Best Hotels in Iowa: A Complete Guide 2026

Iowa's highest-rated hotels split into three regions: historic river town icons, home to Hotel Julien Dubuque and Hotel Blackhawk; urban downtown luxury, home to Surety Hotel and Hotel Fort Des Moines; and Iowa's Great Lakes resorts, home to King's Pointe Resort and Bridges Bay Resort. Hotel Julien Dubuque and Hotel Blackhawk lead Iowa's historic hotel category, both restored early-1900s landmarks along the Mississippi.

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Explore Iowa's Top-Rated Hotels

Iowa runs from the Mississippi River bluffs of Dubuque and Davenport in the east, through the state capital of Des Moines at its center, to the Great Lakes region around Storm Lake and Okoboji in the northwest. River towns like Dubuque and Muscatine carry a distinct 19th-century character, built around riverboat trade and railroad wealth. Des Moines and Sioux City anchor the state's modern downtown hotel scene, while the northwest lakes draw a very different, resort-focused crowd each summer.

That range gives Iowa genuinely different trip types within a few hours' drive of each other, from restored historic hotels along the river to lakeside family resorts. This guide profiles the 10 highest-rated hotels across those three regions.

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How We Choose These Hotels

We evaluated every hotel against four things: guest rating and review volume, the hotel's category and market positioning, what the location actually offers for a specific type of trip, and whether the amenities held up under current guest feedback. Ratings and review counts reflect Google's aggregated guest score and were checked in September 2026.

We cross-checked each property's town and setting against its official site, and weighed service consistency alongside guest sentiment rather than rating alone. Nightly rates shown are directional where a source figure exists, and unlisted where it doesn't, so confirm the current number on the hotel's own site before booking.

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Iowa's Top 10 Hotels At A Glance

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Historic River Town Icons

Hotel Julien Dubuque

• Address: 200 Main St, Dubuque, IA 52001
• Category: Historic riverfront hotel
• Rating: highly rated among Iowa's top romantic and historic hotels
• Standout feature: this restored 1914 landmark sits directly on the Mississippi River in downtown Dubuque, with a spa and rooftop lounge
• Best for: couples and history-focused travelers wanting Iowa's best-known riverfront hotel

Hotel Blackhawk, Autograph Collection

• Address: 200 E 3rd St, Davenport, IA 52801
• Category: Historic luxury hotel
• Rating: 4.4 (1.6K reviews)
• Standout feature: this 1915 downtown Davenport landmark features a full-service spa and a restored vintage bowling alley on site
• Best for: travelers wanting historic grandeur with a distinctive on-site amenity mix

The Merrill Hotel, Muscatine, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel

• Address: Muscatine, IA
• Category: Historic boutique hotel
• Rating: 4.7 (616 reviews)
• Standout feature: this restored historic property holds one of the highest guest ratings of any hotel in the state
• Best for: travelers wanting a small-town historic stay along the Mississippi River corridor

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Urban Downtown Luxury

Surety Hotel, Autograph Collection

• Address: 206 6th Ave, Des Moines, IA 50309
• Category: Downtown boutique hotel
• Rating: 4.5 (481 reviews)
• Standout feature: this downtown Des Moines property blends a restored historic building with modern interior design and elegant event spaces
• Best for: business travelers and couples wanting Des Moines' top-rated downtown boutique hotel

Hotel Fort Des Moines, Curio Collection by Hilton

• Address: 1000 Walnut St, Des Moines, IA 50309
• Category: Historic downtown luxury hotel
• Rating: highly rated among Des Moines' luxury hotels
• Standout feature: this century-old downtown landmark has hosted multiple U.S. presidents and remains one of the city's most decorated addresses
• Best for: travelers wanting Des Moines' most historically significant luxury stay

The Warrior Hotel, Autograph Collection

• Address: 525 6th St, Sioux City, IA 51101
• Category: Art Deco luxury hotel
• Rating: 8.9/10 rating, categorized as one of Iowa's top-rated hotels by major travel publications
• Standout feature: this restored 1930 Art Deco landmark anchors downtown Sioux City with striking period architecture throughout
• Best for: design-focused travelers wanting a distinctive Art Deco stay in western Iowa

The Highlander Hotel

• Address: 2601 N Dodge St, Iowa City, IA 52245
• Category: Retro-themed boutique hotel
• Rating: 4.3 (825 reviews)
• Standout feature: this playfully retro-themed hotel features a large pool, game room, and lawn games throughout the property
• Best for: families and University of Iowa visitors wanting a fun, design-forward stay

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Iowa's Great Lakes Resorts

King's Pointe Resort

• Address: 1520 E Lakeshore Dr, Storm Lake, IA 50588
• Category: Family waterpark resort
• Rating: 4.1 (1.7K reviews)
• Standout feature: this resort features an indoor waterpark and lodge sitting directly on Storm Lake
• Best for: families wanting a waterpark destination away from the Okoboji crowds

The Oakwood Inn Okoboji

• Address: Okoboji, IA
• Category: Adults-only romantic resort
• Rating: highly rated among Iowa's top romantic getaways
• Standout feature: this adults-only property features fireplace suites and in-room whirlpools built specifically for couples
• Best for: couples wanting a romantic lake getaway without children on the property

Bridges Bay Resort

• Address: Okoboji, IA
• Category: Family lakefront resort
• Rating: 4.1 (1.7K reviews)
• Standout feature: this lakefront resort on West Lake Okoboji offers multiple pools and direct lake access for families
• Best for: families wanting a classic Iowa lake vacation with resort-style amenities

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Iowa Hotel Taxes And Fees

Iowa charges a 5 percent state hotel and motel tax on top of the state's 6 percent sales tax, bringing the combined state rate to 11 percent. Cities and counties can add a local hotel and motel tax of up to 7 percent, so combined rates in cities like Des Moines and Dubuque can approach 12 to 13 percent depending on the local rate in effect. Smaller towns and resort areas like Storm Lake and Okoboji set their own local rates, so the exact combined charge depends on the specific municipality. Resort fees are also common at larger properties like King's Pointe Resort and Bridges Bay Resort, billed separately from tax, so confirm the exact combined rate and any resort fee directly with each hotel before booking.

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Choosing The Right Base For Your Trip

History-focused travelers and couples should choose Hotel Julien Dubuque or Hotel Blackhawk for restored early-1900s grandeur along the Mississippi River. Business travelers and city-focused visitors are better suited to Surety Hotel or Hotel Fort Des Moines in downtown Des Moines. Families and lake-focused travelers should pick King's Pointe Resort or Bridges Bay Resort in the Great Lakes region, while couples wanting seclusion should choose The Oakwood Inn Okoboji.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the nicest hotel in Iowa?

Hotel Blackhawk in Davenport and The Warrior Hotel in Sioux City are widely considered among Iowa's nicest hotels, each a restored early-20th-century landmark with strong guest ratings. Hotel Julien Dubuque and Surety Hotel are strong alternatives depending on whether a traveler wants a river town or downtown Des Moines setting.

2. What is the prettiest place in Iowa?

The Great Lakes region around Okoboji and West Lake Okoboji is widely considered one of Iowa's prettiest destinations, known for its clear lake waters and resort towns. The Mississippi River bluffs near Dubuque are a close alternative for dramatic river scenery.

3. What are some good hotels to stay at in Iowa?

Options span historic river town hotels, downtown Des Moines boutique stays, and family lake resorts. Hotel Julien Dubuque and Surety Hotel are top-rated picks for a historic or downtown trip respectively, while King's Pointe Resort suits a family lake vacation.

4. What are some luxury hotels in Iowa City?

The Highlander Hotel is Iowa City's best-known retro-luxury property, featuring a large pool and game room near the University of Iowa campus. Graduate by Hilton Iowa City is a strong alternative for travelers wanting a more traditional upscale stay downtown.

5. What are some good couple getaways in Iowa?

The Oakwood Inn Okoboji is Iowa's top adults-only romantic getaway, offering fireplace suites and whirlpools built specifically for couples. Hotel Julien Dubuque and Hotel Blackhawk are strong alternatives for couples wanting a historic riverfront setting instead of a lake resort.

6. What is the number one tourist attraction in Iowa?

The Iowa Great Lakes region around Okoboji is one of the state's most visited destinations, alongside the State Capitol in Des Moines. Travelers based at King's Pointe Resort or The Oakwood Inn Okoboji sit closest to the lake region's main attractions.