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The Highlander Hotel Iowa City, an Ascend Collection Hotel

4.0 star property

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Photo gallery for The Highlander Hotel Iowa City, an Ascend Collection Hotel

Indoor pool, pool loungers
Creator video
2 bars/lounges, poolside bar
Terrace/patio
Lobby

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • 24/7 front desk

Explore the area

View in a map
2525 Highlander Place, Iowa City, IA, 52245
  • Place, University of Iowa
    ‪5 min drive‬
  • Place, Xtream Arena & GreenState Family Fieldhouse
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, Mercy Hospital
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Airport, Cedar Rapids, IA (CID-Eastern Iowa)
    ‪26 min drive‬

Room options

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillow-top beds, individually decorated, desk

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking

7.6 out of 10
Good
(5 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillow-top beds, individually decorated, desk

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillow-top beds, individually decorated, desk

Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Balcony

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Balcony | Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillow-top beds, individually decorated, desk

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Balcony

9.0 out of 10
Wonderful
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Poolside

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Poolside | Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillow-top beds, individually decorated, desk

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Poolside

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking | Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillow-top beds, individually decorated, desk

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillow-top beds, individually decorated, desk

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillow-top beds, individually decorated, desk

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Poolside

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Poolside | Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillow-top beds, individually decorated, desk

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Poolside

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(2 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillow-top beds, individually decorated, desk

Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking

Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking | Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillow-top beds, individually decorated, desk

Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 8
  • 1 King Bed, 2 Queen Beds and 2 Double Sofa Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Patio (Courtyard View)

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillow-top beds, individually decorated, desk

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Patio (Courtyard View)

10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
(1 review)
  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking (Patio, Courtyard View)

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillow-top beds, individually decorated, desk

Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking (Patio, Courtyard View)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Patio (Courtyard View)

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Patio (Courtyard View) | Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillow-top beds, individually decorated, desk

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Patio (Courtyard View)

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Balcony (Pool View)

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Balcony (Pool View) | Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillow-top beds, individually decorated, desk

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Balcony (Pool View)

8.4 out of 10
Very good
(7 reviews)
  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking, Balcony (Pool View)

Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking, Balcony (Pool View) | Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillow-top beds, individually decorated, desk

Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking, Balcony (Pool View)

  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds

Suite, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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About this property

The Highlander Hotel Iowa City, an Ascend Collection Hotel

Family-friendly hotel with free breakfast and bars/lounges
Along with an indoor pool, this smoke-free hotel has a restaurant and 2 bars/lounges. Free weekday breakfast, free WiFi in public areas and free self parking are also provided. Additionally, a 24-hour fitness centre, a poolside bar and a conference centre are on-site. Housekeeping is available on request.
The Highlander Hotel Iowa City, an Ascend Collection Hotel offers 97 accommodations with complimentary bathrobes and complimentary slippers. This individually decorated accommodation includes desks. Beds feature pillowtop mattresses. Flat-screen televisions come with premium cable channels and pay-per-view films.

Bathrooms include baths or showers with a rainfall showerhead, and hairdryers. Guests can surf the web using complimentary wireless Internet access. Hypo-allergenic bedding, an iron/ironing board and change of towels can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on request.

An indoor pool and Access to hot tub are on site. Other recreational amenities include a 24-hour fitness centre.
Our customers tell us that they can't get enough of the free breakfast at The Highlander Hotel Iowa City, an Ascend Collection Hotel. During your stay, you'll be close to Mercy Hospital. Free WiFi in public areas, free self-parking and 2 bars are available. This property offers pet-friendly amenities, such as an off-lead area.
  • Free continental breakfast served on weekdays
  • Free WiFi
  • Free self-parking and Motorhome/coach/lorry parking
  • Options for a bite to eat or a refreshing drink include a coffee shop, a restaurant, a poolside bar and 2 bars/lounges
  • Take a swim in the indoor pool or soak in the hot tub
  • Services include a concierge, tour or ticket assistance and luggage storage
  • On-site recreation includes a 24-hour gym
  • Guests have great things to say about the breakfast and the helpful staff
  • 7 minutes by car from Mercy Hospital and 7 minutes from Xtream Arena & GreenState Family Fieldhouse
  • Cats and dogs welcome for a fee
  • Pet-friendly amenities are available, including an off-lead area
The Highlander Hotel Iowa City, an Ascend Collection Hotel offers its guests an indoor pool, Access to hot tub, and a 24-hour fitness centre. Along with a restaurant, there's a coffee shop/cafe on site. You can enjoy a drink at one of the bars, which include 2 bars/lounges and a poolside bar. Free breakfast is served on weekdays. Public spaces have free WiFi.

3 meeting rooms and coworking spaces are available. Event space at this hotel measures 5651 square feet (525 square metres) and includes a conference centre. A terrace, an arcade/games room, and multilingual staff are also featured at the family-friendly The Highlander Hotel Iowa City, an Ascend Collection Hotel. Self parking is free. A complete renovation of The Highlander Hotel Iowa City, an Ascend Collection Hotel was completed in July 2020.

This Iowa City hotel is smoke free.

Guests are served a free continental breakfast on weekdays.
Supper Club – This restaurant serves brunch, lunch and dinner. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Happy hour is offered.
Patio Bar – This bar only serves light fare. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Open daily.
Snack Shack – This coffee shop specialises in American cuisine. Guests can enjoy drinks at the bar. Open daily.
Room service (during limited hours) is available.

Property amenities

Internet

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

Parking and transport

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Free self parking on site
  • Free RV/bus/lorry parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available on weekdays
  • 2 bars/lounges
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A poolside bar
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Restaurants on site

  • Patio Bar
  • Snack Shack
  • Supper Club

Things to do

  • 24-hour gym
  • Arcade/game room
  • Billiards/pool table
  • Books
  • Games
  • Hot tub
  • Indoor pool
  • Table tennis

Family friendly

  • Arcade/game room
  • Children's books
  • Children's games
  • In-room cot
  • Indoor pool

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 centre (5,651 square foot 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 bathroom
  • 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 organised tours and activities
  • No plastic coffee stirrers
  • No plastic drinking straws
  • No plastic soft drink bottles
  • No plastic water bottles
  • Reception hall
  • Renovated entire property - July 2020
  • Reusable cups
  • Reusable tableware
  • Smoke-free property
  • Vegan dining options
  • Vegetarian breakfast available
  • Vegetarian dining options

Room amenities

Bedroom

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

Bathroom

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

Entertainment

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

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 and check-out are available
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age - 21

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Contactless check-out
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 within 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and key retrieval information; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
The credit card used to book the reservation must be presented by the cardholder at check-in along with matching photo identification, and other arrangements must be coordinated with the property prior to arrival
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Access methods

Staffed front desk, key retrieval

Pets

  • Pets: USD 30 per pet, per night
  • Only dogs and cats are allowed
  • An off-lead area is available
    • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Up to 4 children 17 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Free cots (infant beds)!

Payment types at the property

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • 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)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card 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
Guests will receive an email 24 hours before arrival with check-in information and key retrieval information. Front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property. The credit card used when booking the reservation must be presented by the cardholder at check-in along with matching photo ID. Other arrangements must be coordinated with the property prior to arrival.

We should mention

  • Up to 4 children aged 17 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • 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
Clarion Hotel Highlander Conference Center
The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection Hotel
The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection Iowa City
The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection Hotel Iowa City

The Highlander Hotel Iowa City, an Ascend Collection Hotel Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 616 out of 950 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 174 out of 950 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 95 out of 950 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 41 out of 950 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 24 out of 950 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

10/10 Excellent

Ciera

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Renee

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Sep 2025

8/10 Good

Brian

Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Roberta

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Rude waitstaff

Poolside king room was comfortable and clean. Couples trip; we stayed two nights. What did put a sour taste in our stay was one particular bartender staff named Doug H. He was NOT very customer friendly and down right arrogantly rude. We had recieved a complimentary drink ticket for one person at check in, which we thought we would use on one of the nights. When we sat at the bar Doug was not busy, just standing; after several minutes had passed with the bartender ignoring us we asked if we could get some service. As one of us does not drink, we ordered a soda and a cocktail. After we questioned the charges on our recipt, he become rude. At one point stating he had been a bartender for 10 years, which had nothing to do with the question of the charges on the receipt. Additionally, we had witnessed as Doug had an interaction with another customer over their pet policy. After the interaction we overheard Doug unprofessionally complaining how he hated guests like that... They may want to think about putting and keeping friendlier customer facing persons in an area that you want to draw people into. Before this interaction, because the pool area was so nice, we were contemplating coming back for a larger family trip (renting 4 rooms), but are now unsure.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Galo

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Great hotel
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Cassie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Seemed to be a slower night. Staff was very friendly and helpful. Only thing bothered me was it was only a little after 10 pm and no one was at front desk. And called number like the note said. Was wanting to purchase a can of soda for my daughter and lady on phone said theg dont give out anything besides water at this time.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Zachary

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great experience with family of four and two little kids!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Consellow

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, amenities
This place is awesome and exceeded my expectation! Great place for family’s or just adults! Highly recommend!! Oh, staff is phenomenal!!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

John

Travelled with family, Business traveller
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This property is fun and not like every other hotel you stay in.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

cara

Travelled with family
Liked: Staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

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.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Heidi

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Jason

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
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
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sharon

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Aaron

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
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
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

8/10 Good

Tony

Great workers
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katie

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice stay very friendly staff great pool area.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jay

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Great place to stay!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Monica, Grinnell

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2025

6/10 Okay

Sherry

Travelled with family
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities

Meh

Pictures must be feom when they first remodeled...mold around bath drain, bathroom tile floor was beat-up, pool has seen better days, pool ceiling falling apart, snack shop was never open. It was nice that it was dog friendly but other than that stay closer to campus so you have dining/walking options.
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Disliked: Staff & service

Its ok.

Quiet. Off season may be why but not a complaint. Customer service is scarce. A phone number is on the front desk if you need something. Resturant is supposedly open til 9 or 930 but one night no one was around and chairs on the tables at 7. Place is clean. Pool is large and nice. Hot tub is clean and nice. Brkfst. is ok. Biscuit sandwich, yogurt and instant oatmeal. No microwave or coffe in rooms. Lighting is very very dark. Enjoyed the pool tables and arcade.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Yvette

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2025

6/10 Okay

Andrew

Liked: Staff & service
The pictures on Expedia make this look like a spruced up hotel; the lobby actually looks nice. The pool was the reason that we chose the hotel in the first place; my daughter was hoping to get some pool time in the morning. But when we went down to use the pool, I was told by the woman at the desk that the chlorine was "zero" and it was closed.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

John

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Great for families

Highlander is a really cool hotel. I was traveling with my 17 years old son and we enjoyed the stay. It seems like a perfect place for families with young children. Breakfast could have been better, but overall nice experience and good value.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

8/10 Good

Cheryl

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Nice place. Did not have coffee pot in room
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kevin

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025