Accommodations
Company’s coming. And Indianapolis is ready with its famed Hoosier hospitality. There’s a style of lodging to suit every preference, from penthouse suites with personal staff to budget-friendly places with free breakfasts. You can even sleep in a refurbished Pullman train car or feel like a celebrity at a hotel with a top-secret private entrance.
Most likely your biggest problem will be choosing from among the city’s numerous and varied lodging options. Seven downtown hotels with more than 2,800 rooms are connected via a skywalk and located only a short distance from area attractions. Branch out from downtown Indy and find even more hotels. With the city’s interstate system, it is easy to get around to most destinations. There are so many hotels and motels in Indianapolis, I have chosen just a small representative portion of the properties. If you have a favorite trustworthy chain and don’t see one of its properties listed here, call the chain’s central reservation number to find out if there is a location in Indianapolis.
When choosing your accommodations, keep in mind that May is a very busy month in Indianapolis. The Indy 500 draws some 400,000 spectators with activities throughout May, culminating in the big automobile race each Memorial Day weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Because Indy welcomes so many guests, it is a very good idea to secure your accommodations well in advance.
Then there’s the party Indy will be hosting in February 2012 when the Super Bowl comes to town. From what I’ve heard, folks started making reservations for places to stay as soon as the bid announcement was made. Get a room as soon as possible or find some long-lost friend or family member you suddenly remembered lives in the Indianapolis area.
In the following list, I’ve provided a price guide to help you choose a hotel. The rate information was provided by each property. Most have more than one rate, and in some cases rates span a wide range—from hundreds to even thousands of dollars per night. The price code is based on the “rack rate”—what one night’s stay, double occupancy, midweek in peak season would cost you if you walked in off the street. Often you will pay less than that, however. Many properties offer lower rates on weekends, and most offer a few discounts. AAA and AARP members, for example, get discounts at many hotels. There are a lot of other discount programs, so be sure to inquire about them when you make your reservation. Always ask for the best rate—you can often enjoy significant savings by doing so.
This chapter is divided into geographic categories. That’s to help you quickly locate a suitable property in your preferred area. I have also listed a variety of properties in all price ranges.
All the hotels in this chapter accept major credit cards, and most offer free local telephone calls. Amenities vary widely. Some places offer little more than a bed and a bath, while others pamper you with lovely luxuries. In general, Indianapolis hotels have wheelchair-accessible rooms. Many offer smoking rooms but more and more are becoming smoke-free properties. Be sure to check ahead if you are a smoker. Most hotels do not accept pets, and the ones that do often require a nonrefundable deposit.
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Accommodations
Address: 2164 N. Capitol Ave.
2. Canterbury Hotel
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (800) 538-8186
Address: 123 S. Illinois St.
Description: With a lineage dating back to the 1850s, the beautiful Canterbury Hotel is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. In 1983 the hotel was renovated to create an intimate upscale hotel with European tradition and ambience, reflecting the charm and historical quality of Canterbury, England—hence the name the Canterbury Hotel. Featuring 99 luxurious rooms and suites, the hotel has a private entrance to Circle Centre Mall and the Indiana Convention Center via skywalks. Each room offers Chippendale four-poster beds, plush linens, marble vanities, comfy terry-cloth bathrobes, goose-down and nonallergenic foam pillows, and gold-plated fixtures. Twice daily housekeeping service includes an evening turndown with chocolate truffles left on your pillow.
3. Columbia Club
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (800) 635-1361
Address: 121 Monument Circle
Description: Located in a beautiful 10-story clubhouse built in 1925, the Columbia Club is a private city club originally established in 1889. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it features polished marble floors and an unusual two-story fireplace in the Grand Lobby. The Club also has dark wood paneling, Tiffany windows, 96 guest rooms, fine and casual dining, and a complete fitness center. Conveniently located in the heart of downtown on Monument Circle, Columbia Club offers excellent views of the Circle. This is the place to stay, particularly at Christmas time when the Circle is illuminated with holiday lights. Reciprocal club members are honored.
4. Comfort Suites Indianapolis City Centre
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (317) 631-9000
Address: 515 S. West St.
Description: Conveniently located near Lucas Oil Stadium and within walking distance of downtown dining, shopping, and attractions, this new hotel features 130 guest suites. Comfort Suites offers complimentary hot breakfast, indoor pool with whirlpool, and a large fitness center. The all-suite hotel includes extra spacious guest suites with a sitting area, refrigerator, microwave, flat-panel high-definition TV, and work desk with complimentary high-speed Internet.
5. Conrad Indianapolis
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (317) 713-5000
Address: 50 W. Washington St.
Description: Ideally located at the most prominent downtown intersection, Conrad Indianapolis offers a pampered experience. A sky bridge provides an uninterrupted path from the Conrad to downtown attractions. Conrad’s 23-story tower boasts 241 guest rooms with upscale amenities such as 42-inch flat-screen high-definition plasma TVs, in-room safes sized to fit a laptop computer, bathrobes and slippers, custom-made Italian hardwood furniture, and luxurious 500-thread-count bed linens. The Conrad also includes a world-class spa, large indoor pool, state-of-the-art fitness facility, 24-hour in-room dining, the Tastings wine bar, and the Capital Grille.
6. Courtyard by Marriott at the Capitol
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (800) 321-2211
Address: 320 N. Senate Ave.
Description: Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Indy, the Courtyard by Marriott at the Capitol offers easy access to local attractions and companies. Enjoy jogging or a leisurely stroll along the historic Canal Walk adjacent to the hotel. The Courtyard also offers a business center, exercise room, indoor pool, and whirlpool, along with an outdoor sun patio. The Courtyard features 124 rooms. Rooms have a shower and bath separate from a vanity dressing area, plus a large desk with an ergonomic chair for comfort and free high-speed Internet. A complete breakfast menu includes a full hot buffet with eggs cooked to order.
7. Courtyard Indianapolis Downtown
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (317) 573-6536
Address: 601 W. Washington St.
Description: Scheduled to open Feb 2011, this 297-room hotel will be part of the $425 million JW Marriott Indianapolis complex. Once completed, the hotel will be connected to the JW Marriott Downtown Indianapolis, which has more than 104,000 square feet of meeting, banquet, and exhibit space and one of Marriott’s largest hotel ballrooms in the world, totaling 40,500 square feet. This landmark hotel development will serve as an anchor for central Indiana’s convention and tourism industry. Located on a seven-acre site overlooking White River State Park, the hotel is steps away from a thriving downtown with numerous attractions, and an easy 15-minute commute from the new Indianapolis International Airport.
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Accommodations
Address: 123 W. Louisiana St.
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Accommodations
Address: 1224 N. Park Ave.
10. Embassy Suites Hotel Downtown
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (317) 236-1800
Address: 110 W. Washington St.
Description: Renovated in 2009, Embassy Suites is connected via skywalk to Circle Centre Mall and the Indianapolis Artsgarden. Spacious suites feature two rooms, two TVs, microwave, refrigerator, and pullout sleeper sofa in a separate living room. Free coffee and tea are available in the lobby. A full cooked-to-order breakfast and evening manager’s reception with complimentary beverages are featured. An indoor pool, sauna, whirlpool, and exercise room are available. The hotel is 2 blocks from the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium.
11. Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Downtown Indianapolis
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (317) 573-6536
Address: 501 W. Washington St.
Description: Scheduled to open in Feb 2010, the 168-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott is part of the grand $425 million Marriott Place Indianapolis. Once completed, the hotel will be connected to the JW Marriott Downtown Indianapolis and help serve as an anchor for central Indiana’s convention and tourism industry. Located on a seven-acre site overlooking White River State Park, the hotel will put guests only steps away from numerous attractions. The hotel features a complimentary continental breakfast, gift shop, business center, and restaurant on-site.
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Accommodations
Address: 1105 Prospect St.
13. Hampton Inn Downtown
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (317) 261-1200
Address: 105 S. Meridian St.
Description: Housed in the beautifully restored, nine-story historic Chesapeake Building, Hampton Inn Downtown is located across the street from Circle Centre Mall and a short walk from the Indianapolis Convention Center, Lucas Oil Stadium, Conseco Fieldhouse, and several popular restaurants. The hotel features 180 rooms and offers a complimentary continental breakfast bar every morning with more than 45 delicious items. The property also has 24 suites and three meeting rooms. All rooms have free high-speed Internet and a “lap desk” for guests to comfortably move around and work. Rooms feature new Cloud Nine beds, with your choice of feather or foam pillows, high-quality soft sheets, plush down-like comforter, crisp white duvets, and comfy pillow-top mattress, all arranged on top of a raised bed.
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Accommodations
Address: 10 E. Market St.
15. Hilton Indianapolis
City: Indianapolis, IN
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (317) 872-0600
Address: 120 W. Market St.
Description: A luxury hotel in a prime location, the Hilton Indianapolis features some of the largest suites in the city. The hotel has 332 spacious rooms, with 30 of them being 1,100 square feet. Each hotel room has two phone lines, data ports, high-speed Internet, large work desks, and WebTV. Other features include a gift shop, indoor pool and Jacuzzi, and two restaurants on the premises—120 West Market Fresh Grill and McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant. A Precor fitness center is available 24 hours a day.