Sonesta Essential Des Moines

2.0 star property

Photo gallery for Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub
Exterior
Lobby
Restaurant
Property amenity

Reviews

7.4 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Business services

Explore the area

View map
4755 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA, 50322
  • Place, Merle Hay Mall
    ‪3 min drive‬
  • Place, Jordan Creek Town Center
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Place, Casey's Center
    ‪12 min drive‬
  • Airport, Des Moines, IA (DSM-Des Moines Intl.)
    ‪20 min drive‬

Room options

Room, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 Queen Bed

7.8 out of 10
Good
(21 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

Room, 1 Queen Bed

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

Room, 2 Queen Beds

7.2 out of 10
Good
(17 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Suite, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Suite, Multiple Beds

  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Queen Beds

Similar properties

About the area

Des Moines

With a stay at Sonesta Essential Des Moines in Des Moines (Lovington), you'll be within a 15-minute drive of Casey's Center and Jordan Creek Town Center. .This hotel is 11.5 mi (18.6 km) from Adventureland and 12.1 mi (19.5 km) from Iowa State Fairgrounds.

What's nearby

  • Merle Hay Mall - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Jordan Creek Town Center - 12 min drive - 19.7 km
  • Casey's Center - 12 min drive - 14.9 km
  • Iowa State Fairgrounds - 16 min drive - 21.8 km
  • Iowa State University - 36 min drive - 73.8 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Flix Brewhouse - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬19 min walk
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬16 min walk

About this property

Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Hotel in Des Moines with free parking
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 transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • Free RV/bus/lorry parking on site
  • Limited on-site self parking
  • 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
  • Lift
  • 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

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 and cash
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

7.4

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 379 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 246 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 166 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 94 out of 1000 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 115 out of 1000 reviews

7.4/10

Cleanliness

7.6/10

Staff & service

6.8/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Rachel

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The rooms were very nice, the lobby smelled great and everything was very clean. The only thing I will say is I was not impressed with the breakfast bar, it was mainly cereal and prepacked muffins along with some juice.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Crystal

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Kylie

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Always a good place to stay. Would give 5 stars but the no hot breakfast thing isn't working for me lol.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Miranda

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Lindsey

Travelled with family and small children, Travelled with pets
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Overall good stay, unfortunately the fridge did not work in my room, and there was no actual warm breakfast like there was in the past. But for the price and cleanliness I'll be back.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Jill, Oshkosh

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

2/10 Terrible

Demir

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

4/10 Poor

Michelle

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

don

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bryant

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Heather

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

QUYNH

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Katie, CAROL STREAM

laundry was fine
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Fred

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very close to a wedding I attended. It was affordable. Updated. Pillows were nice. I slept well. Didn't stay for breakfast..
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Victoria

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Kevin

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
It was a good hotel for a cheap one. Only issue was the bathroom was so small I had to stand in tub to shut the door to use the toilet. And the gentleman that was at the desk when I checked out was just dirty and unsanitary
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

2/10 Terrible

Merlin

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

4/10 Poor

Abigail

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Karen

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
The room was clean and I loved that they weren't using the one use bottles of shampoo and soaps. Breakfast was very limited, not even toast.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

8/10 Good

Brad

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Breakfast was not much and disappointing. Cornflakes of Fruit Loops, yogurt and not so good packaged pastries.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

6/10 Okay

Clint

Business traveller
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Leila

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, nice amenities and friendly staff
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Shirley

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Breakfast. Very good.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Timothy

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2025