The Highlander Hotel

4.0 star property

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your current months are January, 2025 and February, 2025.
January 2025
February 2025

Photo gallery for The Highlander Hotel

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillowtop beds, individually decorated, desk
Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillowtop beds, individually decorated, desk
Lobby lounge
Indoor spa tub
Point of interest

Reviews

8.8 out of 10

Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Room service
  • Bar
  • Parking included
  • Gym

Explore the area

Map
2525 Highlander Place, Iowa City, IA, 52245
  • Mercy Hospital
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • University of Iowa
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • University of Iowa Health Care
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Iowa City, IA (IOW)
    ‪18 min drive‬

Room options

Room, 1 King Bed (Courtyard)

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Suite (Courtyard)

  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Double Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Room, 2 Queen Beds (Courtyard)

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Mezzanine (Mezzanine)

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Room, 1 King Bed, Mezzanine (Mezzanine)

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Poolside

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Classic Room, 2 Queen Beds, Accessible

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Room, 1 King Bed, Accessible (Courtyard)

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Classic Suite, Accessible

  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Double Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Classic Room, 2 Queen Beds

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

Classic Room, 1 King Bed

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Classic Suite

  • Sleeps 6
  • 2 Double Beds and 1 Double Sofa Bed

Room, 1 King Bed, Poolside

  • Sleeps 3
  • 1 King Bed

Similar properties

About this property

The Highlander Hotel

Iowa City hotel with restaurant
Along with an indoor pool, this smoke-free hotel has a restaurant and a 24-hour fitness center. Free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a bar/lounge, a poolside bar, and a snack bar/deli are onsite. Housekeeping is available on request.
The Highlander Hotel offers 97 accommodations with bathrobes and slippers. These individually decorated accommodations include desks. Beds feature pillowtop mattresses. Flat-screen televisions come with premium cable channels and pay movies.

Bathrooms include bathtubs or showers with rainfall showerheads, and hair dryers. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Hypo-allergenic bedding, irons/ironing boards, and change of towels can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on request.

An indoor pool and a spa tub are on site. Other recreational amenities include a 24-hour fitness center.
In addition to an indoor pool, The Highlander Hotel provides a spa tub and a 24-hour fitness center. The hotel offers a restaurant, a coffee shop/cafe, and a snack bar/deli. Guests can unwind with a drink at one of the hotel's bars, which include a poolside bar and a bar/lounge. Wireless Internet access is complimentary.

This hotel offers access to 3 meeting rooms and coworking spaces. Event facilities measuring 5651 square feet (525 square meters) include a conference center. This family-friendly hotel also offers a terrace, multilingual staff, and tour/ticket assistance. Onsite self parking is complimentary. A total renovation of this property was completed in July 2020.

The Highlander Hotel is a smoke-free property.

The Highlander Supper Clu - This restaurant serves brunch, lunch, and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Happy hour is offered.
Supper Club Bar - Onsite bar. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Open daily.
Snack Shack - This coffee shop specializes in American cuisine. Open daily.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Languages

English, Spanish

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Free self parking on site
  • Free RV/bus/truck parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Food and drink

  • A bar/lounge
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A poolside bar
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas
  • Snack bar/deli

Restaurants on site

  • Snack Shack
  • Supper Club Bar
  • The Highlander Supper Clu

Things to do

  • 24-hour gym
  • Books
  • Games
  • Indoor pool
  • Music library
  • Spa tub
  • Stereo
  • Table tennis

Family friendly

  • Children's books
  • Children's games
  • Free crib
  • Indoor pool
  • Snack bar/deli

Conveniences

  • 24-hour front desk
  • ATM
  • Free newspapers in lobby
  • Guidebooks
  • Luggage storage
  • Shared microwave
  • Water dispenser

Guest services

  • Change of bedsheets (on request)
  • Change of towels on request
  • Concierge services
  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Multilingual staff
  • Proposal/romance packages
  • Tour and ticket assistance
  • Wedding services

Business services

  • 3 meeting rooms
  • Conference center (5,651 square feet of space)
  • Coworking space

Outdoors

  • Pool loungers
  • Terrace

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Valet for wheelchair-equipped vehicles
  • Visual alarms in hallways
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible gym
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible public washroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

More

  • 1 building
  • 2 floors
  • At least 10% of profits reinvested in community and sustainability
  • At least 80% lighting from LEDs
  • At least 80% of food locally-sourced
  • At least 80% organic food
  • Ballroom
  • Biodegradable coffee stirrers available
  • Biodegradable drinking straws available
  • Built in 1967
  • Comprehensive food waste policy
  • Comprehensive recycling policy
  • Double-glazed windows
  • Eco-friendly cleaning products used
  • Local artist showcase
  • Locally-owned and organized tours and activities
  • No plastic coffee stirrers
  • No plastic drinking straws
  • No plastic soft drink bottles
  • No plastic water bottles
  • Reception hall
  • Reusable cups
  • Reusable tableware
  • Smoke-free property
  • Vegan dining options
  • Vegetarian breakfast available
  • Vegetarian dining options

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Free crib
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Pillowtop mattress

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shampoo
  • Slippers
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with premium cable channels
  • Pay movies

Food and drink

  • Champagne service
  • Limited room service
  • Restaurant dining guides

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Cleaning products are eco-friendly
  • Desk
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • Individual decor
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • LED lighting
  • Recycling
  • Water-efficient showers

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: USD 50
Contactless check-in available
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: USD 50
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Guests will receive an email 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and key retrieval information; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival

Access methods

Staffed front desk, key retrieval

Pets

Pets allowed for an extra charge of USD 30 per pet, per night
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
An off-leash area is available

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
4 children, up to the age of 17 years, can stay for free if using existing beds when occupying the parent or guardian's room
Free cribs are available on request at the property

Property payment types

Important information

Fees

You'll be asked to pay the following charges at the property. Fees may include applicable taxes:

  • 1.5 percent tourism fee will be charged

We have included all charges provided to us by the property.

Optional extras

  • Pet fee: USD 30 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Early check-in fee: USD 50 (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out fee: USD 50 (subject to availability)

The above list may not be comprehensive. Fees and deposits may not include tax and are subject to change.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly)

Property is also known as

Clarion Highlander
Clarion Highlander Iowa City
Clarion Hotel Highlander
Clarion Hotel Highlander Iowa City
Clarion Highlander Hotel And Conference Center Iowa City
Clarion Highlander Hotel Iowa City
The Bohemian
The Highlander Hotel Hotel
The Highlander Hotel Iowa City
The Highlander Hotel Hotel Iowa City
Clarion Hotel Highlander Conference Center

The Highlander Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 518 out of 784 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 138 out of 784 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 73 out of 784 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 32 out of 784 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 23 out of 784 reviews" "

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

8.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

6/10 Okay

Christopher

Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
This is an old motel that they have worked to update. Cool idea but not worth the $$ paid (price hike for football game??). Bathrooms moderately updated, dings all over the fridge and it was NOISY, HVAC system was extremely noisy (can hear the units noisy operations outside). No employee ever showed up to check us out of our room (two others were waiting as well). Cool idea but not executed well
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anna

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Super cool hippy vibe hotel. Games, bars, pool, great dining
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

2/10 Terrible

nancy

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
The ground level rooms with large windows are a little scary. Building is older and run down. Online marketing makes it appear much more updated than it is.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Cameron

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Nice stay, did not care for the restaurant food - I got the prime rib and it tasted like beef jerky. I also was disappointed that we did not have a coffee maker in our room. Other than that, the bed was extremely comfortable, and the property was in good condition.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Awesome pool area. Both the pool and hot tub could have been warmer
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Pricey family friendly hotel
Spacious rooms with patios overlooking the pool. Some low key live music, lots of games and a fun bar. About 10 min from downtown. Overpriced in my opinion.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah

Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Hong

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Doug

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Location is good, just off the highway. As with the rest of the property, the parking lot is ok, but needs a bit of TLC to bring it up to great. No microwave or coffee maker available in the room. That was odd. The pool is nice and there is a fun arcade and bar area. Lots of fun for families. It is clean and comfortable.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kelly

Traveled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
We stay here as often as possible when visiting
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Mark

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Susan

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

8/10 Good

Kathryn

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paula

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
We loved the hotel. Cool place, everything was great.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jean

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Very nice restored historical property. Very convenient location. Hotel staff very nice and helpful.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christopher

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christine

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Our daughters fourth year in Iowa City and we only now just discovered this fun hotel. Spacious, funky and loads of things to do and areas to wonder. A great place to bring a large crew for a game weekend, graduation, family reunion, etc.
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dorothy

Traveled with group, Business traveler
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Heck in was awesome. Derrick was so very nice. I made an error when booking and Dylan was understanding and fixed it for me. Dylan was very accommodating. Hotel is very nice and clean. Been staying here for 4 years. 2 sons that go to university of Iowa, I always stay here it is great. Best kept secret in Iowa!!!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Paula

Traveled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The Highlander feels more like a home than a hotel. Beds are soft and cozy. Facilities very well kept. We were so pleased to get a handicap accessible room which was perfect for our needs. A quiet and peaceful spot!
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

6/10 Okay

Chad

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

4/10 Poor

Trevor, Arvada

Traveled with partner
Liked: Staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Disliked: Cleanliness
Sheets were stained. Bed was kinda low to the ground. Otherwise enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristen

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Phillip

Stayed 1 night in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kristy

Traveled with group, Traveled with family
Liked: Amenities
This place has everything you need. Food, drinks, an arcade, outdoor seating, a nice pool area and lots of lounge space. The staff are very helpful and friendly. We were there on a busy weekend but I never would have known. It never felt over crowded or noisy. I will definitely be a return customer!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024