Sonesta Essential Des Moines

2.0 star property

Photo gallery for Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Suite, Multiple Beds
Restaurant
Property amenity
Restaurant
Exterior

Reviews

7.2 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

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

Explore the area

View 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

7.2 out of 10
Good
(16 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 the area

Des Moines

With a stay at Sonesta Essential Des Moines in Des Moines (Lovington), you'll be within a 15-minute drive of Drake University and Casey's Center. .This hotel is 12.1 mi (19.5 km) from Iowa State Fairgrounds and 10.9 mi (17.6 km) from Jordan Creek Town Center.

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
  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Sonic Drive-In - ‬17 min walk
  • ‪Chipotle Mexican Grill - ‬3 min drive

About this property

Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Hotel in Des Moines with free breakfast and a 24-hour front desk
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.
A complimentary continental breakfast is served on weekdays from 6:00 AM to 9:00 AM and on weekends from 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM.
Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, laundry facilities, and ATM/banking services. Free self parking is available onsite.
A complimentary continental breakfast is served on weekdays between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM and on weekends between 6:30 AM and 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 allowed for an extra charge of USD 50 per pet, 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 20.0 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:

  • Deposit: USD 50 per accommodation, 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 fee: USD 50 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 20.0 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 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

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. 330 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 274 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 175 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 101 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 121 out of 1001 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

4/10 Poor

george

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Took 20 minutes for someone to come to front desk to check in. Room smelled like bad food, none of the washers or dryers worked floors were very dirty, specially in the hallways and stairs.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Yamile

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Amy

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

4/10 Poor

John

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

Picture and actual not the same

We had to use the refrigerator. Terrible noise. Window screen torn apart. Bathroom door handle falling apart. Toilet seat loose. Had to be bag of eggs thrown into warmer. Both days they were cold. Pillows to small. On the bright side shower was nice.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Kaden

Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dakota

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

6/10 Okay

Kim

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service

Getting a Contact High

The room and lobby were clean, but the entire third floor smelled like marijuana smoke. Not sure if it was a guest(s) or stuck in the ventilation system. It was pretty annoying.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Vanessa Lyn

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I love this hotel ♥️
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Steven

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good time
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

reuben

Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

2/10 Terrible

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
If you’re into staying up late to party and don’t care about getting a good night’s sleep, then this place is for you! The people staying next door partied most of the night. Our daughter learned what marijuana smells like as the hallways smelled like it with a hint of urine. The cleanliness of the room wasn’t the worst but I don’t think the floors get cleaned often.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

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