Hotel Fort Des Moines - Des Moines

The Hotel needs to be remodeled. Heating cooling, Bathoom and very aged drapes.

Hotel Fort Des Moines is an iconic landmark in downtown Des Moines with a magestic building. Unfortunately, they haven't updated it since a century ago! The lobby was beautiful, then we got to our rooms and they were worse than a Motel 6 with the price tag of 3 times more! The beds were hard, the decor was flower-matchy from the 80's and the there was […] no self-adjustable thermostat in the room, which made for a stuffy and warm atmosphere! Pay $10 extra dollars and go two blocks down to the Renaissance! They have updated everything and it's wonderful! Read more

Hotel Fort Des Moines was very clean and well kept. Some things were a little run down (some flaking paint here and there), and noise insulation is pretty low, but it's a nice stay. The best part was how much of the original hotel style is intact. Also, the french restaurant accessible through the lobby had delicious food and was reasonably priced. […] Very Impressed. Read more

We stayed at this hotel for one night in April 2012. Check in was quick and easy. The rooms are outdated and in need of a renovation. The best part of the stay was the room service. We ordered breakfast and it was very good and reasonably priced.

The staff was very good to us in helping us get to and from the Wells Fargo Center.

It was an easy check in with self parking in a close ramp. Room was little warm but we could open the window. The only thing we did not like is not having in room air that we could control. The bed was comfortable. Clean. Bathroom was nice size. The shower was one of those that is short... meaning for tall people you will have to sort of duck to get […] your head wet. BUT, it works. Check out was easy. Lobby was very clean. It is old school so don't expect an old school revamp, at least not in our room. We would stay again. Read more

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My husband and I stayed here for just a little 1 night getaway and really had no complaints. The staff was polite and helpful, the location is ideal to downtown, yet it's a cheaper stay than the other downtown hotels. Yes, it's dated, but it's clean and we both love the older style buildings. Frankly, as long as there's a coffee maker in the room and […] it's both quiet and clean, I'm happy. In short, if you don't HAVE to have the ultra modern surroundings, it's a perfectly comfy stay. Read more

We chose this hotel because we enjoy staying at hotels with some history and like vintage architecture.. The property is well-kept, and the rooms are well appointed. There were little things that may have bothered some people... some peeling on the bathroom ceiling, little in the way of bathroom amenities one would associate with the price paid for […] the room, and carpeting in need of replacement in the hallways. Yet it is a charming place, has a fantastic restaurant on the main floor, and has a premium location. It may seem a little tired in some ways, but I liked it and would stay there again. Read more

The hotel is old. The lobby looks great but the hotel room had peeling paint and did not look so well maintained or nice. The bed was comfortable, and I was able to do work when I needed to. I don't know of I would stay there again though.

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it may not be a good place if you plan on spending a lot of time there, but we only showered and sleep there for the duration, and the place is great for that purpose. The bed could probably be softer, but i may just found it hard to fall asleep for other reasons.

Was not happy with this hotel. I realize it is a very old hotel and very historical. The lobby was kept very nice and clean and looked updated, but when you get to the rooms they are not updated at all. The beds were horrible. At one point we sat down and the box spring fell throw the frame. The decor was very very old. The heater had no control on […] it. We had to prop open the window to get fresh air and in the morning the floor was wet because the heater had leaked. When I told the front desk in the morning they didn't apologize and just okay we will tell maintenance later. The hotel staff was not overly friendly at all. They were pleasant, but that was about it. The highlight of the room was it has an old fashion deep bathtub that we took a bath in individually. This kind of hotel would be consider 1 of your 1 star hotels. So, for the price it was not worth it at all. Read more

The neighborhood closes down early and nothing fun is within walking distance. If you enjoy old tube TV's in a small claustrophobic inducing atmosphere, this might be for you.

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The Hotel Fort Des Moines is a nice - but older - hotel and has an "old school" charm to it. The rooms are dated but clean. The staff is very helpful and the hotel is within walking distance to downtown. The hotel restaurant (Django) is wonderful. Even if you don't stay at this hotel, you should definitely eat at Django. It's also connected to the skywalk […] which is very important during the winter months. Read more

Once a great hotel in Des Moines, it now needs some updating. The staff were nice, the buffet breakfast was fresh and good. Hallway carpets need to be replaced and just a few touch up things in the rooms. I would recommend this hotel to my friends.

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I selected this for proximity to sons' apt and our evening plans. Could not have been more pleased with easy check in, directions to and from locations, offers to help with parking and more. Room is older style but overall decent. Vents were the only thing I noticed needing a more thorough cleaning. No flat screen but I don't stay because of a TV! Bed […] was comfy enough. HUGE Closet- would have loved it for a longer stay. Downstairs atmosphere is worth walking into!! Read more

Staff was great! Big spacious room! Needed a little tune up on facilities, but it is one of the oldest hotels in Des Moines!

When I first entered the hotel I was optomistic until I opened up the door to my room. The bed was aweful, the heat difficult to regulate with the water radiatior, and we even had to call the front desk to get hot water for the shower and faucets. I have stayed at much better discount motels for a fraction of the cost. I would not waste your time or […] money staying at this hotel. Read more

.The lobby was beautiful,but that's about it.Our reservation said each room had a fridge & microwave.Ours didn't but both were sent to our room within 30 min.The towels in the bathroom were coming apart & ragged.The chair at the "executive" desk was worn thru on the arms.When I moved the TV to see it better,there was a thick layer of dust under it like […] it had never been cleaned.Also,the hotel TV guide showed several channels that were not avail. when I went to the channel..In looking out the window in the hallway to the street below,the window was rotted out with water damage & needed fixed or replaced soon.A brochure for the hotel mentioned the 60' indoor pool,spa,whirlpool,sauna,& exercise equip.on the penthouse level.None of them existed! When I inquired at the front desk,the young man grinned & said "Oh,that area's been closed for 2 years & won't be open for 2 more years".What ? It takes 4 yrs.to repair?The brochure also said there were 3 resturants on the premises.Of the 3,2 were closed the entire time we were there & the 3rd had a different name.This place not only needs to replace their brochure but downgrade to a 2-star hotel.Definitely not worth the price we paid. Read more

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This is an elegant "old lady". We enjoyed our stay - the staff was very friendly and helpful. The parking ramp was right across the street, and easily accessible. Across the street, also, is Panera's for a lovely breakfast before setting out on our adventures.

Beautiful hotel, that had seen it's better days. No CNN or BBC, fox was the only news channel. I think with some minor renevation (better bed linnen, flatscreen TV and so on) it could become a old fashioned classic 4 star hotel as Brown in Denver for example. It had one of the best Hotel restaurants I've been to I North America, good service and great […] prices. Read more

If you want a cookie cutter hotel then Hotel Ft. Des Moines is not for you ! The charm and elagance of the lobby is the first thing you will see and yes there is no 50 inch monitor extalling the hotel chain or pandering are car dealership . We had a 1 bedroom suite and it was clean and bright , comfy bed , and a small fridge and micro. The bathroom […] was right out of the 40s but clean and functional, one plus over other hotel chains was the fact that there was HOT water and the shower had presure what a nice feature. We attended an event at the civic center and it was a nice walk back to the hotel down walnut street , the resturant Django just off the lobby is a must try, never a disapointment ! Next door to the hotel is Racoon River Brewing company and a very relaxing establishment in the evening . My wife and I attend shows a few times a year and will be booking our future stays at the Hotel Ft. Des Moines . Read more

Hotel Fort DSM satisfied our need to be close to downtown. The historic building was a nice change from a normally typical hotel. Nothing fancy! History aside, the beds were lousy, lousy, lousy. The cleanliness of the room could have been stepped up a notch. Updates not necessary, but cleanliness needs attention. I could stay there again if I knew they […] changed out those lousy beds! Read more

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Nicely located in downtown area for business or special events. Problems, I checked in and later found out their pool/ sauna area was closed. Decided to go to their health club, it had 3 treadmills in small room. I read in their information book in my room they offer passes to YMCA down the street. When I went to desk to get one I was told they no longer […] offer passes and info book was outdated. For my visit I was disappointed, I will stay elsewhere on my next visit. Read more

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This place is in need of a serious renovation.

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Like the heading says, this hotel was OK. The Lobby is very neat and historic, but the rooms were just historic. Think the hotel was built in 1919 and has some of the old hotel charm, but the rooms need to be renovated along with the HVAC system. Room was clean, just outdated and the heating didn't have any controls, just a switch to open or close the […] airflow. Did eat at the Raccoon Brewing Co, just around the corner and it was outstanding. Hotel is Convenient located by several eateries and free parking in the parking lot next to the hotels on the weekends. Read more

We enjoyed our two night stay. Hotel Fort Des Moines was convenient for walking to the fantastic farmer's market, sculpture garden, new library...we kept the car parked and just kept walking. Some folks may grimace at the old style bedspread and TV, but the room was large, staff was friendly, elevator was fast, and we were told the restaurant in the […] building won awards for their burgers. The bathroom tile could have used some work, generally, for a place this age, they do a pretty good job. Read more

Not sure this wasn,t same suite we had 10 yrs. ago. Formica missing on sides of counters, very poor lighting in lounge are. We took our dessert to our room from Gjangos and there was nothing to put it on and no utinsels to eat it with - had to go back down to restaurant to get something. Disappointed; thought surroundings might have had more attention. […] We a staying always enjoyed staying here and loved the area. Read more

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I arrived in the city at 3pm and was suprised to find out that my room wouldn't be ready until 6pm . Some lattitude needs to be given due to the Iowa State Fair being held. Very close to restaurants and bars. The hotel was clean and my room was comfortable. My day was saved beacause the great city of Des Moines, IA has free parking in its garages on […] weekends and everything that Iwas looking for was in walking distance.(No sarcasm intended, I meant what I said!) Very good hotel, great city. Read more

Very professional and helpful staff at the front desk!

Overall the stay was very pleasant...staff were most helpful and the surroundings were homey. Would have been nice have had a pool..but I understood the hotel is in a renovating state. Thanks!

The hotel room was V ERY outdated. There was paint chipping from the walls. I would not stay at this hotel again.

A grand historic hotel. Well appointed. Nearby restaurants and brewery were outstanding. A great place to stay and eat with a perfect location for our needs.

Numerous disappointments concerning this hotel. Parking was an issue. There were signs in front of the hotel indicating "hotel parking" to the end of the street, to the left, and halfway down the next block. Parking in that ramp was $10 per night. Only after parking in this ramp and while waiting in line to check in did I learn, from overhearing the […] person in front of me, that the ramp directly behind the hotel offered free parking. So, after checking in, I paid the 1 hr rate at the 1st ramp and moved to the closer and free parking ramp which had an entrance directly to the hotel. The hotel was fairly clean, but definitely in need of renovation which after changing into swimsuits and heading to the pool area we were told is suppose to happen. When we tried to enter the pool area our key would not work so we asked the front desk if our card was bad and were informed for the first time since making the reservation or checking-in that the pool and spa and sauna were all closed for renovations. Our room was uncomfortably warm and very humid. There are no AC controls in the rooms, only a toggle switch that opens or closes a vent. Not the most pleasant on a hot summer afternoon. The room was lacking many of the features of other upscale hotels. No refrigerator. No ice bucket. Only 2 bars of soap. Very outdated decor and nothing outside of the building architecture itself that made me feel I was staying in anything other than a cheap roadside motel. Definitely not worth the price. I will not be staying there again anytime in the near future. Read more

The word "adequate" comes to mind because that is what the hotel is. The hotel is not spectacular on any level, but it appeared clean well-kept. The lounge was closed, and the service book in the room was out of date. The pool was also currently closed for renovation, although I knew that when I booked the room. Most hotels provide certain amenities […] free of charge to guests if forgotten--however, I was charged $1.00 for a comb. Since this was a "high class" hotel, I was somewhat perplexed. It is across the street from Panera, which made breakfast easy. It is also down the street from Raccoon River Brewing Company. The staff was courteous, although I did have to stand at the front desk for a minute while one clerk read his newspaper and the other was on his computer. I don't believe they being rude, but they should have been more aware of their surroundings and watching out for guests. The wireless internet did not work very well, but they provided a cord, so I was still able to access the internet. It was very quiet--one of the advantages of an older building is the thick walls. I slept quite soundly. All in all, my stay was adequate. I would recommend the hotel to someone who wants a safe and simple stay in downtown Des Moines. Read more

This is an old hotel. I stayed in June, and it has no individual heating or cooling -- just a strange slider thing on the wall to let in more or less of the vented air duct. The shower was about 1 foot wide and the curtain pleasantly stuck to me as I showered. However, the desk staff was friendly, and the place is generally clean. If you want a cheap […] place to stay downtown, this gets the job done. Read more

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Liked the location of the hotel in downtown and also the accessibility to the Skywalk. Very quiet and comfortable stay.

The interenet did not work and the person at the desk told me there was not much they could do, the pool area is still under remodeling and is closed, the air conditioning is horrible, and the walls are so thin you could hear the toilets flushing in the other rooms. The horrible excuse for air conditioninng is my biggest complaint.

There is something so charming about this hotel. It's kept clean. It's a little rundown, a little shabby. But I love the details... the black and white bathroom tiles, the defunct mail slots on each floor. The shabbiness in no way subtracts from it's charm. Although the pool was closed, as was the coffee shop and lounge (due to the season or the economy, […] I'm not sure which), I will continue to book at this hotel for future stays in Des Moines. If you are looking for a cookie cutter place to stay, go elsewhere. Leave this spot to those that will appreciate it. Read more

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Should have been renovated long ago, but reasonably clean room. Everything is way beyond its life expectancy, but I was told that renovation begins soon. Wait til it's done.