I love seeing old spaces transformed into something new. In Iowa City, The Highlander Hotel is the perfect example of a classic space turned into a modern gem. Originally opened in the 1960s as a supper club, this vintage hotel was recently renovated to fully embrace a glamorous retro aesthetic.

Here are 21 regional travel ideas to inspire you to plan for 2021. If you need a deadline for motivation, Jan. 26 is the U.S. Travel Association’s annual National Plan for Vacation Day.

When our family travels it is all about the attractions, local eats, craft brews, parks, and of course, lodging. We love to experience unique and new things. When planning a fun Spring Break trip to Iowa City, Iowa I came across a fun, retro-inspired hotel that I knew would check all the boxes for the kids and the parents, The Highlander Hotel.

Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart — especially during a global pandemic. But hotelier Angela Harrington relied on her tenacity and experience from a previous failure to make it through the tumult.

A road trip to Iowa offers a great opportunity to explore the Midwestern US. I reached The Highlander Hotel, on a hilltop near Interstate 80 in Iowa City, in the late afternoon. Large peace signs decorated indoor walls as Janis Joplin sang through the sound system. A bright-hued hand-painted ceiling overlooked the horseshoe-shaped bar. I knew I was in for a retro hotel experience.

I was a little nervous during my first meeting as a member of Iowa City’s Historic Preservation Commission a few years ago. After we voted to adjourn, I breathed a sigh of relief — I hadn’t made a motion at the wrong time and didn’t seem to screw anything up.

Say WHAT?! Hawkeye Football is {finally} headed back to Iowa City and for fans who need a place to hang their head, there’s nowhere cooler than The Highlander Hotel.

One of the silver linings of the pandemic is that inclusive U.S. destinations that may not have had our attention before...have it now! We've uncovered many "off-the-beaten-path" places that are not only inclusive and welcoming but also quickly becoming the darlings of savvy LGBTQ+ travelers like you!

We are all about staycations, especially in the winter because you never know what the weather is going to do here in the Midwest!! Thankfully, Iowa is full of great staycation destinations including the Highlander Hotel in Iowa City. And with it’s modern funky vibe, it’s extra special!

Summer may be coming to a close, but there's good news that comes with school being back in session: College campuses everywhere are springing back to life in full force. The Midwest is home to several of the best, with world-class museums, acclaimed restaurants, and notable festivals, boasting their own unique draws.

The Highlander Hotel in Iowa City, Iowa is a great family friendly hotel with options for all ages. Chic meets shag in this bohemian themed hotel with an indoor pool and lounges. This urban resort is the place to stay in Iowa City or Coralville, Iowa!

Do you want to feel like you left Iowa and landed in chic 1970’s Hollywood? Stroll through the stunning lobby at The Highlander Hotel in Iowa City, spin a vintage vinyl record, and you’ll be hooked.

Travel Writer Michael Mackie recently checked out the revamped Highlander Hotel in Iowa City.

One of the chicest staying spots in Iowa, The Highlander Hotel is a funky boutique hotel that taps into your funkadelic side. The Highlander Hotel is located in Iowa City, just 10 minutes from the heart of Downtown Iowa City and directly off of I-80.