Have you ever wanted to stay in a hidden room? The secret entrance is behind a 30' wall of bookshelves. When you push on the right set of shelves, you'll enter a spacious and lovely suite designed with your comfort in mind. Extra-thick walls keep ambient sound to a minimum, ensuring your privacy. The plush bed and bedding will make you want to cuddle up with a loved one or a good book from our collection. Enjoy a spacious shower, electric fireplace, an office space, and walk-in closet. The space Most of our 5600 sq. ft. home is shared space; we'll point out the few exceptions. You'll have access to the first-floor living room and dining room, the second-floor living room, parts of the basement, and all of the decks and front porch. Coffee and tea are available for you to make at any time. Feel free to store food and beverages in the indicated refrigerator and make your own meals using our cookware and dishes. You'll have access to WIFI throughout the house. Staying a few days? Feel free to use the washer and drier. Stairs are required to enter the house and to access the guest rooms. A few times per year, we host readings, house concerts by friends, or parties. Feel free to join us if you like! If that's not something that interests you or would be annoying to you, be sure to tell us before you book. We have up-to-date smoke alarms and heat sensors, C02 sensors, and fire extinguishers throughout the house, and we'll make sure you are aware of the many exits available to you. We take everyone's safety very seriously. We've been told our home feels like home to our guests too. That's exactly how we'd like you to feel when you stay with us. If there's anything we can do to make your stay better, please let us know. If you need something and don't see it, just ask; we can probably provide it. If you'd like a humidifier or extra heater, more blankets or pillows, or any amenities, just ask! We'll do our best to accommodate your requests. We ask that everyone take their shoes off in bedrooms and all carpeted areas. Feel free to leave your shoes on the shoe rack inside the front door or take them to your closet. Thank you! Guest access Other than private rooms, most of our 5600 sq ft home is a shared space; we'll point out the few exceptions. You'll have access to the first-floor living room and dining room, the second-floor living room, parts of the basement, and all of the decks and front porch. To facilitate your arrival, after booking, please text us your best cell number, so we can text you video instructions to access our home in case we're not here when you arrive. We also appreciate having a heads-up with your arrival time. During your stay We work out of our home, but we won't be in your way. Our offices are on the top floor, as are our sleeping quarters; your room is on the second floor. You will be sharing our large home with us and possibly other guests. But you'll have a private room and private bath for your use alone. We're pretty busy people, but when we are available, we'll be happy to get to know you if you like. We love meeting new people but we won't spoil your trip by monopolizing your time. :) Also, please note that we frequently will have other guests staying in our home. The house is well-built and the rooms are well-insulated, so our rooms tend to be quiet. We also have quiet hours from 10 pm to 6 am to allow our guests to rest comfortably. A couple of times per year, we host readings, house concerts, or parties. We'd love to have you join us if you like! If that's not something that interests you, be sure to check with us before you book. The house is solidly built and very quiet, but we don't want you to be inconvenienced if we have a gathering. Other things to note Your room and private bath are behind the bookcase on the first floor. There is plenty of shared space to enjoy on the first floor and, in good weather, on the front porch or the back decks. We frequently have a jigsaw puzzle table in the first-floor living room, so feel free to sit down and relax while helping to assemble it. Please ask us if there are any guests staying in nearby rooms before having loud conversations. Check out the Iowa City Reading Tree in front of our home! This special gem is a registered Little Free Library and has been reported to us to be one of the "top ten" LFLs in the nation. Grab a book, drop one off, and don't forget to leave a message for the "elf" in the "Sacred Elfin History Book" in the cabinet behind the chalkboard. There are generally lots of free books on the front porch and in the Reading Tree (out front) that you are welcome to take with you. The books in our home are available to borrow during your stay, but please let us know which book(s) you are borrowing and return them before you leave. Coffee and tea are available for you to help yourself during the day. Feel free to store food and beverages in your designated refrigerator (ask us upon check-in) and make your own meals using your assigned cookware and dishes. Staying multiple nights? Ask us how to use the washer and drier for your traveling needs. Stairs are required to enter the house and to access the guest rooms. Most of our guest beds are high off the floor. Let us know if you would like to have a small stool to help you climb in. We have up-to-date smoke alarms, C02 sensors, and fire extinguishers throughout the house. We love to get to know any guests who want to get to know us, but we won't bother anyone who wants to be left alone. It's your call. No pets, illegal drugs, open flames (including candles), smoking, heavy drinking, or partying allowed. No perfumes, please, due to allergies. You'll also have access to our high-speed wifi service. We hate to have to bring this up, but please be aware that any downloading of copyrighted material is illegal and will be prosecuted by the authorities. Our internet company charges a $250,000 fine for downloading illegal material, and it is also a federal crime. If your illegal behavior causes us legal expenses, you will also be responsible for those. So thanks in advance for being respectful of the law and the wifi we provide! We often will have other guests besides you in our home. Everyone has their own private space, but we also share public spaces. Please respect our quiet hours from 10 pm to 6 am every day. If you want to use our home for a special event, such as a graduation party or a gathering of your friends, please ask permission. We will accommodate you if we are able to do so. An additional fee may be required, depending on the event. We think you'll love our walkable neighborhood. "The Northside is the home of legends; anchored by iconic businesses that are as hip today as the day they were founded generations ago. Equal parts historic and refined a world away from frenzy and pretention. From the top of the church steeples to the bottom of the beer caves, the neighborhood is steeped in familiarity and vitality. It’s easy to enjoy at any pace and brought to you by a proud and steadfast people known as “Northsiders”. "--Iowa City Downtown Alliance Welcome to our home!