The Highlander Hotel Iowa City is a must-stay location whether you’re planning a short mini getaway, a staycation or for doing college visits. The massive pool and hot tub, games, music, plenty of eats and on demand hot beverages you’ll never want to leave this newly renovated 1970s throwback hotel.
We had the tremendous opportunity to spend the weekend at the Highlander Hotel as their guests. Our room was comped. All opinions expressed are my own.
Note: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a tiny percentage if you buy something using them. I only recommend places and products that I know and trust that I think can help you.
The Highlander Hotel Iowa City Review
While we don’t live in Iowa City, so it’s not technically a “staycation” we did travel down primarily to hang out and relax at the Highlander Hotel (and spend all our time enjoying their swimming pool!)
Accommodations
With a two minis we end up spending a fair amount of time in our hotel rooms when we travel. Nap time and down time are so key when it comes to having a great experience for the entire family, which means the room has to be comfortable and be able to fill lots of purposes. The pillows and bed were perfect for snuggling into during naps- so much so that I even contemplated a nap!
And so important for us is a fridge for all the snacks and drinks that littles need throughout the day so we were excited to see one in our room which also walked out easily into the pool space- a huge plus since, that’s what we were there for. The best part about that door to the pool however was that it was completely lockable so that I didn’t have to worry about the littles escaping into the pool area when I wasn’t looking!
Service
The employees were fantastic and everyone went above and beyond to make sure our stay was extraordinary. In the pool area I was offered everything from baby swim diapers to floaties. They are prepared for everything is what I was told. No one should have their pool enjoyment hindered due to a forgotten necessity. There were always plenty of employees around so any needs or questions I had were promptly answered.
One of the most original things that the Highlander Hotel does is set you up on a text messaging system for any and all needs. The first text that comes through was a little disconcerting. Once I realized that it was a concierge service at my fingertips (literally) I was hooked. Ask them where the nearest pizza delivery place is and they’ll tell you. Looking for playground suggestions? Yup, they know those too. All from the comfort of your room, sitting on your phone, texting!
Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly
The Biggest highlight of the Highlander Hotel was that all the dishes used were sustainable and reusable including metal silverware. The only disposable items I saw were the napkins!
The bathroom was supplied with full, refillable lotion, shampoo, and soap bottles- no more mini plastic waste there either. They also don’t clean your room and provide new sheets and towels every day. I personally hate having the room cleaned when I travel so this was a nice change for me, I can’t even imagine the level of waste that extra cleaning must create.
An environmentally friendly hotel that goes to the lengths of providing real dinnerware and doing away with the throwaways is the kind of place I want to be spending my money! I will definitely be back.
Pet Friendly
They pride themselves on being pet friendly at the Highlander and our bichon, Pepper would whole heartedly agree. He was greeted by name as we walked in the door and gifted pup snacks in the room
Fun and Games
The Highlander Hotel is made for family staycations. The pool is incredible, but there is so much more than that. There’s the backyard fire pit and game area (bean bag toss anyone?). Plenty of green grass to run and play on, no matter your age (and zero traffic to worry about).
In a fun throwback move they have a vinyl records library… YES- you can check out vinyl records and take them back to your room to listen to your favorite oldies (or newies, even!). Grab a game while you’re at it and you have an easy evening of fun with the family and you don’t even have to worry about turning on the TV (there is a TV though if you do!)
Details:
A great spot to get to if you’re coming into Iowa City the Highlander sits just off the I-80 interstate. Smooth and easy to find. Not a walkable location however, so plan on driving for meals, etc.
2525 Highlander Place, Iowa City, IA
Eat and Drink
If you’re so inclined to leave the hotel for adventure in Iowa City I highly recommend grabbing a meal at Big Grove Brewery and Taproom. The food is fantastic and their huge outdoor sitting area even has a few fun things for certain rambunctious kids that I know to climb and explore. Plus there’s beer :-)