Axel's take on Altoona & Prairie Meadows: #3 of 5 in Des Moines, 5.3/10
Best when theme parks, casino time or outlet shopping drive the trip. Strong hotels and the best value lift Altoona to third, but poor access to central sights makes it a purpose-specific base.
Stay along Adventureland Drive when Adventureland or Prairie Meadows is the reason for the trip. This is an entertainment-and-shopping base: rides and water-park days in season, scheduled horse racing, casino evenings and the Outlets of Des Moines a short drive away. Families and adults on a casino break can use the same location for entirely different weekends.
It is not a substitute for downtown's street life. Our practical recommendation is to drive between destinations rather than build the trip around walking; check Adventureland's operating calendar before committing. If your priorities are the Capitol, art, independent restaurants or East Village nights out, repeated journeys into Des Moines outweigh the convenience of sleeping here.
- Best for: families, shopping
- Skip it if: Your itinerary is mostly downtown; You want to move between attractions on foot
- Getting around: DART Route 11 reaches the Outlets via Hubbell Avenue, not every Adventureland Drive address; a car is simplest for local attractions and transfers from DSM.
- After dark: Prairie Meadows supplies late-night activity inside its casino; this is destination-based entertainment, not a walkable nightlife strip.
- Rates: Typical Axel rate $84 a night · usually 6% under the public rate
Where to stay in Des Moines: every neighborhood ranked
Where to look in Altoona & Prairie Meadows
- Bass Pro Drive. Start here for outlet shopping and nearby food stops; this is a shopping-led base rather than a downtown-style walking neighborhood. Hotels here: Fairfield Inn & Suites Des Moines Altoona, Hyatt Place Altoona/Des Moines.
- Adventureland Drive at Prairie Meadows Drive. Choose this stretch for casino evenings and short attraction trips; plan crossings carefully rather than assuming an easy promenade. Hotels here: Comfort Inn Altoona-Des Moines, Quality Inn & Suites Altoona - Des Moines, Super 8 by Wyndham Altoona.
- Adventureland Drive at 34th Avenue. Prioritize the Adventureland end when rides drive the trip; arrival traffic can make this junction busy. Hotels here: Best Western Plus Altoona Inn, Motel 6 Altoona, IA - Des Moines East.
How to choose
- Choose Fairfield Inn & Suites Des Moines Altoona if consistent cleanliness and service matter enough to pay for one of the pricier picks.
- Choose Hyatt Place Altoona/Des Moines if your family needs generous rooms with sleeper sofas near the outlets.
- Choose My Place Hotel - Altoona/Des Moines, IA if you want cheaper-than-most self-catering and can bring kitchenware and skip the pool.
What paying more buys
Fairfield Inn & Suites Des Moines Altoona is one of the pricier picks, with standout cleanliness, breakfast, a pool and whirlpool. Cheaper-than-most My Place offers stovetops and full-size refrigerators instead, without included breakfast, cookware, a pool or gym. Fairfield’s premium is less useful if you’ll spend all day out and prepare your own meals. Typical rates with Axel here run from $72 a night at Motel 6 Altoona, IA - Des Moines East to $168 at Fairfield Inn & Suites Des Moines Altoona (last 30 days).
The best hotels in Altoona & Prairie Meadows, ranked by Axel's take
Each hotel scored for what it is by Axel's own review; the rate is one stay Axel priced this week, beside the public rate for the same dates.
- Fairfield Inn & Suites Des Moines Altoona 9.0/10, limited-service 3-star near Altoona’s outlets and Adventureland. A strong suburban pick that gets the basics consistently right. Why it's here: standout cleanliness and consistently helpful staff near Altoona shopping and attractions. Accept: one of the pricier picks; some hallway noise. $140 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- La Quinta by Wyndham Altoona Des Moines 8.8/10, straightforward 3-star hotel off I-80 in Altoona. A strong highway stop with clean rooms, friendly staff and useful family extras. Why it's here: a clean, friendly I-80 stop with spacious rooms and useful family extras. Accept: uneven breakfast selection; confirm pool availability. $86 a night with Axel against $92 a night on Expedia for the same dates and party: $6 a night less (6%). Sign up free to book this rate
- Hyatt Place Altoona/Des Moines 8.8/10, modern, family-friendly 3-star in suburban Altoona. Spacious rooms and strong cleanliness make this a dependable Altoona base. Why it's here: generous family rooms with sleeper sofas and strong cleanliness near the outlets. Accept: recurring Wi-Fi and TV problems; breakfast can be uneven. $132 a night with Axel against $154 a night on Expedia for the same dates and party: $22 a night less (14%). Sign up free to book this rate
- My Place Hotel - Altoona/Des Moines, IA 8.5/10, no-frills 3-star extended-stay hotel near Adventureland. A strong, simple base for Altoona attractions, with useful kitchens and friendly staff. Why it's here: cheaper-than-most self-catering with stovetops, full-size refrigerators and friendly staff. Accept: kitchenware and breakfast cost extra; no pool or gym. $101 a night with Axel against $109 a night on Expedia for the same dates and party: $8 a night less (8%). Sign up free to book this rate
- Comfort Inn Altoona-Des Moines 7.9/10, no-frills budget chain hotel near Adventureland and Prairie Meadows. A solid Altoona overnight stop, but don't count on a swim. Why it's here: an easy Prairie Meadows stop with breakfast, parking and friendly staff. Accept: prolonged pool closure and some room-maintenance complaints. $99 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- Quality Inn & Suites Altoona - Des Moines 7.7/10, no-frills 2-star near Adventureland and Prairie Meadows. A practical budget base with helpful staff, dated rooms and modest extras. Why it's here: cheaper-than-most Altoona basics with helpful staff, free parking and breakfast. Accept: no elevator, dated decor and a small pool. $68 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- Best Western Plus Altoona Inn 7.6/10, budget-friendly, limited-service hotel across from Adventureland. Convenient for Adventureland, but upkeep and breakfast consistency hold it back. Why it's here: Adventureland convenience with included breakfast, parking and an indoor pool. Accept: uneven upkeep, inconsistent breakfast replenishment and strict parking-pass rules. $77 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- Super 8 by Wyndham Altoona 7.1/10, basic 2-star roadside hotel near Adventureland and Prairie Meadows. Friendly staff and a handy location, but the rooms show their age. Why it's here: a basic Altoona stop with helpful staff and in-room microwaves and refrigerators. Accept: worn interiors, uneven housekeeping and uncertain pool reliability. $59 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
- Motel 6 Altoona, IA - Des Moines East 5.1/10, no-frills 2-star motel near Adventureland and I-80. Convenient for Adventureland, but inconsistent cleaning and worn facilities make it hard to recommend. Why it's here: a bare-bones Altoona stop for drivers bringing pets. Accept: unreliable cleaning, broken fixtures and a reportedly unavailable pool. $73 a night with Axel; no public rate was seen for these dates. Sign up free to book this rate
