The 8 best hotels in Indianapolis

Thanks to its sleek, 33-story façade that towers over the surrounding buildings, you’re unlikely to miss the JW Marriott Indianapolis. Its 1,005 rooms boast jaw-dropped views out over the city – and when you’re tired of the view, you’re also within easy walking distance to destinations like the Circle Center Mall, Victory Field, the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium. The JW Marriott also has its own High Velocity Bar, which serves up plenty of scrummy craft beers, as well as the Osteria Pronto, a fine-dining Italian restaurant.

If staying within walking distance of a Buca di Beppo and a shopping mall is a priority, Conrad Indianapolis is a hotel in the thick of it all. Located in the middle of Mile Square in downtown Indy, this hotel boasts its own fine art gallery (with works by Picasso and Warhol), a spa and a bar that focuses on wines by the taste. Art-lovers should spring for one of the Conrad's themed suites, with decor inspired by Pop Art, Contemporary Art and Surrealism.

Inspired by the industrial revolution, this northside boutique hotel is decorated with pipes, wooden beams and exposed metal that will make you feel like you're staying in a luxurious factory. Rooms come with amenities like leather sleeper sofas and spa-inspired showers. If you're hungry, head downstairs for a meal at the on-site restaurant, Provision, or take a trip to the nearby Fashion Mall at Keystone where you'll find even more dining (and shopping) options.

Brunch fanatics will want to check in to the Alexander, if only because of its proximity to Milktooth, the acclaimed modern diner in Fletcher Place that serves dishes like sorghum-glazed bacon and sourdough lemon poppyseed waffles. After you chow down, rest easy in the hotel's stylish rooms, outfitted with vibrant artwork and sleek modern furniture. Make sure to get a nightcap at Plat 99, a "mixology lounge" where you can sip cocktails amid a sea of hanging glass sculptures.

If you’re looking for the heights of modern luxury, the stylish Le Méridien is the way to go. Located in downtown Indianapolis near the Lucas Oil Stadium and Indiana Convention Center, Le Méridien comes with its own curated library (which guests can actually borrow from), a tip-top fitness center and a restaurant (Spoke & Steele) with a bar that specializes in bourbon-based tipples.

When Indianapolis’ Union Station opened in 1853, you could catch a train to destinations throughout the United States. Now, a portion of the station houses the Crowne Plaza, which integrates much of the building's original architecture into its nostalgic floor plan. The station's ornate Grand Hall has been turned into a meeting room and several old Pullman railcars have been repurposed into rooms that are available for rental.

Removed from downtown Indianapolis, this contemporary hotel is connected to the Fashion Mall at Keystone, which means you won't even have to hop in your car if you need to go shopping. Amenities include a fitness center, rooms outfitted with views of the nearby White River and a hotel restaurant. Of course, you can also hang out in the Sheraton's lobby, which features hanging lighting and plenty of places to sit back and relax during your stay.

Removed from the hustle and bustle of downtown Indianapolis, Hotel Broad Ripple offers contemporary lodge accommodations in one of the city's most popular neighborhoods. Visitors stay in private rooms but are encouraged to enjoy the hotel's gathering areas, which serve wine in the evening and a complimentary continental breakfast in the morning. The cozy, cabin-like boutique hotel is just a short walk away from coffee shops, restaurants, brewpubs and the 18-mile Monon walking, running and biking trail.