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The Central Hearth:Football, families and fun! Sleeps 8! 8 min to Jack Trice!

Photo gallery for The Central Hearth:Football, families and fun! Sleeps 8! 8 min to Jack Trice!

A cozy living room with a sofa, a coffee table, and a fireplace.
A single-story house with a front porch, a door, and a small garden area with plants.
A bookshelf with a variety of books, a small plant, and a chess set.
Unwind by the fire after a day exploring in Ames!
A dining room with a wooden table and chairs, a chandelier, and nautical wall decorations.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Firepit available
    One of the few properties with a dedicated outdoor firepit.
  • Discover nearby landmarks
    Near Furman Aquatic Center
3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Patio
  • Toys
  • Barbecue
  • Air-conditioning
  • Refrigerator
  • Internet

Explore the area

View map
Ames, IA
  • Place, Furman Aquatic Center
    ‪17 min walk‬
  • Place, Iowa State University
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, Main Street Cultural District
    ‪3 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Living Room 1

1 Single Bunk Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

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

Bathroom 2

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

Spaces

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

About this property

The Central Hearth:Football, families and fun! Sleeps 8! 8 min to Jack Trice!

Welcome to the Central Hearth! Your perfect Ames home base!

Whether you're visiting ISU for orientation or family weekend, watching the Cyclones play, relocating to the area, working remotely or in Ames, or simply escaping for a family getaway, our spacious home offers room for everyone! Enjoy 3 living spaces, 3 bedrooms and fully fenced backyard with patio seating for 8! Plenty of space for the whole family or crew!

Just 7 minutes from Iowa State campus and perfectly positioned for exploring Ames' year-round attractions. Take Cyride, just 1/2 block away, and enjoy ISU events while skipping the campus parking stress!

Or stay in with family-friendly board games, smart tv's with apps, good books and a wood-burning fireplace!

In warm weather, relax on the patio in the sunshine with patio seating for 8 and a charcoal grill.

Why guests love us:
✓ Sleeps 8 comfortably
✓ Fully Fenced backyard with playground and firepit
✓ Full kitchen saves you $$
✓ 3 separate living spaces
✓ wood burning fireplace
✓ kids indoor play area
✓ high speed 1G wifi and designated workspace
✓ full size washer and dryer
✓ charcoal grill, charcoal and lighter fluid provided



The space
Our home is a 3 bedroom, 2 bath ranch with finished basement in a quiet family friendly central location. Just minutes to anywhere!

Our home includes many upgrades like:
-front door keyless entry
-50 in smart TVs on the main and lower levels
-fully equipped kitchen with new small appliances
-high-speed 1G wifi
-designated workspace with a desk and comfy office chair
-family dining room for 6 with bar stools to accomodate up to 8.
- new HVAC system installed in 2025.

All 3 bedrooms have queen size memory foam or hybrid mattresses and sleep 2 people. Hygienic zippered mattress covers are provided on all beds.

A fold out couch and bunk beds for the kids are also available in the lower level with complete bedding for all beds. Fold-out sleeps 1 adult or 2 small children. Bunk beds are twin size and sleep 1 person each.

Extra bedding provided

Full bathroom on the main floor and 3/4 bath with shower on the lower level.

Extra toiletries provided

Full size washer and dryer are available for guest use in the lower level bathroom. Hypoallergenic laundry soap provided.

There are 3 spacious living spaces for everyone to spread out! Kids can stream their favorite shows in the basement while adults watch the game upstairs! 50 inch TVs have many common apps preinstalled. A newly added mini super Nintendo is fun for everyone!

Or, browse the books in the front library room and then cozy up in the den in front of the wood-burning fireplace for a peaceful night in! Starter pack of firewood and fire-starter provided.

Plan a delicious family meal in the full-sized kitchen which is fully equipped with:
-multiple sizes of pots and pans
-cookie sheets
-cocktail making supplies
-coffee making supplies
-charcuterie board and knives
-various kitchen utensils
-large appliances
-large farmhouse sink
-small appliances
-coffee grinder
-3 types of coffee making tools
-glasses, mugs and cups of all sizes
-dining service for 8 adults
-divided plastic plates and cups for children
-paper plates and plasticware

Enjoy a delicious cup of fresh brewed coffee, however you like it, whole bean or ground, regular or decaf brewed your way!

Keep the kids entertained with toys and games in the basement playroom! Complete with toys, board games and children's books!

Or take them outside to run off energy while you recharge on the patio! The shaded fully-fenced backyard has playground equipment with swings, climber, playhouse and a slide!

Enjoy the patio seating for 8 while the kids play! Show off your grillmaster skills with the charcoal grill. Charcoal and lighter fluid provided.

Sit out under the stars for a relaxing evening and enjoy the sparkle of an evening fire in the firepit! Starter pack of wood provided.

A local elementary school is also a short 4-block walk west with 2 seperate newly installed inclusive playgrounds, available after school hours or anytime in the summer!

Safety features include:
-smoke detectors
-carbon dioxide detector
-water leak alarms
-first aid kit in the main level bathroom
-fire extinguisher under the kitchen sink

Do not hesitate to ask for anything else you may need during your stay! We are Ames residents and happy to answer any questions you may have! We will respond as soon as possible. The best way to reach us is through the app.

Guest access
Guests have access to the entire home, front and back yards.

Parking is available in our driveway, 2-3 spots, and on our street.

The unattached garage is not available to guests.

Please use the provided code at the front door upon arrival.

Other things to note:
There is no smoking allowed in or on our property.

Pets are not allowed. For allergy disclosures, we did own a dog when this was our family home, but we do not allow guests to bring pets onto the property. Property is thoroughly cleaned between bookings

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load the dishwasher
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Return the keys
Log out of all apps on TVs
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.

Important information

You need to know

Property # 4810155vb
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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Ames

Ames is home to this holiday home. Veenker Memorial Golf Course and Cinemark Ames Movies 12 are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit Furman Aquatic Center and Octagon Center for the Arts. Story City Carousel and Trailhead Park and Arboretum are also worth visiting.
Map
Ames, IA

What's nearby

  • Furman Aquatic Center - 17 min walk - 1.5 km
  • Iowa State University - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Main Street Cultural District - 3 min drive - 2.1 km
  • Octagon Center for the Arts - 4 min drive - 2.8 km
  • Jack Trice Stadium - 6 min drive - 4.8 km

Getting around

  • Des Moines International Airport (DSM) - 57 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪B-Bops - ‬8 min walk
  • ‪Cornbred Bbq - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪The Cafe - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Flame & Skewer - ‬11 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is The Central Hearth:Football, families and fun! Sleeps 8! 8 min to Jack Trice! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking at The Central Hearth:Football, families and fun! Sleeps 8! 8 min to Jack Trice!?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Central Hearth:Football, families and fun! Sleeps 8! 8 min to Jack Trice!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Central Hearth:Football, families and fun! Sleeps 8! 8 min to Jack Trice!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is The Central Hearth:Football, families and fun! Sleeps 8! 8 min to Jack Trice! located?

Situated in Ames, this holiday home is within 2 miles (3 km) of Main Street Cultural District, Iowa State University and Furman Aquatic Center. Ada Hayden Heritage Park and Octagon Center for the Arts are also within 2 miles (3 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

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. 7 out of 7 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 7 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 7 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
It was a great experience, easy drive to Jack Trice stadium very nice accommodations. Easy to get to and a great location
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place great host. Everything was perfect! Would stay here again
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2026
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Sept 2026
Thanks! We'd be happy to have you anytime!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
House is in a very nice neighborhood, was the perfect set-up for our family, and the host was very easy to communicate with! Would definitely stay here again should we be back in the area.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
House was perfect for our family during a busy football and dad’s weekend. Only 1 mile from downtown and 2-3 miles from campus and more flexibility than multiple hotel rooms. Able to make breakfast at home, go enjoy the day, and have game night in the evening. Host had ISU themed treats, toys/games/books for kids as well.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great accommodations for the Iowa State experience. Host with the most!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
House was great for our family of 5. They even provided welcome cookies!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a mother-daughter weekend (2 moms 2 daughters) and this place delivered! Loved the fireplace and cozy sitting area. Close to shopping and restaurants and campus. Quiet neighborhood. Alissa was very responsive. Will definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Oct 2025
Thank you Cindy! We're so glad you enjoyed your stay! We'd love to have you stay with us again anytime!

About the host

Hosted by Allissa Johnston

Host profile image
I am a lifelong cyclones fan who enjoys good food, peaceful walks and time spent with my family.

Why they chose this property

This was our family home until recently. We love the friendly and calm atmosphere of the neighborhood. The walkability of the neighborhood is another bonus. The leaves from the big maple trees are beautiful in the fall!

What makes this property unique

Our property is unique because it has 3 distinct living spaces, a wood-burning fireplace and a fully fenced backyard! Watch comfortably from the patio while the kids play!

Languages:

English
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