Hotels Near Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden in Des Moines

We had an amazing experience from the minute we walked in the door. We had been playing since April and traveling most of July with our daughter’s basketball program and this was our last stop. The staff was so accommodating and helpful. They offered us shuttle service, help with our luggage and tips for what to do around town. And that was just within the first few minutes. The hotel is beautifully renovated and in a great location. I highly recommend staying here and can’t wait until we can come back. Thank you for the hospitality!

No itemized receipt. The hotel just charges whatever they want and you have no idea for what. Cash less amenities bar, anyone can charge to any room without verification. Pretty sure unless there's a $120 charge for nothing, I paid for someone else's stuff.

When we arrived we had sand in our bed, no big deal, could’ve just been from someone setting something on the bed. We told front desk and got new sheets and blankets. We later got walked in on while getting ready in our room by other guests who were given a room that we were already in. Guests were sorry and went down to get a new room, front desk agent apologized and got us new keys and free breakfast. They told us that night when we got new sheets to tell management in the morning about the sand so we could inform them. We did just that and were told no managers were around so they took a note for them and told housekeeping over the radio what happened. When we walked upstairs, housekeeping was now in our room, with our do not disturb sign up looking for the sand. We walked in and they asked us immediately where the sand was, we said we changed out the sheets before bed and the old were on the floor. Head of housekeeping (as confined by front desk) very rudely told us that that wouldn’t have happened and that they change the sheets before housekeeping even cleans the rooms. We told them that we wouldn’t just make that up and she picked up the sheets and left. We talked to the front desk again as her attitude and her telling us that that didn’t happened was the last straw. Incidents happen and none of it was ideal but when someone in a higher role is not even close to as helpful or friendly as all the front desk agents have been our whole stay, that’s where the real problem is. I have never had that kind of a dreadful experience with any other business ever. If it weren’t for her, I really think this would have been a great stay.

What a great stay! I was told the hotel is five years old, but it looks brand new. Kudos to the maintenance and cleaning staff. Kiki at the front desk made my check-in fast and simple and went above and beyond for me when I called in from the road. Ny was also very friendly and helpful. We will look to stay here again.

When picking up the plane, the hotel asked me to take a taxi from the airport, the hotel paid the money, when the plane was delivered, the hotel staff drove it by themselves and the service was very good. The hotel is in the city, but because it is a big winter, it is cold outside, the river is frozen, the road is frozen, so there is almost no outdoor activity, just walked down SKYWALK, an indoor passage connecting many buildings in the city. There is also heating inside, and the city is small.

We stayed here for 2 nights over a weekend, and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. It seemed to be a newer hotel, and everything was clean and modern. The rooms were bigger than I realized, and we had a good experience all around. The pool was closed, and breakfast was limited due to Covid, but that’s understandable. The hotel staff we interacted with were great. Anna at the front desk went of our way to solve a minor problem for us. A couple of small negatives were I felt the walls were “thin”, and the parking situation wasn’t ideal with having to pay for the garage (didn’t wish to use a meter on the street). If you’re a light sleeper, I’d ask for a room on the back side of the hotel. There’s no view, but for me, I’d much prefer quiet. But overall I’ll definitely stay here again if we are ever in town.

Chose this hotel due to convenient location to State Capitol and activities. Read reviews that said it was quiet but that depends on the room you get. We were in a 'special' corner (larger, tall windows and great view of capitol) on the Northeast corner off of Grand Avenue. Unfortunately, the traffic was LOUD for a Sunday night with people drag racing up and down Grand Avenue. AND, there is a restaurant/bar next door (COA) that was playing very loud music/bass. At 11:30pm it was still going and we called the front desk. Apparently they keep the music going until 2am and sometimes later, even though the noise ordinance is much earlier. The front desk staff seemed frustrated by this as well so we weren't the first to complain and they've asked them to stop the music and they refuse. Luckily, the awesome guy working the front desk was able to move us to a smaller but MUCH quieter southwest room that was higher up and the difference was shocking. So if you want to sleep, do not choose a room on the road/east side near the COA bar. Also, underground parking is $30/day, but there is a parking garage across the street that was only $10/day and still convenient. The onsite breakfast was ok, but at $14/person, we only ate there once. This all aside, the staff was AMAZING and accommodated our request for an late checkout, very friendly and the rooms were clean and comfortable. The onsite restaurant/bar The Republic had great drinks, a nice relaxing atmosphere and very good food. The hotel was walkable to many spots we wanted to visit and the river front was fun to explore. We walked to the Iowa Taproom, RoCa, State Capitol ad there is great coffee just around the corner. Being from Des Moines, it was nice to get to know a different part of the city.