Entire home

Fully Fenced Story Book Cottage, close to downtown

Choose dates to view prices

your current months are October, 2024 and November, 2024.
October 2024
November 2024

Photo gallery for Fully Fenced Story Book Cottage, close to downtown

Smart TV
Property grounds
2 bedrooms, iron/ironing board, travel crib, WiFi
Hair dryer, towels, soap, toilet paper
Smart TV

Reviews

10 out of 10

Exceptional

Entire home

2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly
    Pet-friendly
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning

Explore the area

Map
Des Moines, IA
  • Drake University
    3 min drive
  • Val Air Ballroom
    3 min drive
  • Des Moines Art Center
    4 min drive
  • Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)
    32 min drive

Room options

Similar properties

About the area

Des Moines

Merle Hay stay.Your stay at this Merle Hay vacation home places you within 2 miles (3 km) of Waveland Municipal Golf Course and Windsor Heights Dog Park. Des Moines Community Playhouse and Val Air Ballroom are also within 2 miles (3 km).

What's nearby

  • Drake University - 3 min drive
  • Val Air Ballroom - 3 min drive
  • Des Moines Art Center - 4 min drive
  • Merle Hay Mall - 5 min drive
  • Iowa Events Center - 7 min drive

Getting around

  • Des Moines International Airport (DSM) - 32 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪HyVee Market Grill Express - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪B-Bop's Burgers Fries Cola - ‬3 min drive

About this property

Entire place

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

Fully Fenced Story Book Cottage, close to downtown

This unique home has everything you need for a cozy stay. Complete with fenced-in backyard, hammock, and gas fire pit, we invite you to enjoy the back deck under the string lights! The living room is stocked with books and board games.

This home is dog-friendly, including great neighborhood sidewalks for walking, a dog park close by, treats, toys, and a fenced-in yard to play in. No pet fees!

Only 2 minutes to the grocery store, 4 minutes to Starbucks, and 8 minutes to downtown Des Moines.
The space
One story home with a fully stocked kitchen, two bedrooms, and one full bath. Beautiful deck off the back of the house in private backyard. Wood floors throughout. Entering the home requires going up four steps without handrails.

There is no self-access to the basement laundry room. If you require access to our washer dryer, please shoot us a message before booking and we will see if we can accommodate.
Guest access
Free driveway and street parking!
Other things to note
This house is our home - not just an investment property. The kitchen is FULLY stocked with everything you might need. Did you forget something when you were packing? I bet we have an extra! Shoot me a message if there is anything you need during your stay. We will be staying close by and are happy to help!

Items we have that you *don't* need to pack:

- Coffee, oatmeal, and maple syrup
- Spices & cooking utensils
- Aluminum foil, plastic wrap, parchment paper
- Basic condiments (ketchup, mustard, etc)
- Dog toys and paw towels
- Dog bowls

Items we don't have that you *do* need to pack:

- Ice (water line to refrigerator broke (absolute nightmare) so there is no ice maker!)

House rules
You'll be staying in someone's home, so please treat it with care and respect.
Checking in and out
Check-in after 3:00 PM
Checkout before 11:00 AM
Self check-in with smart lock
During your stay
5 guests maximum
Pets allowed
No parties or events
Commercial photography allowed
No smoking
Additional rules
DAMAGE

If an accident occurs and something is ripped, stained, damaged, or destroyed, please kindly let me know so I can properly clean it or replace it. This is a pet-friendly rental, and we understand things happen! But please do be honest about any spills, messes, or broken items so I can properly attend to them. Cleaning supplies are located under the kitchen sink if needed.


SAFETY

No burning of any kind is allowed on the property outside the use of the gas fire pit, gas grill, and gas range. Fireworks, candles, and incense are
strictly prohibited. It is extremely important that you triple-check that you have completely turned off the gas after using the stove, grill, or fire pit. Thank you for putting safety first!


DOG DOO-DOO

For the safety of our pets and the pets of future guests, please kindly clean up after your dog poops in the backyard to prevent the spread of transmittable parasites. Poop bags are located in the pet welcome basket in the entryway. Dog poop can be bagged and thrown right into the outdoor garbage bin (the all-brown bin in the driveway).

Before you leave
Gather used towels
Turn things off
Lock up
Additional requests
DISHWASHER: Please run the dishwasher before you leave. ---------- DOG DOO-DOO: For the safety of our pets and the pets of future guests, please kindly clean up after your dog poos in the backyard to prevent the spread of transmittable parasites. Poop bags are located in the pet welcome basket. Poo can be bagged and thrown right into the outdoor garbage bin (the all-brown bin in the driveway).

Property amenities

Internet

  • WiFi available

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Toaster

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Toilet paper
  • Soap
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Smart TV
  • Games

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • 2 total pets

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

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 not reported (host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property)

General

  • Recycling

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Maximum 2 pets
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

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
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 not indicated whether 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
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.

Fully Fenced Story Book Cottage, close to downtown Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 3 out of 3 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 3 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 3 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 3 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 3 reviews" "

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

kathryn k.

Liked: Cleanliness
Such a Charming Cottage!
We came to Des Moines to attend a family birthday party and we stayed at this property for one night. It was so nice! It is a house from the 1950s. The owners have done such a great job with keeping some of the original defining and characteristic architecture of the era of the house (windows, fireplace, built-in shelves, front door, built-in telephone cubby, wood floors, for example), while modernizing the bathroom and kitchen. Everything was super clean. The beds and pillows were comfy and the sheets very soft. We did not cook while we were there, but the kitchen is well-stocked with pots, pans, flatware, cooking utensils, glasses, bowls, etc. Outside, there is a deck and patio with seating, plus a grill and hammock. Our dog enjoyed the fully fenced-in backyard. Properties that allow dogs are always a BIG plus—it is a very attractive amenity to be able to bring your doggie with you on your trip! The neighborhood was quaint, well-kept and quiet. It is close to grocery stores, liquor stores and restaurants. There is a large, beautiful cemetery just a short walk away from the property with lovely trees and rolling hills. We enjoyed walking around and looking at history there. Overall, we and our dog had a wonderful stay, and we graciously thank the hosts for their hospitality. Kathryn, Dalton, and Lola
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Comfortable stay
While we encountered some problems at the beginning, VRBO was able to get in touch with the renter and we were able to get the issues resolved. The house is a great place to stay, Laura make sure you have all the amenities you needand if we are driving through again, we will make sure to rent here.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alexis M., Germantown, Maryland

Liked: Cleanliness
Cute and comfortable pet friendly stay.
The house was nice, clean, easy to get to and pet friendly. Host was responsive and helpful.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024