Summary:
The Gathering House — historic Des Moines vacation rental, fully upgraded. Private hot tub, arcade attic, fenced yard. Sleeps 10.
▵ Private Hot Tub — heated year-round, never shared
▵ Arcade Attic — Pac-Man, board games, 2 twin beds
▵ 4BR + Bonus Room — King, 3 Queens, 2 Twins
▵ Fenced Yard — 2 pets welcome
▵ 200 Mbps WiFi + Gym + Sonos
▵ 2-Car Garage + Smart Lock Check-In
★ "bought the same mattress when I got back" — Dan
» 3min ➔ Ingersoll Ave | 4min ➔ Drake | 16min ➔ Airport
The Space:
A historic Des Moines vacation rental, fully upgraded — 4 bedrooms plus a finished attic bonus room with vintage arcade games and 2 twin beds. Sleeps 10 across 3 floors. Pet-friendly with a fully fenced yard.
The private hot tub sits in the fully fenced backyard — heated year-round, never shared with other guests. Inside, the stone fireplace anchors an open living room with Sonos sound system and a 55" Smart TV. The sunroom doubles as an office and mini gym with free weights and a yoga mat — 200 Mbps WiFi handles video calls without buffering.
The finished attic is the kids' domain: a vintage Pac-Man arcade cabinet, stacks of board games, a tufted lounge chair, and 2 twin beds under cedar-plank ceilings. Adults get the hot tub; kids get the hideout. Everyone wins.
➔ Bedroom 1 (Main Floor): Queen bed, en-suite bathroom, Smart TV
➔ Bedroom 2 (Upper): Queen bed, Smart TV
➔ Bedroom 3 (Upper): Queen bed, Smart TV
➔ Bedroom 4 (Upper): King bed, Smart TV
➔ Bonus Room (Finished Attic): 2 Twin beds, Pac-Man arcade, board games, Smart TV
➔ Kitchen
Fully stocked — full-size stainless appliances, cookware, utensils, coffee maker, spices. Open-plan into the dining room with a table that seats 10. Cook for the whole group without missing the conversation.
➔ Outdoor
Private hot tub (heated year-round), propane grill, patio seating, fully fenced yard with inside gate latch — secure for dogs.
What this home does well:
— Hot tub + arcade attic + fenced yard — entertainment for every age group under one roof
— Sleeps 10 across 5 sleeping areas — nobody shares a bed unless they want to
— 3 min to Ingersoll Ave (DSM's best restaurants and bars)
What to know before booking:
— Two sets of open stairs without gates — worth noting if traveling with toddlers
— Street is residential and quiet — Ingersoll Ave restaurants are a 3-min drive
Guest Access:
The entire house is yours — all 4 bedrooms, the finished attic bonus room, the fenced backyard, hot tub, and 2-car garage.
Self check-in: Smart lock on the front door — your unique code is sent via the digital guidebook link emailed after booking. No key exchange, no waiting.
Parking: 2-car garage included. Additional street parking available on the block.
Backyard: Fully fenced and private. Gate latch is on the inside — secure for dogs.
Not accessible: Utility/storage areas in the basement.
The Neighborhood:
The home sits in one of Des Moines' most walkable residential neighborhoods — quiet, tree-lined, and safe. Ingersoll Avenue, the city's best strip for restaurants and bars, is a 3-minute drive.
FOOD & DRINK (3–10 min by car):
» 3min ➔ Ingersoll Ave — Pour Decisions, Buzzard Billy's, El Bait Shop, Exile Brewing, and more
» 5min walk ➔ Neighborhood bakery + morning coffee
» 2min ➔ Grocery store
ATTRACTIONS:
» 4min ➔ Drake University — game weekends + campus events
» 7min ➔ DSM Civic Center — concerts + Broadway touring shows
» 8min ➔ Iowa State Capitol
» 8min ➔ Des Moines Farmers Market (May–Oct, Saturdays) — one of the best in the Midwest
» 9min ➔ Gray's Lake — running path, paddleboarding, summer evenings
» 16min ➔ Des Moines Airport (DSM)
A playground and neighborhood bakery are within short walking distance.
Getting Around:
Des Moines is a car city — you'll want your own vehicle.
From Des Moines Airport (DSM): 16-min drive. Rental cars available at the terminal.
Once here, Ingersoll Ave (DSM's best restaurant strip) is a 3-min drive. Drake University is 4 min. Downtown DSM and the Capitol are 7–8 min.
A playground and neighborhood bakery are within walking distance. Most restaurants and attractions require a short drive.
Free parking in the 2-car garage.
Other Things to Note:
Rental Permit: RENT-2023-006528
Check-in: After 4:00 PM | Checkout: Before 10:00 AM
Max guests: 10
Pets: 2 pets max. Fee details provided via digital guidebook link after booking.
No smoking inside the house. Ashtray provided in the backyard.
Toddler note: Two sets of open stairs without gates — worth noting if traveling with very young children.
Guidebook: You'll receive an email after booking with a link to the digital guidebook. Check-in codes and pet details are handled there. Message us through the platform if it doesn't arrive within a few hours.
Interaction with Guests:
We respond within an hour and are always reachable through the booking platform or the digital guidebook. The level of interaction is up to you — we're available if you need us, invisible if you don't.