I stayed at The Cottage in June of 2011. I was on a solo roadtrip and decided to stay at some Bed and Breakfasts along the way, as I have had good experiences with them in the past. My first mistake was not reading reviews before I booked a room. I have learned my lesson on that. When making a reservation over the phone with Becky for a one night stay, she had asked what time I planned on arriving. I replied that I would probably get into town about 12 or 1:00 pm, and asked her if this would be a problem, with it being early for a typical check-in. She said, no problem. She also asked at this time, at what time i would like breakfast the next morning, and I replied 7 am if possible, she said that's fine. I arrived there at 12:30 and was greeted by a dark, locked house. It was pouring rain that day, and I had carried my belongings from the gravel/ muddy parking area behind the house, to the front door. After ringing the doorbell and knocking for several minutes to no avail, I called the main number and did not recieve an answer, so I left a message. I decided to wait in my car. I tried calling a few more times, and finally Becky answered. I told her my situation and she replied "Well, I'm at my daughter's house and don't have a car to get back over there....umm, let me call my husband, he's working close by and maybe he can come let you in". I got the feeling that she had no idea who I was and had not even remembered that she had a reservation that day. After about 30-40 min lapsing since I had arrived, a man pulls in, runs up to the house and waves me up to the door. This was John. He checked me in (and actually put me in a different room than what I had booked, but he said it wouldn't be a problem). At this time, he wrote down my credit card number on a piece of paper, saying that their credit card machine was currently broken. At this time, he also asked what time I would like breakfast, and I again told him 7 am, and he wrote this down as well. My first impression of the interior of the house was that it was cold and dark and dreary. There was antique furniture and decor, but there were no lights on, and everything seemed to not have been used for quite some time. My room was nicely decorated, but again, had obviously not been used in some time, as there was a rather thick layer of dust on everything, and the bedclothes smelled musty. I was the only guest at the time, besides a questionable looking younger couple that lived in another part of the house, and that came and went all day and night long. The next morning, I was awakened a half hour early by an alarm clock down the hall in an unoccupied room. I thought, well, surely they will hear that when they come down to the kitchen to prepare breakfast and turn it off. But it continued to alarm as I got ready. So, I had a bad feeling even before I opened my door at 7:00, and sure enough, the house and kitchen were dark as could be. I waited until 7:15 and left a note on the kitchen counter, asking to please take the cost of breakfast off my room charge. I thought I would surely get a call that day of apology or explanation, but I never did. My credit card was also not charged, so I assumed that they had comped my room because of the poor service I received. But almost three months to the day later, the full charge showed up on my credit card bill. I tried for almost two weeks to contact them, calling and leaving messages, and also emailed them, but have still received no reponse. So, no, I would definitely not recommend this establishment. They give "bed and breakfast" a bad name.

We stayed at the Cottage near Drake University for a long weekend. We were happy to locate a king bed in a B and B for a reasonable rate. We had the place to ourselves for the first two nights, and the third night had additional guests in the house. The extra guests added some noise, but overall it is in a quiet location.

The room was filled by the king bed and had little other room for suitcases, etc. The bathroom is tiny and the shower stall dim and small. I was disappointed in the quality of the towels. I would use them for rags at home; they had faded and were tattered. We used the same towels for three nights - I would have like the option to trade them in for clean ones and some in much better condition.

The breakfast meal was interesting to us: When I imagine a B and B breakfast I think of freshly baked muffins, coffee cake, etc. We were served scrambled or fried eggs, fried potatoes and breakfast sausage along with a nice fruit plate every day for three days. We thought it was strange to have no variety or any type of bread, toast, muffin, etc.

Another detail that really bothered us was that the windows in the breakfast/sun room were so filthy with dirt and bugs that it ruined our pleasant surroundings of the house. The inside of the house could be cleaner, and vacuumed more often for our taste, but I admit I am a very persnickety person when it comes to staying in hotels, B and Bs, etc. Some people may not be bothered by these things, but I would prefer a different place on my next trip to Des Moines.

Being regular “B&B-ers” we know the general routine of bed and breakfasts. I made a reservation for the “loft” area of the Cottage for a two night stay, the first night having our teenage daughter with us for Drake registration. With the recent flooding of Wisconsin and Iowa, I was unsure what time we’d arrive as traffic was detoured extensively. I thought we’d get there around 6 p.m. and told the owners this. I did call at 6:30 as we approached Ames, Iowa to give the owners a heads up we’d be there shortly.

On arrival, we were greeted by a two year old, screaming, naked girl and her obviously frustrated mother. She got the owner who then said, “I don’t think I made up your room yet.” She took us upstairs and admitted that her daughter had spent time up there. I was horrified by an overflowing trash can, an unmade bed, and dirty towels on the bathroom floor in addition to personal items strewn all over the room. After a ten hour drive, we reluctantly decided to stay as we were exhausted.

I awkwardly watched as the owner quicky changed the sheets and picked up the other debris, including emptying the refrigerator of food from the last guests a week prior. Twice her husband walked into our room explaining “they didn’t expect us this early” to deliver toilet paper and soap. (Usually B&B check in is around 4 p.m.., we were there around 7 p.m.) The bathroom had not been cleaned, although it was not filthy, it had been used prior to our arrival by the owner’s daughter.

The next morning breakfast was modest, but edible, which we ate while the owner entertained her two year old grandson. Having young children at a B&B was very strange.

At the Drake reception that evening, I met a woman also staying at the Cottage. She said she was greeted by the breathless owners saying she was there early, arriving at 6 p.m., to quickly check in and then rush back to the University. She tried to get lodging elsewhere in the area as she felt the place was “weird” but none was available.

We declined breakfast for the next morning to meet our daughter at Drake and dine with her. At 9 a.m. we went to check out to find the owners gone. The entire place was empty. No note of explanation was left. We left a message on their telephone answering machine saying we had checked out.

While this place has huge potential under the right ownership, these people are obviously out of touch with managing a bed and breakfast. To tell guests they’re early at 7 p.m., and lead them to a dirty room is beyond comprehension.

Do yourself a big favor and find other lodging when in Des Moines.

My husband and I spent 3 nights at the Cottage Bed and Breakfast and had a wonderful stay. I'm a light sleeper and had no problems sleeping. We stayed in the Sage room on the first floor and the bed was wonderful. Becky, our host, besides cooking us a delicious gourmet breakfast every morning also told us to enjoy the house and make ourselves comfortable, which we did. The location of the Cottage Bed and Breakfast gave us easy access to Des Moines. Becky recommmended the Drake Diner within walking distance of the Cottage and we ended up having all 3 dinners there. Becky makes your stay comforable and at the same time gives you space to enjoy your stay without her hovering around you.