Review Highlights
“e. We were going to stay at the hotel where her wedding was, and then I googled "best hotel in Cedar Rapids" and this popped u” in 7 reviews
“I love the concept of hospitality students learning the trade in the real world.” in 7 reviews
“Stayed there our wedding night recently as well and they had fresh food and wine from the establishment to make our special night even more so.” in 2 reviews
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About the Business
The Hotel at Kirkwood Center welcomes you with contemporary elegance, award-winning facilities and exceptional service. You'll find our AAA Four Diamond hotel in Cedar Rapids, just a few minutes from The Eastern Iowa Airport; over 100 pieces of local and artisan art are dotted throughout our accommodations and public spaces, lending a sense of uniqueness and modern charm.
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What is the pet policy?
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Hi Steve - Unfortunately we are a no pet property.
The Hotel At Kirkwood Center .., Business Owner2 years agoQ:
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Recommended Reviews
Overall rating
63 reviews
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1 star
- Jeff C.Keller, TX06Feb 13, 2024Updated review
Was recently contacted by management at The Kirkwood. Brad Stuart was very professional and understanding of my situation and apologized for the manner in which it was handled.
He assured me that their customary policy, on a situation such as this where a flight is cancelled, was to offer the refund.
It appeared that Expedia, who I booked this reservation through, may have not spoken to the correct hotel or person.
As I said before, the staff and accommodations here are terrific. Based on how Brad has handled this matter, I am more than happy to give my full support for this establishment.
I look forward to my next trip and stay at The Kirkwood!Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Business owner information
The Hotel At Kirkwood Center ..
Feb 13, 2024
Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to make this right for you! At times when booking a non-refundable rate through a large third party company like Expedia, our Hotel team can request the refund to be issued but ultimately it is up to Expedia to decide if they will refund. I am so happy to hear that Brad was persistent with Expedia and convinced them to refund your room. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Jackie, General Manager
Feb 3, 2024Previous reviewWhile I visit Cedar Rapids fairly often, this was my first time staying here.
Accommodations and staff were very nice.
My displeasure comes from
customer service.
I was unfortunately on a flight coming in that was cancelled right before boarding. This resulted in my not checking in until the next day. I called and made the reservation change and was told on the phone it would be modified for the lost night. When checking out I was told my receipt would be sent to Expedia being I had booked through them.
Upon returning home I contacted Expedia regarding my refund for the lost night. They in turn contacted the managwr on call at The Kirkwood and were given the response there would be no refund whatsoever. Not at all what I was expecting based on my conversation when I made the change.
For the hotel to deny the refund, just because they could, is very frustrating. The hotel was not busy at all and this attempt at a "Money Grab" is very unprofessional.
Based on my experience, I will never recommend or stay here again.
Great job Kirkwood management at showing what truly means more to you. Money not customer relationships! - Lisa H.Kansas City, KS326235Apr 27, 2024Updated review
this hotel is amazing. i wish i had known about this place years earlier, when i had business in town, and ended up staying at a chain hotel. that nightmare still lives in my memories...
lobby is spacious and welcoming, clean. check in (and out) associates are friendly and helpful. the bar is conveniently located across from the elevators. (note to self, i know there is a gin and tonic waiting for me).
there are several hallways that lead to conference rooms, i did not personally check any out, but i would not be surprised if some of the space was used for wedding parties.
my room was beautiful - lots of space to either sit and relax, or to place your luggage on. big windows. i like big windows in a hotel. coffee/tea with real mugs, not just take away cups. refrigerator. two bathrobes! plenty of towels.
i wasn't in love with the shower. if you try to start the water beforehand, giving yourself the ability to walk into an already hot shower, prepare to get drenched while fully clothed, as the shower head is aimed directly at the door you have just entered from. however, this was not a huge deterrent.
the only thing i had a problem with was finding some stray hairs - one in the bathroom on the counter (yuck), the other one was in my ice bin! i took a picture of it, but promptly deleted it, since it makes me physically ill to find hair i do not own anywhere near to food or drink. so gross. my hair is black. these hairs were blonde. even as i discuss this in a public forum, i am trying to refrain from barfing.
i was only there for one night, and was pretty sad to leave. however, i have already booked another stay in may, and this time for more than one day! i'm already thinking of the french 75 that my bartender made to perfection.
i have disappointed myself yet again for leaving another review bereft of derision and haughty side remarks. however, this hotel stay was great.Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Apr 26, 2024Previous reviewthis review is for the restaurant (and bar) at this hotel. the reason i only gave it three stars is because of the restaurant manager.
i went two days in a row - stellar service from my waitress and waiter. they were wonderful. food was amazing, well presented, cooked to order. i also had two lovely glasses of wine, but drank them before looking obnoxious and taking numerous pictures of my food and surroundings.
on both visits, there was a manager walking from table to table, visiting people, refilling drinks, bringing them take away containers, generally checking on their welfare. did she come to my table even once? no. was it because i drank two glasses of wine in the time it usually takes someone to load a dishwasher? ha ha, not really. more like the time it takes to dry a load of delicates. anyway, she walked by my table many times and ignored me. did i look mean? had i wandered into bad lighting? i will never know.
i actually have another visit booked, but kind of doubt i will go back to the restaurant, even though the food and wait staff are top notch.
bar was good. the bartender got busy, but he handled it well. there was this one lady who was crazy toasted. i thought she was going to fall off her bar stool. when she ordered another drink, the bartender put a glass of water next to her drink. good move. something to note - the restaurant stops serving food at 9:00, so if you are hungry at the bar, you will have to be content with eating ice cubes.
reading over this review, i see it lacks its usual sarcasm and self-depreciation. note to self: work on it. - L s.Des Moines, IA0541Mar 4, 2022
This hotel is a hit. Such a pleasure to stay here. Rooms modern and clean. Restaurant is upscale. Employees are warm and friendly.
If you can stay here ..do!Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 2Oh no 0 - Mar 9, 2019
I haven't been to their hotel upstairs but I am regular at their bar. My every week go to place for my happy hour. Jared, Josh and Gabe have been the great bartenders for me and my coworkers. Their happy hour is 2 for 1 from 4-6 from Monday through Friday. Their cocktails are one of the go to ones. If you would like to appreciate a great Manhattan a great Old fashion, you should definitely stop by. I am fan of theirs Heated Mule as well, a nice spicy flavor to a cocktail and guess what they use grey goose to make their Mules. Once tried their dessert some chocolate cake with housemade vanila ice cream from their food menu and guess what I flipped to a lightest and tastiest chocolate cake ever.
A tip - So if the bartender is Jared order margarita, if Gabe is bartending order Heated Mule and if Josh is working then go for Old Fashion. All of them great Manhattans.Helpful 3Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Jul 6, 2018
This hotel is unique on its own. The employees are students through their project START program. The project's aim is to help students overcome educational barriers that prevent them from achieving their career goals and, ultimately, becoming self sufficient. I got to get a sneak peek inside the students cafeteria and passed by their culinary arts kitchen. I can't believe how beautiful the weddings cakes they've made.
I've stayed in the hotel a couple of times before and every time they always deliver great service. The lobby is modern yet very welcoming with their fireplace lit, it makes you want to linger around with a glass of wine that's meticulously chosen for their guests.
The room is always clean and tidy though this time they forgot to tuck in my sheets like they always do. Pillows are a little too soft, but still better than the others. I love the fact that the showers are stand alone with just the right water pressure.
The employees including the front desk and the housekeepers are very polite and helpful. The hotel offers a trail where you can ride a bike or hike. It's surrounding green grounds is so relaxing.
If you're looking for a place to stay, don't second guess to try this hotel. Highly recommended from me.Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 1Oh no 0 - Jan 30, 2021
I just concluded a 4-night stay here in the midst of the Covid-19 public health emergency. I had to come into town to visit my elderly parents and needed a place to stay while I voluntarily self-isolated after my flight from California.
Having grown up nearby, I was aware of this hotel, which is associated with the community college of the same name and employs persons studying hospitality. It has a very good reputation, and even though it was more expensive than the other hotels in the area, it is still a bargain compared to the much more inferior yet pricier accommodations back home.
The experience here was very nice, all things considered. There were very few guests, certainly a consequence of Covid-19 plus the fact that it's wicked cold in Iowa in January and there's probably not many holiday travelers anyway.
After a smooth check-in, I went up to my room, which was a standard King. The room was spacious with a modern décor. The main lighting was soft and welcoming. There was a large metal bench in front of the TV which was perfect to lay out my suitcase. The desk was comfortable to work at, but I would have appreciated to have some outlets on top instead of having to crawl underneath to plug in my laptop. The chair and ottoman weren't quite to my liking, because the design makes you naturally recline, but it doesn't have a high back to rest your head on.
The bed was outstanding - just the right balance of firmness and softness. The pillows were fluffy and resilient, and the comforter was light and warm. The sheets had a luxurious feel. I slept very soundly during my stay. The hotel provided an extra comforter, but I didn't need to use it. The thermostat control was also excellent, and maintained a constant and uniform temperature throughout the room.
The bath facilities were also nice. There was no tub (which I prefer) and there was a large, glass-enclosed shower with a showerhead that offered a nice wide spray. The toiletries (e.g. shampoo and bath gel) came in paper containers instead of plastic, which I haven't seen before. I appreciate this commitment to reducing plastic waste. The towels were soft and fresh smelling. The lighting over the vanity could stand to be a little brighter. The location of the shower control is just a little awkward - it's across from the door, so you have to reach under the showerhead to turn it on, resulting in a quick shot of cold water if you're not quick to pull your arm back.
Because of coronavirus precautions, breakfast was of the grab-and-go variety with limited options, but I didn't have any issues with this at all and it was nice to be able to eat in the comfort of my room. Both the breakfast burrito and the English muffin sandwich were good. Fresh fruit and oatmeal and a few other choices were also available. I ordered room service for one of my dinners, and selected the pork ribeye with apple fritters and pineapple over potatoes. This fell a little short of expectations. The pork was just a little more done than I requested, but was still moist and tender. For a few bites I detected an odd bitterness that I couldn't quite place, but fortunately it didn't pervade throughout the meal. The pineapple added some freshness, but the dish could have used a little more. I ordered a side of vegetables that were a little overdone as well. Still, it was a satisfying dinner, just not spectacularly so.
I cannot praise the service enough. Everyone here was friendly and accommodating. On the first morning, I came down to breakfast just a few minutes after it was due to close, but the woman at the bar still filled my order completely. When I needed additional amenities for the room, they were promptly delivered. On my last night, I had a craving for dessert but the restaurant had closed nearly an hour earlier. I asked the guy at the bar whether it would be possible to get something, and a few minutes later he walked out with a delicious tiramisu cheesecake.
So, this was overall a wonderful experience at a beautiful hotel, and well worth the extra cost. I would certainly come back here again.Helpful 3Thanks 0Love this 3Oh no 0 - Michael M.Palm Springs, CA062Jun 13, 2019Updated review
This update is long overdue, but I'm back in Cedar Rapids for the first time since this stay, and made the mistake of staying at the Marriott this time. More on that in their own review.
Regarding the incident that occurred on my last trip, I really should not have held the hotel responsible for the bad experience in the restaurant / bar area. In addition, management immediately addressed the issue with me in a more than satisfactory and very impressive manner. Other than the incident in the restaurant / bar everything else at the hotel was fine, and after this stay at the Cedar Rapids Marriott, I'd say the hotel at Kirkwood Center is the Ritz-Carlton in comparison.Helpful 1Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0Apr 3, 2019Previous reviewI am staying at the hotel for a week on business. I was initially very impressed by the facility and service. After being taken out to dinner by coworkers last night, I was looking forward to checking out The Class Act restaurant for dinner.
I arrived back at the hotel at 6:30 p.m. and walked straight into the restaurant where a very nice gentleman expained to me that they had no seating for one person at the rurestaurant all evening because it was their special World culinary Tour event night. However, he stated that singles could be served the full menu at the bar and the three tables located directly outside of the bar. Two people were sitting at the bar and the three tables were empty. I sat down at one of the tables and proceeded to wait... and wait ... and wait ...
I never saw anyone behind the bar, and after over 30 minutes I walked back to the restaurant and asked if anyone was serving in that area. The gentleman went and checked and came back and said "he's behind the bar." When I asked if I needed to order at the bar, he said "no, I'll send him out." It was a big mistake to stay, but I was very hungry after a long day working.
The "service" was indifferent/aloof throughout. I started with the house salad, which was very good. However my knife was taken away before the short ribs were served and by the time the bartender returned to the bar (he never came back to the table) and I got a knife, they were cold and tough. To his credit, which resulted in a one star rating being increased to two, when the bartender returned with my check he finally asked how everything was (apparently not noticing that I only took one bite). I said "not good" to which he replied "I'll take care of that." He returned with the desert menu and offered me a complimentary dessert. I looked at the menu, and since they had my favorite, creme brulee, I ordered that. It was fine, but I really wish I had a car (there is NOTHING nearby) and had left and had an actual dinner. - Sean S.Westshore, Tampa, FL015May 18, 2023
I am in the auto industry and travel all around the United States typically I stay at ritz when I can and this hotel was chosen by my visiting dealer. I am so impressed with this hotel and its amazing staff. I was picked up by Huessain at the airport and he started right away with kindness and availability if I needed to get around cedar. I saw him a day later picking up trash outside that a guest must have just left and later cleaning the windows with zest. not something I am used to seeing. these job are done at other high end hotels but never with such pride. I can say coming from a large metro city I am addicted to cappuccino and cedar does not have a lot of options near the hotel. I was walking by your restaurant and found a server named kale Linder, I asked him to please make me a cup and he immediately recognized I was on my way to a meeting, he said I will make it and bring it to you! Such an asset
Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0 - Nov 20, 2019
Disclaimer: I have never stayed in the hotel, but have dined in the restaurant and attended functions in the meeting rooms. This review is simply covering those experiences.
I love the concept of hospitality students learning the trade in the real world. This experience will give them the street smarts you can never gather in a classroom and a textbook.
Each of my experiences at this facility have been stellar. The employees are always professional and attentive.
The accomodations in the public areas are always sparkling clean and state of the art.
One day I will find a reason to stay in the hotel itself, but until then, I highly recommend the restaurant, bar/lobby, and meeting rooms for functions.Helpful 0Thanks 0Love this 0Oh no 0
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