Use this guide to find hotels, motels, and other lodging near Iowa State Fair.
Address: East 30th Street & East University Avenue,
Des Moines,
IA50317Zoom in (+) to see interstate exits, restaurants, and other attractions near hotels.
"Great value, but not a great hotel. There were long hairs on my pillow, and I'm bald. The whirlpool jets didn't work. Adequate breakfast.2016-09-17"
"The hotel felt like home and was clean and organized. The employees were nice and polite. Definitely stay here.2016-07-09"
"The hotel was convenient to the fairgrounds and easy to find. Clean room with comfortable beds. The continental breakfast was OK, but items weren't kept stocked.2016-01-04"
"Nice hotel. The room was clean, and the employees were friendly.2021-02-04"
"Nice hotel room, but our door didn't always shut and lock properly and could be pushed open. The problem wasn't fixed during my stay. I also had to have the key card re-set multiple times.2016-07-02"
"Good experience and rates. The hotel was clean and smelled pleasant. Needed more pillows on the bed.2016-05-03"
Upscale, smoke-free, all-suite, extended-stay hotel
Downtown near Wells Fargo Arena
5 floors, 111 studio to 2-bedroom suites
Heated indoor swimming pool - 24-hour exercise room
Kitchen in every suite
Free hot breakfast buffet
Free WiFi
Free parking
Pet friendly hotel
More > - allows pets up to 80 pounds, 2 pets per room - $150 pet fee if staying 7 nights or more - $75 pet fee if staying fewer than 7 nights. - Mar 2017 < Less
"Lovely hotel room with an extremely comfortable bed. Had to pay for Internet access. The toilet was too low. The restaurant food was good. Book it.2016-06-25"
"The hotel was nice and clean, and all the employees were pleasant. Great place to stay; I highly recommend it.2016-05-31"
"The hotel was clean, and the employees were pleasant.2016-05-09"
"Close to restaurants and event centers. The hotel was excellent, but there was no hot water for showers, and the shower handle wasn't secure. Nice accommodations overall.2016-06-21"
"The hotel clerk didn't show me how to use the card in the parking lot.2022-09-22"
"Poor signage. Needed better soundproofing; our room was next to the linen room on the 5th floor, and we heard a lot of noise. I expected a quieter hotel for the price. 2015-10-22"
"Awesome hotel from check-in to checkout. The room was clean. Good-sized bathroom. Enjoyed the complimentary coffee and breakfast. What a treat.2015-04-14"
"The room was clean, and the hotel employees were courteous and treated me so well. Nice breakfast, too. Absolutely stay here.2021-02-11"
"The hotel staff was kind and helpful, but our room hadn't been cleaned for a long time. The carpet was filthy, and the floor around the toilet was a complete disgrace. Breakfast was a disappointment.2020-10-23"
"The hotel was easy to access and convenient to the site of my medical procedure. The room was spacious and clean, but there was no information about TV schedules or breakfast times. The snack vending machine on my floor didn't work. The employees were pleasant and helpful. This is a good choice.2020-05-29"
"The heater in my room was loud when it came on at 4 AM, but everything else about the hotel was good. The employees were helpful and friendly. I had a good time.2015-11-03"
"Great location downtown. Nice room and common areas. I liked the decor. Good experience. I've stayed at this hotel before and will stay again.2015-05-26"
Free shuttle to other attractions within 3-mile radius
Heated indoor swimming pool - exercise room
24-hour self-serve restaurant - lounge
Free hot breakfast buffet
Free WiFi
Valet parking only - $18 per night
Pet friendly hotel
More > - allows dogs only up to 50 pounds - $175 pet fee if staying 7 nights or more - $75 pet fee if staying fewer than 7 nights. - May 2016 < Less
"We were put in a handicap room with an ugly view. When I called the hotel clerk and asked for a room change, I was told I was "out of luck." I won't be returning.2016-11-15"
"The hotel was comfortable, and the staff was friendly and helpful. Book it.2016-06-09"
"Great location. The staff was friendly and helpful, and the shuttle service was wonderful. I definitely recommend this hotel.2015-10-29"
"The employees were the nicest people I've ever met, but they provided poor service. OK hotel for a short stay.2015-08-29"
"Hotel room was clean but small. Disappointed that despite the high rates, we had to pay extra for wireless Internet, and no breakfast was provided.2015-02-23"
"We were impressed with the hotel room, which was spacious and had 2 double beds and a small seating area. The shuttle dropped us off right in front of the Iowa Events Center for our concert, and it picked us up, too. There was a large selection of food at the continental breakfast, and the dining area was clean. We'd definitely stay here again.2022-02-16"
"Great hotel. Everything was new and fresh.2019-12-23"
"The room was clean, and the beds were comfortable. The staff was the best I've ever dealt with, and the shuttle service was a life-saver. I highly recommend this hotel.2019-07-01"
"I couldn't stay. The hotel room smelled like mildew, and there was hair on the bedsheets. There was no one to check us in, so we had to go to the hotel next door, where the clerk said she couldn't help me with a refund. Don't stay here.2023-06-08"
"I had an enjoyable stay. Give this hotel a try.2021-05-06"
"Convenient to the convention center. Great rates. The room decor was nice. There was no microwave in the room, and there were no vending machines. The hotel clerks were awesome and welcoming.2022-09-18"
"Easy access to and from the freeway. Good hotel stay.2019-11-23"
"The main hotel building was nice, but our room was totally inadequate. 2018-07-19"
"The hotel was clean and quiet, and breakfast was good.2020-01-02"
"The room was OK, and it was nice to have a fridge. The hotel clerks were the friendliest I've ever encountered. Great breakfast attendant, too, and the food was good.2018-02-17"
"We had a great stay. Excellent location and reasonable rates. The room was comfortable, the hotel staff was friendly, and breakfast was good. Don't hesitate to stay here.2017-01-01"
Upscale, smoke-free, interstate hotel near I-80, Exit 142
2 miles from Adventureland
4 floors, 112 rooms
Heated indoor swimming pool - exercise room
Restaurant - lounge
Restaurant open for breakfast and dinner only
Free WiFi
Free parking
Pet friendly hotel
More > - allows dogs up to 50 pounds only, 2 dogs per room - $150 pet fee if staying 6 nights or more - $75 pet fee if staying fewer than 6 nights. - Sep 2020 < Less
"The motel was OK, but seemed overpriced. It was hard to enter and exit the property.2023-08-06"
"We didn't get a 1st floor room as requested. We turned on the heater when we got to our room, and the cover fell off. No coffee in the lobby because the coffee maker was out of service and the clerk didn't know how to operate it. There was nowhere around the motel to walk the dog, despite a $200 refundable deposit. Find a different place to stay.2023-04-18"
"Good motel stay. The room was affordable, pet friendly, and clean. The bed was comfortable, and there was a fridge and microwave. The staff was friendly. The continental breakfast could've started earlier. Book it.2022-10-06"
"The hotel room was clean, and the staff was exceptional.2022-10-09"
"Good hotel.2017-04-05"
"There were ants in the bed our 1st night, and then large ants on our food in the morning. The front desk clerk's response was that this is what happens when you bring food, though the room had a microwave and fridge. We left without using the pool or eating breakfast.2016-02-08"
"Not worth the price. The carpet was filthy, and the bathroom was way too small. Run away from this hotel.2018-08-09"
"This hotel was well worth the price. It was easy to access, and the staff was friendly.2016-12-12"
"A reasonably priced hotel with a pleasant atmosphere. Close to the amusement park and casino. The staff was friendly. The vending and ice machines were on the 1st floor, and our room was on the 3rd floor. Had to wait for the luggage cart, but the front desk clerk called when one was available.2016-05-29"
Pet friendly hotel
More > - allows dogs up to 80 pounds only, 2 dogs per suite - $100 pet fee if staying 7 nights or more for each dog - $50 pet fee if staying fewer than 7 nights for each dog. - Jan 2021 < Less
Note: Some WoodSpring Suites charge a weekly rate, even if you stay just one night.
"This hotel was really bare-bones. Had to pay for a 2nd roll of toilet paper, and there was a $25 fee if guests don't take out their own trash. The bed was more like a cot. No cooking utensils, hand towels, or tissue provided. The employees were friendly and helpful.2016-05-12"
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.
