The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Des Moines

Where to Stay on Your First Trip to Des Moines

If it's your first trip to Des Moines, Iowa for the activities and sightseeing, then you're in for a treat. But the biggest question is often where to stay for a first time visitor to Des Moines. With so many amazing hotels to choose from, it can be tough to make a decision to make the most of your first trip here. That's where we come in! In this comprehensive guide, we'll help you find the best hotels for first-timers in Des Moines. After analyzing all of the hotels based on price, location, amenities, ratings, and more, we have come up with our list of the best hotels in Des Moines for first time visitors. We'll cover everything you need to know about these hotels, including the amenities, location, prices and ratings. So, whether you're traveling solo, with family, or as a couple on a romantic getaway, you'll find the perfect hotel if you've never visited Des Moines beofre. So check out these terrific hotels, many of which have sparkling swimming pools, delicious restaurants, and top-notch amenities, along with the perfect balance of comfort, location, and affordability. So, let's get to it and discover the best hotels in Des Moines for your first trip!

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $132 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.

Located at 401 Locust Street, Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel has great rooms from $132 (before taxes). It offers room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and parking. It has a terrific 8.50 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only 1.2 miles from the city center, first time visitors will especially love a kid-friendly buffet, laundry services, golf, city views, and a hot tub at this relaxing hotel. Nothing says relaxation like having room service delivered. The price of this hotel is less than average for first time trip hotels, which makes it a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Parking
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Bicycle rental
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator


Des Moines Marriott Downtown

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $132 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Des Moines
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • Family-Friendly

A great place to stay is Des Moines Marriott Downtown which has nice rooms starting at $132. Offering room service, a casino, a restaurant, a fitness center, and a bar, it also has a great guest rating of 8.60 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 700 Grand Ave. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers parking, hiking, laundry services, city views, and an indoor pool which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 1.3 miles from the city center. The restaurant serves delicious food, too. It's also less than the average price for first time trip hotels, so it's a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Indoor pool
  • Horse riding
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Casino
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Hiking
  • Laundry service
  • Bicycle rental
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator


The Rewind West Des Moines Tapestry Collection by Hilton

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $151 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 4-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

We found The Rewind West Des Moines Tapestry Collection by Hilton to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $151. We loved that is has room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and laundry services, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 9.10 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at 6075 Mills Civic Parkway. You'll also find city views, a hot tub, an indoor pool, free parking, and kids meals which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just 9.8 miles from the center of town. Having a hot tub at this hotel is also a nice splurge.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator
  • Breakfast in the room


Hilton Garden Inn Des Moines/Urbandale

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $119 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Des Moines
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

With terrific rooms from $119, Hilton Garden Inn Des Moines/Urbandale, at 8600 Northpark Drive provides room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and laundry services. Its terrific guest rating is 8.70 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers pet-friendly rooms, a hot tub, an indoor pool, free parking, and laundry facilities. It's located just 7.6 miles from the city center, too. The indoor pool here is terrific, and makes for a great place to relax and have fun no matter what the weather is like. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Indoor pool
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Hilton Des Moines Downtown

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $164 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers

Hilton Des Moines Downtown has a great guest rating of 8.60 out of 10, and offers room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and parking. The great rooms here start at $164 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at 435 Park Street. Furthermore, it also offers laundry services, city views, an indoor pool, laundry facilities, and a free airport shuttle, which is nice for first time visitors. Just 1 miles from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Hampton Inn Des Moines-Airport

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $118 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Des Moines
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • Heated pool

The great guest rating of Hampton Inn Des Moines-Airport is 8.50 out of 10. This place has an outdoor pool, room service, a fitness center, breakfast, and laundry services. Prices for the terrific rooms are from $118, and it's located at 5001 Fleur Drive. We also love the a free breakfast, pet-friendly rooms, free parking, bicycle rental, and a free airport shuttle which are great for visitors. And since it's just 4.6 miles from the center of the town, the location is great, too. You'll love relaxing in the heated pool after a busy day exploring. The price of this hotel is less than average for first time trip hotels, which makes it a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Outdoor pool
  • Room service
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Heated pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Saltwater pool


Des Lux Hotel

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $197 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

A cool place is Des Lux Hotel because it has great rooms that start at $197. It has a casino, a fitness center, a bar, parking, and breakfast, it also earned a great guest rating of 9.40 out of 10 from people who have stayed here before. It's found at 800 West Locust Street. Only 1.4 miles from the city center, travelers will especially love laundry services, a free breakfast, a spa, laundry facilities, and a free airport shuttle at this convenient hotel.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Parking
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Spa
More Great Amenities
  • Casino
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service


Hotel Renovo Des Moines

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $153 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Hotel Renovo Des Moines offers room service, a restaurant, a bar, parking, and laundry services which we really like. The terrific rooms here start at $153 (before taxes). It's located at 11167 Hickman Rd. And has earned a guest rating of 9.30/10. This fun hotel is also nice because it offers an indoor pool, laundry facilities, a free airport shuttle, a 24-hour desk, and a refrigerator which new visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 8.5 miles from the city center.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Refrigerator


Doubletree Des Moines Airport

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $107 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Des Moines
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Located at 6800 Fleur Drive, Doubletree Des Moines Airport has great rooms from $107 (before taxes). It offers room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and a kid-friendly buffet. It has a terrific 9.10 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. You'll also find laundry services, golf, an indoor pool, bowling, and free parking which first time visitors will love. And this amazing hotel is just 5.8 miles from the center of town. It's a great value, as the price is less than the average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Breakfast in the room


Baymont by Wyndham Des Moines Airport Hotel

2-star Hotel with prices starting at $100 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 2-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Heated pool

A great place to stay is Baymont by Wyndham Des Moines Airport Hotel which has nice rooms starting at $100. Offering a fitness center, parking, breakfast, rooms with kitchenettes, and golf, it also has a great guest rating of 9.10 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 6221 S.W Army Post Road. Visitors will really like this fantastic hotel which also offers a free breakfast, a hot tub, a game room, an indoor pool, and a pool table. It's located just 7 miles from the city center, too. Having a kitchenette is a nice way for you to have some meals in the room, too. We found the price of this hotel to be a great value because the price is less than average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Parking
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Kitchenette
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Family rooms
  • Heated pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Also, take a look at the First Time Trip hotels in nearby destinations: Ames, Ankeny, and Altoona.

For more terrific hotel ideas in Des Moines, make sure you also see Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Des Moines, Best Hotels for a Weekend Getaway in Des Moines, Best Hotels for One Week in Des Moines, Best Hotels for One Night in Des Moines, Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Des Moines, or Best Business Hotels in Des Moines.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Des Moines?

Des Moines Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$137

After analyzing 42 first time trip hotels in Des Moines, Iowa, we found the average first time trip hotel price to be a remarkably economical $137. Naturally, this destination has many fantastic first time trip accommodation options with a variety of prices. The price will vary by the hotel's amenities, available dates, and the general location. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Des Moines.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 4-star hotels: $152
  • 3-star hotels: $144
  • 2-star hotels: $123


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