We are all about staycations, especially in the winter because you never know what the weather is going to do here in the Midwest!! Thankfully, Iowa is full of great staycation destinations including the Highlander Hotel in Iowa City. And with it’s modern funky vibe, it’s extra special!
A special thanks to the Highlander Hotel for hosting us on our staycation. All thoughts & opinions are 100% authentic and my own! For full details, please see the Disclosure Tab.
The Historic Highlander Hotel
The Highlander originally opened in the mid-1960’s as a typical Midwest supper club with traditional offerings like Jell-O salad and steaks! 😉 Then, in the 70’s hotel rooms were added. Fast forward 40+ years and several different owners and new owner Angela Harrington. She held a vision to develop a funky, modern, & hip urban resort. Angela has worked hard to revive the Highlander to it’s glory days in a modern way and develop a resort that you won’t want (or need) to leave! Read more!
The Highlander Hotel – An Urban Resort
The Highlander Hotel is the perfect place to plan a staycation whether it’s the winter or summer! They offer a wide variety of amenities and the best of the best when it comes to service!
The Highlander Lounge & Snack Shack
Located at the front of the resort, you’ll find a super hip and relaxing lounge. This is a great spot to enjoy a drink and one of the many delicious items from their menu! Grab a martini, Old Fashioned, a flatbread pizza, or street tacos to fill the void in your belly! They have an extensive menu of Iowa brewery beers, wines, and cocktails, which can be enjoyed in their lounge or at the pool.
The Snack Shack, located adjacent to the pool, offers all the same great eats as the Lounge but in a laid back vibe. Plus, enjoy treats like shakes or cheesecake!
Finally, enjoy a complimentary fresh breakfast in the Snack Shack. It consists of fresh fruit, oatmeal, fresh baked muffins, yogurt, juices, and coffee!
Indoor Pool
The focus of the Highlanders resort feel is the large indoor pool area. With it’s expansive windows and all-glass garage doors, you almost have an outdoor feel in the warmth of the indoor feel. The pool is large enough so there is plenty of places for everyone to play and the hot tub is divine! This tub is warm, but not scalding hot like a lot of spas!
If that isn’t enough, they offer bags games and a ping pong table in the same area! During the warmer months you’ll find larger than life chess & checker boards to enjoy in the courtyard! Of course, enjoying their fire pit during the warmer months makes your stay special and unique.
More Amenities
The amenities offered by the Highlander don’t stop there. They offer a great fitness center complete with a recumbent bike, treadmills, rowing machines, and an elliptical machine! Also make sure to check out their lending library near the lobby which offers turntables for check out along with a wide variety of vinyl records to enjoy in your room along with board games to entertain.
Something extra unique is their large Pictionary board which is a black board with neon markers! Finally, you’ll find a couple arcade games near the lounge. What is more exciting is that this isn’t where Angela is satisfied as we got word that she is working on a vintage arcade room! FUN!
The Laid Back Rooms
The Highlander rooms have been renovated and yet maintained some of the vintage vibes. Choose from a king sized bed and casual chairs or double queen beds. Pick an outside room or a poolside room, which also comes with a reserved table on the pool patio just for you! A balcony room overlooking the pool may be more your style. Or, if you need extra space make sure to book one of their two-room suites or a family suite. If you’re feeling extra special, make sure to book their Penthouse complete with kitchen, king sized bed, oversized bathroom, and balcony directly overlooking the pool!
The rooms themselves are outfitted with funky modern touches, incredibly comfy beds, and great linens! Instead of small travel sized samples, they’ve loaded up the bathrooms with full size shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion! They also offer a large variety of items that you can borrow or use during your stay including extra blankets, umbrellas, yoga mats, and more!
Book a Staycation at The Highlander Hotel
If you’re looking for a laid back time, a way to refresh and enjoy a weekend away, then a staycation at the Highlander Hotel is for you! Grab the family, the girlfriends, or that someone special and book a stay now! Enjoy all the amenities along with some of the very best customer service and enjoy your funky staycation!
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