See all properties

Sonesta Essential Des Moines

2.0 star property
Hotel perfectly located for exploring Lovington

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Restaurant
Hallway
Suite, Multiple Beds
Exterior
Restaurant

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View in a 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.)
    ‪21 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds

Room, 2 Queen Beds

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

Suite, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

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

Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

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
(17 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, 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Suite, Multiple Beds

Suite, Multiple Beds

Suite, Multiple Beds

  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Queen Beds

You may also like

Ad
Indoor pool

Tru By Hilton Ankeny

Ankeny
  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
4.5 out of 5, Wonderful, 95 reviews
The price is CA $139
CA $156 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 5 - Oct 6
Tru By Hilton Ankeny

About the area

Des Moines

Lovington stay.Your stay at this Lovington hotel places you within 3 miles (5 km) of Merle Hay Mall and Pioneer Hi-Bred Headquarters. Buccaneer Arena and Iowa Gold Star Military Museum are also within 6 miles (10 km).

What's nearby

  • Merle Hay Mall - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Drake University - 8 min drive - 6.7 km
  • Living History Farms - 10 min drive - 12.1 km
  • Iowa Events Center - 12 min drive - 12.2 km
  • Casey's Center - 13 min drive - 12.5 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪7 Brew Coffee - ‬14 min walk
  • ‪Sonic Drive-In - ‬17 min walk

About this property

Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Hotel perfectly located for exploring Lovington
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.

  • 150 guestrooms or units
  • 3 levels
  • Continental breakfast (free)
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • ATM
  • Elevator
  • Smoking in designated areas
  • 1 conference room
Sonesta Essential Des Moines offers 150 air-conditioned accommodations with complimentary bottled water and irons/ironing boards. Televisions come with premium satellite channels and Netflix. 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.

Similar properties

Lobby

Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines - Merle Hay Road

  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
3.8 out of 5, Good, 1,029 reviews
The price is CA $81
CA $94 total
includes taxes & fees
Oct 1 - Oct 2
Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines - Merle Hay Road

Property amenities

Family friendly

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

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

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

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
  • Elevator
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel

Room amenities

Entertainment

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

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Rollaway/extra bed (surcharge)

Bathroom

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

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 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.

Property payment types

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

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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB International, Carte Blanche, and cash. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a security system, and a first aid kit in each accommodation. This property affirms that it follows the cleaning and disinfection practices of Commitment to Clean (Choice).

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

Reviews

Sonesta Essential Des Moines Reviews

7.4

Good

7.4/10

Cleanliness

7.6/10

Staff & service

6.8/10

Amenities

7.0/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.2/10

Eco-friendliness
Rating 10 - Excellent. 350 out of 1012 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 263 out of 1012 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 179 out of 1012 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 100 out of 1012 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 120 out of 1012 reviews

Reviews

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

10/10 Excellent

Frank

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

2/10 Terrible

Katie

Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities

Not at all clean

We checked into a room and when arrived at the room the door was open. We I approached the front desk about it, he said “what’s the problem it’s clean isn’t it” he reluctantly gave us a new room as we felt uncomfortable with it just being open. When arriving to the new room the hallway was filled with the fragrance “pot”. When entered room it smelled of food not cleanliness. Also we had to kill three crawling bugs. There was hair on the fave towel and the faucet to our tub broke and the water could not be adjusted or turned off. We were offered no apologize or anything. We left and didn’t turn back. The idea of sleeping in the bed was not appealing it felt gross
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Rachel

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

Sue

Business traveller
I booked this room specifically for the jacuzzi tub, shown in the king bed room pictured on hotels.com. Feels like a real bait n switch that I was just provided a king bed only. After 10 hours driving an no one answering the front desk phone to discuss, I needed to just take the disappointing lump and get some sleep.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mona

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good place to stay
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karl

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

8/10 Good

Nic

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

10/10 Excellent

Aisha

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good customer service
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

Alex

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

Alex

Room smelled very bad. Could not sleep. Did not find free breakfast. Would not recommend this hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

DOYLE

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

2/10 Terrible

Terry

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
DO NOT STAY HERE! I booked this hotel, because we were exhausted from driving all day and the pictures and price looked good. Boy, we were in for a let down. The elevator was terrifying, made a loud boom and creaking sound when it reached the 2nd floor. The floors in our room looked as if it hadn't been swept or mopped in weeks. The hallway smelled musty. There was a thickness in the air that was nearly suffocating. Breakfast was awful. No coffee, no juice. Syrup spilled all over the floor that workers were clearly ignoring. We were surprised with an extra $50 deposit upon arrival that my husband has yet to receive back. Save your time and money and avoid this hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Rachel

Disliked: Cleanliness
The floors and sheets had crusty stains on them. The remote was sticky and the batteries were held in with electrical tape. Cheap renovations for a cheap place to stay.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

DustiLyn

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
faucet upside down
poop chair.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jon

O
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Monica

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

Clean & Comfy but Don’t Pay Full Price

The place is clean…lots of maintenance work that needs done but the maintenance staff is great! The front desk staff is incredibly rude and disrespectful. Overall, if you can get a room here for $60 or less, it’s worth it. But I wouldn’t ever pay more, you can get better and more respectful staff for $65+.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Billie

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

4/10 Poor

Chad

Travelled with family
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Place was dirty. Blood stains on pillows. Trash on the floors. Looks like someone was shooting ropes on one of the walls. No coffee for breakfast. Just a dump.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mardochée Jean

Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

daisy

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wouldn’t recommend
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Annie

Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jaeni

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I like Stay here at Sonesta Essentials it's nice and clean and they have housekeeping daily.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

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

Great Stay/Hallway Smell

I was very pleased with the room. The hallway strongly smelled of pot which was not a great experience.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025