If you’re like me, you do a lot of research before picking a hotel to stay at because you want to know you’re going to be somewhere good. I’ve had my fair share of bad hotel experiences, such as mice in the lobby and someone’s underwear under my bed, that I’ve become pretty picky (and with good reason)!
If you’re in the Iowa area and debating on a place to stay, hopefully, this post will help shed some light on Graduate Hotel in Iowa City!
What to Expect When Staying at Graduate Hotel in Iowa City
Accommodations
Rooms are clean (read: no stranger’s underwear haha) and nice. The decor is quirky, but it feels warm and cozy at the same time. It meets my standards! Rooms are a decent size too. Enough room for all the necessities and then some! Walls in the room are a little thin which can be a bit awkward, but I guess that’s what cranking up TVs are for haha.
Service
The staff is very friendly! I know I must have gotten pretty annoying with all my picture taking too, so that says a lot haha. Our heater in our room wasn’t working and they came right away to try to fix it and when that didn’t work, they put us in a new room. Problems can happen all the time which is no biggie, I just care what you do about it!
Atmosphere
The cool part of Graduate Hotels is that they are personalized to the city that they’re in, which makes for a unique stay. Because this one was in Iowa you saw a lot of corn and Hawkeye decor. Personally, I’m not really into sports, so I liked that though the Hawkeye influence was there, I didn’t feel like I was in a man cave.
The lobby has a literary theme with the walls handwritten in poems from a local author. A very cool and unique touch! This main area felt vintage, yet sophisticated at the same time.
Baby/Kid friendly?
You’ll see a bus full of high school basketball players all the way to friendly older people stay here. We were the only people I saw with a baby. I wouldn’t say the place isn’t baby friendly, but it’s definitely aimed at young adults. Just something to keep in mind.
Food
There’s a restaurant (Gene’s) and cafe (Poindexter) attached to the hotel. It’s so convenient to have both of these places nearby. Plus we all know how much coffee is an essential to have in walking distance 🙂 Gene’s makes good cocktails, but the menu is pretty limited. I got the chicken parm sandwich which was good, but not amazinggg. It’s a fun and retro place to have a drink and catch up with friends!
Location
Location is prime. It’s downtown right in the ped mall where there are lots of restaurants, bars, and shopping. Some of my favorite places are in this area. You couldn’t have asked for a better place!
Should you stay?
My take is yes! Though my stay was comped, I’d pay to stay here. Location, cleanliness, and a cool atmosphere are what I look for in a hotel, which this place had. Oh, and an attached coffee shop makes this a no brainer!
This helps so much for my next vacation! also, love the pics so much!
Happy it helps you!
Talk about a glam stay! The decor itself is beyond gorgeous, have to stay.
Definitely an awesome place to stay!
I know what you mean I spent 3 hours yesterday choosing a hotel in the Chicago area for our trip in May. I have only passed through this area but will save it just in case we are heading that way!
It’s cool that you’ve been around this area before!
I haven’t stayed at one of the Graduate hotels yet but am planning a trip to the Richmond location! I love the unique decor for each property 🙂
-xo, Azanique | https://www.lotsofsass.com
I’ve heard that one is great! Have fun on your trip!
Looks like a cozy, comfy place to stay. It’s also very beautiful! Love your pictures!
Thanks, Chelsea! <3 I enjoyed it!
Looks like a fantastic place to stay! I LOLed @ the thought of the underwear! Too funny!
-Madi xo | http://www.everydaywithmadirae.com
Hehe not my best stay with the underwear…but thankfully my next hotel stay was redeemed haha!
Loving the quirky and eccentric vibes! The interior is so unique, I love the style of it! Sounds like a great hotel!
Kileen
cute & little
Love how unique it is!
I absolutely adore Graduate hotels! The one in RVA is the best hotel I’ve ever stayed in, hands down. I think it’s so cool that they decorate depending on the location. This one has the most fascinating lobby! I love the literary theme so much. Now I want to stay here hehe
It makes me want to visit all of the other ones now too!
I love Graduate hotels!!! They are amazing!
Totally agree!!
Okay can’t say I have ever been to Iowa City! But I’ll definitely go just for that chair LOL! 😉
Right! I want to take it home 😉
I was born in Iowa and haven’t been make much since. Iowa isn’t exactly the tourism mecca of the world. Really cute hotel though. Loved the vintage phone
You’re from Iowa? That’s cool! Where? But I agree, we’re not exactly the hot spot haha!
This hotel is gorgeous! Although I could sleep anywhere, aesthetics definitely make the stay better!
I totally agree!
such a wonderful place to stay in. Love those quirky decor you pictured..
It really was wonderful!
This looks like a great place to stay! I really like the style of this hotel. I am also a big fan of staying close to the action – it is usually my first and most important consideration when choosing a hotel – so it is good to know how close it is to everything! I will have to check this out next time I go to visit my friends there.
That’s so cool you have friends in this area. I definitely think you should check it out!
That’s one amazing hotel! The room is so nicely decorated and it doesn’t look like a hotel room which is so nice! ❤️
I love how unique and cozy this hotel looks! The bedrooms are so quaint, would love to stay here!
It definitely feels quaint and cozy!
I love how cosy all the nooks are so one could divulge into a good book x
https://www.bunnybernice.com/
It definitely gives that feeling!
What a really nice place to stay! If I’m ever in the area, I’ll definitely check this place out!
Definitely should!
What a fun place to stay! I love getting away like this, get some alone time, read a good book! Looks awesome!
Lauren – https://thelittlelakecottage.com
Iowa is a very beautiful and romantic state. We realized that when we extender our service areas.