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Sonesta Essential Des Moines

2.0 star property

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Suite, Multiple Beds | Desk, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds, free WiFi
Exterior
Property amenity
Restaurant
Restaurant

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

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4755 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA, 50322
  • Place, Merle Hay Mall
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Drake University
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Casey's Center
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Airport, Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)
    ‪21 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed | Desk, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds, free WiFi

Room, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub | Desk, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds, free WiFi

Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 Queen Bed

Desk, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds, free WiFi

Room, 1 Queen Bed

7.4 out of 10
Good
(19 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 Queen Bed

Desk, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds, free WiFi

Room, 1 Queen Bed

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(7 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds

Room, 2 Queen Beds | Desk, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds, free WiFi

Room, 2 Queen Beds

7.0 out of 10
Good
(16 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Suite, 1 King Bed

Suite, 1 King Bed | Desk, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds, free WiFi

Suite, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Suite, Multiple Beds

Suite, Multiple Beds | Desk, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds, free WiFi

Suite, Multiple Beds

  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Queen Beds

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The price is €57
includes taxes & fees
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About this property

Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Hotel in Des Moines with free breakfast and 24-hour front desk
Along with coffee/tea in a common area, this hotel has a meeting room and laundry facilities. Free continental breakfast, 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 complimentary bottles of water and an iron/ironing board. Televisions come with premium satellite channels and Netflix. 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 breakfast, free WiFi in public areas and free self-parking are available. Some of the pet-friendly amenities that this property offers include food and water bowls and litter trays.
  • Free continental breakfast served daily
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self-parking and Motorhome/coach/lorry parking
  • Amenities include a meeting room, laundry facilities and a lift
  • 8 minutes by car from Drake University and 11 minutes from Casey's Center
  • Cats and dogs welcome for a fee (restrictions apply)
  • Pet-friendly amenities are available, including food and water bowls and litter trays
Free breakfast is available daily. WiFi is free in public spaces. The business-friendly Sonesta Essential Des Moines also features a vending machine, coffee/tea in common area, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available.

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

Guests are served a free continental breakfast on weekdays from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and at the weekend from 6:30 AM to 9:30 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
  • Free RV/bus/lorry parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM on weekdays and 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM on weekends
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Family friendly

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

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

More

  • 3 floors
  • Banquet hall
  • Designated smoking areas (fines apply)

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)

Bathroom

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

Entertainment

  • 43-inch TV with premium satellite channels
  • Netflix
  • Streaming services

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

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

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 at the property

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets: USD 50 per pet, 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:

  • Deposit: USD 50 per accommodation, 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 fee: USD 50 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 carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, 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 at the property.
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

  • 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

Reviews

Sonesta Essential Des Moines Reviews

7.4

Good

7.4/10

Cleanliness

7.8/10

Staff & service

6.8/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.2/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 357 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 264 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 175 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 94 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 116 out of 1006 reviews

Reviews

8/10 Good

Kurt

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
hotel was fine. one morning the egg and sausage was cold... even in middle of the pile. not sure why.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Ming

It is ok for this price.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Good stay

My partner and I were only there for a night but it was clean and the staff were friendly/helpful. Small room but matches the price.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathy

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was close to the mall. It was clean and easily accessible.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Tracie

Travelled with group
Disliked: Staff & service

There's more but limited characters. Never again!!

Well I first noticed when i pulled into the parking lot, limited parking up front, maybe 10 spots and 2 handicapped spaces. The police were there too. I had to park in the back. People in the back were in cars smoking marijuana hanging out. The front lawn area was upkept and overgrown, that needed to be cut. There were some homeless people roaming and hanging around the hotel. Now check-in l get to my room with tons of luggage for a 5 day stay, the key does work. Housekeeping notices and helps me out by opening the door. Well someone was LITERALLY in that room. After they make themselves known we closed the door with apologies. She opens another room for me and I go back downstairs to let them know the new room I'm in now. She assigns me a key to a COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ROOM than what I just explained. Just a mess after a10 hour ride. The room "looked" clean but there were balls of hair (asked them to come and sweep) on the hard floor, linens and towels weren't quite white. We asked for more towels coming in from the day, well we had to bring all of the old ones down and then walk into the laundry room to drop them off first. We were in IA for a softball tournament and wanted to wash (include the new towels that we bought in IA, washing machines out of order), vending machines out of order too. Beds were very uncomfortable and hard. I even felt the springs. Nice across the street at The Holiday Inn Express where my teammates were. Best part were lots of food and shopping near
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Melissa

Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kristin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tara

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Leota

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Paul

Liked: Staff & service
They wanted to put me o a handicapped room that I didn’t ask for then the put me in a room that someone was staying in . Overall the hotel is rundown and 1 person on the front desk when 5 people are waiting to check in. I would not recommend this place.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Stephen

It was clean and breakfast was good.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

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

Clean room

Needed a quiet room for one night. The hotel is older and the hallways show some age. But our room was very nice and clean. The beds are comfortable and the room was quiet. The breakfast had a nice variety of choices.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Maureen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Is basic, fair price
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Jason

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Forkpah

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

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

Flooded with homeless

We stayed two nights. The first night was fine, but the second day the shower had a serious clog issue. I took a shower and the bathtub filled up so full it didn’t drain. We went down to the desk (the phone didn’t work) and let them know. We were told they would send someone up, but 45 min later we got a call asking if we would like to switch rooms. We did and the rest of the stay was fine. The biggest issue we had was the entrance door closest to our room was left unlocked and each time we walked in and out people were hanging out in the stairwell charging their cellphones. It was always a man and woman. All of them looked homeless and a few looked stung out. This is clearly a safety concern. The grounds have cameras so staff must know this is occurring and they allow it.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Marguerite

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
I booked this hotel because it offered 3 beds in one room for our family of 5. The room itself was reasonably updated but the common hallways were not. It smelled of smoke despite stating non-smoking. The AC wall unit leaked onto one of the nightstands onto the floor overnight. When I told the front desk on checkout they did not seem to care.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alex

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brett

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Above expectations for price paid.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Shelley

Travelled with family, Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Reserved 2 rooms and had receipt showing 2 rooms but they said only showed 1 room on their end. Took a long time to get it fixed. Breakfast wasnt kept stocked and had to ask for items. Rooms were clean and beds comfortable but bathrooms are very small. Area is a little sketchy, walked to Bennigans and there was people walking and yelling
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

4/10 Poor

Dwayne

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Don't believe the pictures. Or withernour room was never remodeled. Room was dirty and smelled. People from outside would come In for breakfast to eat that weren't staying at the hotel. Picking through the food with bare hands. Learned later they were people who lived on streets. Toilet didn't work however maintanxe came fast to fix onced called I would not recommend this hotel. This is not a normal Sonesta.
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Teri

Travelled with family
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Madonna

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Booked as pet friendly and then they charged a fee on arrival for the pet. Otherwise great stay. They do give you a dog bowl and treats for your pet
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Julie

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

Big room for 1 night

I was with my 2 dogs in a suite. It was more than enough room for all of us. There were a few minor maintenance issues. A door was off the cupboard
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025