Econo Lodge Ankeny - Des Moines — Hotel in Ankeny

Stayed here last year for the fair and had a great experience so I decided to make reservations here again for this year. We did not have the same experience. I called 5 hours ahead of our arrival to let them know it would be a late check in. Upon arrival we approached the desk and proceeded to check in. First my mom and then my wife and I. The rooms were on different floors with my moms being on the 2nd floor. I offered our room to her, which was on the first floor, so she wouldn't have to take the elevator or stairs, but she declined. So I asked the receptionist if there were other rooms that we could be closer together. He told me they were full and no other rooms would be available. Take note of this as it will come into play later. So we took her to her room and then proceeded to ours. When we opened the door the lights were already on and there was a lite stench like it hadn't been cleaned. As I entered I noticed something unusual on the nightstand. It was a bag of opened donuts and half empty bottle of Mountain Dew. Confused, thinking we had somehow entered someone else's room. Nope, it was ours. So I went back to the receptionist and told them there was an issue. He came to our room, saw what I had mentioned, started to ask questions and take pictures while looking over other things in the room. He said he would call his manager and send her pictures. After their discussion he said he would call someone to clean the room. I asked how long that would be and he responded with it could be an hour. It was about 730pm at this point after I gave a 5 hour heads up. After debating a few minutes what we were going to do since we couldn't go to our room, the receptionist says I can call my manager to see if I can get you a discount. I said that would be nice since this is a bit of an inconvenience. So he calls the manager again. They talked for a bout 5 minutes and he says I can give you another room and a discount. (I thought they didn't have any more rooms???) I didn't approach that detail and just said ok, great! New room was nice and clean but had a slight musty smell. So your probably asking whats the big deal you got compensated for your trouble. This shouldnt be worth a review, but au contraire mon frère. Next day I check in with my Mom for our day of activity and she mentions that she has very limited TV channels. I was a little surprised by her statement as our TV was just fine, many channels. So I check, sure enough she had limited channels. On our way out I mention it to the receptionist and they said they would send the maintenance guy to check it out. Cool, no problem, we'll be gone most of the day. We return probably 8 hours later. I check the TV and it still had limited channels. As if it hadn't even been touched. I was a bit peeved at this point, but of dealing with the receptionist so I just sucked it up. On day 3 and 4 of our 4 day 5 night stay my wifes and my key stopped working and we had to go back to the front desk to have it reset. After awhile this all adds up. Staff is nice and the breakfast is one of the better ones, but we had a lot of inconveniences. This place is on the tipping point of becoming a dump if changes...

This was the hotel from hell worst one i have ever been to I had to change rooms three times and if every other hotel in the area wasn’t fully booked, I would’ve left. I was stuck there first room There were dirty shoes in the closet. The sheets has something to look like a little bit of blood or dirt sheets were dirty so I took it as the room hadn’t been cleaned. It had a smell head boards were greasy So I asked to switch rooms second room smell wasn’t bad. You could tell things weren’t wiped down. Headboards were greasy. It was white crusty stains on the head board and there were bugs in the sink two little itty bitty bugs that look like baby roaches or something so I went down there and I move again this time they look like they had attitude about me keep asking to move like it’s my fault that they keep giving me dirty rooms Move to room 3 It smells like a dog and it’s a big old spider on the wall white crusty stains on the chair I found a dead ant in the cover went to tell them once again they say oh their booked they cnt move me any more so I asked them to at least knock the spider down they tell me they don’t have housekeeping here right now so I say can yal do it they go to do it but acted as if I couldn’t come with them to my own room while they did it told me to stay downstairs which I did not wanted to be for sure they did it had to go buy cleaning supplies to clean and disinfect the room myself ended up checking out early due to me waking up with a bite on my stomach and later seeing a black spider in the room hospitality is horrible never apologized or offered any discount or free room Asked housekeeping could she take are trash She told me to go take it downstairs, came in one night around 11 when the pool is supposed to be closed and the whole damn staff is in the pool fully clothed so tht ruined me even thinking about swimming it smells funny on the elevator also the WiFi went out for a bit out of nowhere I don’t even see how this establishment is still standing also this is a family owned establishment they will not...

If you’re looking for a hotel that leaves a lasting impression, look no further! From the moment we stepped into the hallway and were greeted by what I can only describe as a ceiling-based science experiment, we knew this place was different. The ambiance? A delicate bouquet of Eau de Urine with subtle notes of despair. Truly unique. Our room was full of surprises! Ever seen modern art? Well, we had our own installation: a mysterious wall hole creatively disguised as an electrical panel. The ceiling even had its own Jackson Pollock-style red splatter masterpiece – talk about edgy décor! Bonus points for the thrill of playing “Will the Toilet Seat Stay On?” Spoiler alert: it didn’t. The hotel cleverly placed the coffee maker in the bathroom, which is perfect for those who enjoy the fresh aroma of toilet paper with their morning brew. It's all about efficiency, right? But wait, it’s not all adventure and tetanus risk — the breakfast was actually... good. Like, suspiciously good. We’re talking fluffy eggs, crispy bacon, and actual coffee that didn’t come from next to a toilet. All in all, if you want an experience that’s a little horror movie, a little escape room, and a whole lotta “what did we just live through,” this place is for you. Will I be back? Probably not. Will I tell people about it for the rest of my...