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The 3 best hotels in Des Moines.

One Budget, one Best Value, one Luxury, chosen from 10 hotels Booking.com returned for the same stay. No endless list: pick your style and book.

The 3 best hotels in Des Moines, United States: Hampton Inn & Suites Des Moines Downtown (budget), Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University (best value) and Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection By Hilton (luxury). Sourced guest scores and reference prices.

Selected with the Top3Hotels method · Updated October 27, 2026IndependentNo paid rankings

At a glance

BudgetHampton Inn & Suites Des Moines Downtown8.6/10 · €106 / nightBest ValueHome2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University9.0/10 · €116 / nightUpscale alternativeHotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection By Hilton9.1/10 · €136 / night
Quick dates:
Hampton Inn & Suites Des Moines Downtown, Des Moines
Budget
8.6€106 / night

Hampton Inn & Suites Des Moines Downtown

★★★Downtown Des Moines

Best forSmart-budget trips · Sightseeing on foot

  • 8.6/10 from 279 guest reviews
  • ≈ 13 min walk to St. Ambrose Cathedral (Des Moines, Iowa)
  • Chosen from 10 hotels
279 Booking.com reviewsPrice checked on Booking.com · 27 Oct 2026

A central budget pick in Downtown Des Moines, rated 8.6 from 279 Booking.com reviews.

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Why this Budget pick
  • A central budget pick in Downtown Des Moines, rated 8.6 from 279 Booking.com reviews.
  • Guest score 8.6/10 from 279 Booking.com reviews.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University, Des Moines
Best Value★ Our pick
9.0€116 / night

Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University

★★★2650 University Ave.

Best forMost travellers · Pool days · Sightseeing on foot

  • 9.0/10 from 253 guest reviews
  • ≈ 12 min walk to Basilica of St. John (Des Moines, Iowa)
  • Chosen from 10 hotels
253 Booking.com reviewsLocation 9.1Price checked on Booking.com · 19 Sep 2026
  • Guests sayLocation: Safe setting near Drake University, the freeway, and the city center.
  • Breakfast: Large variety of options, though some items lack flavor or freshness.
  • Pool
  • Pets allowed
  • Free parking
  • Great breakfast
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Why this Best Value pick
  • Guest feedback: 9.0/10 from 253 guest reviews; joint review-score position 2 of 10 eligible properties in the provider sample.
  • Best Value choice: balances the guest score, the number of reviews and the reference price; it is not necessarily the cheapest hotel.
  • Price context: €115.78/night versus a sample median of €120.92/night (4% below the median).
  • Location: Des Moines, Des Moines. Address: 2650 University Ave.. Walking times are estimates from map distance.
Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection By Hilton, Des Moines
Upscale alternative
9.1€136 / night

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection By Hilton

★★★★1000 Walnut Street

Best forSpecial occasions · Sightseeing on foot

  • 9.1/10 from 326 guest reviews
  • ≈ 9 min walk to St. Ambrose Cathedral (Des Moines, Iowa)
  • Chosen from 10 hotels
326 Booking.com reviewsLocation 9.4Price checked on Booking.com · 19 Sep 2026
  • Guests sayLocation: Central downtown spot connected to the skyway and walkable to dining and theaters.
  • Value For Money: High room rates and expensive parking fees, with extra charges for wifi.
  • Family rooms
  • Great breakfast
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Why this Upscale alternative pick
  • Guest feedback: 9.1/10 from 326 guest reviews; joint review-score position 1 of 10 eligible properties in the provider sample.
  • Luxury choice: 4 stars (official). Five-star hotels are prioritized; a four-star fallback must score at least 8.5.
  • Price context: €136.22/night versus a sample median of €120.92/night.
  • Location: Des Moines, Des Moines. Address: 1000 Walnut Street. Walking times are estimates from map distance.

Compare the three hotels side by side · Hotels near: Des Moines Art Center, St. Ambrose Cathedral (Des Moines, Iowa), Basilica of St. John (Des Moines, Iowa)

Do you agree with our three picks?

🏋️ The best hotel gyms in Des Moines →

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Reference rate: 10–12 Nov 2026, 2 adults, 1 room · Price checked on Booking.com · 19 Sep 2026 – 27 Oct 2026.

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Where to stay in Des Moines

Each pick sits in a different part of town. Choose the base that fits your trip.

Budget

Downtown Des Moines

Hampton Inn & Suites Des Moines Downtown · ≈ 13 min walk to St. Ambrose Cathedral (Des Moines, Iowa)

Best for: Smart-budget trips, Sightseeing on foot

Best Value

2650 University Ave.

Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University · ≈ 12 min walk to Basilica of St. John (Des Moines, Iowa)

Best for: Most travellers, Pool days, Sightseeing on foot

Upscale alternative

1000 Walnut Street

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection By Hilton · ≈ 9 min walk to St. Ambrose Cathedral (Des Moines, Iowa)

Best for: Special occasions, Sightseeing on foot

Map

BudgetBest ValueUpscale alternativeDes Moines Art Center · St. Ambrose Cathedral (Des Moines, Iowa) · Basilica of St. John (Des Moines, Iowa)

Des Moines hotels compared

PickHotelAreaStarsGuest scoreRef. price / night
BudgetHampton Inn & Suites Des Moines DowntownDowntown Des Moines38.6 (279)€106
Best ValueHome2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University2650 University Ave.39.0 (253)€116
Upscale alternativeHotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection By Hilton1000 Walnut Street49.1 (326)€136

Questions about hotels in Des Moines

What is the best budget hotel in Des Moines?
Hampton Inn & Suites Des Moines Downtown (Downtown Des Moines): 8.6/10 · 279 reviews · €106 / night
What is the best value hotel in Des Moines?
Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University (2650 University Ave.): 9/10 · 253 reviews · €116 / night · Guests say: “Location: Safe setting near Drake University, the freeway, and the city center.”
What is the best luxury hotel in Des Moines?
Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection By Hilton (1000 Walnut Street): 9.1/10 · 326 reviews · €136 / night · Guests say: “Location: Central downtown spot connected to the skyway and walkable to dining and theaters.”
Where should I stay in Des Moines?
Our three picks are in Downtown Des Moines, 2650 University Ave., 1000 Walnut Street. Open each hotel on the map to see the neighbourhood before you book.
Are these hotel prices live?
No. They are reference rates for 10–12 Nov 2026, 2 adults and 1 room, checked on Booking.com on October 27, 2026. The booking link shows the current rate for your dates.

How we pick the three

Budget is the lowest eligible reference rate. Best Value balances price and guest score. Luxury prioritises five-star hotels; if none qualify, a four-star rated 8.5+ is labelled as an upscale alternative. Every pick shows its source, review count and when we checked it. This is a data-based shortlist, not a paid ranking. How we choose →

Sources

Guest scores, review counts, reference prices and hotel photos: Booking.com. City photos: Wikimedia Commons. Sights: Wikipedia. Maps: OpenStreetMap. Price checked on Booking.com · 19 Sep 2026 – 27 Oct 2026.

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Hampton Inn & Suites Des Moines Downtown

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Home2 Suites by Hilton Des Moines at Drake University

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Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection By Hilton

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