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Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Property class: 2

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Photo gallery for Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub | Desk, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds, free WiFi
Lobby
Restaurant
Exterior
Property amenity

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Business services
$79
$71 nightly
$79 total
Total with taxes and fees
May 4 - May 5

Explore the area

View in a map
4755 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA, 50322
  • Place, Merle Hay Mall
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Drake University
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, Jordan Creek Town Center
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Airport, Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)
    ‪20 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed | Desk, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds, free WiFi

Room, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

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

Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub | Desk, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds, free WiFi

Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Room, 1 Queen Bed

Desk, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds, free WiFi

Room, 1 Queen Bed

7.8 out of 10
Good
(24 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed
  • Free WiFi

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
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds

Room, 2 Queen Beds | Desk, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds, free WiFi

Room, 2 Queen Beds

7.0 out of 10
Good
(19 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Suite, 1 King Bed

Suite, 1 King Bed | Desk, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds, free WiFi

Suite, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed
  • Free WiFi

View all photos for Suite, Multiple Beds

Suite, Multiple Beds | Desk, iron/ironing board, rollaway beds, free WiFi

Suite, Multiple Beds

  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Queen Beds
  • Free WiFi

Similar properties

Lobby
Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines - Merle Hay Road
Lovington
  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
3.8 out of 5, Good, 1,001 reviews
$68 nightly
The price is $76
May 24 - May 25
Total with taxes and fees
Quality Inn & Suites Des Moines - Merle Hay Road

About the neighborhood

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 Casey's Center. .This hotel is 10.9 mi (17.6 km) from Jordan Creek Town Center and 11.5 mi (18.6 km) from Adventureland.

What's nearby

  • Merle Hay Mall - 3 min drive - 1.1 miles
  • Drake University - 8 min drive - 5.4 miles
  • Jordan Creek Town Center - 11 min drive - 12.0 miles
  • Adventureland - 12 min drive - 13.8 miles
  • Casey's Center - 12 min drive - 10.1 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Flix Brewhouse - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬16 min walk

About this property

Sonesta Essential Des Moines

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.

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 complimentary bottled water, 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.

Property amenities

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

Family friendly

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

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
  • Elevator
  • 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

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

Food and drink

  • Free bottled water
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator

More

  • Air conditioning
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Free local calls
  • Heating
  • 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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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

Property 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; cash is not accepted
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

7.4

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 391 out of 1004 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 233 out of 1004 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 171 out of 1004 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 91 out of 1004 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 118 out of 1004 reviews

7.4/10

Cleanliness

7.6/10

Staff & service

7.0/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Sheila

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The room is clean and neat. Check in was a breeze. Clean decor and good staff makes this a good deal. I'd stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Deborah

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Yes it was very clean and comfortable.. the breakfast was so good and staff as well very courteous
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Brady

Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Bade

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, general ambience was very good.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Craig

Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Yes
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026

10/10 Excellent

Ken

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

earl

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

Sakib

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Did not like it too small
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Sven-Christian, Urbandale

Traveled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Generally we know that you get what you pay for. But this one was weird. Overall the hotel was clean, but the rooms were weirdly run down. For example the toilet seat was loose, the lid had burn marks. The accent chair had small holes everywhere as it had been attacked by a cat. Fine for a stop on a roadtrip as very close to the interstate.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

2/10 Terrible

Dustin

Traveled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Spent all my money on the room. Wouldn't give me a room with out deposit so they took my phone for deposit. Wasn't able to talk to my kids on Christmas eve due to. From desk was rude
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ken

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Ken

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

10/10 Excellent

Carol

Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ken

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ken

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

6/10 Okay

Samantha

Liked: Cleanliness
We just wanted to get a bath in our room, and we ended up switching rooms three times to get one with a drain plug. The room we got then had no tv remote. They got mad at us and said we could take a refund and leave. We weren't trying to be difficult. We just wanted to soak in a tub
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Bee

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Randy

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

MARK

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Yes
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kylie

Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kylie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
🙂
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kylie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Yes
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jenna

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

8/10 Good

Kylie

Traveled with partner
Liked: Amenities
Always pretty satisfied with my room. Dont unserstand the 2 or 3 pillows on a bed unless they are bigger. Hotel i choose over many
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2025