Review: Hotel Grinnell, Iowa
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Hotel Grinnell, which is tucked in downtown Grinnell in Iowa, USA, is the perfect trendy and totally unique base from which to explore the buzzing town of Grinnell which was listed among the top American communities in Norman Crampton’s publication “The 100 Best Small Towns in America.

Location of Hotel Grinnell

The boutique hotel is located in historic downtown Grinnell with restaurants, shops, entertainment, arts, and recreational activities quite literally on your doorstep. You are also within walking distance of Central Park (not that one!) and the Grinnell College Campus, a renowned liberal arts institution. Other popular attractions locally include an aquatic center, a golf course, and Rock Creek State Park with its 10-mile bike trail.

Style & Character

The hotel has a fabulous back story. It was once a 1920s Iowa school building! The building has been expertly converted and is now packed with luxury furnishings and funky features that often reference its past life as a school (I just love how the room key card sleeves resembling hall passes!). The hotel is very stylish and contemporary, with hardwood and terrazzo floors throughout and a stunning living wall in the lobby.

Service & Facilities

The house lays on so many facilities to make your stay a comfortable one and to give that home-from-home vibe. You can borrow a bike for free and explore the town on two wheels or park onsite if you’ve bought your car. Plus, there’s also a valet service at the local golf course. There’s a concierge service, both in person and digital, and you can relax in the shared Lounge with the day’s newspapers or make use of the 24-hour Business Center if you’ve bought your little ones with you. There’s a complimentary kid’s activity kit. To keep fit while you’re away, there is a 24-hour Fitness Room that is well-equipped with treadmills, free weights, and fitness balls, and there’s also a Treatment Room so you can ease your aching bones with a massage if you push yourself too hard in the gym!

The service is fabulous. Everyone is smiling and seems to adore the hotel as much as the guests! Nothing is too much trouble, and they are personable and very friendly.

Rooms

The hotel comprises of 43 guest rooms and two bunk rooms where groups of 10 can share. All 43 rooms have a desk, seating areas, and a private bathroom. There are Queen Rooms, Double Queen Rooms, King Rooms, Loft Rooms, Signature Suites, and Penthouse Suites to choose from. The Canopy King is instead a special room with vaulted ceilings, soaring windows, and the urban version of a four-poster bed. If the budget stretches, the Signature Suite has a similar bed plus a large and rather cool lounge area. But the ultimate room is definitely the Penthouse Suite with its dining table for 8, exquisite lighting, huge bathroom with a shower and bath for two, and even its own private dressing room, which luxury travelers will adore.

Food & Drink

While you are spoilt for choice with dining establishments in the vicinity, you don’t even need to leave the hotel. The Periodic Table Bar and Patio, where the old school’s scoreboard hangs in the bar, serves a light breakfast to start the day, and drinks and food come late afternoon. It’s a trendy urban eatery where you can tuck into handcrafted cocktails, single-origin fair trade coffee, and specialty shared plates. On chilly evenings, stay warm by the fire pits as the patio twinkles with fairy lights, sit back and enjoy the tunes or join in a game of giant scrabble!

Conclusion

Hotel Grinnell is a charming hotel with modern rooms and should not be missed. Many people choose to stay at Hotel Grinnell because of its proximity to Grinnell college, but the surrounding town is quaint with some nice local restaurants and should not be missed either. On Sunday and Monday nights, the restaurant at Hotel Grinnell stays open while the restaurants in town close, so even if you aren’t staying, it’s worth popping by to try out their excellent menu.

Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing but may be amended at discretion of the vendor. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.

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