Highlander Hotel & Apartments

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jun 2026

Robert

It is a vibe for sure! It has swanky motel vibes. When you drive up you may ask yourself what is this. However once you see the lobby, pool area and “Lucy” you get it. Throwback vibes in a modern way. Solid updated rooms, nice indoor pool and hot tub. Outdoor fire pits, corn hole and a life sized chess board! You can pick a room next to the pool or away from it. Might not be for everyone, especially if you like a more ritzy hotel. However me and the wife will be back for quick getaways as we only live an hour away. Clean, family friendly and great staff.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

12 Jun 2026

Andrea

Excellent stay and service.

8/10

Excellent

05 Jun 2026

Lisa

Loved the sunken down bar, and the 70’s vibe!

Family

10/10

Exceptional

31 May 2026

Mark

The hotel was nice with amazing staff. Some of the arcade machines had jammed coin slots, so we couldn’t use some of them. But, it was cool to have it next to the bar.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 May 2026

Deepak

Unique property that is very thoughtfully appointed. Loved the huge indoor pool. Would be a nice getaway in winter from Chicago. Interestingly Iowa City has some great restaurants and is a fun college town.

The hotel gym needs some TLC. Most equipment need repairs.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

25 May 2026

Linda

This is the nicest cleanest most convenient and relaxing hotel I've ever stayed in

Self

10/10

Exceptional

18 May 2026

Dusanka

Family friendly, nice pool, hot tub. Complimentary breakfast provided. Would choose to stay in here again if needed.

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

17 May 2026

Kathryn

Clean room, friendly staff.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

17 May 2026

Shawnacy

Fun arcade and live music.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

11 May 2026

Regan

Yes it was great and the poolside room option was the best for us

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

10 May 2026

Ricquita

This hotel was simply amazing. Kimberly at check in, to Lucy’s staff and the hotel should be 5 star. The pool, hot tub, amenities, cleanliness, spacious and let me not forget the decor of the hotel. 20/10. Thank you all for making out stay so pleasant and relaxing.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

04 May 2026

Thomas

Good place for a weekend. Free EV charger with 2 spaces. Staff was very nice. Didn't use the pool, hot tub, or housekeeping. Convenient location.

Friends_and_family Family

4/10

Poor

03 May 2026

Casey

Room was clean. Breakfast was cold. Lawn not mowed. Definitely not like the pictures online. Everything is outdated.

Partner

8/10

Excellent

03 May 2026

Elizabeth

Cute decor.

Friends

2/10

Poor

03 May 2026

Ashley

Went to check in waited 30 minutes after calling and text a number that was on the desk. When was finally helped the lady was rude and didn’t answer any of our questions cause we were 30 minutes early from check in but told us we could pay then come back. After waiting and asking if we could eat and have drinks at the bar and told no we had to come back in 30mintues we decided to get a different hotel

Friends

4/10

Poor

26 Apr 2026

Ronald

Room totally outdated. No perks like coffee maker in room
Bathroom old, tub dangerous for older folks, room located very poor because of expedia?

10/10

Exceptional

25 Apr 2026

Beatriz

Enjoy this day with other couples the only thing we miss was a telephone plug-in other than that it was a great experience

Friends

4/10

Poor

25 Apr 2026

Denise

This easiest description of this of hotel is lipstick on a pig.

10/10

Exceptional

20 Apr 2026

Darron

We always en the pool and hot tub area. We love the decor.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

19 Apr 2026

Eric

Hotel was great

Family_with_children

4/10

Poor

19 Apr 2026

Rosemary

Service was good but the room was musty and not clean. The public spaces also felt like they needed a good scrubbing. The remodel that was done was recently needs some touch up and maintenance. No additional lock on the inside of the room. Communication was good and the pool area looked very clean for a hotel.

Family

4/10

Poor

19 Apr 2026

Bradi

Sadly disappointed by this stay. Room was in need of a serious deep cleaning, ancillary lock on door had been removed, fridge wasn’t plugged in and was missing the handle. Won’t stay here again. Definitely not what we expected for the cost.

Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Apr 2026

Sheryl

Friendly staff, huge pool and hot tub, convenient room locations. A huge patio with games to play and kids to run. A very safe area. We'll for sure be back in our travels!

Partner

8/10

Excellent

14 Apr 2026

Scott

Room were clean. Signage is baffling or nonexistent. If you know your way around around it works. Newcomers should be well supplied with breadcrumbs

Self

6/10

Pleasant

12 Apr 2026

Carrie

Friendly staff yet unknowledgable about breakfast or live music that was advertised. Requested room cleaning prior to arrival. Never happened.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

10 Apr 2026

Courtney

Great hotel! Very unique compared to today’s standards. Not a chain type hotel. Beautiful and perfect for our staycation!

10/10

Exceptional

05 Apr 2026

Shane

Very pleasant surprise how nice the pool area was. Staff even delivered drinks to us in the hot tub. Overall excellent hotel!!!!

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

31 Mar 2026

Jennifer

Great place to stay with kids!

8/10

Excellent

30 Mar 2026

Craig

We enjoy the pool and arcade in Jesus was a phenomenal bartender

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

30 Mar 2026

Jacquelyn

Enjoyed everything.

Friends

8/10

Excellent

30 Mar 2026

jeffrey

Have a game room and a beautiful pool. The food is not very good and not worth spending your money on

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

29 Mar 2026

Janelle

Loved our stay!!!!!

Family

8/10

Excellent

17 Mar 2026

Andrea

Comfortable bed, it was nice having a room walk out to the pool. The food was good! They need to explain at checking how order food works, need to explain the tools of pool and hot tub at check in. We wanted to sit in the hot tub with out kids for 10 min before getting out and going to bed and a worker stopped us said no kids. We had been there all day from 3 pm and seen kids going back and forth all day nothing said then we go to use it and told no... my daughter started balling and not the way we wanted to end our night... especially since she had seen other kids and going back and forth all day... I'm not sure what the difference between 9 or 16 year old why they can't use the pool. I had a baby with me but I was going to sit on the side with my legs in while he sat on my lap they said no.. seems like over kill and nothing was said at check in or on the website we would have gone elsewhere. Also don't waste your money on the arcade most games don't work

10/10

Exceptional

16 Mar 2026

Jeannie

Always a good time at the Highlander. We love the place and all the amenities. Beautiful rooms, great lounge areas. Yummy food.

Self

10/10

Exceptional

11 Mar 2026

Cynthia

I recommend staying here everyone was so friendly. We had 3 children aged 4,8 and 10, and they asked when we could stay again. I appreciated the wood floors in the room and not carpet. Very clean.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

10 Mar 2026

Christopher

Nice hotel, not ideal for business traveling. Not a very good desk area. Would go back for a personal trip. Staff was great. Overall nice hotel. Great outdoor area as welk, would be great on a spring or fall evening

Self

8/10

Excellent

07 Mar 2026

Jacob

Pool was great, floor in pool was dirty and not cleaned next day. Room was nice, you can tell it’s an updated older property and that’s fine. During our stay the pool bar and other areas seemed to be closed. Breakfast food was average or below for our kids, smaller selection. All that aside, we enjoyed the room and would stay again.

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

06 Mar 2026

Karen

Nice room. Seems like the hotel could use some updating.

8/10

Excellent

01 Mar 2026

Keith

clean and most

Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

28 Feb 2026

Matt

Pool was great. Hot tub also great. Staff friendly,

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Feb 2026

Tarah

This was the best exsperience i have ever had at a hotel. It was extremly clean. The staff were amazing and accomodating. The pool and hot tub was nice, warm and clean. Super kid freindly. Great place and will be staying again.

4/10

Poor

22 Feb 2026

Amanda

The hotel was in disrepair, the room wasn't very clean, the furnishings were sparse. They didn't have enough staff, so there was often no one at the front desk. They couldn't maintain the pool, and the pool/ pool area were dirty. There was an intoxicated guest altercation with police in the middle of the night that woke up the entire hallway. No staff were to be found during that incident, and when guests raised concerns about these issues, the staff refused to offer any assistance. In general the hotel appears run down, and poorly staffed.

Family_with_children

2/10

Poor

22 Feb 2026

Nathan

$225 for one night. No microwave, coffee pot, or usb port in toom.
Bar full of kids. Kids stayed in pool when it was supposed to be adult hour only.
Cops called in middle of night, kids running the halls all night.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

16 Feb 2026

Caitlin

Amazing food! Friendly staff

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

06 Feb 2026

Darron

Yes the room was clean and staff was helpful.

Partner

2/10

Poor

27 Jan 2026

kevin

heat didnt turn down.

4/10

Poor

06 Jan 2026

Jamee

does not look newly renovated, breakfast is terrible. shower is very old timey and falling apart. i think they spent there whole budget on the pool bc its very nice! def does not look like a hotel when you arrive.

Family

6/10

Pleasant

03 Jan 2026

Cindy

Most of stafff not friendly. Kids screaming in pool with little or no parental supervision

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

01 Jan 2026

John

The suites were large nice having connected rooms staff was friendly it’s a bit dated but clean pool area is awesome

6/10

Pleasant

30 Dec 2025

Erin

The room needs remodeling. They seem to have really poor staffing. Breakfast was two hours late because the staff didn’t show up. The pool had a bunch of hair in it because maintenance was out and no one else can run the robot, etx

Leisure Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

29 Dec 2025

Randy

Overall we had a nice stay, but I guess we expected more for the premium price tag. The hotel is a blend of beautiful areas, and run down areas and somewhat dated rooms. We stayed in a balcony room overlooking the pool which my kids really enjoyed, and is unique. Be aware of the noise in the evening though in these rooms as the old wood door to the balcony is not soundproof/sealed. It also was completely missing the drapes (just screw holes above) to close out the light from pool area. Room had older carpet, and somewhat dingy bathroom, but beds were fine. The restaurant with the arcade was fine but don't expect it to be fancy. Many of the arcade games were broke. The room door locks throughout the property were temporarily not working, leading us to need to leave the door unlocked or cracked when coming and going, which is unprofessional for this sort of hotel. I realize they are working on that, and it was over Christmas. Staff were friendly, but the entire hotel appeared to be understaffed, with most wearing multiple hats (front desk person was also serving food in restaurant at same time and walking guests to their rooms to let in, bartender was working in the pool area, etc.). Breakfast food was good. So overall we had a fine stay, but this place needs some physical and operations work to be considered a four star hotel.

10/10

Exceptional

21 Dec 2025

Steph

The staff go above and beyond. We had a very special birthday to celebrate and the kids had a blast! The pol area is fantastic, and WARM, fun arcade, great room service too.

2/10

Poor

18 Dec 2025

Louis

Card maker was down and needed to be escorted to our room. Restaurant was never open. Bar was limited to a makeshift bar in the lobby. Told only 10 rooms occupied that night, yet they put people (noisy people) around us. Wall blistered and peeling from water damage. Fridge was very loud and damaged. We unplugged it.

Leisure

10/10

Exceptional

28 Nov 2025

Vonnie

Love this hotel. All the good vibes! Great Thanksgiving stay with the family! Pool is huge, rooms are clean and their staff is amazing! The buffet at Lucy’s was delicious!

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

28 Nov 2025

Virgilio

Pleasantly better than expected.

10/10

Exceptional

26 Nov 2025

Nancy

Clean room, great vibes

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

26 Nov 2025

iain

Restaurant was closed for dining in.
Pool side bar/snack bar closed.
No coffee machine or utensils in a +$600 per night suite (which is just two adjoining rooms)
The kids arcade room is a rip-off. Half the machines simply take your tokens then don’t work.
The pool is great but this place could be a whole lot better.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

17 Nov 2025

Amy

This is my 3rd stay. The bar is an retro sunken area with a game arcade. Saturday’s live music was at one end of the hotel and rooms at the other so rooms stayed quiet. It is a fun hotel to visit. Rooms are spacious, beds are very comfortable. They provide recycling bins. Included breakfast is a couple of steps above most continental breakfast buffets. First off - no tv, no music. No plastic utensils or paper plates. The food was cooked on site, bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, silver dollar waffles (no waffle machine mess), biscuits and gravy, oatmeal, yogurt with fruit. Thumbs up.

Leisure Friends

10/10

Exceptional

03 Nov 2025

Brent

Very helpful staff. Very large facility quite the interesting retro decor

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

27 Oct 2025

Teresa

What a cool update this place has had! Very glam and funky at the same time! Records to play, games and puzzles, a piano, lots of cool hang out nooks. Fabulous pool area, super fun arcade, cozy dining areas.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

19 Oct 2025

Daniel

.

Leisure Partner

10/10

Exceptional

19 Oct 2025

Jon

Terrific staff! Drew and the crew at the front desk did everything they possibly could to help my large, multigenerational family enjoy their stay.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

14 Oct 2025

Jill

The hot tub was closed. Disappointed

Friends_and_family Friends

8/10

Excellent

13 Oct 2025

Jeffery

Was a good time,breakfast disappointed (or lack of)

10/10

Exceptional

08 Oct 2025

Jonas

Family trip

Staff, particularly Kimberly and Jula, were very professional and accommodating. Pool is great and lots of fun activities for our two boys. Overall an inviting and entertaining property providing a unique experience.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

01 Oct 2025

Kyle

Great stay as always

10/10

Exceptional

29 Sep 2025

Annette

Very awesome hotel! Clean, friendly, groovy remodel, loved the comfy beds and pillows. The pool is beautiful. Great bar in the evening and breakfast in the morning! Will stay again on our return trip.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

29 Sep 2025

Lilibeth

Rooms are outdated…needs remodeling

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

28 Sep 2025

Kelly

We LOVE The Highlander. Have stayed here 7 times now and will continue to book all of our Iowa City visits here. It’s a full resort with plenty to do on property and then catch the bus or a cheap Uber Downtown.

Leisure Family

8/10

Excellent

28 Sep 2025

Julie

Clean room, good free breakfast. Pool and hot tub are clean and enjoyable. Fun bar with the arcade. We liked the courtyard area and the fire pit out front. We will stay again!

Friends_and_family Friends

10/10

Exceptional

28 Sep 2025

Lilia

Great hotel

Leisure Family_with_children

8/10

Excellent

23 Sep 2025

Thomas L.

1960s style. Clean. great food. No receptacles for cell phones and laptops.

Leisure Pet

6/10

Pleasant

01 Sep 2025

Roberta

Rude waitstaff

Poolside king room was comfortable and clean. Couples trip; we stayed two nights. What did put a sour taste in our stay was one particular bartender staff named Doug H. He was NOT very customer friendly and down right arrogantly rude. We had recieved a complimentary drink ticket for one person at check in, which we thought we would use on one of the nights. When we sat at the bar Doug was not busy, just standing; after several minutes had passed with the bartender ignoring us we asked if we could get some service. As one of us does not drink, we ordered a soda and a cocktail. After we questioned the charges on our recipt, he become rude. At one point stating he had been a bartender for 10 years, which had nothing to do with the question of the charges on the receipt. Additionally, we had witnessed as Doug had an interaction with another customer over their pet policy. After the interaction we overheard Doug unprofessionally complaining how he hated guests like that... They may want to think about putting and keeping friendlier customer facing persons in an area that you want to draw people into. Before this interaction, because the pool area was so nice, we were contemplating coming back for a larger family trip (renting 4 rooms), but are now unsure.

Partner

10/10

Exceptional

27 Aug 2025

Galo

Great hotel

8/10

Excellent

25 Aug 2025

Cassie

Seemed to be a slower night. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Only thing bothered me was it was only a little after 10 pm and no one was at front desk. And called number like the note said. Was wanting to purchase a can of soda for my daughter and lady on phone said theg dont give out anything besides water at this time.

Leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

24 Aug 2025

Zachary

Great experience with family of four and two little kids!

Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

21 Aug 2025

Consellow

This place is awesome and exceeded my expectation! Great place for family’s or just adults! Highly recommend!! Oh, staff is phenomenal!!

Business_and_leisure Family

10/10

Exceptional

20 Aug 2025

John

This property is fun and not like every other hotel you stay in.

Business Family

6/10

Pleasant

18 Aug 2025

cara

Moving son into college

The bathroom door did not latch, which meant it would not shut all the way. There is no lock on the bathroom door. The vent in the bathroom did not work. The water did not get very hot. There’s no coffee maker in the room. There’s no ironing board/iron in the rooms. I didn’t have a DO NOT DISTURB placard to hang on the door. Even though checkout was 12:00, my room key was deactivated at 11. We will be back to Iowa City a lot over the next several years with kids in college, but I don’t think we would stay at the Highlander again. We had a nicer stay downtown Iowa City for less a few weeks prior to this stay.

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

17 Aug 2025

Jason

The same category rooms online seemed much more updated than what we had. Was told the bar would be open until 12 and they called last call at 11. No do not disturb “peace” sign in our room

10/10

Exceptional

15 Aug 2025

Aaron

This is a hidden gem, its vibe is something that you have to experience. The staff is amazing the pool hot tub perfect the food in restaurant was first class. Will definitely be back

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

13 Aug 2025

Tony

Great workers

10/10

Exceptional

09 Aug 2025

Katie

Nice stay very friendly staff great pool area.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

08 Aug 2025

Jay

Great place to stay!

Leisure Family_with_children

6/10

Pleasant

06 Aug 2025

Sherry

Meh

Pictures must be feom when they first remodeled...mold around bath drain, bathroom tile floor was beat-up, pool has seen better days, pool ceiling falling apart, snack shop was never open. It was nice that it was dog friendly but other than that stay closer to campus so you have dining/walking options.

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

06 Aug 2025

Verified traveler

Its ok.

Quiet. Off season may be why but not a complaint. Customer service is scarce. A phone number is on the front desk if you need something. Resturant is supposedly open til 9 or 930 but one night no one was around and chairs on the tables at 7. Place is clean. Pool is large and nice. Hot tub is clean and nice. Brkfst. is ok. Biscuit sandwich, yogurt and instant oatmeal.
No microwave or coffe in rooms. Lighting is very very dark.
Enjoyed the pool tables and arcade.

Partner

6/10

Pleasant

03 Aug 2025

Andrew

The pictures on Expedia make this look like a spruced up hotel; the lobby actually looks nice. The pool was the reason that we chose the hotel in the first place; my daughter was hoping to get some pool time in the morning. But when we went down to use the pool, I was told by the woman at the desk that the chlorine was \"zero\" and it was closed.

8/10

Excellent

03 Aug 2025

John

Great for families

Highlander is a really cool hotel. I was traveling with my 17 years old son and we enjoyed the stay. It seems like a perfect place for families with young children. Breakfast could have been better, but overall nice experience and good value.

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

02 Aug 2025

Cheryl

Nice place. Did not have coffee pot in room

Partner

2/10

Poor

31 Jul 2025

micaela

Dirty. Won’t go back

Dirty rooms. Hair in bathroom, toilet was not clean it was disgusting

Business

6/10

Pleasant

29 Jul 2025

Jennifer

No food buying options available but menus everywh

Arrived at 10pm, no food or drinks available to buy. One person was working, had to wait 5 minutes for anyone to arrive so I could check in. Breakfast is gross, no lunch until 2pm and no alternative food choices anywhere nearby. We were starved when we left.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

23 Jul 2025

David

Fabulous staff. The pool area was amazing. Lots of fun

Leisure Partner

4/10

Poor

21 Jul 2025

Ryan

Kinda Disappointed

There was a serious lack of staff to attend to the number of guests. The staff on hand was friendly and great but running in too many directions at once. More than a few times I had to walk around the hotel looking for someone to assist at the pool bar or answer a question at the front desk, etc.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

21 Jul 2025

Samantha

I’m totally coming back

A very clean and unique hotel. The staff was friendly and accommodating and the rooms were neat and extremely comfortable!

Friends_and_family Family

8/10

Excellent

20 Jul 2025

Sara

Clean rooms and friendly staff!

Leisure Family_with_children

10/10

Exceptional

19 Jul 2025

Helen

Fun vibe. Comfortable beds. Large Rooms.

Great pool and hot tub. Nice on-site bar and arcade room. Friendly service. Historic hotel with a fun vibe. Rooms are larger with comfortable beds. Comfortable lobby with fun velvet chairs. Not your average hotel.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

14 Jul 2025

Amanda

Bougie, Art Deco with a Hippy Flair

Stumbled on this hotel after my kiddos begged for a nicer room. We were amazed by the decor and I was happy with the price. From the old school soda shop, arcade, amazing indoor/outdoor pool, restaurant... it will not disappoint!

Business

10/10

Exceptional

10 Jul 2025

Jason

Great stay.

Great stay, pool, food, arcade, and service best I’ve had.

Friends_and_family Family

6/10

Pleasant

06 Jul 2025

Verified traveler

Would not recommend staying here

It is an old hotel that was “renovated” as little as possible. The lobby and common areas looked great but the rooms were sparse and cheaply done. Our first room had holes in the ceiling and water stains on the shades. I asked for a new room on the first floor as there is no elevator-never mentioned at check in- and was given one immediately that was somewhat better shape. We checked in after traveling all day and picked this place because they had onsite restaurant. 30 minutes before close we walked in and was not greeted, had to seat ourselves and get our our own silverware and menus. Ordered at the bar from the most rude person who looked at his watch when we came in and then complained to people at the bar about people coming in late loud enough for us to hear. I tried to apologize when he brought our food for coming in late after a 12 hour day driving and he ignored the apology and said hey at least I’m honest with you. We paid our bill and finished our food in our room so this person would not be delayed by us there. Awful night sleeping, beds were single mattress on a platform, AC was constantly kicking off and on so the room would go from icy to sweltering. Continental breakfast was very good. Coffee was not good, had a weird taste.

Friends_and_family Family

10/10

Exceptional

03 Jul 2025

Denis

Room overlooking the pool was very nice. For 5 stars on the property condition, they would have to repair some ceiling areas over the pool, but this is a minor point overall. We checked in late, but the waiter in the bar offered to take our food order and deliver it to us in the pool area so we could enjoy the pool before it closed. Super nice guy, and I wish I would have gotten his name so I could acknowledge him here. Wristband room key was a first for me, but a great idea.

Business Family