Home | Iowa House Ames- Historic Inn

Make your experience relaxing and memorable.

Massive renovation transformed fraternity house into charming 15-Room ISU hotel.

Our Guests Enjoy These Modern Amenities:

And Many More!

Gourmet Country Breakfast

Private Bathrooms

Whirlpool Bathtubs

Free Off-Street Parking

Free WiFi

Check Out Our Rooms

The Closest Lodging to Iowa State University.

The Only Lodging Within Walking Distance.

One block west of Welch Avenue in the heart of Campustown.
3 Blocks south of Lincoln Way and the Iowa State Central Campus.

Our Location

Groups & Events

We’re an excellent choice for weddings, receptions, reunions, and retreats.

Conversation Area in Our Living Room

Dining Room

Chapter Room with original bench seating

We host reunions, wedding groups, family gatherings, retreats, and extended stays.

Iowa House guests may gather in our living room, dining room or the former fraternity Chapter Room.

We offer whole house rentals, and we have large yard tent(s) available, as well as gourmet lunches and dinners.

History & Architecture

Built in 1924 as the "Sigma Sigma Delta Chi" fraternity. Iowa House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, under Sigma Sigma Delta Chi Fraternity House. Massive renovation in 2007-2008 transformed the building into a unique hotel to accommodate visitors who appreciate history, the multi-cultural ISU campus ambiance and state-of-the art conveniences.

Iowa House is a three-story brick building with a unique double façade, facing both Hayward Avenue and Knapp. Lower gables intersect the steeply pitched, complex hip roof. The façade facing Knapp sports a porte-cochere or covered coach entry.

About Us

History & Architecture

About Us

Current Weather in Ames, Iowa

Hear It Directly From Our Guests!

We have stayed here over the last couple of years and love the location - close to campus and on a relatively quiet street near an athletic practice field. We love the cozy layout and the cozy rooms. Best of all on this vacation stay...More

williamrE6870OT
3/26/2018

I've stayed at the Iowa House Hotel twice in the past two months for work. It is close enough to campus that you can walk, but distant enough that you feel as though you aren't in the thick of things. There are several restaurants nearby....More

JCAndrews
1/01/2018

The cook, the front desk and the housekeeper are very helpful and make the stay like a home environment. The heating is adjustable and thus allowing us to warm up. The spa bath is relaxing. The loft suite with the connecting room can accomodate all...More

WeiLingNg
12/30/2017

Very nice old house (former fraternity house) close to ISU campus. Beautiful woodwork, friendly staff. I was with my sisters (2). We booked the mini suite, and the guy gave us an adjoining room for free! The mini suite has a king (?) bed, two...More

Sherry70_13
11/10/2017

Bed and breakfast close to the university. Clean, lovely decor. Comfortable bed. Private bathroom. Older refurbished building so my room was smaller with no closet. Breakfast served at 2 large dining tables. Delicious eggs and omelets made to order.

Elizabeth K
10/13/2017

View More Reviews on TripAdvisor

Hear It Directly From Our Guests!

We have stayed here over the last couple of years and love the location - close to campus and on a relatively quiet street near an athletic practice field. We love the cozy layout and the cozy rooms. Best of all on this vacation stay...More

williamrE6870OT
3/26/2018

I've stayed at the Iowa House Hotel twice in the past two months for work. It is close enough to campus that you can walk, but distant enough that you feel as though you aren't in the thick of things. There are several restaurants nearby....More

JCAndrews
1/01/2018

The cook, the front desk and the housekeeper are very helpful and make the stay like a home environment. The heating is adjustable and thus allowing us to warm up. The spa bath is relaxing. The loft suite with the connecting room can accomodate all...More

WeiLingNg
12/30/2017

Very nice old house (former fraternity house) close to ISU campus. Beautiful woodwork, friendly staff. I was with my sisters (2). We booked the mini suite, and the guy gave us an adjoining room for free! The mini suite has a king (?) bed, two...More

Sherry70_13
11/10/2017

Bed and breakfast close to the university. Clean, lovely decor. Comfortable bed. Private bathroom. Older refurbished building so my room was smaller with no closet. Breakfast served at 2 large dining tables. Delicious eggs and omelets made to order.

Elizabeth K
10/13/2017