Motel 6 West des Moines, IA

One complaint: if you get the side of the place facing the highway, it might be rather loud. Tornado warnings approaching so glad the TV worked. Local weathermen were great. But not good to see your street pop up on the broadcast! First impression was okay, both of facility and room. But in reality, room was pretty clean. Good, hot shower. TV channels worked, which is rarer and rarer in streaming era. Wi-fi was good. Pretty easy access right off two interstates and a main drag with some dining options. McDs was a parking lot away. It's an industrial part so lots of businesses around, never felt unsafe. Room was small, no carpet (I think only my second this way so probably cleaner but sound seems to carry). Other than the noise complaint, which is just a locational thing, really, I enjoyed my stay. I was there for Drake Relays and you're a couple blocks off interstate and 10-12 mins away, prob less to downtown Des Moines.

Older motel, a little rough around the edges, but the room still has the same modern interior as the newer Studio 6 we recently stayed in. Polite staff. Fridge in room, microwave in lobby... wait, where's the coffee?? Whew. They have coffee in the lobby in the morning. Tiny cups that you pump your coffee into from dispensers and dump your cream and sugar into from dispensers, hoping you get the right amount since there are no spoons or individual packets. Cheap cheap cheap. At least there was coffee though. Wifi free or pay, free is slow and limited. I give it two and half stars. Minus a half star for the coffee, but rounded up to three since they were cool with our cats spending the night.

After checking in we discovered that under the beds was filthy. i asked the front desk to have them cleaned because we were traveling with a dog and he hadn't tried to eat something from under one of the beds. He said it would take awhile. We went to di ner. After 1 1/2 hours, we returned. The room had not be cleaned. I asked again and was told to give them 30-45 minutes. After 45 minutes, we brought our things to the front desk and explained that the room was unacceptable. we were leaving and I wanted a refund. The refund was refused. We left anyway.

The sheets had stains, there was hair on the bed and I the towels, there was a dog next door that kept barking. The entire room smelled like smoke. And The receptionist was dismissive and rude. But….it was cheap!!! So…you get what you get I guess. Cheap and last minute! So not bad for a weary traveller.