Entire home

The Gathering House — Hot Tub | Arcade Attic | Fenced Yard | Sleeps 10

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TV, fireplace, offices - The Gathering House — Hot Tub | Arcade Attic | Fenced Yard | Sleeps 10 (Des Moines)
4 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, travel crib - The Gathering House — Hot Tub | Arcade Attic | Fenced Yard | Sleeps 10 (Des Moines)
Exterior - The Gathering House — Hot Tub | Arcade Attic | Fenced Yard | Sleeps 10 (Des Moines)
Interior - The Gathering House — Hot Tub | Arcade Attic | Fenced Yard | Sleeps 10 (Des Moines)
TV, fireplace, offices - The Gathering House — Hot Tub | Arcade Attic | Fenced Yard | Sleeps 10 (Des Moines)
Experience the charm of Des Moines in this spacious 4-bedroom retreat, featuring an open kitchen/dining area perfect for gathering and cozy living areas with modern and historical touches. Relax outside with a hot tub, gas grill, yard games, or unwind inside by the electric fireplace while enjoying fast internet.

Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10202 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Air conditioning

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

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

The Gathering House — Hot Tub | Arcade Attic | Fenced Yard | Sleeps 10

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.

Property amenities

Pool/Spa

  • Hot tub

Internet

  • Available in the house: WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Hair dryer
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace

Entertainment

  • TV

Outdoor areas

  • Balcony
  • Fenced yard
  • Garden
  • Gas grill

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Office

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • Smoking not allowed

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Things to do

  • Gym

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)
  • First aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 2,178 square feet

Similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18

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

Pets

Pets allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Note from host: Charge may apply

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
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

Property is also known as

640106e60c97c700383796e6

About the neighborhood

Drake, a neighborhood in Des Moines, is home to this vacation home. Jordan Creek Town Center is worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's popular attractions can visit Iowa State Fairgrounds and Adventureland. Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden and Des Moines Civic Center are also worth visiting. Visit our Des Moines travel guide
View more Vacation Homes in Des Moines
Map
Des Moines, IA

What's nearby

  • Des Moines Art Center
    Des Moines Art Center
    18 min walk - 1.6 km
  • Salisbury House
    Salisbury House
    3 min drive - 2.1 km
  • Des Moines Community Playhouse
    5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Drake University
    12 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Knapp Center
    3 min drive - 2.8 km

Getting around

  • Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
    26 min drive

Restaurants

  • Habanero’s
    3 min drive
  • Hugo’s
    18 min walk
  • Ted's Coney Island
    3 min drive
  • The Station On Ingersoll
    3 min drive
  • University Library Cafe
    15 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Hot Tub | Arcade | Fenced Yard | Sleeps 10 | Pets pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Hot Tub | Arcade | Fenced Yard | Sleeps 10 | Pets?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Hot Tub | Arcade | Fenced Yard | Sleeps 10 | Pets?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Hot Tub | Arcade | Fenced Yard | Sleeps 10 | Pets located?

Located in Drake, this vacation home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Des Moines Community Playhouse, Drake University, and Waveland Municipal Golf Course. Des Moines Art Center and Salisbury House are also within 2 mi (3 km).

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The Gathering House — Hot Tub | Arcade Attic | Fenced Yard | Sleeps 10 Reviews

Reviews

Exceptional

All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers 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.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 30 out of 37 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 5 out of 37 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 37 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 37 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 37 reviews

9.6

Cleanliness

9.8

Location

Reviews

Verified

8/10 Good

Sydney R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We were there with family over christmas and the house was very nicely decorated for the holiday.
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rodney E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very comfortable home, great location
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

alexandra S.

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

Weekend Get Away

this was a grwat place to stay. Out of the hustle and bustle but close enough to restraunts and entertainment. house was clean and well supplied.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Rebekah O.

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

Little getaway to Adventureland

Check-in process was easy. The host was very accommodating letting us drop off personal items before check-in home is clean! And provided lots entertainment everybody of all ages to do
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michelle K.

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

Great central location!

We loved our stay in Des Moines. We brought our kids to go to Adventureland and explore in DM. This place was perfect for us. Very clean, very easy location to get to wherever you need to go. Owners are wonderful at communication. Would definitely stay here again!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melissa M.

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

Girls Trip

We had a wonderful stay. The house was spacious and had wonderful amenities. We loved the backyard and hot tub. The hosts were very responsive too. If we are every back in Des Moines we will defiantly be staying here.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Janet W.

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

Lovely stay in Des Moines

Easy check-in and access. Great neighborhood. Plenty of parking. Lovely accommodations. Loads of space. Fun extras like fireplace and hot tub. Perfect for our lady’s weekend. 10/10. Highly recommend.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sandy Y.

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

parent visit

We had a lovely visit to Des Moines with my son and his fiance. The house was well situated to all the fun breweries and restaurants and parks in the area. The biggest plus were the most comfortable mattresses! I love a firm mattress and these were fantastic.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pamela M.

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

Great, spacious house close to Drake

This house is located in a quiet neighborhood close to Drake. It is nicely furnished, has plenty of room and lots of gathering spaces.The office was perfect for me to get some work done, while the runner among us enjoyed the hot tub after a workout.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Carrie M.

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

Kids absolutely loved it

Very pretty older home. Hot tub was perfect temp, and kids loved the upstairs game room!Unfortunately, my arthritis did not agree with the stairs. Not Handicap accessible at all, and maybe mark the low ceiling in the Regular staircase. My six foot daughter hit her head a couple times.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pam L.

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

Roomy Comfort

This property was the best VRBO we've ever stayed at.so far.We came to town for the holidays and found the house comfortable, with plenty of room to relax between gatherings. Every bedroom has a TV, plenty of pillows, room for your things, and a comfortable bed. The only drawback to the house was the stairs. There are stairs everywhere. We will definitely book this house again. As long as no one is on crutches.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

6/10 Okay

Shannon N.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness

Nice house..but needed better cleaning

House was in a great location for our needs; however, was not clean. Found a bag of trash in one of the bedside tables, couple of the bathroom cans had not been emptied and there was nasty dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Also for a place that can accommodate 10 people the fact that there was literally 4 wash clothes was a bit odd. The photos matched fairly well although be warned the bedroom with the two twin beds are through a closet on the middle floor
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Peggy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, location, listing accuracy

It was a perfect location.

We had a fabulous time. Used the hot tub a couple times that was an extra bonus. All the bedrooms were perfect. The bathroom upstairs could use a little fixing... The shower sounds like the floor will fall out it cracks horribly. The sink did not have a drain stopper therefore if you dropped anything it would go right down the drain. When you run the water its very loud can hear it in all the bedrooms. Still we had a wonderful time...
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anna M.

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

Great house for family, pets and kids

My family has stayed at a lot of VRBOs. Many of them were awful. This is one of the cleanest, most thoughtful homes we've stayed in. While my kids are 7 and 9, now, I know this would have been a great stay if the were babies or toddlers. There is a high chair, baby tub, pack and play, and several gates.It's INCREDIBLY clean. There are no tchotchkis that kids or pets could get into. We brought our dog, who still gets into everything, and it was really easy to have him there as there were no knick-knacksHad the weather been warm, we would have utilized the fenced in outside area.The neighborhood is very cute and we could walk to the grocery store and some places for food. As a mom I appreciate that there was a washer and dryer (though we didn't use it), dishwasher, and a few games to play.We had a few questions during our stay and we got responses incredibly fast. We had a lovely time and will absolutely book this place again when we go back to that area.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Tracy S.

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

Comfortable and enjoyable home away from home

We had a great stay and really enjoyed our time staying in this DSM house. I love homes that allow us to bring our fur-babies. It’s a nice house with an interesting layout but not so perfect that I’m scared to live in it especially with my dogs. We had everything we needed and then some. The hot tub was very relaxing. Warning: every bedroom has stairs. This home is only for those capable of climbing somewhat steep stairs. If you can do that, you’re good. The kitchen is well equipped. The skillets weren’t in the best shape, but I scrubbed one a little cleaner to use—that’s more on whoever used it last. There are some loose knobs/quirky doors/dead battery in the candle remote/light bulbs out, but those are only very minor things. We appreciated the owner plowing the front porch/stairs/back patio and sidewalks when it snowed. Communication was great. I’d stay here again for sure. For me personally this is 5 stars because I don’t want to live in a perfect house that I’d be scared to relax and live in, but for others you’d probably consider it 4 stars that with just a little minor maintenance would make it 5.
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Debi C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was a nice, clean, and comfortable place for our large family. We were comfortable and plenty to keep everyone entertained.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We were in town for the marathon and the house was perfect!! Lots of room, great showers, wonderful hot tub, location that is close to everything!! The host responded quickly to inquiries!!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ashley M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed for a bachelorette party. It was perfect for us! Plenty of space for everyone to sleep and hang out. The hot tub was great.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kevin N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful oroperty
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sheila G.

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

Nice, Clean, Great Location

Nice, clean property with lots of space. Conveniently located, a very short distance from city of Des Moines. Papa John's Pizza and a gas/convenience store is within walking distance. The hot tub was great, well maintained.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Bill O.

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

Cycling trip

Inside was great. Great location
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Laura S.

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

Great location and place to stay while in Des Moines

The property was clean and well maintained. We were super close to everything and will definitely stay there again!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

Shellie V.

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

Family Christmas

Overall was good stay. Only complaint was the beds were really hard.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jason S.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great location in middle of Des Moines

Great location. Easy to get to most Des Moines landmarks.
Stayed 9 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

DeeDee

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

Great in town get away!

We loved the environment! Great place for our business meeting and our theater troupe to meet! Would be great for a family song though too!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024