Ramada by Wyndham Ankeny in Altoona

Off the I-35, this low-key hotel is 6 miles from the Carney Marsh Nature Preserve and 7 miles from Saylorville Lake.The informal rooms provide free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and tea and coffeemaking equipment. Some have minifridges and microwaves.Parking and breakfast are complimentary. Other amenities consist of a restaurant, a fitness room, and an indoor pool. There's also a coin-operated laundry.