Sonesta Essential Ames

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Sonesta Essential Ames

Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains
Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub
Indoor pool
Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains
Exterior

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

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

Room options

Room, 1 King Bed

7.8 out of 10
Good
(17 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Room, 2 Queen Beds

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free Wi-Fi

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed
  • Free Wi-Fi

Similar properties

About this property

Sonesta Essential Ames

This smoke-free hotel features an indoor pool, a 24-hour fitness center, and a 24-hour business center. Free continental breakfast, free WiFi in public areas, and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, coffee/tea in a common area, a business center, and laundry facilities are onsite.
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 shower/tub combinations with rainfall showerheads, complimentary toiletries, and hair dryers.

This Ames hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and desk chairs, as well as phones; local and long-distance calls are complimentary (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include irons/ironing boards and blackout drapes/curtains. Housekeeping is provided daily.

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

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

Our customers tell us they can't get enough of the helpful staff at Sonesta Essential Ames. During your stay, you'll be close to Jack Trice Stadium. 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 center, laundry facilities, and an elevator
  • Onsite recreation includes a 24-hour gym
  • Guests speak favorably about the clean accommodations and the overall condition of the property
  • 6 minutes by car from Jack Trice Stadium and 6 minutes from Iowa State University
  • Cats and dogs welcome for a fee (restrictions apply)
Sonesta Essential Ames offers its guests an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. WiFi is free in public spaces. There's an onsite 24-hour business center. Free breakfast is available daily. The family-friendly Sonesta Essential Ames also features a vending machine, coffee/tea in a common area, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available.

This Ames hotel is smoke free.

Guests are served 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
  • Limited on-site self parking

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
  • Mosquito nets
  • Smoking not allowed

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: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out available
A late check-out fee will be charged

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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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 lbs 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.
  • Cribs (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 USD 105 per stay)
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • A late check-out fee will be charged
  • 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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
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 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

Sonesta Essential Ames Reviews

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 323 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 327 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 198 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 90 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 63 out of 1001 reviews

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

6/10 Okay

Kimberly

It was a convenient location
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Joshua

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Hotel was clean and the staff was accommodating
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lane

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The room was very clean and the bed was very comfy. I did not get to try the breakfast so I cannot put my input on that one and the AC worked phenomenal it kept the room nice and cool.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Catherine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This hotel is a hidden gem! Nothing fancy but a nice clean room, comfortable bed, extremely helpful staff at a price that can’t be beat! We will be back!!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Corrie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent for the price.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tamela

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
It was very clean. Staff was kind. Breakfast was what we needed.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

8/10 Good

Sapna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Staff courteous and it was clean, basic, no frills, good for 1 night
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

DAVID

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We arrived just before 9pm, and My hubby asked if the pool was open, because his wife was really looking forward to it. I got there by 9:30 qnd I managed to do my usual 9 laps because I was the only one there. We both had a great nights sleep.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jodi

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Room was clean. Check in was quick and easy and staff were very kind.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

Allison

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The rooms were clean and the staff was very friendly. But the beds and pillows were extremely hard. I woke up with hip and back aches. I didn't hate my experience but I wouldn't stay again just because it was so uncomfortable.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Soechun

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Love the free breakfest and variety or chooses and the ac worked good as well as the shower, enjoyed my stay and had excellent service
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Amenities
staff was very nice
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Decent hotel
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Toni

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Was very helpful when the heat wasn't working moved me to a room with great heat!
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

maureen

Liked: Staff & service
The room , bathroom could use some upgrade. Desk chair was old and has rips. Mini fridge dented and scratched.Bath tub has rust on water spout. Staff was very friendly though .
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

MICHAEL

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
great breakfast
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Marvin

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was clean. The front desk was helpful and breakfast was good
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Harry

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
A room to sleep in
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Denise

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
clean
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025
Verified

2/10 Terrible

John

Did not book stay at hotel
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Diana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The room was extremely clean. I would stay here again. Breakfast was sufficient.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

James

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our room was clean, bed was fairly comfortable, and the breakfast was above average for a budget friendly hotel. The hotel staff was friendly as well. Overall, we were pleased with our stay and would stay again if needed. The motel fit our needs and our budget.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Douglas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great stay!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Niko

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Had a great stay
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pamela

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Friendly staff, overall great place to stay
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024