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Sonesta Essential Des Moines

2.0 star property

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

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Business services
The current price is $80
$72 nightly
$80 total
Total with taxes and fees
Jun 21 - Jun 22

Explore the area

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

Room options

View all photos for King Room

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

King Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • Free WiFi

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
(27 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

7.2 out of 10
Good
(22 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

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • 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, 1,005 reviews
$67 nightly
The price is $76
Jun 21 - Jun 22
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
  • Casey's Center - 12 min drive - 10.1 miles
  • Iowa State Fairgrounds - 16 min drive - 13.6 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. 398 out of 1015 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 232 out of 1015 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 174 out of 1015 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 90 out of 1015 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 121 out of 1015 reviews

7.4/10

Cleanliness

7.6/10

Staff & service

6.8/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christal

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hot tub in the room was awesome
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bradford

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Clean room and friendly service
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Deborah

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
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bade

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

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
Verified

8/10 Good

Robert

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Very clean, good amenities. Excellent price. Subtracted a star, because of LED lights in the room.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maury

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Great overnight stay
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Matthew

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Reasonable for price
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

6/10 Okay

Brad

Liked: Staff & service, amenities
Disliked: Cleanliness
Room was ok. There was some wearing. Evening was loud. Staff was courteous
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Leila

Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, nice amenities and friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mona

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

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hotel was decent for a nights stay, the free breakfast was a bonus for someone traveling across the country.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Excellent stay for the money
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Wendy

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

Comfortable stay

Easy, quick check in and the hotel has everything we need for a good stay while driving cross-country!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

keith

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Low key, friendly staff, central location near highway and main roads breakfast included helped budget.
Stayed 9 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lindsey

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities
Clean room, nice staff. The only complaint is the breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2025
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Lori

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
Staff not friendly double charged without my knowledge over drew my account finally refunded me 2/23 room was ok loud hotel homeless in and out smells like old weed
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kenny

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Great stay
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Renee

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Beds were comfy. Everything was very clean. Staff was helpful and friendly. Would definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025
Verified

2/10 Terrible

Denise

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Horrible experience me and my daughter got sick from mold
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Randy

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

10/10 Excellent

William

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Really good for the price
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Brian

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Decent place to stay for 1 night
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025
Verified

6/10 Okay

Timothy

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
I like this property bc they have rooms with three beds. No hot breakfast, though, and considering the price, it's not a great value.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Kylie

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Always a good place to stay. Would give 5 stars but the no hot breakfast thing isn't working for me lol.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025