Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Exceptional

Front desk staff (a young man) was rude to the woman in front of me. Not very professional. Very awkward. She got mad and then he said he would refuse to give her a room. I had to intervene to help the woman and she got her room but my room also smelled bad and overall not first class. I’d spend a little more next time to stay somewhere better. Yikes.

The room was damp with a slimy feeling floor. The TV did not work, the ice machine was broken, and the bathroom door would not close. Even the buttons on the bedside lamp were dirty! I was traveling with dogs, and despite being the filthiest hotel I’ve ever stayed in they had the audacity to charge $70 for the dogs to stay. Trust me there isn’t anything they could have done to make the room dirtier.

Exceptional

Ok location and ok breakfast I don’t get my deposit back. A lot of weirdos hanging around outside at night

Rooms are clean, location is great

Easy to get to from the highway

The room was spacious, clean, and cozy. The location of the hotel is wonderful with fast food literally right down the street (if that is desired), 7 brew a couple of blocks down the road, and gas stations close. This was our second time staying at this facility and both times we had a great experience. My spouse went down at about 8:30 or 9:00 for breakfast and there wasn't much left to choose from. The breakfast could have had better options, but other than that the stay was great and I would stay again.

Passable

Our rooms smelled terribly of cigarette smoke and when we talked to the front desk, we were told they were full and that’s all they could do

Not much we liked Got lied to and never got the deposit back

The hotel was quiet, the room had air conditioning, the shower worked well and had good temperatures and pressure, and the parking was free and easy to find near my room door! My room was not properly cleaned when I arrived. The previous guests must have had children because I found dried play paint and clay in smears and pieces around my room. There was still some clay left in the shower drain, which was very obvious since it was neon orange. The furniture is definitely dated and worn as some of the drawers couldn't be pushed back in smoothly.

Just know, the photos are not accurate. The room and the lobby were nicely renovated. The first floor was well lit but the third floor on which we stayed was dark. Hallways and stairwells looked as if they hadn’t been vacuumed in days. Room and bathroom doors need to be refinished. Grass in back lot was unmowed and there was a car with flat tires that looked as if it had been there a bit. The staff was friendly, and perhaps they are trying to turn around a once-neglected property, but I would not stay here again. Breakfast was cereal, instant oatmeal and waffles.

Good

The room was dirty. The drawers stuck on the dresser. The tub was dirty and full of mold . Turned on the heater and the fire alarm went off. The breakfast was unimpressive only had coffee and juice and yogurt nd muffins. No eggs or waffles. Ice maker was broken. Very few pillows. I wouldn’t stay again ever

Everything was clean. Staff was mediocre with welcoming. And I wish they provided vending that accepts debit/credit cards instead of cash only. Other than that I had a good stay.

When we were ready to check out the next morning, I went to the elevator to go down to get a luggage cart. The elevator was dark inside! No lights. The nice east indian gentleman at the desk was clueless as to what he needed to do to get the lights on in the elevator. So, I got the luggage cart, took the dark elevator up to our room, loaded it, had my wife drive the car under the awning (it was raining), loaded the car, and checked out. Will not trust your booking site anymore because it doesn't vet quality control.

The room was decent and great location. The breakfast was fine with multiple options. Our room had no working light over the vanity mirror and sink, and nobody came to clean our room or provide fresh towels after our 1st night. The carpets in the halls and stairways are extremely dirty and the place has a strong indian food odor. Overall it was not a bad place to stay but maybe a little pricey for what you get.

Room was clean and comfortable, but the floors were very slippery and could be a fall risk. the shower was weak and the shower gel was almost empty

Not a clean room at all. They have bedbugs. If you don't believe me fine but its true and why would u want to gamble on that. The staff was very rude, short with me, and uncaring. Not going to try to get a refund because this is not about money. It is about being hospitable and they were for sure not.