Grille Express - ‬5 min drive - ‪Casey's General Store - ‬4 min drive - ‪Culver's - ‬7 min drive - ‪Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers - ‬6 min drive - ‪Hyper Energy Bar Waukee - ‬6 min drive ## Frequently asked questions ### Is Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa pet-friendly? > Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total). ### Where is Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa located? > Situated in Urbandale, this vacation home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Walnut Creek Hills Park and Brookshire Open Space. Country Club West Plaza and Wildwood Park are also within 3 mi (5 km). ## Have a question? Beta Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews. Ask a question ## Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa Reviews 10 ### Exceptional All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.[More information](https://www.expedia.ca/lp/b/content-guidelines) 10 - Excellent 2 8 - Good 0 6 - Okay 0 4 - Poor 0 2 - Terrible 0 ### 9.0/10 Cleanliness ### 10/10 Excellent #### James M. Jun 21, 2025 Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy #### Excellent place One of our nicest places to stay, lots of attention to detail, lovely place ##### James M. Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Shara L. May 26, 2025 Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy #### Here for wedding Beautiful home, Amazing communication, easy check in! We will definitely see if this is available next time we are in the area with a big group. We ended up having 6 of us instead of the full 10, but that was ok. 5 star rating only a 4 on cleaning because a few dishes put away dirty, but we wahsed them so not a big deal. 1000% recommend. Honestly wish had stayed 1 more day. It's a must see home. ##### Shara L. 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