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The best area to stay in Ames is near the Iowa State University campus, particularly along Lincoln Way and the surrounding streets.


This area is the heart of Ames, offering a mix of academic energy and local amenities. Lincoln Way, a major thoroughfare, is lined with various dining options, from casual eateries to more upscale restaurants, and a selection of shops. The university campus itself is a landmark, with its beautiful green spaces and iconic buildings like the Memorial Union. It's a very walkable area, especially around the campus and the adjacent business districts.


Couples visiting Ames, perhaps for a university event or just to explore, will find this area very convenient. You're close to cultural attractions like the Brunnier Art Museum and the Reiman Gardens on campus, and there are plenty of places to enjoy a meal or a drink.


For those looking for a quieter stay with easy access to the university, the neighbourhoods just north or west of the main campus, while still very central, offer a more residential feel.

Two of the best hotels in Ames that receive consistently high recommendations from travellers are the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University and the Best Western Plus University Park Inn & Suites.


The Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University has an impressive 9.2 rating. Guests frequently mention the nice, clean rooms and the friendly, helpful staff. Its convenient location is highlighted, with Christofferson Park just 0.7 km away, Reiman Gardens at 1.2 km, and Jack Trice Stadium within 1.5 km. The hotel also features an indoor pool and offers executive rooms and suites.


Another highly recommended option is the Best Western Plus University Park Inn & Suites, which has an 8.8 rating. Travellers appreciate the comfortable, clean rooms and the friendly, helpful staff. This hotel also provides a great location, being 0.7 km from Christofferson Park, 1.2 km from Reiman Gardens, and 1.5 km from Jack Trice Stadium. Guests enjoy the hot, good breakfast and the comfy beds.

For family-friendly hotels in Ames, consider the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University or the AmericInn by Wyndham Ames.


The Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University, with a fantastic 9.2 rating, is an excellent choice for families. It offers connecting rooms and sofa beds, which are ideal for larger groups, along with a refreshing indoor pool. Its convenient location means it's just 0.7 km from Christofferson Park, 1.5 km from Jack Trice Stadium, and 1.2 km from Reiman Gardens, making it superb for exploring local attractions. Guests frequently praise the nice, clean rooms and the friendly, helpful staff.


Another great option is the AmericInn by Wyndham Ames, rated 8.4. This hotel provides complimentary cribs, connecting rooms, and free buffet breakfast, making mornings much easier. Families will also appreciate the free self-parking and ample parking for RVs, buses, or trucks. Guests consistently highlight the spacious, clean rooms, the friendly, helpful staff, and the clean pool and hot tub.

For hotels in Ames that offer complimentary breakfast, consider the Iowa House, Hampton Inn & Suites Ames, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ames, TownePlace Suites by Marriott Ames, and Comfort Inn and Suites Ames near ISU Campus.


The Iowa House, with an exceptional 9.6 rating, provides a great start to your day with both free breakfast and full breakfast options. Guests consistently highlight the delicious breakfast and excellent staff. Its location is walkable, in a quiet neighbourhood, and conveniently close to Iowa State University, just 0.7 km away.


The Hampton Inn & Suites Ames, rated 9.4, offers a complimentary buffet breakfast daily. Many guests appreciate the dog-friendly and clean rooms, as well as the friendly and attentive staff. It is located 1.6 km from Ames Dog Park.


SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ames, also rated 9.4, provides free daily breakfast and continental breakfast. Travellers often comment on the comfortable and spacious rooms, friendly staff, and excellent breakfast. It is situated 1.1 km from Ames Dog Park and 1.9 km from Country Gables Park.


The TownePlace Suites by Marriott Ames, with a 9.2 rating, includes free daily breakfast and continental breakfast. Guests frequently praise the superb breakfast, great location, and super nice staff. It is located 1.4 km from Ames Dog Park.


Lastly, the Comfort Inn and Suites Ames near ISU Campus, rated 9.0, offers both free breakfast and full breakfast daily. Guests appreciate the good value and clean rooms, along with the friendly staff and comfortable beds. This hotel is conveniently located 1.8 km from the Main Street Cultural District and 3.3 km from Iowa State University.

For top pet-friendly hotels in Ames, consider the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ames, Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University, and Comfort Inn and Suites Ames near ISU Campus.


The SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ames, with a 9.4 rating, is an excellent choice for travellers with pets, as both dogs and cats are permitted. Guests frequently praise the comfortable and spacious rooms, as well as the friendly and helpful staff. A complimentary breakfast is also provided, with many describing it as delicious.


Another highly-rated option is the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University, which has a 9.2 rating. This hotel permits both dogs and cats and even provides a designated dog exercise area. Guests consistently mention the nice and clean rooms, the friendly staff, and the convenient location. It is also close to Christofferson Park, just 0.7 km away.


The Comfort Inn and Suites Ames near ISU Campus, rated 9.0, is another great pet-friendly hotel that specifically welcomes dogs. Guests appreciate the complimentary full breakfast, with many describing it as great. The rooms are noted for being clean and offering good value. This hotel is conveniently located near points of interest such as Jack Trice Stadium and Reiman Gardens.

For highly-rated budget hotels in Ames, consider Spark by Hilton Ames, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ames by IHG, and Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Ames.


The Spark by Hilton Ames, with an excellent 9.0 rating, offers comfortable and clean rooms with comfortable beds, and guests frequently highlight the friendly and helpful staff. It provides complimentary WiFi, free breakfast, and free self-parking. Additionally, it is conveniently located just 0.5 km from Christofferson Park and 3.1 km from Iowa State University.


The Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ames by IHG, rated 8.6, is praised by guests for its nice and clean rooms, excellent breakfast service, and super friendly front desk staff. This hotel offers complimentary WiFi, free breakfast, and free self-parking.


Another excellent option is the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Ames, also with an 8.6 rating. Guests appreciate the nice and clean rooms, comfortable beds, and friendly staff. It provides complimentary WiFi, free breakfast, and free self-parking. It's also located 1.7 km from Ames Dog Park.

For a romantic stay in Ames, couples might consider the Loya's Little House Bed & Breakfast or the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University.


The Loya's Little House Bed & Breakfast, with a great 10.0 rating, offers a more intimate setting. Guests can enjoy features such as a private yard and terrace, along with complimentary toiletries and free self-parking. The hotel also offers a river view, which can add to a romantic experience.


Another excellent option is the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University, rated 9.2. This hotel provides spacious suites and boasts an indoor pool and a hot tub for relaxation. Guests frequently praise the nice, clean rooms and the friendly, helpful staff. Its convenient location is also a plus, with Christofferson Park just 0.7 km away and Reiman Gardens 1.2 km away.

For hotels in Ames near Country Gables Park, consider the SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ames, the Courtyard by Marriott Ames, or the Comfort Inn and Suites Ames near ISU Campus.


The SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ames, with an excellent 9.4 rating, is located just 1.9 kilometres from Country Gables Park. Guests frequently praise its comfortable and spacious rooms, the friendly and helpful staff, and the delicious breakfast. The hotel also offers a pool and complimentary self-parking.


Another excellent option is the Courtyard by Marriott Ames, rated 9.2, which is 1.5 kilometres from Country Gables Park. This hotel features a sofa bed, an indoor pool, and complimentary toiletries. Reviews often highlight the excellent and extremely helpful staff, the newly remodelled and clean rooms, and the excellent facilities.


The Comfort Inn and Suites Ames near ISU Campus, with a 9.0 rating, is also conveniently located 1.9 kilometres from Country Gables Park. This hotel provides a pool, connecting rooms, and a complimentary full breakfast. Guests appreciate the great breakfast, good value and clean rooms, and comfortable beds.

The best time to go to Ames is during the shoulder seasons of spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) when the weather is pleasant and the city is less crowded.


These periods offer comfortable temperatures, usually ranging from 10°C to 20°C, which is ideal for exploring the outdoor attractions. You'll find it's a great time for walks around the Iowa State University campus or visiting the Reiman Gardens without the discomfort of summer heat or winter cold.


For those planning to attend events related to Iowa State University, such as football games or graduation ceremonies, the autumn months are particularly popular, but it's wise to book accommodation well in advance due to increased demand. The city bustles with energy during these times, offering a lively experience for visitors.


If you prefer a quieter visit, late spring before the summer holidays or early autumn after the initial rush of the academic year are excellent choices.

Ames offers a few distinct areas for evening entertainment, suiting different preferences.


The Campustown area, located directly adjacent to the university, is the centre of Ames's nightlife. You'll find a high concentration of bars, pubs, and casual eateries here, many of which cater to a student demographic. It's particularly busy on weekends and during the academic year, with places offering live music, karaoke, and televisions playing sports. Welch Avenue is the main street to explore in this area.


Downtown Ames, a short distance from Campustown, provides a slightly different experience. Here, you'll discover more upscale restaurants that often have well-stocked bars, as well as a few dedicated cocktail lounges and pubs. It's generally a more relaxed setting than Campustown, suitable for those looking for a quieter drink or a meal out. Main Street and Burnett Avenue are good starting points for exploring this area.


Finally, some establishments are scattered a bit further out, often along Lincoln Way. These tend to be larger sports bars or venues that host occasional live bands or events.

You can cancel your hotel reservation on Expedia, although it depends on the cancellation policy of your booking. Most bookings are refundable if cancelled within 24 to 48 hours of the scheduled arrival. Be sure to check your booking confirmation for the exact cancellation policy. If free cancellation is available, you can cancel directly through your Expedia account by logging in, going to ‘My Trips’ and selecting your reservation. To find flexible deals, filter your search by ‘Fully refundable property’ for hotels in Ames.

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Prices for hotels in Ames often vary, but you can find a great deal from NZ$117 on Expedia. All sorts of factors affect price, such as the time of year or the days of the week you choose for your stay. Find the best deals by being flexible with your dates, and sort search results by ‘Price: low to high’ for our cheapest rates.