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Summary of reviewsGraduate Iowa City is celebrated for its prime location in the heart of downtown Iowa City, making it highly convenient for exploring a variety of dining, shopping and entertainment options within walking distance. Guests particularly appreciate its close proximity to the pedestrian mall, the University of Iowa campus and numerous bars and restaurants, making it an ideal spot for both university visitors and those seeking a vibrant weekend getaway. The unique decor, blending historical and futuristic elements, further enhances the hotel's charm and overall positive experience.
While the hotel's breakfast options are limited—a noted disappointment for some guests—staff members help offset this by recommending excellent local breakfast spots nearby. Despite the lack of an in-house breakfast service, the overall value and friendly staff contribute positively to the guest experience.
Rooms at Graduate Iowa City stand out for their quirky 70s retro vibe, balancing unique decor with comfort and cleanliness. Despite occasional issues with room maintenance such as noisy AC units or mold, the spacious and well-appointed rooms with comfortable beds generally satisfy guests. Complaints about cleaning inconsistencies are present, but the hotel's general cleanliness, secure entrance and the friendly and efficient service of its staff are highly rated.
Staff at Graduate Iowa City consistently receive accolades for their friendliness and professionalism, further enhancing the welcoming atmosphere of the hotel. While there are occasional mentions of service lapses, these are exceptions rather than the norm with the maintenance team also garnering praise for prompt service.
The gym at Graduate Iowa City is outstanding, providing a full range of equipment suitable even for dedicated gym enthusiasts. Despite the gym's tricky location, guests find it more than compensates with its high standards and comprehensiveness.
The beds receive frequent praise for their extreme comfort, contributing to an excellent rest. Guests particularly highlight the high quality of mattresses and linens, making the hotel highly recommended for a comfortable stay. The hotel's location, combined with clean, well-maintained rooms and strong WiFi, adds to the overall appeal. The access to an excellent gym and nearby parking further ensures a pleasant visit.
Overall, Graduate Iowa City impresses with its unique charm, clean and comfortable rooms and excellent service, making it a standout choice for visitors. Pet owners will also appreciate its pet-friendly amenities, although a designated grassy area for pet relief is notably absent. Despite minor drawbacks, the hotel's positive attributes make it a highly recommended option for travelers seeking a delightful and conveniently located stay in Iowa City. Show more
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Family Friendly Hotel
The Graduate offers unique, themed accommodations with a playful atmosphere. Its location near the university and downtown provides easy access to family-friendly activities and dining options.
Dog Friendly Hotel
This hotel is pet-friendly. It is considered a top pet-friendly hotel in Iowa City.
Romantic Hotel
The Graduate in Iowa City offers a charming and cozy atmosphere for a romantic escape. Its collegiate-themed decor and comfortable accommodations provide a unique and memorable experience for couples.
Hotel with Parking
Graduate Iowa City provides parking services. Its location gives guests access to the University area.
Accessible Hotel
This hotel offers accessible rooms including a King Room with Roll-In Shower - Mobility Accessible and a King Room with Bath Tub - Disability Access. Upper floors are accessible by elevator, and there is a wheelchair-accessible path of travel.
4-Star Hotel
Situated in Iowa City, this hotel offers a unique and playful atmosphere. The hotel features retro-inspired rooms, a rooftop terrace, and a lively bar. Its proximity to the University of Iowa and vibrant design make it a favorite among visitors.
Hotel for Honeymoon
Hotel with Gym
Room Types
Graduate King RoomThe spacious air-conditioned double room features private bathroom equipped with a bath and a shower. The unit offers 1 bed.
Graduate King Room with Roll-In Shower - Mobility AccessibleThe spacious air-conditioned double room features private bathroom equipped with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. The unit offers 1 bed.
Graduate King Room with Bath Tub - Disability AccessThe spacious air-conditioned double room has private bathroom fitted with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. The unit has 1 bed.
Graduate King SuiteThe spacious air-conditioned suite features private bathroom equipped with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer.
Graduate King Room - Hearing AccessibleThe spacious air-conditioned double room has private bathroom fitted with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. The unit has 1 bed.
Graduate Large King RoomThe spacious air-conditioned double room has private bathroom fitted with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. The unit has 1 bed.
Graduate Queen Room with Two Queen BedsProviding free toiletries, this quadruple room includes a private bathroom with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. This quadruple room provides air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 2 beds.
Graduate Queen Room with Two Queen Beds and Bath Tub - Disability AccessProviding free toiletries, this quadruple room includes a private bathroom with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. This quadruple room provides air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 2 beds.
Graduate Queen Room with Two Queen Beds - Hearing AccessibleProviding free toiletries, this quadruple room includes a private bathroom with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. This quadruple room provides air conditioning and a flat-screen TV. The unit offers 2 beds.
Graduate Twin Room with Bunk BedsThe spacious air-conditioned double room has private bathroom fitted with a bath or a shower and a hairdryer. The unit has 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
8.4
Very Good
Location
Graduate Iowa City enjoys an outstanding reputation for its prime location, positioned in the heart of downtown Iowa City. This central location places guests within walking distance of a plethora of dining, shopping and entertainment options, making it incredibly convenient to explore the city without the need for transportation. Many guests highlight the close proximity to the pedestrian mall, the University of Iowa campus and numerous bars and restaurants, making it an ideal spot for those visiting for university events or a vibrant weekend getaway.
The ease of access to nearby attractions and the convenience of walking to various points of interest are repeatedly praised. The hotel's location also benefits from good value and friendly staff, contributing to a welcoming and enjoyable stay. Additionally, the unique decor of the hotel, combining historical and futuristic elements, adds to the charm and overall positive experience of staying at Graduate Iowa City.
Overall, this hotel is a perfect choice for those looking to immerse themselves in the bustling atmosphere of downtown Iowa City with all essential amenities and attractions at their doorstep.
Breakfast
Travelers staying at Graduate Iowa City have shared their experiences regarding the breakfast options at the hotel, indicating a notable absence of breakfast services. Many guests were disappointed to find that no breakfast was included, despite the premium pricing of the rooms. There wasn't even a grab-and-go option available and several guests expressed a preference for at least a basic offering such as a sack breakfast or complimentary coffee in the room.
The limited availability of breakfast choices could be an area for potential improvement. Although Poindexters is an option for coffee and breakfast, some guests felt that more variety within the hotel would enhance their stay. On a positive note, hotel staff provided excellent recommendations for local breakfast spots, allowing guests to explore nearby dining options.
Overall, while the lack of a breakfast service is a recurring theme in guest reviews, the staff’s helpfulness in suggesting alternatives and the quality of available nearby cafes slightly mitigated the issue.
Rooms
Graduate Iowa City offers an eclectic and charming experience that balances quirky decor with comfort and cleanliness. Guests often highlight the unique and fun room decor, reminiscent of a 70s retro vibe, adding a boutique feel to the stay. The rooms are generally clean, comfortable and fairly well appointed, featuring large, comfortable beds and tasteful interiors. Many guests appreciate the spaciousness of the rooms, although some mention that certain room sizes could be bigger, especially considering the price paid.
However, the hotel is not without its challenges. Several reviews point out issues with room maintenance, such as dampness, mold, cleanliness lapses and outdated or malfunctioning amenities like noisy AC units and tricky shower controls. Some rooms also suffer from poor soundproofing and strange odors. Despite these drawbacks, the staff receives high marks for their friendly and efficient service, often accommodating room requests and addressing issues promptly.
Overall, Graduate Iowa City garners praise for its clean, comfortable rooms and distinctive decor, making it a pleasant choice for visitors, even if some improvements in room upkeep and amenities are needed.
Beds
Graduate Iowa City has consistently garnered positive feedback for its beds with numerous reviews praising them as extremely comfortable and providing excellent rest. Guests frequently highlight the beds as super comfy with descriptions ranging from very comfortable to incredibly comfortable. Many reviewers have emphasized the high quality of both the mattresses and linens, noting them as extremely comfy and plush.
Though there are a few mentions of less satisfactory experiences with the mattresses being too firm or sagging, these comments are vastly outnumbered by the positive reviews. The bedding, in particular, receives high marks for contributing to a restful night's sleep. Guests find the beds wonderful, sturdy and well-maintained.
Additionally, the hotel's location near the pedestrian mall and its clean, well-kept rooms with strong WiFi add to the overall comfort and convenience, making it a highly recommended option for a comfortable stay in Iowa City. The access to an excellent gym and nearby parking further enhances the appeal, ensuring guests have everything they need for a pleasant visit.
Cleanliness
Graduate Iowa City has garnered mixed feedback regarding its cleanliness from guest reviews. On a positive note, many guests described the hotel as very clean, comfortable and cozy, highlighting that both the rooms and common areas were consistently well-maintained. The hotel's unique and fun decor also received praise, contributing to its overall pleasant atmosphere. Guests appreciated the comfortable beds, spacious rooms, excellent customer service and secure entrance, making it a favorable choice for many.
However, some reviews noted significant issues with cleanliness. There were mentions of dirty carpets, musty smells and dust in rooms. Specific complaints included rust stains in the tubs, mold under sinks and unvacuumed floors. A few guests pointed out that their rooms had not been cleaned upon arrival or between days of their stay. Others encountered bugs and found the bathrooms to be less than satisfactory with reports of dirt and hair.
Overall, while many enjoyed their stay and found the hotel clean and comfortable, it’s evident there are inconsistencies in the cleaning standards that need addressing to ensure a more uniformly positive experience for all guests.
Staff
Graduate Iowa City consistently receives high praise for its exceptional staff. Guests are often met with friendliness and professionalism with many highlighting the team as friendly, helpful and efficient. The front desk often earns specific mention for its warm and accommodating service with individuals like Sara at the front desk being singled out for their exemplary hospitality.
However, there are occasional mentions of lapses, such as a delay at the front desk or an unhelpful concierge, but these instances seem to be exceptions rather than the norm. Maintenance personnel also receive commendations for their prompt and effective service, contributing to the positive overall experience. The general consensus emphasizes that the personnel, from receptionists to housekeeping, contribute significantly to the pleasant and welcoming ambiance of the hotel.
Despite a few isolated negative comments, the majority of guest reviews affirm that the staff's friendliness and helpfulness enhance the overall stay, making Graduate Iowa City a standout choice for visitors seeking excellent customer service and a welcoming environment.
Gym
Graduate Iowa City features an outstanding gym that's been consistently praised by guests. Many have highlighted its full range of equipment, making it a fantastic choice for those serious about their workouts. The fitness center stands out for its quality and comprehensiveness, ensuring it meets the needs of even the most dedicated gym enthusiasts. Additionally, guests have described it as impressive and amazing, which underscores the high standards maintained in this facility. Despite some mentioning it can be a bit tricky to locate, the stellar setup more than compensates for this minor inconvenience.
4 Star
Graduate Iowa City is a hotel that impresses guests with its unique charm and affordable pricing. The establishment offers clean and comfortable rooms, featuring great showers. Despite the lack of dresser drawers, the overall experience remains positive. Exterior view rooms are available for an additional fee. Guests appreciate the hotel's superb vibe and its scholarly setting, which adds a fun and distinctive touch. The place is well-maintained and gives off a luxurious feel. Although some amenities are still affected by Covid-related restrictions, the hotel continues to receive high praise for its service and facilities.
Dog Friendly
Graduate Iowa City is known for being a pet-friendly hotel that welcomes both dogs and cats. Guests appreciate the convenience of being able to bring their pets along during their stay. While the overall experience with pets is positive, some guests have noted a few challenges, such as the lack of a designated grassy area nearby for pets to relieve themselves. Despite this, the cleanliness of the rooms is generally well-maintained and guests with pets tend to be respectful of others' space. Pet owners can also find dog food available for service animals. Overall, the pet-friendly amenities make Graduate Iowa City a viable option for those traveling with their furry companions.
No, Graduate by Hilton Iowa City doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at Graduate by Hilton Iowa City.
Yes, Graduate by Hilton Iowa City welcomes dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at Graduate by Hilton Iowa City.