Iowa State University is located in downtown Ames, Iowa, which is about 34 miles north of Des Moines. Most of the closest hotels are south of the campus.
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1. Gateway Center Hotel Ames 2100 Green Hills Drive, Ames, IA 50014 Call Us1.7 miles 1.7 miles from ISU – Iowa State University
"The room was clean and odor-free, but the area by the entry elevator smelled really bad. We didn't get a receipt under the door as the hotel clerk said we would; he wasn't friendly at checkout and didn't offer an apology.2017-10-26"
"Good location. The hotel was inviting and clean, but I stayed for 3 nights and had trouble having my room serviced. The housekeepers skipped my room twice, even after waving at me. The employees were friendly.2017-10-10"
"My hotel room was ready when I arrived on a busy weekend. The front desk clerks were nice.2015-05-12"
"Good location. The room was comfortable, and everything worked. We had a fridge, microwave, and coffeemaker. The carpet felt clean on my bare feet. The fridge worked too well and froze our drinks. No daily housekeeping; you'll have to ask for extra towels and such. No washcloths. Easy check-in and checkout. The hotel staff was friendly. Breakfast was limited but sufficient, and there was a toaster in the lobby.2021-07-23"
"Our suite was clean and comfortable. The hotel staff was friendly and helpful with information and directions to the hospital. We were given a map of Ames and the ISU campus with a suggested route marked for us. 2021-03-26"
"The hotel had a comfortable atmosphere. The room was clean, but the sink in my accessible room had an awkward sink that made it easy to get water on myself and the floor. The staff was friendly.2019-11-12"
"Nice room for a good price. The check-in clerks were great. I'll definitely stay at this hotel again.2019-07-01"
"Just off Highway 30 and near the ISU campus. The hotel was loving, clean, and inviting. We got a 1st floor room as requested, and parking was convenient to the room. There were vending machines for drink and snacks just around the corner, and the laundry room was also convenient. Many options at breakfast and plenty of seating with a TV. Great place to stay.2018-11-10"
"Good location and easy to find. The hotel was comfortable and clean, and the staff was friendly.2018-09-25"
"The hotel was clean and comfortable. Even the sofa bed was comfortable, with good bedding and pillows. The bathroom was small and plain, but served its purpose. Breakfast could've been better. Parking was tough when the restaurant was open. Otherwise, a grand stay.2016-05-15"
Upper-midscale, smoke-free hotel near I-35 at US 30
4 floors, 90 rooms and suites - elevator
Indoor swimming pool - 24-hour exercise room
Microwave and refrigerator in every room
Free continental breakfast
Free WiFi
Free parking
Pet friendly hotel
More > - allows dogs and cats only, 2 pets per room - $125 pet fee if staying 5 nights or more - $75 pet fee if staying fewer than 5 nights. - Dec 2022 < Less
"Clean hotel with helpful, courteous employees.2022-04-07"
"There were active and noisy children in the room upstairs; we called the front desk, and within minutes we were moved to a quiet suite on the 4th floor. We slept well and appreciated the so quickly accommodated. I highly recommend this hotel.2019-07-10"
"I loved this hotel. It was clean and contemporary, and the staff was welcoming. The room was quiet, and the beds were comfortable. Great breakfast. I highly recommend staying here.2022-11-02"
"Good value. The hotel room was clean, the employees were pleasant, and the breakfast buffet was great.2019-05-29"
"Conveniently located off I-35. The hotel was clean, and the bed was comfortable. Friendly staff and good breakfast. Highly recommend.2017-01-06"
"The hotel was convenient to freeways, and top-notch in cleanliness, customer service, and friendliness. Breakfast was good. We'd definitely stay again.2016-02-02"
"The hotel was easy to find off the interstate, but it was fairly pricey. Housekeeping still hadn't cleaned our room at 5 PM; I had to contact the front desk to get it cleaned. My studio king suite was smaller than I expected. Breakfast wasn't great.2019-04-15"
"I was given a handicap room I didn't need, and it was right by the front door and elevator, so there was a lot of noise. The toilet ran every 20 minutes. Not a good value.2021-10-25"
"The beds were really uncomfortable, and there was no coffee pot in the room. The pool wasn't open. No elevator, and it was hard for my disabled husband to go up and down the stairs. The grab-and-go breakfast didn't have much to grab.2021-06-15"
"The room was small but clean, and the the bathroom was quite small. The hotel staff was extremely friendly. Breakfast was mostly carbs. Good option if you're traveling with a dog since there's no fee.2018-06-25"
"Good value. The hotel was quiet and pet friendly. The staff was helpful, and breakfast was nice. Make a reservation here.2019-05-27"
"The hotel was OK for a short stay. The room was nice, but the toilet handle was broken. I had to ask for more towels since they weren't restocked by the housekeeper.2018-07-05"
"The curtains in my hotel room were hanging off the rod. The staff was friendly. There was cereal for breakfast, but no milk.2021-09-11"
"Nice hotel. The front desk clerk was especially helpful; she gave me super glue to fix my running shoe and printed out my airline boarding pass.2019-07-31"
"Great room. The hotel clerks were friendly and helpful, and breakfast was nice. I'd definitely stay here again.2018-08-09"
"I was disappointed. The bedside table wasn't within reach of the bed. We asked for a roll-in shower, and our room only had a bathtub; I wasn't able to shower. The hotel clerk said there was nothing he could do. A group was mistakenly given a key to my room and tried to enter. Breakfast was meager. Don't stay here.2022-08-07"
"The hotel was clean and nice. The front desk clerk was great and helped us multiple times. Our only complaint was that the AC in our room made a funny noise each time it shut off. Good breakfast. I'd stay here again.2018-09-26"
"Nice hotel room. The night clerk was friendly.2018-09-04"
"Close to ISU. The hotel was clean and comfortable, and the staff was friendly. Housekeepers left in the early afternoon, so rooms weren't cleaned unless guests vacated the rooms by noon.2016-05-31"
"Hotel room was clean. Children in the room above ours were so noisy that I called the front desk twice to complain. Nothing was done, so I went to the front desk about the problem. They called the room and the noise stopped for a short time, but then started up again. I was disappointed and won't stay again.2015-04-01"
"Great rates. My room was clean, the carpet looked fairly new, and the bathtub and sink seemed updated. Good TV and OK bed. I didn't like having a bedspread because of Covid, and the blanket had holes in it. The window was loose and the screen was torn, so I didn't feel entirely secure. The check-in clerk was personable and made me feel welcome. Don't expect luxury for a budget price.2020-08-15"
"The hotel room had everything I needed, and it was dark at night for sleeping. The pillows could've been firmer. Limited restaurants in the area.2017-07-03"
"Nice hotel and employees. Lots of variety at breakfast.2019-05-28"
"The hotel was clean, quiet, and easy to see from I-35. The room and bathroom were nice and clean, and the front desk clerks were pleasant. Nice breakfast. The only problem was that the entrance was a bit hard to find.2018-02-09"
"The room was clean, and the beds were comfortable, but we heard barking dogs until 1 AM and the heater, fridge, and coffee pot were noisy. Breakfast was tasty and had hot selections. I was disappointed due to the lack of sleep.2017-12-04"
"The motel was dirty. The bedsheets had burn holes, and the pillows were bad. The TV was small. Not much selection at breakfast. Don't stay here; it's not worth the price.2016-02-03"
"Dirty motel with stained carpeting. The door lock was broken, and the AC didn't work. The walls needed cleaning, and there was hair in the bathtub. We'll never stay again.2015-09-12"
"Construction was going on at the hotel during my stay. The room wasn't that clean, and not enough towels were provided. The check-in clerk was rude. Breakfast, however, was good. All in all, not a pleasant stay.2016-09-28"
"Adequate hotel. The mattress needed to be replaced.2016-05-04"
"The hotel was clean but needed updating. Friendly employees and nice pool area. Ask for a room near the pool.2016-04-19"
"There was blood on the bedsheets in my hotel room. Don't stay here.2020-05-26"
"The bedding was dirty, and there was no water pressure in the sink; we had to brush our teeth with water from the shower. Run away from this hotel.2016-05-10"
"Great location near restaurants and businesses, but many were closed because of Covid-19. We were able to order and pick up meals. The hotel was comfortable and clean, and the staff was friendly, helpful, and answered my questions about what was being done to keep everyone safe. The room was clean, and we enjoyed having a suite.2020-04-16"
We order the hotels on this page by how close they are to this attraction.
Most of our competitors order these same hotels in other ways that make them more money.
How Do We Define Motel?
To us, motels are smaller lodgings that have rooms you can enter directly from the parking area.
At hotels, on the other hand, you can enter your room only through a hall inside the building.
Hotel Booking Tips
Beware of non-refundable reservations that could cost you a lot of money if you change or cancel them. +Non-refundable reservations are a gamble that will usually save you less than $10. If you make a $90 non-refundable reservation instead of a $100 refundable booking, you are betting $90 to win $10. Would you do that in Las Vegas? -
Don't assume you can cancel a non-refundable reservation without penalty if you notify the hotel weeks or even months in advance. +Often you cannot – because some hotels' profit strategy is to get paid more than once for the same room for the same night. -
Always read cancellation policies carefully before you make a reservation. + When is the latest date and time you can cancel without penalty? - More >
When you make a reservation, you will receive a confirmation email. Take a copy with you to the hotel.
The earlier in the afternoon you check into a hotel, the more likely you will get a room or suite that matches your preferences.
