Graduate Iowa City

It was amazing. The kids loved it.

Room type was not guaranteed so we got booted from a family suite to a deluxe king to fit six people the night before my daughter’s wedding. Room was also not fully cleaned the next night.

Nice rooms overall. I was surprised to see there’s NO vending machines? Are you kidding? The only cups our room had were two cardboard coffee cups stuck together. Yuck. It took about 2 hours including 5 phone calls and 2 visits to the front desk to get some plastic cups.

This hotel is in a perfect location for being able to walk to all kinds of shops and places to eat, as well as historic sights in downtown Iowa City, but you kind of HAVE TO walk, because it is very hard to find a parking space, especially on the weekends. The only parking is in a parking garage adjacent to the hotel, so that can be quite inconvenient, especially for a single parent or someone who is driving AND helping someone with a disability (such as in a wheelchair); so, it is helpful to know about that BEFORE arriving. We had a list of minor issues with our room that altogether added up to me feeling disappointed, but the manager was eager to listen to them and take note to have things addressed/corrected. We have stayed here before and want to be able to return for other stays, especially if anyone in our family has an appointment at the U of I Hosp & Clinics, because it is only a couple miles from the hospital (which saves a lot of time that way). There is no "free breakfast" on-site (but of course many places available to walk to for breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Also, although they have a microwave right by the elevator in the lower level of the hotel, there are no microwaves in the rooms, which can be very inconvenient...and in order to use the little mini fridge in the room you practically have to "stand on your head!" Also, there is no pool. But overall, staying here is a fun experience.

The room was a little dirty in spots. You could see where a drink was spilled on nightstand that wasn’t cleaned up. Also, fan was broke in bathroom so wall paper was coming off of walls and Sheetrock on ceiling was bubbling. My biggest complaint was the loud AC and difficulty sleeping at night. If you turned off, it instantly got hot in room. We checked in late and kids were tired so we dealt with it. Room 704 if Graduate wants to address these issues.

If you are there on the weekend when school is in session be prepared for the parking lots to be full. Hotel was quirky, adorable, clean and a great price. We stayed in a family suite and loved the rooms.

I felt very secure in the fact that our room key was required in the elevator to get to our floor, and we could only get out of the elevator on our floor. The beds were soft, too soft for me but the kids enjoyed them. I thought the tub floor was very slick once you started using soaps, so be mindful. I didn't care for the perfume scent in the lobby, it was very strong. Also, I told them at check in that I did not want them to charge me for parking in the parking structure (it was cheaper for me to pay the structure), and they charged my card anyway. I have yet to hear back from them about the need to reverse the charge. There was no one at the front desk when we left to make sure I wasn't charged, but I was asked at check in.