My husband and I decided on a Saturday morning to drive a few hours out of town to visit The Amana Colonies. After we decided to take the short drive to Iowa City and Coralville, IA. Then we thought we would stay the night just for the fun of it. We quickly found an eye catching Best Western Motel. The outside has a castle theme with gargoyles, and a moat with fish. The lady who checked us in was very helpful, friendly and accommodating. She gave us many options and we chose the non smoking room with a king in a loft.

We were continually surprised at all of the decor and nice touches the motel offered. Our room was a nice size with the bathroom, hide-a-bed couch, tv, fridge and microwave downstairs and the king bed with another t.v. upstairs.

The room was incredibly clean and nicely updated without taking away from the castle charm.

We decided to go into the pool which was also quite awesome. It was indoors with a glowing pool and two spas. A pool table sat outside of the pool gate. The pool was recently updated and is well maintained with the perfect temperature. The two spas could use some updating as the finish is peeling, but this did not stop us from enjoying a relaxing dip.

After changing out of our swim suits we went back to the pool area where a staircase led down to the resteraunt and bar. We had already had dinner so we decided to have a couple of beers and a slice of very tasty turtle cheesecake. The resteraunt was also very cool with a running water wheel in the public entrance, clean updated bathrooms and dinner booths with private swinging doors.

All in all this place was absolutely awesome. I can imagine it books up quickly during the college football season which we luckily missed.

It's a great place for families, a romantic weekend, or in our case a one night adventure.

I stayed there one night and for what I paid it was not a good value.

Dislikes:
- Internet connection was very slow - staff said rain storm caused that but I didn't buy it.
- It's an old hotel and decor was also somewhat dated and very dark.
-The bath was divided into a small room with tub and toilet next to the bed and vanity/sink right when you come in the front door - not a very efficient design.
-Toilet wasn't completely clean and would run spontaneously every 5 minutes
- Old tube style TV
- No fridg
- Light in tub area was on a timer and kept turning off at inopportune moments.
- Tub faucet handle was loose and difficult to operate.
- Room was next to pool and I one spent much time there, the noise would be an issue.
- Room was fairly small.

Likes:
- The bed had a nice ornate headboard and convenient light switch mounted on it.
- Close to I-80
- Breakfast was fine.
- A/C worked well

The next night after I left, I stayed in Des Moines at a similar chain hotel in a newer property and paid $30 per night less and the room was much nicer with frig, microwave, flat screen HDTV, more comfortable king bed and nicer decor/furnishings.

I have stayed in a Best Western in Florida a year ago and similarly the accomodations were not that great and the price did not reflect that.

Yes is a castle and yes is has part of the hotel that are dated, but price was great for a nice clean room and breakfast.

Yes, this place is a wee bit dated, but it's fun! The castle motif is wacky and out of place in the middle of Iowa, but that was what made us want to stay there. They're pet friendly, convenient and the room was super comfy. Cheerful front desk people made us feel welcome and the House of Lords restaurant was completely willing to offer vegetarian choice that aren't on the menu.