Ramada By Wyndham Des Moines Tropics Resort & Conference Ctr, Urbandale ∞ Discover spa retreats, reviews & deals for 2025

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About Resort

5000 Merle Hay Road, Urbandale, Iowa, United States, 50322

“The hotel's proximity to the interstate made it incredibly convenient for traveling to surrounding attractions.”view full review

Ramada By Wyndham Des Moines Tropics Resort & Conference Ctr is a family-friendly, 3-star resort featuring an 18000-square-foot indoor water park, along with a full-service restaurant and conference facilities. Guests can enjoy comfortable accommodations and a range of recreational amenities, including a hot tub and several water slides.

Rooms & Amenities

Guestrooms at Ramada include air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and refrigerators. Suites offer additional amenities such as jetted hot tubs and pool views. Guests can upgrade to poolside suites for a more relaxing experience.

Dining & Leisure

Dining options include Castaways Bar and Grill, where guests can enjoy casual meals in a festive atmosphere. The on-site tiki bar provides light bites and refreshing drinks by the pool.

Business & Services

The resort features six meeting rooms that can accommodate up to 350 guests, ideal for conferences and events. A 24-hour front desk assists with any guest needs, ensuring a convenient stay.

Location & Transportation

The Ramada is located close to several attractions, including the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum and Buccaneer Arena, both within a 10-minute drive. Nearby transport options include bus services for easy local travel.

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Select your room type

The hotel offers a variety of rooms including double rooms, family rooms, and suites with breakfast, free cancelations, and special deals

King Room Non-Smoking

Max:

2 persons

295 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Coffee machine

Heating

room details

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Deluxe King Room Non-Smoking

Max:

2 persons

295 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Coffee machine

Heating

room details

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Queen Room Mobility Access or Non-Smoking

Max:

2 persons

295 sq. feet

Bed options:

1 Double bed

Coffee machine

Heating

room details

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Price and Room Availability Calendar

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Getting around

Explore a range of transportation options for your spa getaway

City Centre

Urbandale 1.8 mi

Airports

Des Moines International (DSM) 10.2 mi

Boone Municipal (BNW) 37.8 mi

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Kid-Friendly Waterpark!

“The waterpark was a highlight for my family, featuring thrilling slides and a special toddler pool area that kept the little ones entertained for hours.” view full review

Accessible Fun!

“I noticed that the facility had great accessibility features, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the attractions, including the toddler pool and arcade.” view full review

Unique Aquatic Rooms

“Our aquatic-themed room was a fun touch for our family's stay, giving it a playful and immersive atmosphere that delighted the kids.” view full review

Relaxing Hot Tub

“The hot tub offered a perfect spot to unwind after a day at the waterpark. Its warm water was a great way to relax and enjoy some family bonding time.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Free Wi-Fi
Free parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
Security
Lift
ATM/Cash machine
Vending machines
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Bowling
Golf course

Services

Laundry
Shops/Commercial services
Welcome drink

Dining

Restaurant
Poolside snack bar

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Children's menu
Children's pool
Water slides
Game room

Facilities for people with disabilities

Toilet for disabled

Spa & Leisure

Plunge pool
Indoor swimming pool
Aqua park
Live entertainment
Jacuzzi

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Soundproofed rooms
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Media

Flat-screen TV

Room decor

Carpeted floor

Location

5000 Merle Hay Road, Urbandale, Iowa, United States, 50322

Map view

5000 Merle Hay Road, Urbandale, Iowa, United States, 50322

City landmarks

Amusement Park

Lions Park

1.4 mi

Landmark

Terra Lake

1.5 mi

Landmark

Lew Clarkson Park

1.3 mi

Amusement Park

Westchester Park

1.9 mi

Landmark

American Reading Academy

2800 ft

Landmark

Trestle to Trestle Trail

3400 ft

Landmark

Terra Park

1.6 mi

Landmark

Saint Aidan's Anglican Church

4400 ft

Church

New Hope Assembly of God Church

4700 ft

Church

Saint James Lutheran Church

4700 ft

Landmark

New Hope Assembly of God Student Campus

5000 ft

Church

Gospel Assembly Church

5200 ft

Landmark

Walker Johnston Park

2.7 mi

Church

Urbandale Baptist Church

5200 ft

Church

Saint Mary of Nazareth Church

1.0 mi

Mall

Haymarket Mall

1.1 mi

Mall

Merle Hay Mall

1.3 mi

Landmark

Cornerstone Community Church

1.1 mi

Landmark

Flix Brewhouse Des Moines

1.3 mi

Church

Westchester E-Free Church

1.2 mi

Landmark

Westchester Evangelical Free Church

1.2 mi

Landmark

Des Moines Mennonite Church

1.2 mi

Church

New Hope United Methodist Church

1.3 mi

Church

Zion Lutheran Church

1.3 mi

Landmark

Sikhs of Iowa Khalsa Heritage Gurudwara

1.5 mi

Landmark

Lazer X

1.5 mi

Landmark

Islamic and Education Center "Ezan"

1.5 mi

Church

Urban Heights Evangelical Covenant Church

1.5 mi

Church

St Pius X Catholic Church

1.6 mi

Landmark

Saint Pius X Church

1.6 mi

Nearby

Trestle to Trestle Trail

3400 ft

American Reading Academy

3600 ft

Restaurants

Bandit Burrito

4100 ft

5340 Merle Hay Rd

Sonic Drive-In

3900 ft

5350 Merle Hay Road

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

Russell

United States, January 2025

5.4/10

My recent stay at this hotel was quite an experience. The water park is a major draw, especially for families with young kids, but I found the room situation very disappointing, as there were issues with mold and odors affecting our comfort. While some staff members were attentive and helpful, there were also significant gaps in service that made our stay frustrating. Overall, it's a fun place for kids but it needs quite a bit of improvement to really shine.

Rooms

5.0

The rooms had a damp smell, and some were reported to have mold, which was quite off-putting.

Service

5.0

The service was hit or miss, with some staff being helpful, while others seemed distracted and untrained.

Location

7.0

The hotel is conveniently located near the freeway and has easy access to restaurants, making it fairly convenient.

Dining

5.0

Dining options were okay, but the breakfast was limited and not the best quality for the price.

Facilities

6.0

The water park was a lot of fun for the kids, but the cleanliness of the pool area could be improved.

Kelly

United States, November 2024

5.4/10

My recent stay at this hotel was a mixed bag. The pool area was a hit with the kids, but the overall cleanliness left much to be desired. While I appreciated the friendly staff, the dining options were limited and needed more variety. The hotel's location was decent, but the facilities are in dire need of an upgrade.

Rooms

5.0

Unfortunately, the room I was in wasn't the cleanest-there were some bugs that really grossed me out, and the furniture felt worn down.

Service

7.0

The staff were friendly and attended to our needs, but I did notice some could be more attentive to details.

Location

6.0

The hotel's location was fine, but the surrounding area didn't give off the best vibe, especially with the state of the sidewalks and overall appearance.

Dining

5.0

The dining experience was quite limited as the restaurant hours were restrictive, leaving us without adequate options during the day.

Facilities

5.0

The facilities, especially the waterpark, are in need of an overhaul. Some of the attractions were out of order, and overall upkeep is lacking.

Keith

United States, November 2024

5.0/10

Our stay at the hotel was quite disappointing overall. While the water park provided a fun time for the kids, the rooms had issues like lingering odors, and the restaurant was closed during our visit. The customer service left much to be desired, especially regarding the rude management we encountered. Though the location was good, the noise levels made it challenging to enjoy our stay.

Rooms

5.0

The room initially assigned to us had a strange smell and poor air conditioning. After a switch to a smaller room, we did notice better air quality, but the layout and design were lacking.

Service

5.0

The service was frustrating, particularly with the management who handled our complaints poorly. While some staff members were chill, the lack of responsiveness from others was disheartening.

Location

6.0

The hotel's location was decent, but the noise from outside, especially from nearby hangouts, was disruptive during our stay.

Dining

5.0

The dining options were limited as the restaurant was closed during our stay. The breakfast buffet that was available lacked variety and freshness.

Facilities

7.0

The pool area was a highlight for the kids, but the cold temperatures made it less enjoyable for adults. The water slides were fun but could have used better supervision.

Fun water park

Poor management

Steve

United States, November 2024

5.0/10

Our stay at the hotel had its ups and downs. The indoor water park was a highlight, keeping the kids entertained, but the overall experience was marred by issues in the room and dining. While the location was decent, the dining options left much to be desired and cleanliness was a significant concern. I wouldn't say it offered great value for money considering the drawbacks we encountered.

Rooms

5.0

The room we stayed in was outdated and had cleanliness issues, including mold and bugs, which made it uncomfortable.

Service

5.0

The service was inconsistent; while some staff members tried to be accommodating, there were significant lapses in communication that complicated our stay.

Location

6.0

The hotel itself is conveniently located near family-friendly attractions, but it's definitely showing signs of wear.

Dining

5.0

Dining options were limited and the food quality was lacking, with several items being stale or unavailable.

Facilities

5.0

The indoor water park provided some fun for the kids, but cleanliness and maintenance were below standard.

Tim

United States, September 2024

6.4/10

Our stay at the hotel was quite mixed. The water park's appeal was great for the kids, and there were many family-friendly activities. However, we were disappointed by the cleanliness of the rooms and the overall service, which seemed overwhelmed. The dining options were okay, but definitely overpriced. For what we paid during our stay, I expected a bit more consistency in quality.

Rooms

Upon arrival, the first room had a strong musty odor, which was unpleasant, and even after moving to a second room, it still wasn't clean enough for my family. Rating: 3/10

Service

Although the staff were trying hard, they seemed stretched thin and couldn't keep up with the service demands, especially in the dining area. Rating: 5/10

Location

The hotel is located in a decent area but had some facilities showing disrepair that made me wary about safety for the kids. Rating: 6/10

Dining

The dining options were limited and felt overpriced for the quality provided. Breakfast offerings appeared underwhelming. Rating: 5/10

Facilities

The water park was a highlight and provided a lot of entertainment for the children, but other areas felt neglected and messy. Rating: 7/10