by Donna Seliger
It’s not too early to think about making your reservations for the ACB National Convention which will take place at the Polk County Convention Complex in Des Moines, Iowa, from June 30 to July 7, 2001.
Most convention activities are planned for Des Moines’ state- of-the-art convention center, which is within easy walking or shuttling distance from five first-class hotels. That’s why we’re calling next summer’s convention which celebrates the 40th birthday of the American Council of the Blind the “Five Star Convention!”
The Downtown Marriott Hotel, the Savery Hotel and Spa, and the Kirkwood Hotel are located on Des Moines’ unique enclosed climate-controlled Skywalk System which also connects to the convention center. The remaining stars in our constellation of five are the Hotel Fort Des Moines and the Downtown Holiday Inn. Shuttle service will be provided from both of these hotels. Room rates at all five hotels are $60 per night, plus applicable taxes.
The Downtown Marriott Hotel
The Downtown Marriott, located at 700 Grand Ave., phone (515) 245-5500, is a 32-story hotel with a three-story atrium. There are two restaurants: Allies (casual) and Quenelles (fine dining), and two lounges, the Skywalk and Pitchers Sports Bar. Amenities at the Marriott include an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, exercise equipment, a coin-operated laundry for guests, a sundry shop, beauty salon, and business center. In addition to welcoming guide dogs, the hotel also permits small dogs and cats.
Sleeping rooms have individual climate control, color TV with cable, phone with voice messaging and data port for laptop use, coffee maker, iron and ironing board, and hair dryer. Ice and soda vending machines are available on each guest room floor.
The Savery Hotel and Spa
The Savery Hotel and Spa, which is located at 401 Locust Street, phone (515) 244-2151, is also connected to the Skywalk System. Within the past two years this 11-story hotel has undergone a major renovation to restore its beauty and charm and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Iowa Room Restaurant, near the elevators on the lobby level, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Savery Bar and Grill serves sandwiches and snacks as well as hors d’oeuvres at scheduled times. Amenities at the Savery include an indoor jogging track, pool, whirlpool, sauna, and exercise equipment. A business center is located on the Skywalk level.
Each guest room has individual climate control, color TV with cable, a coffee maker, iron and ironing board, phones have voice messaging and a data port for laptop use. Hair dryers are available upon request. Ice and vending are located on each guest room floor and a snack machine is available on the fourth floor.
The Kirkwood Hotel
The third hotel on the Skywalk System is the Kirkwood Civic Center, 400 Walnut Street, phone (515) 244-9191. The Kirkwood will offer a quiet, relaxing environment after a long day at the convention. Another example of historic architecture, the Kirkwood, which is located only one block south of the Savery Hotel, is a short walk to the Court Avenue District for dinner and entertainment.
The Kirkwood Corner Coffee Shop is available for breakfast and lunch. Guest rooms have been updated and enlarged. Some have two bathrooms and hydrates (regular tub with whirlpool effect). All rooms feature individual climate control, color TV with cable, iron and ironing board. Although coffee makers are not provided in guest rooms, coffee is available in the lobby from 6:30 a.m. to about 10 a.m.
The Hotel Fort Des Moines
Although the Hotel Fort Des Moines, located at 10th and Walnut Streets, phone (515) 243-1161, is not currently on the Skywalk system, it is a wonderful place to stay. The hotel, which has hosted U.S presidents, international dignitaries, and entertainers, has been completely renovated and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
There are two restaurants: Alexander’s, which serves only breakfast, and The Landmark Grill, which serves lunch and dinner. Checker’s Lounge serves sandwiches for a lighter meal. The gift shop, coin-operated guest laundry, indoor lap pool, whirlpool, sauna, and exercise equipment are convenient for all guests.
Guest rooms have individual climate control, color TV with cable, coffee maker, iron and ironing board, and a phone with voice messaging (some phones have data ports). Hair dryers are available upon request. Ice and soda vending are on each guest room floor except 4 and 11. The hotel will provide shuttle service to and from the Polk County Convention Complex.
The Holiday Inn Downtown
The Holiday Inn Downtown, which is situated at 1050 Sixth Avenue, phone (515) 283-0151, is yet another option for our convention guests. Genevieve’s Restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Maroney’s Lounge is a good place to unwind at the end of a long day. An indoor pool and exercise equipment are located on the lobby level.
All guest rooms are equipped with individual climate control, color TV with cable, coffee maker, iron and ironing board. Each phone has voice messaging and data port for laptop use. Hair dryers are available upon request. Ice and soda vending are available on each floor, and snack machines are located in the lobby area.
The Holiday Inn is not on the Skywalk System, so shuttle service will be provided to and from the Polk County Convention Complex.
Reservations
To make a reservation at any of the Five Star Convention Hotels, call the Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-451-2625, and ask for ACB housing. Please do not call the hotels directly.
Airport/Hotel Transportation
Each of the Five Star Convention hotels will provide free, complimentary shuttle service between the airport and the hotel. On the way to baggage claim, there is a short up ramp. If you follow the right-hand wall, there is a recessed area with a sloping counter. At each end of this counter is a direct line phone to various hotels. Call the following numbers for your hotel pick-up: Marriott Downtown, 70; Savery Hotel and Spa, 89; Hotel Fort Des Moines, 65; Holiday Inn Downtown, 55. For the Kirkwood Civic Center Hotel shuttle, call 244-9191 from a pay phone, located to the right of the baggage claim exit.
Leaving baggage claim, cross the first driveway, turn to the right and continue to a shelter where each hotel shuttle bus will stop. Taxis load on the left along the curb, directly outside baggage claim, and the taxi fare is approximately $10 to downtown.
Now the only decision you have left to make is which of these wonderful hostelries to book a reservation with. No matter what your choice turns out to be, we’re sure that our Des Moines convention constellation will make you feel welcome.