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Sonesta Essential Ames

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Sonesta Essential Ames

Exterior
Indoor pool
Room, 2 Queen Beds | Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains
Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains
Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Gym
  • Pet-friendly
  • Laundry
  • Parking included

Explore the area

View in a map
1400 S Dayton Place, Ames, IA, 50010
  • Place, Ames Dog Park
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Main Street Cultural District
    ‪4 min drive‬
  • Place, Iowa State University
    ‪6 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed

Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Room, 1 King Bed

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(11 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds

Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Room, 2 Queen Beds

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower

Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed

Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed

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The price is €51
includes taxes & fees
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About this property

Sonesta Essential Ames

Family-friendly hotel with free breakfast and 24-hour fitness centre
This smoke-free hotel features an indoor pool, a 24-hour fitness centre and a 24-hour business centre. Free continental breakfast, free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, coffee/tea in a common area, a business centre and laundry facilities are on-site.
Sonesta Essential Ames offers 75 accommodations with video game consoles and coffee/tea makers. Beds feature memory foam mattresses. 50-inch LED televisions come with cable channels. Bathrooms include a combined bath/shower unit with a rainfall showerhead, complimentary toiletries and hairdryers.

This Ames hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and desk chairs, as well as telephones; local and long-distance calls are complimentary (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include an iron/ironing board and blackout curtains. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness centre.

Children aged under 14 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool without adult supervision.

Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the helpful staff at Sonesta Essential Ames. During your stay, you'll be close to Iowa State University. Features include free breakfast, free WiFi in public areas and free self-parking.
  • Free continental breakfast served daily
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self-parking
  • Take a swim in the indoor pool
  • Amenities include a 24-hour business centre, laundry facilities and a lift
  • On-site recreation includes a 24-hour gym
  • Guests speak favourably about the clean guestrooms and the overall condition of the property
  • Just a 4-minute drive from Cinemark Ames Movies 12 and a few minutes from Ames Dog Park
  • Cats and dogs welcome for a fee (restrictions apply)
Sonesta Essential Ames offers its guests an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness centre. WiFi is free in public spaces. There's an onsite 24-hour business centre. Free breakfast is available daily. The family-friendly Sonesta Essential Ames also features a vending machine, coffee/tea in common area, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available.

This Ames hotel is smoke free.

Guests are served a free continental breakfast daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • RV/bus/lorry parking on site

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Things to do

  • 24-hour gym
  • Books
  • Indoor pool
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • Indoor pool
  • Laundry facilities
  • Mini-fridge

Conveniences

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

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Business services

  • 24-hour business centre

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Accessible bathtub
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Lift (100 centimetre wide door)
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk (91 centimetre high)

More

  • 1 building
  • 2 floors
  • Built in 1996
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes
  • Memory foam mattress

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shampoo
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 50-inch LED TV with cable channels
  • Video game console

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Mini-fridge

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Free local calls
  • Free long-distance calls
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop workspace
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 4:00 AM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
If you are planning to arrive after 8:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets: USD 15 per pet, per night (maximum USD 105 per stay)
  • Only dogs and cats are allowed
  • Maximum 2 (weight limit: 80 lb per pet)
  • Pets cannot be left unattended
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach 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! Up to 3 children 18 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 10.00 per day.
  • 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:

  • Deposit: USD 100 per accommodation, per stay

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 fee: USD 15 per pet, per night (maximum USD105 per stay)
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 10.00 per day

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
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Guests arriving after 8:00 PM must make advance arrangements by contacting the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
Daily housekeeping is included for stays of 6 nights or less. Limited housekeeping is provided for stays of 7 nights or more.
Pets must be declared at check-in. Guests bringing 1 pet will not be charged pet fees. The listed pet fee in the Fees section applies only if guests bring 2 or more pets. Pets must be leashed in public areas of the property. Guests are expected to clean up after their pet.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

  • Up to 3 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.
  • To make arrangements to bring your pet, contact the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation (please see the Fees section for related charges).
  • This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).

Property is also known as

Hampton Inn Ames Hotel
Red Roof Inn Ames Hotel
Hampton Inn Hotel Ames
Hampton Inn Ames Iowa
Ames Hampton Inn
Red Roof Inn Ames
Sonesta Essential Ames Ames
Sonesta Essential Ames Hotel
Sonesta Essential Ames Hotel Ames

Reviews

Sonesta Essential Ames Reviews

7.6

Good

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.4/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 315 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 337 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 199 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 88 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 61 out of 1000 reviews

Reviews

4/10 Poor

Jeanne

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
First room we checked into had a moldy lampshade and mold on the bathroom wall.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Crystal

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Staff was extremely friendly. They are in the process of making upgrades to the property. Could be cleaner but not bad when your on a budget and for a quick stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Sofia

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Mohammad at the front desk was a highlight. He was very friendly over the phone when I asked about checking in late, and he was very friendly when I actually did come for check in and at breakfast. Our actual room was a bit disappointing— there were stains on our sheets and blankets, and our shower curtain rod was falling off the wall. Also, they did not bother to remove the old Red Roof Inn branding that was posted in our room. The breakfast was also just okay— they had oatmeal out but no heat-safe bowls to make it in, and they had no drinking water out either. The price was good though so I appreciated that. Overall this place was just okay to stay in.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Marco, Oronoco

TV was not working. Otherwise
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Olga

Liked: Staff & service
Definately a budget hotel. Our bed was creeky, haven't had that in a hotel in a while! There was also a lot of noise from the parking lot outside. It was August but people were grillling and yelling out there at 11 pm. Nothing horrible, nothing great. It was inexpensive.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

William

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Jim

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Tracie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
hotel was clean and comfortable. Decent breakfast. only problem we had was when we got to hotel they were redoing parking lot and the work crew swore at us because we wanted to get into parking lot so we could check in through the front door as I am disabled and didnt want to walk through the entire building from the back.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

William

Front desk person was helpful. Cleaning ladies were nice.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Ch

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Susan

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
This was one of the only hotels with availability for three nights due to an event nearby. Location was great (close to ISU) and the staff was very friendly. I appreciated the breakfast options, though it was your basic breakfast with cereal, oatmeal, bagels, muffins, bananas, oranges, a waffle maker, and egg patties and sausage. The issue for us was the condition of the room. When we arrived, the A/C was off so the room was stuffy and had a strong smoke smell. Once I turned on the A/C and it cooled down, the smell improved but it was still faint throughout our stay. There was a used towel hanging on the back of the bathroom door and a hair on the toilet seat. I left the towel hoping they'd take it the next day, but it was still there when we got back (they took other towels, but missed that one again). I put it on the floor and they finally took it the next day. Also, on one of the bedsheets there was what I'd describe as a "scuff" mark from someone's shoe. The wood floors are nicer than carpet, but they weren't clean and felt dirty (so I wore sandals when walking around). There is daily maid service, but it didn't seem very thorough. None of the ice machines were working, but the front desk was happy to provide ice upon request. There also isn't an easy option to fill water bottles (just a water fountain with a small spigot). It was affordable & an "ok" stay, but next time I think I would pay more to stay somewhere else.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Michelle

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Matt

Liked: Staff & service
Cheapest place in town
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Cheyenne

Liked: Staff & service
The beds were terrible, really springy and hard to sleep on. The hallway was super noisy with people yelling and running down the hallways. The staff were super kind.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Brian

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Michael

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Angelica

Travelled with group
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
Everything was just okay
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

Jordan

Disliked: Staff & service
For the price, this is a good hotel. My issue is that they checked a guest into our room and gave the guest a key. At midnight or so, we were awoken by someone coming into our room--obviously scared both parties. Management did very little to address this.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Elizabeth, New Braunfels

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice for the price. Safe and quiet. Easy to get around town.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Tammy

Travelled with family, Travelled with pets
Disliked: Amenities
A typical motel. Not hotel quality. Thin, rough towels which were stained. Pillow cases were also stained and stunk like body oil. I laid a hand towel over the pillow case because it seemed like it was previously used without washing. The room was not pre-cooled so it felt hot and muggy for the first several hours.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

James

Travelled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Nickie

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The least pleasant hotel stay I have ever had.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

James

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Clean & a Great Value

Slightly older motel but kept very clean. Good breakfast. The desk staff and housekeeping are extremely friendly and helpful. Would definitely come back.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ryan

Liked: Staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Manuel

Poor tv service
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025