Although smaller and less famous than its glitzier Midwestern counterpart—Chicago—Indianapolis, Indiana draws in thousands of tourists every year. From the Indianapolis Zoo to the historic Monument Circle, and the legendary Indy 500, visitors have plenty of reasons to spend a weekend in the Hoosier Capitol. But before you plan your trip, consider where you should stay.
Don’t let Indianapolis’s smaller size fool you into thinking that it lacks glamorous or luxurious hotels. With 200 years of history in its belt and a reputation for being the crossroads of America, Indianapolis is home to some of the finest hotels in the nation. You just have to know where to look.
In this guide, we’ll fill you in on five of the most famous hotels in Indianapolis, explain some of their histories, and share what makes them so special. So before you book anything, take a glance at these five hotels.
Conrad Indianapolis
Taking a look at it, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Conrad Indianapolis is one of the oldest and most storied hotels in the city. Yet, it’s far from it. Despite its early 20th century charms, the Conrad was actually finished in 2006.
As a flagship member of the Conrad-Hilton family of hotels, it stands as one of the most luxurious properties in Indianapolis. Inside the sprawling complex, you’ll find a 1,100 ft2 gallery space for artists to display their works, a 15,000ft2 ballroom for events, and even a business center for hosting meetings and conferences.
If that’s not impressive enough, the Conrad Indianapolis is also one of the largest hotels in the city with nearly 250 guest rooms, including a presidential suite, all stacked within the hotel’s 23 floors. You can dine at the hotel’s Capital Grille, sip more than 200 wines at their wine bar or explore the city via a skywalk that connects directly to the Circle Centre Mall.
Bottleworks Hotel
Perhaps it’s a running theme for hotels in Indianapolis but you’d be equally forgiven for thinking that the Bottleworks Hotel is also a well-aged hotel. On the contrary, it’s one of the newest hotels in Indianapolis. Yet, that’s not to say that it isn’t a historic building.
The Bottleworks Hotel gets its name from the historic Coca-Cola bottle works plant built in 1931 by James and Lee Yunker in which the hotel now resides. The exterior of the hotel features an iconic white terracotta façade which hides away a luxurious art deco interior.
Gorgeous green, white, and black tiles line the floors and walls throughout the hotel’s lobby, billiards room, dining room, food hall, and 139 rooms and suites. Perhaps most fascinating, though, is that the Bottleworks Hotel supports local businesses by featuring Klipsch speakers in every room, beds manufactured down the road in Plainfield, and chocolates made just steps away from the hotel’s front door.
Omni Severin Hotel
If you are looking for history, don’t look any further than the Omni Severin Hotel. Once home to the Grand Hotel of Indianapolis, the Omni Severin has carried on the tradition of greeting guests to the Hoosier capital as soon as they step off their arrival.
Originally built in 1913, the previous hotel served as a place of respite for passengers stopping off trains at the adjacent Union Station. Today, you can still find remnants of that time in the Omni Severin’s grand Severin Ballroom, sweeping marble staircases, intricate furnishings finished in gold, and the palatial Austrian chandeliers.
Mahogany dressers that date back to the original hotel’s design are located in front of every elevator, so guests are never far from the historic origins at the heart of the Omni Severin Hotel. However, if its history doesn’t capture your imagination, perhaps its size will.
The Omni Severin hotel houses 424 guest rooms, 7 conference rooms, a restaurant, two bars, a grand ballroom, a pool, and a fitness center, making it the largest hotel in the city, even surpassing the Conrad.
Old Northside Inn Bed & Breakfast
The Old Northside Inn is arguably the most famous bed & breakfast in Indianapolis. Originally built in 1885 as a family home for German immigrant Herman C. DeWenter, the Old Northside Inn features beautiful Romanesque Revivalist architecture in stunning red brick. Since then, it has been restored to preserve its gorgeous turn-of-the-century European appeal.
Today, you’ll find maple flooring, as well as mahogany and cherry wood dotted throughout the house, helping to capture warmth and homeliness. In the parlor, you’ll also find a fully restored ceiling, repaired by the finest European craftsmen, as well as murals painted by hand throughout the house.
From the Old Northside Inn, you can take a stroll down to the historic President Benjamin Harrison Home, Circle Center Mall, or Monument Circle. As a bed & breakfast, you can eat at the Inn or you can venture into the city for some fine dining.
Columbia Club
The last hotel we wanted to share with you also has a storied history, dating back to the 1888 election of President Benjamin Harrison. At the time, a group of Indianapolis’s most prestigious citizens banded together to help elect their city’s son. As more and more Hoosiers joined their ranks, they decided it was best to find a clubhouse for their 400+ members.
Thus, the Columbia Club was born. Being that it is a prestigious club, though, not just anyone can stay in the hotel. The Columbia Club only welcomes fellow members who have paid their dues. You can apply online to join, however, be prepared to be thoroughly vetted before being granted entry.
Today, the Columbia Clubhouse is located in a stunning ten-story property built from Bedford limestone located just across from Monument Circle. Inside, you’ll find event spaces, 80 guest rooms, 5 different dining rooms, the Harrison Grille restaurant, a library, and a fitness center.
Conclusion
Whether you are in town for the Indy 500 or are simply passing through on business, there’s no shortage of beautiful, historic, and famous hotels in Indianapolis where you can spend the night. Be sure to call ahead or apply for membership before you arrive so you can be sure to get a room at one of these glamorous five hotels.
