The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection
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All properties in Iowa City
The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection
No. 5 of 4-Star Select Hotels in Iowa
2525 Highlander Pl, Iowa City, Iowa, 52245, United States
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Highlights
Delicious breakfast
Ideal location
Pets welcome
Lots to do
Free parkingAmenities
Indoor swimming pool
Gym
Public parkingFree
24-hour front desk
Bar
Table tennis room
Restaurant
Conference room
All amenities
Property Description
Located in Iowa City, The Highlander Hotel, an Ascend Collection Hotel is in the business district, within a 10-minute drive of Mercy Hospital and Xtream Arena & GreenState Family Fieldhouse. This family-friendly hotel is 3.4 mi (5.4 km) from Iowa City Public Library and 3.4 mi (5.4 km) from The Englert Theater.
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8.7/10
Cleanliness8.7
Amenities8.7
Location8.7
Service8.7
All 96 reviews
Surroundings
Airport: Eastern Iowa Airport
(38.1 km)
Landmarks: North Dodge Athletic Club
(650m)
Landmarks: Pappy Dickens Preserve
(1.9 km)
Landmarks: Hickory Hill Park
(2.2 km)
Landmarks: Sanders Creek Company
(3.3 km)
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Overview
Rooms
Guest Reviews
Services & Amenities
Policies
6
Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking
2 Queen bed
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Towels
Connecting rooms
Desk
Check Availability
7
Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking
1 King bed and 2 Queen bed and 2 Sofa bed
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Private bathroom
TV
Towels
Check Availability
13
Standard King Room-Non-Smoking
1 King bed
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Towels
Desk
Check Availability
4
Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Balcony (Pool View)
2 Queen bed
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Private bathroom
TV
Towels
Check Availability
5
Room, 2 Queen Beds, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking
2 Queen bed
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Refrigerator
TV
Towels
Check Availability
6
Standard King Room With Balcony-Non-Smoking
1 King bed
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Refrigerator
Towels
Desk
Check Availability
6
Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Patio (Courtyard View)
2 Queen bed
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Private bathroom
TV
Towels
Check Availability
8
Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Poolside
2 Queen bed
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Private bathroom
TV
Towels
Check Availability
6
Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Patio (Courtyard View)
1 King bed
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Private bathroom
TV
Towels
Check Availability
10
Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Poolside
1 King bed
Has window
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Private bathroom
TV
Towels
Check Availability
8
Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking (Patio, Courtyard View)
1 King bed
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Private bathroom
TV
Towels
Check Availability
1
King Suite-Non-Smoking
1 King bed
Non-smoking
Air conditioning
Towels
Heating
Bedding: Blanket or quilt
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Hide Room Types
Guest Reviews
8.7/10
Very Good
96 reviews
- Cleanliness8.7
- Amenities8.7
- Location8.7
- Service8.7
Average for similar properties in Iowa City
Review summary
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Location: The hotel is conveniently situated, offering a quiet environment with little outside noise. It is near medical facilities and has good parking options, making it ideal for guests arriving via car.
Guest User
November 20, 2023
The highlander was great - our kids loved it! Not to mention the service and the food were perfection.
Guest User
November 6, 2025
It was an amazing stay!! Great staff, beautiful rooms, and the perfect location. Stayed there with a group of friends for Iowa Ren Faire. We were lucky enough to snag the rockstar bus experience for the first day, the best start to our weekend. The arcade was a wonderful suprise, for me at least, and we were down there every night. Highly recommend staying here as it has become my go-to hotel in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids area.
Guest User
October 13, 2025
I wanted to love The Highlander — the website promised a funky, retro escape. Instead, I got a front-row seat to the world’s brightest indoor pool courtyard. Our room faced the pool and featured a full wall of windows covered by blinds that apparently retired in the 90s and stopped trying. Even after the lights technically dimmed at 10pm, it was still bright enough to host a book club. Who needs a bedside lamp when your room is lit like a mall atrium? We asked to switch to an exterior-facing room, but were told none were available — which was interesting, considering we could see Room 147 sitting there like a perfectly good escape pod. No luck. Apparently, pretending a vacant room is occupied is part of the retro charm. All in all, if you enjoy sleeping in full daylight and being told “no,” this is the place for you. Otherwise, I’d recommend waiting until they upgrade the blinds — or offer complimentary eye masks.
Guest User
October 6, 2025
A warning to travelers who know what “acceptable hotel” actually means: We were tricked into paying $250+ by the website and photos, and even some reviews. The reality is grim. Scuffed paint everywhere (including the bathroom tile onto which they just slapped a shoddy coat of paint), and paint blotched onto surfaces where it shouldn’t be; a pervasive stink of some cheaply scented cleaning chemical or laundry soap (couldn’t tell which); a cramped little bathroom with a shower head that will be a problem for anybody over 5’9”. No bedside outlet for your devices, unless you want to unplug the lamps in the room. Extremely noisy hinges on the bathroom door. A junky, noisy wall-mounted AC/heat unit that blasts air at the bed, no way to redirect it. No privacy curtain, your options are darkness or letting the other guests see fully into your room. Even the decor sucks, with crappy Target-grade art and furniture. I could go on at great length. Everywhere we look, we see something sub-standard. Don’t let the photos — or the reviews by people who have apparently never stayed in a real hotel — fool you. This hotel is absolutely not worth what they’re charging for it.
Consellow
August 22, 2025
This place is awesome and exceeded my expectation! Great place for family’s or just adults! Highly recommend!! Oh, staff is phenomenal!!
Jason
August 18, 2025
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
cara
August 18, 2025
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.
Aaron
August 16, 2025
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
Services & Amenities
Most popular business facilities
Indoor swimming pool
Gym
Public parking
Free
24-hour front desk
Bar
Table tennis room
Restaurant
Conference room
Additional charge
Multi-function room
Wi-Fi in public areas
Free
Indoor swimming pool
Gym
Bar
Table tennis room
Restaurant
Conference room
Multi-function room
Restaurant
Restaurant
No additional info available
More Amenities
Internet
Wi-Fi in public areas
Free
Indoor swimming pool
Heated pool
Parking
Public (not only for guests) is available On-site parking. Reservation not needed.
Public parking
Free
Business services
Multi-function room
Conference room
Additional charge
Fax/copying service
Additional charge
Wedding service
Coworking spaces
Front desk services
24-hour front desk
Express check-in and check-out
Concierge service
Languages spoken
English
Food & drink
Bar
Lobby bar
Room service
Snack bar
Public areas
No smoking in public areas
Water purifier
ATM
Health & wellness
Table tennis room
Gym
Facilities for children
Kids' board games/puzzles
Accessibility
Braille signs
Handrails on stairs
Accessible rooms available
Stair-free main entrance
Safety & security
First aid kit
Intruder alarm
Smoke detector
Fire extinguisher
Security personnel
Property Policies
Check-in and Check-out Times
Check-in: after 15:00
Check-out: Before 11:00
Front desk hours: 24/7
Self check-in: Contact the property for instructions on how to obtain the card/keys
The property will provide check-in details after booking
Child policies
Children of all ages are welcome at this property.
Additional fees may be charged for children using existing beds. Add the number of children to get a more accurate price.
Cribs and Extra Beds
Extra bed and crib policies may vary according to room type. Please refer to the room type details for more information.
Breakfast
CuisineWestern
| Age | Fee |
|---|---|
Adult | Contact property |
Additional breakfast fees are not included in the total and need to be paid at the property.
Pets
Pets are allowed on requestAdditional charge
Types of pets allowed: dogs, cats
Fee: US$30.00 (approx. PHP 1,765.16) per pet per night
Service animals
Service animals are allowed on request
Age Requirements
The main guest checking in must be at least 21 years old
Paying at the hotel
Property Description
- Opened: 1967
- Renovated: 2020
- Number of Rooms: 82
Phone:+1-319-3542000
Located in Iowa City, The Highlander Hotel, an Ascend Collection Hotel is in the business district, within a 10-minute drive of Mercy Hospital and Xtream Arena & GreenState Family Fieldhouse. This family-friendly hotel is 3.4 mi (5.4 km) from Iowa City Public Library and 3.4 mi (5.4 km) from The Englert Theater.
Be sure to enjoy recreational amenities, including an indoor pool, a hot tub, and a 24-hour fitness center. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and an arcade/game room.
Stop by the hotel's restaurant, Supper Club, for lunch, dinner, or brunch. Dining is also available at the coffee shop/cafe, and room service (during limited hours) is provided. Relax with a refreshing drink from the poolside bar or one of the 2 bars/lounges. A complimentary continental breakfast is served on weekdays.
Featured amenities include express check-in, express check-out, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Planning an event in Iowa City? This hotel has 5651 square feet (525 square meters) of space consisting of a conference center and 3 meeting rooms. Free self parking is available onsite.
Stay in one of 97 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Your room comes with a pillowtop bed. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature rainfall showerheads and hair dryers.
Be sure to enjoy recreational amenities, including an indoor pool, a hot tub, and a 24-hour fitness center. This hotel also features complimentary wireless internet access, concierge services, and an arcade/game room.
Stop by the hotel's restaurant, Supper Club, for lunch, dinner, or brunch. Dining is also available at the coffee shop/cafe, and room service (during limited hours) is provided. Relax with a refreshing drink from the poolside bar or one of the 2 bars/lounges. A complimentary continental breakfast is served on weekdays.
Featured amenities include express check-in, express check-out, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Planning an event in Iowa City? This hotel has 5651 square feet (525 square meters) of space consisting of a conference center and 3 meeting rooms. Free self parking is available onsite.
Stay in one of 97 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Your room comes with a pillowtop bed. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature rainfall showerheads and hair dryers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the cancellation policy at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection?
The cancellation policy at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection depends on your room type and booking terms.What’s the cancellation policy at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection?
What are the check-in and check-out times at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection?
Check-in at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection starts from 15:00, and the standard check-out time is by 11:00.What are the check-in and check-out times at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection?
Is breakfast available at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection?
Yes, The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection provides breakfast. Options include Western. Is breakfast available at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection?
Are pets allowed at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection?
Yes, pets are allowed at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection, but it’s recommended to contact the property directly to confirm.Are pets allowed at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection?
How do I get to The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection from the nearest airport?
The nearest airport is Eastern Iowa Airport, located about about 26 mins from hotel by car (38.1 km) away.How do I get to The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection from the nearest airport?
About This Property
| Nearest Airport | Eastern Iowa Airport |
|---|---|
| Distance to Airport | 38.1KM |
| Average Price From | PHP15191 |
| Hotel Star Rating | 4 |