Top Hotels in Iowa Lodges
Top Things to do in Iowa
Top 10 Lodges in Iowa, United States
History and monuments dot this landscape almost as often as the golden farmlands. Learn about America’s 31st president at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in West Branch. In northeast Iowa is the Effigy Mounds National Monument, a group of prehistoric American Indian burial and ceremonial mounds. This part of Iowa is also home to the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage. The 37-county region tells the story of American agriculture, agribusiness and farm life and is affiliated with the National Park Service. In addition, there are five national wildlife refuges here.
If you love history, imagine seeing the Amana Colonies, consisting of seven historic villages in 1855 by German immigrants as a religious communal society. Here you can also buy antiques, hand-woven baskets, furniture and clocks and locally made wine and beer. In Ames, take the family to see the Christian Petersen Art Museum, a newer structure that exhibits works of art by Christian Petersen and contemporary artists. You won’t want to miss the state capital of Des Moines, home to Blank Park Zoo with its naturalistic exhibits and more than 800 animals from five continents. You also should enjoy the Brenton Skating Plaza, an outdoor family entertainment venue.
Things to do in Iowa
1. Hatfield Lakes Iowa
Overall Ratings
4 based on 14 reviews
Hatfield Lakes are located on 1000 acres of private lakes, farmland and fabulous wooded fields. We have PRIVATE FISHING....14 lakes and ponds, on the Hatfield estate. We have hundreds of acres to hike, and view wildlife..... Fishing is the best...bass, blue gill and walleye. We have two fabulous LOG CABINS .....The Stott Log Cabin and the New Big John Log Cabin. The STOTT LOG CABIN - 110 year old log lake view cabin, has been restored using logs, & hand hewn beams. The 3 bedroom vintage home is furnished with cowboy/lodge art and decor, fireplace & antler chandeliers.The BIG JOHN LOG CABIN ....located LAKEFRONT. The 2 bedroom log cabin features dramatic vaulted log beamed ceilings and walls. The cabin is furnished with log furnishings, western/wildlife art, fireplace. EACH OF THE ROOMS & VERANDAH ARE LAKEFRONT.....right on the lake.The GAZEBO, with wrap-around decks, fireplace, windmill & waterwheel, is situated WITHIN AND ON TOP OF THE LAKE . Guests can also fish from the FISHING BRIDGE!HATFIELD LAKES, is the site of programs filmed by John McLaughlin (KCCI - Des MoInes) for sporting and fishing channels. HATFIELD LAKES is the Ultimate & Private FISHING RETREAT!
Yikes we had a good time
Reviewed By canitalkWe stayed at Moonlight Marian. Woke up early to hear the geese honking in the morning. The fishing was superb to say the least. I cought several large mouth bass. There great eating I must say. Cooked them right out front of the cabin with a grill provided. Nothing like eating fresh fish off the hoof. Wrap them in foil and we had a feast. Bass is 26 dollars a pound at the local HyVee. Not as fresh when you pull them right out of the lake. Then comes all the deer to frolick in the medows to take you to another planet. If they allowed shooting there I would have had me some venisan of the hoof. Not much going on in town but when you have a big family to enjoy this retreat who needs stinking town folks to ruin this vacation. Nothing not to like here. Bring your own party and there is nothing like this place. No one bothered us and we were free to do what ever popped up. Heck, I could have gone naked all week at this place and no one would see me , except the wildlife. HHHHAAA . We will be back. The only drawback on this stay is that the spiral staircase up to the bedroom was a little hard to negotiate especially if you are my age of 64. When you have to get to the bathroom down below in the middle of the night ,it could get a little diecy. Other than that I would recommend this place . Next time I want to book Big Johns cabin. The four ladies staying there were having a great time as we were. They had paddle boards to pass the time. I prefer to fish for dinner at this place. Nothing like catching a fighting ill tempered wide mouth bass to get me coming back. Thanks to the folks that run this place. Rustic cabins Not. Rustic fun is what you get here. You want the Waldorf then go to New York. You want chef prepared meals then bring your own chef. I for one had a great time and so will you.
2. Hamburg Inn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
So Grateful!
Reviewed By Herpersgirl926I am so grateful to this place. My husband and I were forced off the road due to a snow storm. We were extremely tired and stressed. The Hamburg Inn was open and warm, and extremely helpful to our circumstances. The room was clean, and the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. A staff member even had the area around our car shoveled before we got into our room! Thank you Hamburg, for the great care!
3. Countryside Inn
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 13 reviews
A Woman Alone.
Reviewed By charlesoA7247AKIf your a woman alone don't go there. Or a woman period! The man that runs the place took my information off my check in payment and information. He stalked me and harassed me! He comes off as a great helpful guy, but he's a psycho! Talk about your, "Bates Motel" experience. The place is not worth a penny. Drive 10 more minutes to West Des Moines.
4. Cabin By the Creek B & B
Overall Ratings
2 based on 1 reviews
Not worth $100 a night!
Reviewed By Marlynne PI stayed during a busy weekend in Red Oak. I had a room that was not equipped well. No night stands or lights by the bed. I had to read with the overhead light! No ironing board or iron in room and waiting for someone to leave their room so one could be retrieved made me late for the festivities. I shared a bath with a man who was reminiscent of John Candy in Trains, Planes and Automobiles. When I went to use the shower, his sopping wet bath towel was left in the bottom of the tub, various other used towels were on the floor, the toilet seat was up, had drips on the floor and once it wasn't even flushed! I mentioned it to the owner but the same sight greeted me the next morning. Obviously, she hadn't checked it after he exited. I couldn't figure out the password to the internet and the owner didn't know it either! I kept trying and she said it worked although she couldn't get the password to work either. We BOTH were typing it in wrong. Of course, that didn't help me get on line. I had invited and paid for 2 friends to join me for breakfast. When they arrived, one of the owner's little dogs jumped up and bit my friend, drawing blood. The owner acted as if this was just a "no-no" for her little sweet dog. She did nothing until I suggested that she get some antibiotic and a bandage. Then she brought it out. I asked for eggs, biscuits and gravy for our meal. We did not get the eggs. I didn't say anything, and I should have, but by then I was ready to be out of there! I would suggest the other hotels in the area. You get a private bath with everything you need for the same price.
5. Four Seasons
Overall Ratings
3 based on 14 reviews
Could use some updates, fresh paint, and deep cleaning
Reviewed By jmolnariWe stayed here mostly for location -- right on West Lake with AMAZING views and easy access to great bars & restaurants! Public beach is right next door! We rented 2 lakeside balcony rooms for 4 people -- 2 full beds in each room -- was roughly $240 per night per room. Note -- shares a parking lot with Dry Dock Restaurant, so parking during peak meal times for hotel guests is dicey -- best to park and either walk or Uber to destinations. The good: location, view, comfortable beds, free Wi-Fi The average: cost for time of year, housekeeping, free ice, very small balconies The needs work: water pressure in one room was almost nonexistent, really needs deep clean and paint
6. Shelby Country Inn and RV Park
Overall Ratings
2.5 based on 25 reviews
Keep Driving!!!!
Reviewed By mlmThis place is a total dump. Everything was filthy dirty. The inside and outside of the door was gross. The bathroom sink had not been cleaned. Dirt around the base of the toilet. Don't know when the last time the windows were cleaned. Could not see out of them. I guess that is why the drapes were closed when we got there. Only one light in the room which had a VERY low voltage in it. I guess that was intentional so you can't see the filth. We slept with our cloths on. I should have looked at the reviews here on Trip Advisor first. I based my decision on the Google reviews. BIG MISTAKE. I usually always go with Trip Advisor reviews and I don't know why I didn't this time. We should have slept in our car instead and would have saved 80 bucks.
7. Red Fox Lodging
We're Red Fox Lodging and we've been a cabin rental agency here in Keosauqua, IA since 2013. The owner Julie bought the cabins and saw the potential for serving the community and the tourism community. We are close to the county campground picnic shelter rental through Van Buren County Conservation. We are also right by the boat ramp and our cabins are great for stargazing. We're looking forward to growing our business to continue to serve the tourist community. We'd like to personally invite you today to contact us for your next cabin rental!
8. Twin Springs Lodge
Now under new ownership! Come stay at our rustic getaway in scenic Northeast Iowa. The lodge sleeps 8 guests comfortably,is fully furnished and is a perfect location to have family vacations, reunions or even private retreats. Located in the Twin Springs Valley, just on the outskirts of Decorah, Iowa, nestled among native trees, flowers & herb gardens. We are within walking distance of Twin Springs Park, nature trails and trout streams. With a local, family owned restaurant within walking distance, this lodge will surely be your number one choice while staying in Decorah, Iowa. Decorah has plenty of activities and sights to take in like bike trails, Luther College, Vesterheim museum, Church's, shopping and other locally owned restaurants.
9. The Redwood Motel
10. Trails End Lodge
Located in Downtown, Cedar Falls, Iowa (just one block off Main Street), the Trails End Lodge provides travelers and visitors with affordable, clean and convenient lodging.
