HILTON GARDEN INN IOWA CITY DOWNTOWN UNIVERSITY, Iowa City – A Smart Stay in the City
About the Hotel
Rooms & Suites
Hilton Garden Inn Iowa City Downtown University offers 143 air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, premium bedding, and safes. Each room includes a private bathroom with complimentary toiletries, a desk, an LCD TV, and a refrigerator. Some rooms feature a seating area and a tea/coffee maker. Quadruple rooms have two beds, while spacious double rooms offer one bed. Suites include additional seating space.
Dining Options
The hotel has two dining options: Garden Grille, serving American breakfast daily (weekdays 6 AM-10 AM) and lunch/dinner (11 AM-10 PM), and Vue Rooftop, a 12th-floor restaurant with cocktails and views of downtown Iowa City. Vue Rooftop operates from 4 PM-10 PM.
Leisure & Fitness
Guests can use the indoor heated pool, whirlpool, and fitness center with Technogym equipment. The rooftop bar provides a space to unwind with drinks. No spa services are available.
Location & Transport
The hotel is two blocks from the University of Iowa and the Old Capitol Museum. Nearby landmarks include the Stanley Museum of Art (0.5 km) and Carver-Hawkeye Arena (1.5 km). A free shuttle serves university medical buildings and downtown hospitals. The Eastern Iowa Airport is 40 km away. Self-parking costs $15/day in a covered, secured garage connected via skywalk.
Services & Amenities
The 24-hour front desk offers room service. Meeting spaces include a 2,700 sq ft ballroom (capacity: 240) and a business center. Pets under 75 lbs are allowed for a fee. Smoking incurs a $250 penalty. Complimentary wired internet and newspapers are available in the lobby.
Choose the Room
Check Dates & Room Rates
Getting around
All Transportation Options at a Glance
Amenities
General
- Non-smoking rooms
- Parking
- Safe deposit box
- 24-hour reception
- Pets allowed
- Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
- Wheelchair access
- Security
- Lift
- ATM/Cash machine
- Smoke detectors
- Electric vehicle charging station
- Fire extinguishers
Sports & Fitness
- Fitness centre
Services
- Room service
- Housekeeping
- Shops/Commercial services
- Welcome drink
- Happy hour
Dining
- Restaurant
- Bar/ Lounge area
Business
- Business centre
- Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Children
- Children's buffet
Spa & Leisure
- Indoor swimming pool
- Live entertainment
- Jacuzzi
Room features
- Free Wi-Fi in rooms
- Air conditioning
- Heating
- Sitting area
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Ironing facilities
Bathroom
- Free toiletries
Media
- AM/FM alarm clock
Room decor
- Curtains
Location
Guest Ratings & Reviews
My stay at the hotel had some ups and downs. On the plus side, the cleanliness was commendable, and the room layout offered a decent amount of space. However, communication with staff left much to be desired, and I encountered issues with the elevators that took away from the overall experience. Overall, it feels like some areas could use significant improvement.
I had a fantastic stay at this hotel, which was conveniently located near downtown Iowa City with easy access to many restaurants and bars. The room was spacious and well-designed, making for a comfortable stay. I particularly enjoyed the rooftop restaurant that offered a lovely atmosphere and good food. However, the check-in process could use some improvement as it was a bit slow and confusing, especially with a wedding party in attendance.
My stay at the hotel had its ups and downs. The room was really nice and spacious, but getting there was a bit of a hassle due to the confusing parking situation, which came with an unexpected charge. The hotel is ideally located downtown, making it easy to explore local restaurants and shops. Though I loved the vibrant atmosphere of the area, I felt that clear communication about the parking fees would have improved my experience considerably.
My experience at the Hilton Garden Inn Iowa City Downtown was quite positive overall. The staff really made a difference by being exceptionally accommodating and friendly, which I appreciated during our visit, especially with a tight schedule for appointments. The cleanliness of the rooms was notable, and the breakfast spread was impressive. However, I did find parking a bit inconvenient at times since it's in a public garage and could be full.
My stay was overall pleasant with nice rooms and a good location in Iowa City. However, the parking situation was inconvenient, requiring multiple trips with luggage, and there were unexpected charges. The breakfast options were good, but there were some issues with service that detracted from the experience.