10 Best Family Friendly Hotels in Central Iowa for 2026

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Check availability on Central Iowa Family friendly Hotels

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Our top choices for Central Iowa family-friendly hotels

An indoor swimming pool with a hot tub, tiled flooring, and seating area with chairs and potted plants.

A modern hotel room with a central seating area, a flat-screen TV, and a large window with curtains.

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, a chair, and a TV.

A modern bathroom with a glass shower enclosure, a white toilet, a vanity with a mirror, and neatly folded towels.

1. Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University

Ames

Dive into family fun at the indoor pool—this hotel offers hiking trails and a hot tub, perfect for family adventures.

RM400

RM448 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Oct - 12 Oct

An indoor swimming pool with wooden beams, tiled walls, and a seating area with tables and chairs.

A spa area with a hot tub, wooden ceiling beams, tiled walls, and a view through large windows.

A bathroom with a toilet, a sink, a bathtub, and a shower curtain.

A restaurant with a stone fireplace, wooden furniture, and a high ceiling with fans.

2. AmericInn by Wyndham Ames

Ames

Family-friendly fun begins with an indoor pool and firepit at this cosy Ames hotel, where kids play while parents relax.

RM275

RM308 total

includes taxes & fees

28 Sept - 29 Sept

A modern hotel with a stone facade, labeled "Springhill Suites by Marriott," featuring a covered entrance and multiple windows.

An outdoor seating area with stone walls, a fire pit, and modern furniture.

A modern hotel lobby with a seating area, a dining space, and a large window providing natural light.

A modern reception desk with a wooden finish and a white counter. A large wall mural with various words and phrases is visible behind the desk.

3. SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ames

Ames

RM412

RM462 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Sept - 28 Sept

4. Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ames

Ames

Family fun awaits near campus with health club, garden views, and premium amenities for everyone to enjoy together.

RM312

RM349 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Sept - 28 Sept

A hotel room with a large bathtub, a sofa, a desk with a television, and a window with curtains.

A bathroom with a sink, mirror, toilet, and two framed pictures on the wall.

A buffet setup with various food items and a 'RISE & SHINE' sign on the wall.

An indoor swimming pool with clear blue water, surrounded by seating areas and windows.

5. Comfort Inn Story City

Story City

RM374

RM419 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Oct - 19 Oct

A spacious lobby with a brown sofa, armchairs, and a coffee table.

A large indoor swimming pool with clear water, surrounded by lounge chairs and a tiled floor.

A spacious hotel dining area with multiple tables and chairs, a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, and a large window providing a view of the cityscape.

A reception area with a wooden reception desk, a computer, and a wall-mounted sign.

6. Sleep Inn & Suites Ames near ISU Campus

Ames

RM343

RM384 total

includes taxes & fees

29 Sept - 30 Sept

A modern hotel lobby with a bar area, seating arrangements, and a herringbone-patterned wall.

An indoor swimming pool with clear lane markings, a diving board, and lounge chairs along the poolside.

A Staybridge Suites hotel with a modern facade, multiple floors, and a central entrance.

7. Staybridge Suites Ames by IHG

Ames

RM412

RM461 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Oct - 12 Oct

A modern dining area with a kitchen in the background, a flat-screen TV displaying "Free Wi-Fi All Rooms", and a ceiling fan.

A walk-in shower with a glass door, a handheld showerhead, a handheld faucet, and a towel rack.

A swimming pool with a tiled floor and walls, surrounded by chairs and tables.

A hotel room with a bed, a desk, a chair, a sofa, and a TV.

8. Sonesta Essential Ames

Ames

RM270

RM303 total

includes taxes & fees

6 Oct - 7 Oct

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Choose what matters most at family-friendly hotels in Central Iowa

Breakfast included

Pool

All-inclusive

4 stars

5 stars

Family-friendly hotels with free breakfast in Central Iowa

A modern hotel lobby with wooden cabinetry, a self-service beverage station, and a staircase leading to another level.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ames

Ames

RM412

RM462 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Sept - 28 Sept

A hotel room with two beds, a desk, a chair, and a large window.

An indoor swimming pool with clear water, surrounded by lounge chairs and tables.

A spacious, modern interior with a long wooden table and bar stools, a seating area with sofas, and a kitchen area with a countertop and shelving.

GrandStay Hotel & Suites

Johnston

RM333

RM373 total

includes taxes & fees

24 Sept - 25 Sept

Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Ames

Ames

RM312

RM349 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Sept - 28 Sept

A hotel room with a large bed, a nightstand, a wall-mounted TV, and a window with curtains.

An indoor swimming pool with clear windows, white chairs, and a blue and white color scheme.

A brick building with a covered entrance and a car parked in front.

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Des Moines Airport

Greater South Side

RM269

RM301 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Oct - 5 Oct

A gym with a treadmill, elliptical, and weight machine.

A bedroom with a wooden headboard, a large bed with white linens, two bedside lamps, a bench, and a wall-mounted mirror.

A cozy living room with a fireplace, a television, a sofa, and a dining table.

Crossroads Hotel and Event Center

Fort Dodge

RM243

RM273 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Sept - 28 Sept

A hotel room with a sofa, a small table, a desk, and a TV.

Staybridge Suites Ames by IHG

Ames

RM412

RM461 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Oct - 12 Oct

A hallway with a red carpet leading to a restaurant named "The Iowa Stater Restaurant."

Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University

Ames

RM400

RM448 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Oct - 12 Oct

A spacious kitchen with a large island, bar stools, and a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall.

A hotel lobby with a reception desk, seating area, large windows, and an exit sign.

A wooden deck with a metal railing overlooking a body of water and a grassy landscape.

A hotel room with a large bed, two bedside tables with lamps, a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, and a painting above the bed.

Cobblestone Inn & Suites - Newton

Newton

RM466

RM522 total

includes taxes & fees

29 Sept - 30 Sept

A sunroom with a glass ceiling, wicker furniture, and potted plants.

A clean, well-lit breakfast area with a self-service station, a coffee machine, and a variety of food items.

An indoor swimming pool with clear glass walls, white lounge chairs, and a tiled floor.

A hotel room with a bed, a blue armchair, a desk, and a nightstand.

Baymont by Wyndham Des Moines Airport

Southwestern Hills

RM374

RM419 total

includes taxes & fees

19 Oct - 20 Oct

A multi-level indoor pool area with lounge chairs and potted plants.

A hotel room with a bed, a sofa, a small table, a lamp, and a kitchenette with cabinets and a microwave.

A hotel corridor with a patterned carpet, wooden walls, stone accents, and framed pictures on the walls.

A hotel named "Quality Inn & Suites" with a brick facade, multiple windows, and a covered entrance area.

Quality Inn & Suites Ames Conference Center Near ISU Campus

Ames

RM306

RM343 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Sept - 28 Sept

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