Gateway Hotel & Conference Center
Independent · Full-service
A local, independent guide to lodging near Iowa State University, Jack Trice Stadium and the Iowa State Center — from game-day splurges to budget chains off I-35.
Ames is a college town built around Iowa State University, so almost everyone visiting is here for the same reasons: a campus tour, a football Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium, a concert at Stephens Auditorium, graduation, or a stop off Interstate 35. The good news is that the town is small and every hotel below is within a short drive of campus. The choice really comes down to two things — which side of town you want, and your budget.
Near Campus / West Ames: Closest to Iowa State University, Hilton Coliseum, Stephens Auditorium and the Iowa State Center. Best pick for game-day weekends, campus visits and parent drop-offs.
East Ames / I-35 & US-30: The newer hotel cluster off Interstate 35 and US Highway 30 along SE 16th and East 13th Street. Easy highway access, chain reliability and typically the best value for the money.
Sorted with the closest-to-campus, full-service options first. Tap “Check Rates” to compare live prices for your dates.
Ames is compact — pick your side of town and your budget, and you're set. We keep the addresses, areas and live rates in one place so you don't have to dig.
For Jack Trice Stadium, the closest hotels are in the near-campus / west cluster — Gateway Hotel & Conference Center, Best Western Plus University Park, Hilton Garden Inn and Sleep Inn on Dickinson Ave. They book up fast on home-game weekends, so reserve early. The east highway cluster off I-35 (Hampton Inn, SpringHill Suites, Holiday Inn Express) is only a short drive away and often has better rates.
The most budget-friendly chain hotels in Ames are Microtel Inn & Suites, Sleep Inn & Suites, AmericInn and Quality Inn — most in the $-$$ range. Rates rise sharply on Iowa State football weekends, graduation and move-in weekend, so dates matter more than the hotel.
Ames sits about 30 miles north of Des Moines on Interstate 35, roughly a 35-minute drive. Des Moines International Airport (DSM) is about 40 minutes south of most Ames hotels.
Gateway Hotel & Conference Center is on the south edge of campus next to the Iowa State Center. Best Western Plus University Park, Hilton Garden Inn and Sleep Inn (both on Dickinson Ave) are all within about a mile of campus.
Iowa State home football Saturdays (fall), graduation (May and December), student move-in (August) and big events at Hilton Coliseum or Stephens Auditorium are the busiest. On those dates hotels across Ames sell out and prices peak — book several weeks ahead.