Title: Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa Reviews, Deals & Photos 2026 - Expedia.co.uk [See all properties](http://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?regionId=&selected=110789796&adults=2&children=&sort=RECOMMENDED&useRewards=false&semdtl=&userIntent=&vip=false) Entire home # Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa Holiday home in Urbandale ## Photo gallery for Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa ![Outdoor dining - Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa (Urbandale)](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/111000000/110790000/110789800/110789796/ec829e81.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=598&ra=fit) ![Dining - Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa (Urbandale)](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/111000000/110790000/110789800/110789796/44fb2131.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) ![Exterior - Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa (Urbandale)](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/111000000/110790000/110789800/110789796/7d064c30.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) ![Living area - Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa (Urbandale)](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/111000000/110790000/110789800/110789796/dbfdedf3.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) ![Private kitchen - Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa (Urbandale)](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/111000000/110790000/110789800/110789796/51b60097.jpg?impolicy=resizecrop&rw=297&ra=fit) - Overview - Location - Amenities - Policies Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa provides laundry facilities and more. Stay connected with in-room WiFi. ## Reviews 10 Exceptional ### Entire home 5 bedrooms4 bathrooms ## Popular amenities - Dryer - Washer - Pet-friendly - Air conditioning ## Add dates for prices Check-in Check-out Travellers ## About this property ### Entire place You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party. ### Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa Unwind in this exquisite, book-themed retreat where every chapter of your stay is filled with comfort, relaxation, and entertainment. Whether you're hosting a family reunion, wedding party, work travel, a reading retreat, or just looking for a cozy getaway, Once Upon a Stay is the perfect backdrop for your story. (This home is under new management! We are experienced hosts with a great track record with guests, just switching up how we do things this year - we look forward to hosting you!) Thoughtfully designed with soft pastel hues, literary-inspired décor, and cozy nooks, Once Upon a Stay is a haven for book lovers and those looking for a unique, relaxing escape. Home Highlights: \- Event-Ready: Perfect for special events like family reunions, weddings, and corporate retreats with spacious gathering areas. \- Fully Equipped Kitchen: Has all you need for preparing meals or hosting a dinner party, stocked with all the essentials. \- Living Areas: The open living areas offer comfortable seating, board games, and a library of books to lose yourself in. Let the natural light and luxurious finishes create a space you’ll never want to leave. \- Outdoor Spaces: Relax in the backyard, complete with covered dining table, outdoor furniture, a BBQ grill, and plenty of room for storytelling around the fire or sipping wine on the patio. \- Work-Friendly: A peaceful office space with a desk or comfy chairs, for those mixing business with pleasure. \- Furry Friends Welcome: With a dog door leading to a fenced backyard, your pets can roam freely and enjoy the stay just as much as you do. ($75 non-refundable pet fee; max of 2 pets). \- Electric Car Charging Station: Keep your EV charged and ready to go. \- Garage Parking: 2 spaces in the garage, including 1 electric vehicle charger, plus additional free driveway/street parking. Nearby Attractions: Located in the heart of Urbandale, Once Upon a Stay is close to parks, trendy cafes, and shops, offering both city convenience and quiet retreat vibes. You’re also a short drive from popular attractions like: \- Kollmorgen Park - 2 minute drive \- Barrett Boesen Park - 4 minute drive \- Horizon's Ridge Park - 4 minute drive \- Central Standard - 8 minute drive \- Kue'd Smokehouse - 8 minute drive \- Waukee Triumph Park - 8 minute drive \- Mickey's Irish Pub - 9 minute drive \- Kinship Brewing - 11 minute drive \- Waukee Ice Cream Shoppe - 12 minute drive \- The Brenton Arboretum - 16 minute drive \- Raccoon River Park - 19 minute drive \- Paws and Pints - 20 minute drive \- Downtown Des Moines - 20 minute drive \- Wells Fargo Arena - 20 minute drive \- Grays Lake - 25 minute drive \- Iowa State Fair - 28 minute drive \- Saylorville lake - 30 minute drive Planning a book weekend with friends? Let us know! We can provide a planning spreadsheet to get you started. Here's a list of some local bookstores to visit during your stay: \- Wandering Raccoon Books - 11 minute drive (6 miles) \- Half Price Books - 14 minute drive (7 miles) \- Beaverdale Books - 22 minute drive (10 miles) \- Reading in Public Bookstore + Cafe - 20 minute drive (12 miles) \- The Little Book - 22 minute drive (14 miles) \- StoryHouse Bookpub - 22 minute drive (16 miles) \- Plain Talks Books & Coffee - 22 minute drive (16 miles) \- Nos Books - 21 minute drive (14 miles) Bedrooms: \- BR1: A king bed with ensuite master bathroom \- BR2: A full bed \- BR3: 2 Twin beds \- BR4: 2 Twin beds, one bed can be expanded to a king size if needed \- BR5: A queen bed (lower level) House Rules: \- No smoking \- Pets allowed for a non-refundable $75 fee (max 2 pets) \- No filming or professional movie shoots \- Must be 25+ to book \- Please report any damages that occur during your stay Book Now & Begin Your Story: Whether you're here to relax, celebrate, or embark on a new adventure, Once Upon a Stay is the perfect setting to create unforgettable memories. ## Property amenities ### Internet - Available in the house: WiFi ### Bedrooms - 5 bedrooms - Bedsheets provided ### Bathroom - 3.5 bathrooms - Bathtub or shower - Hair dryer - Shower - Soap - Toilet paper - Towels provided ### Laundry - Laundry facilities - Washing machine ### Comfort - Air conditioning - Heating ### Pets - Pet friendly - 2 pets total ### Suitability/Accessibility - Smoke-free property ### Services and conveniences - Iron/ironing board ### 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) ## Similar properties ![4 bedrooms, desk, iron/ironing board, travel cot](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/117000000/116480000/116478500/116478446/47042413.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium) ### Pet-Friendly Windsor Heights Stay – Ideal for Reunions, Road Trips & Remote Work Windsor Heights - Kitchen - Washer - Dryer - Pet-friendly 10 Exceptional 5 reviews [](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-12-31&endDate=2026-01-01&selected=116478446&PinnedHotelID=116478446&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) ![Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/109000000/109000000/108998200/108998176/2e8b3a08.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium) ### The Love Shack | Spacious Family Getaway • 5BR/3BA • 10 Mins to Downtown Windsor Heights - Kitchen - Washer - Dryer - Pet-friendly 10 Exceptional 14 reviews £384 includes taxes & fees 18 Dec - 19 Dec [](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-12-18&endDate=2025-12-19&selected=108998176&PinnedHotelID=108998176&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) ![Pool](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/94000000/93330000/93323400/93323346/b545e889.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium) ### West Des Moines- Garage, Gym, Pool, Jordan Creek West Des Moines - Kitchen - Washer - Dryer - Air conditioning 9.6 Exceptional 11 reviews £140 includes taxes & fees 30 Dec - 31 Dec [](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-12-30&endDate=2025-12-31&selected=93323346&PinnedHotelID=93323346&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) ![Smart TV, ping pong, stereo, offices](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/97000000/96830000/96829000/96828937/37ff3327.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium) ### Covered Garage | Updated| New $50k Fitness Center West Des Moines - Pool - Kitchen - Washer - Dryer 9.0 Wonderful 2 reviews [](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-12-31&endDate=2026-01-01&selected=96828937&PinnedHotelID=96828937&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) ![Exterior](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/92000000/91680000/91678100/91678014/w1935h1287x428y0-08ab2cad.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium) ### Historic Oscar Lofquist House Heart of Des Moines Des Moines - Washer - Free WiFi - Air conditioning - Outdoor space 9.4 Exceptional 16 reviews [](https://www.expedia.co.uk/Hotel-Search?startDate=2025-12-31&endDate=2026-01-01&selected=91678014&PinnedHotelID=91678014&HadPinnedHotel=true®ionId=-1&adults=2) ![Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop](https://images.trvl-media.com/lodging/35000000/34150000/34149700/34149649/647e4df9.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=469&h=201&p=1&q=medium) ### LUXURY GETAWAY! 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EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking. 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 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 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 ## About the area ![Map](https://maps.googleapis.com/maps/api/staticmap?&size=660x330&map_id=3b266eb50d2997c6¢er=41.637524,-93.83394&zoom=13&channel=expedia-HotelInformation&maptype=roadmap&scale=1&path=color:0xFFFFF|weight:2|fillcolor:0x005AEB7F|enc:sed%7DFb%7Du%7BP%3FU%3FU%40Q%3FU%40U%40S%3FSBU%40S%40U%40SBSBSBUBS%40SDSBSDSBSDSDQDSDSDQFSDQFQDSFQFQHQFOFSHOFOHQFOHQHOJOHOHOHMJMHOJMJMJMJMJMJKJMJKLKJKLILMJILILKLGLIJINILGLGLGNGLGLENELENELGNCNCLCNELANENANANALANANAN%3FN%3FN%3FN%3FL%3FN%3FN%40N%40N%40N%40L%40N%40NDN%40LDNBLBNDNDLDNDLDLDNFLFLFLFNHLFLHLHLHJHLHLHLLJHLJJJJJLLJJHLLLJLHLJLHNJLJLHPHLHNHNHPHNFPHNFNHRFNFPFPFPDRFPFPDRFPDRDRBPDRDRBRDRBRBRBRBTBR%40R%40RBT%40R%40T%40R%40R%3FT%40T%3FP%3FT%3FT%3FR%3FT%3FRAT%3FRARATATARCRARATCRCTCPCRCRETCRERERCPERERGPERGPGPEPGPGRGPGNIPGPINGNIPINIPILININKNKLILKNILKLMLIJKLMJKLKJMJKHMJMJMHKFMJMFMJMFOFMHMFMDOFMDMFODMDOBODMDOBMBOBOBOBM%3FOBO%40O%3FO%40O%40M%3FO%3FO%3FO%3FOAOAO%3FMAOCO%3FOCOCMCOCMCOEOCMEOEMEOGMEMGOEMGMIMGOGKKMGMIMIMIKKMKMIKKMKKMKKKMKKKMKMKMKOIMKMIOIMIQKMIQIOGQIOGOIQGQGOIQGSGQEQGQEQGSEQESESEQESCSESCSEUASCQCUCSCUASASASCU%3FUASAS%3FUAS%3FU%3FS&key=AIzaSyCYjQus5kCufOpSj932jFoR_AJiL9yiwOw&signature=YpVP0FjJPUNgSLKbDsquOWNtvXY=) Urbandale, IA #### What's nearby - Walnut Creek Hills Park \- 5 min walk \- 0.3 miles - Canary Park \- 16 min walk \- 0.9 miles - Brookshire Open Space \- 3 min drive \- 1.3 miles - Stonegate Park \- 3 min drive \- 1.4 miles - Alice Nizzi Park \- 4 min drive \- 2.2 miles #### Getting around - Des Moines International Airport (DSM) - 37 min drive #### Restaurants - ‪Hy-Vee Market Grille Express - ‬5 min drive - ‪Casey's General Store - ‬4 min drive - ‪Culver's - ‬7 min drive - ‪‘85 Bar West - ‬6 min drive - ‪Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers - ‬6 min drive ## Frequently asked questions ### Is Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa pet-friendly? ### Where is Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa located? ## Have a question? Beta Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews. Ask a question ## Once Upon a Stay - Urbandale, Iowa Reviews ## Reviews ### Exceptional All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers 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. [More information](https://www.expedia.co.uk/lp/b/content-guidelines) 10 - Excellent 2 8 - Good 0 6 - Okay 0 4 - Poor 0 2 - Terrible 0 ### 9.0 Cleanliness ### 10 Location ## Reviews ### 10/10 Excellent #### James M. 21 Jun 2025 Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy #### Excellent place One of our nicest places to stay, lots of attention to detail, lovely place ##### James M. Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2025 ### 10/10 Excellent #### Shara L. 26 May 2025 Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy #### Here for wedding Beautiful home, Amazing communication, easy check in! We will definitely see if this is available next time we are in the area with a big group. We ended up having 6 of us instead of the full 10, but that was ok. 5 star rating only a 4 on cleaning because a few dishes put away dirty, but we wahsed them so not a big deal. 1000% recommend. Honestly wish had stayed 1 more day. It's a must see home. ##### Shara L. 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