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1921
Hotel Grinnell
Grinnell, Iowa
925 Park Street, Grinnell, Iowa 50112
Original Property Opened in 1921
Historic Hotels of America member since 2023
art
presidential
Erected in 1921, this unique building served as the Grinnell city’s junior high school until the late 1970s. Designed by a prominent Des Moines-based architectural firm named “Proudfoot, Bird & Rawson,” they oversaw its design as a beautiful Neoclassical architecture. The gorgeous structure stands three stories tall and as a school featured everything from state-of-the-art classrooms to a full-fledged gymnasium. Now it has been repurposed into an independently owned hotel, eatery, bar, and event center. At Hotel Grinnell, guests can return to their school days and this time not get in trouble for sleeping in class! The old classrooms now serve as guestrooms, the former locker rooms have been transformed into a bar, and the old scoreboard now decorates the lounge. Find out how Hotel Grinnell merges old-school tradition with new-school attitude.
Discover
- Celebrate in the one-of-a-kind ballroom, a spectacular but intimate auditorium, with original school features such as basketball markings on the hardwood floors. The 5,000 square foot space can hold up to 400 guests, making it ideal for a large event.
- Slumber (or party) in the over-the-top penthouse. This decadent guestroom offers a canopy bed, dining table for up to eight and exquisite lighting and living area. The oversized bath features a double vanity, shower for two and heated tub for two!
- Marvel at the thoughtful transformation the Hotel Grinnell made, from a junior high school to a boutique hotel. Observe the former locker rooms that have been transformed into a bar and the old scoreboard that now decorates the lounge.
- Stay where the president has stayed! President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris both stayed at Hotel Grinnell, as did all the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates in the run up to the primary.
Explore
- Explore the ‘crown jewel’ of downtown Grinnell, the Jewel Box Bank. Designed by famous architect Louis Sullivan, the building attracts visitors daily. This preserved bank now stands as a time capsule of art and architecture of Grinnell in the 20th century.
- Visit the Grinnell College Museum of Art. The Museum displays a world-class art collection that offers immersive and educational experiences for curious people of all ages.
- Wander the green at the Grinnell College Golf Course. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon of golf on this 9-hole course set among rolling hills. The facility also features a cozy patio, pub, pool, and banquet room.
Experience
- Lounge in the curated public spaces and view the unique art pieces. The patio features giant fire pits and seating for 100. Listen to live music on the hotel patio Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, May through September.
- Dig for dinosaurs at Devonian Fossil Gorge, an archaeological site with fossils and limestone bedrock that dates back almost 200 million years before the dinosaurs. The site reveals the ancient remains of an ocean floor that predates human history and is a popular attraction for visitors to the area.
- Pay respects to the founder of the town and abolitionist, J.B. Grinnell. Located in Hazelwood Cemetary, the burial site of the city’s founder, J.B. Grinnell, has been designated as part of the National Park Service’s National Underground Network to Freedom. His home is also preserved as a museum. The network connects historical sites, museums, and interpretive programs associated with the Underground Railroad. J.B. Grinnell was active in the fight against slavery.
- Be a little childish at the Periodic Table lounge. The bar has a giant scrabble, two Skee-Ball games and a shuffleboard table and bags games on the patio. The school gym's first and only scoreboard now hangs in the bar.
Taste
- Imbibe with the in-crowd at the Periodic Table lounge. The beverage menu features signature cocktails, a solid wine list and a full selection of Iowa craft beers.
- Engorge the senses with flatbread Stonefire pizzas made in-house. Choose from Bianca roma, Kansas City BBQ, margherita, or classic pepperoni to pair with a local beer.
- Slurp down a “shake of the day!” Kids and kids-at-heart can all celebrate the delicious delight of a vanilla, chocolate, or daily flavor of milkshake at the Periodic Table bar.
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