Hilton Des Moines Downtown opened its doors for guests on March 21, with a public ribbon-cutting and a grand opening event.

Located just five miles from Des Moines International Airport, Hilton Des Moines Downtown is connected to the Iowa Events Center via the Des Moines Skywalk. It is the first convention hotel to open in Des Moines in more than ten years.

 “We are immensely proud to bring this much anticipated facility to the Des Moines community,” said Mike Tousley, executive vice president and general manager of The Weitz Company, which developed, designed and built the property.

The 330-room Hilton Des Moines Downtown features windows that are arranged in a binary pattern to resemble barcodes, custom-designed, circuit board-inspired carpets and light fixtures that mimic the appearance of wiring. The tech-centric hotel offers digital check-in, USB ports throughout its lobby and a tech lounge with complimentary computers and internet.

The simple, modern exterior materials and composition are inspired by Iowa’s agrarian landscape and are enhanced by unique lighting elements.

Park Street Kitchen, a modern restaurant featuring dishes created with locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients and Des Moines' only outdoor, patio fireplace, is the hotel’s signature restaurant. Hotel guests can also take advantage of the complimentary fitness center and heated indoor pool. 

The hotel offers 14,000 sq. ft. of event space to fit groups of up to 400 attendees, including a nearly 10,000 sq. ft. ballroom with pre-function space and outdoor terraces. The ballroom can be divided into three meeting rooms. There are three additional breakout rooms and two boardrooms.

All of the meeting space is located on the same floor, for easy flow among the spaces for multi-function meetings and events. The property is the only hotel in downtown Des Moines that is designed to have natural light in every meeting room. The meeting space also reflects the hotel’s tech-centric theme, including touch-screen navigation signage, smart window lighting and Click Share technology in boardrooms.

"As the first Hilton Hotels & Resorts property in the city, we look forward to introducing the brand's world-renowned hospitality to Des Moines and fully integrating into the fabric of the community," said Dave Marr, senior vice president and global head, full service brands, Hilton.

"Des Moines has many development projects in the works and we know this hotel will play a critical role in supporting the influx of travelers expected to the city," he added.

Catch Des Moines, the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau, stated that prior to the hotel’s opening, they had already booked 23 new conventions, conferences and sporting events.

"The fact that the hotel is connected and right next door to the Iowa Events Center is a game changer for us in luring new conventions, sporting events and trade shows to the metro,” said Greg Edwards, president & CEO of Catch Des Moines.

The property offers complimentary shuttle service to and from DMS Airport. In addition to its proximity to the airport, Hilton Des Moines Downtown also offers quick access to offices, local dining and attractions including the Iowa State Capitol, Pappajohn Sculpture Park and the city's renowned Farmer's Market.