In this episode of the Travel Fun and Adventure Podcast, we compare two hotels that go after the same market, and the hotels are located only a few miles apart in adjacent cities.
First up is the Hampton Inn Cedar Falls Downtown, located adjacent to downtown Cedar Falls, Iowa, built-in 2018.
The Hampton Inn has some excellent public areas, the rooms themselves were clean (see below about overall cleanliness), rooms were up to date with lots of power outlets and USB plugs, the furniture fit with the type of hotel, both check-in and check-out were quick and easy, and some rooms have a nice view of the Cedar River.
In addition, the hotel is across the street from downtown Cedar Falls, which has many restaurants and shops.
While the rooms themselves were clean on further examination, the hotel itself had some issues with cleanliness. For example, while the windows in the room were clean except for the very top of the window, the windows in the hallway looked like they had not been clean since the building was completed, and it also looked like they had not been cleaned around the lights on the entrance canopy. If these have not been cleaned, it makes you wonder what else has not been cleaned well that the customer cannot see.
Finally, the prices at this hotel can be high, ranging from a low of $175 to an average of $200 a night.
The other hotel we reviewed today is the Holiday Inn Express, which was built in 2008 and is located in the City of Waterloo, Iowa.
This hotel had excellent staff, free parking, clean rooms, good maintenance, room furniture matched the type of hotel, and the hotel was overall clean.
The hotel is close to the Lost Island Water Park, rated as the 2nd best water park in the country, and is across the street from the recently opened Lost Island Theme Park.
The downside for this hotel is its walkability, which is horrible as there are no convenience stores or restaurants within easy walking distance, and the area currently has no sidewalks. However, they will be put in along with a multi-purpose trail as La Porte Road is rebuilt over the next few years, but it will still be a hike to restaurants and convenience stores.
Also, the value for the dollar may not be there, was there is a 2018-built Holiday Inn Express in Cedar Falls that often has lower prices than this hotel, although it is less convenient to attractions than the one in Waterloo.
Final Ratings: The Hampton Inn's final score was a B- while the Holiday Inn Express's final score was a C+.
Have you stayed at one of these hotels? Let us know what your ratings would be for these hotels.
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