The Best Family Hotels in Central Iowa, IA from ₩93,994 in 2026 | Expedia

A historic building with a large central archway and a pond in the foreground.

Change your mind
Book hotels with free cancellation
Treat yourself
Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels
Sign in
Be picky
Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check availability on Central Iowa Family Hotels

Tonight

Oct 18 - Oct 19

Tomorrow

Oct 19 - Oct 20

Next weekend

Oct 23 - Oct 25

In two weeks

Our top choices for Central Iowa family-friendly hotels

An indoor swimming pool with a hot tub, tiled flooring, and seating area with chairs and potted plants.

A modern hotel room with a central seating area, a flat-screen TV, and a large window with curtains.

A modern bathroom with a glass shower enclosure, a white toilet, a vanity with a mirror, and neatly folded towels.

A lobby with a large banner of Iowa State University Central Campus, seating area with sofas and tables, and a staircase leading to upper floors.

1. Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University

Ames

Dive into family fun at the indoor pool—this hotel offers hiking trails and a hot tub, perfect for family adventures.

₩118,882

₩133,158 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 15 - Nov 16

A modern dining area with a long table, patterned chairs, and hanging pendant lights.

A modern indoor space with tables and chairs, large windows, and an exit sign.

A modern lobby with seating areas, a large TV screen, and a staircase.

A Hampton Inn & Suites hotel entrance with a stone facade, a large illuminated sign, and a number 2100 displayed above the entrance.

2. Hampton Inn & Suites Ames

Ames

₩142,231

₩159,298 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

A lobby with a fireplace, seating area, and a reception desk.

A swimming pool with a 4' 12" depth, surrounded by lounge chairs and a view of the outdoors.

A lobby with a fireplace, green and blue sofas, a flat-screen TV, and a reception desk.

A hotel room with a bed, a nightstand, a mirror, and a wall-mounted lamp.

3. Comfort Inn and Suites Ames near ISU Campus

Ames

₩120,883

₩135,389 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 8 - Nov 9

A modern hotel with a stone facade, labeled "Springhill Suites by Marriott," featuring a covered entrance and multiple windows.

A hotel room with a desk, two beds, a sofa, and a large artwork on the wall.

A modern hotel lobby with a seating area, a dining space, and a large window providing natural light.

A modern reception desk with a wooden finish and a white counter. A large wall mural with various words and phrases is visible behind the desk.

4. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ames

Ames

₩134,959

₩151,154 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

A spacious lobby with a brown sofa, armchairs, and a coffee table.

A reception area with a wooden reception desk, a computer, and a wall-mounted sign.

A hotel room with a bed, a sofa, a desk, and a chair. There are three framed pictures on the wall.

A large indoor swimming pool with clear water, surrounded by lounge chairs and a tiled floor.

5. Sleep Inn & Suites Ames near ISU Campus

Ames

₩107,741

₩120,671 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

A hotel room with a large bathtub, a sofa, a desk with a television, and a window with curtains.

A bathroom with a sink, mirror, toilet, and two framed pictures on the wall.

A buffet setup with various food items and a 'RISE & SHINE' sign on the wall.

A hotel lobby with a blue sofa, red chairs, a coffee table, two lamps, framed pictures on the wall, and a patterned rug.

6. Comfort Inn Story City

Story City

₩118,401

₩132,610 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 5 - Nov 6

A spacious living area with a wooden dining table, comfortable seating, a brick fireplace, and a staircase leading to an upper level.

An indoor swimming pool with a blue water feature, a tiled floor, and a seating area with chairs and a plant.

A gym with exercise equipment, a mirror, and a rack of dumbbells.

A spacious lobby with a reception desk, a dining area, and a staircase leading to upper floors.

7. Best Western Plus University Park Inn & Suites

Ames

₩115,172

₩128,993 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 8 - Nov 9

A La Quinta hotel with a modern design, featuring a prominent sign, a covered entrance, and a brick facade.

A spacious indoor area with multiple seating arrangements, including tables and chairs, a sofa, and a television mounted on the wall.

A large indoor swimming pool with clear water, surrounded by lounge chairs and a small seating area.

A spacious lobby with modern furniture, a patterned wall, and a tiled floor.

8. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ankeny IA - Des Moines IA

Ankeny

Families splash into adventure at this immaculately clean hotel with indoor pool, free breakfast, and pet-friendly accommodations.

₩108,314

₩121,312 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 21 - Oct 22

View all properties

Choose what matters most at family-friendly hotels in Central Iowa

Breakfast included

Pool

All-inclusive

4 stars

5 stars

Family-friendly hotels with free breakfast in Central Iowa

An indoor swimming pool with a hot tub, tiled flooring, and seating area with chairs and potted plants.

A modern hotel room with a central seating area, a flat-screen TV, and a large window with curtains.

A hallway with a red carpet leading to a restaurant named "The Iowa Stater Restaurant."

A lobby with a large banner of Iowa State University Central Campus, seating area with sofas and tables, and a staircase leading to upper floors.

Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University

Ames

₩118,882

₩133,158 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 15 - Nov 16

A modern dining area with a long table, patterned chairs, and hanging pendant lights.

A hotel reception area with a counter, framed pictures, and a vending machine.

A modern lobby with seating areas, a large TV screen, and a staircase.

A Hampton Inn & Suites hotel entrance with a stone facade, a large illuminated sign, and a number 2100 displayed above the entrance.

Hampton Inn & Suites Ames

Ames

₩142,231

₩159,298 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

A lobby with a fireplace, seating area, and a reception desk.

A swimming pool with a 4' 12" depth, surrounded by lounge chairs and a view of the outdoors.

A lobby with a fireplace, green and blue sofas, a flat-screen TV, and a reception desk.

A hotel room with a bed, a nightstand, a mirror, and a wall-mounted lamp.

Comfort Inn and Suites Ames near ISU Campus

Ames

₩120,883

₩135,389 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 8 - Nov 9

A modern hotel with a stone facade, labeled "Springhill Suites by Marriott," featuring a covered entrance and multiple windows.

A hotel room with a desk, two beds, a sofa, and a large artwork on the wall.

A modern hotel lobby with a seating area, a dining space, and a large window providing natural light.

A modern hotel lobby with wooden cabinetry, a self-service beverage station, and a staircase leading to another level.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ames

Ames

₩134,959

₩151,154 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

A hotel room with two beds, a nightstand with a lamp, and framed pictures on the wall.

A large indoor swimming pool with clear water, surrounded by lounge chairs and a tiled floor.

A spacious hotel dining area with multiple tables and chairs, a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, and a large window providing a view of the cityscape.

A hotel room with a bed, a sofa, a desk, and a chair. There are three framed pictures on the wall.

Sleep Inn & Suites Ames near ISU Campus

Ames

₩107,741

₩120,671 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

A hotel room with a large bathtub, a sofa, a desk with a television, and a window with curtains.

A hotel corridor with a Coca-Cola vending machine and a water dispenser.

A buffet setup with various food items and a 'RISE & SHINE' sign on the wall.

A hotel lobby with a blue sofa, red chairs, a coffee table, two lamps, framed pictures on the wall, and a patterned rug.

Comfort Inn Story City

Story City

₩118,401

₩132,610 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 5 - Nov 6

A spacious living area with a wooden dining table, comfortable seating, a brick fireplace, and a staircase leading to an upper level.

An indoor swimming pool with a blue water feature, a tiled floor, and a seating area with chairs and a plant.

A gym with exercise equipment, a mirror, and a rack of dumbbells.

A spacious lobby with a reception desk, a dining area, and a staircase leading to upper floors.

Best Western Plus University Park Inn & Suites

Ames

₩115,172

₩128,993 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 8 - Nov 9

A modern breakfast area with a counter displaying various food items, a bakery section, and a sign indicating the need for a pan.

A reception desk with illuminated panels, a wooden reception desk, and a wall-mounted clock.

A hotel lobby with a sofa, two armchairs, a small table, and a laptop on a desk.

A modern hotel entrance with a covered walkway, stone pillars, and a parking lot.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marshalltown by IHG

Marshalltown

₩146,768

₩164,381 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

A La Quinta hotel with a modern design, featuring a prominent sign, a covered entrance, and a brick facade.

A spacious indoor area with multiple seating arrangements, including tables and chairs, a sofa, and a television mounted on the wall.

A large indoor swimming pool with clear water, surrounded by lounge chairs and a small seating area.

A spacious lobby with modern furniture, a patterned wall, and a tiled floor.

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ankeny IA - Des Moines IA

Ankeny

₩108,314

₩121,312 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 21 - Oct 22

Room

Exterior

Breakfast area

Lobby sitting area

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ames

Ames

₩90,729

₩101,617 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 1 - Nov 2

View all properties

Family-friendly hotels with pools in Central Iowa

A modern dining area with a long table, patterned chairs, and hanging pendant lights.

A hotel reception area with a counter, framed pictures, and a vending machine.

A modern lobby with seating areas, a large TV screen, and a staircase.

A Hampton Inn & Suites hotel entrance with a stone facade, a large illuminated sign, and a number 2100 displayed above the entrance.

Hampton Inn & Suites Ames

Ames

₩142,231

₩159,298 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

A modern hotel with a stone facade, labeled "Springhill Suites by Marriott," featuring a covered entrance and multiple windows.

A hotel room with a desk, two beds, a sofa, and a large artwork on the wall.

A modern hotel lobby with a seating area, a dining space, and a large window providing natural light.

A modern hotel lobby with wooden cabinetry, a self-service beverage station, and a staircase leading to another level.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ames

Ames

₩134,959

₩151,154 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 25 - Oct 26

An indoor swimming pool with a hot tub, tiled flooring, and seating area with chairs and potted plants.

A modern hotel room with a central seating area, a flat-screen TV, and a large window with curtains.

A hallway with a red carpet leading to a restaurant named "The Iowa Stater Restaurant."

A lobby with a large banner of Iowa State University Central Campus, seating area with sofas and tables, and a staircase leading to upper floors.

Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University

Ames

₩118,882

₩133,158 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 15 - Nov 16

A lobby with a fireplace, seating area, and a reception desk.

A swimming pool with a 4' 12" depth, surrounded by lounge chairs and a view of the outdoors.

A lobby with a fireplace, green and blue sofas, a flat-screen TV, and a reception desk.

A hotel room with a bed, a nightstand, a mirror, and a wall-mounted lamp.

Comfort Inn and Suites Ames near ISU Campus

Ames

₩120,883

₩135,389 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 8 - Nov 9

A hotel room with two beds, a nightstand with a lamp, and framed pictures on the wall.

A large indoor swimming pool with clear water, surrounded by lounge chairs and a tiled floor.

A spacious hotel dining area with multiple tables and chairs, a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, and a large window providing a view of the cityscape.

A hotel room with a bed, a sofa, a desk, and a chair. There are three framed pictures on the wall.

Sleep Inn & Suites Ames near ISU Campus

Ames

₩107,741

₩120,671 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 26 - Oct 27

A hotel room with a large bathtub, a sofa, a desk with a television, and a window with curtains.

A hotel corridor with a Coca-Cola vending machine and a water dispenser.

A buffet setup with various food items and a 'RISE & SHINE' sign on the wall.

A hotel lobby with a blue sofa, red chairs, a coffee table, two lamps, framed pictures on the wall, and a patterned rug.

Comfort Inn Story City

Story City

₩118,401

₩132,610 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 5 - Nov 6

A kitchen area with blue cabinets, a coffee station, and a display of food items.

A modern living room with a fireplace, comfortable seating, and a large clock on the wall.

A hotel room with a sofa, a desk, a chair, a bed, and a television.

A swimming pool with lounge chairs and tables, surrounded by tiled walls and wooden beams.

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Ames, IA

Ames

₩96,066

₩107,594 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 15 - Nov 16

A La Quinta hotel with a modern design, featuring a prominent sign, a covered entrance, and a brick facade.

A spacious indoor area with multiple seating arrangements, including tables and chairs, a sofa, and a television mounted on the wall.

A large indoor swimming pool with clear water, surrounded by lounge chairs and a small seating area.

A spacious lobby with modern furniture, a patterned wall, and a tiled floor.

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ankeny IA - Des Moines IA

Ankeny

₩108,314

₩121,312 total

includes taxes & fees

Oct 21 - Oct 22

A spacious living area with a wooden dining table, comfortable seating, a brick fireplace, and a staircase leading to an upper level.

An indoor swimming pool with a blue water feature, a tiled floor, and a seating area with chairs and a plant.

A gym with exercise equipment, a mirror, and a rack of dumbbells.

A spacious lobby with a reception desk, a dining area, and a staircase leading to upper floors.

Best Western Plus University Park Inn & Suites

Ames

₩115,172

₩128,993 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 8 - Nov 9

A coffee station with two espresso machines and a display of coffee cups and pods.

A hotel room with a bed, a desk with a chair, a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV, a mirror, and a window with an air conditioner.

A modern breakfast area with a yogurt machine, hot food options, and a bakery section.

A Holiday Inn Express & Suites hotel with a brick facade, multiple windows, and a parking lot with several cars.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Altoona-Des Moines by IHG

Altoona

₩132,091

₩147,942 total

includes taxes & fees

Nov 15 - Nov 16

Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

View all properties

Top Central Iowa Hotel Reviews

Best Western Plus University Park Inn & Suites

Best Western Plus University Park Inn & Suites

8/10 Good

"We had a good experience. It was great to be so close to campus"

Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University

Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University

10/10 Excellent

"Very quiet, clean rooms. Good breakfast, and so convenient to have a restaurant on the property. Great cocktails, too:). Close to everything in Ames."

Hampton Inn Des Moines-Airport

Hampton Inn Des Moines-Airport

8/10 Good

"It’s all good"

Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston

Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston

10/10 Excellent

"There was an emergency at the hotel and they took it serious and police were called immediately and they handled it with compassion and professional and very promptly. And gave us half off our stay. We aprpethem very much and will stay again!"

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Des Moines West, IA

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Des Moines West, IA

10/10 Excellent

"It was a perfect place to stay for the night. The price was very reasonable for the suite we got. The room was very clean. Will definitely stay here again. Oh and it was close to the breast center so that was a plus!"

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport

10/10 Excellent

"Reliable airport shuttle"

Des Lux Hotel

Des Lux Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"The staff was great. I asked for some additional pillows and 8 were on the bed when we got there. Awesome. I would highly recommend."

Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA

Motel 6 West Des Moines, IA

10/10 Excellent

"This was perfect for a short stay. It was clean and quiet. Basic no-frills stay at a good price. Would stay again."

Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines

Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines

10/10 Excellent

"We arrived Friday, and it was busy but the front desk did a great job of staying calm. She was short handed answering phone, and taking care of guests checking in apologize to each of us for the wait. Had dinner at the bar, the food was delicious staff was awesome, and friendly. Room was clean, was close too the pool, in a great location close too the door to go outside due too we had our service dog with us. King size ded was so comfortable, with clean bedding. The pool area was clean, both days we stayed. They had waffles, juice, milk, cereal, fresh fruit, yogurt, for breakfast with staff there to help."

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Book Family Hotels in Central Iowa on Expedia.com