Business Travel With an “Un-Presidented” Stay in Des Moines, Iowa
Love the movie “Field of Dreams”? Well, Iowa is home to the movie’s famous ball field.
And if you’ve ever had the chance to visit Iowa, you already know it’s a pretty cool place. But for many of you, it’s probably not the “destination of your dreams.” However, if you ever get the opportunity to travel to Iowa for business or pleasure, you must see it for yourself.
To make a trip to Des Moines, Iowa more exciting, consider staying at the Hotel Fort Des Moines, part of the Curio Collection by Hilton. The hotel’s upscale décor and vibrant downtown location are inviting. But the fact that you can stay and sleep in a hotel where past U.S. Presidents and other celebrities stayed makes for a unique, unprecedented hotel stay.
Impressive History at Hotel Fort Des Moines
The Hotel Fort Des Moines dates back to the year 1919 and it’s now a preserved landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s been said the celebrities stayed in this hotel including Elvis and Johnny Cash while touring. If that’s not impressive enough, Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson met for a business dinner at the hotel. The nostalgic décor reflects a time past including the retro light fixtures, ornate furnishings, and other historical details.
So, before you go brushing off a visit to Iowa, consider that this hotel offers you the opportunity to stay in the Penthouse Suite or Presidential Suite where presidents, visionaries, and famed entertainers slept.
Ideal Downtown Location in Des Moines
The Hotel Des Moines location is close enough to all the popular destinations but far enough away to avoid the noisy city bustle. Located in the center of downtown, the hotel is just five miles from the Des Moines International Airport.
Des Moines is home to many cultural attractions, entertainment venues, and sports arenas, including Principal Park, the home to the Iowa Cubs, and the Triple A affiliate to Chicago Cubs major league baseball team.
You may have heard of the Iowa State Fairgrounds and if you’re lucky enough to visit in the summer, for 11 days in August, you can enjoy the Iowa State Fair featuring your heart’s content of fried foods, rides, games, music, crafts, shopping, and more. The rest of the year, the fairgrounds offer a full calendar filled with shows, concerts, flea markets, auto shows, livestock exhibitions, and other lively, must-see attractions.
The Iowa State Capitol is a self-guided tour, full of history, and known for its iconic golden dome. The Western Gateway Park in downtown Des Moines has a lot to explore including the very cool Papajohn Sculpture Park with the most unique outdoor art, and the Central Library.
The Des Moines area is also popular for its Downtown Farmer’s Market, Greater Des Moines Botanical Gardens, State Historical Museum of Iowa, Salisbury House & Gardens, Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines Metro Opera, and Gray’s Lake Park.
Charming Historic Details Amidst Modern Amenities at Hotel Fort Des Moines
The Hotel Fort Des Moines pays tribute to the hotel’s past as the lobby, guest rooms, and suites are decorated with 1920s-inspired ornate furnishings, bronze light fixtures, eclectic art, and detailed décor blended with modern conveniences. Imagine staying in a room once occupied by celebrities and U.S. Presidents. It seems to be a fascinating story about every part of the historical hotel property.
Modern amenities offered at Hotel Fort Des Moines include:
:: Free WI-FI
:: Express Check-in/Check-out
:: On-site restaurants
:: Coffee and wine bar
:: Library
:: Fitness center
:: Business center
:: Meeting rooms
:: Banquet facilities
:: Courtyard
:: Valet Parking (fee)
:: Skywalk connection
:: Dry Cleaning
Note: The secured, covered valet parking costs $36 per day but does allow in/out privileges. There is also on-street parking if you’re lucky to grab a parking spot, but you need to continually pay the parking meter. There is also a parking garage located directly behind the hotel that is not associated with the hotel.
While there is no pool onsite, there is a convenient fitness center that offers the latest in fitness equipment and technology presented by both TechnoGym and Peloton.
Hotel Guest Rooms and Very Special Suites Fit For a President
As expected from a Curio Collection by Hilton hotel, the guest rooms are impeccably decorated with ornate furnishings, spacious, immaculately clean, and beds are super comfortable with plush bedding. There are 290 upscale guestrooms with plush furnishings, complimentary WI-FI, and a range of contemporary amenities. Accessible rooms are available. There are excellent views from corner rooms, especially on a higher floor like the 10th or 11th floor. Suites have a living room, and a bathroom separate from the bedroom.
Room amenities include:
:: Digital keys
:: Arm chair with ottoman
:: Black-out curtains
:: 300 thread count sheets
:: Bathroom toiletries/Hairdryer
:: Coffee maker
:: 55-inch Smart TVs/Streaming
:: Iron/Ironing board
:: Radio alarm clock/MP3 Connection
Dining at Hotel Fort Des Moines and Downtown Des Moines
The hotel features two onsite restaurants to conveniently enjoy a meal, have a cocktail, or simply grab a cup of coffee. The atmosphere of both places match the upscale look of the hotel, a bit pricey but cost justified based on the outstanding, delicious food and tasty beverages.
Proudfoot & Bird Restaurant
The hotel restaurant located on the first floor, Proudfoot & Bird, is fantastic. Named after the architects of the original Hotel Fort Des Moines, the restaurant features marble tables, intricate gold ceiling inlay, plush soft seating, and a grand circular bar. You can dine on unique options like duck, rabbit, and venison, or stick with favorites like Chicken and Biscuits or Farmer’s Cheese served with sourdough bread.
Hobnob Coffee and Wine Bar
Located beside the lobby of the hotel is the Hobnob Coffee and Wine Bar, apparently named after a 1940s restaurant that was in the same location. Fast forward to today where it now offers locally roasted coffee and delicious food selections like the Cast Iron Skillet Biscuits and Gravy, or the Beer Battered Milton Creamery Cheese Curds. You can enjoy fresh-brewed coffee from award-winning curated selections any time of day. The atmosphere matches the hotel décor, except with a casual European countryside style.
Ssshhh! There’s also a secret speakeasy bar at Hotel Fort Des Moines but mums the word, so you’ll have to find this hidden secret for yourself. I’ll give you a hint … a secret door in the Hob Knob coffee shop. No more hints, my lips are sealed.
The hotel’s restaurants and lounge areas are amazing but there are so many downtown restaurants within walking distance of Hotel Fort Des Moines to enjoy. Notable nearby establishments include Starbucks, Bubba, Malo, 801 Chophouse, and Americana. Bubba is a great southern restaurant located next door to the hotel and highly recommended for dinner, especially the Fried Green Tomatoes, Fried Iowa Pork Chop, BBQ Meatloaf, Sweet Potato Fries and the Whiskey Pecan Pie.
For an afternoon snack, be sure to head to Molly’s Cupcakes in the East Village for a delicious cupcake. There are approximately 20 cupcake flavors to choose from like Salted Caramel Butterscotch, Blueberry Cheesecake, Key Lime, Churro, Tiramisu, Peanut Butter Nutella, and Peach Cobbler.
Hotel Fort Des Moines Exceeded My Expectations
Staying here for a few days on a business road trip through Iowa and Nebraska made for a welcoming stay and a great experience. Outstanding service from start to finish. It’s not every business trip that you get the privilege to stay at a historic, iconic destination where U.S. Presidents stepped foot inside and slept. This hotel is brimming with nostalgia from the lobby and all the way into each guest room and suite. All the details in the lounge area in the main lobby were amazing. The guest rooms are equally beautiful, spacious, comfortable, and quiet.
Hotel Fort Des Moines was a most ideal location and so convenient to see the downtown attractions in Des Moines. There were so many restaurants and cultural sites. I was quite surprised about how amazing the food selections turned out to be.
And if you’re wondering, the Field of Dreams movie site is indeed in Iowa. You can visit the location in Dyersville, Iowa and take a tour of the location and iconic Field of Dreams Farm House (though it’s approximately 175 miles away from Des Moines).