Entire home

Downtown Ames Peaceful Getaway

Photo gallery for Downtown Ames Peaceful Getaway

A living room with a fireplace, a television, and a sofa.
A kitchen with wooden cabinets, a stainless steel refrigerator, a built-in oven, a sink, and a window with a view of greenery.
A dining area with a wooden table and chairs, a window with a view of trees, and a ceiling fan.
A living room with a beige sofa, a brown sofa, and a coffee table. There is a sliding glass door leading to a backyard.
A bedroom with a bed, dresser, chair, and a ceiling fan.

Reviews

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful

Highlights

  • Made for relaxation
    Top-rated for comfort — guests feel right at home here.
  • Games
    A rare find - enjoy a variety of games available on-site.
  • At the centre of it all
    Stay in a top rated central location, steps from the best attractions, dining, and entertainment.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near Main Street Cultural District
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 7

Popular amenities

  • Hot tub on site
  • Patio
  • Toys
  • Barbecue grill
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View in a map
Ames, IA
  • Place, Main Street Cultural District
    ‪8 min walk‬
  • Place, Octagon Center for the Arts
    ‪13 min walk‬
  • Place, Iowa State University
    ‪4 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 1

1 Double Bed

Bedroom 2

3 Single Beds

Living Room 1

1 Double Sofa Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Number of living rooms
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Downtown Ames Peaceful Getaway

A peaceful space for someone who enjoys the stillness of nature & the chance to see foxes, deer, woodchuck, turkeys & more, while still enjoying easy access to all the fun Ames has to offer! This duplex is nestled at the end of a cul-de-sac, just a short walk to downtown Ames (the library, post office, grocery store, main street shopping, farmers market, city parks, bus line & more), a brief drive to campus, many tasty restaurants, and easy access to highway 35.

This property is a duplex with two units. This listing is on the main level, and includes two bedrooms, a private bathroom, living room, dining room & full kitchen with a shared laundry room in the basement, and shared outdoor 4-person hot tub with jets. The second unit (the Fox Den) is an efficiency apartment on the lower level. Neither unit has access to the other's space. The only shared area is the laundry room.

Add dates for prices

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

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

Similar properties

Dining
3BR Getaway, Sleeps 6 | 2-3 Miles to ISU
Ames
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
9.6 out of 10, Exceptional, (23 reviews)
3BR Getaway, Sleeps 6 | 2-3 Miles to ISU

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Check out before 10:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

Pets allowed: less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Let us know if you want to bring more than 2 pets
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 3597977vb
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

About the area

Ames

Ames is home to this holiday home. Cinemark Ames Movies 12 and Veenker Memorial Golf Course are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Octagon Center for the Arts and Furman Aquatic Center. Travelling with kids? Consider Trailhead Park and Arboretum, or check out an event or a game at Jack Trice Stadium. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including wildlife walks.
View more Holiday homes in AmesOpens in a new window
Map
Ames, IA

What's nearby

  • Main Street Cultural District - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Octagon Center for the Arts - 13 min walk - 1.1 km
  • Iowa State University - 4 min drive - 2.5 km
  • Hilton Coliseum - 5 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Jack Trice Stadium - 5 min drive - 3.9 km

Getting around

  • Des Moines International Airport (DSM) - 47 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬18 min walk
  • ‪Panera Bread - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Buffalo Wild Wings - ‬18 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Downtown Ames Peaceful Getaway pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

How much is parking at Downtown Ames Peaceful Getaway?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Downtown Ames Peaceful Getaway?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Downtown Ames Peaceful Getaway?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Downtown Ames Peaceful Getaway located?

This family-friendly Ames holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of Main Street Cultural District and Octagon Center for the Arts. Iowa State University is 2.1 mi (3.4 km) away.

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 19 out of 24 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 24 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 24 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 24 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 24 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.6/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

9.4/10

Location

9.0/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing location and the property is fantastic. Walking distance to farmer's market and historic downtown but super quiet at the end of a cul-de-sac. Huge yard and towering oaks complete the picture. Everything was top notch!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Place was very clean, and we enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cute house! Great location right by downtown.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Lovely Downtown Ames

Great property for a cozy stay near downtown Ames.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place to stay when visiting ISU

We wanted to check out downtown Ames after visiting ISU, and this house is perfectly located, about a 5 minute drive to downtown, 10 or 15 to ISU.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Visiting ISU son

Great property. Very clean, one of the cleanest properties we have stayed at and we have stayed at a lot of places over the last 4 years. Great location, close to everything.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great place for family and dog!

This was a really cute home with new updates! The owner was super responsive and happy to help with any questions we had and with accommodations that we requested. The home was very clean as well. We only stayed one night but would definitely book again and stay longer!!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Downtown Ames Peaceful Getaway ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We loved the house! Plenty of space, cozy, and had everything we needed. Perfect location as well being less than 2 miles from the campus, downtown, and restaurants. Communication from the owners was top notch and the check in process was a breeze. Highly recommend and plan to stay here again next time we visit Ames!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Comfortable stay with family

We had a great time at Keri’s place. Her and her husband were so attentive and checked in to make sure we had everything we needed. Restful trip as we came into town to visit our college student for Easter. We even were able to cook Easter dinner there and enjoy as a family. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Late Summer Stay

I had a great stay at the Downtown Ames Peaceful Getaway! It is a cozy home in a great location. Looking out the windows you would never know you were downtown but you are super close to the amenities that Ames has to offer. I would recommend to anyone staying in the area.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024
Verified review

8/10 Good

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

Nice place!

Place was close to campus, which is what we wanted as we were coming into town to visit our son. Communication with the owner was great. Trains close by were a little loud at night and we could hear the conversations of the people staying in the basement at times, but overall the place was great and we would definitely s
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Saturday night

Overall very nice place to stay with great communication from the owner. Didn't realize the duplex was an upstairs downstairs but really had no issues with that at all. Very clean and a nice little neighborhood. Definitely would recommend
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Ames getaway

We loved it there. The house was perfect for our needs. Everything worked very well - new dishwasher, smart TV, excellent washer & dryer, comfortable furniture. We had everything we needed. The host, Keri (and her husband Derek) were wonderfully nice people. We enjoyed it so much that we’re planning on returning next summer .
Stayed 45 nights in Jun 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Ames Iowa State Graduation

Great location, very quaint and the hosts went out of their way to make it feel like a home. There were seasonal decorations everywhere as well as little chocolate gift baskets throughout the home. We saw deer right out the family room window every morning. Very comfortable and cozy.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Visiting ISU with my dog!

I chose this residence because I was allowed to bring my dog with me. But even if I wasn’t traveling with my dog, I would still choose this residence again. Excellent access by bike or bus to ISU campus. Friendly neighbors, safe walking areas good food downtown within walking distance. . It was a great stay, and my hosts were responsive and helpful. The house was perfect.
Stayed 12 nights in Aug 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

Great stay in Ames!

We had a great stay while visiting our daughter at ISU. The location was on a quiet cul-de-sac and close to campus. The kitchen had all the supplies to cook in if you wanted. We were pleasantly surprised with an outdoor hot tub which we enjoyed. Communication with the host was very responsive and friendly. We will definitely stay here again the next time we are in Ames.Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We planned a trip to Ames to visit family, as both of my parents (78 years old) are originally from the Ames area. Keri, our host, was incredibly helpful in providing additional details about the property before I finalized the reservation. My mom uses a wheelchair, and while the home is not ADA accessible (I could not find any ADA-friendly VRBO options in the area), Keri went above and beyond by providing extra photos so we could determine whether the space would work for my mom’s needs.We stayed for a week, and my parents were very grateful for the easy access into the house, the spacious primary bedroom, the large windows, and the wonderful walkable neighborhood. The doorway tight with a wheelchair as expected, but very managable, and the bathroom required some creativity to navigate, but overall it worked well for us.Derek (husband) was very receptive to a couple of our suggestions regarding grab bars in the bathroom, which could make a big difference for future guests with mobility needs.We have a few more Midwest trips planned, and this home will absolutely be our first choice. Thank you, Keri and Derek, for your hospitality!
Stayed 8 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Check-in, communication
Disliked: Location, listing accuracy

24 hour train traffic

House was well kept and had comfortable beds. Air conditioning was very cold. However the around the clock trains right next to the house was bothersome. I mean all hours of the day and night they fly by. Also there are people living in the basement so that was different. But they did not bother us.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Close to downtown and quiet
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Cou

Stayed 1 night in May 2024

About the host

Hosted by Keri Navratil

Host profile image
We are Keri and Derek Navratil and we live just down the road. We have two children, ages 4 & 2. Derek is an electrical engineer, craftsman & entrepreneur. Keri is a sign language interpreter turned stay at home mom. We love travel, movies, eating out, the theater, and board games, among other things.

Why they chose this property

We lived in this home for 7 years, and loved it so much we decided to turn it into a VRBO instead of selling! We especially love how easy it is to look out the large windows and feel like you're in the woods, while actually being within walking distance to all that downtown has to offer.

Languages:

English
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback