Sonesta Essential Des Moines

2.0 star property

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your current months are February, 2025 and March, 2025.
February 2025
March 2025

Photo gallery for Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Suite, Multiple Beds | Desk, soundproofing, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds
Exterior
Restaurant
Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub | Desk, soundproofing, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds
Property amenity

Reviews

7.2 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Laundry
  • 24/7 front desk
  • Air conditioning
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
4755 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA, 50322
  • Merle Hay Mall
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Drake University
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Val Air Ballroom
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)
    ‪29 min drive‬

Room options

Room, 2 Queen Beds

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Suite, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 Queen Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Suite, 1 Queen Bed, Accessible

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional
(3 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Room, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Suite, Multiple Beds

  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Queen Beds

Similar properties

About this property

Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Des Moines hotel in Merle Hay with free parking
Along with coffee/tea in a common area, this hotel has a meeting room and laundry facilities. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a 24-hour front desk, ATM/banking services and a banquet hall are on-site. Housekeeping is available on request.
Sonesta Essential Des Moines offers 150 air-conditioned accommodations, with an iron/ironing board. Premium satellite televisions are provided. Guests can make use of the in-room fridges and microwaves. Bathrooms include a combined bath/shower unit.

Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and telephones; free local calls are provided (restrictions may apply). Housekeeping is offered on request and hairdryers can be requested.

During your stay at Sonesta Essential Des Moines, you'll be within walking distance of Merle Hay Mall. Free WiFi in public areas, free self-parking and a meeting room are available. Some of the pet-friendly amenities that this property offers include food and water bowls and litter trays.
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self-parking and Motorhome/coach/lorry parking
  • Amenities include a meeting room, laundry facilities and a lift
  • Just a 2-minute drive from Merle Hay Mall and a few minutes from Pioneer Hi-Bred Headquarters
  • Cats and dogs welcome for a fee (restrictions apply)
  • Pet-friendly amenities are available, including food and water bowls and litter trays
As a guest of Sonesta Essential Des Moines, you'll find a vending machine, coffee/tea in common area, and laundry facilities. Public spaces have free WiFi. The business-friendly Sonesta Essential Des Moines also features an ATM and a lift. Free self parking is available.

Smoking is allowed in designated areas at this Des Moines hotel.

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • Free RV/bus/lorry parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • In-room refrigerator
  • Laundry facilities
  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)
  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • ATM
  • Laundry facilities
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (on request)

Business services

  • Meeting room

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)

Bathroom

  • Hair dryer (on request)
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 32-inch TV with premium satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Free local calls
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone
  • Soundproofed rooms

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets: USD 30 per pet, per night, plus a deposit of USD 30 per night
  • Only dogs and cats are allowed
  • Maximum 2 pets
  • Pets cannot be left unattended
  • Food and water bowls and litter trays are available
  • Certain rooms only
  • You can request a pet-friendly room by reaching out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
  • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Children 18 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 20.0 per night.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Breakage deposit: USD 50 per stay
  • Administrative fee: USD 3.00 per accommodation, per night

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Pet deposit: USD 30 per night
  • Pet fee: USD 30 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 20.0 per night

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
This property accepts credit cards and cash
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a security system and a first aid kit
This property affirms that it follows the cleaning and disinfection practices of Commitment to Clean (Choice)
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival.

We should mention

  • Children aged 18 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property at the number on your booking confirmation.
  • Pets are welcome in specific rooms only, which can be requested by contacting the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation (please see the Fees section for related charges).

Property is also known as

Econo Lodge Inn Moines/Merle Hays Road Des Moines
Econo Lodge Moines/Merle Hays Road
Econo Lodge Moines/Merle Hays Road Des Moines
Econo Lodge Inn Moines/Merle Hays Road Des Moines
Econo Lodge Inn Moines/Merle Hays Road
Econo Lodge Moines/Merle Hays Road Des Moines
Econo Lodge Moines/Merle Hays Road
Hotel Econo Lodge Inn & Suites - Des Moines/Merle Hays Road
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites - Des Moines/Merle Hays Road Des Moines
Econo Lodge Inn Suites Des Moines/Merle Hays Road
Econo Moines Merle Hays Road
Sonesta Essential Des Moines Hotel
Sonesta Essential Des Moines Des Moines
Sonesta Essential Des Moines Hotel Des Moines
Econo Lodge Inn Suites Des Moines/Merle Hays Road

Sonesta Essential Des Moines Reviews

Reviews

7.2

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 276 out of 1002 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 320 out of 1002 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 197 out of 1002 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 100 out of 1002 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 109 out of 1002 reviews" "

7.4/10

Cleanliness

7.6/10

Staff & service

6.6/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.0/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

jeff l

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jacob

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Lots of homeless
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Robert

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was clean and friendly staff. Breakfast was good.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Corrine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Fantastic motel for the price!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Paul

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was ok, nothing special. There is some restaurants near by and a liquor store. Near the highway.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pastor

Liked: Cleanliness
Yes
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chastity

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Diana

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Beverly

Disliked: Amenities, property conditions & facilities
I’ve stayed here 3 different times. Each time I notice the work that is being done to better the establishment. This time perhaps will be my last. It appeared someone was cooking in their room and the entire hallway smelled horrible. The door leading outside was broke & didn’t require a key card to enter. The pillows in the bed need to be thrown away they were flat, limp and should not e used any longer. Please invest in new phones in the rooms. Stop cutting corners when renovating.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Donna

Travelled with group
I don’t know how this place got rated 7.2, it’s kinda ratty looking inside. Walls are paper thin. We were on second floor & it sounded like construction going on above us but it was just a family.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sabrina

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We stayed there since it was affordable and close to the hospital I was having surgery at. Had a slight issue withe neighbors being kinda loud so we asked to switch rooms and they were happy to help us with it. After that we slept very well with no other issues
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Misty

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

emily

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

2/10 Terrible

Koby

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Laura

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
We stayed only one night. Renovations are mostly completed and looking good. Comfortable bed, nice shower and bathroom area. Good breakfast. 9/21/2024
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steven

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jamerio

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Nice
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Carman

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Everything
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Jammie

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Staff & service
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Melissa

Travelled with pets
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Clean and convenient for no a place to crash on the way. Looked as if they were still doing upgrades as numbers of room were on tape. Lights could be better in room. Very dim
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Melissa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

2/10 Terrible

Quincy

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
I would not recommend until renovation is complete
The hotel looked pretty rundown. There was a light fixture over the front entrance that was hanging down and the curtains looked really bad (damaged). The lobby looked like it was recently renovated but the hallways on the upper floors were dark and they used masking tape on every door and wrote the room numbers on them. Our room smelled so bad that we had to ask for another one. There was I believe dental floss floating in our toilet and the bathrooms were very tiny. The staff were pleasant and helpful. The gentleman at the front desk said that the Sonesta recently purchased this building. It needs a lot of work.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Cristie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The rooms were nice and updated. The outside area was dirty and there was a homeless person sleeping under a bush. The back parking lot was dark at night. The location was right by 2 car dealerships.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024