Staybridge Suites Des Moines Downtown by IHG

I usually prefer giving five stars, and the 20-minute check-in didn't affect my rating since staff were learning. The room was dated but clean, and clean matters more to me than style. But the kitchen only had one coffee cup and three dirty water glasses. All I wanted was water, so I used my hands as a cup. There weren't any plastic or disposable coffee cups either. If both you and your spouse want coffee, you'll have to bring metallic straws and share. The parking ramp was the biggest problem. There were doors where you could scan your key, but they wouldn't open, and no signs showing how to get to the lobby. I walked down from the top of the ramp to the street, then took the elevator back up to the fourth floor. How would an older person or someone with mobility limits manage that? I'm thankful I could make the hike, but it was a hell of a way to end the night. Better attention to detail would help. A simple $100 sign could have spared management this negative review. I'm still giving three stars, hoping they'll read this and spend that $100.

The weekend price was extremely high compared with the weekday rate. Still, we could walk to our event and nearby restaurants, and the staff were really friendly and helpful. Our room was clean and lovely. We enjoyed playing board games with our extended family in the comfortable den, and the pool and hot tub were great too.

If I could give zero stars, I would. The wait was ridiculous, and they blamed wrestling. Maybe they should spread out check-ins instead of having everyone arrive at once. We had to go back for key cards because the first ones weren't activated. The paper towels and toilet paper were almost gone, and staff said they were trying to help the environment. The kitchen towels came out brown. There were pretzels on the floor, a Cheez-It box under the leg rest, and pubic hair and a stain in the bed. The parking garage was a maze to get into the building, and the milk in the coolers was expired. The so-called room service isn't part of the hotel. You have to get it from the lobby, so calling it room service feels like a scam. They gave us $20 credit for a $300 room. The points are useless, and we'll never return.

We were in town for my daughter's wedding at a venue two blocks away. It was easy to get in and out of the parking ramp, and the rooms were clean and nice. Breakfast in the morning was very good. A very nice hotel, and I'd highly recommend staying here.