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HOTEL STYLE
Classic
Centrally Located
Location
107 E 2nd St, Ottumwa, IA 52501-2996
Hotel Ottumwa
78 reviews
Getting there
Car recommended
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.
The first thing I noticed when we entered our room was the impeccably made bed. Someone had taken the time to secure the sheets and blanket with crisply formed and folded corners. When I laid down between the sheets, it was evident that the bottom sheet was not going to be in wrinkles or folds when I woke up the next morning. When we came down for breakfast, I complimented the owner and inquired if the quality of workmanship on our bed was typical throughout the hotel, and was told that indeed, it was. She and the person in charge of room preparation had worked together to create a warm, inviting bed that would appear professionally made, but required minimum hassle for the cleaning staff. I was impressed. After initially viewing the bed, I expected the same high quality of cleanliness in the rest of the room and in the bathroom, and was not disappointed. I promised a review, which I have finally submitted. We stayed in this hotel in November 2017. Somewhere else on this page I was required to choose a date when we stayed, and I picked November 2021 because 2017 was not available. If ever we find ourselves in the Ottumwa, IA area again, we will absolutely be staying in Hotel Ottumwa. We heard no traffic. We heard no footsteps in the hallway outside our door, and the hotel was nearly full when we checked in. I highly recommend that if you are in this part of Iowa, you make your reservation and prepare for a really great night's sleep!
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Date of stay: November 2021
Location
Service
Sleep Quality
Room Tip:Whatever room is given to you will be immaculate and professionally prepared for your stay.
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.
In the heart of historic downtown this historic hotel could use some modernization but it's completely comfortable. Small bathroom but everything worked. Fridge, microwave and coffee pot - even a ceiling fan that I enjoyed. There are two places to eat in the building and breakfast is included with the room from one of them.
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Date of stay: August 2021
Value
Rooms
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.
If you enjoy exploring history by experiencing time and space fist-hand, Hotel Ottumwa is definitely not a location to miss. The hospitality is genuine & the accommodations are truly neat. Be sure to save some time for breakfast.
Official review provided by Mad Cock Media, LLC madcockmedia.com
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Date of stay: December 2020
Location
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.
The staff was very friendly. The hotel/room was so-so. Very old and needed a lot of work. The first room we assigned had a broken ceiling fan blade and the sink drain, as well as the bathtub, was stopped up. They did give us a different room but the overall hotel was average. It is located downtown and nothing worth while within walking distance.
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Date of stay: June 2023
Value
Location
Service
Trip 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.
This was an awesome experience! We loved the entranceway, it was like stepping back in time! But when you got to the rooms, they were certainly up to date! They were large and clean with many amenities. The staff was wonderful in every contact. The only reason I did 4/5 instead of perfect was the lack of ADA accommodations with stairs and such. That would not easily be fixed, I know. But something that would be easy and inexpensive would be a safety rail in the bathtubs. I am not yet to ADA need, but will be in a few years… and I would LOVE to visit again!
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Date of stay: April 2024
Value
Rooms
Location
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
Trip type: Traveled with family
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.
Hotel Ottumwa gets a star for the cool vintage vibe on the exterior and another for nice people that work there. However, the interior was pretty dreary with shabby furnishings and grungy appearance. The very dim interior lighting in the lobby, hallways, and rooms were both a blessing and a curse. While the full extent of the wear and tear and general neglect is hidden in the dimness, it makes one wonder what else is lurking in the shadows...
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Date of stay: November 2022Trip 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.
The hotel was built in 1917, so yes it has that old historic feeling, and the outlets aren't in the most convenient location. But the room was enormous, and the whirlpool was actually as advertised....a huge (easily 2 people with room to spare) tub in the room with a giant flatscreen that swivels so you can relax in bubbles and watch a show. There is a nice local cafe adjoining the hotel and they provide full fresh cooked breakfast (not just a counter of cold eggs and bagels like most places), plus room service! It's so hard to find room service in smaller towns, so I was ecstatic. I travel for work 3-5 times per month, and this is definitely going to be my new home away from home.
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Date of stay: September 2014
Value
Rooms
Location
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.
The hotel Ottumwa seems to equate “historic” with no updates or maintenance.
My wife and I enjoy historic hotels - such as the Stanley in Estes Park, CO, the historic Park Inn in Mason City, IA or the Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah,IA….but the hotel Ottumwa is a different experience.
First impressions: a deteriorating lobby, false ceilings to hide any interesting original ceiling designs and a struggling old elevator. Those might have been okay…but the room sent us packing almost immediately. We entered a cold, pitch black room with sunlight only peaking through holes worn in the shades. After finally locating the lightswitch - which is far past the door, in the dark - we were able to see the dated, junk furniture and stains all over the very old carpet. The room was cold, damp and smelled like mold. It was a 20 degree day and no heat was on in the room - I guess we were expected to wait for the provided space heater to warm us up? The whole 6th floor had the atmosphere of an old dilapidated drug house. We quickly decided to check out and find an opening at another hotel. I wouldn’t have slept at the hotel Ottumwa even if they were paying me. At least the front desk staff was friendly and helpful.
Unless you’re a prospective buyer who plans to start renovations, I’d recommend you find another hotel for your stay.
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Date of stay: December 2022Trip 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.
This is a historic hotel in the downtown area. We found our room to be large, clean and comfortable. The room was very quite considering being downtown. The cooked to order breakfast (served during covid) was very good.
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Date of stay: November 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 were given a room on the sixth floor. It was dated and the furniture was all banged up. When we opened the door it had to be 90 degrees in the room. The person at the s=desk when we checked in did not know about a government rate and was chatting on the phone and made us wait. I went down to get our breakfast the next morning and the attendant in the dining room said my ticket only entitled me to one breakfast and made me go to the front desk and make them prove there was two of us! WTH! Then at check out it was another big fiasco because I wanted to pay cash! OMG! they made me sit in the lobby for 20 minutes while someone went to make sure two older government employees didn't trash their room. All I can say is wow! Finally a man who didn't introduce himself came out to talk to me but never offered to discount the room or anything. Bad stay!
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Date of stay: August 2019
Cleanliness
Service
Sleep Quality
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.
There is is free overnight parking on either side of the building for Hotel Ottumwa guests. We also have a city ramp across the street. It is 2 hour parking during the week, but is free and unlimited overnight and through the weekends.
There are more places to choose from in the Ottumwa area.
PRICE RANGE
$79 - $95 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)
LOCATION
United StatesIowaOttumwa
NUMBER OF ROOMS
50
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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