Comment on Eastern Iowa hotels get ready for gradual recovery from coronavirus pandemic

Usually Steve Smyka wouldn’t be the one pressing linen at the Cedar Rapids Marriott every day. He’d be a little busy running the hotel.But during coronavirus pandemic, even the general manager has his hands on the laundry.“Now we’re doing 10 jobs as opposed to the normal five,” Smyka said.It’s part of what’s been a challenging past 12 months for the hotel industry, with coronavirus wreaking havoc on the travel industry.Ravi Patel, president of Coralville-based Hawkeye Hotels, said hotels were at “all-time highs” in occupancy, average daily rate, revenue per room and other metrics before the coronavirus.Then came a “very, very disappointing” start to the pandemic.