Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection By Hilton, Des Moines ➤ Reviews, Rooms & Prices 2025

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About the Hotel

1000 Walnut Street, Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50309

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection By Hilton is a historic landmark listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was the first hotel to offer private bathrooms west of the Mississippi and the first in North America to have a car lift. Opened in 1919, it is known for hosting notable guests including U.S. presidents and Hollywood legends. Located in downtown Des Moines, the hotel serves as a gateway to the city's rich cultural and historical attractions.

Location

Hotel Fort Des Moines is situated in the heart of downtown Des Moines, making it easily accessible to local attractions, including the Iowa State Capitol and the Historic East Village. The hotel is approximately 10 km from Des Moines International Airport and offers valet parking services. Guests can navigate the city using the public transport system or via the climate-controlled skywalk that connects various downtown venues.

Rooms

Guests can choose from a variety of rooms that blend modern comforts with elegant historical design. Each room features amenities such as HDTV, Bluetooth alarm clock radios, and comfortable seating areas. The corner rooms provide additional space and natural light, showcasing views of downtown Des Moines. Accessible options are available, including rooms with roll-in showers for guests with mobility concerns.

Eat & Drink

On-site dining is provided by Proudfoot & Bird, offering handmade pastas and locally sourced produce, paired with an award-winning wine selection. Hobnob Coffee and Wine Bar serves locally roasted coffee and shareable bites in a casual European-inspired setting. The hotel also features a speakeasy-style bar, 'In Confidence,' known for its curated wine collection and craft cocktails. Dining spaces are designed to evoke the elegance of the hotel’s early 20th-century origins.

Leisure & Business

The hotel includes state-of-the-art meeting spaces, including the iconic Grand Ballroom, which can accommodate up to 800 guests. The Reading Room provides a more intimate setting for up to 30 people, suited for small gatherings. Guests also have access to a fitness center equipped with the latest technologies and a business center catering to corporate needs. The hotel's amenities are designed to blend historic charm with modern functionality.

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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 Studio Suite

Max:

2 persons

24 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Heating

Air conditioning

room details

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Studio Suite Two Queen Beds

Max:

4 persons

37 m²

Bed options:

1 King-size bed

Heating

Air conditioning

room details

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Queen Room Two Queen Beds

Max:

4 persons

28 m²

Bed options:

2 King Size Beds

Heating

Air conditioning

room details

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Getting around

A list of all available modes of transport

City Centre

Des Moines800 m

Airports

Des Moines International (DSM) 8.0 km

Boone Municipal (BNW) 80.9 km

Facilities

The hotel offers amenities for your comfortable stay and unforgettable experiences

Comfortable Haven

“The bed in our room was incredibly comfortable, ensuring a restful night's sleep every evening.” view full review

Shower Bliss

“The shower was absolutely fantastic, providing refreshing pressure that really rejuvenated me after a long day.” view full review

Stunning Design

“The vintage modern decor of the hotel was beautifully executed, creating an inviting and stylish atmosphere throughout our stay.” view full review

Delicious Meals

“Dining at the hotel was a treat, with gracious staff and a menu full of delectable dishes that we thoroughly enjoyed.” view full review

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
Safe deposit box
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
No pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
Wheelchair access
Security
Luggage storage
Allergy-free rooms
Lift
Coffee shop
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access
Key access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre

Services

Valet parking
Room service
Housekeeping
Laundry
Dry cleaning
Shops/Commercial services
Welcome drink

Dining

Restaurant
Snack bar
Bar/ Lounge area

Business

Business centre
Meeting/ Banquet facilities

Spa & Leisure

Live entertainment

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Sitting area
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Media

AM/FM alarm clock

Room decor

Curtains

Location

1000 Walnut Street, Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50309

Map view

1000 Walnut Street, Des Moines, Iowa, United States, 50309

City landmarks

Museum

Science Center of Iowa

1.0 km

Event hall

Polk County Convention Complex

1.2 km

730 3rd St

Wells Fargo Arena

1.5 km

Theatre

Des Moines Civic Center

840 m

Public Building

Capitol Building

2.3 km

Court Avenue

980 m

Market

Des Moines' Downtown Farmers' Market

790 m

4th Street

670 m

100 Locust St

World Food Prize Hall of Laureates

940 m

330 Park St

Iowa Hall of Pride

900 m

Garden

Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens

1.8 km

1 Line Dr

Principal Park

1.6 km

Garden

Better Homes and Gardens Test Garden

830 m

Stadium

Iowa Wild

1.1 km

Garden

Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden

2.3 km

Museum

Hoyt Sherman Place

850 m

Margo Frankel Woods State Park

1.5 km

Des Moines River

Lake Red Rock

1.5 km

Museum

State Historical Museum

1.9 km

Night club

Wasabi Tao

620 m

2002 Woodland Avenue

Gateway Market

1.3 km

111 Court Ave

Polk County Heritage Gallery

910 m

Spa Centre

East Village Spa

2.1 km

Park

Raccoon River Park

1.9 km

Park

Gray's Lake Park

2.8 km

Night club

Lime Lounge

1.6 km

Nearby

Park

Pappajohn Sculpture Park

490 m

Event hall

Grand Hall @ The Temple for Performing Arts

200 m

Public Building

Polk County Courthouse

590 m

Museum

Wells Fargo Museum

470 m

Restaurants

Django Restaurant

60 m

1420 Locust St

Centro Restaurant

130 m

1003 Locust St

Panera Bread

60 m

215 10th Street Suite 150

Starbucks

160 m

1013 Locust St

Smokey D's BBQ

270 m

1200 Locust St

Grumpy Goat Tavern

350 m

1303 Walnut St

Americana Restaurant and Lounge

500 m

1312 Locust St

City Center Lounge

520 m

700 Grand Ave Des Moines Marriott Downtown

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback from previous guests about their experience.

68%

liked the hotel and would stay again

Quiet

Clean

Worn down

Deserted location

6.8/10

Nice

Rooms

6.7

Location

7.7

Service

7.3

Dining

5.7

Sean

United States, February 2024

6.4/10

My stay at this hotel was full of surprises. The room was outdated and beat up with a lever, but on the bright side, a personal greeting welcomed me on the TV when I arrived. The service was very considerate and helpful, even making space for me to print a document. The location was absolutely beautiful, though a little towards the western edge of downtown. However, the dining experience left much to be desired, with dried-out scrambled eggs and running out of bacon. Overall, an interesting mix of experiences.

Rooms

6.0

The room was a bit outdated and beat up with a lever, but the personalized TV greeting was a nice touch.

Service

8.0

The service was very polite and considerate, even accommodating a special request to print a document.

Location

9.0

The location was great, showcasing the culture of the city and close to top-notch restaurants and lovely parks. A little towards the western edge of downtown.

Dining

5.0

The dining experience fell short with dried-out scrambled eggs and running out of bacon during breakfast.

Facilities

5.0

Harvey

United States, December 2023

7.2/10

The hotel feels like a mix between a Super 8 and something a bit more upscale, with some areas needing a touch-up. However, the ample closet space in our suite was a nice surprise for a longer stay.

Rooms

6.0

The rooms could use some improvement with peeling paint, but the BIG closet was a great feature for extended stays.

Service

7.0

The service was a mix of excellence when assistance was needed and a bit of disgruntlement in other interactions. We appreciated the helpfulness during times when good customer service is hard to find.

Location

8.0

The location is fantastic, close to downtown with great dining options, but slightly towards the west edge. However, the staff's friendliness and the cleanliness of the facility make up for it.

Dining

7.0

While the breakfast had its issues and options were limited, the traditional Greek dishes offered were a pleasant surprise. Just make sure you don't run into the bacon shortage situation!

Facilities

8.0

The facilities overall met expectations, providing the necessary services one would expect from a hotel of this caliber.

Derrick

United States, October 2023

6.8/10

I had a mixed experience at the hotel. The rooms were spacious, modern, clean, and very quiet, which was great, but they did show some signs of wear and tear. The service, though slow in responding to issues, was generally good. The location was convenient for accessing downtown attractions, but the area felt deserted in the evenings. The dining options were decent, but I found myself preferring to go out for meals. Overall, it was an average stay with some positives and negatives to consider.

Rooms

8.0

The rooms were spacious, modern, clean, and very quiet, meeting my expectations. However, some parts showed signs of wear and tear.

Service

7.0

The service was satisfactory, although there were delays in addressing some issues.

Location

6.0

The hotel's location was convenient for exploring downtown attractions, but the area felt empty and quiet in the evenings.

Dining

6.0

The dining options were average; I found myself opting to dine out rather than eat at the hotel.