This vacation home places you within a 10-minute stroll of Main Street Cultural District and Octagon Center for the Arts. The vacation home includes a kitchenette, a patio, and a refrigerator.
Main Street Cultural District - 6 min walk - 0.4 miles
Iowa State University - 5 min drive - 2.0 miles
Jack Trice Stadium - 5 min drive - 2.4 miles
Stephens Auditorium - 5 min drive - 2.4 miles
Reiman Gardens - 6 min drive - 2.4 miles
Getting around
Des Moines International Airport (DSM) - 47 min drive
Restaurants
Chick-fil-A - 15 min walk
McDonald's - 14 min walk
Panera Bread - 16 min walk
Cabin Coffee Co - 15 min walk
Scooters Coffee - 11 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.
The Fox Den
A perfect wooded hideaway for someone who enjoys the stillness of nature & the chance to see foxes, deer, woodchuck, turkeys & more, while enjoying easy access to all the fun Ames has to offer! The Fox Den is a cozy efficiency apartment in a duplex 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.
The space: Although this efficiency apartment is in a basement, the large windows keep the apartment feeling open and spacious. There is a stovetop, microwave and toaster for cooking your own meals, as well as a 3/4 fridge. You'll also have access to wireless internet, a patio, fire pit and hot tub. At night, the path to and from the apartment is well lit for safe access. We specifically constructed the space with noise canceling features, but you may still hear guests above if there is someone staying in the upper portion of the duplex.
This property is a duplex with two units. This listing is in the basement, and includes a bed/living area, a kitchenette, a private bathroom, a shared laundry room, and shared outdoor 4-person hot tub with jets. The second unit (Downtown Ames Peaceful Getaway) is a 2 bedroom 1 bath unit on the main level. Neither unit has access to the other's space. The only shared area is the laundry room.
The vacation home is air-conditioned and features a kitchenette and a patio, and there's space to spread out with a separate bedroom. Guests can enjoy a Smart TV and stay connected with free WiFi. Other standard amenities include a washing machine, a coffee maker, and an ironing board.
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
Upper floors accessible by stairs only
Smoking not allowed
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)
Fire extinguisher
General
At least 80% lighting from LEDs
Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
Garden
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Special check-in instructions
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Pets
This property doesn't allow pets
Children and extra beds
Children allowed: ages 0-17
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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
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
Check-in: 4:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Minimum check-in age: 18
We should mention
Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:
This property is managed by a private host, not a professional engaged in trade or business.
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited.
Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, and a smoke detector.
Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:
There are no elevators.
Frequently asked questions
What's there to do within easy reach of this vacation home?
This vacation home in Ames is within a 10-minute walk of Main Street Cultural District and Octagon Center for the Arts. You'll also find Furman Aquatic Center and Stephens Auditorium within a short drive.
Will I be able to park at this vacation home?
No, there isn't parking available at the vacation home.
Is this vacation home associated with a casino?
No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.
Is there an indoor pool at this vacation home?
No, this vacation home doesn't have an indoor pool; however, there is a hot tub.
Is The Fox Den good for couples?
Couples staying at this vacation home will appreciate amenities like a kitchenette and a smart TV as well as a garden.
Does The Fox Den have a hot tub?
Yes, this vacation home has a spa tub.
Does this vacation home provide breakfast?
No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.
Does this vacation home allow pets to stay free of charge?
No, pets aren't allowed at this vacation home.
Are there connecting rooms at this vacation home?
No, there aren't connecting rooms at this vacation home.
Are there rooms with balconies that I can book at The Fox Den?
Yes, every accommodation at The Fox Den comes with a deck.
The Fox Den Reviews
Reviews
10
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers 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.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 7 out of 7 reviews
10 - Excellent
7
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 7 reviews
8 - Good
0
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 7 reviews
6 - Okay
0
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 7 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 7 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
10/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Property conditions & facilities
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Joshua K.
Sep 29, 2025
Joshua K.
Stayed 6 nights in Sep 2025
10/10 Excellent
Patrick M.
Aug 11, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect fit for me. Very clean. Great value. Just know going in, this is a small efficiency basement apartment, so low ceiling and occasionally footsteps above. Not sure what part of the house i was under, but not a problem for the few times i heard anything. Host was ready to please, would stay again. Bring all of your web TV sign ins like netflix, hulu ect.
Patrick M.
Stayed 6 nights in Aug 2025
10/10 Excellent
cynthia h.
May 26, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Reunion
Excellent except would have been nice to have. coffee for Kuerig
cynthia h.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
10/10 Excellent
Angela T.
Oct 24, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Nice place
The Fox Den was a nice place to stay, clean and was as described in the ad. Would definitely stay here again.
Angela T.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
10/10 Excellent
Aaron H.
Sep 7, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Very nice
Good neighborhood
Aaron H.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
10/10 Excellent
Eric U., Fair Oaks Ranch, TX
Aug 28, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful spot
Great spot in the back of the neighborhood. I stayed for the summer for lab work at Iowa State. Really great landing spot and would definitely recommend.