TL;DR

Historic 1913 Beaux-Arts building: in Downtown Des Moines with mid-century modern interiors
138 rooms: ranging from cozy King Singles to spacious Deluxe Kings with excellent natural light
Dining trifecta: with a café, Mulberry Street Tavern, and bar/lounge for breakfast, brunch, and cocktails
Wellness amenities: including a 24-hour fitness center and jogging maps
Check prices here

This inside-out boutique hotel beauty is one of Downtown Des Moines’ most eye-catching places to stay.

The 1913 Beaux-Arts building alone is a head-turner, but once you get inside, we’re pretty sure you’ll want to stay.

Originally an office building for insurance companies, the interior has been converted into a mid-century but modern gem.

It’s a gorgeous blend of contemporary luxury and classic comfort, all buttery leather and white coffered ceilings.

Anyone who likes historical charm and elegance, but modern luxury, won’t find a better place in Des Moines.

And, best of all, its rates are very reasonable.

What are the rooms like?

Room variety: King Singles, Two Queen Rooms, Deluxe Kings
Contemporary chic decor: with white bases, pops of color, wooden accents
Amenities: Aveda bath products, TVs, locally-inspired mini bars, blackout curtains, curated artwork
Spaciousness: Even the smallest room is 300 sq. ft., plenty for solo or couples
See all the rooms in detail here

One thing we love about historical buildings that have had full renovations is the room size.

The smallest option here, a 300 square foot King Single, is more than enough space for a solo traveler or for an easygoing couple.

If you’re looking for something more spacious, you have the Two Queen Rooms, with two queen beds as you might have guessed.

Roughly the same size but a step ahead in aesthetics are the Deluxe Kings – gorgeous, well-lit spaces, some coming with impeccable views.

Whatever you choose, the decor is pretty standard, a contemporary chic situation with a lot of white.

It’s not aggressively minimalist, however, and we find that the pops of color and wooden touches make it feel much more friendly.

Every room features Aveda bath amenities, beautifully curated artwork, locally-inspired mini bars, TVs, and blackout curtains.

Have a look at their Two Queen Guestroom here:

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Café: for breakfast and Windmill Coffee Roasters coffee
Mulberry Street Tavern: for weekend brunch and New American classics
Bar/lounge: with vintage charm, cocktails, and a pool table
Fitness: 24-hour center and jogging maps for outdoor exercise

The Surety boasts the boutique hotel dining trifecta: a cafe, a restaurant, and a bar/lounge.

The café is the spot for weekday breakfast and lovely Windmill Coffee Roasters brews. The daily pastries are mouth-watering, but there are options for hot breakfasts as well.

The onsite restaurant, Mulberry Street Tavern, offers a lovely weekend brunch in a pretty typical New American style.

We like the simplicity and dedication to doing one thing very well. There are no gimmicks, just tasty classics, and many locally-sourced ingredients.

The Tavern and bar are definitely the most early-1900s spaces of the hotel.

There’s a vintage glamour to it all that’s quite charming, and while the pool table shouldn’t exactly mesh, it’s a nice touch regardless.

The 24-hour fitness center is definitely a room with a view, lovely for a quick workout.

We also like the jogging maps available at reception for anyone who prefers fresh air.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Downtown location: near financial district, walkable to main attractions
Markets & museums: Court Ave Farmer’s Market, Des Moines Science Center
East Village: for shopping, nightlife, music, and entertainment
Parks & greenery: Woodland Heights, Waterworks, Grays Lake Park
Arts & culture: Des Moines Art Center, Pappajohn Sculpture Park

You’ll be staying in the heart of Downtown, closer to the financial side of things, but walking distance from most Downtown attractions.

The Court Ave Farmer’s Market is under 10 minutes, as is the Des Moines Science Center.

Across the Des Moines River, the east side of the city has the #1 cool dude neighborhood, the governmental head, and some nice entertainments spaces.

You’ll find architecture, music, and history an easy half-hour from the hotel.

The East Village is your Portlandia, the buildings around the Capitol are all worth a visit, and there are plenty of small(ish) music venues around.

Court Ave has a nice selection of bars where you can have a night out.

The rest of the city is also quite close, if not for walking, then with a quick rideshare. Sherman Hill is a nice spot for history buffs.

If you prefer to just wander around nice places, head to Woodland Heights or the area due south, Waterworks and Grays Lake Park.

Arts lovers will want to take the 10-minute drive to the Des Moines Art Center, but they’ll also want to walk the 15 minutes to the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

And what about the reviews? What did other guests think?

Some things guests liked:

“The whole hotel top to bottom has a rustic, but extremely elegant feel from the moment you walk in! Staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful! Accommodations are extremely easy to navigate and the staff does a great job at explaining all the different features, benefits, and availabilities. The coffee bar was astounding, flavorful and a warm welcoming experience! The pool table in the lobby is beyond unique, but offers a familiar warmth! The Mulberry tavern has exceedingly flavorful dishes! Tried the bananas foster French toast via room service, and it was well worth the $$ spent. I would recommend this hotel and all around experience to any who inquire! 100/10!! Great experience!! Memories to cherish forever!!..”

“The Surety Hotel impressed me in pretty much every regard. The way in which this historic building has been modernized and accentuated through thoughtful design and tasteful decor is an absolute masterclass. Every aspect of the property feels special and genuine, the staff were exceptional, the food and drinks at both the restaurant and espresso bar were top notch and the sense of escape one gets just from staying here is priceless. I have had the opportunity to travel fairly extensively, and the Surety is among the best hotels I’ve ever visited….”

Some things guests didn’t like:

”Literally the only thing that could’ve been better were the pillows….”

”It was raining when we got there, and getting our luggage into the building was a bit of a challenge, since there isn’t a hotel parking lot specifically for the hotel, and we had to walk a bit. But it worked out ok!….”

Read all the reviews right here