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Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Property class: 2

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Photo gallery for Sonesta Essential Des Moines

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a built-in desk, a vanity with a bathtub, and a large window with curtains.
A hallway with vending machines and a clean, tiled floor.
A restaurant with multiple tables and chairs, a kitchen area, and a stone accent wall.
A reception area with a white counter, a clock, and a digital display.
A multi-story hotel with a modern design, featuring a stone facade and multiple windows.

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Business services
The current price is $71
$64 nightly
$71 total
Total with taxes and fees
Sep 17 - Sep 18

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 King Room

A hotel room with a bed, bedside tables, a desk, and a chair.

King Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Queen Room

A hotel room with a bed, bedside lamps, a chair, a window with curtains, and a wall-mounted air conditioner.

Queen Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed

A modern hotel room with a large bed, bedside lamps, a window with curtains, and a view of greenery outside.

Room, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed

A hotel room with a bed, a desk, a television, a microwave, and a window with curtains.

Room, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

A hotel room with a bed, two nightstands, a bright green sofa, and a wooden floor.

Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

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

View all photos for Room, 1 Queen Bed

A hotel room with a bed, a desk with a chair, a television, a microwave, and a window with curtains.

Room, 1 Queen Bed

7.6 out of 10
Good
(36 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 Queen Bed

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a nightstand, a chair, and a window with curtains.

Room, 1 Queen Bed

8.6 out of 10
Excellent
(7 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds

A hotel room with two beds, a green armchair, a nightstand with a lamp, and a wall-mounted artwork.

Room, 2 Queen Beds

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

View all photos for Suite, 1 King Bed

A hotel room with a large bed, a bright green chair, and a view of a building outside.

Suite, 1 King Bed

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Suite, Multiple Beds

A hotel room with three beds, a bright green chair, and a wooden floor.

Suite, Multiple Beds

  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Queen Beds

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, 1,013 reviews
$66 nightly
The price is $74
Sep 13 - Sep 14
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 (Lovington), you'll be within a 15-minute drive of Drake University and Iowa Events Center. .This hotel is 8.3 mi (13.3 km) from Casey's Center and 10.9 mi (17.6 km) from Jordan Creek Town Center.

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
  • Iowa State Fairgrounds - 15 min drive - 13.6 miles

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Flix Brewhouse - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪7 Brew Coffee - ‬15 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬2 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

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 411 out of 1004 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 226 out of 1004 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 164 out of 1004 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 75 out of 1004 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 128 out of 1004 reviews

7.4/10

Cleanliness

7.6/10

Staff & service

7.0/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kelley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Breakfast and most of the staff was great
Stayed 3 nights in May 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice, clean property in good condition. I’ll happily stay here again in the future.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Tauni

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was clean and the staff was helpful, they also had a laundry room we could use for laundry
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Brandon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice and Clean good location
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Allen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice clean hotel and friendly staff.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Jake

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I would look elsewhere if you're planning a stay in the area.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Roy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, good breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Kari

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Staff were great- room was clean. Bed was comfy.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Marko

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice clean hotel
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Kathy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Wishing they had a better selection of breakfast. My family stayed at LaQuinta and they had delicious biscuts and gravy for a selection.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Mike

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very good price for the room. It has been recently remodeled so it looked nice. The staff was very helpful with my questions.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Amy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Clean room, better than average towels, breakfast with eggs and sausage was good.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Lorena

It was an ok place to stay. I stayed just one night. Bed and bathroom was clean. Breakfast was served Food was lukewarm.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Jasmine

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
The breakfast was okay.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

J M

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The breakfast room was OK but not what we usually get at hotels. There was no egge/sausage or waffles.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

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 review

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The rooms were clean and relaxing. The staff was polite and helpful. Breakfast was okay. I would go back.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tara

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
I am very impressed with this motel. The cost was low for how nice it was. It is basic, but super clean, quiet, and a nice breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Ashley

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Would never stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Julia

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Chose Sonesta Essential based on location - wanted easy access to a Chick-Fil-A and Sonesta was right off interstate and same road less than a mile away. Also had a Dollar Tree on same road for any little things I forgot. Reasonable price, clean and comfortable room, easy check in with friendly staff. No issues and would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Paul

Breakfast was ok, but not enough seating. Had to stand and eat.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Vanesa

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Property nice and clean
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

2/10 Terrible

Elizabeth

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The property was dirty, smelled heavily of cigarette smoke. Felt unsafe to be there. And the images on Expedia were now that I look at them better, were clearly AI generated
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Jamie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Hotel was very clean, staff was great. Breakfast was good (not great but it works!), my only issue was that someone was smoking weed so our hallway smelled and it wafted into our room. I was able to turn on the AC and open the window and that cleared it out. We would definitely stay here again. Great price for what you get.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Bradford

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