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Sonesta Essential Ames

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

Photo gallery for Sonesta Essential Ames

Exterior
Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains
Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains
Room, 2 Queen Beds
Indoor pool

Reviews

7.6 out of 10
Good

Popular amenities

  • Pool
  • Gym
  • Pet-friendly
  • Laundry
  • Parking included
The current price is AU$96
includes taxes & fees
20 Dec - 21 Dec

Explore the area

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

Room options

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed

Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Room, 1 King Bed

8.2 out of 10
Very good
(12 reviews)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Connecting rooms available
Mini-fridge
HDTV
Blackout curtains
Memory foam bed
Hairdryer
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds

Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Room, 2 Queen Beds

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Connecting rooms available
Mini-fridge
HDTV
Blackout curtains
Memory foam bed
Hairdryer
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Connecting rooms available
Mini-fridge
HDTV
Blackout curtains
Memory foam bed
Hairdryer
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Connecting rooms available
Mini-fridge
HDTV
Blackout curtains
Memory foam bed
Hairdryer
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Room, 1 King Bed, Jetted Tub

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Connecting rooms available
Mini-fridge
HDTV
Blackout curtains
Memory foam bed
Hairdryer
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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

Memory-foam beds, desk, laptop workspace, blackout curtains

Room, 1 King Bed with Sofa bed

Highlights

Air conditioning
Heating
Connecting rooms available
Mini-fridge
HDTV
Blackout curtains
Memory foam bed
Hairdryer
  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed and 1 Twin Sofa Bed

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Exterior

Hampton Inn & Suites Ames

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  • Pool
  • Breakfast included
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4.7 out of 5, Exceptional, 557 reviews
The price is AU$138
includes taxes & fees
21 Dec - 22 Dec
Hampton Inn & Suites Ames

About the area

Ames

A family-friendly stay in Ames awaits you at Sonesta Essential Ames. You'll be 3.2 km (2 mi) from Cinemark Ames Movies 12 and 3.5 km (2.2 mi) from Ames Dog Park. Highlights at this hotel include free continental breakfast, an indoor swimming pool and free self-parking. .This business-friendly hotel offers free WiFi in public areas and a 24-hour fitness centre, and has a business centre. Added amenities include a 24-hour business centre, coffee/tea in a common area and laundry facilities. Each morning free breakfast is served. There's also the convenience of RV/bus/truck parking. .In the area of this Ames hotel, you'll find Iowa State University.

What's nearby

  • Ames Dog Park - 3 min drive - 2.8 km
  • Main Street Cultural District - 4 min drive - 4.2 km
  • Iowa State University - 6 min drive - 8.8 km
  • Reiman Gardens - 6 min drive - 7.3 km
  • Jack Trice Stadium - 6 min drive - 6.0 km

Getting around

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

Restaurants

  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Panera Bread - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Hickory Park - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Kum & Go - ‬9 min walk

About this property

Sonesta Essential Ames

Family-friendly hotel with free breakfast and 24-hour fitness centre
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.

  • 1 building
  • 75 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • Built in 1996
  • Continental breakfast (free)
  • Business centre (24 hours)
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Self-service laundry
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Television in lobby
  • Lift
  • No smoking on site
Sonesta Essential Ames offers 75 accommodations with video game consoles and coffee/tea makers. Beds feature memory foam mattresses. 50-inch LED televisions come with cable channels. Bathrooms include a combined bath/shower unit with a rainfall showerhead, 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.

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Baymont by Wyndham Ames
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  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
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Baymont by Wyndham Ames

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

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.
  • Accessible bathtub
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Lift (100 centimetre wide door)
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessibility
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible path to lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk (91 centimetre high)

More

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

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Blackout drapes
  • Memory foam mattress

Bathroom

  • Free toiletries
  • Hair dryer
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shampoo
  • Shower/bathtub combination
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • 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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

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

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

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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession. The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guest room reservation. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, debit cards and cash.

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

Frequently asked questions

Is parking available at Sonesta Essential Ames?

Yep, Sonesta Essential Ames has a free self car park.

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

As of 14 Dec 2025, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Sonesta Essential Ames on 20 Dec 2025 start from AU$95.88, including 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.

Does Sonesta Essential Ames have a pool?

Sonesta Essential Ames has an indoor pool.

Is Sonesta Essential Ames family-friendly?

You bet! With amenities such as laundry facilities and an indoor pool, it's no surprise that Sonesta Essential Ames is a hit with families.

Does Sonesta Essential Ames serve breakfast?

Yep, free continental brekkie is on offer daily between 6:00 AM and 10:00 AM.

Is there a free airport shuttle available at Sonesta Essential Ames?

No, Sonesta Essential Ames does not offer an airport shuttle service.

What time are check-in & check-out at Sonesta Essential Ames?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM. Check-out time is 11 AM.

Sonesta Essential Ames Reviews

Reviews

7.6

Good

Rating 10 - Excellent. 314 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 338 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 198 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 89 out of 1001 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 62 out of 1001 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

Denise

Travelled with partner
Clean room
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

John

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness

Nice pet friendly stay

We choose this home because we have a small (7#) pet. I really liked the fact that the room had no carpet. All engineered vinyl flooring. The disadvantage of that is that it's noisy. Not a criticism of the hotel, just a downside of non carpeted hotel rooms. The hotel needed a little TLC. Nothing horrible. The stainless steel grab bar in the shower was literally broken off the wall on one end, which is definitely a safety issue. The king size bed was clean but hard. I think this hotel was a GREAT value. Much cheaper than neighboring properties and the additional charge for having a power was only $15. If they would just do a little maintenance, their start rating would improve greatly.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

2/10 Terrible

Robin

Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Kristen

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

John

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, room comfort
Everything was as expected
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Natasha

Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Cleanliness

Bed Sheets

They can make sure the sheets are clean because there was black stuff in the sheets other then that it was good an there was someone else hair in the bed on the sheets.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

6/10 Okay

Naykelie

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Pet friendly but with a fee
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

James

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our room was clean, bed was fairly comfortable, and the breakfast was above average for a budget friendly hotel. The hotel staff was friendly as well. Overall, we were pleased with our stay and would stay again if needed. The motel fit our needs and our budget.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Caleb

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Diana

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
The room was extremely clean. I would stay here again. Breakfast was sufficient.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Dave

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
It’s a nice economy hotel. Their bedframes are a thin metal platform style that make a bunch of noise and you get woken up by squeaks when you roll over.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Thomas

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Decent hotel
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Carol

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
No complaints
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chance

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

Paul

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

4/10 Poor

Armando

Disliked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
old property no update
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

8/10 Good

Crystal

Travelled with family
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

6/10 Okay

Sofia

Travelled with partner
Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Mohammad at the front desk was a highlight. He was very friendly over the phone when I asked about checking in late, and he was very friendly when I actually did come for check in and at breakfast. Our actual room was a bit disappointing— there were stains on our sheets and blankets, and our shower curtain rod was falling off the wall. Also, they did not bother to remove the old Red Roof Inn branding that was posted in our room. The breakfast was also just okay— they had oatmeal out but no heat-safe bowls to make it in, and they had no drinking water out either. The price was good though so I appreciated that. Overall this place was just okay to stay in.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Marco, Oronoco

TV was not working. Otherwise
Stayed 1 night in Aug 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

William

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Jim

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Tracie

Travelled with family
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

6/10 Okay

William

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