by Hilton Iowa City
Collegiate boutique — mid-century modern meets literary Midwest, heavy on Hawkeye spirit and pop culture nostalgia. Feels like a very cool alumni reunion.
Book football weekends as early as possible — staff say it sells out for gameday packages
Why It Matters
Part of the Graduate Hotels collection — a brand built specifically for university towns. Iowa City's location is particularly rich: it's the home of the Iowa Writers' Workshop (the first MFA program in the U.S.) and a UNESCO City of Literature, and the hotel leans hard into that identity. It's also the go-to for Hawkeyes football game-day stays, with rooms selling out fast and prices climbing to $700+ on home game weekends.
Graduate Iowa City is the quintessential Hawkeye country hotel — a 234-room, 9-floor boutique property sitting directly on Iowa City's downtown Pedestrian Mall. The whole place is a love letter to the University of Iowa: think packed bookshelves, Old Gold accents, corn-and-pigs wallpaper (a nod to Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka), lobby writing by the first Iowa Writers' Workshop winner, and room art spanning wrestling championships to Field of Dreams. It's genuinely fun without being gimmicky, and it's the best-designed hotel Iowa City has ever had.
Where You'll Stay
6 room types available
Family Suite
The family favorite. A master suite with a king bed connects to a separate kids' room with bunk beds, its own TV, a couch, and a second bathroom. There's a glass-paned door between the rooms — reviewers note it's not fully light-blocking, so bring something to cover it if you need total darkness. Popular for visiting parents and sports travel with teens.
King + Bunk BedsGraduate King
The standard king is 290 sq ft of collegiate-boutique design — tartan details, Iowa-themed artwork (wrestling diagrams, Field of Dreams, black-and-gold bird motifs in the bathroom), Malin + Goetz toiletries, and a writing desk with modern outlets hidden in the classic design. The full-length mirror is shaped like a capital 'I'. Not huge, but smartly laid out.
KingGraduate King Larger Room
A step up in square footage from the standard king — same design DNA but a bit more breathing room. Still the same Iowa-centric décor, 50-inch TV, and quality toiletries.
KingGraduate King Suite
At 585 sq ft, this is the main upgrade option — a separate living room with a sofa bed and wet bar, plus two 50-inch HDTVs. Views of downtown Iowa City from higher floors. A proper suite experience without blowing into ultra-luxury territory.
KingGraduate Queen Queen
Two queen beds in 300 sq ft, with the same Iowa-themed design throughout. A good option for families or friends traveling together who want to share a room. The art leans into sports and film history — silhouettes of Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka, wrestling diagrams, and baseball stitch wallpaper.
Two Queens
Pop Culture Suite
Graduate Hotels' signature themed suite experience, spotlighted in the brand's room marketing. Specific Iowa City configuration details are limited publicly, but the brand bills these as immersive, highly designed spaces built around local pop culture themes.
KingThe Property
Eat & Drink
2 venues on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Free bikes are available for guests — a genuinely useful perk in Iowa City. You can ride across the bridge to Kinnick Stadium for a football game, pedal to Carver Hawkeye Arena for wrestling, or just cruise the Ped Mall and surrounding neighborhoods.
The hotel promotes a rotating calendar of curated local events and Hawkeye game-day experiences. Updates posted via the hotel's Facebook page.
On-site hitting bay for simulator games, private parties, and watching Hawkeyes games. Available for rental.
Multiple event spaces inspired by Iowa history: the Wayne Ballroom (lower level, seats up to 600), the Benson Room (intimate), the Hoak Room (projector-equipped), and pre-function spaces. Used for corporate meetings, weddings, rehearsal dinners, and private dining.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Multiple meeting and event spaces: Wayne Ballroom (seats up to 600), Benson Room (intimate), Hoak Room (projector). Used for corporate events, weddings, and private dining.
Complimentary in-room and lobby WiFi. Hilton Honors members get access to premium WiFi.
Self-parking in a covered, city-owned ramp directly adjacent to the hotel. $20/night with in/out privileges. Covered parking available. Valet is not offered.
EV charging stations available within 100 feet of the hotel.
Pets allowed. $75 non-refundable fee per stay. Maximum 2 pets, maximum 75 lbs per pet. Staff reportedly welcome pets warmly — one guest noted their dog received a Bark Box at check-in and was welcome in Poindexter Coffee.
Connecting room options are available for families or groups.
Front desk staffed around the clock.
On-site concierge available.
On-site boutique for graduate merchandise and local items.
Hilton Honors Digital Key available for keyless room entry via the Hilton app.
Located on the second floor, accessible from both the hotel interior and a direct exterior entrance. Described by multiple guests as well-equipped and state-of-the-art. Complimentary for guests.
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