The Best Hotels to Book in Des Moines

Make no bones about it – the Home2Suites at Drake University is the place to stay for a Bulldog fan. Your suite is right on the edge of campus, so let us clarify a few things for you. The bulldog painting hanging about the pullout sofa in your studio suite represents Drake University’s mascots. If you see a live bulldog sniffing around campus, that’s just Griff II. If you happen to see a costumed bulldog going number two on Painted Street Park, that’s Spike (and that’s probably illegal).

Get to know Des Moines right from Grand Avenue at AC Hotel. If you happen to book a corner guest room with a city view, you might be able to spot the State Historical Building and Iowa State Capitol from the window. Feel free to wander down to the landmark buildings or make an about-face for a quick trip to the riverwalk. Don’t freak out if you see the undead mulling about outside of this Des Moines hotel. Zombie Burger + Drink Lab is reanimating gourmet bashed burgers.

Midwestern hospitality is unrivaled, and Surety Hotel knows how to treat a guest. As any true blue Midwesterner would, they’ve fixed you a room with a minibar packed with Des Moines goodies. IPAs, roasted corn kernels, and pork sticks are among the munchies. Chow down but don’t ruin your appetite. Mulberry Street Tavern would be more than happy to whip you up a proper Midwestern meal of beef, cheese, and veggies sourced from right down yonder.

If the names Herbert Hoover, Roger Williams and George Washington Carver ring a bell, you’ll fancy a stay at the Hilton in downtown Des Moines. This Hilton is connected to the Des Moines Skywalk system, getting you into the Iowa Hall of Pride with ease. When you’re not admiring the famous Iowans who changed our country, you’ll have a chance to meet some modern-day Des Moines. These hotel folk will give you a free ride to the airport, lend you a towel for the swimming pool, and cook you up a wholesome meal at their Park Street Kitchen.

Making your way through the Midwest is quite the trek and Des Moines hotels near the highway, such as Holiday Inn, make it easier. Whether you choose a guest room with an extra rollaway bed or a suite with a spa bathtub, both are still a mere half-mile walk from the Wells Fargo Arena. Grub is free for the kiddos when an adult dines at the hotel and the views of the downtown skyline alone are reason enough to slide into a seat.

This Des Moines hotel is located in West Des Moines and makes for a perfect haven, particularly if you happen to be traveling during one of Iowa’s harsh winters. Its red-carpeted lobby, comfortable furniture, and antique memorabilia all add to the warm atmosphere. Besides a variety of room types, perks include the indoor pool, complemented by a raised spa with a waterfall.

In the heart of the business district, the Des Moines Marriot Downtown offers a convenient, luxurious getaway for all travelers looking for a place from which to explore the city. This four-star hotel has all the amenities needed for a comfortable stay, with a wide variety of guest rooms and suites to suit most needs and budgets. Proximity to the Des Moines Art Center and the Des Moines Botanical Center is a boon for sightseers seeking easy access to Des Moines’ best attractions.

It’s easy to spot the Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel in downtown Des Moines due to its prominent red brick facade. This imposing edifice is one of the best places to stay in Des Moines, and has played host to many presidents and generals during its long history, besides being a popular event center in the postbellum era. The Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel also gets the balance right between the upkeep of its historical features and 21st-century amenities.

Equipped with a bar, a fitness center, and some of the most spacious rooms in Des Moines, Des Lux Hotel is assuredly one of the city’s most lavish historical lodgings. Originally built in 1912 as the Des Moines Club, the hotel’s antique structure has undergone little change throughout the years, embracing the rich, wooden lobby floors and its elegant brick exterior. With Des Lux’s wide variety of suites and rooms, this hotel has quickly become one of the premier lodgings in town.