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Sonesta Essential Ames

2.0 star property

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Photo gallery for Sonesta Essential Ames

Exterior
Room, 2 Queen Beds | Desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board
Desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board
Indoor pool
Desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Gym
  • Pet-friendly
  • Laundry
  • Parking included

Explore the area

View in a map
1400 S Dayton Place, Ames, IA, 50010
  • Main Street Cultural District
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Jack Trice Stadium
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Iowa State University
    ‪7 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds

Desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Room, 2 Queen Beds

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

Desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower

Desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

Desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed

Desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Room, 1 King Bed

7.8 out of 10
Good
(9 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed

Desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains, iron/ironing board

Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed

  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Single Sofa Bed

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About this property

Sonesta Essential Ames

Family-friendly hotel with free breakfast and 24-hour fitness centre
This smoke-free hotel features an indoor pool, a 24-hour fitness centre and a 24-hour business centre. Free continental breakfast, free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, coffee/tea in a common area, a business centre and laundry facilities are on-site.
Sonesta Essential Ames offers 75 accommodations with video game consoles and coffee/tea makers. 50-inch LED televisions come with cable channels. Bathrooms include complimentary toiletries and hairdryers.

This Ames hotel provides complimentary wireless Internet access. Business-friendly amenities include desks and desk chairs, as well as telephones; local and long-distance calls are complimentary (restrictions may apply). Additionally, rooms include an iron/ironing board and blackout curtains. Housekeeping is provided on a daily basis.

Recreational amenities at the hotel include an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness centre.

Children aged under 14 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool without adult supervision.

Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the helpful staff at Sonesta Essential Ames. During your stay, you'll be close to Iowa State University. Features include free breakfast, free WiFi in public areas and free self-parking.
  • Free continental breakfast served daily
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self-parking
  • Take a swim in the indoor pool
  • Amenities include a 24-hour business centre, laundry facilities and a lift
  • On-site recreation includes a 24-hour gym
  • Guests speak favourably about the clean guestrooms and the overall condition of the property
  • Just a 4-minute drive from Cinemark Ames Movies 12 and a few minutes from Ames Dog Park
  • Cats and dogs welcome for a fee (restrictions apply)
Sonesta Essential Ames offers its guests an indoor pool and a 24-hour fitness centre. WiFi is free in public spaces. There's an onsite 24-hour business centre. Free breakfast is available daily. The family-friendly Sonesta Essential Ames also features a vending machine, coffee/tea in common area, and laundry facilities. Free self parking is available.

This Ames hotel is smoke free.

Guests are served a free continental breakfast daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Free self parking on site
  • RV/bus/lorry parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available daily 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Things to do

  • 24-hour gym
  • Books
  • Indoor pool
  • TV in common areas

Family friendly

  • In-room microwave
  • Indoor pool
  • Laundry facilities
  • Mini-fridge

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • Laundry facilities
  • Vending machine

Guest services

  • Housekeeping (daily)

Business services

  • 24-hour business centre

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel

More

  • 1 building
  • 2 floors
  • Built in 1996
  • Smoke-free property

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • 50-inch LED TV with cable channels
  • Video game console

Food and drink

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Microwave
  • Mini-fridge

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Connecting rooms available
  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Free local calls
  • Free long-distance calls
  • Heating
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Laptop workspace
  • Phone

Policies

Check-in

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; check-in end time: 4:00 AM
Late check-in subject to availability
Minimum check-in age - 18

Check-out

Check-out before 11 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
If you are planning to arrive after 8:00 PM please contact the property in advance using the information on the booking confirmation

Access methods

Staffed front desk

Pets

  • Pets: USD 15 per pet, per night (maximum USD 105 per stay)
  • Only dogs and cats are allowed
  • Maximum 2 (weight limit: 80 lb per pet)
  • Pets cannot be left unattended
  • Restrictions apply
  • For more information, you can reach out to the property at the number on the booking confirmation
    • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Up to 3 children 18 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 10.00 per day.
  • Cots (infant beds) are not available.

Payment types at the property

Important information

Fees

Guests will be asked to pay the following charges at the property:

  • Deposit: USD 100 per accommodation, per stay

We've listed all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Pet fee: USD 15 per pet, per night (maximum USD105 per stay)
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 10.00 per day

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards, debit cards and cash
Please note that cultural norms and guest policies may differ by country and by property; the policies listed are provided by the property
Guests arriving after 8:00 PM must make advance arrangements by contacting the property using the information on the booking confirmation. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property.
Daily housekeeping is included for stays of 6 nights or less. Limited housekeeping is provided for stays of 7 nights or more.
Pets must be declared at check-in. Guests bringing 1 pet will not be charged pet fees. The listed pet fee in the Fees section applies only if guests bring 2 or more pets. Pets must be leashed in public areas of the property. Guests are expected to clean up after their pet.

We should mention

  • Up to 3 children aged 18 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • Connecting/adjoining rooms are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property at the number on your booking confirmation.
  • To make arrangements to bring your pet, contact the property directly at the number on your booking confirmation (please see the Fees section for related charges).
  • This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).

Property is also known as

Hampton Inn Ames Hotel
Red Roof Inn Ames Hotel
Hampton Inn Hotel Ames
Hampton Inn Ames Iowa
Ames Hampton Inn
Red Roof Inn Ames
Sonesta Essential Ames Ames
Sonesta Essential Ames Hotel
Sonesta Essential Ames Hotel Ames

Sonesta Essential Ames Reviews

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 316 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 341 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 197 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 93 out of 1006 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 59 out of 1006 reviews

7.6/10

Cleanliness

8.4/10

Staff & service

7.4/10

Amenities

7.2/10

Property conditions & facilities

7.4/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Michelle

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Lindsey

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities
It was a budget hotel. It met that standard, but was nothing great.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

4/10 Poor

J.C.

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort

ok but no more

tv didn't work , had to come fix it , loud exhaust fan ran constantly,, all the time ,,, continental breakfast ok not great
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

2/10 Terrible

Sonia

Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Its old and outdated, they dont even change the sheets (or they dont wash them properly) there was black mold in the shower and some lamps , its not clean at all
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Mary

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
It was fine; clean, spacious. Not fancy but good value.
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Graduation Visit

The bathrooms need bigger towels.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Room comfort

Exactly what I paid for

It was no frills, nice place to stay. No hot tub, but had a pool. Breakfast was standard, but no diabetic options whatsoever, and when hotel emptied out after graduation, next day most of the good items at breakfast were no longer available, and I was told breakfast is dependent on how many people are staying in the Inn. Family run, and cleaned, so staff was very nice and helpful. Felt warm and friendly inside, air con worked great. For the price, it was a good deal, but don't expect anything extra. Lastly, it is a bit far from campus but se 16th st runs straight to the stadiums, which makes it an easy drive and convenient. We would stay here again.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

4/10 Poor

Laura

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
I did have high expectations coming into an old hotel that had not been updated on decades. Just expected a clean room and a somewhat comfy. When we were checking in a couple people interrupted us and told the manager that they needed their pull out bed sheets changed since there was blood on sheet and it looked like the sheet was washed in dirty water. Manager said he would take care of it. We continued to room. Ours was fine. Clean bed. No shampoo though. No biggie. I’m the 2nd room we pulled back sheets and
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Stephanie, Rogers

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Clean but needs updates throughout. Beds should be the first to be replaced
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

6/10 Okay

Danielle

Liked: Cleanliness
When i asked for a receipt after my stay the guy at the desk wasn't going to give me one. It took a bit for me to get one from him and found out the room was actually more expensive through expedia then it would have been on site. There was an empty bottle of shampoo in our room. The breakfast didnt have a lot to offer. There was mold in the tub
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Philip

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

8/10 Good

Laetitia

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Myleka

Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer

Travelled with family
Quiet and friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025

2/10 Terrible

Nate

Travelled with group
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Got in the building and could tell it was under a remodel. Got to the room and there were burn holes in sheets and hairs all over on both mattresses. Did not sleep at this hotel
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Louis

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tyler

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Tony

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Quiet
Stayed 4 nights in Jan 2025

8/10 Good

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort

Place to stay

Its a place to stay with your dogs.
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Renee

Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stacy

Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

2/10 Terrible

Shauna

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Not good! Stuff didn’t work and was broken and bugs
Stayed 1 night in Dec 2024

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris

Exccellent
Stayed 1 night in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Chris

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Exxcellent service nice clean room. Recomend greatly
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024