Sonesta Essential Des Moines

2.0 star property
your current months are December, 2024 and January, 2025.
December 2024
January 2025

Photo gallery for Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Suite, Multiple Beds
Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub
Exterior
Restaurant
Property amenity

Reviews

7.2 out of 10

Good

Popular amenities

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

Suite, 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

  • 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 the area

Des Moines

With a stay at Sonesta Essential Des Moines in Des Moines (Merle Hay), you'll be within a 15-minute drive of Drake University and Jordan Creek Town Center. .This hotel is 11.5 mi (18.6 km) from Adventureland and 12.1 mi (19.5 km) from Iowa State Fairgrounds.

What's nearby

  • Merle Hay Mall - 2 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Drake University - 8 min drive - 7.2 km
  • Val Air Ballroom - 9 min drive - 7.7 km
  • Wells Fargo Arena - 11 min drive - 13.3 km
  • Iowa Events Center - 11 min drive - 13.4 km

Getting around

  • Des Moines International Airport (DSM) - 29 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-Fil-A - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Sonic Drive-In - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Buffalo Wild Wings - ‬13 min walk

About this property

Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Des Moines hotel in Merle Hay with free parking
Sonesta Essential Des Moines offers 150 air-conditioned accommodations with irons/ironing boards. Premium satellite television is provided. Guests can make use of the in-room refrigerators and microwaves. Bathrooms include shower/tub combinations.

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

Make yourself at home in one of the 150 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have shower/tub combinations and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and irons/ironing boards, as well as phones with free local calls.
Make use of convenient amenities such as complimentary wireless internet access, a banquet hall, and a vending machine.
Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, laundry facilities, and ATM/banking services. Free self parking is available onsite.

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and public transport

  • Free self-parking on site
  • Motorhome/coach/lorry parking (free) on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea in a common area

Family friendly

  • Laundry facilities
  • Microwave
  • Fridge
  • Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)
  • Soundproofed rooms

Conveniences

  • ATM/banking services
  • Banquet hall
  • Lift
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Laundry facilities

Business services

  • A meeting room

Accessibility

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

More

  • Designated smoking areas (fines apply)

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Air conditioning
  • Bed sheets
  • Rollaway/extra beds (surcharge)

Bathroom

  • Hairdryer (on request)
  • Private bathroom
  • Shower/bath combination
  • Towels

Entertainment

  • 32-inch TV
  • Premium channels
  • Satellite channels

Food and drink

  • Microwave
  • Fridge

More

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

Policies

Check-in

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

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 30 per pet, per night, plus a deposit of USD 30 per night
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
2 total pets
Pets cannot be left unattended
Specific rooms only; pet-friendly rooms can be requested by contacting the property at the number on the booking confirmation
Food and water bowls and litter boxes are available

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Children up to the age of 18 years can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 20 per night
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

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

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • 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 per night

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

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

We should mention

The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation

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. 263 out of 1001 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 329 out of 1001 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 202 out of 1001 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 100 out of 1001 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 107 out of 1001 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

6/10 Okay

Ronnie

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
I had yet to recognize that the establishment appeared to be an economic lodge that had undergone rebranding. While I acknowledge their efforts, the overall experience was satisfactory but did not justify the expenditure of $160.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Elizabeth

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Stephanie

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

jarrod

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

10/10 Excellent

Katherine

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

6/10 Okay

Angela

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Could've been cleaner. Bedside drawers had something spilled on and in them. Bathroom unclean as well.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tawna

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
People were friendly and they had a room that fit all 7 of us ❤️
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

James

Liked: Staff & service, room comfort
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Room was clean mostly except for someone left their flossing pick. Refrigerator froze everything in it. And the eggs for breakfast were disgusting.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alicia

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

Michele

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

shawn

Travelled with family, Travelled with pets
Disliked: Cleanliness
older property that needs a good remodel but staff were nice
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Jodelle

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Amenities
Trash in yard No drinking cups or coffee cups in room Place smelled of both cigarettes and weed Breakfast lacking while called "eggsential", no eggs and no creamer, no hot oatmeal
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

2/10 Terrible

Stephen

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Room dirty , toilets didn't flush all the time.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Deirdra

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

Maria

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Property had a horrible smell. Breakfast wasn't as they advertised.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jake

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Quiet place with iron and ironing board provided in the room. For the price it was very good.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pray

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Pray

Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

4/10 Poor

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not inviting… horrible smell
Hotel was not very inviting. Smelled horrible , fridge leaked
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Emily

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My only complaint was the smell . Not sure what it was but hallway and room had an odd smell.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Eryk

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

4/10 Poor

Sawyer

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
There was a domestic disturbance in the room right next to us that was physical and verbal. Front service staff shrugged it off like it was nothing, tried making a joke about the domestic situation going on in the hotel. We asked for the cops to be called for the safety of the couple and no one showed up. Another guest that were above the disturbance also came to the lobby to complain as well. Was moved to a different room that had blood on the floor and crusty brown stains on the sheets. The room also smelled awful.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

6/10 Okay

Theresa

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Room had a weird (bad) smell. Air conditioner made a lot of noise when it turned on or off. Door to bathroom was broken. Curtain rod was broken so the curtain didn't hang properly. Pillows were small. Bed was comfortable though and other guests were quiet.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shanelle

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

2/10 Terrible

Gift

Travelled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
We didn’t like it
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2024