Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Des Moines West

The breakfast was awful, and the rest of the stay was just as bad. We were there for an out-of-town sports tournament, hoping for a warm welcome, but staff yelled at parents in the lobby, made up rules, and still yelled even when we followed them. Then they charged one parent a huge noise ordinance fee for some baffling reason.

Both rooms were dirty and run down. In the first, crumbs covered the desk and table, the screen was torn, and when I checked between the mattresses for bed bugs, I found a grimy yellow towel. I asked to move, but the second room was barely better. At least there wasn’t a dirty rag, but it was still filthy, and the tub was so gross we skipped our showers.

After long drives, having the tub suite on the fourth floor was a great way to unwind. The tub has its own room, with a TV and fireplace. We loved our stay.

We only stayed in room 302 because my daughter’s soccer team was at the hotel. It had visible water damage, heavy dust and dirt, mold, and a strong musty smell. I asked to move, but the second room was worse, reeking of cigarette smoke, so we went back to the original. Otherwise, I would have left. The whole property felt damp and unclean, with dehumidifiers running in several hallways. To me, that looked like the hotel was covering up a larger problem instead of fixing it. After the stay, the hotel claimed a maintenance person could resolve the mold and moisture issues in a day. They offered 3,000 points as a “gesture,” which felt like very little for a stay in what seemed like unhealthy conditions. For a Fairfield by Marriott, this was deeply disappointing. The rooms and general atmosphere felt unacceptable and unsafe, far below what I expect from Marriott. I wouldn’t recommend staying here until the mold and moisture problems are properly addressed.