Stay With Us
Who can stay at the
Ronald McDonald House
The Ronald McDonald House in Iowa City is minutes from University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, and a family can stay for as long as their child is being treated — no charge, and no limit on the number of nights.
Who we can house
The age limit is for the patient; younger siblings are welcome as guests.
Measured from your permanent address.
We can’t host anyone with a conviction for child abuse or domestic violence, or anyone listed on the National Sex Offender Registry.
Request a room at the House
Call us at 319-500-7642. A social worker or family member can call for you.
If a room isn’t available, you will be added to the waitlist which puts your family in line for the next available room and opens up discounted hotel rates.
If the criteria don’t fit your family
You live closer than 20 miles or your child is being treated but you don’t need lodging
Our Ronald McDonald House Family Rooms are available to families whose children are receiving medical treatment on the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital or in the NICU, Pediatric, or Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Units at UnityPoint Health – St. Luke’s Hospital.
Your child is older than 21.
Once a patient turns 22, we are unable to offer a room. The fastest way to find lodging options is the social worker or care coordinator assigned to your child’s unit.
We're full and you need somewhere tonight.
Our staff can help you find a discounted hotel room for the night.
Frequently asked questions about staying with us
No referral is needed. A family can request a room directly, online or by phone. A hospital social worker can also make the request on your family’s behalf, which is how many families first reach us.
Yes, a room is for the whole family, not one parent, families, siblings, and support individuals stay together. Room sizes vary: most are set up for four people, and a few can hold six. When you call, the staff will gather the appropriate information and do their best to accommodate your family’s needs.
Yes. There is never a charge for any of our services. Nothing about a family’s finances affects whether we can offer a room, and there’s no expectation of a donation or other repayment.
For as long as your child is being treated. There’s no set limit on the length of a stay and no weekly reapplication — a family that’s in stays in until their child is discharged. Some families are with us a few nights, some for months.
Where to go next
Request a Room
Submit your information online any time or call us.
Family FAQ
Short answers to the questions families ask most.