This is a nice, clean Hampton with "everything washed" bedding. I got irritated because they are hard to find. When I called to get directions the only number listed is the national Hampton Inn number. So these people couldn't tell me that the hotel is right behind the Microtel on the first exit west of I-35. Instead I got read instructions that were useless because I was no longer on I-35 and didn't know where exit 150 was. Why is it too much trouble for these people to answer their phone? Also, all of the hotels in Ames, including this one, keep their prices artificially high. When everyone is only 25 percent full and they are all over $100 a night, something is wrong.

Most of what you expect from a Hampton you will find here -- generally upscale feel, very clean rooms, excellent beds and bedding, well-appointed bath, hot breakfast etc. The check-in girl was very accomodating, and got me checked in early and changed my departure date with no problems. The building has an elevator. The room included a nice flat-screen TV. The A/C unit had a wall-mounted thermostat, which is quite helpful in keeping the room temperature more uniform. The bathroom had an interesting corner-mounted vanity. Ladies will probably like the 3-way mirror setup over the vanity -- kind of a miniature version of the kind they have in the department store fitting area. It's about 10-15 minutes to Iowa State University from the hotel. Even at rush hour, traffic is not terribly bad in Ames. Most of the eating places are on Duff Avenue, which is the next exit off of US-30 going west from the hotel. The downsides ... (1) The wireless internet was very slow and intermittent. This could have been a dead spot in my room, so perhaps other rooms are better in this regard. (2) Surprisingly thin walls for a Hampton - I could clearly hear the TV in the next room. (3) A little difficult to find from the freeway - you get off I-35 and onto US-30 (also a freeway) and then off of US-30. But you can't see the motel from the exit. If you go generally in the direction of the other motels in the area, you'll find it after a couple of turns.

Hotel is comfortable and staff is friendly. Good hotel operation.

Stayed with wife and 3-year-old son in a "king mini-suite." Decent rate/value with an auto club rate. Property is pretty new. Calling room "suite" is a slight stretch... it was a larger room with desk and pull-out couch. Room was clean and neat, but oversprayed with scented deodorizer. Staff was friendly and helpful and most common areas were kept fairly neat (see pool-area comments in next paragraph). For full occupancy with lots of family and a college volleyball team, things were pleasantly calm and quiet. Small-sized workout room (machines leave little room for stretching or floor-based exercises). Breakfast was decent, with choices typical for continental breakfasts. Only the sweltering eggs and biscuits/gravy seemed unappealing. Fresh-fruit salad seemed to run out quickly. Though I appreciate having the pool in a separate area to minimize noise, my only downgrades were related to this area... walls had cracked or missing drywall and tile. Seemed as if cheaper construction and planning were done. Pool water was fine and cleanliness was not an issue. Flooring wasn't sloped properly and some water pooled on the deck rather than drained. Towels were not cleaned up and replaced between closing and re-opening the next morning. Staff did get us fresh towels for a morning swim. Overall good experience and value, but pool-area deficiencies lower my rating.

We were generally pleased with this hotel, staying there twice in July of 2005. The second time the pool had clouded badly and water tests were not good, but at least the hotel staff responded at once and closed the pool. The room with a hot tub is an EXCELLENT way to unwind after a long day on the road. It's a real luxury that can't be beat and only costs few dollars extra. The huge bathroom is a treat as well. The beds were comfortable and the room was nicely furnished. I'd stay again.