Iowa’s Most Charming Hotel for Under $100 Per Night

The next time you're on the hunt for a reasonably-priced hotel in Iowa City, you've got a great option! A September 2023 article from Love Exploring recognizes the Graduate in Iowa City as the "most charming place to stay for under $100."

If you're wondering why the Graduate was chosen over all the other hotels in the state of Iowa, here's what the article says:

"Conveniently located in downtown Iowa City, the Graduate offers comfortable rooms, a state-of-the-art fitness centre and complimentary bike rentals. With room rates starting from $88 a night, it's handy for exploring Iowa City and is just a short stroll from Kinnick Stadium. The hotel also has an on-site cafe and cocktail bar and is pet-friendly."

Like most hotels, the price of the rooms at the Graduate fluctuate based on the dates you choose and the type of room you want to stay in, but Booking.com does show rooms available for just under $100!

Located right in the heart of Iowa City's Ped Mall, the Graduate is hard to miss. One of the exterior walls is decked out in black and gold plaid, which is, of course, because of the University of Iowa. But, that's far from the only nod to the Hawkeyes! The hotel's website says that their "locally inspired designs channel hometown history, campus legends and more." For example, the entire lobby is actually a reference to the university's literary history!

One of the coolest features of the Graduate is the pencil wall inside of Poindexter Coffee. It consists of more than 180,000 No. 2 pencils, and makes for a great photo op! The coffee shop is open daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Graduate is also home to a restaurant called the Wilder, named after famous Hawkeye alum Gene Wilder. Popular menu items include the Crispy Pork Sandwich, the Graduate Burger, and the Wonky Sundae, which consists of vanilla ice cream, banana, hot fudge, caramelized pineapple, and sprinkles. There's even a patio for outdoor dining on nice days.

If you're looking to host an event, the Graduate has several different venues within its walls. The biggest of the four is the Wayne Ballroom, which is 6,200 sq. ft. and can host up to 600 guests. It's a popular place for conferences and wedding receptions.

For more information or to book at stay at the Graduate in Iowa City, you can visit the hotel's official website HERE.