Best Western Prairie Inn & Conference Center

The location is tucked away, which made it pleasant, and I didn’t feel unsafe. The grounds and buildings have a cute vintage look, though the landscaping is a little sad. I considered walking to Hy-Vee for supper, but there weren’t any sidewalks. The staff were welcoming and accommodating, the rooms comfortable and well maintained, and breakfast was hot and plentiful. I highly recommend it as an affordable option.

There’s a beautiful courtyard outside, well kept, and a large indoor pool. The hotel also has wonderful conference areas, and you can open the room windows for fresh air. It sits on a large open area, so the air feels fresh and inviting. The place has kept much of its original mid-to-late seventies ambience, which was beautifully crafted. Words can’t describe how much care the current owners put into the property. It feels high-end yet simple. I’d love to come back this summer and share it with my grandkids.

My room was a decent size, but the smell was probably the worst I’ve ever encountered. I thought briefly about asking to move, but it was late, and I could hear other guests nearby, so I wasn’t sure it was worth the bother. When I tried to sleep, I could taste the bad smell. I’m worried it got into my clothes and belongings. Property management should mark entrances more clearly and tear out the old, nasty carpet or whatever is causing the odor. The staff were kind and helpful, and you could see they were trying to keep the common areas looking nice and the atmosphere relaxing. Breakfast was decent, nothing special, but better than just packaged sweets. I didn’t have time to check out the large pool or fitness room, so I can’t comment on those. Finding the Best Western check-in was confusing. Coming in from the main road, there was a sign for extended stay, but none directing you to check in at Best Western. The building is spread out, so an out-of-towner could easily get lost. Gambling machines were the first thing I saw inside, which made me wonder if I was at the right entrance or even the right place. I’ve never seen video gambling machines in a hotel lobby. If they have to be there, they should be in a bar or separate room. My only assumption was that staff wanted to monitor patrons and make sure they were 21 or older. It wasn’t a classy first impression. It felt like a Super 8 for accommodations, though with a better breakfast. There were lots of cool relics around the building. It looks like it was probably a really cool place 50 to 70 years ago, but was never updated over time.

The quiet location is a bit off the usual road, which was nice, though it made the hotel layout confusing. We had trouble finding the elevator, and more hallway signs would have helped. The front desk clerk read both room numbers aloud, which didn’t feel like a safe practice since one room was for a woman traveling alone. The lamps also had bright white bulbs, and warmer light would have felt more comforting. The room was clean, comfortable, and quiet; we didn’t hear other guests. It had USB-A chargers, a fridge, and a microwave. The AC offered dry, cool, heat, and fan modes, which we appreciated, and the shower pressure was incredibly good. The price was amazing for what we got, about 50% less than the nearest three-star hotel, despite being a ten-minute longer drive from the main town area. Breakfast was very good. A staff member or owner was there refilling things and cleaning up, and an old boombox played music in the spacious room, which used to be a pub or restaurant. I saw Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Raisin Bran, Rice Krispies, whipped cream, 2% and whole milk, a waffle maker with mix, syrup and three toppings including chocolate chips, juices, mango-flavored water, water, coffee and tea. There were also scrambled eggs, potato wedges, sausage patties, yogurt that was really good, sliced bread, muffins, and danishes. The beautiful courtyard looks into the large indoor pool. It was 99% great, with a few very minor hiccups, and I’d still give it 10/10.