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The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Iowa City

Where to Stay on Your First Trip to Iowa City

Visiting Iowa City, Iowa for the first time can be an exciting, yet overwhelming experience. With so many incredible hotels to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to stay. If you're deciding where to stay for your first visit to Iowa City, we've compiled a list of the best hotels for first time visitors. We analyzed all of the hotels in Iowa City based on price, location, amenities, guest ratings, and more to determine which would be the ideal places to stay for first timers. Whether you're here for just a few days or longer, these hotels offer the perfect combination of amenities, location, and price. For those visiting Iowa City for the first time, it's important to choose a hotel in a safe and convenient area to make the most of your first visit. You'll want to be close to the activities, shopping, and dining options, of course. When looking for hotels, consider the amenities they offer. Some hotels may have a fitness center, a bar or restaurant, a pool, or even a spa. All of these features can add to your overall enjoyment if you've never been to Iowa City before. Also, guest ratings and reviews are also important to consider when choosing a hotel. Whether you're visiting Iowa City for the first time, or you're a seasoned traveler, the best hotels in Iowa City for first-timers offer the perfect combination of comfort, convenience, and affordability. So, here's our list of suggestions for your next trip.

(Prices are listed in U.S. Dollars.)

Hilton Garden Inn Iowa City Downtown University

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $138 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
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Located at 328 S. Clinton St., Hilton Garden Inn Iowa City Downtown University has great rooms from $138 (before taxes). It offers room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and parking. It has a terrific 9.10 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only 0.3 miles from the city center, first time visitors will especially love laundry services, pet-friendly rooms, an indoor pool, laundry facilities, and air-conditioning at this relaxing hotel. Unwinding at the restaurant after sightseeing is a nice way to end the day.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Hyatt Place Iowa City Downtown University

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $123 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Iowa City
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
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A great place to stay is Hyatt Place Iowa City Downtown University which has nice rooms starting at $123. Offering a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, parking, and a kid-friendly buffet, it also has a great guest rating of 8.80 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 255 E Court St. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers breakfast, laundry services, golf, a free breakfast, and pet-friendly rooms which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 0.3 miles from the city center. Having an indoor pool means that you can swim and have fun any time of the year. It's also less than the average price for first time trip hotels, so it's a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Parking
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Coffee shop
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Graduate Iowa City

4-star Hotel with prices starting at $110 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for First-Timers
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for first time trip hotels.
  • Family-Friendly
  • Pool
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We found Graduate Iowa City to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $110. We loved that is has a pool, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and pet-friendly rooms, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 8.60 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at 210 South Dubuque Street. You'll also find family rooms, air-conditioning, a 24-hour desk, a refrigerator, and wedding services which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just 0.2 miles from the center of town. It's a great value, too, because it's less than the average price for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Pool
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Pets allowed
  • Family rooms
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Hampton Inn Iowa City/University Area

2-star Hotel with prices starting at $128 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Among the Best Places to Stay for a First Visit to Iowa City
  • Family-Friendly
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With terrific rooms from $128, Hampton Inn Iowa City/University Area, at 4 Sturgis Corner provides a fitness center, parking, breakfast, laundry services, and a free breakfast. Its terrific guest rating is 8.40 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers pet-friendly rooms, a hot tub, an indoor pool, laundry facilities, and family rooms. It's located just 1 miles from the city center, too. You'll love relaxing in the hot tub at the end of the day, too.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Parking
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Indoor pool
  • Family-Friendly
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Family rooms
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
View Prices and Reviews


Iowa House Hotel

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $134 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • Pool
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Iowa House Hotel has a great guest rating of 8.30 out of 10, and offers a pool, a fitness center, parking, breakfast, and laundry services. The great rooms here start at $134 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at 125 N Madison Street. Furthermore, it also offers a free breakfast, laundry facilities, air-conditioning, a 24-hour desk, and wedding services, which is nice for first time visitors. Just 0.4 miles from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Pool
  • Parking
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Laundry service
View Prices and Reviews


Also, take a look at the First Time Trip hotels in nearby destinations: Cedar Rapids and Coralville.

For more terrific hotel ideas in Iowa City, make sure you also see Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Iowa City, Best Hotels for One Week in Iowa City, or Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Iowa City.


How much do hotels for first-time visitors cost in Iowa City?

Iowa City Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$127

Visitors will find a large range of terrific first time trip hotel choices when planning a visit to Iowa City, Iowa. The price of these first time trip hotels can vary according to location, type, and amenities. The average first time trip hotel price in Iowa City, Iowa based on data from 5 hotels is an affordable $127. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Iowa City.

The average prices of our suggested first time trip hotels by star rating:

  • 4-star hotels: $110
  • 3-star hotels: $132
  • 2-star hotels: $128


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