Tru by Hilton Made Me Feel Old – Cedar Rapids Iowa Hotel Review

This was my first stay at a Tru by Hilton hotel and I just don’t know what to think of it except that it made me feel old. I don’t stay at the Hilton brand often, as I hold Ambassador status with Marriott, so I’m pretty loyal to them. But this particular hotel was right across the street from a restaurant where my sister I were eating and had a decent rate, so I booked the room here to avoid driving in more freezing rain.

Like I said, I don’t know how I feel about this Tru brand. I mean, the hotel was clean, had all the amenities I wanted, but I felt like this hotel brand is trying way too hard to encourage socialization and appeal to millennials. Trying so damn hard to be hip, it hurt. Anyway, let’s get into the Tru by Hilton Cedar Rapids Iowa review!

Tru by Hilton Cedar Rapids Iowa Location:

This Tru by Hilton is located next to the Westdale Mall, with lots of shopping and restaurants nearby. However, it’s not located off the Interstate, so it’s not a quick & easy on/off when you’re just staying here overnight on a road trip.

Lobby

When you arrive, you’re greeted by a lobby area that looks like it was designed by a middle schooler, with its splashy colors and gigantic graphics. You’ll immediately see the check in area as you walk through the door – it’s a 360 “rotunda” in the middle of the room (if you’ve ever stayed at an ALOFT hotel, it’s the same concept). This rotunda thing is stocked with snacks, soft drinks, candy and even had alcohol for sale. The staff was extremely nice and helpful and got us checked in right away.

Related: ALOFT by Marriott – Green Bay Wisconsin Review

There’s a lot going on in the lobby – almost too much – plus add in all those aggressive-but-corny graphics on the wall and floor, along with the bold paint colors, that it’s all a bit dizzying to take in all at once.

There is a lot of gathering space, a couple of small one-person “soundproof” cubbies for getting some work done, plus a game area stocked with board games and a big pool table. TVs are everywhere, plus you’ll find plenty of charging ports for your electronics.

It felt like all the effort into this hotel went into the lobby area. From what I understand, the whole concept behind a Tru by Hilton is to encourage guests to socialize with each other in the lobby. And I guess that’s fine if you specifically picked this hotel with a large group of people who need a nice meeting place before retreating to their rooms. Because the rooms (and I’ll get to those in a second) are quite small and don’t have any space for hanging out except for sitting on the bed).

Either way, the hotel lobby is built in a way to encourage guests to meet people, gather, hang out, socialize, kinda like you’re staying at a European hostel. Except this is Cedar Rapids Iowa, not Paris France. You’re simply not going to meet backpackers from around the world with stories to tell at this hotel.

Rooms:

Unfortunately, I didn’t snap a pic of our room so you’ll have to make do with the picture below, courtesy of Hilton.com.

The room felt like a really nice college dorm – that’s the best way I can describe it. Decor was bare bones, with a little pop of color on the coat hooks and on an accent wall. There is no carpeting in the room. The room was clean, but it didn’t feel welcoming – it felt very sterile. There is very little storage for clothing, so keep that in mind if you are thinking about staying here long term – all you’ll find are some hangers and three hooks on the wall. There is no microwave or coffee maker in the room. A microwave is provided in the lobby, as well as 24/7 coffee (again, encouraging you to go get dressed and go the dang lobby).

There also was no desk in the room, just a narrow table on the wall under the TV. I imagine that it’s to politely encourage (well, more like force) you to haul your ass to that goddamn lobby and start socializing with other guests.

I don’t know about you, but if I have to work at a hotel, 9 times out of 10, I need to do it in the privacy of my room. I’m in a lot of meetings and can’t have all that background noise of a group of teens playing Cards Against Humanity or a rowdy game of 8-ball pool when I’m on a call. Even if I’m sitting in their “soundproof” cubbies, I can’t imagine that would drown out all the noise. Plus, I don’t need strangers eyeing my laptop screen.

The room did have a refrigerator and a full-length mirror, which I always appreciate.

One more thing about the room – the “Do Not Disturb” door hangtag annoyed me. I’m going to sound like such a grump, but this blog is all about honesty and it honestly annoyed me. I don’t have a photo of it, but the corny text on the hangtag said, “YAWN! NOT JUST YET!”

Whhhhyyyy? See what I mean by trying to hard? This shit – the “quirky” and “youthful” phrasing on everything is all over the hotel, not just the hangtag. What’s wrong with “Do Not Disturb”? Why are we getting cutesy with it?

Anyway. Let’s move on to the bathroom.

The bathroom was fine and had everything you’d need and was surprisingly large. I did find the hotel-provided soap and shampoo a little odd. The brand of the personal care products they use is just…weird.

“Not Soap Radio.”

What the fuck does that even mean? I looked the manufacturer up online and I still don’t get it. I guess it’s supposed to be funny, but the jokes are lost on me. It’s not funny at all.

The shampoo, conditioner and body wash are mounted to the wall and you need to squeeze the bottle on both sides to get it out. The scent they chose to stock their hotels was: “Self-Confidence Boosting Shampoo and Conditioner.”

The fuck? “Shampooing with sharks (for that competitive edge in work and/or play).” I rolled my eyes so damn hard that this. I mean, really? This is too much. I am clearly too old to be staying here. I don’t need motivational phrases on my toiletries.

This soap is absolutely cringe-worthy.

But get this, I actually liked the product. I try a lot of high-end/salon quality hair products and this was really good. I actually want to purchase this product. But with that dumb name and all the upbeat phrases on the bottle? No. I just can’t have that in my home. It’s too awful. So for that reason, I’m out.

Fitness Center

I liked the fitness center – it was small but had exactly what I needed – treadmill and elliptical, with a small selection of weights. Everything in the fitness center was modern and in good working condition.

I didn’t use the pool area but it did look nice. There is no hot tub at this property.

Breakfast

The breakfast was decent – it was your standard free hotel breakfast with your hot/cold items. Nothing really stood out, except the silly little quips on the coffee cups, napkins, and on placards placed throughout the breakfast buffet itself. One sign read, “Protein! With a side of PERSONALITY!” to encourage you to make your own oatmeal or yogurt bowl with their toppings.

Jesus Christ almighty.

I don’t even know why all these gimmicky phrases annoyed me so much, but it did. It’s way too much. I don’t need all these….words…when I’m trying to enjoy my breakfast.

Or maybe I’m just to goddamn old for a Tru by Hilton.

Tru by Hilton Cedar Rapids Iowa – Final Thoughts

The Tru by Hilton in Cedar Rapids was fine for one night. This is definitely not a brand I’d seek out in the future, but if it’s all that’s available and the rate is decent, I’d stay again, even though the branding truly annoyed me.

Pros:

• Bed was very comfortable and I got a good night sleep
• Workout room was nice, with modern cardio equipment
• Entire hotel was clean, lobby was well-lit with plenty of seating
• Located near lots of shopping and restaurants
• Reasonable room rate

Cons

• Not located off the interstate
• Rooms felt sterile, like a dorm, and are quite small.
• I don’t need motivational toiletries.
• Branding of this hotel is too thirsty. You are bombarded with the ‘quirky’ phrases and obnoxious graphics everywhere you go.
• Way too much focus on ‘guest socialization.’ I’m on a fucking road trip. I’m staying one night. I don’t need to play 8-ball pool or find someone for a game of checkers and make new friends. I just want to futz around on my laptop, go to bed, eat breakfast and be on my way.
• I just didn’t like the concept of this place. It made me feel old.

Have you ever stayed at a Tru by Hilton? What did you think?