Sonesta Essential Des Moines

2.0 star property

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Three beds with patterned bedspreads line the wall, complemented by a stylish armchair.
Enjoy cooking and dining in this open kitchen with a curved island and ample counter space.
Welcome to our hotel, featuring a beautifully landscaped entrance with a covered area and potted plants.
Convenient laundry facilities with a washing machine and dryer, along with essentials and a view.
Enjoy cooking in this well-equipped kitchen with a stainless steel microwave, dot-patterned backsplash, and grey cabinetry.

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

Map
4755 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA, 50322
  • Merle Hay Mall
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Drake University
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Casey's Center
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)
    ‪22 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

7.0 out of 10
Good
(14 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Room, 1 Queen Bed

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(7 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

Hotel in Des Moines with free breakfast and a 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 onsite. Housekeeping is available on request.
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.

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 this property offers include food and water bowls and litter boxes.
  • Free continental breakfast served daily
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self parking and RV/bus/truck parking
  • Amenities include a meeting room, laundry facilities, and an elevator
  • 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 boxes
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 a common area, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available.

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

Guests are served free continental breakfast on weekdays from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and on weekends from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM.

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

  • 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)
  • 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

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

  • 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 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 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 boxes 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.
  • 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 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 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. 326 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 280 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 178 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 101 out of 1005 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 120 out of 1005 reviews

7.4/10

Cleanliness

7.6/10

Staff & service

6.8/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Niko

Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
N
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

2/10 Terrible

MIchael

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness
At 2:45 AM, hotel was loud with drunk/high people in the hallway and on balcony next to room. Could not sleep and asked them to quiet it down with returned laughter. When I express my displeasure with manager in the morning, he just nodded with agreement.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brenda

Travelled with pets, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
When checking in n paid for my 2 pups I was given a placemat for their food/water dish, 2 cute packages of dog biscuits and 2 bottles of water with granola bars attached with ribbon bows! Impressive! Friendly service and comfy room
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

2/10 Terrible

Alex

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

The laddies room should be clean at least right...

Wife went to use the ladies restroom in the lobby and there was mouse crap. Room was dirty, bed was made, no smoking thats a joke. Seen cats in windows from the outside. Gave a 50 dollar deposit, didnt apply it to the bill. Not a bad spot if you're a crack head...
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Susan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was ok
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

4/10 Poor

Kaleb

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
First room i was given hadnt been cleaned inbetween stays of the costumer before me and after i brought it up they tried to blame me for the mess, was upgraded to a bigger room after the manager stepped in
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Alicia

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

4/10 Poor

Suleiman

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Lionel

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Thank you
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Angela

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

Nice for a budget

Our room was in great condition and VERY clean. Only downside of the room was that the light above the jacuzzi didn't work. The rest of the hotel was nice. Breakfast was okay, could've had a couple more options but sufficed. Hotel was clean overall! Unfortunately (and this isn't directly the hotel's fault) the other guests were not great. Several rooms around and above us were incredibly loud all day/night and had even louder barking dogs. Not sure why this hotel specifically attracted such a crowd that weekend but hopefully it was a 1 time experience.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kenny

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
It was the best time in ever
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Mary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Great for the money. Quiet. Rooms are very clean. Beds comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Brady

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Easy to access and staff are friendly
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Gian

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

6/10 Okay

MA

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Linda

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Their was no bar soap in either room
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mardochée Jean

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Hello the hotel 🏨 is greatly but the bathroom lobby is dirty someone bluout but is dirty
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tangelo

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Tanna

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Nice and comfy very friendly and clean.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sondra

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great for a one night stay. The price was cheap and better than I expected! Staff was very helpful and pleasant..building is older but the rooms have been updated!
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sherry

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Like
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

8/10 Good

Richard

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kenny

Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

2/10 Terrible

Erin

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
No one was at the front desk to check in for over 30 minutes!! Even tried calling!! Hallways were dirty and dark! Needed to wash a uniform and the guest laundry room had piles of laundry everywhere…probably at least 2 weeks if someone’s clothes…everywhere!!! Would NOT recommend! Didn’t even attempt the breakfast as the lobby had such a strong air freshener odor to cover up the gross smells!! Room was clean though.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025