Iowa is home to several hotels that have been offering travelers a comfortable place to rest for more than a century. Book your stay at these hotels to step back in time and experience luxury paired with historic charm.
1. The Black Hawk Hotel - Cedar Falls
Recognized as the second longest continuously operating hotel in the country, The Black Hawk Hotel offers the ultimate historic stay. It started as a stagecoach hotel in 1853 called The Winslow House and was rebuilt after an 1870s fire as The Davis House. Then, in 1914 a local architect redesigned the building to what it is today – a mix of Second Empire and Mission-style architecture.
Located on Cedar Falls’ award-winning Main Street, The Black Hawk Hotel is surrounded by boutiques and restaurants, making it an even more exciting place to stay. Choose one of the 28 thoughtfully curated rooms, all of which boast luxury beds and linens alongside period furniture and antiques.
2. Hotel Julien Dubuque - Dubuque
Opened in 1839 as the Waples House, Hotel Julien Dubuque has maintained a legacy as one of the best lodging options in Iowa. Though the original building burned down in 1913, it was promptly rebuilt and reopened in 1915, and was the first hotel travelers saw when entering Iowa through Dubuque. It quickly rose to fame and even hosted notable figures like Abraham Lincoln, “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Mark Twain and Al Capone, who would hide out at the hotel when things got “hot” in Chicago.
Today, you can be a guest of honor yourself inside the stunning Beaux Arts-style building. Its 133 lavish rooms range from executive-style kings to an elaborately themed suite that pays homage to Al Capone. During your stay, be sure to take advantage of the indoor pool and whirlpool or treat yourself to a spa day at the full-service Potosa Spa.
3. Hotel Blackhawk - Davenport
Photo Credit Katie Mach
Located in downtown Davenport, Hotel Blackhawk is a boutique AAA Four Diamond full-service hotel that boasts 130 luxurious rooms and panoramic views of the Mississippi River. The hotel’s high-quality service and elegant spaces date back to 1915, when the former Saratoga Hotel was reconstructed after a fire. Since then, the “Fireproof Hotel Blackhawk” has welcomed presidents, entertainers and legendary athletes to enjoy its grandeur.
Today, the hotel remains as one of the best lodging experiences in the Midwest. Book a room to enjoy stylish yet comfortable furniture, décor created by local artists and designer touches throughout. When you’re not relaxing in your room, enjoy a day at the hotel’s spa, challenge your friends and family to a game of bowling or take a dip in the swimming pool and hot tub.
4. Historic Park Inn Hotel - Mason City
The 1910 Historic Park Inn Hotel is the last remaining Frank Lloyd Wright (FLW)-designed and -built hotel in the world. Its design, one of the best examples of FLW’s Prairie Style architecture, included the hotel, a bank and law offices, a combination that was an innovative approach at the time. Despite the hotel’s eventual decline, a major restoration project restored its former glory in 2011.
It’s since continued to be a major staple in downtown Mason City, which is also home to FLW’s Stockman House and the Architectural Interpretive Center. Settle into one of the hotel’s 27 expertly crafted rooms to admire FLW’s ingenious style and enjoy an exciting culinary experience at the hotel's Leadlight restaurant or artisanal cocktails and regionals brews at The Draftsman.
5. Hotel Winneshiek - Decorah
From the day it opened in 1905, Hotel Winneshiek has offered an elevated lodging experience in Decorah. The Beaux Arts-style building was designed by famous Chicago architect duo Turnock & Ohrenstein to feature elegant terrazzo floors, marble walls, cherry woodwork and more. After a short stint as an apartment building in the 1970s, a local woman purchased and restored the hotel, which reopened in 2000, looking much as it did in 1905.
Modern-day visitors can spend a night surrounded by historic luxury. As the only full-service hotel in Decorah, its 34 distinctive rooms and suites offer the perfect homebase when exploring the area.
6. Hotel Pattee - Perry
Designed by the Pattee brothers to honor their father, Hotel Pattee opened in 1913. Between 1935 and 1997, the Perry building underwent five major remodels, the last of which restored the hotel’s bowling alley, added a world-class restaurant and gave every room and suite its own bathroom.
Since then, the hotel has been recognized as one of the finest historic boutique hotels in the world. Each of its 40 rooms are individually decorated and themed, creating a new experience with each stay. When you’re not lounging in your room, take a stroll through the hotel to admire its museum collection of art, relax in the Willis Library or on the outdoor patio, enjoy upscale comfort food at The Pattee Café or test your skills at the bowling alley.
7. Hotel Savery - Des Moines
As a prominent 11-story brick building in downtown Des Moines, Hotel Savery has been a community staple since 1919. Unlike many historic hotels, the Savery has been an active lodging property since its opening, except for a temporary closure during WWII to act as Fort Des Moines’ induction center, barracks, mess hall and classrooms and to host the first ever Women’s Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) training center.
Like any historic hotel, the Savery has had its fair share of remodels. The most recent renovation was completed in 2018, which modernized the guest rooms and lobby while also maintaining its historic charm, including the 100-year timeline display and a memorial to the WAAC. Book a room to step back in time, experience elevated comfort and explore downtown Des Moines’ various shops and restaurants, many of which are within walking distance.
8. Hotel Greenfield - Greenfield
There’s no better place to experience small town charm and intriguing history than at Hotel Greenfield. The hotel’s first visitors in 1920 stepped into a lobby that looks much the same today. However, the first rendition of the hotel featured 15 rooms with one shared bathroom on each floor. Its event room was a popular tea parlor and, during WWII, served as a bus stop for troops. After a drop in room rentals during the ‘60s, many rooms were converted into apartments, the tea parlor/restaurant closed and the remainder of the structure sat in disrepair.
The building was rescued by Gene Kuhns in 1987, and Hotel Greenfield and the attached restaurant, Olive Branch, resumed the tradition of renting rooms to visitors. Today, the hotel offers 20 rooms (all now have private bathrooms) alongside Greek cuisine at the thriving restaurant. During your stay, be sure to also explore Greenfield’s charming town square to discover a variety of antique stores and other shops.
9. The Warrior Hotel - Sioux City
Discover the ultimate pampered stay alongside historic elegance at The Warrior Hotel. Located in downtown Sioux City, this Art Deco-style hotel opened in 1930 and had a successful run until it closed in 1976. Despite being listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, the building was tagged for demolition in the ‘90s before the city repealed its status due to its historical significance.
Throughout the early 2000s, the hotel was gutted and slated for a variety of projects before the plan to restore it as a hotel was announced in 2017. After an extensive renovation, the Warrior Hotel finally reopened in 2020 and is now one of the most distinct hotels in the Midwest. Step inside to admire the uniquely designed rooms and enjoy a weekend of pampering – indulge in a spa day, perfect your game at the state-of-the-art bowling alley or take a dip in the sparkling pool and hot tub.
10. Kingsley Inn - Fort Madison
Built in 1860, the Kingsley Inn had many lives before becoming the unique lodging property it is today. It originally housed the Windmayer Whiskey & Vinegar Distillery until 1895, then was a restaurant, book and wallpaper store, barber shop and law office until it was transformed into the Kingsley Inn in 1990.
Full of charm, the Kingsley Inn now offers a relaxing and historic adventure along the Mississippi River. Its 19 rooms feature comfortable beds, nostalgic wallpaper and period-appropriate furniture. It’s also within walking distance of many Fort Madison attractions, including the Historic Santa Fe Depot Complex and Museum, which is the only Mission-style Depot in the state. With 60-80 trains passing daily, the hotel is also a popular destination for train enthusiasts.
