Unbelievable Perks Await at Sonesta Des Moines! (You Won't Believe #3!)
Unbelievable Perks Await at Sonesta Des Moines! (You Won't Believe #3!) - Seriously, Book Now (Unless You're a Grump)
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill all the tea (or, you know, strong coffee) on the Sonesta Des Moines. And trust me, this ain't your grandma's hotel review. We're talking unbelievable perks, and I, your humble (and slightly caffeinated) reviewer, am here to tell you if it's worth your hard-earned cash. Spoilers: it probably is.
First things first: Accessibility. As someone who occasionally trips over air, I appreciate a place that caters to actual accessibility needs. The Sonesta gets a solid thumbs up here. While I haven't personally tested every single nook and cranny, the presence of facilities for disabled guests, an elevator, and a general vibe of accommodating everyone is a BIG win. It's important, right? So often hotels just… forget.
Let's Talk Grub (Because, Duh!)
Okay, food. This is where things get really interesting. We're not just talking about "a restaurant." We're talking about a dining, drinking, and snacking extravaganza!
- Restaurants: They've got 'em. Listed options suggest a blend of worldly flavors: International cuisine in restaurant, a Vegetarian restaurant, and options for both a Western breakfast (pancakes, anyone?) and an Asian breakfast. The presence of Coffee/tea in restaurant and a Coffee shop is a godsend for us caffeine addicts. And the Poolside bar? Oh, yes.
- Buffet in restaurant: I am VERY pro-buffet. Variety is the spice of life, and I plan to sample all the spices.
- Room service [24-hour]: If, like me, you occasionally find yourself craving a midnight snack (usually fries), this is a lifesaver. Plus, they offer breakfast in room for those lazy mornings.
- Snack bar: Essential. For those mid-afternoon cravings.
- Alternative meal arrangement: This is a sign of a hotel that cares. Dietary restrictions? They've got you.
My Personal Deep Dive: The Breakfast Experience - A Glorious, Flaky Adventure
Okay, so I had to try the breakfast buffet. I mean, it was calling to me from the moment I checked in. And let me tell you, this wasn't just a buffet; this was a culinary event. The breakfast [buffet] was a masterpiece of strategic food placement. I went in with the intention of a light sampling, but when I saw that Asian breakfast selection, I was done. It became a war of strategic food selection. I piled my plate high with a little bit of everything. Fresh fruit, fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon… It was a perfect storm of flavor. And the coffee? Strong enough to stand a spoon in. I might have stayed there for, oh, maybe 2 hours? Yeah, maybe. Judge me.
Cleanliness & That Whole "Safe Travels" Thing
Let's be real: the current world has made us all hyper-aware of cleanliness. The Sonesta Des Moines seems to be taking things seriously. I was impressed, and I am definitely a germaphobe so it is a big deal to me. They advertise Anti-viral cleaning products, Daily disinfection in common areas, Individually-wrapped food options, Physical distancing of at least 1 meter, Rooms sanitized between stays, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items, Staff trained in safety protocol, Sterilizing equipment and Room sanitization opt-out available.. Sounds like a plan! And, knowing they have Hand sanitizer readily available is a must now.
Relaxation Station (aka Spa-tacular Bliss)
Alright, stressed out? This is where the Sonesta really shines. Let's cut right to the chase: a Spa/sauna combo, Pool with view, Swimming pool [outdoor], Steamroom, Sauna, Massage, Gym/fitness. I didn't get to hit every single option, but the sheer possibility of unwinding with a Body scrub or Body wrap made me want to extend my stay.
I spent a delightful afternoon just lounging by the Swimming pool [outdoor]. The Poolside bar was an essential addition to this experience. Sighs.
The Rooms: Your Personal Oasis (hopefully)
The rooms themselves? Pretty darn good! They include Air conditioning, Blackout curtains, Coffee/tea maker, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Mini bar, Non-smoking [rooms], Private bathroom, Refrigerator, Satellite/cable channels, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Toiletries, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], and Window that opens. It's all there! I mean, extra-long bed? Yes, please. And definitely a Seating area. I like to sit and admire my surroundings while I eat, and having a comfortable corner to do so is always a huge win. And I loved my Room decorations!
Services and Conveniences: Above and Beyond
They've covered everything. Air conditioning in public area, Audio-visual equipment for special events, Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Contactless check-in/out, Convenience store, Currency exchange, Daily housekeeping, Doorman, Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display, Safety deposit boxes, Shrine, Smoking area, Terrace, Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center,
Things to Do:
- Family/child friendly, Babysitting service, Kids facilities, Kids meal: This one of my favorite aspects. If you are traveling with kids. They've got this!
- Meeting/banquet facilities, Seminars, Meetings: Perfect for business travelers.
The Not-So-Perfect Bits (Because Honesty, People!)
Okay, no place is perfect. I didn't see any major issues, but some things could be even better:
- There were some of the details, like the actual brand of the toiletries, which felt a little generic. I know that sounds picky, but hey, it's about the experience, right?
- Pet Policy: No pets allowed, which is a bummer for me.
The Verdict: Book It! (Seriously)
Look, if you're looking for a comfortable, well-equipped hotel with killer eats, solid amenities, and a staff that seems genuinely committed to making your stay enjoyable, Sonesta Des Moines is your place.
CALL TO ACTION (This is the important bit!)
Okay, listen up. You've read the rambling, the gushing, the slightly-too-honest review. You know the Sonesta Des Moines is the place to be.
Here's the deal:
- Book your stay RIGHT NOW. Tell them "The Rambling Reviewer" sent you, and maybe, just maybe, you'll get a bonus cookie. (I can't promise that, but it's worth a shot.)
- Don't delay! Rooms book up fast, especially when everyone realizes what an amazing deal this place is.
- Treat yourself. You deserve it. Go on, live a little! Get that massage, hit the buffet, chill poolside. You'll thank me later.
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Escape to Lake Geneva: Luxurious Comfort Suites Delavan Awaits!
Alright, buckle up buttercup. You're about to get the Des Moines, Iowa experience, Sonesta Essential edition, unfiltered and probably a little bit… off. This ain't a polished brochure, it's a rumbling, messy, and hopefully hilarious account of a trip that's bound to be more fun than a barrel of monkeys falling into a… well, you get the idea.
Sonesta Essential Des Moines: My (Un)Essential Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Existential Dread in a Motel Room
Afternoon (ish): Touchdown at Des Moines International Airport (DSM). Okay, so it's smaller than I expected. And… a little beige. I'm already starting to feel the vastness of the Midwest. Grabbed my rental car. It’s a… sedan. Classic. The Sonesta Essential is a short drive, blessedly. Check-in. The lobby is… functional. Not a lot of pizzazz. But hey, the AC is blasting, which is a win in Iowa in August (I hope this isn't a foreshadowing, I am not prepared for the Iowa heat).
Late Afternoon/Early Evening: Unpack. Or, you know, shove everything into the closet. It's one of those rooms where you instantly assess the escape routes. Shower. The water pressure is… adequate. Start to feel the crushing weight of being alone in a hotel room, far from home. Order the obligatory pizza. Pepperoni, because I'm predictable. While I wait, stare out the window. Contemplate the meaning of life. Decide the pizza is a good enough meaning of life for now.
Evening: Pizza devoured. Channel surfing. The TV remote is from the Jurassic period. Discover a local news channel. The anchorwoman has amazing hair. Consider moving to Des Moines just for the hair. Get mildly depressed. Remember I need to actually do things.
Day 2: Art, Architecture, and a Potential Existential Crisis at the Sculpture Park
- Morning: Breakfast at the hotel. Free continental. The "continental" involved a sad-looking English muffin and instant coffee. I'm starting to suspect the "Essential" in "Sonesta Essential" refers to the bare minimum. Force down the sadness-inducing breakfast. Get my act together (sort of).
- Mid-Morning: Head to the Des Moines Art Center. Oh, man. Stunning architecture by Eliel Saarinen, I.M. Pei, and Richard Meier - all in one place? Now this is why I came to Iowa. Wander around the art, actually feeling something other than the mild despair. Get a little lost in a room full of abstract paintings. Question my own understanding of art. Question my life choices. Decide the art is probably cooler than me anyway.
- Lunch: Find a quirky little cafe near the Art Center. Order the "Iowa Special" - which, naturally, involves pork. I'm not usually a pork person, but when in Iowa, right? It’s… surprisingly delicious. The people are friendly. They talk about the weather like it’s a character in a Shakespearean play. I kinda dig it.
- Afternoon: Des Moines Sculpture Park. Woah. Okay, this is good. Like, really good. Massive sculptures, open space. It's a bit overwhelming. You get this feeling of vastness again, but this time, it's a good kind. Stroll around, trying to look intellectual. Accidentally trip. Luckily, I don’t fall. Blame it on the sun. Stare up at a giant steel spider. Contemplate my own insignificance. Decide it’s okay to be insignificant.
- Evening: Try to find a "happening" bar. Fail. End up at a place that looks like it hasn't been updated since, well, since it was built. It's dark. It smells vaguely of stale beer and regret. One bourbon. One beer. Out. Order a burger. It's… also okay. Get back to the hotel. Watch more TV. The hair-anchorwoman is back. Still amazing hair.
Day 3: State Capitol and the Longing for a Decent Coffee
- Morning: Sleep in. Need it. Wake up feeling only marginally better. Breakfast is…the same. Consider smuggling in my own sourdough bread. Get to the Iowa State Capitol Building. It's… impressive. Gold dome. Grand staircase. Feel a little underdressed. Feel a little like I'm trespassing.
- Mid-Morning: Tour the capitol. Learn things about Iowa. Admire the portraits. Consider if any of the politicians look back at me (they don't). The dome is really something.
- Lunch: Try to find a real coffee place. Des Moines has these cute little coffee shops, they are just the place to read a book and drink a nice cup of coffee, I found one. Cafe Diem, the coffee was good, and the place had a very chill atmosphere.
- Afternoon: Explore the Historic East Village. Cute shops, vintage stores, and a general vibe of "trying hard, but still kinda cool." Buy a vintage t-shirt. It says something vaguely ironic. Feel slightly hip. Eat ice cream. It's hot. Iowa heat is real.
- Evening: Pack. Or attempt to. Realize I've bought way too many souvenirs. Seriously consider buying a "World's Best Dad" coffee mug. Then remember I'm not a dad. Dinner: Found a place called "The High Life Lounge" in the East Village. Very cool place, they had a great atmosphere and the food was delicious. Head back to the hotel, already feeling the post-trip blues creeping in.
Day 4: Departure & The Aftermath
- Morning: Check out of the Sonesta Essential. Leave the room in a state of mild disarray. Apologize to the cleaning staff in advance. Grab one last sad English muffin. Drive to the airport.
- Departure: Fly home. Reflect on the trip. Des Moines was… different. Unexpected. Maybe even… enjoyable? The art, the architecture, the weirdness of it all… it all grew on me. And the hair-anchorwoman. She’ll get into my future reflections.
Final Thoughts (and a Few Regrets)
So, the Sonesta Essential? It was… essential. A place to crash, mostly. But Des Moines? That's a whole other story. It's not flashy, not trendy, but it's got heart. And I'll be honest, I'll probably be back. (Maybe I'll pack my own coffee next time, though.)
P.S. I still don't know what's so "essential" about the hotel, but I guess… it was there. And hey, the AC worked. That's pretty essential, right? Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go find a place to hang my new "World's Okay" t-shirt. Iowa, done. Me? Still figuring things out.
Manhattan Getaway: Comfort Suites Luxury Awaits!
Sonesta Des Moines: The Perks? Oh, Honey, You Won't Believe #3! (And I Mean That!)
So... what even *is* this "Sonesta Des Moines" and why should I care? My life is already chaotic enough!
Okay, okay, deep breaths. I get it. Another "hotel," another 'luxury experience' promising to change your life. Look, I'm generally skeptical. But, and this is a big but, Sonesta Des Moines? It's… different. Think of it as the unexpected friend who shows up at your door with a six-pack and a casserole. You haven't seen them in ages, but suddenly, you're laughing hysterically and remembering why you love life. Basically, it's a hotel in Des Moines (shocker, I know!) that actually tries. Actually *cares*. And that, my friends, is increasingly rare.
Alright, alright... but what are these "unbelievable perks"? Spill the tea! (Or maybe the complimentary coffee... details, details!)
Okay, here's where things get *interesting*. First up, THE POOL. Now, I'm not usually a pool person. Chlorine, screaming kids, the sun... it’s just... a *lot*. But this pool? This is an experience. I swear, they've got the perfect temperature, perfect lighting, and somehow, and I swear, the pool *smells* amazing. I got a facial there, and it was the best facial of my life. The aesthetician actually sat and talked to me, and didn't rush me out the door like I was a plague victim. It was... almost therapeutic. Then there's... Oh, the "grab and go" breakfast... which is actually a *buffet.* Not exactly my idea of the perk. It's fine, nothing to write home about. Wait. The coffee is good. Really, really good coffee.
About that food... is it all just beige, hotel-y sadness? Because I've been there, and let me tell you, it's not a good place to be.
NO! Okay, breathe. No beige sadness. The restaurant, The Bistro, is an experience. I've eaten there, and the food is surprisingly good! They have a fantastic pizza (trust me, I'm a pizza aficionado) and the staff is extremely nice, making it a real treat. There was this one time, when my phone went out of juice, and the receptionist let me use a charger while I waited for my table. I mean, come on! That's service! And the margaritas. Oh, the margaritas. *Chef's kiss*. They were perfect. And, I am not a margarita person.
Is the location good? I need to be close to... things. Like shopping and... you know... civilization.
Yeah, it's pretty good. Close enough to the major roads, so you're not stuck out in the boonies. There's stuff to do nearby, so, depending on what you're into, it's pretty convenient. It's not perfectly walkable, but you're not stranded. This depends on your view of the world, I suppose. I actually enjoyed the solitude of the hotel. I think you're going to go to your room and watch the movie. Yeah, I think you will. I think you will like that, too.
Okay, I’m starting to warm up. What about the rooms? Are they, you know, *clean*? Because I have standards. Slightly high standards. Okay, very high standards.
Clean? Oh, honey, they're *gleaming*. I'm talking, I-could-eat-off-the-floor clean. (But, please, don't actually *eat* off the floor; that's just weird.) I’m a germaphobe, I admit it. I brought my own Clorox wipes. I didn't need them. The rooms are spacious, the beds are comfy, and the bathrooms... Oh! The bathrooms! They have good lighting, and actually *work*. Seriously, small things, but they matter! You know, you don't want to be in a hurry to wash your face somewhere. You want to get ready and go. This place... this place, does that.
What if something goes wrong? I'm thinking of the inevitable mini-bar catastrophe, or the rogue hair dryer. Are they responsive?
This is where Sonesta *really* shines. I had a minor issue with the TV – it wouldn't switch to the channel I wanted – and I called down to the front desk. Within minutes, a friendly person was there to fix it. And they didn't make me feel like an idiot! Which, let's be honest, is a huge win in most hotels. The staff? They're actually *helpful*. Not just pretending to be, but genuinely helpful and, and this is key, *nice*. It's a small difference, but it makes a huge difference.
Okay, okay, you've mostly convinced me. Any downsides? Gotta be something...
Alright, alright. I am no shill! There are always… *some* things. It’s not the cheapest hotel. Some things might be a little pricey, which makes sense for the luxury, but still. And, while the pool is amazing, it can get busy on weekends, although everyone seemed to be well-behaved. Honestly, I'm grasping at straws here. I'm trying to be objective. There's probably some minor noise from the hallway at night (standard hotel stuff). But seriously, those are TINY complaints compared to the overall experience. I'm clutching at air here.
So... should I go? Give it to me straight!
Look, I'm a cynic. I don’t gush easily. But, and I honestly hate to admit this, Sonesta Des Moines? Yeah, go. If you're looking for a genuinely pleasant place to stay, with some extra perks and service that isn't just a corporate robot, go. I rarely do second visits, but I'm actually planning a return trip. And don't tell anyone, but I might even book a massage this time. That's how good it is. My advice? Book it. Before I book it again myself!
