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Cheaper
Average
Higher
About
4.5
#4 of 14 hotels in Cedar Falls
Location
4.8
Rooms
4.6
Value
4.4
Cleanliness
4.7
Service
4.6
Sleep Quality
4.6
The Black Hawk Hotel is a 167 year old independent boutique hotel located in the heart of downtown Cedar Falls, steps away from the city's best dining, shopping, and entertainment. We are also located next to the picturesque Cedar River and its 100+ miles of walking and bike trails, and just a 5 minute drive from the UNI Campus. The Black Hawk Hotel is listed on the National Trust of Historic Places, and is the oldest continuously operated hotel west of the Mississippi River (and second oldest in the country!). As of June 2019, The Black Hawk Hotel is now home to Bar Winslow, a Prohibition-inspired craft cocktail bar, and Farm Shed, a farm-to-table brunch cafe, where guests receive a complimentary breakfast with their stay. The historic building offers 28 guest suites outfitted with antique furnishings, while the adjacent Retro Motel offers 15 king rooms with midcentury furnishings and original art. Both facilities are outfitted with the modern conveniences demanded by today's sophisticated travelers at an affordable price point. Our Concierge Services are available around-the-clock for connecting you with the best of Cedar Falls (reservations, tickets, bike tours, etc.), or coordinating tasks to make your stay more enjoyable (dry cleaning, printing services, etc.).
Star ratings are intended to indicate the general level of features, amenities, and services to expect. This property is classified according to Giata.
HOTEL STYLE
Quiet
Trendy
Location
115 Main St, Cedar Falls, IA 50613-2621
The Black Hawk Hotel
271 reviews
Getting there
Good for walkers
Places to stay are graded on a 0-100 scale. The higher the grade, the easier it is for travelers to find restaurants and things to do within walking distance.
We enjoy staying staying in unique, sometimes historic accommodations when we travel. The Black Hawk Hotel on Main Street in Cedar Falls is certainly historic and also provides some lovely unique features. These features would include the inviting hotel lobby, the classic hotel bar and the fabulous restaurant. These fantastic hotel highlights were unavailable due to the Covid restrictions so I can only say that they looked very inviting from the outside. We were able to explore the downtown Main Street with many interesting shops and restaurants. We even found a classic Maid Rite Restaurant in the downtown area that provided a great lunch. In the afternoon we enjoyed biking some of the Cedar River trail system. That evening we thoroughly enjoyed a roof top dinner at the Montage Restaurant. This was our first visit to Cedar Falls and we were very impressed and satisfied with our experience.
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Date of stay: August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Audrey Kittrell, Guest Services / Front Office at The Black Hawk Hotel
Responded Aug 19, 2020
Thank you for your kind review, Steve! You hit some of our favorite stops downtown Cedar Falls during your stay -- glad you enjoyed it! Hope you'll come back soon when more establishments reopen. We'd love to host you again at The Black Hawk Hotel!
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My husband and I happened upon this gem on a recent trip around the country. The lobby was beautifully and historically appointed. The front desk staff as well as all the staff we encountered were kind, thoughtful and treated us as family. The room we stayed in was up to date yet historical as well. The bathroom was historically accurate but with modern fixtures . The room was clean, relaxing and comfortable. Our breakfast (included) at the Farm Shed was one of the most delicious/freshest we have ever eaten. Can't wait to travel again and visit this lovely establishment.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Value
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TheBlackHawkHotel, General Manager at The Black Hawk Hotel
Responded Jun 3, 2020
Dear 516vickies, Thank you for taking the time to review your stay with us. I am very pleased to hear that our staff made your stay pleasant, and that you enjoyed our property. I hope your next stay is just around the corner! Let us know if we can ever make your stay more enjoyable. Take care, Maryann Hinman General Manager Black Hawk Hotel
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This was such a pleasant and lovely stay! The amenities were good and the location was perfect. Our room was beyond our expectations and included a Jacuzzi tub. The hotel staff go out of their way to ensure you are happy and well taken care of. Warm scones are served every morning as part of the free continental breakfast. I would highly recommend this hotel to anyone coming to Cedar Falls. I plan to stay here again!
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Date of stay: February 2021
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:Our room overlooked the busy main street.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Audrey Kittrell, Guest Services / Front Office at The Black Hawk Hotel
Responded Mar 2, 2021
We're so glad you enjoyed your stay! We look forward to you and your family visiting again soon!
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I am going to preface this review by saying that my husband is a top quality woodworker. This inevitably impacts any review of a historic building. We were excited to stay here because it is such an old and historic hotel. However much of the woodworking in the lobby was disappointing. The room was just a bit weird because it was furnished with cheap modern cabinets and didn’t follow the theme of old and historic. On the bright side, it was very clean and the staff was helpful and friendly. The main reason I would stay here again is the location. It is right on the main strip within walking distance of many restaurants and shops and bike trails.
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Date of stay: August 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We went to Cedar Falls thinking we might stay here. Dragged main and noticed a brand new Hampton Inn overlooking the Cedar River. We stay at Hamptons a lot and know we are getting newer furnishings, good mattress and bedding. We went in an nosed around the lobby and were intrigued. We thought what the heck we can do one night in an old hotel regardless of the age of the bedding etc. It was a Wednesday night and we did not have reservations. The manager waited on us and feared they did not have a clean room. She was finally able to check with staff and find us the one room that was left. We went up to the room knowing we were going to get a small room with old bedding. We opened the door and were amazed. They had apparently taken two and a half old rooms and turned our room into a king suite with bedroom, sitting room and large bath with the best water pressure in the shower than I have ever experienced. And of course you are right down town, so we walked to a bar, had a few drinks and then walked to the Mexican place downtown with outdoor seating and returned to our cool and comfortable room. This place is four hours away and i am planning our next trip just to stay here again and experience one of their rooms overlooking Main.
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Date of stay: July 2021
Rooms
Cleanliness
Service
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Audrey Kittrell, Guest Services / Front Office at The Black Hawk Hotel
Responded Aug 5, 2021
Dennis, this really was such a pleasant review to read. We respect that some people prefer Hampton Inn's because they know exactly what to expect regardless of location and there's comfort in that. The perk of being so close to such a well known hotel company is that anyone that wants to try something new or simply experience a bit of history can come through our doors and not miss out on any of the downtown experiences. Our little hotel only has 28 rooms, but each one has a different view, decor, bed frame, bathroom features, etc; so finding the perfect room for a guest is such a reward to us. We look forward to your next visit! Be sure to give us a call when you book so we can get you a Main Street view and a double jacuzzi tub (it's a local favorite)!
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We were looking for a place to stay one night while passing through. Thrilled to find an historic hotel right on an adorable main street with easy access to restaurants (takeout only for us on this trip). Unfortunately this gem is a bit rough.
The lobby is darling, if not jaw dropping. There were clear instructions on the reception desk with the number to call to check in. While waiting for the man to come to the desk, I noticed three older gentleman mucking it up in the lobby not wearing masks, despite signs saying masks were required. One of them approached me at the desk saying he worked there, offering to help. I informed him someone was on his way and I’d appreciate him stepping back since he was not wearing a mask. The man who checked me in was courteous and friendly most importantly, he was masked.
The room, though. What a disappointment! In a nearly empty hotel, we were given room 109. Right off main hall. Near elevators and access to back door where you come and go from parking lot. It was extremely dated. Empty hooks and holes on the wall where things used to hang. Bed positioned w your head RIGHT next to the door. Dated builders grade cabinets w a sink and mini fridge (I guess that’s what makes it a suite?). The bathroom sink was comically low, like I’m talking just above the knee.
It was a strange, sad, dowdy room. If I’d booked a cheap roadside motel, this is what I would expect. Not a boutique historic hotel in a cute downtown area. Very disappointed.
And checking out ... the woman at the desk was not wearing a mask.
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Date of stay: December 2020Trip type: Traveled as a couple
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Audrey Kittrell, Guest Services / Front Office at The Black Hawk Hotel
Responded Dec 28, 2020
Hello LaChatNoir, We appreciate your feedback, but are so sad it was out of disappointment! We want everyone to love our small hotel as much as we do so it’s heartbreaking to hear about experiences like this. The pandemic has affected our employee numbers similar to many of the local businesses, but that’s no excuse for not better enforcing the mask requirement while safe social distancing isn’t possible. Each of our historic 28 rooms are unique with different furnishings, bedding, bathrooms, and views; making it overwhelming to post photos of each. We’d love to have you back to experience one of our much larger, more popular rooms that overlook the adorable Main Street you enjoyed. Please email us so we can go over how best to fix this experience! booking@theblackhawkhotel.com -Management
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I stayed here every other week from June to September for two nights every other week while finalizing the move off our family farm nearby. I went to UNI a long time ago, and lived in Cedar Falls after graduation for a few years working my first job. The only other time I had been in the Blackhawk Hotel lobby was while waiting on a Greyhound bus to take me to Army Basic Training in 1978, and the lobby is just as beautiful as I remembered it!
The staff is polite and helpful to a fault, and the attached Bar Winslow is a great little spot to enjoy top shelf pours of whatever you enjoy. The indoor bar has an intimate feeling, and outside seating is an option in season. Fresh, homemade scones made by one of the staff and fruit are a good way to start the morning, and the urns of coffee are sourced from a coffee joint down the street instead of your basic joe from the back room coffee pot. Cups and lids make it easy to take back to your room. There's also a hot water pot to make fresh tea, which my wife enjoyed.
My rooms were always clean and comfortable, with plenty of space to organize my gear. Due to the old school construction, I noticed how very quiet the place was, both from inside and outside goings on. A/C was amazingly quiet, and kept my rooms perfect for sleeping. The provided boutique soaps, shampoo, and conditioner are a nice touch in the bath.
The great thing about the hotel's location is that once you park in their private lot, you really don't need to walk farther than right out the front door to have almost anything you want for food, beverages, and entertainment. As a matter of fact, immediately across the street is a chocolatier, a very good bistro, a good Mexican restaurant, and Single Speed Brewing. Dive bars, another brewery, a cupcake shop, tea room, fine dining, and a health spa are within another block's walk, along with cool little shops. Don't miss to Hurts Donuts a block away to get one of a kind creations.
This is a great place to relax and enjoy a couple of days at your own pace. The staff will treat you like family, guaranteed!
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Date of stay: June 2020
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:The spa suite is our favorite, worth the little extra. 2nd and 3rd floor rooms with a street view...
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from Audrey Kittrell, Guest Services / Front Office at The Black Hawk Hotel
Responded Jan 13, 2021
Thank-you so much for the wonderful feedback! You've described our cozy downtown Cedar Falls to a T and we hope you come back and visit soon! Even if it's just to stop by the front desk and say hello.
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It is a beautifully restored hotel and the room was very comfortable. Be sure to stay in the historic section of the hotel. If you stay on the weekend, one drink in the hotel bar is free. Two minor issues: there was no soap by the sink, only a container on the wall in the shower. Also, the coffee at breakfast was very weak so we got coffee across the street. The scones are very good.
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Date of stay: October 2022
Value
Location
Service
Room Tip:We stayed on the third floor in the historic section of the hotel and would recommend it.
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
This was our 3 rd stay & will be our last stay. We were supposed to be in a king suite ($159). Contactless check in sucked. No one anywhere-didn’t see anyone our entire stay.
We were assigned a regular room with a queen mattress on a king frame. The in house bar was closed, as was the restaurant. A sit down breakfast used to be included. Don’t know if this was still offered as no one was around to ask.
No coffee or tea in the lobby at 6 AM. We always stay here because of the convenient location to downtown but there is a Hampton Inn next door. We will be going there next visit. Very very disappointing.
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Date of stay: December 2021Trip type: Traveled with family
Room Tip:Go to the Hampton Inn next door!
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow! I stayed their 20 years ago before the renovation when it was just old and run down. I was shocked at the beautiful restoration and comfort of this awesome hotel! Front desk staff seemed to genuinely care about our stay. Liz especially was extremely helpful and witty. Place is retro cool beyond belief. That whole area of Cedar Falls is very trendy and artsy.. (not that I am) lol. Liz told us that Pres Clinton had stayed there and Erin Brockovich had just left.. as a matter of fact her name was the last entry in the guest book when we got there. Restaurant adjacent is ok at best...but I cant say enough good about the Black Hawk. We already have our next tripped planned to stay there in May. One of the few Hotels where I slept well, enjoyed my room and the library in the hall and absolutely did not want to leave.
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Date of stay: March 2020
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Trip type: Traveled on business
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Response from TheBlackHawkHotel, General Manager at The Black Hawk Hotel
Responded Mar 14, 2020
Dear Explore769312, Hello, and thank you for taking the time to give us a great review. We are happy that you were pleased with our renovations, your room, and had a good nights sleep! Thank you for your comments about our staff as well. We look forward to your next stay in May; please let us know if we can make your stay even more enjoyable. Thank you again for your continued support. Take care, Maryann Hinman General Manager Black Hawk Hotel
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There are more places to choose from in the Cedar Falls area.
PRICE RANGE
$125 - $199 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United StatesIowaCedar Falls
NUMBER OF ROOMS
43
Prices are the average nightly price provided by our partners and may not include all taxes and fees. Taxes and fees that are shown are estimates only. Please see our partners for more details.
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