For me, morning coffee is a BASIC hospitality item, one that, honestly, should not be hard to mess up--but this Marriott fails. No half and half for the coffee downstairs: not powdered, not liquid. Nada. When I inquired about this, I was directed to the other side of the lobby, where there were two squirt-bottles of sugared, flavored whiteners. I asked for just plain regular cream, and was told that corporate "did not allow it." I would be surprised if this were true,and either way, lie or truth, it's a problem. When I pressed further, I was told that if I returned to my room, I would find some powdered stuff next to the coffee machine in the room. Sure enough, I had one single measly packet. I called the front desk to request more, and suddenly the service was much better (probably they could now see I was a "gold" member), and she would bring more creamer to me pronto. Why hadn't the creamer been offered when I was downstairs? Do only "gold" members get this level of half-good service? I was handed about 10 packets by the unmasked employee.

Next in the coffee complaint: no decaf coffee. I usually drink 50-50, so I noticed. I feel badly for those who want a hot beverage but can't have caffeine. This, too, is a hospitality basic--and a fail. The good news is that there was a carafe of hot water (but no visible tea bags).

Reception: No one at front desk at check-in at 7:30 p.m. Waited. Laughed about it with group of unmasked people hanging out in lobby (stunned they were not masked in a public area affecting all guests). Woman came out, wiping mouth, explaining she had been eating lunch, checked me in efficiently. I called from my room to inquire about internet, no answer. Put shoes back on, descended, and lo and behold, no one at reception once again--apparently not even near phone in back room. Man ahead of me, patiently waiting. I went behind reception desk and knocked on door back there, returning to my place in line. No response. Finally returned back to door, pushed it open, and called in, "hello?" Employee rushed out, again explaining she had been eating lunch, although she did take a minute to request that I please knock first. We explained that we had, and had received no answer. Also explained that I had called, and the excuse for not answering was that a guest had thrown the phone in the pool. Honestly, I don't want excuses: I want good basic hospitality service. And this was not it, repeated several times.

Room was clean and cool. Hallway was warm and under-cooled. Ample parking, Hotel easy to get to. A handful of walking-distance restaurants. Downstairs areas clean and neat.

Noisy patio in back--if quiet is your thing, request a room at the two wings, not in the center due to loud concrete patio ringed with echoing concrete walls. My room #205 was directly above it and the only way to help with the noise was to put fan on high.

MASKING: Saw only two other masked guests. Everyone else unmasked--a great concern. The only two visible employees had masks around their necks.

Pretty much a plain vanilla Fairfield, but the location is just off the interstate which makes it a great relatively inexpensive place to base a weekend in Des Moines. It is close to friends in Urbandale, so we have used it a few times. It can get a bit noisy when there are tournaments and a bunch of sports teams.