 | Iowa City Reviews | Tips 1 - 7 of 7 |  |
 by dzni
As always, Hampton Inn is a great place to stay! Always clean, always nice, always comfortable. And this place even had high ceilings! :) Also, they had a popcorn popping machine in the vending room, which was unusual! :) Theme: InnComparison: about averageAddress: 1200 1st Avenue... just off the expressway
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 | Alexis Park Inn And Suites: Aviationist's Dream
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Oh wow. When the web site says that it will take 10 minutes to explain all of your options, they mean it! The options and choices were incredible--even down to picking out what I wanted for breakfast. I strongly recommend finding an aviation suite that suits your preferences, anything from bi-planes to races is available.
I always try to stay someplace unique whereever I end up--no cookie cutter "hotel smell" rooms for this traveler! And this was certainly one of the most unexpected gems of a stay. The room was "move-in" comfortable, the owners--and yes, I got to talk with them--were helpful and more accomodating than any consierge I've ever dealt with, and the theme kept me wandering around looking at pictures, fully entertained. There was a tub the size of most hotel bathrooms, and the convenience of ... every single aspect... was amazing.
I certainly WOULD recommend that someone--everyone--stay here. Even if you're just passing through Iowa City on I-80, and need to crash for the night. It's that "pick me up" that makes the trip about the journey, not the destination. I seriously wanted to delay my next stop. ...And I'm not even the airplane-nut-type that they successfully cater to.
The facilities, oh boy. There's a pool, and that's always great; there's a fitness room, and it's more convenient than those "gym-rat" hole-in-the-walll kind you see as an after thought at some places. THERE IS AN ON-SITE MASSAGE THERAPIST. Need I say more?
Actually, yes, I do. I mentioned that I got choices for breakfast. I meant that I ordered food--down to the type of muffin--and it showed up at my door in the morning. With a paper. There's a whole GUIDE to the city in the room, and not one of those cut and paste deals that's out of date, either. The kitchen area made it feel like the whole deal was a lot better than my days in the dorms, or even my first two apartments!
There was a leather couch. I love that. None of the crappy "hotels don't trust you not to muss the furniture" treatment here. I had a bedroom; in fact every room is a suite, which is just lovely. There was another television in the bedroom, something you can't always count on when you're lucky (and paying) enough to get a bedroom. There was a great view from the balcony--where I watched the planes at the airport.
The tub, the breakfast, the massage, the ambiance, the theme--everything was incredible. And it's incredible by design; talking with the owners is about as close to "intelligent design" as you get--everything is done from the perspective of knowing what you want when you stay somewhere--and they made it happen. Big time. Theme: Bed and BreakfastPrice: US$80-120 » Currency ConverterComparison: about averageAddress: 1165 S Riverside Dr, Iowa City, IA 52246 ·Phone: 319-337-8665Directions: Right by the Iowa City Airport--you can WATCH the planes--very fun. It's not even noisy or inconvenient--just a great source of entertainment while looking out your balcony.Website: http://www.alexisparkinn.com/
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| HotelVetro Studio Suites & Convention Center: Iowa City's Biggest Rip Off
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The Hotel Vetro is all style and no service. An attempt at trendy, minimalist furnishings, complete with monochromatic employee uniforms straight out of the late 80's. There was no doorman to help us unload our bags, or to help us get in the door; no bellhops to bring the bags to the room; no valet (or at least there was none anywhere in sight), even though parking is in a city lot on the corner (that the hotel at least will validate); the hot water broke in our room (and apparently in many others in the hotel) and we were told that we could go down the block to use a vacant room at The Sheraton "if we wanted to take a shower"; 1 of only 2 elevators available to guests was broken, the other's floor was covered with muddy footprints, that were never cleaned up in the 24 hrs that we were there. The hotel has sealed concrete floors in the guest rooms and the hallways, which look great, but echo and amplify every sound; as a result, the rooms are anything but quiet. The restaurant, Formosa, continued the same condescending attitude. We witnessed several unhappy potential patrons leave before being seated (as did we) when a wait time of "15 to 20 minutes" progressed into more than an hour with no end in sight and a bad attitude to go with it. This hotel is trying VERY hard to be a scene, unfortunately at the expense of it's clientele. Someone needs to remind the management that this is IOWA City not NEW YORK City. The Hotel Vetro is certainly not worth the money. Theme: HotelPrice: US$120-180 » Currency ConverterComparison: more expensive than averageAddress: 201 South Linn Street, Iowa City, IA, 52242Phone: 319-337-4961Directions: Downtown Iowa City
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 Exterior by icywngs
The suites have jacuzzi bathtubs and full kitchens. This really isn't your average hotel!
The owners are absolute aviation addicts, and those kind of people are fun! They can arrange a sightseeing flight for you - you're within spitting distance of Iowa City municipal airport.
They serve breakfast baskets in the morning to your room! The hotel is also within 1 mile of 50 restaurants, so plenty of grub is available close.
Check out their car rentals - $25/Day.
Highly recommended Theme: HotelComparison: about averageAddress: 1165 South Riverside Drive * Iowa City, IowaPhone: 319-337-8665Directions: Right near Hwy 6 and Hwy 1 intersection, on the edge of the Iowa City Municipal Airport.Website: www.alexisparkinn.com Other Contact: Fax: 319-351-4102
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- Quality Inn Highlander Conference
2525 North Dodge Street, Iowa City, IA - HotelVetro Studio Suites & Convention Center
201 South Linn Street, Iowa City, IA - Alexis Park Inn And Suites
1165 South Riverside Drive, Iowa City, IA - Travelodge Iowa City
2216 N Dodge St, Iowa City, IA - Sheraton Iowa City Hotel
210 South Dubuque Street, Iowa City, IA
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