Pet-Friendly Hotels Iowa City | The Highlander's Retro Arcade & Pool

Name: The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection
Address: 2525 North Dodge Street, Iowa City, Iowa, 52245
Price range: US$103+

The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection Iowa City Exterior photo

Key details

About the Hotel

2525 North Dodge Street, Iowa City, 52245

Close to Hickory Hill Park

Very good

7.9

8.6

/10

4.4

4.5

Loved by The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection guests

Retro decor

Warm pool

Family amenities

Comfortable bed

Delicious breakfast

Great service

"The one stop shop features was nice; live jazz music in the bar/restaurant and arcade area, pool and hot tub with corn hole and snack bar."

Becki from United States

read full review

"The pool I have never seen anything quite like; just wow."

Jared Julie O from United States

read full review

"There's a large indoor plaza with a big pool, hot tub, and poolside rooms."

Nathan from United States

read full review

The Highlander Hotel - A retro-themed hotel with indoor atrium pool, arcade games, and conference facilities

Located minutes from downtown, this Iowa City hotel features the area's largest indoor atrium swimming pool with an adults-only hot tub. The Highlander Hotel houses 7 meeting rooms within 5832 square feet of conference space, complemented by a 24-hour fitness center and game room. Guest accommodations include air-conditioned rooms with luxury linens, organic bath products, and multi-purpose workstations. The property offers multiple dining venues including a poolside Snack Shack, The Highlander Lounge with happy hour, and a restaurant serving breakfast daily from 7:00 AM. The hotel sits 5.5 miles from the University of Iowa and provides convenient access to Mercy Hospital and Xtream Arena within a 10-minute drive. The Eastern Iowa Airport is 25 miles away.

Pros

Dog-friendly rooms available with dedicated outdoor pet areas

Retro-themed arcade featuring classic games like Pac-Man and Space Invaders

Indoor pool area opens to outdoor courtyard through sliding garage doors

Adult-only swimming hours from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Full-service poolside bar offering cocktails and milkshakes

Cons

25 miles from the nearest airport

Hot tub access restricted to guests 16 and older

“There's a playful, retro vibe at this Iowa City hotel, close to the university and arena, and it smartly balances family needs with grown-up relaxation. The indoor pool area is a focal point, and I especially like the option of texting requests for service. The pet-friendly policy seals the deal for travelers with dogs in tow.”

Isabella MooreSenior Editorial Director at Petfriendlyhotels

Location: Great

8.3/10Review score

View hotel on map

Highlights from guests

Children's AmenitiesKids' Paradise

My kids adored the huge pool and arcade! There are a lot of activities to keep them busy for hours.

Lisa M from Canada

Review on

DiningBreakfast bliss

The complimentary hot breakfast was delicious. The brown sugar made the oatmeal awesome. It was the best hotel breakfast ever!

John Smith from United Kingdom

Review on

Room FeaturesComfort redefined

The beds were incredibly comfortable and clean. I slept very well. Request a mini fridge. Full size cleansing products are fantastic.

Rachel K from Australia

Review on

Spa & LeisurePoolside heaven

The pool is huge and the hot tub is phenomenal. The water temperature was perfect and the pool area is amazing.

Carlos R from Spain

Review on

Select your room type

Cozy rooms, spacious suites, and family-friendly homes, all with flexible cancellation policies & special deals

Queen Suite Two Queen Beds Non Smoking
2 persons
Shower
room details
Queen Suite Two Queen Beds Disability Access or Non smoking
2 persons
Shower
room details
King Suite Courtyard View Non smoking
2 persons
Shower
room details

Show all rooms

Price and room availability calendar

Check availability and rates for your selected dates!

Facilities

Enjoy premium amenities for a relaxing stay with your pet

Facilities: Very good

7.8/10Review score

General

No smoking on site
Wi-Fi
Parking
24-hour reception
Express check-in/ -out
Pets allowed
Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
24-hour security
ATM/Cash machine
Coffee shop
Fireplace
Smoke detectors
Fire extinguishers
Key card access

Sports & Fitness

Fitness centre
Table tennis

Services

Room service
Welcome drink

Dining

Restaurant
Poolside snack bar
Snack bar

Business

Meeting/ Banquet facilities
Fax/Photocopying

Children

Board games
Toys

Spa & Leisure

Indoor swimming pool
Sun loungers
Sun terrace
Leisure/ TV room
Jacuzzi
Shallow end

Room features

Air conditioning
Heating
Sitting area
Patio
Garden furniture
Tea and coffee facilities
Ironing facilities

Bathroom

Free toiletries

Media

AM/FM alarm clock

Dining Onsite

At The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection, dining options invite guests to indulge in a delightful array of flavors from around the world. The inviting atmosphere and diverse menu cater to every palate, perfect for family gatherings or relaxed evenings by the pool.

The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection Iowa City Restaurant photo

The Highlander Lounge

American, Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean, Mexican, Pizza, Seafood

Ambiance

Family-friendly and modern, featuring comfortable seating and a welcoming environment.

Key Offerings

Enjoy a daily complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast, hearty meals for lunch and dinner, and a lively happy hour. The bar and poolside options provide a perfect setting to sip refreshing cocktails or unwind with snacks from the café.

Reservation

Breakfast served daily from 7:00 AM; Lunch and Dinner available.

Location

2525 North Dodge Street, Iowa City, 52245

Map view

City landmarks

Park

Hickory Hill Park

1.3 mi

Landmark

Southeastern Iowa Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church

2300 ft

Landmark

Relationships

3600 ft

Landmark

Life

3700 ft

Landmark

Family

5000 ft

Landmark

Visionary Stone

1.2 mi

Landmark

Happy Hollow Park

1.9 mi

Landmark

Man on a Bench

1.2 mi

Church

First Presbyterian Church

1.5 mi

Museum

Old Capitol Museum

2.8 mi

Landmark

Adugas Achim Cemetary

1.7 mi

Landmark

Black's Gaslight Village

2.1 mi

Landmark

Devonian Fossil Gorge

3.0 mi

Landmark

City Park

2.4 mi

Museum

University of Iowa Museum of Natural History

2.8 mi

Landmark

Sacred Stone Circle

2.3 mi

Landmark

Saint Marks United Methodist Church

1.9 mi

Church

Iowa City Zen Center

2.0 mi

Landmark

Brown Street Historic District

2.1 mi

Landmark

St. Patrick Catholic Church

2.0 mi

Landmark

Iowa Avenue Literary Walk

2.6 mi

Landmark

St. Mary's Rectory

2.4 mi

Landmark

Woodlawn Historic District

2.2 mi

Landmark

Park Maintenance Building

2.2 mi

Church

New Creations International Church

2.2 mi

Landmark

Saint Wenceslaus Church

2.2 mi

Church

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church

2.2 mi

Landmark

Letovsky-Rohret House

2.3 mi

University

University of Iowa

3.1 mi

Church

Zion Lutheran Church

2.3 mi

Nearby

Southeastern Iowa Synod Evangelical Lutheran Church

700 ft

Restaurants

Joensy's Restaurant

900 ft

2563 N Dodge St

Explore Iowa City

Local Highlights

Hickory Hill Park

25 minutes' walk

Hickory Hill Park features rolling hills and scenic trails, ideal for family picnics and nature walks.

Old Capitol Museum

10 minutes' drive

Old Capitol Museum showcases Iowa's history and architecture with engaging exhibits and beautiful grounds.

University of Iowa Museum of Natural History

10 minutes' drive

The museum features diverse exhibits about Iowa's natural history, including fossils and local wildlife.

Biking at Hickory Hill Park

25 minutes' walk

Biking trails for all levels are available at Hickory Hill Park. Rentals can be found nearby.

Yoga at the Iowa City Zen Center

35 minutes' drive

Enjoy relaxation and mindfulness with classes suitable for all levels at the Zen Center.

Joensy's Restaurant

4 minutes' walk

Joensy's offers hearty American comfort food in a casual setting, famous for its pancakes and burgers.

The Pub at Gabel's

6 minutes' drive

The Pub serves up craft beers and a diverse menu with a vibrant atmosphere and live music events.

Iowa City Community Theatre

10 minutes' drive

The theatre hosts various performances throughout the season, offering family-friendly shows and events.

The Mill

8 minutes' drive

The Mill features live music shows and a relaxed atmosphere, known for its local artistry and craft beers.

Getting around

City Centre
Iowa City 7 min · 2.6 mi
Airports
The Eastern Iowa (CID) 58 min · 23.7 mi
Quad City International (MLI) 152 min · 62.8 mi

Looking for exclusive early booking discounts?

Unlock special rates for your next adventure with your pet today!

Check Rates

Property information and rules

Check-in

from 15:00-23:59

Check-out

until 11 am

Internet

Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.

Children & extra beds

There are no extra beds provided in a room.

Pets

Pets are allowed on request.

Number of rooms:

Former name

Quality Inn & Suites Highlander Conference Center

Reviews and Ratings

Feedback about The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection from previous guests about their experience.

Cleanliness

8.0/10

Comfort

7.8/10

Facilities

7.8/10

Free Wi-Fi

10.0/10

Location

8.3/10

Staff

8.7/10

Value for money

7.1/10

Pros

Comfortable beds

Excellent location

Spacious pool

Cons

Room condition

Limited options

Closed amenities

No reviews yet on our siteUnfortunately, our guests have not yet left any reviews for this hotel, but you can read reviews from Booking.com.

Open reviews

Show more reviews

FAQs

About The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection

What is the check-in and check-out policy at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection?

Check-in is at 15:00 and check-out is at 11:00.

How far is The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection from the University of Iowa?

The hotel is located 10 km from the University of Iowa.

What types of cuisine are available at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection's restaurant?

The hotel's restaurant serves American, Italian, and Japanese cuisine, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available upon request.

What amenities can guests expect in the rooms at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection?

Rooms are equipped with free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and private bathrooms.

What recreational facilities are available at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection?

Guests can enjoy an indoor pool, hot tub, fitness center, and a game room.

What dining options are available for breakfast at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection?

The hotel offers a complimentary buffet or continental breakfast.

What local attractions are near The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection?

Nearby attractions include Kinnick Stadium (7 km), Xtream Arena & GreenState Family Fieldhouse (approx. 8 km), and the Amana Colonies National Historic Landmark (approx. 25 km).

Is there a fitness center at The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection?

The hotel features a fully equipped fitness center available for guest use.

Does The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection provide airport transportation?

The nearest airport is The Eastern Iowa Airport, located 40 km from the hotel.

What entertainment features does The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection have?

There's a retro cocktail arcade and a lobby bar offering unique cocktails.