Hotels between Council Bluffs and Des Moines leave something to be desired. Mom and Pop shops, English optional, that seem run down and get more run down every year. We always felt that were were staying in somebody's guest room, since the lobby would be full of personal furniture, maybe a kitchen, a stack of laundry. Plus, it never seemed that the family really WANTED guests.
The Americinn is located 5 miles due north of I80, but it's a straight and fast 5 miles, and is well worth the effort. Nothing special, but the rooms are clean, there's a pool, the little town is a treat, and the staff is always friendly and pretty Danish girls, or at least we guessed they were Danish since the town bills itself as a center of Danish culture.
