Today, notably one of the tidiest cities in the state, Pella is a haven for travelers with its various tourist attractions, recreational activities, a wide range of accommodation choices in luxury hotels, bed & breakfast inns, and highly affordable home-stays.
Also known as the Garden City, Pella is most famous for the annual spring Tulip Festival that takes place every year around the month of May, and is attended by close to 200,000 people, who gather not only to witness the magnificent sight of the Dutch parades, but to celebrate the beauty of blossomed Tulips.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Pella, IA?
If getting away from the hustle and bustle of the city life after a tiring work week to relax in the lap of nature while fishing is your plan, anytime throughout the year would do. However, if it's a proper family vacation that you have in mind, then from the middle of April to the end of June, and the start of August to the end of October is when this exquisite city has ideal weather conditions, and the best of campsites operational around Lake Red Rock.
Most campgrounds are open from April to October, but the most prominent ones such as the Elk Rock State Park and Howell Station are open year-round and so are other recreational activities such as biking, hiking, and boating. Another thing that draws nature enthusiast to Pella is bird watching. If immigrating birds are what you are specifically interested in, May to October would be the ideal time to visit the Gladys Black Eagle Refuge and other bird watching areas around Lake Red Rock such as Wallashuck, Ivan's and North Overlook Campground.
Since the town is growing in popularity with tourists who like 'off the beaten path' destinations, it is advisable to plan your trip in March or July as each passing year the hotels in Pella are getting busier than the last year. It is not only pocket-friendly to plan your trip in advance and book hotels of your choice early, but also saves you from the last-minute hassles and leftover choices that more than often spoil the flavor of your otherwise wonderful holiday experience.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Pella, IA:
Pella by Star Rating
Below we've posted 3 graphs demonstrating mean rate patterns by star rating class in Pella, IA. You can use these charts to evaluate the most cost effective dates to make a reservation in Pella for any future trips.
What Are the Top Budget Hotels in Pella, IA?
4 Star Average Prices: $210.67
If pocket friendliness is on top of your mind while searching for a Hotel in Pella, Super8 by Wyndham is one of the best options. Be it the location, AAA discounts, or the bunch of amenities they offer, Super 8 by Wyndham would be a fantastic choice. The free parking with electrical outlets available here is a plus if you are driving an electric vehicle.
If you are looking for a budget hotel for group bookings in Pella, another hotel by Wyndham, the Americinn, would be an ideal choice. Closer to the Pella Central College, this budget hotel offers the best rates for group bookings and amenities such as barbeque, make your own breakfast options, early check-in and check-out options, free parking, and internet and an onsite hot tub for you to relax after a long day.
What Are the Top Hotels in Pella, IA?
3 Star Average Prices: $105.11
If you are looking for top hotels to stay in Pella, there may not be many choices, however, it does not mean you will not receive the level of service usually expected in big cities and more popular tourist spots.
Large rooms, easy access, superb service and the best of amenities make the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson one of the top hotel choices in Pella. An indoor pool, spa and sauna, unlimited Wi-Fi access across the premises, and complemintary buffet breakfast is sure to add some leisure to your vacation. Flat-screen TVs, hair dryers, and ironing board with iron are also made available in every room. Lake Red Rock is at a ten-minute drive from here and it takes only five minutes to get to the Vermeer Mill and downtown Pella.
If you want to enjoy the lush green setting of a Golf Course, Holiday Inn Express, situated on the Bos Landen Golf Club is another one of the top hotels in Pella. Only about two and a half miles away from the Lake Red Rock, Holiday Inn offers top-notch amenities including a fitness center, a 24-hour business center, free onsite self-parking area, and complimentary internet access. The Holiday Inn Express also has adjoining rooms that can be availed by informing the concierge in advance.
2 Star Average Prices: $110.54
Where to Find the Best Discounts in Pella, IA?
As the saying goes "Money saved is money earned" — a time-proven strategy followed by many cultures across the planet. If you are looking to save on your accommodation bill while you stay in Pella, Baymont by Wyndham offers some of the best discounts. This wonderful property with Indoor fitness facility, swimming pool and of course free breakfast and Wi-Fi, is located just a mile away from the downtown Pella, offers 10% off to AARP members and 15% to active as well as retired military professionals.
You can also get a minimum of a 15% discount if you book and pay in advance at least a week before your check-in date. If you are a member of Auto Club, you can save a minimum of 10% over and above the best rate. For government officials, corporate travelers and senior citizens, there are special rates and savings available.
What Are the Best Value Options Available in Pella, IA?
There are quite a few best value options available to you as a tourist in and around Pella. First in the list has to be Econo Lodge Inn & Suites, which is located a little farther, about 20 miles from Pella, but offers excellent, spacious rooms with free breakfast, Wi-Fi, and laundry service.
Every room at the pet-friendly Econo Lodge Inn & Suites comes with a coffee maker, iron board and iron, hair dryer, and a flat-screen TV. You also get free gift cards with the Choice Privileges Rewards Program.
Americas Best Value Inn, which is about 16 miles from the town of Pella, is also a very good value option with affordable rates and delicious continental breakfast. All rooms here come with quite a bunch of amenities including microwave and refrigerator, free local phone calls, free cable TV, round the clock high-speed internet connectivity, and free parking for cars and RVs.
What Are the Prominent Places to Visit in Pella, IA?
If there was a list of heritage places to visit, The Pella Historical Village would surely make it to the top five. A must-visit simply to enjoy the visual appeal it has, many people who have visited have mused that they were able to see the step by step evolution of the city through the 22 period buildings and the famous Vermeer Mill, which is the tallest operational grain Windmill in the country. Take the self-guided tour of the Historical Village and don't forget to check out the miniature village room, especially if you are with children — you will cherish the happy memories you create for years to come.
The Klokkenspel and the Molengracht Plaza should be the next two places to visit on your list, and a tour of these will be well worth the time as you would surely feel as if you were transported to the Netherlands itself and you will see why Pella is called America's Dutch Treasure. Mechanical figurines dressed in Dutch attire and 147 bell chimes going off together to make Klokkenspel an unforgettable experience, and a stroll around the waterway in the Molengracht Plaza will leave you refreshed.
If you are visiting Pella during the Tulip festival, you have to take the city tour on the open-air wagon. This tour takes only 45 minutes, and will take you through the Tulip gardens and all the historical landmarks of this Dutch cultured city.
Out of the many picturesque parks that Pella has — it surely has a lot of them — Sunken Gardens is definitely worth a mention for its sheer landscaping beauty, tulip beds, nineteenth-century benches, a decorative windmill and a sunken shoe shaped pond.
To those who are avid outdoorsmen and women, the city of Pella has a lot to offer. Pella hosts a bunch of activities throughout the year within the city as well as around the lake and offers hundreds of beautiful campsites, gardens, biking, and hiking trails, fishing, boating, bird watching, and seasonal hunting as well.
Whether you are a biking enthusiast or an outdoor camper by heart, crazy about fishing, or a die-hard chocolate lover, Pella definitely has a lot more to offer than just recreational fun, breath-taking greenery, tulips, and Dutch chocolates. Even if you visit Pella just for recreational fun, don't forget to dive into the historical legacy that the city carries from over 150 years, and the cultural warmth that you will inevitably feel when walking through the city and interacting with the locals.
FAQs about hotels in Pella
How much does a cheap hotel in Pella cost per night?
In the last year, a 2 star hotel in Pella can be as cheap as $110.54 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a 3 star hotel in Pella cost per night?
In the last year, the average 3 star hotel in Pella has been $105.11 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
How much does a high-end hotel in Pella cost?
In the last year, the average 4 star hotel in Pella has been $210.67 per night. (based on HotelPlanner prices)
Recent traveler guest reviews of Pella, IA
Below are reviews of the city of Pella, IA from an actual visitor's perspective.
"Great Dutch bakery"
Score
5.0 / 5
Kevin L., from 24-Aug-2026
"Polite people everywhere"
Score
4.0 / 5
Gloria G., from 18-Jun-2026
"Downtown has many specialty shops"
Score
5.0 / 5
Downtown has many specialty shops and great places to eat.
Patricia B., from 15-Jun-2026
"We were there for a conference"
Score
4.0 / 5
We were there for a conference which was held at central college. We visited the area downtown Saturday afternoon and enjoyed Jaarsma bakery and seeing the windmills
Mary J., from 15-Jun-2026
"The community people were friendly and helpful"
Score
5.0 / 5
Robbie L., from 15-Jun-2026
"College"
Score
4.0 / 5
Oscar V., from 16-May-2026
"Tulip Time!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Tulip time!
Joseph C., from 25-Apr-2025
"The room was comfortable and clean. "
Score
5.0 / 5
Pella is charming and clean. Everyone is very friendly. The downtown area is very nice with lots of shopping options.
Mary M., from 19-Feb-2025
"Very friendly and well kept town."
Score
4.0 / 5
Very friendly and well kept town.
Pat C., from 18-Oct-2024
"Cute Shops"
Score
4.0 / 5
Some cute shops!
Lori V., from 13-Oct-2024
"Shops!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Shops!
Kathryne S., from 26-Sep-2024
"Love the city!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Love the city!
Robert D., from 24-Sep-2024
"Red Rock Lake area was awesome!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Quaint area. Red Rock Lake area was awesome!
Darla W., from 10-Jul-2024
"Great City"
Score
5.0 / 5
Great city
Kent L., from 15-Jun-2024
"Very nice suite. Comfortable, clean and roomy."
Score
4.0 / 5
Clean, neat, beautiful. Good choice of places to eat.
Lynda H., from 10-May-2024
"The hotel was clean and beds comfortable. "
Score
4.0 / 5
The hotel was clean and beds comfortable. A very lovely place. Central Park is a wonderful place for all to gather. A great historical village. Very well done.
Larry K., from 18-Apr-2024
"Dutch Village & A Beautiful Central Park"
Score
5.0 / 5
I visited Dutch village with lots of bakeries and a beautiful Central Park.
Nancy B., from 13-Mar-2024
"Picturesque Place!"
Score
4.0 / 5
Picturesque place and easy to get around.
Barbara B., from 10-Oct-2023
"We loved the planted flowers, the shops and the atmosphere."
Score
5.0 / 5
Pella is very impressive. We loved the planted flowers, the shops and the atmosphere.
Janet B., from 19-Sep-2022
"Loved the Shops on the Square!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Loved the square and so many little shops. People are so friendly they even paid for our breakfast!
Wendi H., from 18-Sep-2022
"Good restaurants and shops."
Score
5.0 / 5
Shops downtown and good restaurants.
Michael L., from 03-Aug-2022
"Pella is a great place to visit!"
Score
5.0 / 5
Pella is a great place to visit!
Donald P., from 25-Jul-2022
"Great Hotel!"
Score
4.0 / 5
People were really nice. We were well taken care of by police and emergency personal during tornado warning. Will never forget them. Very grateful.
Mary S., from 05-May-2018
The average traveler rating of the city of Pella, IA shown above is
4.4 out of 5 based on 23 reviews