Residence Inn Des Moines Ankeny — Hotel in Ankeny

Absolutely Disgusting Experience at Residence Inn – Our Belongings Were STOLEN by an Employee and the Management DID NOTHING

I’ve never written a review like this, but what happened at Residence Inn was beyond unacceptable. We were staying at this hotel, and while we were out getting food, our room was cleaned. At first, we thought it was just routine housekeeping. Turns out, BRAD — one of the cleaners — STOLE from us. Yes, a hotel staff member stole from guests.

He took our phone charger, my expensive $200 cologne, and my Nike shorts. Grown man. Stealing cologne and clothing like it’s nothing. We reported this to the front desk, and all they offered was another night for free. That’s it. Like that somehow makes up for our stolen belongings?

We later spoke to another staff member who told us BRAD was the one on shift during that time. And when we saw him again, still working like nothing happened, we confronted him. He admitted to taking our stuff — no apology, no shame, just straight-up said he took it and had the nerve to say he’d bring it back the next day. Who wants their stolen, used stuff back from a thief? He had already taken it home. That’s disgusting.

When we asked him to come with us to talk to a manager, he refused. He was unbelievably rude and told us to go alone because he was “on the job.” On the job? You mean stealing from guests is part of the job now?

We asked him to at least reimburse us the $200 for the cologne, and he refused. We didn’t even push for the Nike shorts, even though those are worth a lot too. Just the bare minimum — and even that was too much to ask apparently.

The worst part? Management didn’t even seem to care. When we told them everything, they acted like it wasn’t a big deal. They didn’t fire him. They didn’t discipline him. They made us feel like the weird ones for being upset that someone stole from us. Zero accountability. Zero professionalism. Zero decency.

Hotels are supposed to have policies in place to protect guests’ belongings. If something is left behind, it should be turned in, not taken home by staff. What happened to us was a complete violation of trust, and Residence Inn let it slide like it was no big deal.

Absolutely sickening. Stay anywhere else. I wouldn’t trust this hotel with...

Hospitality NOT at its best with everyone at this hotel. Checked in Saturday night for a staycation! Girl at front desk was super sweet, easy check in, we had a great night! Here’s the NOT great part… wake up to the free breakfast ready to make my waffles and an employee that was managing the breakfast yells in a very demeaning manner to use a cup for the batter- “ok sorry, I didn’t know” I say, he goes “you don’t need to have an attitude” I snapped… everyone’s breakfast morning ruined by him and I arguing back and fourth- he would not stop until I walked away looking for a manager. No manager on site, Brad heard me out and found me the manager. Spoke to the manager and all he said was that he would talk to the employee- yea sure! Barely any food stocked, the food I did get had a hair in it- same employee is slamming around garbage bags, slamming the doors, just a terrible experience!! You would think this is all my troubles for one morning… I go back up to our room to get packed to leave and I get a knock on the door at 11:10am (checkout is at 12) asking us what time we are planning to head out- like Wth?????? Leave me the hell alone!!!! We will not be staying with this facility ever again! I’ll sleep in my car for a staycation in my driveway before I ever stay here again. There are several hotels in the area-No one should be treated this way and I am very disappointed that it’s being swept under the rug!! If you don’t like what you do, go find something else that you love, because this is...

Will never stay here again. Housekeeping never came to our room in a whole week despite multiple trips to the front desk to request AND THEY LIED ABOUT IT ON THEIR REPORTS, air conditioning was broken and maintenance never showed up, we were lied to that no rooms were available on floor 3 or 4 then suddenly one was available when housekeeping never showed, no shower doors so water gets all over the bathroom floor (and no provided bath mats) and no fan or open windows so the whole thing fogs up and overheats, one of the worst free breakfasts I've had at a hotel even for this category of hotels (things were never restocked, small sad pastries, poor quality hot food, EXTREMELY limited options), the hallway to the pool literally smelled like sewer, the lobby was unusable as they allowed people to camp out ALL DAY and have business team meetings and loud zoom calls, the "shop" for snacks and such was wiped out when we arrived and never replenished, the ice machine in the room has no shut off switch and runs loudly all night, and there was a tip envelope with a guilt tripping poem about leaving money for housekeeping-THAT DOES NOT EVEN SHOW UP!!!! Would literally never stay here again and will be trying the Tru next door next time we have to come to this area to see family. Don't stay here unless you want below average cleanliness and service. Only decent thing...