We just checked in for a two-night stay at this hotel for our daughter’s dance competition. My daughter and I are sharing a room with another dancer and her mom, so we specifically booked a room with two queen beds back in September 2021 for the event. Our email confirmation states that we are confirmed for a room with two queen beds. When we arrive, after driving for four and a half hours, we find that our room has one king bed. We ask about our reservation, and they tell us that that is the best available they have for us and that there is nothing else they can do. To say that we are disappointed is an understatement. It’s going to be a long weekend. ?
As the dominant hotel in Iowa there is clearly a lot look for. Hotel in general was well run and is very clean. Rooms are pretty well sized and has great views. Elevators are a bit on the slow side. Only has one night and arrived rather late and had to deposit early so I don’t have all that much to say. But it does have plenty of potential and loads of room to improve. Biggest negative is that parking. is very expensive. WiFi is also great. It’s actually cheaper to park on the street and get a ticket than to go in the garage. I don’t know when I’ll be back here, but likely will stay here again if I do.
In a downtown business oriented Marriott I’m not expecting greatness but I don’t see myself returning to this hotel. It started with the front desk greeting, no smile, no pleasantries, just a command - “Last Name”. Barely acknowledged my Bonvoy status (which seems to becoming more typical across Marriott now that the hotel owners are their customers). Certainly no perks offered due to status. Arrive to my room, it’s clean but not to a standard I felt great about. I frankly felt the need to wipe the bathroom surfaces down myself. Toiletries bolted to the shower wall, two conditioners no shampoo and not tamper resistant bottles. Hotel didn’t seem full yet I was still somehow very close to the ice machine, which was open and noisy to the hallway. Rooms are very poorly lit as well, quite dark even with all the lights on. Breakfast in the morning, I only had a short amount of time so went to the lobby coffee shop. Very slow service, very limited selection and only shelf stable creamers for the milk. Bottom line, the place is fine but there are much better options for the money in Des Moines.
Came here for a tradeshow. Elite benefits included $10 Food and beverage as well as buffet breakfast. Conciege lounge had only drinks and chips. Room was quite adequate. Nice bed and linens. Staff attentive. Fitness center needed wipes and towels. Otherwise decent stay.
Great location, very clean, efficient elevators, quiet rooms with updated amenities. Only one negative-Attempted to make a future reservation with three different front desk agents and was rebutted three times. Couldn't, wouldn't, unable. Response was to call 800 number for help. One last try on a different day, different person. Hung finally helped and completed my request with smiles, courtesies and above and beyond service. Not only that, but he obtained food items for my wife before the kiosk even opened. This gentleman was extremely helpful and should be commended and promoted as he was truly the bright light of service.
This property seems like any large downtown hotel until the staff meets, greets and serves you. Excellent all the way during these tough times. Kudos to Katie Buffington in reservations and Rachel who single handedly seemed to juggle a jam packed bar! This location separates itself from the rest of the pack!
This is the first time I’ve ever stayed at a Marriott. Definitely won’t be my last. From making the reservation to checking in to checking out nothing but a great experience! All the staff I dealt with were friendly, knowledgeable, helpful. The room was divine!
The two ladies bartending are great! M y complaint is that there is a god awful stench coming from the bar on the side closest to the escalators. Could barely stand it!
I will try to temper this review in the context of my pure joy of traveling again. The hotel's pros include: super convenient downtown location with access to the skywalk system, clean, full service hotel. The digital checkout, check-in and door unlock through the Bonvoy mobile app generally works, but the door unlock technology is slow and not 100% reliable and thus you will want a hotel key card at least as a back up. We felt COVID-safe in the room we had. It was very clean and modern. Minimal carpeting, modern bathroom. I appreciate the standard Marriott amenities including small fridge in the room. Lots of device charging and USB slots available. Large modern TV although we didn't watch much. Feather free room provided at my request. The fitness center is OPEN in the hotel and the times I was there I was the only one present. No worries and I stayed masked. During busy times regulating the elevators was awkward. Most guests were masked but some were not. Minimal hotel staff visible in this cavernous hotel but they were available when we needed something. Didn't eat in the hotel on this trip. Overall great experience.
We had a nice stay but the valet parking guy crashed our car! Stuff happens and we we tried not to act too annoyed about it when it happened BUT...It has been two months and it still is not fixed and we have not received payment. The valet parking people are impossible to deal with. We keep getting the run-around. We sent an estimate within a week and they kept claiming they haven't got it. They kind of trick you into using Valet Parking, there is no indication where you can park yourself. I have called the Marriott twice and left a message to see if they can help resolve this and they won't return my call. We had a reservation for the same event next year but we cancelled it. We are going to the Hilton instead.