Entire home

House of Funk - A Cozy & Eclectic Retreat in Des Moines’s Drake Neighborhood

Photo gallery for House of Funk - A Cozy & Eclectic Retreat in Des Moines’s Drake Neighborhood

Outdoor dining
Dining
Interior
Interior
5 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

5 bedrooms3 bathrooms190 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen
  • Dryer
  • Outdoor space
  • Washer

Explore the area

View map
Des Moines, IA
  • Drake University
    ‪5 min walk‬
  • Iowa Events Center
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Casey's Center
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)
    ‪13 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

About the area

Des Moines

With a stay at this vacation home in Des Moines (Drake), you'll be a 4-minute walk from Drake University and within a 5-minute drive of Casey's Center. .This vacation home is 6.9 mi (11.1 km) from Iowa State Fairgrounds and 8.8 mi (14.2 km) from Jordan Creek Town Center.

What's nearby

  • Drake University - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Iowa Events Center - 3 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Hoyt Sherman Place - 3 min drive - 2.9 km
  • Casey's Center - 4 min drive - 4.2 km
  • EMC Expo Center - 4 min drive - 4.2 km

Getting around

  • Des Moines International Airport (DSM) - 22 min drive

Restaurants

  • McDonald's
  • ‪Casey's - ‬10 min walk
  • ‪Black Cat Ice Cream - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Drake Diner - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪8 Ice Cream & Boba - ‬10 min walk

About this property

Entire place

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

House of Funk - A Cozy & Eclectic Retreat in Des Moines’s Drake Neighborhood

Cozy & Eclectic Retreat in Des Moines’s Drake Neighborhood
Welcome to House of Funk, a clean, convenient, and welcoming home in the heart of Des Moines's vibrant Drake Neighborhood, lovingly known as Dogtown. While it’s not fancy or frilly, this Queer-owned and operated space is thoughtfully curated to ensure your stay is comfortable, fun, and memorable.

Central Location for Exploration
House of Funk is perfectly situated for those looking to explore Des Moines. Located within walking or biking distance to popular spots like local restaurants, bars, the historic Varsity Cinema, music venues like xBk Live and Lefty’s, grocery stores, and Walgreens, you’ll find all the essentials just moments away. Need to venture further? With quick access to I-235, you can be at Wells Fargo Arena in 6 minutes and just about anywhere in Greater Des Moines within 15 minutes. For added convenience, DART Bus Local Route 3 stops right outside the house.

Comfortable Accommodations
This 5-bedroom house comfortably sleeps up to 15 guests with:

1 King bed
2 Queen beds
1 Full-size bed
2 Twin beds
1 Trundle bed
2 Couches
4 Twin Air mattress

The primary bedroom features a king bed and an en suite bathroom with a full bath. A second 3/4 bathroom offers a walk-in shower and vanity. A third bathroom on the main floor is a convenient water closet. The property includes Central AC & heat, WiFi, an iron, and a washer & dryer, making it ideal for quick trips or extended stays.

Intentional & Sustainable
At House of Funk, sustainability is front and center. The home is furnished with thrifted pieces, features on-site composting, and actively supports local ecosystems, artists, and businesses. Whether you’re attending the Drake Relays, hosting a pop-up event, or reuniting with friends or family, this space is designed to accommodate a variety of needs with respect and style.

Extras for Your Stay
Includes off-street parking, bikes, a spacious fenced backyard with a Weber charcoal grill, chiminea fire pit, and patio furniture for outdoor relaxation.

Parking: Two off-street parking spaces are available in the front, with additional space for larger vehicles, such as campers or recreational equipment, available upon request.
Smoking: Smoking is not allowed inside but is permitted outside, with the expectation that waste is disposed of responsibly.
Bikes Included: Explore the neighborhood with two bicycles provided for guest use.

Additional Notes
There is a long-term renter in the basement with their own private entrance through the fenced-in back area, ensuring your privacy while sharing the property.

If you're looking for a place that's practical, clean, and community-centered on, House of Funk is an excellent choice for your stay in Des Moines.
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, featuring a kitchen with a refrigerator and an oven. There's a private patio. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and a Smart television is provided for your entertainment. Conveniences include a desk and a microwave.
Don't miss out on recreational opportunities including a water park and 12 outdoor pickleball courts. Additional features at this vacation home include barbecue grills and bike storage.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property manager

Rachel Gulick

Languages

English

Property amenities

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing nearby
  • Snowboarding nearby

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Electric kettle
  • Hob
  • Kitchen island
  • Lobster/crab pot
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 5 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk
  • Desk chair

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 2 accessible parking spaces
  • 5 steps to reach entrance
  • Area rugs in public areas
  • Handrails in stairways (76 centimetre high)
  • In-room accessibility
  • Smooth flooring in public areas
  • Tile flooring in public areas
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking
  • Designated smoking areas

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • Near a health/beauty spa
  • Near a hospital
  • Near a zoo
  • Near an outlet shopping centre
  • Near the marina

Things to do

  • 12 outdoor pickleball courts
  • Bicycle parking
  • Bicycle storage
  • Bicycles
  • Snow sports gear
  • Tennis
  • Water park
  • Basketball nearby
  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Casino nearby
  • Ecotours nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Golfing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Ice skating nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Rock climbing nearby
  • Sailing nearby
  • Sledding nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby
  • Winery tours nearby

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
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • At least 10% of profits reinvested in community and sustainability
  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • Bicycle parking
  • Bicycle storage
  • Bicycles
  • Bulk dispensers for toiletries
  • Composting
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Double-glazed windows
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • Garden
  • Local artist showcase
  • Locally-owned and organised tours and activities
  • No plastic water bottles
  • Reusable cups
  • Reusable tableware
  • Unit size: 2,048 square feet
  • Water-efficient showers
  • Water-efficient toilets

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 12:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 3:00 PM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

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

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Take out the trash
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Events Require Prior Approval

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 30
Note from host: Events Require Prior Approval
Long-term renters welcome
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
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, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

House of Funk - A Cozy & Eclectic Retreat in Des Moines’s Drake Neighborhood Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 10 out of 11 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 11 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 11 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 11 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 11 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Ava B.

Liked: Cleanliness
My friends and I stayed here for Hinterland music festival and it was perfect! Had a little hiccup with the passcode to enter with check in, but other than that everything was perfect!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Natalie M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Weekend get together

We had an engagement party, our stay was great we were party of 12. Everyone had a place to sleep the kitchen was great and the house was spotless. Would stay here again
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeannie R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Good vibes

Great house, lots of room for a large group. Host was very responsive & helpful. Also a great lil pub next door with amazing food!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

corissa c.

Liked: Cleanliness

Softball weekend in IA

The house was clean and had plenty of room for all of us! We were able to make our meals and decompress after a long day at the softball fields. We'd suggest adding a TV to the main living area. Some of us arrived before the rest of our group, so they brought a television for us to all be able to gather and watch movies.There is a tenant that lives in the basement of the home. He was able to get us some assistance when our code reset on the door lock and reset the breaker when we lost power in the attic area.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

John R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Love the House of Funk!

Rachel is such a cool host and the House of Funk is such a cool place! So grateful for this experience.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amanda R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great house with plenty of space for hosting a small group get together! The location is close to downtown and easy to get to!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Deanna S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family weekend

We had a great stay. The house was clean and ready when we got there. The manager was easy to get in touch with. We really liked the location, easy to get downtown. A very cute and welcoming home.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ann T.

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice, eclectic home

My extended family and I were in town for almost a week for my mom’s Celebration of Life. The property was centrally located to everything we were doing. The owners were awesome to work with and more than accommodating when we needed to use it for as a gathering place for the entire family from out of town. They went out of their way to make things nice for us, including extra towels, chairs for outside seating, and outdoor grilling!The house was eclectically decorated and fun! The beds were so comfortable! I highly recommend this home to anyone visiting DM!Thank you for letting us stay!
Stayed 6 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diane W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Excellent stay

We were in town for a basketball tournament. The house was very comfortable and clean. Location is excellent-amazing little cafe right next door was a bonus. Communication, check in, and overall comfort was excellent.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Paige P.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great stay near Drake

We really enjoyed our stay at House of Funk! The home is very large and was perfect for our group of 8 people. It also is in a great location, within walking distance of Drake University and next door to Library Cafe. We would recommend this home!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ben S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect for our large group!

We could not have found a more perfect house for our group! There was plenty of space for the 10 of us, and our host responded instantly whenever we had questions. We will definitely try staying here again when we’re in Des Moines.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025