Name: Iowa House Historic Inn
Address: Ames, Iowa, Ames, Iowa, US
Price range: US$111–US$153 per night
Rating: 9.36

What guests think

Iowa House Historic Inn draws consistent praise for its welcoming historic charm, friendly staff, and a hearty, made‑to‑order breakfast, with many guests highlighting the quiet, walkable location near Iowa State University and easy, code‑based self check‑in.

Rooms have historic character and feel comfortable, and the common areas are welcoming. Some rooms include jetted or soaking tubs, and snacks, coffee, and tea are available at all hours. Be aware there is no elevator, and a few reviews note musty odors, minor wear, or noise in certain lower‑level rooms. Overall, expect a cozy, home‑style B&B experience.

Facilities

Cleanliness

Rooms

Service

Location

Dining

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Facilities

Historic common areas and easy parking are praised, with convenient code‑based self check‑in and snacks/coffee available anytime. The building has no elevator.

Related guest reviews

10

Lenore

5 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The rug is not so clean and one entrance door didn’t work. Other than that the room was very comfortable . Guests should know there isn’t an elevator so be prepared to climb the 32 stairs if on the third floor. Breakfast was great and the living room/ dining room areas were decorated for the season. Lovely. Would stay here again.

10

Marcia

28 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

I always like to stay at Iowa House when I'm in Ames. The location is excellent, the breakfast always delicious, and the self-serve aspect of the house works really well. The common spaces are comfortable and nicely appointed, bringing back that ISU vibe with mid-century decor and oak treatments.

10

Elizabeth

14 Sept 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Wonderful breakfast, nice public spaces . Seven couples stayed here for a reunion and the venue was ideal. We will be back!

10

Valerie

4 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Really lovely historic inn in a nice setting. Parking was easy, the shared spaces were beautiful, with nice touches. Breakfast was delicious. I came to town to meet up with family and it couldn't have been more convenient.

10

Rachel

19 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Very easy check in. I was emailed the code to open the door a few days before arrival. Clean house nice room excellent breakfast. Will return next time we need to visit Ames.

10

Catherine

6 Oct 2023

·

Stayed 3 nights

I liked the combination of old-house comfort and up-to-date automatic check-in.

10

Greg

28 May 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Best stay. Well kept, historic B & B that was Cian, pleasant, and relaxing. Ample off street parking. Decent, plentiful breakfast including some fresh cooked fare. Room was nicely appointed and check in was a breeze.

10

Jenny

9 Dec 2022

·

Stayed 1 night

It feels like you are staying at your Aunt and Uncle’s house. You walk into a cozy living room, head to your room, come and go as you please. Grab a convenient cup of tea, a bag of crackers. You feel very taken care of here. Then, you wake up to a home-cooked breakfast. ❤️

10

Kim

13 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great stay at the Iowa House. Great access to campus and restaurants and my daughters apartment - able to walk. Breakfast was good. Loved that there were snacks and water or coffee or tea available all hours.

10

HUGH

2 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

More than adequate. Hoping breakfast is good. Checkin by code. Nice old house/inn.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Cleanliness

Rooms and shared spaces are generally clean. Some guests noted musty odors or minor wear like worn carpets, peeling paint, or small touch‑ups needed.

Related guest reviews

10

Lenore

5 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The rug is not so clean and one entrance door didn’t work. Other than that the room was very comfortable . Guests should know there isn’t an elevator so be prepared to climb the 32 stairs if on the third floor. Breakfast was great and the living room/ dining room areas were decorated for the season. Lovely. Would stay here again.

6

Karen

21 May 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location, reasonable price, secure, cute on the outside, main level is well maintained and our room and bathroom were very clean. However, room 306 has pealing paint on the pipes in the bathroom and the walls need repainted too. It’s noisy since the walls and your door don’t provide much soundproofing. The door to the bathroom doesn’t shut tight either. Breakfast was just average, although they were very accommodating if you didn’t want certain things.

8

Monica

16 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Iowa House is a lovely B&B. The property outside is kept clean. Inside the main floor has a welcoming atmosphere with dining around a corner. On 2nd floor a dehumidifier is on and I’m not quite sure why but it smells quite musty. Inside my particular room was nice & clean. The bathroom has a lovely tub to take a bath in and the show is great. The bed was comfortable, the pillows were too puffy for my liking but that’s fine. My room did smell musty. Breakfast was fantastic on both days I stayed. A lot of options along with fresh wonderful coffee & orange juice. I recommend staying here as it’s fairly quiet and very close to ISU. There are a lot of food options nearby as well. Met some lovely people & staff are really friendly.

10

Wilma

23 May 2023

·

Stayed 2 nights

Hospitality and food were wonderful! Carpeting had an odd smell. Lovely lounge.

10

Katherine

22 Dec 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

We loved our stay at The Iowa House! It was wonderful to see it decorated for Christmas. Breakfast was delicious. Coffee, water and snacks were available in the dining room when we checked in. A very nice touch. Our room was clean and comfortable.

10

John

6 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very quiet, close to campus, clean, warm atmosphere, beautiful grounds

10

Dawn

23 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Charming accommodations and clean. The staff is friendly and attended to requests as needed.

10

Bridget

10 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful historical building with clean rooms, great staff, easy check-in, etc, etc.

10

Jennifer

2 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

We stayed at the Iowa House for four days. The room was wonderful. It was clean and cozy. The air conditioner made so much less noise than those at hotels. The towels were plentiful and clean. The bathtub had jets. The breakfast was delicious. The Iowa House is so conveniently located near restaurants and the campus. We absolutely loved our stay there and would recommend it to everyone. If I travel to Iowa State again, I will definitely stay at the Iowa House.

10

Jennifer

1 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We love staying at the Iowa House when in Ames. The property is situated just off of campus and you can easily walk to different sites on campus and places to eat. The Iowa House is pretty quiet and the breakfast is very good. The rooms are nicely laid out and very clean. We usually get one of the loft rooms and it works out great so everyone has their own space. Everything is well thought out and the room comes with everything to make it feel like home such as fans, sound machine, and toiletries. We can't say enough good things about this place or the staff. Definitely would recommend this place to anyone staying in Ames!

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Rooms

Rooms are comfortable with historic character, often spacious, and some offer jetted or soaking tubs. A few report noise in certain lower‑level rooms and limited soundproofing.

Related guest reviews

6

Karen

21 May 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Good location, reasonable price, secure, cute on the outside, main level is well maintained and our room and bathroom were very clean. However, room 306 has pealing paint on the pipes in the bathroom and the walls need repainted too. It’s noisy since the walls and your door don’t provide much soundproofing. The door to the bathroom doesn’t shut tight either. Breakfast was just average, although they were very accommodating if you didn’t want certain things.

10

Marcia

28 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

I always like to stay at Iowa House when I'm in Ames. The location is excellent, the breakfast always delicious, and the self-serve aspect of the house works really well. The common spaces are comfortable and nicely appointed, bringing back that ISU vibe with mid-century decor and oak treatments.

10

Kathy

25 Feb 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Really nice and comfy room. Good good.

10

Terry

15 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Spacious and homelike with gracious staff, walkable to campus.

10

Emilee

11 Jun 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

The Iowa House was a lovely stay with a great breakfast! The whirlpool tub was great!

8

Hongyue

5 Apr 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

It would have been great if I was not in the basement room. Room number started with 1 and I thought it is in the first floor. There was noise from water running and hair dryer from upstairs during the night, and there was a second door (with windows) connected to the outside which was not ideal for me, watching people come and go.

4

Ann

11 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Room 100 was very noisy. Not sure if it was the room above or the kitchen but I was kept up both nights with walking, moving things around and other sounds. I would stay away from that room!

10

Jennifer

2 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 4 nights

We stayed at the Iowa House for four days. The room was wonderful. It was clean and cozy. The air conditioner made so much less noise than those at hotels. The towels were plentiful and clean. The bathtub had jets. The breakfast was delicious. The Iowa House is so conveniently located near restaurants and the campus. We absolutely loved our stay there and would recommend it to everyone. If I travel to Iowa State again, I will definitely stay at the Iowa House.

10

Jessica

24 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

I really liked the room my husband and I stayed in because it was unique, quaint, and beautifully decorated. The bed was very comfortable, and the breakfast was wonderful. Will definitely stay here again! 😊

6

Mirek,

21 Jul 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

No more for me here Toilet drain pipe is next to my head in room#100 Every time somebody flush the toilet from 3 levels above me I wokeup

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Service

Staff are friendly, helpful, and accommodating, and check‑in by code is straightforward. Breakfast service is attentive.

Related guest reviews

10

ANTHONY

21 Jul 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Everyrhing was great! They even made me a breakfast "to-go" earlier then their normal breakfast time. Very small down side .... no usb charge option in the room.

10

Rachel

19 Jun 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Very easy check in. I was emailed the code to open the door a few days before arrival. Clean house nice room excellent breakfast. Will return next time we need to visit Ames.

10

Shawntelle

17 Sept 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Amazing! So cute and well maintained. Staff are amazing and communicate well.

10

Lisa

17 Apr 2023

·

Stayed 1 night

Great breakfast, great staff, great experience every time.

10

Rudy

13 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

We had a fantastic stay. The room was very comfortable, the breakfast was fantastic every day and the proprietors were very friendly and accommodating.

10

Dawn

23 Oct 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Charming accommodations and clean. The staff is friendly and attended to requests as needed.

10

Marie

26 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Loved staying at the Iowa House! So comfortable, clean, and welcoming. It is so close to campus that we could actually walk. The breakfast was delicious. The breakfast server and chef were attentive and friendly. We will definitely be back!!

10

Bridget

10 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Beautiful historical building with clean rooms, great staff, easy check-in, etc, etc.

10

James H.

11 Aug 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Lovely home setting. Very friendly and helpful staff. Excellent.

10

CHRIS

19 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Great staff and excellent breakfast!

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Location

Very convenient location a short walk to Iowa State University, with restaurants nearby and generally quiet surroundings. Several mention easy access from I‑35.

Related guest reviews

10

Brian

27 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

The room worked great for us. Location is perfect and breakfast was great as well.

10

David

19 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We drive to Minnesota once a year. We won’t stay anywhere else. The staff is friendly and helpful, the location is quiet and within walking distance of restaurants, and it’s an easy drive to get to and from I-35. Highly recommended!

10

Arlene

26 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

A wonderful location next to campus. The former fraternity house is full of interesting historical and artistic works. We felt at home. We were visiting the campus after graduating from ISU nearly 60 years ago.

10

Terry

15 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 5 nights

Spacious and homelike with gracious staff, walkable to campus.

10

John

6 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very quiet, close to campus, clean, warm atmosphere, beautiful grounds

10

Marie

26 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Loved staying at the Iowa House! So comfortable, clean, and welcoming. It is so close to campus that we could actually walk. The breakfast was delicious. The breakfast server and chef were attentive and friendly. We will definitely be back!!

10

Mark

18 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Perfect location for visiting Iowa State U.

10

Kelly

8 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Very conveniently located to campus.

10

Jeffrey

29 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

Quaint home converted the hotel. Comfortable and clean. Very quiet and private. Adjoins Iowa State campus. Easy access from freeway. Secure and private lodging.

10

Jennifer

1 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We love staying at the Iowa House when in Ames. The property is situated just off of campus and you can easily walk to different sites on campus and places to eat. The Iowa House is pretty quiet and the breakfast is very good. The rooms are nicely laid out and very clean. We usually get one of the loft rooms and it works out great so everyone has their own space. Everything is well thought out and the room comes with everything to make it feel like home such as fans, sound machine, and toiletries. We can't say enough good things about this place or the staff. Definitely would recommend this place to anyone staying in Ames!

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Dining

Breakfast receives strong praise for taste, variety, and made‑to‑order options. Guests also appreciate the available snacks, coffee, and tea.

Related guest reviews

10

Jill

22 Apr 2024

·

Stayed 1 night

Great B&B with so much historic character and modern amenities like wifi and combination locks. Bed was so comfortable. And the breakfast was perfect. I will return.

10

Jay

13 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Outstanding morning breakfast and fabulous host!

10

Faye

15 Nov 2024

·

Stayed 2 nights

Our favorite place to stay when we visit our college kids because of its walkable location to campus and the campus town area. We like the building history, the hot breakfast made to order, the friendly staff, and the clean and relaxed atmosphere.

10

Kay

3 May 2025

·

Stayed 1 night

We travel from Wisconsin to Kansas frequently to visit family and always stop half way. Now Iowa house in Ames will be our preference stop and place to stay. Everything was so comfortable (even the pillows). Breakfast was OUTSTANDING!

10

Dan

30 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

The room was very well appointed and very comfortable and had everything we needed. The food and the service were all first rate at all times.

10

Rudy

13 Aug 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

We had a fantastic stay. The room was very comfortable, the breakfast was fantastic every day and the proprietors were very friendly and accommodating.

10

Maria

30 Jul 2025

·

Stayed 3 nights

Very quiet, beautiful place. The breakfasts were fabulous!

10

Marie

26 Jun 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Loved staying at the Iowa House! So comfortable, clean, and welcoming. It is so close to campus that we could actually walk. The breakfast was delicious. The breakfast server and chef were attentive and friendly. We will definitely be back!!

10

Jenny

9 Dec 2022

·

Stayed 1 night

It feels like you are staying at your Aunt and Uncle’s house. You walk into a cozy living room, head to your room, come and go as you please. Grab a convenient cup of tea, a bag of crackers. You feel very taken care of here. Then, you wake up to a home-cooked breakfast. ❤️

10

Kim

13 Apr 2025

·

Stayed 2 nights

Great stay at the Iowa House. Great access to campus and restaurants and my daughters apartment - able to walk. Breakfast was good. Loved that there were snacks and water or coffee or tea available all hours.

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AI-generated summary based on recent guest reviews

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
				1 $126	2	3
4	5 $112	6 $112	7 $114	8 $120	9	10
11 $114	12 $112	13 $111	14 $119	15 $118	16 $148	17 $153
18 $121	19 $119	20 $120	21 $115	22 $118	23	24
25 $124	26 $117	27 $121	28 $124	29 $119	30	31

Iowa House Historic Inn

About this property

Location

Room options

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed (Room 302)

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed (Room 206)

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed (Room 204)

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed (Room 101)

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed (Room 201)

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed (Room 100)

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed (Room 202)

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed (Room 203)

Standard Room, 2 Twin Beds (Room 304)

Family Room, 2 Queen Beds (Room 101 & 102)

Loft Suite, 1 Queen Bed (Suite 301)

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed (Room 205)

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed (Room 306)

Loft Suite, 1 King Bed (Suite 303)

Guest reviews of Iowa House Historic Inn

Who stays here?

What guests think

Property policies

Check-in instructions

Security deposit

Good to know

Optional extras

FAQs about Iowa House Historic Inn

Prices for upcoming dates

Su	Mo	Tu	We	Th	Fr	Sa
		1	2	3	4	5
6	7	8	9	10	11	12
13	14	15	16	17	18	19
20 $114	21 $111	22 $112	23 $111	24 $120	25	26
27	28 $112	29 $116	30 $122