The Navy Gem | Historic Downtown Home—Sleeps 20 | House in Valparaiso

Located just steps from downtown Valparaiso, this historic home has been fully restored and updated! You'll find restaurants, local shops, and breweries/wineries just minutes away. Whether you want to cook a meal in the kitchen, roast a s'more above the (shared) firepit in the backyard, or venture downtown, you'll never find a shortage of things to do. This is the perfect getaway for up to 20 people who want to relax or adventure in Northwest Indiana!
To avoid any confusion, potential guests should thoroughly read ALL information below before requesting to book. (We promise that the info below will better prepare you for your trip and answer 99% of your questions!) ;) Thank you!
This fully updated historic home (renovated in 2025) is designed to comfortably host up to 20 guests across five separate units, all under one roof. Each unit is a self-contained apartment with its own private entrance, as well as a dedicated living space, kitchen, bedroom(s), and bathroom—perfect for multiple families or groups traveling together who want to stay under the same roof while still enjoying their privacy.
All interior spaces shown in the photos are private to each group, with no shared indoor areas between units. However, guests are welcome to enjoy the shared outdoor amenities, including picnic tables, a backyard and front yard, lawn games, and a shared laundry room.
CHECK-IN INFO:
--Guests who book will receive detailed check-in instructions around 10 AM (CST) on the morning of their scheduled arrival. All of this will be communicated through messenger.
--A manual with our favorite local attractions will be provided.
--Please note that Valparaiso is on Central Standard Time (CST), the same as Chicago. Check-in is between 4 and 9 p.m.; check-out is at 10 a.m. (unless other arrangements have been made with us).
--Our cancellation policy is moderate. That being said, if you do need to cancel your reservation within 5 days of your booking and we are able to re-book your days with another guest, we will gladly refund you for the amount that we’re able to recoup by new guests. (Some platforms charge service fees that we’re not responsible for—which will be their discretion to refund you.)
Other things to note
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS:
*The entire home sleeps a max of 20 people*
-Modern Midtown Apt. 1M
Master Bedroom on the main floor: 2 people (King bed & ceiling fan.)
Pull-out couch in the living area: 2 people (Queen sleeper sofa & ceiling fan)
-Downtown Dream Apt. 1N
Master Bedroom on the main floor: 2 people (Queen bed & ceiling fan.)
Pull-out couch in the living area: 2 people (Queen sleeper sofa & ceiling fan)
-Bright BnB 1S
Master Bedroom on the main floor: 2 people (King bed & ceiling fan.)
Pull-out couch in the living area: 2 people (Queen sleeper sofa & ceiling fan)
-Stylish Stay, Apartment 2N
Master Bedroom: 2 people (Queen bed & ceiling fan.)
Two twin beds in second bedroom: 2 people (Oscillating Fan.
**Please note: This bedroom has sloped ceilings, so is best suited for children. While it can accommodate adults, the ceiling height is low, and so all guests will need to be mindful of their heads.
-Cozy Corner, Apartment 2S
Master Bedroom: 2 people (King bed & ceiling fan.)
Living area: 2 people (Queen floor mattress & ceiling fan).
**Please note that due to the age of his home, this is a slightly quirky set up with tight quarters. While we typically provide sleeper sofas in our properties, the narrow doorway in this unit did not allow for a deep couch to fit through. Groups with more than two guests will need to move the coffee table into the kitchen or hallway before setting up the provided floor mattress and linens.
TECHNOLOGY:
--We hope you choose to enjoy the outdoors and use your time here to disconnect and recharge, but a large-screen smart TV is also provided in each of the living rooms. Simply log into any one of your own subscription accounts (Netflix/Hulu/etc) for streaming.
--A washer/dryer is available for your use in the basement.
PARKING:
-There is designated gravel parking for up to two vehicles located behind the garage (accessed through the alleyway behind the home).
-If you're bringing more than two cars, there is free street parking in front of the home.
**Please note that parking is only allowed on the WEST side of the street (the side opposite of the home), but we've never had any issues finding a spot nearby. :)
OUTDOOR AREAS:
There is also a backyard firepit with 8 chairs, a cornhole/bags set, as well as three wooden picnic tables surrounded by string lights for any guests to use. While we used to supply firewood, it attracted rodents--and so we now ask that guests bring their own firewood if they'd like to have a bonfire. We also ask that guests be mindful of their volume and to follow quiet hours as to not to disturb our neighbors. :)
SAFETY NOTES:
1. The apartment is NOT baby-proofed. (We do not have outlet blockers, no furniture is strapped to walls, there are no safety locks on cabinets, etc.) Children must be accompanied by adults at all times; guests are responsible for the safety of their children.
2. There are historic, steep steps up to this second floor apartment.
3. We always remind guests to check themselves for ticks after spending time outdoors. Our property is sprayed monthly (inside and out) for bugs, but given the age of the home and the surroundings, you may see a spider or two while here. This is not a matter of not being clean—it’s simply a matter of renting in a historic home. :)
ADDITIONAL INFO:
While we welcome guests of all backgrounds, we will only be accepting booking requests from:
--Users who are "verified" and who already have multiple positive reviews from other hosts.
--Renters that are above the age of 25.
--Renters who are not bringing pets.
--A maximum of 20 guests per reservation. Extra guests are not allowed.
—We value our relationship with our neighbors, events/gatherings/parties are not to be held by guests. In order to keep the house in excellent condition for ourselves and for future guests, we are firm on these rules. We apologize for this inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.
***As hosts, we have sustained damages to our properties in the past. Because we value our relationships with our neighbors and because we aim to keep the properties in top condition, we do require guests to have previous positive reviews from past trips. If you do not have previous positive reviews from past trips, we do require a fully refundable $500 damage deposit. The deposit is returned on your day check out when the cleaning team arrives and confirms the property is in good condition.***
***Smoking is NOT allowed inside or around the property. If there is any evidence smoking occurred inside or within 50 feet of the property (smoke smell, ashes, paraphernalia, etc.) there will be an additional $300 cleaning charge and/or loss of security deposit if one was collected.

The Navy Gem | Historic Downtown Home—Sleeps 20 is located in Valparaiso. The Navy Gem | Historic Downtown Home—Sleeps 20 provides accommodation, featuring Air Conditioner, Parking, Barbecue/Outdoor Cooking, among other amenities. This House features Air Conditioner, Parking, Barbecue/Outdoor Cooking, to make your stay a comfortable one.

The Navy Gem | Historic Downtown Home—Sleeps 20 has 9 Bedrooms , 5 Bathrooms, and max occupancy of 20 people. The minimum rental for this property is 1 nights, but this can change depending on the season you plan on staying. Previous guests have given good rated it, and VRBO labeled it a top-rated House because of the excellent services rendered by the owner or manager of this House, and has consistently provided great experiences for their guests. Most families or guests that use it recommend it to their friends and some of them are repeat guests. House has a friendly neighborhood, and the Valparaiso has interesting places to visit. If you want to learn more about the House in Valparaiso, such as places to visit and things to do nearby, you can check below to learn more.