Des Moines Marriott Downtown — Hotel in Des Moines

To start with, I stayed here for a work conference the same weekend as Des Moines Pride 2022. There were other events happening this weekend as well so that may color the overall reason for my rating.

First impression of the building was clean and popular. I opted to use the valet service as the conference I was attending covered the cost of parking and the room. As I walked in, I was greeted by an attendant at the front counter that asked if I needed checked in. To my left was a large group of people enjoying themselves at the bar that occupies about half of the first floor.

Once up, getting to my room was simple as there's only one hallway and the elevator bay splits it. My room was nice (pictures attached) and had all of the basic needs covered. I was given a handicap room so it was extremely spacious (great for a workout). The bed was extra firm which isn't a problem for a bigger guy like me, but might be for a smaller person. The desk had ample space for me to work during breaks in the conference. The shower came with shampoo, conditioner, and body soap, all of which I used (despite bringing my own) that left me feeling clean, especially after a day of volunteering and walking where I came back nearly drenched in sweat. The only things I miss are the little niceties like a towel rack next to the sink for hand towels, a towel rack next to the shower so I don't leave a trail of water behind as I retrieve one, or a microwave to heat up leftovers. There is a mini refrigerator in the room under the desk and TV mounted above the desk (neither of which I used).

The conference was held in the hotel's conference rooms which were large, bright, and clean. The rooms also allowed for catering and even the small spills I saw from other attendees didn't seem to leave any marks. I ate breakfast at the in-house restaurant and lunch at their to-go eatery. Breakfast was standard continental faire, which surprised me being that it was $18. On the other hand, the to-go food was a more rational price and the value matched the price.

The building has a pool and gym. I did not use the pool, but I did use the gym. The cardio equipment all seemed to be in working condition, but one of the pulleys on the cable machine would catch when I used it so I moved onto another machine. The other machines didn't seem to have any problems either. The dumbbells in the facility go up to 50lb and they have two...

This is my second work trip here in two months.

The first trip, they assigned me to room 2704, where the furniture had holes in it and the phone did not work. I went to the front desk, they put me in room 2901, where the rest of my stay was decent, outside of the front desk staff treating me as if I was a child. The slow talking, the subtleties. It was apparent from their behavior they either thought I was a danger or they thought I was not their equal. I ignored it.

I am in the middle of my second stay, here. The room they assigned me when I arrived? 2704. The hole in the furniture, still there. The phone was working this time. So I asked to be moved to a different room. They assigned me to 2803. When I say this is the most horrible stay I have had in a hotel. Every single door that opens and closes I can hear. When people flush their toilets, I can hear it. When others inside of their rooms are speaking at a slightly elevated tone, I can hear. Someone slides a chair, I can hear it. I have had no sleep since I have been here. I am exhausted and all I want to do this morning is cry because I have a client meeting today and last night was the worst. I try my hardest to overlook things because I never want that “angry” label, but I’m exhausted. I won’t be staying here on any other work trips. The Hilton isn’t too far and there is a boutique hotel which was recommended to me yesterday by a co-worker.

I used to work in hospitality. I thought this was outdated by now, but maybe not, here? Certain rooms were always given to certain people. It’s so...

I stayed March 2nd-6th 2022, and was at the hotel for the Winterset EF-4 Tornado. The only, only areas I can complain are minor annoyances with the emergency protocol. When the general tornado warning was issued from the National Weather Service I asked the front desk staff if or where the tornado shelter is. I was told any one of the first three floors would be safe, and if I was worried they suggested one of the conference rooms on the second or third floor. Was assured that as a local that this happens all the time, and not to be worried. That's fine, but the storm was tracking straight towards the hotel when the warning was issued but ended up tracking south overall. When the hotel finally sounded their internal alarm advising guests to shelter in the Rockford Grill on the second floor I was (perhaps unjustly) annoyed this wasn't conveyed to me earlier. There was one truly amazing staff member (not the front desk staff member I talked to previously) that was especially communicative and responsive to questions while we were in the Rockford Grill but didn't have all of the answers (understandable).

I wish the Rockford Grill had a sign saying it was the designated tornado shelter, or that (and I admit this will be received as unrealistic) the staff had access to questions (i.e. not know off the top of their head but could look up) such as what the tornado warning protocol is, or what the wind rating of the structure is.

Otherwise - extremely clean facility, extremely friendly staff, overall it was...