Rooms:
I’m not going to lie, the structure that the Howard Johnson Cedar Rapids is based in is OLD. The rooms are small, the walls are cold concrete, the carpet is quite worn, and the air is a little stale. However, this aged “shell” serves as home to Howard Johnson-grade amenities. Bed is good quality; clean and comfortable. Everything functions as it should; television and lights in good repair. Bathroom, although cramped, is clean and functioning. Room itself was overall clean and in good order.

Hotel Service:
Service was of good standard. Was issued an uncontested refund for my second night’s stay due to pressure from the girlfriend. I was pleasantly surprised with the breakfast which had quite a selection for a continental; cereals, bagels, boiled eggs, muffins, yogurt.

Conclusion:
The Howard Johnson Cedar Rapid’s principal issue is the age. Overall, it offers chain-quality amenities in a roadside motel quality building. The hotel serves fine for single night road stops or business purpose accommodation. Not recommended for extended-stay family vacations or romantic getaways. Not the kind of place you’d “like to spend the day in”.

For all the negative reviews, this is a pay for what you get hotel. If you want 5 star stay somewhere else. This is a good hotel for the 50.00 we paid for it. Rooms were clean, with free wifi, and a free breakfast. Only negative thing about it was the strong smoke smell in the hallways. Would recommend again for none trying to save a few bucks.

It is very average. Clean. Free wireless internet. The free continental breakfast was cereal, bagles, english muffins, muffins, apples and doughnuts. No toast or waffles. Very limited selection. But, we got the room really cheap on Hotwire! $29!

I don't understand all the negative reviews. Checked in last night around 10:30pm with Angie, who was pleasant and helpful. My family travels the country for a living - staying in 50+ hotels every year. This HoJo is exactly the type of hotel we prefer - inexpensive, but with plenty of perks.

Our room (2 beds) is clean and spacious! The AC works extremely well. The bathroom is also clean. Would have preferred that our room have a micro/fridge, but that's never a deal-breaker. There is a microwave in the breakfast area.

Standard continental breakfast, nothing fancy, but it's decent fare. Since I see the manager reads these reviews - perhaps some yogurt or muffins at breakfast in the future? :)

The free WiFi is plenty fast - it looks as though you can pay an additional fee through the login page to double the speed, but I did not opt for this.

Hotel features a fitness room, Pepsi products, a fantastic TV lineup, and is a great bang for your buck. It is a shame that the hotel industry as a whole took such a hit from the bedbug epidemic, and that fine hotels such as this one suffered the ire of upset customers.