Hotel Overview
Age of facility beginning to show
There were tears in the room carpeting which was also frayed by the bathroom door. The pool area...
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-
- Oct 7, 2011
Fantastic!
We stayed in a pool side room with 1 adult and 4 children ranging from 3 to 17. I was a little...
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Mom of 4
- Jul 18, 2011
Des Moines hotel with on-site water park, restaurant, bar and arcade
The Ramada Tropics Resort / Conference Center Des Moines houses Buccaneer Bay, an 18,000-square-foot water park with poolside tiki bar. Three large pools with a hot tub, pirate ship and slides make up the complex that also hosts the themed Castaway's Bar and Grill and the Treasure Chest Gift Shop. Free Wi-Fi, guest laundry, a business center and meeting facilities round out this all-in-one Des Moines resort.Hotel Map
5000 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA 50322
- Area description
- Shopping district, Expressway
Amenities
- 24 Hour Front Desk
- Adjoining Rooms
- Air Conditioned
- AM/FM Alarm Clock
- Coffee Maker in Room
- Conference Facilities
- Desk with Lamp
- Exercise Gym
- Express Check In
- Fitness center
- Fitness center or spa
- Free Local Telephone Calls
- Free parking
- Handicapped Rooms/Facilities
- High-speed Internet
- Ice Machine
- In Room Movies
- Indoor Pool
- International Direct Dial
- Internet Access
- Ironing Board
- Lounge
- Meeting/Banquet Facilities
- Microwave
- Multilingual
- No Pets Allowed
- Outdoor Parking
- Over Sized Rooms
- Pool
- Porters
- Refrigerator
- Restaurant
- Safe Deposit Box
- Sofa Bed
- TV Remote Control
- Vending Machines
- Wake-up Service
- Wheel Chair Access
Hotel Policies
- Check-in:
- 4:00 PM
- Check-out:
- 12:00 PM
Terms and conditions
Rates quoted in currencies other than the hotel's base currency are subject to the rate of the international exchange. Rate may change throughout stay. Rate may reflect average nightly rate. Extra charges may apply. Incidental charges, such as room service, are not included in the rate.
The amenities and/or facilities may not be located at the hotel, but within a reasonable distance, and additional charges may apply for use.
Guest Reviews (62)
Ratings and reviews for Ramada Tropics Resort / Conference Center Des Moines
- All travelers (62) 3.8 / 5
- Business (8) 3.3 / 5
- Couples (13) 3.5 / 5
- Families (30) 3.9 / 5
- Friends (4) 4.8 / 5
- Singles (7) 3.6 / 5
- Amenities:
- 3.9
- Room cleanliness:
- 4.1
- Hotel staff:
- 3.9
- Room comfort:
- 4.2
- Location:
- 4.2
- Value:
- 4
74%
would recommend to a friend.
- Most recent
- Highest score
- Lowest score
Reviewer score
Would not recommend
Age of facility beginning to show
There were tears in the room carpeting which was also frayed by the bathroom door. The pool area does not allow for much swimming. More an area to just get wet. All pools were shallow except hot tub which was deeper. Arm band was required for the pool area. Missed having complimentary breakfast included with stay.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 2
- Room cleanliness:
- 3
- Hotel staff:
- 3
- Room comfort:
- 3
- Location:
- 4
- Value:
- 3
Trip purpose:
Business
Shopping tip:
Short drive from hotel
Close to the Merle Hay Shopping mall.
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Mom of 4
Fantastic!
We stayed in a pool side room with 1 adult and 4 children ranging from 3 to 17. I was a little worried due to how inexpensive it was but it was very clean and roomy. The bathrooms were spotless. And the water park area was fantastic! The slides and pirate ship kept all 4 of the kids busy for hours. It was only 10 minutes from AdventureLand but 1/2 the cost of the closer hotels and so much, much better (speaking from experience)
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 5
- Room cleanliness:
- 4
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 4
- Location:
- 4
- Value:
- 5
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Traveling for Fun
Fantastic hotel at a great price
This was a great hotel at a very reasonable price for what amenities were included! The water park was fun and not overcrowded. The room was immaculate and very comfortable. It is very easy to get to off the interstate and centrally located to the activities that we had planned around the area. Made for a very enjoyable stay in Des Moines!
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 5
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 5
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Mom
Good for the price
The waterpark was nice. More for younger people than adults. Reserved a room with 2 queen beds but got a room with one bed and a pull out sofa.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 4
- Room cleanliness:
- 4
- Hotel staff:
- 4
- Room comfort:
- 4
- Location:
- 4
- Value:
- 4
Dining tip:
In Hotel
The restaurant was expensive and they don't know how to cook steak. Otherwise it was good.
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Lyions Den
Our 3rd Anniversary
This was the second year we stayed here. We really enjoy the hotel. We were there to celebrate our 3rd anniversary and go to Adventureland. The only complaint was that this time there were so many guests. The hot tub was always full so we couldn't get in it and the "lifeguards" were on there cell phones texting and not paying attention and I almost broke my foot due to a kid standing at the end of the waterslide. Other than that we had a blast.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 5
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 4
Money-saving tip:
Not Applicable
Take food and drinks with you to save money. Don't buy drinks at the bar in the hotel as they are too expensive.
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Grandma Becky
What Fun!!
The indoor waterpark is what drew me to stay at the Ramada. I have grandchildren in Des Moines so this was an opportunity to have some fun with them. The kids and I had a wonderful time playing on the multiple slides and pools. Room accomodations were comfortable and convenient.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 4
- Room cleanliness:
- 4
- Hotel staff:
- 4
- Room comfort:
- 4
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 4
Dining tip:
Short drive from hotel
We ate at Timothy's Steak House on Douglas. The food, service and atmosphere were fantastic. Very friendly, good food and accomodated the little people I had with me.
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Joyce
The Grandchildren Had a Blast
Very Clean. Lots of fun. Kind of noisy in the hallways at night, kids running and yelling. Good food.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 4
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 3
Reviewer score
Would recommend
hvonrueden
Fantastic Family stay
We stayed while attending the Beef Expo, this is the second year we have stayed, we will be back next year. The pool/waterpark is a favorite of my kids and is great for many ages. Our pizza and drinks were great too, our rooms were very clean. Only complaint is the last night state wrestling kids were there and it was very noisy at midnight in the halls.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 5
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 5
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 5
Dining tip:
Short drive from hotel
Smoky D's BBQ was a great place for dinner and very short drive,a nd our favorite steak house is less than 10 min away. Iowa Beef Steakhouse, lots of shoppong around also.
Reviewer score
Would recommend
Road Warrier
Blizzard Tired
Spur of the moment due to blizzard conditions. Had several problems with the security key to enter the hotel and my room. Had to continue to go to front desk, the card was like one time only use, then needed to be recoded. Room was great, clean and bed was very comfortable. Overall good experience, just not with the entry in blizzard conditions.
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 5
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 4
- Room comfort:
- 4
- Location:
- 4
- Value:
- 4
Reviewer score
Would recommend
I don't have any
fantastic family getaway
It was a nice hotel
Hotel features (5 = best, 1 = worst):
- Amenities:
- 5
- Room cleanliness:
- 5
- Hotel staff:
- 2
- Room comfort:
- 5
- Location:
- 5
- Value:
- 5
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