Stuart Motor Lodge
203 SW 7th St
Stuart, IA
Pull right up to your door at a small-town motor lodge that looks brand new inside
This property is an Honorable Mention. It has been vetted and approved for our highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and operational excellence. While it is still evolving toward our full design-led designation, it is a proven, reliable anchor for any road trip. We recommend it with confidence.
About Stuart Motor Lodge
For years this was a plain little motor lodge on the edge of Stuart, an easy pull-off just south of the interstate. Local, American owners took it over and refreshed it thoroughly, adding a new roof, new carpet, updated sinks and bathrooms, and new heating and cooling throughout. Guests notice the difference right away, and the reviews return to the same words again and again: super clean, and it looks like new.
What Stuart Motor Lodge Is Known For
This is a small, owner-run motel that takes cleanliness seriously and treats guests like neighbors. Freshly refreshed and genuinely welcoming, it is the honest overnight a road trip is glad to find.
Amenities
- Pets Welcome
- WiFi
- Park at your door
- 24-hour lobby coffee
- In-room microwave and refrigerator
- Flat-screen TVs
- Pet-friendly
- Free Wi-Fi
What Guests Love
- Fully refreshed inside and kept genuinely spotless
- Pull right up to your own door
- Warm, welcoming local ownership
- Easy stop just off I-80 west of Des Moines
Worth Knowing
- This is a clean, basic motel, not a design destination or full-service hotel
- It is a small property, so plan ahead on busy travel weekends
- Rooms open to the outdoors in the classic motor-lodge layout
The Room
Rooms are simple, spacious, and kept genuinely spotless, with comfortable queen beds, a flat-screen TV, and a microwave and refrigerator. The furnishings are recently updated, and you park right outside your door.
The Grounds
This is a classic single-story motor lodge, so you pull right up to your room and carry your bags a few steps inside. The lobby keeps coffee going around the clock, and the whole place is easy to get in and out of when you are back on the road early.
The Experience
Stuart makes a handy base for the covered bridges of Madison County and the John Wayne Birthplace and Museum in nearby Winterset, both an easy drive south. Des Moines and its restaurants, museums, and ballparks are a short run east on the interstate, and the small towns and farm roads around Stuart are pleasant country in their own right.
Details
Stuart, IA 50250
The Boutel designation is earned, not purchased. Boutels is editorially independent and has no financial relationship with any listed property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stuart Motor Lodge pet friendly?
Yes, Stuart Motor Lodge is pet friendly.
Does Stuart Motor Lodge serve breakfast?
No, Stuart Motor Lodge does not serve breakfast.
Does Stuart Motor Lodge have WiFi?
Yes, Stuart Motor Lodge has WiFi.
What is there to do near Stuart Motor Lodge?
Madison County Covered Bridges: 22 miles, about a 45 minute drive. John Wayne Birthplace and Museum: 24 miles, about a 50 minute drive. Des Moines: 42 miles, about a 85 minute drive.
How far is Stuart Motor Lodge from Madison County Covered Bridges?
22 miles, about a 45 minute drive.
How far is Stuart Motor Lodge from John Wayne Birthplace and Museum?
24 miles, about a 50 minute drive.
How far is Stuart Motor Lodge from Des Moines?
42 miles, about a 85 minute drive.
How can I give feedback on a property I stayed at?
If you are a guest that stayed at the property, we would love feedback about your experience. Boutels listed on this site do not pay to be included nor can they pay to be sponsored or promoted. Your feedback matters. Please .
I’m affiliated with this property and have feedback on this listing.
We’d love to learn more about your property. To provide images, simply log in as a member (it’s free), find your listing on the map, choose “Visited,” and you’ll be given the option to upload images and leave a note. You can also and we’ll be in touch, just be sure to provide us with contact information in that form. Thanks!
Things to Do Near Stuart, just off I-80 west of Des Moines
Madison County Covered Bridges
22 miles, about a 45 minute drive.
The historic wooden covered bridges made famous by book and film, scattered across the countryside around Winterset.
John Wayne Birthplace and Museum
24 miles, about a 50 minute drive.
The modest Winterset house where the actor was born, paired with a museum of memorabilia from his career.
Des Moines
42 miles, about a 85 minute drive.
Iowa's capital, with its golden-domed statehouse, sculpture park, science center, and a lively downtown of restaurants.