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Sonesta Essential Ames

2.0 star property
Family-friendly hotel with free breakfast and a 24-hour fitness center

Choose dates to view prices

Photo gallery for Sonesta Essential Ames

Exterior
Desk, laptop workspace, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board
Desk, laptop workspace, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board
Room, 2 Queen Beds | Desk, laptop workspace, blackout drapes, iron/ironing board
Indoor pool
Located near Iowa State University, Red Roof Inn Ames offers a warm welcome with continental breakfast, a 24-hour gym to stay active and in-room WiFi for staying connected. Guests have appreciated the helpful staff during their stay.

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Gym
  • Pool
  • Pet friendly
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping
The current price is NT$1,987
NT$2,226 total
includes taxes & fees
Sep 7 - Sep 8

Room options

Available filters for rooms
Showing 6 of 6 rooms

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds

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

Room, 2 Queen Beds

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Connecting rooms available
Mini-fridge
HDTV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Hair dryer
Microwave
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

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

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Connecting rooms available
Mini-fridge
HDTV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Hair dryer
Microwave
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

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

Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Connecting rooms available
Mini-fridge
HDTV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Hair dryer
Microwave
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

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

Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Connecting rooms available
Mini-fridge
HDTV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Hair dryer
Microwave
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed

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

Room, 1 King Bed

7.8 out of 10
Good
(8 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Connecting rooms available
Mini-fridge
HDTV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Hair dryer
Microwave
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

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

Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Connecting rooms available
Mini-fridge
HDTV
Blackout drapes/curtains
Hair dryer
Microwave
  • Sleeps 4
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed
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About the neighborhood

Map
1400 S Dayton Place, Ames, IA, 50010

What's nearby

  • Main Street Cultural District - 5 min drive - 4.2 km
  • Reiman Gardens - 5 min drive - 7.3 km
  • Jack Trice Stadium - 6 min drive - 5.6 km
  • Iowa State University - 7 min drive - 7.0 km
  • Stephens Auditorium - 7 min drive - 8.3 km

Getting around

  • Des Moines International Airport (DSM) - 43 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Panera Bread - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬4 min drive

About this property

Sonesta Essential Ames

Family-friendly hotel near Iowa State University
Consider a stay at Sonesta Essential Ames and take advantage of free continental breakfast, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour gym. Free in-room WiFi and a 24-hour business center are available to all guests.
Other perks at this hotel include:
  • An indoor pool
  • Free self parking
  • RV/bus/truck parking, a vending machine, and coffee/tea in the lobby
  • Books, a 24-hour front desk, and smoke-free premises
  • Guest reviews speak highly of the helpful staff
Room features
All 75 rooms feature comforts such as laptop-friendly workspaces and air conditioning, as well as thoughtful touches like free WiFi and desk chairs. Guest reviews speak well of the clean rooms at the property.
Extra conveniences in all rooms include:
  • Free toiletries and hair dryers
  • 50-inch HDTVs with cable channels
  • Mini fridges, microwaves, and video-game consoles

Languages

English, French, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site
  • RV/bus/truck 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 center

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
  • Elevator
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel

More

  • 1 building
  • 2 floors
  • Built in 1996
  • Smoking not allowed

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 available

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 allowed for an extra charge of USD 15 per pet, per night (maximum USD 105 per stay)
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
2 total (up to 80 lbs per pet)
Pets cannot be left unattended
Restrictions apply; for more information contact the property at the number on the booking confirmation

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
3 children, up to the age of 18 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Rollaway/extra beds are available for USD 10.00 per day
Cribs (infant beds) are not available

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • Deposit: USD 100 per accommodation, per stay

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Pet fee: USD 15 per pet, per night (maximum USD 105 per stay)
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Rollaway bed fee: USD 10.00 per day

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

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
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

The property has connecting/adjoining rooms, which are subject to availability and can be requested by contacting the property using the number on the booking confirmation
Children under 14 years old are not allowed in the swimming pool without adult supervision
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

Frequently asked questions

Does Sonesta Essential Ames have a pool?

Yes, this property has an indoor pool.

How much does it cost to stay at Sonesta Essential Ames?

As of 2025/8/23, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Sonesta Essential Ames on 2025/9/7 start from NT$1,987, excluding taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

Is Sonesta Essential Ames pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 80 lbs per pet. There's a fee of USD 15 per pet, per night. Service animals are exempt from fees.

How much is parking at Sonesta Essential Ames?

Self parking is free at this property.

What time is check-in at Sonesta Essential Ames?

Check-in start time: 3:00 PM; Check-in end time: 4:00 AM. Late check-in is available during limited hours.

What time is check-out at Sonesta Essential Ames?

Check-out is at 11 AM.

Where is Sonesta Essential Ames located?

This family-friendly Ames hotel is located in a rural location, within 3 mi (5 km) of Cinemark Ames Movies 12, Main Street Cultural District and Ames Dog Park. Octagon Center for the Arts is 2.6 mi (4.3 km) away.

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Sonesta Essential Ames Reviews

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 315 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 341 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 196 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 92 out of 1003 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 59 out of 1003 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

Crystal

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Staff was extremely friendly. They are in the process of making upgrades to the property. Could be cleaner but not bad when your on a budget and for a quick stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Elizabeth

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very nice for the price. Safe and quiet. Easy to get around town.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Matt

Liked: Staff & service
Cheapest place in town
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

William

Front desk person was helpful. Cleaning ladies were nice.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Tracie

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
hotel was clean and comfortable. Decent breakfast. only problem we had was when we got to hotel they were redoing parking lot and the work crew swore at us because we wanted to get into parking lot so we could check in through the front door as I am disabled and didnt want to walk through the entire building from the back.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Angelica

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, amenities
Everything was just okay
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

Jeanne

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
First room we checked into had a moldy lampshade and mold on the bathroom wall.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Cheyenne

Liked: Staff & service
The beds were terrible, really springy and hard to sleep on. The hallway was super noisy with people yelling and running down the hallways. The staff were super kind.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kathryn

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Very clean and fresh aroma throughout Caretakers were visible in various areas which was a good feeling. Very friendly smiles and pleasant atmosphere. Have family n the area so will definitely stay again. Reasonably prices
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Suzanne

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
It was overall a nice place to stay. Had an odd smell in hallways but was very clean. Not much protein choices for breakfast.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Claude

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The place was very clean and I think it was worth the price in the area. If I'm ever back in the area I will definitely check availability.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

2/10 Terrible

Nickie

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
The least pleasant hotel stay I have ever had.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diane

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The rooms were clean and neat. I like the "no carpet" rooms. They feel cleaner. The water was hot and i liked having a refrigerator in my room. The breakfast was good and the people were friendly
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Liz

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Wish the gym was better, everything else was good overall.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Olga

Liked: Staff & service
Definately a budget hotel. Our bed was creeky, haven't had that in a hotel in a while! There was also a lot of noise from the parking lot outside. It was August but people were grillling and yelling out there at 11 pm. Nothing horrible, nothing great. It was inexpensive.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Jennifer

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Love the hard floor, they are more sanitized than carpets.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Franz

Nice clean cheap
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

ana

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
I like it.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

2/10 Terrible

christina

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness
I would not recommend this hotel nor book it Thur Expedia
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

6/10 Okay

Marco

TV was not working. Otherwise
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Booking and check-in were hassle free. Anything I needed staff was immediately ready to assist. Quiet and close to good food and gas stations only about 5 minutes away from anything else you might need. Close to the highway. And great rates. Clean rooms and pet friendly.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

8/10 Good

Michael

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Pool looked good. Nice to have vending machines with a unique variety - including chocolate milk and strawberry milk.
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

4/10 Poor

Jordan

Disliked: Staff & service
For the price, this is a good hotel. My issue is that they checked a guest into our room and gave the guest a key. At midnight or so, we were awoken by someone coming into our room--obviously scared both parties. Management did very little to address this.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dung

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Good
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Jack

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Convenient. A little dirty
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025