Cedar Rapids' BEST Kept Secret: Hampton Inn & Suites North!
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill the beans on Cedar Rapids' "BEST Kept Secret": the Hampton Inn & Suites North. And trust me, after my recent experience (and I use that word loosely), you're going to want to read every messy, heartfelt, slightly chaotic word.
First off: The Essentials, Because Let's Be Real, We Need Those:
- Accessibility: Okay, HUGE plus here. They've got you covered. Wheelchair accessible? Absolutely. Elevators? Check. This ain't some creaky old manor – it's modern and accommodating.
- Internet (Dear God, the Internet!): Free Wi-Fi? In every room?! HALLELUJAH! Fast and reliable. (Okay, there was one 30-second blip where I lost connection, but hey, even perfection has its flaws, right?) Wi-Fi in public areas? Yep. Internet [LAN] and services? Got 'em. You can even get Wi-Fi for special events, which is handy if you're planning some ahem wild office Christmas party (don't judge).
- Cleanliness & Safety: This is where they really shine. Anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection, rooms sanitized between stays… I felt safer there than in my own apartment, which, let's be honest, is a biohazard. They've got hand sanitizer everywhere, and staff trained in safety protocol. Seriously, the staff seem genuinely concerned, which is comforting. I'm not the type to look for a doctor, but the mere knowledge of having a Doctor/nurse on call is important here.
The "Things to Do" & "Ways to Relax" (Because Life Isn't All Work, Folks):
- Fitness Center: It’s decent, not a palace. I had my usual mental battle. "Should I workout? Nope. I'll do it tomorrow."
- Swimming Pool [Indoor] (and a view!): The pool looks nice and it's indoor.
- Spa/Sauna: I didn't even touch this, BUT it's there.
- (No) "Spa": I didn't manage to get around to using the spa services.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking (Oh, the Food…):
- Breakfast [Buffet]: Standard Hampton Inn gloriousness. Breakfast takeaway service? Yes! You can pile your plate high with waffles and sausages and take it back to your room for ultimate comfort. Side note: I once witnessed a gentleman creating a waffle tower so high I feared structural collapse. It was impressive.
- Restaurants: There are restaurants nearby, but I didn't venture out.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: They have it. I drink black coffee and if I did not drink coffee, I'd pass on the beverages.
Services and Conveniences (Because Life is Easier When You're Pampered):
- Laundry service? Absolutely. Dry cleaning? Yep. Daily housekeeping? You betcha. I used the laundry service – no complaints.
- Cash withdrawal? Yes!
- Elevator? Yes!
- Food Delivery? You have this option.
- Luggage storage? Yes!
- Air Conditioning in public area: Yes!
For the Kids (Because Parents Need Breaks Too):
- Family/child friendly? Definitely.
- Babysitting service? I'm not a parent, but the option is there for you.
Getting Around (Because You Can't Stay Cooped Up Forever):
- Car park [free of charge]: Yes!
- Airport transfer: You can arrange one.
- Taxi service? Yep.
Available in All Rooms (The Good Stuff, the Essential Stuff):
- Air conditioning? Yes! (Thank goodness, especially in summer!)
- Internet access – wireless/Wi-Fi [free]? DOUBLE YES!
- Coffee/tea maker? Essential for me.
- Desk, Refrigerator, Hair dryer, Ironing facilities? You're well-equipped.
- Bathrobes, Slippers? Added luxury.
- Blackout curtains? Sleep like a baby.
Now, Let's Get Real Personal: My Hampton Inn & Suites North Story (The Messy Bits):
So, picture this: I arrived late, frazzled from a cross-country drive. My phone battery was on zero. I was craving a good night's sleep, a hot shower, and maybe, just maybe, a silent moment to myself. From the moment I walked I felt welcomed. The front desk guy, bless his cotton socks, was genuinely friendly. Check-in was a breeze. They got me a room overlooking… well, a parking lot, but honestly, after the day I'd had, I didn't care.
The room itself? Spotless. The bed? Heavenly. THAT bed. I melted. I sank into it and everything was perfect. (Except for the fact I had to get up at 6 am. Still though, I had a great sleep.) I almost never bother with these, but I did use the hotel coffee to get a caffeine fix since I was in a hurry.
The next morning, I hit the breakfast buffet – which, I have to say, was a thing of beauty. Waffles, bacon, eggs, fruit… it was a glorious carbohydrate-and-protein-fueled experience. It got me through the day, I tell you.
The Imperfections. Because Life Isn't Perfect:
- The View: Okay, not the most inspiring. But hey, I wasn't there to admire the architecture.
- The Coffee Shop: I didn't see one. Not a huge deal.
The Verdict?
Okay, it's not the Ritz-Carlton. But for a reliable, clean, comfortable, and friendly stay in Cedar Rapids, Hampton Inn & Suites North is a real winner. It's the kind of place that makes you feel like you can catch your breath, even if it's just for a night.
Now, for the BIG Offer: The "Escape Your Life (For a Weekend!)" Package:
Book now and get:
- 20% off any room at Hampton Inn & Suites North!
- FREE hot breakfast (because waffles are important).
- A late checkout (because you deserve to sleep in).
- AND a complimentary bottle of water (hydration is key, people!).
But wait, there's MORE! For the first 20 people who book this package, we're throwing in a FREE voucher for a massage at a nearby spa (because you DESERVE it).
Use code "CEDARHAMPTON" when booking. Don't wait – this offer is only valid for stays booked in the next month!
Why should you book? Because you deserve a break. Because after a long trip, sometimes, you need a clean bed, a hot shower, and someone to say, "Welcome." Hampton Inn & Suites North delivers on all counts. It's not just a hotel; it's a haven. And honestly? It's Cedar Rapids' best-kept secret. Until now.
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Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because this isn't your grandma's itinerary! We're talking a Cedar Rapids escapade, Hampton Inn & Suites style (Northside, baby!), complete with the highs, the lows, the questionable breakfast choices, and the existential dread of a business trip in the heartland. Prepare for a rollercoaster. Let's go.
Day 1: Arrival, Anxiety, and the Glorious, Glorious Pool
- 1:00 PM - Arrival at the Hampton Inn & Suites Cedar Rapids - North: Okay, I pulled into the parking lot, and instantly assessed the situation. Clean? Check. Reasonably attractive landscaping? Check. Number of minivans? A definite indicator of impending chaos. Double Check. Deep breaths. This is my life now.
- 1:15 PM - Check-In Shenanigans: I swear, hotel check-ins are a test of patience. "Do you have any suites?" (Worth a shot, right?) "No, and all the king beds are taken." Cue internal whimpering. Settled for a standard room, and the lady behind the counter gave me the vibe that I was inconveniencing her. Fine. I’ll take my key and pretend I don’t exist.
- 2:00 PM - The Room…and My First Mistake: Okay, the room is… fine. Beige, a slightly musty smell (I blame the Iowa humidity), and a view of the…parking lot. My first mistake? Not asking for a higher floor. My second? Looking at the tiny desk and realizing I have a pile of work to do. Ugh.
- 3:00 PM - The Pool! Oh. My. God. The Pool! Okay, I needed this. Desperately. The pool area was surprisingly decent. Clean, not overly crowded, and the chlorine didn’t smell like a hazmat zone. Slipping into that tepid water was pure, unadulterated bliss. I spent a solid hour just…floating. Thinking about absolutely nothing. Ah, the restorative power of lukewarm water. This might actually work out.
- 4:00 PM - Work… and existential dread: Back in the room. Laptop on the desk. The view of the parking lot seems to expand in my peripheral vision. Is this all there is? I power through a few emails, feel absolutely useless, and hate people a little bit. This is when I start to question all my life choices.
Day 2: Breakfast Blues, the Quest for Coffee, and the Iowa Nice Factor (Mostly!)
- 6:30 AM - The Great Breakfast Debacle: Behold, the Hampton Inn breakfast buffet! My inner food critic is screaming "Run away!" But…free food. Okay, toast, a sad-looking scrambled egg, and the questionable sausage. The coffee is… passable. There’s a waffle maker, though! This could be the turning point! I go for the waffle with far too much powdered sugar and then contemplate my life.
- 7:00 AM - The Caffeine Crisis: The coffee wasn't cutting it. I craved a REAL cup. (Starbucks is across the street. But that would require leaving the hotel. Decision time!). Do I leave the hotel and face the world of strangers, or be stuck with the hotel coffee? I did it! I grabbed my coat and stepped out for a perfect cup.
- 7:30 AM - Meetings with the Iowa Nice: Back to Business! Meetings, meetings, meetings. I actually had a good, productive day. The people of Cedar Rapids are, as advertised, remarkably pleasant. Polite, helpful, and didn't judge my questionable fashion choices. I even cracked a smile!
- 12:00 PM - The "Lunch": Lunch at the hotel, and it involved a lukewarm salad and a slightly stale sandwich. I just gobbled it down. Back to work with new energy.
- 5:00 PM - The Evening Ritual: Back in my room, I watch some TV. I call my family and pretend I'm having fun. I read my book. More work, more exhaustion.
Day 3: The Departure and the Unexpected Nostalgia
- 7:00 AM - Another Breakfast, Another Sigh: Okay, back at the breakfast buffet. Same drill, different day. The sausage still looks questionable. I start thinking about my own bed, my own couch, and the sweet, sweet freedom of…home.
- 8:00 AM - More Meetings, More Smiles: More meetings, surprisingly productive! The people I'm meeting are really great, and I start to see the appeal of this whole gig.
- 10:00 AM - Pack up and Leave: I pack my bags. I check out. The slightly musty smell of the room, the boring view of the parking lot… I actually feel a little…sad to leave. Really? Iowa? The Hampton Inn?
- 11:00 AM - Departure: I drove away from the Hampton Inn. I saw the building in my rearview mirror. The sun was shining. And I got out of there. And I was glad.
Final Thoughts:
This trip wasn't perfect. The room was meh, the breakfast a letdown, and the work was, well, work. But I got through it. I survived. And I even, dare I say, enjoyed parts of it. The pool saved my sanity. The people of Cedar Rapids were genuinely nice. And maybe, just maybe, I’ll look back on this trip someday with a slightly nostalgic smile. Or not. Who knows? All I know is, I'm heading home!
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Hampton Inn & Suites North: Cedar Rapids' "Best Kept Secret" - REALLY? Let's Get Messy.
Okay, so everyone's throwing around "best kept secret." Is the Hampton Inn & Suites North REALLY that good? Spill the tea!
Ugh, the "best kept secret" thing makes me side-eye *everything*. It's Cedar Rapids, people, not some uncharted territory. But, alright, alright… I'll be honest. I've stayed there a LOT. Like, enough to know the staff by name (and whether they actually like me or not. Pretty sure Sarah at the front desk is a fan). Is it *the* best in the entire world? Nope. But, for Cedar Rapids, for the price? It's… surprisingly decent.
The secret's not, like, buried in some underground lair. It’s just… consistent. And that, in the hotel world, is a freaking ACHIEVEMENT. I’ve had *disasters* in this town – hotels that promised "luxury" and delivered mold and questionable stains. Hampton North? Usually clean. Usually friendly. Usually has the breakfast I desperately need before tackling a trade show or, you know, dealing with relatives.
Look, if you're expecting the Ritz, you're in the wrong city. But if you want a solid, reliable place to crash, with a decent pool and free breakfast, then yeah. It's worth considering.
Let's talk breakfast. Is it actually edible? I'm a picky eater!
Oh, breakfast. The battleground of hotel stays. Okay, so here's the unvarnished truth. It's not Michelin-star worthy. But it's...fine. And sometimes, it’s even *good*. They rotate the hot items. Scrambled eggs are usually...eggs-ish. Sausage patties can vary wildly in quality - sometimes they're dry, sometimes they're heavenly, but they're usually edible. I’ve gotten a waffle or two that have approached near-perfection at the waffle maker... that’s a GOOD DAY.
The coffee? Well, it’s hotel coffee. You can taste the despair. But, they usually have a decent selection of juices, some fruit, and a cereal bar. And the BEST PART? They have those little individual yogurts that I can grab and smuggle back to my room when I’m in a bad mood. So, yeah, totally edible. And potentially mood-altering, in a good way. Don't expect a culinary revelation, but you won't starve. And the coffee is fine if you drown it in creamer.
What about the rooms themselves? Are they clean? I'm a total germaphobe.
This is where Hampton North generally shines. Cleanliness is… usually a win. I've stayed in a LOT of hotels, and I've seen things. Things I can't unsee. But, honestly, I will say that the vast majority of my stays have been sparkling clean. I ALWAYS check the bathroom, the corners, the bed – you know the drill.
Rooms, they are usually perfectly adequate. The beds are comfy enough. The lighting is... surprisingly decent. Some hotels, its like they want you to live in perpetual shadow. Yes, some rooms can feel a little dated décor-wise, but hey, they're FUNCTIONAL. And hey, if I spot something that looks amiss, like a stain on the carpet or something, they fix it IMMEDIATELY. Which is HUGE. I once saw a tiny spider in a corner (my nemesis!), and they moved me to a new room without a single question. My paranoia? Totally validated.
They also usually have decent air conditioning, which I appreciate. Cause nobody want to sweat it out in the middle of the night. Just cross your fingers you don't get the room right next to the ice machine. That can be loud.
Pool time! What's the indoor pool situation like? Is it crowded?
The pool… Okay, this is a bit of a mixed bag. It’s indoors, which is great (especially in Iowa winters – brrr!). It's usually clean, and there's a hot tub too. But… it *can* get crowded. Families with kids, couples doing the whole romantic staycation thing… it’s the center of social life.
My advice? Aim for off-peak hours. Early mornings are usually pretty quiet. Or, if you're feeling brave, and not, like, *terribly* self conscious, go during the late afternoon between 3 and 5pm. But watch out for the kids, and the screaming. It's a gamble.
I once attempted a relaxing dip and ended up playing Marco Polo with a gaggle of elementary schoolers. It was… loud. And wet. But hey, at least they were having fun. Sometimes, the pool's not my priority. Sometimes, it IS. And sometimes... I just watch from a distance.
What about the location? Is it convenient?
Alright, the location is… *decent*. It’s definitely "North". Near a bunch of chain restaurants, a Target, and a movie theater. Not exactly the heart of the city. If you're planning to explore downtown Cedar Rapids, or attend a convention at the DoubleTree (shudder), then it’s still close enough, but you’ll need a car or ride share.
However, because it's further away from the hustle and bustle, you may not have the same level of experience as downtown.
If you're happy with being near some fast food and a shopping center, then Hampton Inn & Suites North is certainly a good choice.
Okay, so, the staff. Are they friendly? Because sometimes, a friendly face makes all the difference.
This is a big YES. I have interacted with them many times. As I mentioned before, Sarah (I think her last name is Miller, or something) at the front desk is a gem. Always smiling, always helpful. I've even seen her handle some truly *awful* guests with grace and a smile. The breakfast staff are also generally warm and attentive.
This is HUGE. You're on the road, you're tired, you're possibly dealing with things that are less than ideal. A friendly face, a little extra help with a luggage cart... these things matter. It makes a difference. I've had some truly delightful interactions with the staff, and it definitely elevates the whole experience. It's also great knowing I always get a smile when I walk in.
The "worst" thing about Hampton Inn & Suites North? Gotta be something!
Oh, there are a few minor annoyances. I've mentioned the potential noise from the ice machine. And, like most hotels, the Wi-Fi can be a bit… spotty at times. Also, sometimes the elevator feels slow. But honestly? The worst thing? Parking. It can get TRASHY at times, particularly during events.Hospitality Trails
