My mom is at Illahee Hills. She has been there for four days now. It's been really good. The people are really friendly and very helpful. It was easy to get services started for her, so it's been great so far. They have a variety of rooms, but she is in a studio. There's a couple of different sized studios, and then there's one-bedrooms and two-bedrooms. They have a library, some common areas have internet, and they have a workout room. They have an activity director and multiple activities throughout the week. They also have a beauty salon. The interaction with the staff has been very good. Everybody is really helpful and friendly. After visiting this one, we just felt very comfortable with it, so we decided to go with it.
8308 Colby Pkwy, Urbandale, IA 50322
Call
(800) 385-2527
Reviews of Illahee Hills
Independent Living Reviews for Illahee Hills
April 28, 2022
I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident
January 19, 2022
I visited this facility
I toured Illahee Hills, and the tour was awesome. Everything's included in the rent. They serve three meals a day and they have all kinds of activities. The three meals a day was my main concern because I've been fixing mom's food, and that's a big relief that she can get out of her apartment and go eat. That will make her get out and be active.
There are all kinds of activities, a lot of them, like bingo, crafts, and sing-alongs. They have movies and all kinds of things.
The staff was just great. They were very informative, and they were awesome.
I found out they don't have stoves in their apartment, but they have a stove downstairs if you want to cook. That's for the resident's safety, which I thought was a pretty cool deal.
Her room will be a studio with a balcony. It's a nice apartment and has plenty of storage. It has a walk-in shower and a seat in the shower.
August 17, 2021
I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident
My sister moved into Illahee Hills. It's a very, very friendly community. I just think it's a very friendly, supportive community. They have additional available care if needed. They have brand new management that is doing an excellent job, they're working on a few things, trying to improve, really awesome. The food is excellent. They usually have daily activities, all different types of stuff where they get together, they have bingo, bean bag baseball, and just silly stuff, but it's all fun.
June 21, 2021
I visited this facility
We've been to Illahee Hills, but we didn't like that at all. Its okay for some people, but it wasn't for her. They were really nice people, including the one that gave the tour. We want something that's very clean and well kept, but it wasn't. The woman who gave the tour was really friendly and she seemed nice, but when I saw how dirty the elevator was and the floors, I didn't care for it. We saw the tracks on the elevators and the floors. It wasn't just up to par.
The gal that runs the place was real nice. It's just that the upkeep is not good. The food didn't even look good to me. I said "gross, wouldn't wanna eat that." I don't think they have a very good chef because the meat looked burnt or something. The hash browns looked like they had been around for a day or two, and they were dry and burnt.
Provider Response
Hello, thank you for your review. We regret to hear that you were not completely satisfied with your experience when visiting our community. We recently had touch ups done and have regular cleanings. Our all-inclusive rent includes 3 chef-prepared meals daily, housekeeping, and more. Our menu does change daily and you are always welcome to come back and see if you can find something better on the menu to suit your taste. Thank you
March 06, 2021
I am/was a resident of this facility
My brother and I stayed in Illahee Hills together. Our experience was very good until COVID hit, and then we started getting meals in our rooms. The meals weren't really good quality after they'd been through all of that. It wasn't so much their fault. They didn't offer many services because they were independent living, but they did offer three meals a day. Once COVID hit, the food was awful. They tried to serve it up individually to each room, and you didn't get much of a choice. When we first moved in, before COVID hit real bad, they had a wonderful menu, and you could pick from a variety. But when COVID hit they just put food on a plate, and that's what you get. The staff members were all very nice to us. The apartment was clean; the place itself was clean and had a nice area to be able to walk around the whole thing. They were very friendly and it was a clean place. The layout was nice. They were offering someone to clean your room every two weeks. It started out once a week but once COVID hit it became two weeks, and sometimes they wouldn't come to clean your room at all until you asked, then someone would come around. Once COVID hit everything was helter-skelter in all of that.
December 22, 2020
I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident
I visited a relative in Illahee Hills. It was really nice. I saw the dining area, the rooms, just the amenities they have there and activities. They had a big library. They had like a party when Iowa state played. They were very helpful. They had very good food.
October 21, 2020
I visited this facility
Illahee Hills was very nice. It was a great tour, they have a lot of amenities, but it's quite expensive. The staff was very friendly and very nice. I thought the rooms were kind of small. You do have a little kitchenette, so that's pretty small.
November 01, 2019
I visited this facility
Our experience with Illahee Hills was very positive. We went to lunch, we toured two of the rooms available, and we saw the day room and the waiting room. It was very nice and very inviting. The food looked good. That was great. They had very nice facilities. We met with the activity director. The residents were busy and the staff members were very nice.
June 26, 2019
I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident
My father is in Illahee Hills. They're very good, the staff is great, and the place is great. We really like them. It's full service senior living. They provide three meals a day, housekeeping, and lots of things that the independent living doesn't always provide. You can hire private pay services like physical therapy and nursing. They have a TV room, an exercise room, and laundry. The staff is very friendly and very helpful. I ate there one time, and my dad always raves about the food. They have church and Bingo as well.
May 31, 2019
I visited this facility
Illahee Hills felt outdated. It was like car sales for senior living. The rooms were fine and very clean. The person who accommodated me was lovely in a car salesman sort of way. They're in it to make money and they have called me consistently. They have a high staff turnover, and they were very pushy. The dining area had big windows and it was bright. There were some people engaged in activities.
Provider Response
Hi Jessica, thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are sorry to hear that you felt that way about your interactions with our community. Our goal is to have happy residents and family members so your feedback is very important. We hope for the opportunity to see you again, our team would be happy to work with you. Thank you
January 17, 2019
I am a friend or relative of a current/past resident
Illahee Hills is beautiful. The staff is wonderful. The food is to die for. They have bingo, card games, puzzles, and different things going on in the TV room. My mom's apartment is nice.
June 20, 2018
I visited this facility
Illahee Hills was very welcoming and in a nice location, and the people were nice and very helpful. They had a nice calendar that outlined all their activities. They have a place where they do worship on Sundays.
December 26, 2017
I visited this facility
I visited Illahee Hills, and it's a very nice facility. The staff was friendly and accommodating. The location is good, right in the old downtown area in Urbandale. There are not many grounds, which was kind of nice. The rooms seemed to be very nicely organized.
July 17, 2017
I visited this facility
I visited Illahee Hills. The staff was very nice. Updating needed to be done. The one apartment that we went into had someone who just moved out, and they had the carpet stripped out. I did not see a place where everything was nice and fresh and ready to look at. They only had one place available. I understood that you could not make a resident leave the apartment just to show it. There was a smell that wasn't pleasant while walking through the place. They had two meals. The staff who showed us around was very pleasant. The dining room was very nice.
January 05, 2017
I visited this facility
Illahee Hills was an excellent place. They were very pleasant people. The rooms were very spacious. The meals were excellent, and they had very good selection. If you didn't want the main selection for the meal, there were other things that you could select. There were nice selections of salads and desserts. The activities were lots of Wii bowling, horseshoes, and crafts. They were getting ready to serve food down in the activities room when we were there, like a party. It was very nice. The grounds were beautiful.
November 22, 2016
I visited this facility
Illahee Hills was a very nice, very friendly, and excellent facility. The general cleanliness and friendliness stood out for me. They had activities and tours of places.
November 21, 2016
I visited this facility
Our visit with Illahee Hills was great. The people there were really nice and great. It was a great place too. We looked at all of the rooms. I thought the rooms were a little larger. The food was really good. It was a little fancier than the other place we visited.
September 30, 2016
I visited this facility
Illahee Hills was nice, but it gave more of an impression of an assisted living to where my mother is pretty independent, and I just don't think she needed that level of care. Money-wise, it was a little bit more money on a monthly basis, but it was nice and was definitely one that she considered.
September 02, 2016
I am/was a resident of this facility
I moved in to Illahee Hills, and I like it here. I chose it because it's close to my daughter. Also, it is cheery, light, and bright. The rooms and dining area are very nice. There are a lot of windows, and you get a lot of outdoor light. There's a lot of art on the walls and in the hallways. The dining area is very nice, cheery, and light. The food is good. They have a very wide variety of food. It's very nice.
June 10, 2016
I visited this facility
I went to Illahee Hills and thought it was excellent. The people working there were fantastic. People can be really nice when they’re trying to sell you something, but they seemed authentic and very knowledgeable. The gal that we worked with, and her husband who works there also, was very knowledgeable. They had a workout room and a beautiful, elegant dining area. The food was excellent and chef prepared. I noticed some activities, but my dad would probably do his own thing and socialize, depending on if he really hits it off with somebody. He’s not one of those people who’s looking for activities, but it did appear that there was quite a lot going on. They had a nice room for entertaining if you had somebody come to visit, and a private dining room that you could use whenever you want. If you stay in one of their facilities anywhere in the country, then you can travel and stay there for free and eat for free. I thought that was a good benefit if you like to travel, and he still likes to travel. It seemed affordable, not super expensive yet a very nice place with beautiful grounds. They seemed like they would adapt to your personal situation like if you wanted your food brought to your room, or if you need assistance of different kinds.
November 30, 2015
I am/was a resident of this facility
I like Illahee Hills a lot, but it is a little expensive. They had people that come in and change our beds and clean our apartments once a week. We have TV in our room, but we don’t have a Wi-Fi. We don’t have a kitchenette, just a little refrigerator, sink, a counter, and cupboards. We don’t have a stove. The staff are very nice, and it is a very clean community. They accommodate my strict diet requirements. If they are eating bread, I will just bring down my Gluten-free bread, and they will fix my sandwich up.
October 28, 2015
I am a friend or relative of a resident
My mom is in Illahee Hills. It is clean. The personnel are helpful. We like the meals. They are very good. We like the rooms. She had a one-bedroom unit that is very nice. The price is competitive. They have a bus that will take them to appointments. She likes bingo, the ice cream socials, and the entertainment. Sometimes they have people that come in to sing and do things like that. She likes more activities.
January 29, 2015
I am/was a resident of this facility
I am in Illahee Hills. I liked it, and everything is fine. I have a one-bedroom apartment, and it is very nice. I am doing therapy three times a week. They have ice cream socials twice a week. They have puzzles and live entertainment here. There is a zoo, and they will be bringing some live animals on Saturday.
They provide three meals a day, and the food is very good. It is in a nice location. It is very nice and very clean.
November 29, 2014
I visited this facility
I looked at Illahee Hills Urbandale, and the facility is very nice. The rooms are nice as well. They have three meals a day, activities, and transportation. The rooms are spacious, and I haven’t heard anything negative about this place.
July 18, 2014
I visited this facility
Illahee Hills was located in one of the better parts of the town. I placed a friend there in the aide and assistance from the VA.The building was excellent. It was a newer facility. They had a microwave and a refrigerator in the room, but most of the meals were served in the general dining room. Everybody ate in the central dining area. I had lunch there a couple of times and the food was good. The staff was very good, and my friend really liked the manager.
February 27, 2014
I visited this facility
I thought Illahee Hills was very good. The staff was good. They've invited us back two or three times. They have many activities. They had Jeopardy, pool, play cards.
November 21, 2013
I visited this facility
Illahee Hills was beautiful. My experience during my visit there was great. I enjoyed the tour. The facility was beautifully maintained. Their units were very nice and they seemed to be pretty adequate. The living rooms were big, the bedrooms could be a little better but they weren't too bad, and the bathrooms were decent. Overall, I say they're pretty nice. We tried their food and it was pretty decent. They did have activities for their residents. They have a beautiful library, a big screen TV and a screening room for sports and movies, lots of games in the recreation room. They also have puzzles, exercise, etc. They have everything. They also have transportation to doctors' appointments.
Questions about Illahee Hills
Describe the overall population of independent living residents at Illahee Hills. What is their average age? What are their favorite things to do?
Our residents range from 55 to early 100s and everything in between! Their favorite activities are as different as their personalities! By using our Holiday 365 app each resident is able to view the daily calendar and sign up for events that interest them. If they are unable to find something that peaks their interest on the calendar they can simply message a friend to join them for a game of cards or to enjoy a walk around the community.
What transportation services does Illahee Hills offer to independent living residents?
Our residents can take advantage of the complimentary transportation to help them get around town. The scheduled shuttle can take residents to stores, doctor appointments, dining, or group outings.
What makes the chef or dining program at Illahee Hills exceptional? What kind of menu can independent living residents expect?
Our community has an Executive Chef and Sous Chef who care about providing residents not only delicious but also nutritious meals, 3 times a day. Our menus are changed seasonally to ensure the freshest products and flavors and we offer over 150 different entrees with each season. Residents can select a la carte items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Entrees at each service include specials like our Holiday Fresh option or Resident’s Choice. All meals are served in our restaurant-style dining rooms with friends and neighbors, allowing everyone to enjoy good food and good conversation.
What common areas are available for independent living residents?
Residents are able to socialize in our game room or activity room, sit back with a good book at our library, get physical at our fitness room or just catch up with some friends in the atrium.
What safety features or security measures does Illahee Hills offer to independent living residents?
Our residents can feel safe 24/7 knowing that they can access help with just a push of a button. Each resident receives their own Lively Mobile Plus emergency device that goes anywhere they do. The device, which is included in monthly rent, can be activated for a variety of reasons, including emergencies, directions, health concerns, or to just speak to a friendly voice. The community is also only accessible to residents from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. so you can rest easy knowing that there will not be unwanted late-night visitors.
If Illahee Hills accepts dogs or cats, what indoor/outdoor areas can they enjoy?
We love our residents and we love their pets! Our community is pet friendly so you can bring your furry friend with you to your new home. There are green spaces and courtyards as well as walking paths where you can enjoy nice long walks.
Does Illahee Hills work with an agency or registry to provide nursing and medical assistance as needed?
Our community provides the option to each resident to choose their own third party care provider. This allows the freedom of choice and flexibility for each resident to determine how much, or how little, support they need.
Costs for Illahee Hills
Services and Amenities of Illahee Hills
Costs
- Fee Structure Extra: Included In Rent: Basic Cable, Electric, Gas, Sewer, Water
- Independent Living Starting At: $1710/month
Room and housing options
- 1-bedroom apartments
- 2-bedroom apartments
- Studio Apartments
- Housing Extra: Cottages, Handicap Barrier Free Units Available, Individual Climate Control, Safety Rails In Bathroom, Telephone Hookup, Walk In Tub
Dining options
- In Room Kitchenette
- In Room Kitchens
- Dining Room Shared Meals
- Dining Extra: Resident Kitchen
Features
- Beauty Barber Shop
- Computer Room
- Resident Transportation
- Hiking Trails
- Tv Room
- Garden And Patio
- Resident Parking
- Features Extra: Laundry Room For Use, Chapel, Library, Locked Mailboxes, Elevator, Parking: Covered
Cleaning services
- Laundry For Linens
- Housekeeping
Technology and entertainment
- Cable In Rooms
- Technology Extra: Business Center, Wi Fi In Common Areas
Activities
- Offsite Activities
- Fitness Room
- Activities Extra: Billiard Lounge, Game Room, Activity Room
Financial guidance
- Va Benefits Consultation
Guest services
- Guest Parking
- Guests At Mealtime
- Overnight Guests
General
- Minimum Age: 55
- Pets: Most Pets Allowed
About Illahee Hills
Illahee Hills is located in Urbandale, IA, providing a vibrant backdrop for your new life as a valued member of our caring community.
From pleasant housekeepers, to attentive servers at mealtime and helpful maintenance technicians who are there when you need them, this community is the new extension of your family. We take pleasure in getting to know each of our residents and look out for their comfort and happiness. Our chefs prepare three delicious meals each day, served in our beautiful dining room. We provide housekeeping, linen services, fun and stimulating activities, off-site excursions, transportation to your personal appointments and a variety of classes and programs. Our warm, comfortable community and our friendly staff and residents will welcome you. We look forward to making your life easier any way we can.
So come to Illahee Hills for a visit...and stay!
*We understand that each individual is unique and that needs may change over time. Holiday Retirement does not provide any health care services. However, residents are welcome to receive services from any outside home health care provider of their choice to help them continue enjoying life at our community.
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