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The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection

4.0 star property
Family-friendly stay near University of Iowa

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Photo gallery for The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillowtop beds, individually decorated, desk
Creator video
Lobby
Room, 2 Queen Beds, Poolside
Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillowtop beds, individually decorated, desk

Reviews

8.8 out of 10
Excellent

Popular amenities

  • Bar
  • Room service

Explore the area

Map
2525 Highlander Place, Iowa City, IA, 52245
  • University of Iowa
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Kinnick Stadium
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Cedar Rapids, IA (CID-Eastern Iowa)
    ‪30 min drive‬

Room options

Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Poolside

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Poolside

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Poolside

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking

Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking

Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 8
  • 1 King Bed, 2 Queen Beds and 2 Double Sofa Beds

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillowtop beds, individually decorated, desk

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillowtop beds, individually decorated, desk

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Balcony (Pool View)

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillowtop beds, individually decorated, desk

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Balcony (Pool View)

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Poolside

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Poolside

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Poolside

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Patio (Courtyard View)

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Patio (Courtyard View)

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking, Patio (Courtyard View)

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Balcony

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillowtop beds, individually decorated, desk

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Balcony

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking, Balcony (Pool View)

Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking, Balcony (Pool View)

Suite, Multiple Beds, Non Smoking, Balcony (Pool View)

  • Sleeps 6
  • 1 King Bed and 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking (Patio, Courtyard View)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

Room, 1 King Bed, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillowtop beds, individually decorated, desk

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

View all photos for Room, 2 Queen Beds, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking

Room, 2 Queen Beds, Roll-in Shower, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillowtop beds, individually decorated, desk

Standard Room, 2 Queen Beds, Non Smoking

  • Sleeps 4
  • 2 Queen Beds

View all photos for Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Patio (Courtyard View)

Hypo-allergenic bedding, pillowtop beds, individually decorated, desk

Standard Room, 1 King Bed, Non Smoking, Patio (Courtyard View)

  • Sleeps 2
  • 1 King Bed

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About the area

Iowa City

Near the airport.Within 3 miles (5 km) of this Iowa City hotel, you'll find University of Iowa and Mercy Hospital. Iowa City Public Library and The Englert Theater are also within 6 miles (10 km).

What's nearby

  • University of Iowa - 6 min drive - 5.2 km
  • Mercy Hospital - 6 min drive - 5.2 km
  • University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics - 8 min drive - 6.6 km
  • Kinnick Stadium - 9 min drive - 7.6 km
  • Carver-Hawkeye Arena - 9 min drive - 7.7 km

Getting around

  • Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) - 27 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Starbucks - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Burge Market Place - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Wildwood Smokehouse & Saloon - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Casey's General Store - ‬8 min drive

About this property

The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection

Family-friendly stay near University of Iowa
The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection offers its guests an indoor pool, a hot tub, and a 24-hour fitness center. Along with a restaurant, there's a coffee shop/cafe on site. You can enjoy a drink at one of the bars, which include 2 bars/lounges and a poolside bar. Free breakfast is served on weekdays. Public spaces have free WiFi.

3 meeting rooms and coworking spaces are available. Event space at this hotel measures 5651 square feet (525 square meters) and includes a conference center. A terrace, an arcade/game room, and multilingual staff are also featured at the family-friendly The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection. Self parking is free. A complete renovation of The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection was completed in July 2020.

This Iowa City hotel is smoke free.

  • 1 building
  • 97 guestrooms or units
  • 2 levels
  • 2 bars or lounges
  • 5651 sq ft of conference space
  • 525 sq m of conference space
  • Built in 1967
  • Continental breakfast (free)
  • Poolside lounge chairs
  • Charging station for electric cars
  • Conference center
  • Coffee in lobby
  • Front desk (24 hours)
  • Express check-in
  • Express check-out
  • Staff is multilingual
  • Storage area for luggage
  • Tour and ticket information
  • Concierge
  • Wedding services available
  • Game room or arcade
  • Pool or billiards table
  • Terrace
  • Newspapers in lobby (free)
  • ATM
  • No smoking on site
  • Microwave in a common area
  • Water dispenser
  • Bar by the pool
  • Dining venue
The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection offers 97 accommodations with bathrobes and slippers. These individually decorated accommodations include desks. Beds feature pillowtop mattresses. Flat-screen televisions come with premium cable channels and pay movies.

Bathrooms include bathtubs or showers with rainfall showerheads, and hair dryers. Guests can surf the web using the complimentary wireless Internet access. Hypo-allergenic bedding, irons/ironing boards, and change of towels can be requested. Housekeeping is provided on request.

Languages

English, Spanish

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Property amenities

Family friendly

  • Arcade/game room
  • Children's books
  • Children's games
  • In-room crib
  • Indoor pool

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Electric car charging station on site
  • Free self parking on site
  • Free RV/bus/truck parking on site
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking and van parking available

Food and drink

  • Free continental breakfast available on weekdays
  • 2 bars/lounges
  • A coffee shop/cafe
  • A poolside bar
  • A restaurant
  • Coffee and tea in common areas

Things to do

  • 24-hour gym
  • Arcade/game room
  • Billiards/pool table
  • Books
  • Games
  • Hot tub
  • Indoor pool
  • Table tennis

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Braille/raised signage
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Stair-free path to entrance
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Valet for wheelchair-equipped vehicles
  • Visual alarms in hallways
  • Well-lit path to entrance
  • Wheelchair accessible (may have limitations)
  • Wheelchair-accessible concierge desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible gym
  • Wheelchair-accessible lounge
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Wheelchair-accessible public washroom
  • Wheelchair-accessible registration desk
  • Wheelchair-accessible van parking

Room amenities

Entertainment

  • Flat-screen TV with premium cable channels
  • Pay movies

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Free crib
  • Hypo-allergenic bedding
  • Pillowtop mattress

Bathroom

  • Bathrobes
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Private bathroom
  • Rainfall showerhead
  • Shampoo
  • Slippers
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Champagne service
  • Limited room service
  • Restaurant dining guides

More

  • Air conditioning (climate-controlled)
  • Cleaning products are eco-friendly
  • Desk
  • Eco-friendly toiletries
  • Energy-saving switches in guestrooms
  • Individual decor
  • Iron/ironing board on request
  • LED lighting
  • Recycling
  • Water-efficient showers

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Early check-in subject to availability
Early check-in fee: USD 50
Contactless check-in available
Express check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before noon
Contactless check-out available
Late check-out subject to availability
Late check-out fee: USD 50
Express check-out available

Special check-in instructions

Guests will receive an email within 24 hours before arrival with check-in instructions and key retrieval information; front desk staff will greet guests on arrival at the property
The credit card used to book the reservation must be presented by the cardholder at check-in along with matching photo identification, and other arrangements must be coordinated with the property prior to arrival

Access methods

Staffed front desk, key retrieval

Pets

  • Pets: USD 30 per pet, per night
  • Only dogs and cats are allowed
  • An off-leash area is available
  • Service animals are exempt from fees

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.
  • Kids stay free! Up to 4 children 17 years old and younger stay free when using existing bedding.
  • Free cribs (infant beds)!

Property payment types

Important information

Optional extras

The fees and deposits listed below will be charged at the time of service, check-in, or check-out.

  • Pet fee: USD 30 per pet, per night
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Early check-in fee: USD 50 (subject to availability)
  • Late check-out fee: USD 50 (subject to availability)

This may not be a comprehensive list. Fees and deposits are subject to change and might not include tax.

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation
This property accepts credit cards and debit cards; cash is not accepted
This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A credit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation. This property accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and debit cards. Cash is not accepted. This property uses eco-friendly cleaning products.

We should mention

  • Up to 4 children 17 years old and younger stay free in the same room as the parent or guardian when using existing bedding.
  • This property welcomes guests of all sexual orientations and gender identities (LGBTQ+ friendly).

Property is also known as

Clarion Highlander
Clarion Highlander Iowa City
Clarion Hotel Highlander
Clarion Hotel Highlander Iowa City
Clarion Highlander Hotel And Conference Center Iowa City
Clarion Highlander Hotel Iowa City
The Bohemian
The Highlander Hotel
Clarion Hotel Highlander Conference Center
The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection Hotel
The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection Iowa City
The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection Hotel Iowa City

The Highlander Hotel, Ascend Hotel Collection Reviews

Reviews

8.8

Excellent

Rating 10 - Excellent. 570 out of 868 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 155 out of 868 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 82 out of 868 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 38 out of 868 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 23 out of 868 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Staff & service

8.8/10

Amenities

8.6/10

Property conditions & facilities

9.2/10

Eco-friendliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Hannah

Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
My partner and i had an amazing stay here over our spring break. We got a poolside room, everything was incredibly clean, even during busy season. Always friendly/helpful wait staff available! Our bartender and chef during our stay was phenomenal! Everything about our stay kept us in awe from the views, activities, food, there is something for everyone here! It’s is always worth the visit!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Travis

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Loved the pool. Kids enjoyed the arcade. Staff was friendly. Liked the 12 PM check out.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jordan

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Heather

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Mellette

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The pool was a lot of fun.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Pamela, Iowa City

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Mary

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Sherry

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Molly

Travelled with group
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort

Unique, fun vibe

Pool area was nice. Hot tub was clean and comfortable temperature. Beds were comfortable. Unique artwork and designs throughout the hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

4/10 Poor

Mackenzi

Travelled with family, Travelled with pets, Travelled with partner
Liked: Cleanliness
Disliked: Staff & service, amenities
The breakfast was grab and go, which isn't usually too bad but they had plain yogurt, dried apricots and chai seeds to choose from. It was really limited even for a grab and go. They shut down all of the fun stuff at 10pm sharp and the front desk people are not kind about doing it. I don't plan on coming back and I will be telling others to not come here.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ashley

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Jessica

Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

6/10 Okay

Jessica

Travelled with partner
Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Its a cute hotel at first glance, but not a great stay for adults looking for a business stay or a weekend getaway. It was loud! There were babies crying, kids screaming, dogs barking, doors slamming starting early in the day and late through the evening. Restaurant food was not good at all. Drinks were ok. Cute decore throughout. Beds were comfortable. Basic cable only. Not all rooms had mini fridges. Rooms not clean. Floors dirty both in main room and bathroom. Beds comfortable and linens were decent.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

8/10 Good

Troy

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Cleanliness
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

4/10 Poor

elizabeth

Disliked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Well, I have stayed at this hotel a couple times if you’re not actually enjoying the pool, it’s very average. The interior does not have an elevator so you have to drag your luggage upstairs if you’re going upstairs as well as the rooms are not cozy. They’re extremely dark and eclectic while that’s fine for some it’s not cozy at all The actual blinds that cover the windows are ridiculously cheap. You can see right through them so you worry about people looking in your room not a safe feeling as well as no coffee in the room a couple of cardboard cups for drinking water out of a faucet. The actual hand towels are kitchen towels in the bathroom very low-grade lo maintained facility if you have kids and enjoy the pool area. That is the only positive thing about this hotel.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

ROXANNE

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
Everything was fantastic
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Grace

Travelled with partner
The property definitely looks better in the pictures than it does in person. The staff was nice and the space was generally clean. The pool area is nice but there are ceiling tiles missing above the pool exposing a lot of dirt and/or mold. Overall it was an okay stay but I don’t think we would stay again.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Roberta

Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

8/10 Good

Linda, Des Moines

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The pool and hot tub, plus the arcade and billards, made this a fun and enjoyable stay. Rooms could be a bit more furnished with things like a dresser, luggage rack, hangers. Overall, the facility was great and loved their accommodations for dogs.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Christopher

Liked: Staff & service
Disliked: Property conditions & facilities
Ok not great but ok
Stayed 1 night in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

AndreAnna

Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service
Unique experience. Fun for a family
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lori

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
The pool area was awesome! The arcade was great for us and the kids. Going back in the spring they have a really nice courtyard!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cindy

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, amenities, property conditions & facilities
This was our third annual trip to Rhe Highlander. I gift it to my kids and grandkids for Christmas each year and we all love it. There is so much for the kids to do that the adults enjoy, as well. The food is wonderful and we love being able to order from wherever we are in the hotel. The staff is so helpful. We were there on February 15 and the young man working the bar at the pool was awesome. He was alone and very busy and stayed kind, professional, and helpful. He represents your hotel well. We are already looking forward to our trip next winter. We are building wonderful family memories that I hope my children and grandchildren will always remember.
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Travelled with family
Liked: Cleanliness, staff & service, property conditions & facilities, room comfort
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025

6/10 Okay

Emelyn

Travelled with family and small children
Liked: Amenities
It wasn’t as we expected it to be. There are a lot of rooms for improvement. The room is old but with updated furniture. The sheets were clean, though. My daughter was not able to sleep most of the night saying she is scared and was crying on and off which she barely does in other hotels that we have been in. The place is haunted. The pool area should have anti-slip around it for walking comfort and without fear of sliding down. It’s slippery. Someone for some reason charged our room with food from the snack shack. Am glad my husband asked what the extra charge was for. The manager was reassuring that we will not be charged for it. They do not have elevators so if you are bringing big and heavy luggages asked for a room on the first floor. While there are tables available around the pool most of them are reserved for the rooms next to it. Thank you!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2025