Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Des Moines-Northwest by IHG

Hotels
•
Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts
7.5 (206 reviews)
4800 Merle Hay Road , Urbandale , US
+1 515-278-4755

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Paid
Children allowed

Facilities

Fitness facilities
WiFi available
Free WiFi
Parking
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Fitness center
Swimming pool
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
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Review Highlights

Pros:
Convenient location
Friendly/pleasant staff
Clean rooms (some reports)
Connected restaurant / strong F&B
Reasonable price for some stays
Cons:
Property is dated
Very weak / low water pressure in showers
Unreliable elevator
Cigarette smoke smell / cleanliness issues
Staff mishandling room assignments
Perceived overpriced for what is offered

Categories

Cleanliness
4.5
Mixed but leaning negative: one review called rooms 'very nice and clean' while another reported pervasive cigarette smoke and an 'itchy' feeling—overall cleanliness is a concern.
Service
10
Mostly positive: multiple reviewers praised staff as 'very nice' and 'pleasant'; one serious failure (staff giving away a room) noted but overall service is reported as friendly and helpful.
Location
10
Consistently praised for convenience in several reviews, though some mentioned the surrounding property feels dated; overall location convenience is a strong point.
Room Quality
5
Below average: several mentions of a dated property and multiple reports of very weak/low water pressure affecting room comfort.
Amenities
8
Mixed-positive: restaurant connection was loved, but an unreliable elevator was reported; amenities are generally good with some operational issues.
Value for Money
6
Mixed to negative: one reviewer said the stay 'met my needs on location and price' but others felt the cost was too high for what was offered.
Food and Beverage
10
Positive: the connected restaurant was specifically praised and described as a highlight.
Overall Experience
6.5
Mixed overall: several convenient and pleasant aspects (staff, location, restaurant) but marred by significant negatives (smoke smell, dated property, room issues) leading to a below-target overall feeling.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-11-05 14:08

Property Description

Irish Pub and Indoor Pool:
Experience the charm of an Irish Pub right at the hotel, perfect for enjoying a pint or a hearty meal. Unwind and relax in the indoor pool, offering a refreshing break during your stay.

Comfortable Rooms with Modern Amenities:
Each room is equipped with a 37-inch flat-screen TV, coffee maker, and work desk for your convenience. Upgrade to a suite for additional space and amenities like a microwave and refrigerator.

Convenient Location and Complimentary Services:
Located just 7.5 miles from downtown Des Moines, our hotel offers a free local shuttle service within a 2-mile radius. Take advantage of the gym, business center, and on-site dining at Bennigan's Irish American Grill & Tavern.

Book your stay at Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Des Moines-Northwest for a delightful blend of comfort, convenience, and Irish hospitality.

Important information:

Upon check-in photo identification and credit card is required. All special requests are subject to availability upon check-in. Special requests cannot be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.

For any Room Including Breakfast: The Rate includes a coupon redeemable for breakfast in the hotel restaurant. Limit USD 20.00 per room per day.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.
A deposit may be required at the property.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 12:00 PM
Airport code: DSM

Location

Property Accessibility

Total Disability Score: 35.71
Public Area
  • Ramp: No
  • Entrance Door Width: 82
  • Entrance Leveled: Yes
  • Pet Friendly: No
Reception And Restaurant
  • Reception Hearing Accessible: No
  • Reception Wheelchair Accessible: No
  • Restaurant Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Elevator
  • Elevator Audio Signals: No
  • Elevator Braille Numbers: Yes
  • Elevator Contrasting Buttons: No
  • Elevator Visual Signs: No
Show all accessibility features

Guest Reviews

7.5
Based on 206 reviews
Cleanliness: 4.5
Service: 10
Location: 10
Room Quality: 5
Amenities: 8
Value for Money: 6
Food and Beverage: 10
Overall Experience: 6.5
K
Kimberly • solo_traveller • us
6
Hotel staff is very nice but location is dated
Pros:

Location was convenient for my stay

Cons:

Property is very dated

2026-09-17 • via Nuitee
M
Monica • couple • us
9
Pros:

Very nice and clean. Loved the restaurant connected

Cons:

One elevator didn’t always work

2026-09-15 • via Nuitee
T
Thomas • couple • us
8
It met my needs on location and price.
Pros:

It was in a convenient location.

Cons:

My only complaint relates to very weak water pressure in the shower.

2026-09-02 • via Nuitee
E
Ethan • family_with_children • us
6
2026-08-20 • via Nuitee
T
Taryn • couple • us
5
Terrible. 10/10 do NOT recommend!
Pros:

Terrible. The whole place felt “itchy” and it smelled like cigarette smoke all throughout this non smoking hotel.

Cons:

Staff- they will give away your room and not care.

2026-08-06 • via Nuitee
J
James • couple • us
2
Cons:

I thought for what was offered the cost was to much

2026-07-14 • via Nuitee
T
Tamy • solo_traveller • us
5
Pros:

Pleasant staff

Cons:

Very low water pressure

2026-07-06 • via Nuitee
M
Monica • solo_traveller • us
10
2026-05-06 • via Nuitee
K
Krista • family_with_children • us
1
2026-04-20 • via Nuitee
M
Martinez • family_with_children • us
8
Pros:

That was clean and well maintenance

2026-03-24 • via Nuitee
C
Courtney • extended_group • us
10
2026-03-12 • via Nuitee
P
Pedro • family_with_children • us
8
Pros:

Quietness at night

Cons:

No breakfast and there was trash and lube underneath the bed from a past persons who stayed there I believe.

2026-02-25 • via Nuitee
A
Amanda • solo_traveller • us
3
Wasn’t happy at all
Pros:

I like that it was clean and the beds were big

Cons:

My mini fridge didn’t work in my room, the lotion in the bathroom was broken. The water pressure in the shower was so low I didn’t feel like I got clean. The bath tub stopper was broken and it kept letting my water out of the tub. I feel like for as much money as I paid those things should have been better. When I told the staff they just said okay

2026-02-13 • via Nuitee
M
molly • family_with_children • us
1
No
Pros:

The breakfast was decent.

Cons:

Advertised with a pool and hot tub, but after check in we found that it was closed for repairs. The woman who checked us in said that is why it wasn't in the description. She was very rude. Except the description was why I booked it. It had a pool and hot tub and as two elderly and handicapped seniors that was very important after a 1200 mile drive. We tried to change motels, but booking nor the hotel would not refund us.

2026-02-09 • via Nuitee
L
Leon • couple • us
2
In all it was no different then a cheaper hotel l should have asked for a refund.
Pros:

The overall look. And restaurant hooked on

Cons:

Found other people's hair on bathroom floor. Big gap in main door let the light come in and light up the room.got woke up 3 times in the night with other guests fighting and l mean very very loud.

2026-01-20 • via Nuitee
K
Kirby • couple • us
8
I guess we got what we paid for
Pros:

Price

Cons:

No breakfast, no ice bucket, no bags in trash cans. Requested King bed hot two queens.

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
J
John • couple • us
9
2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
L
LuAnn • couple • us
10
Nice location for what I needed
Pros:

We ate a bennigan's it was very good

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
M
Misha • solo_traveller • us
5
As expected for the cost.
Pros:

Room was decent. Stuff was clean. Bed was decently comfortable. AC worked very well. Lobby was nice. Location was great - right next to the highway, and near two different starbucks locations, a caribou, plus a lot of nearby food options. Great water pressure in shower. On-site fitness center was decent.

Cons:

Elevators need servicing and repair. Hard water in the shower. Bathroom counter seemed rather small. No exhaust fan in bathroom meant everything got steamy. Great if you like saunas, but not great if you're looking for dry towels when you get out of the shower.

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
A
Abdalaltif • solo_traveller • us
10
2026-01-19 • via Nuitee