A Luxury Stay at Historic Hotel Julien Dubuque

Updated February 2025

You can sleep in luxury at the historic Hotel Julien in Dubuque, Iowa. I’m 99% convinced I slept in a room where Al Capone used to lay his head (or at least on the same floor)! Hotel Julien has ties to notorious people of the past, such as Al Capone and Abraham Lincoln. Even more impressive is that the hotel has been standing since 1843; it’s Dubuque’s oldest hotel. In 2009, it underwent a major renovation; it is a beautiful building and the city’s most luxurious overnight accommodations.

Thank you, Travel Dubuque and Hotel Julien, for hosting my stay. As always on Cornfields & High Heels, all opinions are my own.

Hotel Julien’s History

Since 1839, the corner where Hotel Julien stands has always held a hotel or inn, but in 1843, The Waples House was built, and in 1854, it was purchased and renamed the Julien House. Throughout the years, the hotel has seen a series of renovations and different ownerships. At one point, it was modernized, with an elevator and electric lights added. After a fire in 1915, the hotel was restored as Hotel Julien. In 1962, Louis Pfohl purchased the hotel and began a 5-year remodel. The hotel remained in the family, and generations later, the Pfohl family completed the latest remodel – a $30 million investment restoring the original 1915 Hotel Julien. This was completed in 2009.

Repurposed artifacts

Artifacts are restored and repurposed throughout the hotel, adding to its character. A mirror from the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City is in the lobby, and photographs from the Pfohl family and early Dubuque throughout the lobby and hotel. The original 1915 marble floors remain!

You might notice decorative grids on the walls that look like labyrinths, and there is a cool story behind this! Restored heating/cooling grids (like those found in old homes) have been used to create decorative grids that resemble the Potosa Spa (the hotel’s spa) logo throughout the hotel.

Make sure you check out the letterboxes located next to the elevator on each floor. These original letterboxes are still used today! Need to mail a letter? Just drop it in the letterbox!

The Rooms

Over the years, renovations were made to add additional rooms and increase room size to add suites to the hotel. There are 133 guest rooms at Hotel Julien, including luxury beds, free wifi, bathrooms, spa bath products, and free parking.

Four different types of suites are available; I stayed in the Premier King Suite. This suite includes a kitchen area, living room, separate bedroom with a King bed, and a bathroom with a walk-in shower. Our suite was located on the 8th floor and came with a view of downtown Dubuque and the bridges crossing the Mississippi River. It is said that Al Capone stayed on the 8th floor, where he could easily keep an eye on the bridges crossing over from Wisconsin and Illinois.

Al Capone Suite

If you are lucky, you can reserve the Al Capone Suite – only one of these suites is available! What makes it unique? It is on its very own floor! With an “old Hollywood glamour” theme, the Capone Suite also features a bank vault near the kitchen, two bedrooms, a grand living room, and a meeting space.

The Amenities

Potosa Spa – an on-site, full-service spa offering massages, facials, body treatments, and salon services
Fitness Center
Indoor pool and whirlpool
Carolina’s restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A coffee bar is available; you can order your drinks in advance using the coffee order forms outside the restaurant.

Riverboat Lounge – Live music is on Friday and Saturday nights, and there is an outdoor terrace with views of the Mississippi River.
Free newspapers daily (a classic amenity) are available at the front desk.
A gorgeous Ballroom is available for rentals on the second floor.

What’s Nearby

Check out my Best Spots to Visit In Dubuque article for more ideas!

I Scream U Scream – ice cream located just across the street!
Take a sunset dinner river cruise on the American Lady. This 2-hour cruise on the Mississippi River offers views of Dubuque at dusk and a catered dinner by Catfish Charlies (a popular Dubuque spot).
Go mural hunting. There are murals all over downtown, including several just outside the hotel’s door.
Visit the Travel Dubuque Welcome Center across the street! You’ll find lots of ideas for your visit here.
Visit the Field of Dreams movie site and the If You Build It Exhibit in Dyersville. It is only 30 minutes away and is highly recommended.
Drive south to the Maquoketa Caves State Park – it’s got more caves than any park in the US! It’s free to visit and offers breathtaking scenic views.