The Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Waterloo

Where to Stay if You've Never Been to Waterloo

Visiting Waterloo, 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 Waterloo, we've compiled a list of the best hotels for first time visitors. We analyzed all of the hotels in Waterloo 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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo before. Also, guest ratings and reviews are also important to consider when choosing a hotel. Whether you're visiting Waterloo for the first time, or you're a seasoned traveler, the best hotels in Waterloo 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.)

Courtyard by Marriott Waterloo Cedar Falls

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $123 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect Hotel to Make the Most of Your First Visit
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 3-star hotels.
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Located at 250 Westfield Avenue, Courtyard by Marriott Waterloo Cedar Falls has great rooms from $123 (before taxes). It offers room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and laundry services. It has a terrific 8.50 rating out of 10 from previous guests who have stayed here. Only 0.5 miles from the city center, first time visitors will especially love golf, city views, an indoor pool, free parking, and kids meals at this relaxing hotel. We love the convenience of room service, and it's really nice here.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Indoor pool
  • Airport shuttle
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Coffee shop
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator
  • Saltwater pool


Best Western Plus Executive Residency Waterloo & Cedar Falls

2-star Hotel with prices starting at $109 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Great Hotel for First Time Visitors
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 2-star hotels.
  • Heated pool

A great place to stay is Best Western Plus Executive Residency Waterloo & Cedar Falls which has nice rooms starting at $109. Offering room service, a restaurant, a fitness center, a bar, and parking, it also has a great guest rating of 8.40 out of 10 from many previous guests. It's located at 205 W 4th Street. This convenient hotel is also nice because it offers a kid-friendly buffet, rooms with kitchenettes, laundry services, golf, and pet-friendly rooms which visitors will enjoy. Also, it's just 0.2 miles from the city center. Having a hot tub at this hotel is also a nice splurge. It's also less than the average price for first time trip hotels, so it's a great value.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Room service
  • Parking
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Restaurant
  • Fitness center
  • Bar/Lounge
  • Kid-friendly buffet
  • Kitchenette
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Game room
  • Heated pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Hampton Inn Waterloo

2-star Hotel with prices starting at $135 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Visit to Waterloo
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

We found Hampton Inn Waterloo to be a great place to stay, and the price starts at $135. We loved that is has a fitness center, breakfast, laundry services, a free breakfast, and pet-friendly rooms, and it also has a terrific guest rating of 8.50 out of 10 from previous guests. It's located at 2034 La Porte Rd. You'll also find a hot tub, an indoor pool, free parking, horse riding, and laundry facilities which travelers will love. And this fun hotel is just 2.3 miles from the center of town. The indoor pool here is terrific, and makes for a great place to relax and have fun no matter what the weather is like.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Indoor pool
  • Horse riding
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Hot tub
  • Free parking
  • Bicycle rental
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Waterloo Cedar Falls

3-star Hotel with prices starting at $137 (before taxes) - See All Prices
A Good Stay for Your First Trip
  • High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.
  • Heated pool

With terrific rooms from $137, Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Waterloo Cedar Falls, at 2134 LaPorte Road provides a fitness center, breakfast, laundry services, a free breakfast, and an indoor pool. Its terrific guest rating is 8.70 out of 10 from previous guests staying here. New visitors will really like this amazing hotel which also offers free parking, laundry facilities, a heated pool, air-conditioning, and a 24-hour desk. It's located just 2.4 miles from the city center, too. It's always nice having a heated pool to relax in.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Laundry service
  • Free parking
  • Heated pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


Comfort Inn & Suites Waterloo - Cedar Falls

2-star Hotel with prices starting at $95 (before taxes) - See All Prices
Perfect for Your First Time in Waterloo
  • Great Value: the price is lower than average for 2-star hotels.
  • Heated pool

Comfort Inn & Suites Waterloo - Cedar Falls has a great guest rating of 8.00 out of 10, and offers a fitness center, breakfast, laundry services, a free breakfast, and pet-friendly rooms. The great rooms here start at $95 before taxes and depending on the season. It can be found at 2011 LaPorte Road. Furthermore, it also offers an indoor pool, free parking, laundry facilities, a heated pool, and air-conditioning, which is nice for first time visitors. Just 2.2 miles from the city center, this fantastic hotel is a terrific choice. We found the price of this hotel to be a great value because the price is less than average for first time trip hotels.

First Time Trip Hotel Amenities
  • Breakfast included
  • Free breakfast
  • Indoor pool
More Great Amenities
  • Fitness center
  • Laundry service
  • Pets allowed
  • Free parking
  • Heated pool
  • Microwave
  • Refrigerator


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

For more terrific hotel ideas in Waterloo, make sure you also see Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Waterloo.


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

Waterloo Average First Time Trip Hotel Price
$120

Visitors will find a large range of terrific first time trip hotel choices when planning a visit to Waterloo, 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 Waterloo, Iowa based on data from 5 hotels is an affordable $120. If you're interested in more information about hotels here, see our guide to hotel prices in Waterloo.

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

  • 3-star hotels: $130
  • 2-star hotels: $113


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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. On this website you can also find travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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