★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Des Moines
Sonesta Essential Des Moines
About Sonesta Essential Des Moines
Discover Sonesta Essential Des Moines, a trusted Hotels in Des Moines, IA, where unforgettable waterfront stays and relaxing escapes come together. With a 3.60-star rating from 214 reviews, we’re proud to offer great service and quality and convenient accessible facilities for a smooth, enjoyable experience.
Our Amenities
Luxury Awaits
Indulge in world-class amenities designed for your comfort and convenience.
Elegant Rooms
Spacious accommodations with premium bedding
Free Wi-Fi
High-speed internet throughout the property
Fine Dining
On-site restaurant with gourmet cuisine
Valet Parking
Complimentary valet service for guests
Your Home Away From Home
Exceptional Service
We pride ourselves on providing an unparalleled hospitality experience. Our dedicated staff anticipates your every need, ensuring your stay exceeds expectations.
From the moment you arrive until you depart, every detail is meticulously attended to, creating memories that last a lifetime.
- 24/7 Concierge Service
- Room Service Available
- Business Center Access
- Airport Transfer Service
Photos
Gallery
Experience our property through stunning imagery
Reviews
What our guests say about their stay
A2254BKchrisl 11 months ago
Great Stay at Sonesta Essential Des Moines Friendly Staff, Clean Rooms, and Tasty Breakfast!||We stayed at Sonesta Essential Des Moines while visiting Adventureland and had a wonderful experience from start to finish. The morning staff was …
Thomas Rask a year ago
The rooms are newly remodeled and in excellent shape (see pictures). Vi at the front desk is professional and helpful. I think this Sonesta Essentials positions itself well in the market: better than Super 8, better price (and location!) than e.g. an area Hampton Inn at a higher price...and the Sonesta has impeccable rooms. As for previous reviewers complaining about a limited breakfast: you can pay $40-$60 more at another chain and get a better breakfast. Personally, I don't want much for breakfast, I just eat too much when a great breakfast is provided. This hotel provides great value. People shouldn't be rated based on Ritz-Carlton level expectations. If you want a Ritz-Carlton, go stay at a Ritz-Carlton at 10 times the price. I'd stay here again.
Response from the owner a year ago We are pleased to hear that you enjoyed our newly remodeled rooms and the service provided by Vi at the front desk during your stay. We strive to offer great value to our guests and are glad you found our location convenient. Your feedback is valuable to us as we continuously work to exceed guest expectations. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future.
Elizabeth Buehlman 10 months ago
Last minute booking on our roadtrip. Rooms were clean, beds very comfortable, good water pressure in the shower. Breakfast was typical with cereal, fruit, yogurt, eggs, sausage, oatmeal and waffle iron. Great find. Would be happy to stay again.
Response from the owner 10 months ago Dear Elizabeth, Thank you for choosing to stay with us on your road trip and for sharing your experience. We're happy to hear the room comfort and breakfast offerings met your needs. It’s wonderful to know you’d consider staying with us again—we look forward to welcoming you back! Guest Relations Manager
T Potato 10 months ago
Great spot. Good breakfast. Clean as well. Only thing I didn't like was that my first room had a milk smell in it. They quickly moved us to a different room and problem solved!
Response from the owner 10 months ago Hi T Potato, Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We're glad to hear you enjoyed our location, breakfast, and cleanliness. We’re also happy our team was able to quickly address the issue with your first room and make things right. Your feedback is truly appreciated, and we hope to welcome you back the next time you’re in the area!
Yaakov Raiine 9 months ago
We stayed at Sonesta Essentials in Des Moines, Iowa, and while it may not be the biggest hotel, it absolutely has some of the best customer service we’ve ever experienced. Compared to what we went through in Columbia, Missouri, this hotel was a breath of fresh air. We were having serious car trouble (a repair over $1,800), and the staff here went above and beyond to accommodate us. Even though we had originally booked a smaller room, they kindly let us keep the room we already had at the cheapest rate—a gesture that truly showed their compassion and care for guests. The owner was wonderful and went out of his way to help me when my bag was stolen. Thanks to his help, I was able to get it back. That kind of support is rare to find. The young lady who checked us in was also so kind and attentive—every time we needed something, she was right on top of it. On top of the amazing service, the hotel smelled incredible—seriously the best-smelling hotel I’ve ever been to in my life. The rooms were clean, the beds were decent, and while some guests were a bit questionable, the service made this place a solid 10/10. If you’re ever in Des Moines and want a clean, comfortable stay with staff that truly cares, I highly recommend Sonesta Essentials.
Response from the owner 9 months ago We're delighted to hear about your positive experience at Sonesta Essentials in Des Moines! It's wonderful to know that you found our customer service exceptional and our staff accommodating during a challenging time. We appreciate your kind words about our team's efforts and are thrilled that you enjoyed the cleanliness and pleasant ambiance of our hotel. Should your travels bring you back to Des Moines, we'd be honored to welcome you again for another memorable stay.
Angela Bouwman a month ago
Room was updated and clean. Hot shower with good pressure. Breakfast was ok. The front desk girl could be more friendly.
Response from the owner a month ago Thank you for sharing your feedback, Angela. We’re glad to hear you found the room clean and updated and enjoyed the hot shower pressure. We also appreciate your comments regarding the front desk experience and are sorry if our service did not feel as welcoming as it should have. Your feedback will be shared with our team as we continue working to improve the guest experience. We hope to have the opportunity to serve you again.
Silas McCracken 4 months ago
A very pleasant and comfortable hotel on busy Merle Hay Road, not far from the mall, so the location is convenient and reasonably easy to find (especially for travelers who need a place to stay for the night or multiple days while traveling through Des Moines or in town for conventions or the annual state fair in the summer). It's quiet and easygoing, with hot (eggs, waffles, sausages) and cold (juice, yoghurt, cereal, some baked goods) breakfast served from 6-9 am. Coffee is available all day (thank you!). The staff are very friendly and helpful, especially Mike, Lucas and Shawn (as well as the woman who has been working in the late afternoon - I'm sorry for not knowing her name). The housekeeping and maintenance also always do a great job. The thermostat/air conditioning/heating work well, and the hot/cold water, cable TV and wifi are generally reliable. The rooms, lobby and corridors are clean. There is an elevator, as well as laundry facilities on the second floor, which are both convenient. There are also luggage carts available. I should add that the rates are reasonable. Highly recommended!
Response from the owner 4 months ago Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a detailed review! We’re really happy to hear you found Sonesta Essential Des Moines comfortable, quiet, and conveniently located for your trip to Des Moines. It’s great to know you enjoyed breakfast (especially the hot options like eggs and waffles) and that our coffee and daily service helped start your mornings off right. I’ll be sure to share your kind words with **Mike**, **Lucas**, and **Shawn**, along with our housekeeping and maintenance teams—they’ll truly appreciate the recognition. We’re also glad the elevator, laundry area, luggage carts, and overall cleanliness made your stay easier and more enjoyable. We appreciate the recommendation and would love to welcome you back again soon!
Mary 5 months ago
The room was quiet since we got the side opposite of busy street.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Sonesta Essential Des Moines
Sonesta Essential Des Moines is located at 4755 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA 50322, United States, Des Moines, IA, United States.
You can reach Sonesta Essential Des Moines by calling +1 515-278-8858.
Sonesta Essential Des Moines has a rating of 3.6 out of 5 based on 214 customer reviews.
Sonesta Essential Des Moines features the following amenities: Free Wi-Fi, Free breakfast, Free parking, Accessible, Air-conditioned, Laundry service, Pet-friendly, Smoke-free.
Sonesta Essential Des Moines features the following not available: Pool, Airport shuttle, Fitness centre.
Business Features
Highlights & Amenities
Amenities
- Free Wi-Fi
- Free breakfast
- Free parking
- Accessible
- Air-conditioned
- Laundry service
- Pet-friendly
- Smoke-free
Not available
- Pool
- Airport shuttle
- Fitness centre
Make a Reservation
Book your stay with us and experience hospitality at its finest. We look forward to welcoming you.
Location
4755 Merle Hay Rd, Des Moines, IA 50322, United StatesReservations
+1 515-278-8858Book Your Stay
Fill out the form below and our team will confirm your reservation.