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Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines in Urbandale, IA

5000 Merle Hay Road • Urbandale, IA 50322

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A Mediterranean-style restaurant with a parking lot in front, featuring several parked cars and greenery surrounding the building.

Hotel room with two double beds, a TV, wooden furniture, a desk with a chair, and a window with curtains. The walls are decorated with framed art.

A hotel room with a large bed, green bedspread, and white pillows. There's a wooden dresser, TV, armchair, and a couch. Two framed paintings hang on the walls.

A circular wooden bar with high chairs under a wooden pergola in an indoor setting, featuring palm tree decor and a clown statue on top.

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Ramada by Wyndham Des Moines Tropics Resort & Conference Center in Urbandale, Iowa

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Overview

The Ramada by Wyndham Des Moines Tropics Resort & Conference Center is a pet-friendly hotel known for its tropical-themed atmosphere featuring an 18,000-square-foot water park, a poolside tiki bar, a full-service restaurant, a fitness center, and free amenities such as breakfast, WiFi, and parking. This resort-style setting is just minutes from Adventureland Park and Prairie Meadows Racetrack & Casino.

up to 4 people

Good To Know

Minimum age to check in is 21.
Pet-friendly rooms are subject to fees and availability. See FAQs for details.
An 18,000-square-foot indoor waterpark with slides, an adult-only hot tub, and a pool are perfect for a fun day.
Enjoy complimentary breakfast buffet daily.
Parking and WiFi are free of charge.
A poolside tiki bar and a full-service restaurant are onsite.
A fitness center, a business center, and meeting facilities are available.
Des Moines International Airport is approximately 11.2 miles from the hotel.
Prairie Meadows Casino and Racetrack is approximately 11.5 miles from the hotel.
Enjoy thrilling rides at Adventureland Theme Park, approximately 11.4 miles from the hotel.

24 Hour Front Desk
Business Center
Children's Pool
Elevator
Fitness Facilities
Express Checkout
Game Room
Gift Shop
Guest Laundry
Handicapped Access
Hot Tub
Indoor Pool
Bar/Lounge
Meeting Facilities
Pet Friendly
Restaurant on Property
Internet Access in Public Areas (free)
Complimentary Breakfast
Wedding Services
Free Parking
ATM/Banking
Poolside Bar
Coffee Shop or Café
Sundry/Grocery
Dry Cleaning/Laundry Services
RV and Truck Parking
Waterpark
Snack Bar/Deli

Description

Check-In: 4:00pm Check-Out: 11:00am

Ramada by Wyndham Des Moines Tropics Resort & Conference Center provides comfort and convenience for leisure and business travelers alike. Located off I-35 and I-80 near downtown Des Moines, this pet-friendly hotel is a perfect place to relax in the Midwest.

The resort features a waterpark with several slides and a 40-foot pirate ship in a zero-depth entry pool, a lap pool and adult-only hot tub, a full-service restaurant, poolside tiki bar, free breakfast, and free WiFi throughout the property. Each guest room includes a flat-screen TV, microwave, and refrigerator, with upgrades to poolside suites offering jetted hot tubs. Guests can enjoy the on-site fitness center, business center, guest laundry facilities, game room, sundries/mart, and more.

For more thrilling adventures, it’s a 15-minute drive to Adventureland Park and less than two miles to Merle Hay Mall. Feeling lucky? Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino is 11.5 miles—or approximately 15 minutes—away. The nearest airport, Des Moines International Airport, is just 9.3 miles from the property.

Important Information:

Pet Policy Pets are welcome up to 1 (dogs/cats only) per room. A non-refundable fee of $20 per night is due upon arrival. Maximum weight of pets allowed is 30 pounds. Pet Sanitation Fee is $25 if applicable. Please notify the hotel prior to the arrival date if traveling with a pet. Pet-friendly rooms are limited.
Parking Information Complimentary self-parking spaces are provided for guests.

All fees mentioned are subject to change without prior notice, and applicable taxes.

Promotional Images (35)

Bathroom with a glass-enclosed shower, brown tile walls, a towel on a metal bar, a toilet, and a framed flower picture on the wall.

Bathroom with a glass-enclosed shower, tiled walls, a framed floral picture, and a white toilet. There's a towel on the shower's grab bar.

Indoor water park with a swimming pool, slides, palm trees, and a seating area.

Hotel room with a large bed, a desk and chair, a TV on a wooden dresser, a sofa, two framed pictures, and patio doors leading outside.

Indoor water park with blue pool, large waterslide, and a pirate ship-themed play structure. Palm trees and seating area visible in the background.

Ramada by Wyndham Des Moines Tropics Resort & Conference Center Reviews

Based on 2,714 reviews

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F9036TEtracym

"Best hotel fir kids and adults"

Reviewed September 06, 2025 NEW

The gentleman at the front desk was great! He helped me get a room with a hot tub in it just like I asked. He went above and beyond his call of duty. I woukd recommend this hotel fir everyone. Especially kids, but adults as well!

kristyhN7841KM

"I would find somewhere else"

Reviewed August 20, 2025 NEW

The staff was kind and friendly. They were always working to keep things clean and orderly. But this property is terribly outdated and desperately needs to be renovated. Or at the very least needs some work done to fix all that’s broken. Our room’s toilet seat was broken, the bathroom door was very difficult to open and close. In fact, all the doors were difficult to open and close. Multiple lights in our room did not work. The TVs weren’t working properly and had to be fixed. We had said we’d have 5 people in our suite, and would need the pull out bed. There was no bedding for that bed and we had to call to ask for it. When I called I was told they “might not have any.” Thankfully they did and security brought it up. The complimentary breakfast was terrible. They had one waffle iron that a staff member was using to make waffles for a long line of people. The other choices were generic brand yogurt, apples, oranges and two kinds of cereal. Again, the staff was very nice but the whole facility is old and falling apart. It was far too expensive for what we received. The pool is also not as pictured. There are slides and a pirate ship play area, but it’s not all in one open pool as the photos seemed to show. Instead, it’s 4 separate smaller pools in the same area.

Y758KXak

"Used to be nice, deferred maintenance issues abound."

Reviewed August 16, 2025 NEW

We've stayed at the "resort" three times. The pool is always dirty. The water is so cloudy you can't see the bottom. The hot tub had clumps of what appeared to be pubic hair floating in it. We had to use the pool skimmer ourselves to be able to use the hot tub because the attendant was so nonchalant in their attempt to clean the hot tub after we showed them the pubes that we had pointed out where still abundant. This last stay, there was a puddle of liquid, of unknown origin, in the carpet inside our room. We alerted the desk and were met with not much more than a shrug. No attempt was made to clean or dry the liquid that had permeated a 3x5ish area of carpet in our room. We were just expected to go around it for the rest of our stay. Additionally, the TV was broken and unwatchable. This was another "shrug" moment for the employees. We were basically told there was nothing they could do. We also had to have or key cards reprogrammed twice.

orlins851

"HORRIBLE!"

Reviewed August 09, 2025

This should not even be a 1 should be a negative 1. Megan at front desk VERY rude and should be fired! Rooms weren’t ready at check in and could not tell us when they would be ready , lost our reservation that we had called in months ago. Yelled at customers and told us just leave and cancelled rooms we had waited 2 hours for. I would suggest never going to this motel. Horrible place and not well kept.

F7946DBjuliee

"Worst stay EVER!!"

Reviewed July 27, 2025

The worst place I've ever stayed at...The front desk will not answer their phone EVER...Our room smelled terrible of dog..The carpet was ripped, The A/C did not work properly. The pools water was mucky. The fire alarm went off at 1:00 A.M., and we had to get a 2, 4, and 6 year old up and set out in our car for 30 minutes...The first thing we did when we got home was to all take showers. We felt dirty leaving there. We will never go back!!! I never right reviews, but spare yourself the disappointment...Also, way overpriced.

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Ramada by Wyndham Des Moines Tropics Resort & Conference Center is located at 5000 Merle Hay Road • Urbandale, IA 50322

Attractions

Hotels & Lodging

Nearby Things to Do

Adventureland Park

Frequently Asked Questions about Ramada by Wyndham Des Moines Tropics Resort & Conference Center

What is the minimum age to check-in at Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines?

The reservation holder must be at least 21 years old to check in and is required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all special requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

What time are check-in and check-out?

Check-in is at 4:00 pm and check-out is at 11:00 am.

Does the hotel serve a complimentary breakfast?

Yes, a complimentary hot breakfast is served daily.

Will my room have a mini-fridge and/or microwave?

Yes. Both are included in each room.

Does the hotel offer WiFi access?

Yes. Complimentary WiFi access is offered to hotel guests.

Is Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines pet-friendly?

Pets are welcome up to 1 (dogs/cats only) per room. A non-refundable fee of $20 per night is due upon arrival. Maximum weight of pets allowed is 30 pounds. Pet Sanitation Fee is $25 if applicable. Please notify the hotel prior to the arrival date if traveling with a pet. Pet-friendly rooms are limited. Fees mentioned are subject to change without prior notice, and applicable taxes.

Can I reserve a smoking room?

No. The hotel is 100% smoke-free. Guests caught violating this policy are subject to an additional fee.

Does the hotel have a pool?

The hotel has an onsite water park with slides, a pirate ship play center, a hot tub, and a pool.

Is parking available at Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines?

Yes, complimentary self-parking spaces are provided for guests.

Does the hotel have accessible rooms?

Yes. Should you require an accessible room, please make note of this on your reservation.

How far is the nearest airport to Ramada Tropics Resort & Conf Center by Wyndham Des Moines?

Des Moines International Airport is approximately 11.2 miles from the hotel.

What are the attractions nearby the hotel?

Top nearby attractions include Prairie Meadows Casino and Racetrack (11.5 miles), Adventureland Theme Park (11.4 miles), Bass Pro Shop (12 miles), and Sleepy Hollow Sports Park Quad (13.6 miles) from Ramada Tropics Resort & Conference Center by Wyndham Des Moines.

What accessible features does the hotel offer?

The hotel provides a range of accessible amenities, including a business center, fitness center, and front desk, with guest room doorways having a clear width of 32 inches. Accessible routes lead to key areas such as guest rooms, parking, meeting spaces, the pool, and the spa, along with van self-parking options. Additional features include assistive listening devices, TTY devices, closed-captioned TVs, and staff trained to assist guests with disabilities. Service animals are welcome, and all venues serving food and drink are wheelchair accessible, along with wheelchair-accessible elevators throughout the property. Please contact the hotel directly for specific accessible needs to ensure the hotel will be able to meet your requirements.