Accommodations
As a midsize city, Des Moines does not have as great a selection of accommodations as bigger metropolitan areas, but there are still plenty of choices, including luxury hotels, cheaper chain lodgings, and bed-and-breakfasts, some of which are located in rural areas and provide a wonderful, peaceful setting to recharge for a weekend.
Most Des Moines area hotels and motels are grouped near major attractions and/or shopping areas, including Adventureland Amusement Park and Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino to the northeast of the city, Living History Farms to the northwest, and West Glen Town Center nightlife district to the southwest. There are several hotels near the Des Moines airport, a short cab or shuttle ride south of downtown (make sure the shuttle operates at a time convenient for you to make your flight).
Downtown hotels are clustered near the core of the downtown business district on the west side of the Des Moines River, a bit of a walk (or short drive or cab ride) from the East Village and State Capitol to the east or the Court Street Entertainment District and Saturday farmers’ market to the south. Parking is ample downtown in city garages or at street meters.
Most outlying accommodations are conveniently located near highway interchanges, no more than a 10- or 15-minute drive from downtown, and near chain restaurants and shopping.
Unless indicated otherwise, all listed hotels accept credit cards. Since 2008 smoking in Iowa hotels has been severely restricted, although some hotels still offer smoking rooms—unless indicated otherwise, all listed hotels are smoke-free.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 4507 Grand Ave.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 1321 Jefferson Way
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 23675 Sportsmans Club Lane
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 5096 NE 62nd Ave.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 700 Grand Ave.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 101 E. Locust St.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 1000 Walnut St.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Accommodations
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 401 Locust St.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 800 Locust St.
11. BAYMONT INN & SUITES DES MOINES
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (515) 265-4777 or (877) 229-66
Address: 4685 NE 14th St.
Description: On the northeast edge of Des Moines, near the intersection of I-35/80, and I-235. The scenery outside is nothing special, but the rooms are clean and comfortable. This is a somewhat unique hotel, with suites like the “California King,” which offers a bit more room than a typical suite, and 5 Jacuzzi suites, which include robes and candles (one even has a canopy bed). All rooms have minifridge and microwave, as well as coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron, and ironing board. There’s an indoor pool and whirlpool, free continental breakfast and newspaper, and free wireless Internet. No pets.
12. SLEEP INN & SUITES
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (515) 299-9922 or (877) 424-64
Address: 5850 Morning Star Court
Description: To the east of Des Moines and conveniently located for visits to both Adventureland Amusement Park and the Iowa State Fair, this hotel is a standard-issue budget hotel, but a decent value in the off-season (rates go up quite a bit during summertime, especially around the state fair). There are 77 rooms, all of which have microwave and refrigerator, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, and telephones with voice mail. The hotel has several smoking rooms—take this into account if you’re a nonsmoker. Free local calls and weekday newspaper are provided, and both wired and wireless Internet are free. The hotel has a free continental breakfast, fitness center, indoor pool, and guest laundry. The pet fee is very reasonable.
13. BEST WESTERN MARQUIS DES MOINES AIRPORT HOTEL
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (515) 287-6464 or (800) 780-72
Address: 1810 Army Post Rd.
Description: Right by the airport and near Blank Park Zoo, this hotel with 140 rooms has placed first in a readers’ poll of Des Moines hotels. Rooms are clean and comfortable, with refrigerator and microwave, clock radio, coffeemaker, hair dryer, and iron and ironing board, plus desk and desk chair and nice touches like granite vanities in the bathrooms. Free wireless Internet is available. The hotel has a business center with 2 computers. There’s an indoor pool and whirlpool, as well as a fitness center, which even includes free use of the hotel’s in-house personal trainer. Water fitness classes are offered as well. The hotel has both a complimentary hot breakfast and an in-house restaurant and bar, which stays open late on weekends. The shuttle runs 24 hours a day. Pets incur a fee.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 5001 Fleur Dr.
City: Des Moines, IA
Category: Accommodations
Address: 1450 NW 118th St.