Ramada Waterloo Hotel and Convention Center

I’m honestly between 2 and 3 stars here — this is one of those times that I wish there was a ½ star option. While this is not the WORST hotel I’ve ever stayed in, it was certainly nowhere near the best, either… but I sort of get the feeling that if you’re in Waterloo, it might be your best option.
The room was clean, albeit really dated and in need of a remodel. It was also not the quietest, as we could hear people upstairs, in the hallway, and what sounded like kids running the halls at all hours. The bathroom sink drained slowly, and the toilet seemed to struggle at times, including when it woke me up at 2ish in the morning, and was running for some reason. The walkway to the parking garage was indeed a bit creepy, as it went through a largely unused convention area, but we only used it in daylight, so it was fine.
All issues aside, we had a mini-​fridge, the bed was perfectly comfortable, check in/​out was quick and easy, parking was free, and there was a bar/​restaurant on site. There were also plenty of decent food and drink options within easy walking distance. As we were spending the majority of our time in Waterloo attending a nearby music festival, we really didn’t need much from our hotel except for a clean place to sleep, indoor plumbing, and a place nearby to get a drink if we wanted one, and the Ramada ticked all of those boxes for us.
I probably wouldn’t be back unless a similar situation arose, but like I said, I get the feeling that this might be the best option for a room in the downtown Waterloo area, and I don’t think all of the Unilocal hate for this place is totally warranted.

I have done a lot of traveling in my life and my stay at this hotel Saturday is the worst I have ever experienced. Everything started on a bad note when I walked in the hall from the parking garage (past the strip club less than a block away) to the hotel after checking in and noticed a foul smell. I looked down to see at least 20 different pieces of dog poop. It appears that it had been there for a while too. I should have run far away at that point but I figured they possibly just had a disrespectful guest and would have it cleaned up soon.
When arriving in our room we noticed that the window was broken. That’s right, broken glass with a sharp jagged edge. It was still stuck in the frame but any pressure and it would have fallen out to the street. We were on the 7^th floor and I was staying along with 2 kids so obviously asked for a switch to a different room. The hotel accommodated and we thought our troubles were over. We were wrong.
After returning from dinner for the night we got changed and went to go have a swim in the pool. We found out the elevator to the pool area was out of order so they had to show us a back route to get there. This back route involved taking kids in swimming suits through a full bar of intoxicated individuals that led to the pool area. Surprisingly the pool was just fine.
Following our swim we went back to the hotel room to go to sleep. Well to try and sleep. The air conditioner was broken and made loud screeching noises all night long. It was late and my son had a basketball game the next day so we tried to deal with it but I didn’t get any sleep.
The next morning we had planned to go down and have breakfast at the hotel restaurant and head out for the game. We checked the in room information to make sure we knew the hours. The packet stated the restaurant was open on Sunday from 7am until 1pm for breakfast and lunch. We arrived in the restaurant at 10am and were told they were closing. When I inquired at the front desk why the in room information stated it was open until 1pm the very rude woman said «Oh its never been open until 1pm». I asked if she wanted to see the booklet where is said was open until 1pm and she just said «we already have a copy». Since we needed food and I was unfamiliar with the city I asked them for a suggestion of where to eat. It was now only 30 minutes until check out so I asked if we could have a late check out in order to go get some food and then come back and get all of our belongings. I explained we wouldn’t have needed the extra time if the restaurant was open as stated. The still rude woman at the desk flat out said NO. When I was upset she said I had no reason to be upset. As I have stated there were MANY reasons for me to be upset.
In walking back to the car to finally leave this terrible place I found that the dog feces had been picked up but the carpet was just left covered in the remaining fecal matter.
As I said this was the worst hotel experience I have ever had. I would avoid this hotel at all costs. There were plenty others in the area that other members of the basketball team used that were not only cleaner and friendlier, they were also cheaper. Some one should shut this place down and start over.

This is one of the worst hotels I have ever stayed in. The hotel is run down. There were kids running up and down the hall like a bunch of wild animals. I called front desk they didn’t seem to care. The food was sooook bad here and there is a strip club touching the hotel. I would never stay here again unless work pays for it. Actually I would rather sleep in my car!!!

Most of the Ramada chains i been staying in lately had been going down hill, old, smelly, dated room, worst than what i used to remember. Update plzzz

Staff not professional looking unless you like noise rings and bold earrings on guys.
One elevator did not work, there are only two so if on 9^th floor you have to wait.
Probably computers full of junk, slow.
Noisy halls.
Tat all said, has to be better than the old looking Quality Inn next door.

Perfectly good hotel. Clean rooms, EXTREMELY friendly and accommodating staff. Very reasonable price. Excellent location only about 4 – 6 blocks from at least 4 great restaurants and a bunch more average ones. Lots of cheap local’s bars nearby too. TONS of free/​validated parking via skywalk at convention center next door. Seemed perfectly safe, but I’d be a little concerned if a girl I cared about was walking through that abandoned garage and empty skywalks alone.

Zero stars. Place is HORRIBLE. Dirty and smells. Restaurant is a joke. Really tried to like it for the price but the clientele from the strip joint next door didn’t help sell the atmosphere.

Stayed here due to its walking distance to hockey arena. Big mistake. Old, dilapidated. Rooms outdated, might have last box tvs in America, prob 20″ to boot. Did have nice pool area, but hot tub was broken. Kicker was no continental breakfast and the coffee maker in room didnt even work. Ridiculous. Stay on the outskirts of town, save some money, and have a better stay!

Its a Ramada so you aren’t getting HGI or Sheraton quality, but they went above their rep and gave me reason for four stars due to their amazing service.
Was here for four days for a work meeting and had a quality room, a quaint conference room, slow elevators, a great location in smack dab downtown Waterloo and impeccable service (Thanks Lisa!)
Its Waterloo, Iowa not Chicago so when in Rome don’t expect a 5 star hotel. If ever back in town again I would gladly stay here again.
They have a really weird pool too. Who has carpeted areas in between the pool and spa? Oh they do…
Thumbs up

I’m just gonna go ahead and say that the Ramada Inn lost money on us when we were there. Not that I’m complaining about getting a good deal, I’m just sayin’.
We had to go suddenly to Waterloo for a funeral. After a big pain of a travel day and 6 hours of fog-​driving, we made it there at 5:45 the morning of the funeral. Turned out they didn’t charge us for that night.
They gave us 10% off coupons for the Red River Bistro (how funny is that? I’m sure no one else but the Texans knows where that is), in the hotel. As a joke (sort of?) we stuck 5 of the coupons in with the bill for breakfast, since 5 of us were eating. I think we figured the waitress must have taken 50% off our final bill. She said «that’s what the computer said». We gave her a 90% tip.
Each local call is charged. My aunt made many that weekend. She was charged for one because, well, that’s what the computer said.
As for the hotel, it was a hotel. It sufficed. Hot showers and warm oatmeal for breakfast. The diner was better for breakfast than dinner. It was in a good location for what we needed.
Not that I’d want to go back, but if you need to, it’s worth the stay.