Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Staff are a real bright spot here. Mike, Lucas, Shawn, and the late-afternoon woman whose name I didn't get were especially friendly and helpful. Housekeeping and maintenance do a consistently good job, too. The rooms, lobby, and corridors are clean, and the rates are reasonable. The hotel is quiet and relaxed on busy Merle Hay Road, close to the mall and easy enough to find. It works well for a night or several days in Des Moines, including for conventions or the summer state fair. Breakfast runs 6-9 am, with hot choices like eggs, waffles, and sausages, plus juice, yoghurt, cereal, and baked goods. Coffee's available all day, which I appreciate. The heating and air conditioning work well, and hot and cold water, cable TV, and wifi are generally reliable. There's an elevator, laundry on the second floor, and luggage carts, all handy to have. Highly recommended.

The customer service at Sonesta Essentials in Des Moines, Iowa, was some of the best we've ever had, even though it's not a big hotel. After what we'd dealt with in Columbia, Missouri, this place felt like a breath of fresh air. We were facing a car repair bill over $1,800, and the staff went out of their way to help. We'd booked a smaller room, but they let us stay in the room we already had at the lowest rate. That kindness meant a lot. When my bag was stolen, the owner went out of his way to help me get it back. The young woman who checked us in was kind and attentive, and jumped on anything we needed. The hotel smelled incredible, honestly the best smelling place I've ever stayed. Our room was clean and the beds were decent. Some of the other guests seemed a bit questionable, but the service made this a solid 10/10. I'd recommend Sonesta Essentials for a clean, comfortable stay with staff who care.

The room was mostly clean and the beds were very comfortable. I'd stay for the rooms, but not for the front desk staff, who weren't friendly.

The lobby had a strange chemical smell, and the continental breakfast was a letdown. The room's walls were thin enough that I could hear and smell other guests. The key card erased easily and was finicky. Room service did the bare minimum.