Have stayed here twice now over an 18 month period and won't go back even though it is so near my family. First trip was Christmas 2003 and they were not busy. Stayed four days and arranged for another family (with 2 kids) for Christmas Eve. Rooms overlooking pool smell of chlorine. Pool was suddenly shut down Christmas Eve/Day much to the children's disappointment. Restaurant (Bennigans) was unavailable Christmas day. Housekeeping was terrible. No toiletries usually, sometimes no towels. Problems with shower that finally got repaired. Hotel itself is depressing with long low corridors. Do not get first floor room if you can help it. To get from lobby/restaurant to second floor, guests have to walk past all the first floor rooms to elevator. Can't imagine trying to sleep with all that traffic. OK. Glutton for punishment, figuring maybe they just had holiday staffing issues, went back this summer for 2 nights. (Also am Starwood and want the points.) Worse. The halls were teeming with screaming groups of children from sports camp and loud, drunken patrons (women no less) from some social event who were also staying there... it was pandemonium. The front desk took no responsibility for maintaining quiet. Our keys didn't work the 2nd day and front desk took an inordinate amount of time to fix it. And no washcloths again. They told us to come and get them at the desk. Arghhh. Won't be walking that long hallway back and forth to lobby ever again. Bennigans food service painfully slow... regardless of whether the place was busy or not.

We stayed in this hotel in January for night before we drove to Clear Lake and 1 night before we flew to Chicago, the staff were very friendly (even if they were completely stunned about seeing two English people in the middle of Iowa!) The food was amazing too.
The bedrooms could have done with a lick of paint but that is the only complaint that I would have made! Very comfortable and warm (a nice change from the freeeeeezing weather outside!)

Nice hotel with comfortable beds. Avoid the rooms overlooking the pool.
They smell like chlorine.

I am a meeting planner for my company. The professional sales staff introduced me to their Starwood Preferred Planner incentive program. This is the best I have ever seen. Not only will points be awarded to us for money spent for our catering and meeting functions, but also for money spent on the guestrooms and incidental charges. The rooms were exceptionally clean and spacious. The decor was warm and inviting. Bennigan's food and service were delightful as well.