Sonesta Essential Des Moines

Property class: 2

Choose dates to view prices

Sonesta Essential Des Moines provides amenities, such as free continental breakfast and laundry facilities. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Breakfast included
  • Pet-friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Business services
The current price is NZ$138
includes taxes & fees
28 Sept - 29 Sept

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 10 of 10 rooms

View all photos for King Room

A hotel room with a bed, bedside tables, a desk, and a chair.

King Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Queen Room

A hotel room with a bed, bedside lamps, a chair, a window with curtains, and a wall-mounted air conditioner.

Queen Room

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed

A modern hotel room with a large bed, bedside lamps, a window with curtains, and a view of greenery outside.

Room, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed

A hotel room with a bed, a desk, a television, a microwave, and a window with curtains.

Room, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

A hotel room with a bed, two nightstands, a bright green sofa, and a wooden floor.

Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 Queen Bed

A hotel room with a bed, a desk with a chair, a television, a microwave, and a window with curtains.

Room, 1 Queen Bed

7.6 out of 10
Good
(36 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 Queen Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 Queen Bed

A modern hotel room with a large bed, a nightstand, a chair, and a window with curtains.

Room, 1 Queen Bed

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

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds

A hotel room with two beds, a green armchair, a nightstand with a lamp, and a wall-mounted artwork.

Room, 2 Queen Beds

7.0 out of 10
Good
(27 reviews)
  • 1 bedroom
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Suite, 1 King Bed

A hotel room with a large bed, a bright green chair, and a view of a building outside.

Suite, 1 King Bed

8.0 out of 10
Very good
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Suite, Multiple Beds

A hotel room with three beds, a bright green chair, and a wooden floor.

Suite, Multiple Beds

  • Sleeps 6
  • 3 Queen Beds

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About the area

Located in Lovington, a neighbourhood in Des Moines, Sonesta Essential Des Moines is in the entertainment district and near the airport. Jordan Creek Town Center is worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's popular attractions can visit Adventureland and Iowa State Fairgrounds. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Iowa Events Center or Casey's Center. Visit our Des Moines travel guide
Map
4755 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA, 50322

What's nearby

  • A colorful salad with various vegetables and cheese.
    Jordan Creek Town Center
    11 min drive - 19.3 km
  • An aerial view of a bustling fairground with various stalls, rides, and a Ferris wheel.
    Iowa State Fairgrounds
    15 min drive - 21.8 km
  • Merle Hay Mall
    3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Drake University
    8 min drive - 8.7 km
  • Casey's Center
    12 min drive - 16.3 km

Getting around

  • Des Moines International Airport (DSM)
    29 min drive

Restaurants

  • Chick-fil-A
    19 min walk
  • Starbucks
    3 min drive
  • Flix Brewhouse
    3 min drive
  • 7 Brew Coffee
    15 min walk
  • McDonald's
    2 min walk

About this property

Sonesta Essential Des Moines

  • Hotel near Drake University
  • Sonesta Essential Des Moines provides amenities, such as free continental breakfast and laundry facilities. Guests can connect to free in-room WiFi.
  • Other perks at this hotel include:
    • Free self-parking
    • ATM/banking services, a 24-hour front desk and 1 meeting room
    • A lift, a banquet hall and coffee/tea in reception
  • Room features
  • All 150 rooms have comforts such as air conditioning, in addition to perks such as free WiFi and free bottled water. Guest reviews speak positively of the cleanliness rooms at the property.
  • Extra amenities include:
    • Bathrooms with shower/bath combinations
    • 43-inch TVs with Netflix, streaming services and premium channels
    • Fridges, microwaves and heating

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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 and check-out are available

Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM

Contactless check-out

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 are 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 on the number on the booking confirmation

Food and water bowls and litter trays 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.

Cots (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; cash is not accepted
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

Frequently asked questions

Is Sonesta Essential Des Moines pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total). There's a fee of USD 50 per pet, per night. Service animals are exempt from fees.

How much does it cost to stay at Sonesta Essential Des Moines?

As of 18 Sept 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Sonesta Essential Des Moines on 28 Sept 2026 start from NZ$138, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Sonesta Essential Des Moines?

Self-parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Sonesta Essential Des Moines?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: anytime.

What time is check-out at Sonesta Essential Des Moines?

Checkout is at 11 AM.

Where is Sonesta Essential Des Moines located?

Located in Lovington, this hotel is 1.1 mi (1.8 km) from Merle Hay Mall and within 6 miles (10 km) of Buccaneer Arena and Iowa Gold Star Military Museum. Waveland Municipal Golf Course and Drake University are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Can I cancel my reservation for free and receive a full refund?

Yes, this property offers free cancellation on selected room rates because flexibility matters! Please refer to the property cancellation policy on our site for more details about any exclusions or requirements.

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Reviews

Sonesta Essential Des Moines Reviews

7.6

Good

7.4

Cleanliness

7.0

Amenities

7.6

Staff & service

7.2

Property conditions & facilities
Rating 10 - Excellent. 415 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 221 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 165 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 72 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 128 out of 1001 reviews

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean and inexpensive, thanks!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

This is a no thrills hotel. The breakfast was good. You get what you pay for. For the price it was what I expected
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Front desk staff very friendly. Good breakfast.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, the staff was nice too.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
Room was clean, air conditioner didn't work properly but it kept the room cool enough. The staff was mediocre and acted like they didn't want to be there. It was OK, not terribly bad and not great either.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Staff & service
Hotel was just alittle outdated.. Staff was very nice and friendly. Room was okay . Not much to choose for breakfast. And food was just sitting out.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Upon walking into the Lobby the hotel had a smell about it that made it somewhat unpleasant. The lobby has been updated as well as the room, but not well maintained. Coat hooks were removed, chairs had holes in them and carpet was peeling off of the patio. The screen door was also in disrepair. The beds were comfortable and the shower was clean. Was an okay hotel for a guys trip, but wouldn’t recommend for a family.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Property conditions & facilities
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.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice, clean property in good condition. I’ll happily stay here again in the future.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The room was clean and the staff was helpful, they also had a laundry room we could use for laundry
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
it was close to food and about a 15 minute drive to the hyvee multiplex sports complex. It does need updating and a good deep clean. Breakfast was hot sausage, eggs, and bread items. They have juice and coffee also.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice and Clean good location
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice clean hotel and friendly staff.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Good clean room. Fast checkin.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice clean hotel
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Clean room, better than average towels, breakfast with eggs and sausage was good.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The hot tub in the room was awesome
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified review

8/10 Good

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Chose Sonesta Essential based on location - wanted easy access to a Chick-Fil-A and Sonesta was right off interstate and same road less than a mile away. Also had a Dollar Tree on same road for any little things I forgot. Reasonable price, clean and comfortable room, easy check in with friendly staff. No issues and would definitely stay there again.
Stayed 1 night in May 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Property nice and clean
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
Clean room and friendly service
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Clean room, general ambience was very good.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review

6/10 Okay

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Room was clean and comfortable, Bathroom light did not come on immediately after the switch was punched. Breakfast was a disappointment.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
The room is clean and neat. Check in was a breeze. Clean decor and good staff makes this a good deal. I'd stay here again.
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2026
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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