Hotel Fort Des Moines, Des Moines

We attended a luncheon today for approximately 150 people.. Reservation deadline was May 18th, so they should have had ample warning and there were just enough tables set up. The salad was acceptable and the entree was very good. However, there were 3 choices and all the people who ordered one entree got theirs at each table, and then the next entree was served, and then the third, which meant some people at each table were eating while others waited. Then came dessert. Though the dessert was not indicated on our reservation form, some tables received chocolate cake and some of us got a bowl of some sort of baked apple slices with partially melted ice cream floating on top. I'm not fond of liquid ice cream, personally, but the real kicker was the tables were ALL set with 3 forks and no spoons. Our inquiry about spoons to eat it with were totally ignored by the wait staff. Not one near us made a move or offered to go to the kitchen and get us all spoons to eat with. After dribbling some of the ice cream down the lapel of my suit, I just laid my fork across the small bowl of "stuff" and left it, as did most of the others at our table. It was disgusting. GREAT PLANNING, CATERING STAFF!!!!!!!!!!

The price for the location was okay, but it was still too expensive for the quality of the room. The room screams 1985! Located downtown, but still about 5-7 blocks from the nightlife area of downtown. However, they do have a shuttle that fits 4 people and runs 24 hours. The staff was all very friendly and helpful. The lobby was nice, but the rooms are in major need of an update. It was extremely dated. The linens were probably the same ones they have used since the 80's. The bathrooms were even more outdated. Thankfully we were only there for 1 night and we were hardly in the room. If you are looking for a luxury hotel, this is NOT the place for you! I wouldn't stay again unless I was desperate!!

We came in late at night with a group of 14 people after we had finished at a church camp. The staff was wonderful and got us enough rooms on short notice. They were very polite and even helped us out the next morning when we discovered a flat on our bus. I thought the hotel was beautiful. The pool,gym, hot tub, and sauna were very relaxing and the sky walk was amazing. Also it's right down town so we got to see the skyline at night and during the day... Beautiful and I look forward to staying there again

it was dirty. stains on the curtains. you can feel the springs through the mattresses. a/c blows hot air. the carpet is worn. the shower barely runs. i wouldn't stay here again.

While the lobby was beautiful, all the renovation money was spent there and not in the rooms. Beds were lumpy and left us with backaches. Snack bar was obviously pulled from another location and dumped in our room. No hot water on the fourth floor for over ten minutes. Shower had mold in the track. Also don't park in the structure across the street. Our car was held hostage over 15 minutes because the hotel's card was not being read in the machine. The "gentleman" of the parking company more or less said we were out of luck, he didn't believe we paid for parking until I unpacked our car to find the receipt. He was not an employee of the hotel but most hostile man I've ever dealt with. We stay in Des Moines several times a year and found we're better off staying at the regular chain hotels. The cost is less and rooms are cleaner, newer and more quiet. Plus you can get into your car and leave at whenever you want.

Old, run down, and past its prime. Service was dismal. The facilities themselves were best described as mediocre. Rooms were uncomfortable, dirty and loud - you can hear your neighbors very clearly on all four sides.... Next time, I'll go somewhere else. I'm not opposed to old hotels, generally, I like them. The Savory in fact is a very nice place - I suggest going there instead.

My company rented a conference room for four days, FRI – MON to conduct interviews and process potential applicants. I am glad I stayed at the Holiday Inn, instead of the Fort Des Moines. The staff could not have been more indifferent to us or our needs. Our company does this often and this is the worst customer service I’ve experienced.

I really enjoyed my stay there. The rooms were comfortable. Though they were a little outdated, that was part of the charm. The staff was VERY helpful and friendly. Would definitely recommend it. The Raccoon River restaurant was very good, too.

Very good value for the money. Although the rooms are a bit outdated, the hotel staff more than makes up for it. I have stayed at this hotel multiple times and have been greated like I was a familiar friend. Very courteous and helpful staff.

We kept hearing what a nice place this was - our experience was horrible!!! The room was so outdated and dirty. We felt like we were in a cheap motel. The TV did not work 1/2 the time. There was a noisy party going on across the hall. For the money we spent, I thought the rooms would be much nicer. If we would have known, we definitely would have stayed somewhere else. The lobby looks fabulous! Too bad the rooms are not!!!