Econo Lodge Ankeny - Des Moines

The outside looks a little shady, honestly, but inside the rooms are clean, nice, and roomy. The internet was super fast, and the pool looked amazing. We didn't make it to breakfast, though the bacon smelled delicious. You have to ask for towels and room service, but otherwise it's a nice place.

My wife and I stayed here for over a year, and it came to feel like home. TJ and Katie, the owners, really care about their customers and make a genuine effort to deal with concerns right away and help guests feel comfortable. We were grateful for the chance to stay there, and over time they became friends and family to us. Thank you, TJ and Katie, for always making us feel welcome and being such a kind part of our lives. We'll miss you, but we won't forget you. I definitely recommend staying here.

I only stay here now when I'm in Ankeny. The rooms are big and nice, with a lounge chair and ottoman, and the bed is very comfortable. As a traveling welder I also get very good rates. Service is good, though they don't do it every day. If you ask, they'll clean the room.

Choice hotels call themselves pet friendly, but then add a pet fee when you arrive. The amount seems to depend on what you pay for the room: my pet fee was $10 at Rodeway and $30 at EconoLodge. With a guaranteed reservation, you're left choosing between paying the fee or being billed for a room you don't use. To me, that's a sneaky way to take more money from the middle class for the owners' benefit. This motel also has no automatic doors, so getting yourself, your pet, and your belongings through two sets of doors is a struggle, especially since you're not supposed to leave your pet in the car or alone in the room. The pet rooms are on the second floor.