You’ll know why in Iowa it’s easy to fall in love once you’ve seen “Bridges of Madison County”. The movie was filmed among the picturesque landscapes and scenic caves and parks of this lovely state that entice one to go on a thrilling adventure. There are plenty of places to visit in Iowa, including parks, national monuments, and amazing monasteries. Visit National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium to see live animals, exhibits, and a 4D Theater that explains the significance of the river, watershed, and ecosystem, to the community. The state’s amazing architecture and cultural diversity can be seen in most of its historical structures such as African American Museum, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, and the State Capitol building. Book a few days’ stay in the best themed hotels in Iowa, USA, for a delightful experience in this remarkable state that’s rich with history!
We handpicked these listings carefully, considering (wherever possible) Superhost status, recent guest reviews, location, accommodation type, prices, availability of dates, decor, and amenities. The image galleries get refreshed with the latest updates regularly. They were last updated on October 24, 2024.
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1. Stoney Creek Hotel & Conference Center - Des Moines (from USD 122)
This gorgeous pet-friendly hotel has a rustic country theme. The spacious suites that accommodate up to seven guests are furnished with modern country accents like matching plaid walls and beddings or rustic wooden furniture like bunk beds and bed frames made from logs and tree branches. Bearly’s Bar, the on-site bar and restaurant, serves freshly made pizza and appetizers to match their signature cocktails, beers, and beverages. Relax and dip into the heated indoor/outdoor pool and hot tub or exercise in the on-site gym. It’s a great home base if you intend to visit Adventureland Park, one of the top theme parks and amusement parks in Iowa. Iowa State Fair Grounds, Drake University, and Des Moines Wells Fargo Arena are 24.1 km (14.5 mi) away.
Stoney Creek Hotel Des Moines - Johnston
Address: 5291 Stoney Creek Court
3.27 km (2.1 mi) from Breakout Games - Des Moines
2. Designer Inn and Suites (from USD 61)
Just 65.1 km (40.5 mi) to Waterloo Regional Airport and 73.2 km (45.5 mi) to Eastern Iowa Airport is a 3-star hotel offering a variety of fantasy suites in Iowa. Guests can choose from suites that host a single person, couples, and queen-size rooms good for four. The king and the double room have a disability access feature. Aside from the traditional bedrooms, some of the suites have unique interiors for adventure seekers. There’s a jungle-themed room with a canopy of trees; Greek-inspired suite complete with a spa pool and columns; a cave room; a Love-inspired room featuring a heart-shaped bed; a Tropical resort-inspired room; and a Casino themed room. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, continental breakfast served daily, front desk services available 24/7, use of a game room, indoor pool, shared lounge, and gym.
Designer Inn and Suites
Address: 403 Highway 30 West
103.35 km (64.3 mi) from Breakout Games - Des Moines
3. Wildwood Lodge & Suites (from USD 99)
Wildwood Lodge is a fun way to remember those days you spent at summer camp as a child. The hotel has camp-inspired interiors featuring elegant wooden furniture, hardwood flooring, and huge bay windows with awesome outdoor views. The indoor pool and hot tub are decorated with rock formations making it appear like a huge pond with the nearby space accentuated with camping gear. There’s a shared lounge where guests can sit and socialize comfortably while warming around a stone covered fireplace. The rooms are modern and chic with accents like framed pictures of people camping outdoors or a double bunk bed with a contemporary twist. Enjoy extras like free Wi-Fi, free Continental breakfast, airport shuttle, free tea and coffee, iPod docking station, and huge TVs in every room. 24 minutes away by car is a racetrack and casino and 16.1 km (10 mi) away is Des Moines city center if you’re looking for some of the best things to do in Iowa.
Wildwood Lodge & Suites
Address: 11431 Forest Avenue
4.26 km (2.7 mi) from Breakout Games - Des Moines
4. Hotel Julien Dubuque (from USD 228)
This historic hotel in Iowa offers posh accommodation with luxurious queen and standard king rooms that host couples or a small family of four. The modern cosmopolitan rooms are elegantly decorated with earth-toned colors, thickly cushioned beds, a sitting area, a mini-bar, a coffee corner, and a private bathroom complete with enclosed showers and free robes. Feel filthy rich as you dine in their glamorous on-site restaurants serving the best American cuisine and specialty drinks. There’s a business center, fitness center, hot tub, and pool should you decide mixing work with relaxation. Dubuque Museum of Art, National Mississipi River Museum & Aquarium, and Grand Harbor Resort & Waterpark are just a 15-minute walk from the hotel.
Hotel Julien Dubuque
Address: 200 Main Street
271.24 km (168.6 mi) from Breakout Games - Des Moines
5. Hotel Grinnell (from USD 224)
Delicious and varied dining options, with a charming on-site restaurant and a cool, relaxed atmosphere.
Reasonable pricing for a unique hotel experience in a central Iowa location.
Conveniently situated near downtown, college, and a beautiful park with lively attractions.
Free bike rentals, spacious rooms, and a charmingly repurposed old school building.
Boasting a modern and eco-conscious theme, Hotel Grinnell is one of the highly-rated hotels in Iowa that’s brimming with style and comfort. This boutique hotel in Grinnell, located 8 miles (13 kilometers) from Rock Creek State Park, is loaded with amenities like a gym, a bar, and even a water park access nearby.
Whether you’re solo, a duo, or a family, the suites here are fitted with en-suite bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, a work desk, and free toiletries, among others. The restaurant on-site, The Periodic Table, serves an array of international cuisine for all-day dining.
Hotel Grinnell
Address: 925 PARK ST
85.06 km (52.9 mi) from Breakout Games - Des Moines
6. Hotel Red Roof Inn & Suites Omaha - Council Bluffs (from USD 77)
Red Roof Inn & Suites is a countryside-themed lodging in Council Bluffs that offers budget-friendly accommodation options for guests. It may not be your typical luxury hotel but it is filled with facilities like a heated indoor pool, a guest lounge, and a picnic area.
Depending on your needs, suites come with various amenities like a mini-kitchen, cable TV, and a private bathroom. Some rooms even have a fully equipped kitchen and a hot tub. This pet-friendly hotel is close to landmarks and attractions like the Henry Doorly Zoo and Eppley Airfield Airport.
Red Roof Inn & Suites Omaha - Council Bluffs
Address: 500 30th Avenue
181.55 km (112.9 mi) from Breakout Games - Des Moines
7. Okoboji Commons Hotel (from USD 189)
This Great Britain-inspired urban hotel in Okoboji, Iowa, is an affordable option that still serves style and comfort like a five-star hotel. The guest rooms are equipped with a king bed, with additional beds depending on your party size. These suites are also supplied with conveniences like a television, a fridge, a microwave, and a private bathroom.
For shared amenities, guests can access a fitness center, barbecuing facilities, and a nice terrace. If you’re in the city for work, Okoboji Commons Hotel offers a business center for an additional fee.
Okoboji Commons Hotel
Address: 1302 Highway 71
226.38 km (140.7 mi) from Breakout Games - Des Moines
8. Hotel Pattee (from USD 159)
Feeling adventurous? Then check-in at Hotel Pattee and book some of the best themed hotel rooms in Iowa. All suites are equipped with free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, flat-screen TV, and ensuite bathrooms with showers. What makes these rooms unique is that their interiors come in a variety of motifs. There are rustic and traditional country-style rooms, another with a continental era motif, and yet another with a tribal décor. Some have a canopy or a four-poster bed representing a Southern-style motif. Some are very colorful while others have a conservative earth-toned palette. You will enjoy selecting from a wide range of motifs some of which may stir the child in you. The hotel offers a Continental breakfast served daily at their on-site diner, access to the indoor pool and gym, and bike rentals. Des Moines International Airport is the nearest airport 66 km (41 mi) away.
Hotel Pattee
Address: 1112 Willis Avenue
38.73 km (24.1 mi) from Breakout Games - Des Moines
Exciting theme rooms for everyone
In addition to family-friendly resorts, Iowa also features various hotels for every mood, taste, and preference of their guests. It makes your travel to this gorgeous state a lot more exciting once you discover the surprises that await you. Book one of the five best-themed hotels listed above and you’ll have a memorable experience when visiting Iowa. Complete your getaway by checking out some of the top caving adventures in Iowa!
Frequently asked questions about themed hotels in Iowa
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