Sleep Inn & Suites Ankeny - Des Moines

This hotel consistently impresses guests with its exceptional cleanliness and comfortable accommodations, offering a reliable and pleasant stay that provides excellent value. Its signature feature is the surprisingly high-quality breakfast with a wide array of options, often exceeding expectations for hotels in its category. The property is particularly well-suited for business travelers seeking quiet rooms and convenient amenities, families who appreciate spacious rooms and a pool, and travelers with pets due to its accommodating dog-friendly policy. Many guests highlight the attentive and helpful staff as a key factor in their positive experience. To ensure the most restful stay, it is advisable to request a room not facing the highway, as some guests have noted intermittent traffic noise. Additionally, if the hot tub is a desired amenity, guests should verify its operational status prior to arrival, as reviews indicate frequent issues with its functionality.

Facilities & Amenities
Guests generally find the hotel's facilities to be well-maintained and convenient. The pool area is a popular feature, especially for children, though many adults describe the water as quite cold despite being heated. The fitness center is available for guests looking to maintain their routines. While the elevator is noted for being quick and efficient, the hot tub is a recurring point of concern, with numerous reports of it being lukewarm, having non-functional jets, or being permanently closed. This is a significant drawback for guests hoping to relax. Wi-Fi connectivity receives mixed reviews, with some finding it reliable and others experiencing poor signal quality. The hotel also provides ice machines and vending machines for added convenience, and the common lobby areas are often utilized by groups for gatherings, showcasing the hotel's accommodating nature for social events.

Cleanliness & Room Comfort
The hotel receives widespread praise for its cleanliness, with many guests describing rooms and common areas as spotless and fresh-smelling upon arrival. Rooms are generally found to be spacious and well-maintained, often equipped with convenient amenities such as a refrigerator and microwave. Feedback on bed comfort is mixed; while many guests report comfortable beds and quality pillows ensuring a restful sleep, some have found the mattresses to be too firm or to have issues with springs. Noise levels present a varied experience; despite the hotel's solid construction, rooms facing the highway can be subject to traffic noise, and occasional disturbances from other guests or the heating/cooling units have been noted. Some isolated concerns about musty odors or minor maintenance issues in bathrooms have also been mentioned.

Dining & Food Quality
The breakfast consistently stands out as a highlight for many guests, often described as exceptional and exceeding expectations for a complimentary hotel offering. The breakfast variety is extensive, featuring hot options like eggs, waffles, and pancakes, alongside yogurt, cereal, and fresh fruit. A particular favorite is the digital self-serve coffee machine, which provides a range of beverages including espresso and lattes. While most praise the food quality, some minor issues like items running out early or certain foods being overcooked have been noted. The hotel's location is also advantageous, as it is conveniently situated near a variety of restaurants, providing guests with numerous dining options beyond the hotel's breakfast service. This makes it easy for guests to find suitable meals throughout their stay.

Location & Accessibility
The hotel boasts a highly convenient location right off the highway, offering easy access for travelers and placing guests close to numerous restaurants and shopping areas. While some guests initially find the entrance a little tricky to locate, its overall accessibility is a significant advantage. Parking is generally described as easy and ample. The hotel is particularly noted for its excellent wheelchair accessibility, with wide doorways, well-equipped bathrooms featuring roll-in showers, grab bars, and appropriately-heighted beds, making it a great option for guests with mobility concerns. Its position also provides a sense of safety and is considered a good base for exploring the wider Des Moines area, including attractions like Iowa State University.

Staff & Service
The hotel's staff consistently receives high praise for their friendliness, helpfulness, and professionalism. Guests frequently commend the front desk team for their quick check-in process and willingness to assist with various requests, contributing significantly to a positive guest experience. The breakfast staff are also highlighted for their attentiveness and pleasant demeanor. While the overall service is highly regarded, feedback on housekeeping is mixed; some guests appreciate the orderly room servicing, but others have reported instances of rooms not being serviced or housekeeping attempting to enter rooms despite "Do Not Disturb" signs being displayed. Despite these isolated issues, the staff's commitment to providing a welcoming and accommodating environment is a recurring positive theme.

Additional Information
The hotel maintains a pet-friendly policy, which is highly appreciated by guests traveling with their animals, often allowing for easy access to rooms on the ends of hallways. While the hotel is generally accommodating for groups, particularly sports teams, some guests have reported strict policies regarding pool access for non-registered visitors during private events, leading to unexpected complications and disappointment. A notable concern for some guests has been issues with reservation modifications or cancellations, with reports of difficulties changing dates or being charged for extra nights despite confirmed adjustments, even when modifications were seemingly confirmed. Guests should be aware of these potential policy rigidities, especially when planning group events or needing flexible booking arrangements. The hotel's overall condition is often described as modern and well-maintained, though some areas show signs of wear, suggesting ongoing efforts to keep the property updated.