Hotels near Iowa Events Center ranked for business travelers
9 skywalk-connected and walking-distance hotels near Iowa Events Center, selected by Navan's convention booking data for multi-day business stays in Des Moines.
How the skywalk changes your hotel decision near Iowa Events Center
Des Moines' 4.2-mile enclosed skywalk connects several of these hotels directly to Iowa Events Center: no coat in January, no heat in July. Navan's booking data prioritized skywalk access alongside proximity and guest ratings.
Closest hotel: Hilton Des Moines Downtown at 0.1 miles (attached to the venue)
Distance range: All 9 hotels within 0.5 miles of Iowa Events Center
Loyalty programs: Hilton Honors, Marriott Bonvoy, World of Hyatt, IHG One Rewards
Parking tip: Pre-book on-site for $13/car via JustPark; city garages with skywalk access from $10/day
Top Hotels Near Iowa Events Center
Hilton Des Moines Downtown
8.8 Rating (417 Reviews)
0.1 miles from Iowa Events Center
435 Park Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
The only hotel physically attached to Iowa Events Center, with an indoor skywalk connection that bypasses Des Moines weather entirely. Park Street Kitchen handles working breakfasts and post-event dinners without requiring a coat or an Uber, and 14,000 sq ft of meeting space means your breakout sessions stay under the same roof.
Comfort Inn & Suites Event Center
8.1 Rating (803 Reviews)
0.2 miles from Iowa Events Center
929 3rd St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Budget-conscious convention stays start here: free breakfast, free parking, and a two-block walk to the venue entrance. The 155 rooms fill fast during state wrestling and basketball tournaments, so booking three weeks ahead during peak season is standard practice.
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Des Moines Downtown
8.7 Rating (253 Reviews)
0.2 miles from Iowa Events Center
207 Crocker Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Bonvoy members earn points at a clean, new-build property positioned between the skywalk system and Crocker Street parking entrance. Continental breakfast runs early enough for 7 AM convention registration, and the 24-hour business center covers last-minute printing without hunting for a FedEx.
Kasa Downtown Des Moines
9.1 Rating (88 Reviews)
0.2 miles from Iowa Events Center
550 Watson Powell Junior Way, Des Moines, IA 50309
A seven-unit aparthotel with full kitchens and memory-foam beds, built for the convention attendee staying four or five nights who wants to cook rather than eat out every meal. The 9.1 guest rating reflects the residential quiet: no lobby bar crowd, no housekeeping interruptions unless requested.
Renaissance Des Moines Savery Hotel
8.4 Rating (574 Reviews)
0.3 miles from Iowa Events Center
401 Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Savery connects to Iowa Events Center via the climate-controlled skywalk and runs a complimentary airport shuttle. Scopri Restaurant serves Italian-inspired dishes strong enough for a client dinner, and the 12,000+ sq ft of meeting space accommodates off-site breakout sessions.
Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown
7.7 Rating (774 Reviews)
0.3 miles from Iowa Events Center
418 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50309
Free breakfast and a skywalk-adjacent location make this a dependable mid-tier pick for convention weeks. The lobby converts into a productive workspace during off-hours, and World of Hyatt points redemptions keep per-night costs manageable for multi-day conferences.
Des Moines Marriott Downtown
8.7 Rating (708 Reviews)
0.4 miles from Iowa Events Center
700 Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
The tallest hotel in downtown Des Moines connects to the skywalk on its second floor: swipe your room key for re-entry after evening events. Rock River Grill and 30,000+ sq ft of event space handle everything from team dinners to 500-person receptions without leaving the building.
Embassy Suites Hotel Des Moines Downtown
7.6 Rating (931 Reviews)
0.4 miles from Iowa Events Center
101 E Locust St, Des Moines, IA 50309
Two-room suites with a separate living area give convention attendees space to prep presentations or host small meetings without booking a conference room. The complimentary evening reception and full cooked breakfast offset the per-diem math on multi-day trips.
Staybridge Suites Des Moines Downtown by IHG
8.8 Rating (689 Reviews)
0.5 miles from Iowa Events Center
201 E. Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50309
Full kitchens with stovetops, hot tub access, and an evening social reception make five-night convention stays feel residential rather than transient. The 10-minute walk to Iowa Events Center trades proximity for genuine extended-stay amenities that shorter-distance hotels cannot match.
What's in the Area
- The Fort (inside Casey's Center) -- Whiskey bar on the Suite Level, open to all event ticket holders. No reservation needed between sessions.
- Buzzard Billy's (615 3rd St) -- Cajun and American grill one block south. Handles group dinners for 20+ without pre-booking on weeknights.
- Americana (1312 Locust St) -- Upscale New American on Restaurant Row in the Western Gateway. Strong pick for client dinners; reserve two days ahead during conventions.
- Scenic Route Bakery (350 E Locust St) -- East Village cafe with early hours and workspace-friendly tables. Coffee and pastries by 7 AM.
- Iowa Events Center on-site lots (3rd St and 5th Ave entrances) -- $13/car pre-booked via JustPark. No overnight parking; vehicles towed after event.
- 555 5th Ave city garage -- Closest public garage with direct skywalk connection to the venue. Rates vary; use ParkDSM app.
- Meter parking downtown -- $1.25/hour via ParkDSM app or kiosk. Enforced Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 9 PM.
- D-Line free shuttle -- Loop every 10 minutes from Iowa State Capitol to Western Gateway Park, passing the Iowa Events Center. Weekdays 6:30 AM to 6 PM; Saturdays 10 AM to 5 PM.
- DART Route 8 -- Bus from Des Moines International Airport to DART Central Station downtown. Connect to D-Line for the final leg to IEC.
- Hilton airport shuttle -- Complimentary from DSM airport, runs 4 AM to midnight every 30 minutes. Call (515) 241-1456.
- Lyft (official rideshare partner) -- Code IOWAEC for 50% off first 2 rides, up to $10 per ride.
- Des Moines Civic Center (0.3 miles) -- Broadway shows and touring performances. Evening entertainment without needing a car.
- Principal Park (0.8 miles) -- Home of the Iowa Cubs (AAA baseball). Walk south along the river for a between-sessions reset.
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (0.7 miles) -- Indoor conservatory open year-round. 15-minute walk east along the river trail.
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park (0.6 miles) -- Free outdoor art installation in Western Gateway. Open dawn to dusk.
- Gravitate Coworking (500 Locust St) -- Day passes for quiet workspace with event space for 65. Parking at 4th and Grand garage, $1/hour, $10 daily max.
- Iowa Events Center in-house services -- On-site AV, catering, exhibitor services, and marketing agency. Contact venue directly for add-ons.
- Des Moines Skywalk system -- 4.2 miles connecting 55 buildings. Open 6 AM to 10 PM daily. Hotel key required for re-entry at Marriott.
- FedEx Office (317 6th Ave) -- Printing and shipping 0.3 miles south. Open early for last-minute booth materials.
- Arrive 30 to 60 minutes early for popular events; on-site lots fill fast during state tournaments and major concerts.
- Skywalk closes at 10 PM: late events require walking outdoors between hotels and venue. Dress accordingly in winter.
- No bags larger than 14x14x6 inches allowed in Casey's Center. Check venue bag policy before arena events.
What's in the Area
- The Fort (inside Casey's Center) -- Whiskey bar on the Suite Level, open to all event ticket holders. No reservation needed between sessions.
- Buzzard Billy's (615 3rd St) -- Cajun and American grill one block south. Handles group dinners for 20+ without pre-booking on weeknights.
- Americana (1312 Locust St) -- Upscale New American on Restaurant Row in the Western Gateway. Strong pick for client dinners; reserve two days ahead during conventions.
- Scenic Route Bakery (350 E Locust St) -- East Village cafe with early hours and workspace-friendly tables. Coffee and pastries by 7 AM.
- Iowa Events Center on-site lots (3rd St and 5th Ave entrances) -- $13/car pre-booked via JustPark. No overnight parking; vehicles towed after event.
- 555 5th Ave city garage -- Closest public garage with direct skywalk connection to the venue. Rates vary; use ParkDSM app.
- Meter parking downtown -- $1.25/hour via ParkDSM app or kiosk. Enforced Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 9 PM.
- D-Line free shuttle -- Loop every 10 minutes from Iowa State Capitol to Western Gateway Park, passing the Iowa Events Center. Weekdays 6:30 AM to 6 PM; Saturdays 10 AM to 5 PM.
- DART Route 8 -- Bus from Des Moines International Airport to DART Central Station downtown. Connect to D-Line for the final leg to IEC.
- Hilton airport shuttle -- Complimentary from DSM airport, runs 4 AM to midnight every 30 minutes. Call (515) 241-1456.
- Lyft (official rideshare partner) -- Code IOWAEC for 50% off first 2 rides, up to $10 per ride.
- Des Moines Civic Center (0.3 miles) -- Broadway shows and touring performances. Evening entertainment without needing a car.
- Principal Park (0.8 miles) -- Home of the Iowa Cubs (AAA baseball). Walk south along the river for a between-sessions reset.
- Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden (0.7 miles) -- Indoor conservatory open year-round. 15-minute walk east along the river trail.
- Pappajohn Sculpture Park (0.6 miles) -- Free outdoor art installation in Western Gateway. Open dawn to dusk.
- Gravitate Coworking (500 Locust St) -- Day passes for quiet workspace with event space for 65. Parking at 4th and Grand garage, $1/hour, $10 daily max.
- Iowa Events Center in-house services -- On-site AV, catering, exhibitor services, and marketing agency. Contact venue directly for add-ons.
- Des Moines Skywalk system -- 4.2 miles connecting 55 buildings. Open 6 AM to 10 PM daily. Hotel key required for re-entry at Marriott.
- FedEx Office (317 6th Ave) -- Printing and shipping 0.3 miles south. Open early for last-minute booth materials.
- Arrive 30 to 60 minutes early for popular events; on-site lots fill fast during state tournaments and major concerts.
- Skywalk closes at 10 PM: late events require walking outdoors between hotels and venue. Dress accordingly in winter.
- No bags larger than 14x14x6 inches allowed in Casey's Center. Check venue bag policy before arena events.
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