Unbelievable Fairfield Inn Deal in Urbandale, IA! (Des Moines Near)
Unbelievable?! Fairfield Inn in Urbandale: More Like "Unbelievably Fine," Folks (Des Moines Near)
Alright, buckle up, because I just got back from a stay at the Fairfield Inn in Urbandale, Iowa (aka, Des Moines-ish). And let me tell you, "unbelievable" is a strong word. More like… reliably comfortable? Let's dive in, shall we? This is gonna be a messy, honest review, so grab your coffee (which you probably can get at the hotel, but more on that later).
The Good(ish) Stuff – AKA, the "Bare Minimum, But Competent" Category:
- Cleanliness & Safety (and the Paranoia That Comes With It): Okay, first off, massive kudos for the effort. They're obviously trying to make you feel safe. Hand sanitizer dispensers everywhere, staff masked up, signs plastered all over about deep cleaning. They're using "anti-viral cleaning products," which, hey, I'm here for it. Room sanitization opt-out? Cool. Individually wrapped everything? Sure, fine. But, and there's a but… I'm still wiping everything down with my own lysol wipes. It’s just ingrained at this point, folks. Psychological warfare that leaves us perpetually on edge.
- Accessibility: This is important – and I'm happy to report the Fairfield Inn is wheelchair accessible. They have elevators, which is a huge win, and seem to have considered all the basics. Now, I didn't personally test any of this, but the setup looked promising. It's a solid starting point.
- Internet (Finally!) Free Wi-Fi in the rooms? Praise be! Double praise for it actually working pretty reliably. I mean, I’m traveling to the Des Moines metro, not the edge of civilization. They offer both (LAN) and wireless. I had some work to do, and the Wi-Fi held up – a small victory, but a necessary one.
- The Room Itself: Air conditioning? Check. Blackout curtains (a godsend after a long day)? Check. The bed wasn't the cloud-like experience of a luxury hotel, but it was perfectly… adequate. And the complimentary tea/coffee maker in the room? A nice touch. (Though, let's be honest, I'm still hauling my own travel french press.)
- Essential Services: Daily housekeeping? Yep. Laundry service? Available. They even had a small convenience store for those midnight snack attacks. That's a plus.
- Getting Around & Parking: Free car park on site. No complaints here. Easy access, and I didn't have to circle endlessly looking for a spot. Plus, charging stations for electric vehicles? Score!
The "Meh" Moments – AKA, Where Things Got A Little… Bland:
- Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Okay, so, the breakfast. This is where things get particularly interesting. It was the standard continental fare. Think: bagels, muffins, pre-packaged yogurt, and questionably scrambled eggs. Asian breakfast available? Nope. The coffee was…well, let's just say it didn't inspire sonnets. There is a coffee shop nearby, thankfully. They have a "poolside bar"? Where’s the pool? The pictures are misleading. The bar is non-existent. They did offer a snack bar with the basics. That’s about the extent of the dining experience, folks. Let me tell you I saw a buffet, but a buffet is also more a risk of exposure that I am actively avoiding.
- Things to Do (Or, Lack Thereof): There is a fitness center. I saw it. I didn't use it. It looked… functional. I do know the gym/fitness, sauna, spa, steamroom, and swimming pool are not available. I spent the evening in the room. There weren't a lot of options. The hotel is within the bounds of civilization but still feels fairly isolated.
- Services and Conveniences: They offer daily housekeeping, which is nice! But, the hotel also has facilities for disabled guests, a convenience store, and a concierge. However, the concierge had two jobs and was not available for long hours. Otherwise, business facilities and meeting rooms. But if you’re looking for something particularly exceptional, you might be disappointed.
- For the Kids? They claim to be family-friendly, but beyond a crib and maybe a high chair, I didn’t see much to write home about.
- The Little Annoyances: The elevator…it's slow. Really slow. Don't be in a hurry. And the soundproofing? Let's just say I heard the delightful sounds of a screaming toddler at 6 AM. (Note: no fault of the hotel, parenting is hard). The mini-fridge was tiny.
- The "Unbelievable Deal" Factor: I will admit, the price was… reasonable. I wasn't expecting the Ritz, and I didn't get it.
My Major Gripe: The Lack of Soul (and the Imperfect Perfectionism):
Look, the Fairfield Inn is… fine. Clean. Safe (ish). Functional. But it lacks something. Soul. It's all so… sanitized, polished, and slightly impersonal. It felt like they were trying so hard to create the perfect hotel experience that they forgot to add a little bit of… well, life. It could use a bit of a messy, real-world touch.
My Takeaway:
If you need a clean, safe, and conveniently located place to sleep in Urbandale, and don’t expect the earth, then the Fairfield Inn is a solid bet. If you're looking for a memorable experience? Well, lower your expectations a touch. You'll be fine. Just bring your own coffee. (SEO & Metadata, Because Why Not?)
Keywords: Fairfield Inn Urbandale, Des Moines Area Hotels, Iowa Hotels, Hotel Reviews, Travel Blog, Midwest Travel, Accessible Hotels, Free WiFi, Gym, Pool (Maybe), Clean Hotel, Safe Hotel, Reasonable Price, Bland But Functional.
Metadata:
- Title: Unbelievable Fairfield Inn Deal in Urbandale, IA? (Des Moines Near) – A Messy Review
- Description: A brutally honest review of the Fairfield Inn in Urbandale, Iowa. We dive into accessibility, cleanliness, amenities (or lack thereof), and the overall experience, plus a little bit of rambling. Find out if it's worth the price (or not!).
- Keywords: (See above)
- Author: Your Friendly Neighborhood Traveler (Me!)
- Date Published: [Current Date]
- Tags: Hotel Review, Iowa Travel, Des Moines Hotels, Accessible Hotel, Fairfield Inn, Urbandale, Clean Hotels, Budget Travel, Honest Review.
Alright, here it is, folks. My Des Moines-Urbandale adventure from the hallowed halls of the Fairfield Inn & Suites, bless its predictable little heart. Prepare for a rollercoaster – I’m warning you, this isn’t a perfectly curated Instagram feed. This is me.
Day 1: Arrival, Anticipation, and a Questionable Pizza
- 2:00 PM: Touchdown at Des Moines International. Smooth flight, thankfully! I've learned to fear turbulence more than bad airline peanuts. This is the midwest, remember? After checking in, the lobby is… well, it's a Fairfield Inn. You know the drill: functional, beige, and smells vaguely of chlorine and ambition. My room’s a cookie-cutter, but hey, it has a mini-fridge. Score! I immediately plant myself on the bed, which, as expected, is the perfect balance between firm and slightly uncomfortable.
- 3:00 PM: Unpacking – a ritual I both love and dread. I'm a master of overpacking. Like, I brought a formal dress "just in case." Just in case what, exactly? I’m pretty sure I saw a woman on the other side of a car wash wearing one of those.
- 4:00 PM: Hunger descends. I'm craving pizza. Urbandale has a ton of pizza places. I mean, a ton. I spend a ridiculous amount of time reading Yelp reviews, and I land on a place called "Mama's Pizza," based entirely on a single review that said, "Best pizza I've had outside of New York, and that's high praise coming from a New Yorker!" (Spoiler: it wasn’t. Maybe it was the time of day, maybe it was the midwestern crust, but it was…fine. Edible. Pizza-adjacent. I ate the whole thing anyway, out of sheer principle.)
- 5:00 PM-7:00 PM: I walk around the hotel. There’s some sort of conference going on. The air is thick with nervous energy and name tags. I walk to Walgreens. Bought some snacks.
- 8:00 PM: Settling in to the hotel room. More snacks. Now for sleep!
Day 2: Adventures in Urbandale (and One Very Long Drive)
- 7:00 AM: Wake up. Breakfast at the hotel: the usual suspects – lukewarm scrambled eggs, rubbery bacon that might be, and a questionable orange juice that may or may not have been orange. But the coffee is decent, so I’m happy.
- 8:00 AM: A friend called. He invited me to go to the Iowa State Fair. Yikes! That's a long ride. I never went to a fair.
- 9:00 AM: Check the car, get gas!
- 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM: Driving. I'm actually having a lot of fun! I get an energy drink.
- 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM Iowa State Fair! This place is a sensory overload in the best way possible. The smell of fried everything hits you first – corn dogs, elephant ears, fried Oreos (yes, really). Then comes the noise – the screams of joy on the rides, the clanging of the games, the relentless country music. I saw a butter cow – seriously, a cow made of butter! I attempted to win a giant stuffed animal at a ring toss. Let's just say my aim is… not great. But everyone seemed happy, everything seemed over the top, and the sun went down on me while eating a corn dog. Magical.
- 10:00 PM: Back in the car. Wow, I didn't know fairs could be this fun!
Day 3: Farewell and the Quest for Decent Coffee
- 7:00 AM: Wake up, again. Breakfast. The same, but somehow less appealing. I'm starting to feel the effects of too much fried food and not enough sleep. I need real coffee. Not this sad hotel brew.
- 8:00 AM: The quest for coffee. I use Google Maps to find a decent coffee shop.
- 9:00 AM: Packed my bag.
- 10:00 AM: Checked out.
Well, that’s it. My Des Moines-Urbandale adventure, warts and all. Not exactly a glamorous travelogue, but definitely a real one. I’ll be back in Iowa one day. I hope it's not too soon after eating again.
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Urbandale Fairfield Inn Deal - Seriously, Is It **That** Good?! (We're Near Des Moines!)
Okay, let's be real. You saw the ad. I saw the ad. We've all seen the ad. Is this Fairfield Inn deal in Urbandale, Iowa (near Des Moines, duh) a scam? Or is it...a *miracle*? Buckle up, because I’m about to get real (and possibly a little hangry).
1. Alright, spill the tea. Is this deal actually real? Like, are we falling for some bait-and-switch nonsense?
Okay, okay, deep breaths. Yes. Mostly. I booked a room there last week. The price? Let's just say I double-checked the confirmation email about five times. It *felt* too good to be true. And the truth? It *was* good. Seriously good. Not *perfect*, mind you (see below), but genuinely a steal. I spent the whole drive there silently plotting where the hidden camera was. Turns out, the hidden camera was just… the slightly worn-but-still-functional elevator. Phew. No hidden catch, beside the usual hotel quirks, though.
2. What made the deal so "unbelievable"? Was it like, $5 a night?! (Exaggerating, but you get the picture.)
$5 might be pushing it, but it was *substantially* lower than what I’d expect for a hotel with those amenities in that area. We're talking clean rooms, a decent (and free!) breakfast, a pool, and, crucially, free Wi-Fi that actually works. I'm talking about the kind of free internet that allows you to stream your favorite guilty pleasure TV show and not just stare at a buffering circle for half an hour. I mean it was like, I actually felt guilty for paying so little. Like I should've slipped the front desk person an extra tenner just to ease my conscience about how ridiculously cheap it was.
3. So, the catch? There *has* to be a catch, right? Tell me the dark secrets of this deal!
Okay, the catch. Here's the truth. This is NOT a luxury hotel. Okay? Temper your expectations accordingly. The decor is… well, it's a Fairfield Inn. Think functional, not fabulous. The gym is tiny. Like, *really* tiny. I'm pretty sure I could have bench-pressed the whole thing with a good heave. The breakfast, while free, is your standard continental fare – bagels, cereal, the glorious, heart-attack-inducing waffle maker is present. But listen, for the price? I’m not complaining about a slightly stale muffin. And I swear, the coffee was surprisingly decent which isn't always a given. Honestly, this isn't the Ritz. It's a solid, clean, comfortable place to crash that doesn't make my wallet weep. My only true gripe: the noise from the highway. Bring earplugs. Serious earplugs.
4. Is it actually *near* Des Moines? Because "near" can mean a lot of things in Iowa.
Okay, good question. Yes, it's near, actually. "Near" in this instance is probably a 10-15 minute drive, depending on traffic (which, let's be honest, isn't usually a major issue in Urbandale, Iowa). You're close enough to easily access all the Des Moines attractions: the zoo, the Science Center, the Farmers Market, whatever your jam, without having to deal with downtown hotel prices. It's perfect if you gotta get in and out of the Des Moines area. Think ease.
5. Alright, let's get personal. What was YOUR actual experience? Be brutally honest. Did you cry?
Oh, honey, you want brutal? Okay. I was travelling with my three-year-old. Need I say more? The drive there, alone, was a test of my sanity. My kid, despite being told multiple times *not* to touch, somehow *did* touch everything in the room within five minutes and left a trail of sticky fingerprints across the mirrors. The pool, bless its heart, was a lukewarm, chlorine-scented oasis. We spent a glorious hour playing water games, then made a full escape back to our room. The elevator took its time, which, with a toddler, felt like an eternity. The continental breakfast was a godsend. I mean, waffles? Pure, unadulterated joy, even for me, after a 5-hour drive with a kid. Could I have afforded fancier? Sure. But the savings went straight into my 'wine fund,' so no regrets. Would I stay there again? Absolutely. Bring those earplugs, though. And maybe extra wipes. And wine. Lots of wine.
6. Is it good for families? Solo travelers? Business trips? Is it, like, a jack-of-all-trades?
It's pretty versatile, actually. Families? Yes. Plenty of space, pool. Solo travelers? Totally, especially if you're looking for budget-friendly comfort. The breakfast can be a lifesaver when you don't feel like venturing out first thing. Business trips? Sure! Free Wi-Fi, relatively quiet rooms (with those earplugs, remember!), and a convenient location. Plus, it's not the kind of place where you feel like you're paying extra for fluff you don't need. Think quality basics, with no extra frills that would get in anyones way and keep the cost down. It's a solid, reliable pick for different occasions.
7. Any other quirky observations or details you can share? Like, amazing things or complete disasters?
Okay, brace yourselves for the truth about the elevator again. Seriously, the elevator was… an experience. It made the most bizarre grinding noises. Several times I was convinced it was going to plummet to the lobby. I'm not saying it's haunted, but I *am* saying I held my breath every time. Another observation: I'm convinced they have a secret stash of amazing pillows. Like, cloud-like, sleep-inducing pillows. I almost stole one. ALMOST. Also, the vending machine had a surprisingly good selection of snacks. And, I swear, the ice machine was extra efficient.
8. Bottom line: would you recommend it? Or are you secretly hoping everyone *avoids* it so you can have it all to yourself?
Ugh, this is the dilemma, isn't it? Part of me wants to keep this secret hidden. I'd love to have this hotel all to myself next time, but that's just selfish. I will say this though: if you're looking for a clean, comfortable, and *cheap* hotel near Des Moines, youTop Hotel Search
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