Des Moines' Surety Hotel named one of the world's best new hotels

Traveling to Des Moines or just looking for a nice staycation? You might want to check out Surety Hotel, which was recently named one of the world's best new hotels by Travel + Leisure.

Surety, which opened in November 2020, was featured alongside historic homes-turned-hotels in New Orleans, baroque buildings in Copenhagen, Denmark, and rainforest resorts in Mexico. It's the only Iowa property to make the list.

Located at 206 Sixth Ave., Surety has 138 rooms, a 200-person ballroom, meeting space and a private outdoor courtyard and is connected to the Mulberry Street Tavern, a restaurant and bar on the first floor. The hotel lobby also features Surety Lounge, serving BLK & Bold coffee, a Des Moines-based coffee line, in the mornings and alcoholic beverages and small plates in the evenings.

Aparium Hotel Group, a Chicago company, renovated the historic building for $40 million in 2019. The group wanted Surety to be a revival for the 108-year-old building — and "architectural gem," according to Aparium — that originally housed the Iowa Loan & Trust Company.

Before its most recent transformation, the building housed several tech and startup companies, the Polk County Attorney's Office and Scooter's Coffee.

The restoration efforts paid off. Travel + Leisure editors complimented the "mid-century-inspired" details and combinations of contemporary artwork, hardwoods and leather in Surety's design.

"It's a prime example of the new sophistication that's changing the complexion of this Midwest city," Travel + Leisure Senior Style Editor Krissa Rossbund wrote.

Nightly rates for rooms at the Surety Hotel start at $139, and can be booked online through the hotel's website. Menus and reservations for Mulberry Street Tavern are also available online.

Source: Desmoinesregister.com