10 Best Motels in Des Moines: Find Cheap Motels in Des Moines, IA 2026

Q: What are the best motels in Des Moines?

Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA : Stay within a quick 2-minute drive of Jordan Creek Town Center. Enjoy access to the snack bar/deli, and freebies including WiFi and parking. Motel 6 Des Moines, IA - North : Free WiFi, free parking, and a snack bar/deli are available during your stay. It's located within a 10-minute drive of Casey's Center and Adventureland. Studio 6 Altoona, IA - Des Moines East : Enjoy the in-room kitchenette, and freebies including WiFi and parking. Stay within a quick 3-minute drive of Adventureland. Motel 6 Altoona, IA - Des Moines East : It's located within a quick 3-minute drive of Adventureland. A snack bar/deli along with freebies like WiFi, parking, and a casino shuttle are available during your stay. Cozy Rest Motel : Stay within a 10-minute drive of Casey's Center and Drake University. Enjoy access to the 24-hour front desk, and freebies including WiFi and parking.

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Our top choices for Des Moines motels

1. Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA

West Des Moines

Scott

AED 234 total

includes taxes & fees

29 Aug - 30 Aug

Standard Room | Iron/ironing board, WiFi (free)

2. Cozy Rest Motel

Indianola Hills

Tabatha

AED 286 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Sep - 9 Sep

3. Motel 6 Altoona, IA - Des Moines East

Altoona

Don

AED 248 total

includes taxes & fees

2 Sep - 3 Sep

Standard Room, 1 Queen Bed, Non Smoking, Kitchenette | Private kitchenette | Full-size fridge, microwave, stovetop, toaster

4. Studio 6 Altoona, IA - Des Moines East

Altoona

Patricia

AED 251 total

includes taxes & fees

2 Sep - 3 Sep

King Room, Non-Smoking | Desk, WiFi (free), bed sheets

5. Palace Inn

Saylorville

Stephen

AED 247 total

includes taxes & fees

6 Sep - 7 Sep

6. Motel 6 Des Moines, IA - North

Marquisville

Michelle D

AED 290 total

includes taxes & fees

8 Sep - 9 Sep

7. Covered Bridge Inn

Winterset

Alicia

AED 333 total

includes taxes & fees

30 Aug - 31 Aug

8. Edgetowner Motel

De Soto

Brent

AED 247 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Aug - 28 Aug

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Top Des Moines Hotel Reviews

Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown

10/10 Excellent

"Always enjoy staying at the Embassy. The location is great! Walking distance to a good Saturday Farmers Market and restaurants and bars. All staff was great except the breakfast guy making omelets. Thought he was just having a bad day but the second morning he was just as crabby and rude. Property is getting a bit worn but still nice and clean. Can't wait to stay again."

Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston

10/10 Excellent

"This is a special, cozy hotel with loads of log cabin decor. It was clean and nice with great water pressure and a great bed. The hotel has a small snack store and bar as well as an indoor/outdoor pool and hot tub that were open late. We only stayed one night but it was very nice and close to great restaurants. I'll stay there again for sure next time we are in Des Moines, Iowa."

GrandStay Hotel & Suites

8/10 Good

"Check in was smooth, friendly. Housekeeping staff encountered were great. Spacious, clean, nicely renovated room. Could use more lighting around mirror in the bathroom in order to see yourself for things like shaving, etc. Hotel well maintained inside and the grounds. My only complaint was the complimentary breakfast. Not much selection of hot food. A let down. Our accommodations were for 2 nights. Breakfast both mornings consisted primarily of biscuits and gravy, sausage links, a waffle iron and mix-your-own instant oatmeal. Arrived in the breakfast area an hour before breakfast ended both days to find all but the biscuits and gravy container empty with no one to be found to replenish items. On the second day of breakfast, I went to the front desk to find out if anyone would be refilling breakfast items, waffle mix. Response from the guy behind the desk insultingly was: "She is back there. She will get to it when she gets to it." Nice huh! Not big fans of biscuits and gravy for breakfast. We ended up leaving the hotel and went out for breakfast both mornings."

Frequently asked questions

What can I expect from a motel trip to Des Moines?

If you can't find a motel in Des Moines, expand your search to find motels in the surrounding area or let us help you find something similar from more than 735 lodging options. Simply use our search tools to filter by nightly room rate or money-saving amenities such as free breakfast and free airport transportation.

What's it like to stay in a motel?

At many motels, you'll often find a free parking spot and an outdoor pool. When you stay at a motel property, you'll usually access your room directly from the parking lot. In the U.S., motels became more commonplace at the end of the 1940s with the popularity of car travel and road trips, peaking in the 1960s with over 60,000 properties.

What are the best motels in Des Moines?

Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA: Stay within a quick 2-minute drive of Jordan Creek Town Center. Enjoy access to the snack bar/deli, and freebies including WiFi and parking. Motel 6 Des Moines, IA - North: Free WiFi, free parking, and a snack bar/deli are available during your stay. It's located within a 10-minute drive of Casey's Center and Adventureland. Studio 6 Altoona, IA - Des Moines East: Enjoy the in-room kitchenette, and freebies including WiFi and parking. Stay within a quick 3-minute drive of Adventureland. Motel 6 Altoona, IA - Des Moines East: It's located within a quick 3-minute drive of Adventureland. A snack bar/deli along with freebies like WiFi, parking, and a casino shuttle are available during your stay. Cozy Rest Motel: Stay within a 10-minute drive of Casey's Center and Drake University. Enjoy access to the 24-hour front desk, and freebies including WiFi and parking.

How many motels are there in Des Moines?

Expedia has 6 inexpensive motels in Des Moines.

What things can I to do in Des Moines?

Check out the area's lively festivals and great live music while you're sightseeing. Those visiting Des Moines love the theater scene and restaurants. These are some of the parks and outdoorsy places: Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, Pappajohn Sculpture Park, and Gray's Lake Park. You'll find these family-friendly attractions: Science Center of Iowa, Blank Park Zoo, and Adventureland. Some historical places you might want to see include World Food Prize Hall of Laureates, Salisbury House, and Valley Junction.

What's the seasonal weather like in Des Moines?

Weather can make or break a roadtrip, so we've gathered some data about year-round temperatures in Des Moines to help you plan yours. The hottest months are usually July and August with an average temp of 72°F, while the coldest months are January and February with an average of 29°F. The snowiest months in Des Moines are January, February, November, and March, with each month seeing an average of 9 inches of snowfall.

What are my options for getting around Des Moines when staying in a motel?

We've gathered some information about getting around Des Moines to help you navigate your stay: Fly into Des Moines International Airport (DSM), which is located 4.1 mi (6.7 km) away. If you'd like to explore around the area, consider renting a car to take in more sights.

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