Review: Country Inn & Suites Coralville, Iowa

Coralville appears recovered from the devastation of the floods of 2008. There are few remnants of the damage that hit the Iowa City area, though I'm sure it's not so easy for the residents of this college town to forget. A lot of rebuilding took place on existing structures and accommodations. Among the ones that are in top shape now is the Country Inn & Suites in Coralville, a town which borders Iowa City.

This hotel is in a great location for shopping and restaurants. It is also only ten minutes from the University of Iowa. The desk staff greets you the minute the door opens and the hospitality continues with a "lending library" in the lobby so you will always have something to read while you are at Coralville's Country Inn & Suites. There is also an evening reception during the week, but that is seasonal and isn't always offered.

Amenities at this hotel include a heated indoor pool, a business center and a small fitness area, with treadmills and an elliptical machine. The rooms are fairly large. The standard rooms (which I had) do not have refrigerators or microwaves, but I am told they will be adding them in soon. The Country Inn & Suites in Coralville, Iowa, also has suites with separate living areas and whirlpool suites. There is free internet in all the rooms which is wired and very fast. The hotel hopes to go to a wireless system in the near future.

Breakfast is advertised as continental, but I would call it a pretty complete meal. There were fresh biscuits and gravy, warm cinnamon rolls, hard -boiled eggs, waffles and bagels. For additional meals, there is also a Culver's Restaurant right next door that includes a varied enough menu to keep anyone in the family full (look outside for the marquee advertising their specials and frozen custard flavor of the day).

My only problems during my stay were with housekeeping. The room -- which was a smoking one, the only type available during my stay -- was very musty and I didn't feel it was cleaned very well before or after my stay. The general manager at the hotel addressed my concerns as soon as she heard them, and assured me that housekeeping would be more thorough, especially in smoking rooms.

The Country Inn & Suites is reasonably priced at about 10% less than Coralville's Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn and Marriott. I would say it's a great deal for the money, considering the free internet and breakfast - and the warm chocolate chip cookies waiting in the lobby are an added bonus!