Best Hotels in Iowa

Set on the banks of the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa, The Merrill Hotel & Conference Center offers some of the most luxurious amenities and accommodations in the state, travelers say. Recent guests lauded the customer service and called the hotel the best option in town. The property features more than 12,000 square feet of meeting space, plus business travelers can also consult the dedicated planning professionals and gourmet caterers. If you're in town for business, you'll be able to stay productive at this hotel's 24-hour business center while taking occasional breaks at the on-site fitness center. Alternatively, those visiting Muscatine for leisure will love the heated indoor saltwater pool, the free parking and the concierge service here. And when you get hungry, you can try a breakfast, lunch or dinner at Maxwell's. As far as accommodations go, all rooms include free Wi-Fi access, coffee makers, minifridges and large work desks. This hotel sits within walking distance of all the shops, restaurants and attractions this riverside town has to offer, but you should note that the property is not near any major cities or airports.

Self-described as "hipstoric," Hotel Blackhawk has been welcoming guests to Davenport, Iowa, since 1915. Though the hotel underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation, it still embodies a historic charm, according to recent guests. Along with modern facilities like a spa, an indoor pool, a fitness center and a bowling alley, you'll find historic, art deco touches, such as terra cotta pilasters, stonework and stained glass ceilings. (History buffs in particular may be interested to know that Hotel Blackhawk holds a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.) Aside from the property's interesting structural details, this Marriott outpost also earned glowing reviews for its comfy, well-equipped rooms. Accommodations are outfitted with floor-to-ceiling windows, flat-screen TVs and in-mirror TVs in the bathroom, as well as minifridges and microwaves. Though several restaurants and bars are within walking distance of the hotel, heed the advice of past lodgers and stay on-site for a meal at Bix Bistro and Lounge, or a cocktail at Blackhawk Bowl and Martini Lounge. The property also houses the Beignet Done That cafe. What's more, members of the Marriott Rewards program can accrue or spend points by choosing to stay here.

Travelers say this Hard Rock is tons of fun. Guests loved the free drink of choice provided at check-in, as well as the music-themed decor and memorabilia featured throughout the property. Rooms are just as lauded for their stylish industrial elements (the building was once a train station), swanky chrome light fixtures and velvet tufted headboards. Accommodations are outfitted with high-tech amenities, including 55-inch LG TVs, minifridges, Keurig coffee makers and complimentary internet access. Outside the digs, lodgers will find an outdoor pool, a fitness center and plenty of on-site entertainment. In addition to a casino, this Hard Rock regularly plays host to both local and national music and comedic acts. There are also four dining options to choose from, including the 24-hour Fuel American Grill, as well as the three-story Lobby Bar. While guests were impressed with the facilities, some visitors said the service was a mixed bag: There were a handful of lodgers who reported impeccable service, but others felt some staff members were distracted and aloof. You can find the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in the heart of downtown Sioux City, Iowa.

The Current Iowa in Davenport, Iowa, beckons to art enthusiasts and business travelers. Creative types can admire the contemporary artwork displayed throughout the property or at the nearby Figge Art Museum, while visitors who are in town for work can conduct business at the RiverCenter (Davenport's convention center) or on-site in the business center or one of two meeting rooms. But most recent travelers were just as impressed with this Autograph Collection's other amenities. VIVA and UP, the hotel's two restaurants, earned heaps of praise for their attentive service and delicious and reasonably priced food. Additionally, valet parking is free here, which many past guests appreciated considering downtown Davenport's limited parking. Travelers also raved about their "gorgeous" accommodations (though some complained of hearing trains at night). All boast predominantly gray color schemes, original works of art, Serta Comfort beds, flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi access. For extra perks like in-unit laundry machines and a kitchenette or kitchen, lodgers can upgrade to a one- or two-bedroom suite. Plus, those who participate in the Marriott Rewards program or the Starwood Preferred Guest program can earn or redeem points when staying here.

You'll find 38,500 square feet of gaming and gambling at the Ameristar Casino Hotel Council Bluffs. Situated on River Road and overlooking the Missouri River, the complex sits near the Nebraska-Iowa state line. So, if you want to skip on over to Omaha to take in the sights, you're just about a 7 miles away. Most of the hotel's visitors say the rooms are perfectly adequate for a few days' stay, thanks to amenities like large LED TVs and complimentary high-speed Internet access. And when testing your luck – or soaking in the hotel pool and sauna – works up your appetite, you'll have five on-site restaurants to choose from.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Des Moines Downtown is ideal for out-of-town guests who want to experience Des Moines, as well as those looking to host a downtown event or wedding. Guests at this contemporary hotel in the East Village are near nightlife, the Riverfront Amphitheater and biking and walking trails that wind throughout the city. While the property features a restaurant that serves casual American fare, this hotel includes both daily made-to-order breakfast and an evening reception, where families are welcome, and appetizers and beverages (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic) are complimentary. All of the accommodations are two-room suites, with two high-definition TVs, Wi-Fi, local art, coffee and snacks. Upgrades include two bathrooms, multiple sitting areas, larger refrigerators and a microwave. Plus, the hotel boasts an indoor pool, a fitness center, a business center and friendly staff, according to recent guests. There is a fee for on-site parking, though. You can save some coin by using Hilton Honors to cover your stay.

Frequent guests at DoubleTree properties are accustomed to the freshly baked chocolate chip cookies upon arrival but, unless they're familiar with the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Des Moines Airport, they likely aren't expecting to see life-size terracotta replica statues of the warrior and horse statues of China's Qin Shi Huang's mausoleum. But the hotel is adjacent to the Des Moines International Airport – and less than 6 miles from downtown – perhaps explaining the pairing of Asian-inspired, contemporary decor with a 1940s supper club-style restaurant called Johnny's Italian Steakhouse (which received glowing reviews from recent guests). This hotel also features a heated outdoor pool, fitness center, free parking and airport transportation (though recent guests said the shuttles can get crowded), meeting rooms and great service, according to recent guests. Accommodations include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, a king bed or two queen beds and a Wolfgang Puck coffee maker (upgrade to a suite for a whirlpool or sectional seated area). Members of the Hilton Honors rewards program can also accrue or redeem points by choosing to stay here.

Located within a modern farmhouse in Urbandale, Iowa, Hotel Renovo's 102 guest rooms feature Carrara marble bathrooms, complimentary Wi-Fi access, glass barn shower doors, flat-screen TVs and, in select accommodations, farmhouse kitchen sinks and wet bars. Recent guests said the beds were extremely comfortable, but some mentioned that the nearby parking lot and highway bring in a lot of noise. Outside of the accommodations, lodgers will find a 24-hour business kiosk, an indoor pool and whirlpool, a fitness center and breakfast and dinner served in the hotel's lobby. For more dining options, the hotel is conveniently located within walking distance of several restaurants. Guests will find this hotel about 10 miles east of downtown Des Moines, making it a favorable location for business travelers but not ideal for those wanting to be in the heart of downtown. On the plus side, the hotel participates in the iPrefer rewards program, so members can accrue or redeem points while staying here.

Des Lux Hotel is reminiscent of an old-world estate, with velvet fabrics, dark wood furnishings, leather and bookshelves that could've come straight from a study. The age-old ambiance here fits right in the nearby historic sections of downtown Des Moines. All rooms include a coffee maker, refrigerator, free Wi-Fi and comfortable beds (according to recent guests), and suite upgrades include a fireplace, whirlpool or atrium. Ideal for couple retreats and business trips, Des Lux Hotel also features a bar, 24-hour fitness center, complimentary breakfast (which received glowing reviews from recent guests), valet parking for a fee) and free shuttle service to the Des Moines International Airport.

If you want to test Lady Luck but don't feel like trekking to Las Vegas, you should consider visiting Riverside Casino & Golf Resort in Riverside, Iowa. Located about 15 miles south of Iowa City, this sprawling property houses a 24-hour casino with more than 900 slot machines, a poker room, 24 blackjack tables, roulette tables and two lounges (including one for VIPs). For those who don't want to gamble, there's also an Aveda-affiliated spa and salon on-site, as well as an indoor-outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center and an 18-hole golf course. Dining options include Ruthie's Steak & Seafood, an international buffet, a diner and a coffee shop. When you're ready to call it a night, you'll find guest rooms and suites with 42-inch flat-screen TVs, minifridges, free Wi-Fi access, coffee makers and pillow-top mattresses. Recent guests had high praise for the friendly staff and delicious buffet, but some warned that the smell of smoke lingered in all of the rooms, including ones that do not permit smoking.