420 North West Ash Drive, Ankeny, IA 50023
For more information about senior living options: (866) 208-4318
Overall Review of Suites of Ankeny
Pros
The facility is beautiful and well maintained.- The staff is attentive and generous.
- Creative activities are offered.
- The food is of high quality.
- The dining area looks wonderful.
- They offer three meals a day.
- The front desk staff are very nice and provide tours.
- The rooms are a good size.
- Cleaning services are available if desired.
- There are many activities for residents.
Cons
The customer received someone else’s order and had to return it.- The reward system was confusing, as two punched-out cards equaled only one free item.
- It was difficult to reach anyone at the front desk or to get the door answered due to apparent understaffing.
- The apartment was not cleaned frequently.
- No activities were offered because of the circumstances.
- There was a need for a dedicated door monitor and constant front-desk presence.
- The mailbox was often full.
- The front desk phone was rarely answered.
Review
Suites of Ankeny is best suited for seniors who want a polished, social, activity-rich environment and place a premium on comfortable living spaces, good meals, and an attractive setting. The facility reads as well maintained, with generously sized rooms and appealing dining areas, and a calendar that features creative activities designed to keep residents engaged. For families who value a calm, orderly atmosphere and are comfortable engaging with staff to coordinate services, this community delivers on appearance and program structure, especially for those not requiring intensive medical monitoring.
That said, certain realities push some potential residents toward alternatives. Those who rely on a consistently responsive front desk, rapid door access, and dependable housekeeping will want to compare other options. The most troubling patterns in reviews center on unanswered phones and front door access, infrequent cleaning, and delays in assistance after a fall or an alert. If a resident needs reliable, around-the-clock oversight and immediate help on demand, the current staffing picture may feel insufficient.
On the upside, the positive aspects are tangible and meaningful. The campus is aesthetically pleasing and well maintained, with rooms that are a good size and a sense of calm throughout. Dining is a strength, with three meals daily and a dining area that residents can look forward to. Staff across the board are described as attentive and generous when reachable, and activities are creative and varied, helping residents stay socially engaged. For families prioritizing ambiance, routine meals, and an active calendar, these elements can compensate for some service gaps.
However, the most serious drawbacks are practical and concrete. Front desk and phone responsiveness appear inconsistent, sometimes leaving deliveries, mail, or visitors waiting and wondering whom to contact. Reports of limited cleaning, routinely only a couple of times per month or per eight weeks, and a lack of timely assistance after falls are red flags for anyone evaluating safety and value. The characterization of short-staffing as a root cause is common in reviews, but that admission should translate into proactive staffing plans, not just situational explanations. When residents or families must repeatedly chase answers, the experience shifts from comforting to burdensome.
Financial expectations intersect with these service realities. One review cites a monthly cost around $4,000 and ties it directly to the level of service delivered, including shower frequency, housekeeping cadence, and promptness of response. In this light, the expensive premise of comfortable living begins to fray when basic tasks are inconsistent or delayed. The pros, beauty, food quality, and program variety, retain value, but only if the team can reliably deliver core safety and maintenance tasks. Otherwise, the price point becomes hard to defend.
Prospective residents should enter with clear, written service expectations and concrete accountability measures. Request defined response times, a documented housekeeping schedule, and guaranteed front desk coverage, with contingency plans for mail and deliveries. If possible, arrange a trial period to observe real-world responsiveness and safety support. Families who prize aesthetics, structured activities, and a friendly staff will find Suites of Ankeny worth considering, provided there is confidence in the facility’s plan to shore up staffing gaps. For those needing steady, hands-on supervision and unfailing accessibility, exploring other communities that emphasize staffing and rapid assistance will likely yield a more consistently reassuring experience.
68 resident community capacity
1-bedroom apartments
Assisted Living
Independent Living
Respite Care
Skilled Nursing Facility
Air-conditioning
Beauty salon
Cable or satellite TV
Computer center
Dining room
Fitness room
Full kitchen
Fully furnished
Gaming room
Garden
Housekeeping services
Laundry
Move-in coordination
Outdoor space
Party space
Private bathrooms
Restaurant-style dining
Small library
Telephone
Wellness center
Wi-Fi/high-speed internet available
Des Moines International (14 miles away)
Community operated transportation
12-16 hour nursing
24-hour call system
Activities of daily living assistance
Assistance with bathing
Assistance with dressing
Assistance with transfers
Diabetes diet
Medication management
Mental wellness program
Physical therapy
Special dietary restrictions
Concierge services
Planned day trips
Religious services
English
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