While not known as a popular vacation destination, as long as the bourbon is flowing visitors will always be trotting into Louisville, especially around Derby Season. Are you better off ponying up to stay downtown? If you’d prefer to be stabled in a bedroom community the Holiday Inn Hurstbourne is an outstanding choice. Check current prices on Expedia.
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Location: Which Area Is Best For You?
Hotels in Downtown Louisville are usually reasonably priced. They can creep up over the $200 threshold on busier weekends which is frankly too much to pay for a medium sized city like Lou. Downtown can be charming if you stay right in that sweet spot around Fourth Street and the River. It can also be bleak and uninviting if you are walking several blocks among all the empty parking lots and sleepy holdovers of buildings that have seen better days.
I wouldn’t recommend staying in Indiana unless you are traveling through and going in that direction the next day. You can typically save a little money with no loss of convenience staying near the airport. You’ll have to keep a close eye on reviews though. Some airport hotels are fine and some are going to be very downscale.
I visit Louisville frequently during the race meets. I really enjoy staying in Hurstbourne, an easy 15 minute drive east of downtown. While technically its own city, Hurstbourne was only incorporated in 1983. It is entirely suburban in character. As you might have guessed by the country club on the map, it is a safe, pleasant and affluent area. There are several hotels clustered nearby and there aren’t any red flags at any of them.
If you are traveling the Bourbon Trail to Bulleit, Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey or visiting Frankfort or Lexington Hurstbourne is an ideal spot from which to depart.
Holiday Inn Hurstbourne Property
The Hotel is tucked away behind all of the retail businesses fronting the main road. It is also directly adjacent to a shopping center anchored by a Kroger which some guests will find convenient. Free parking is available outside as well as a shuttle bus, two conference centers, a restaurant, breakfast area, large lobby with snacks for sale and an indoor pool. I don’t believe there is a fitness center available.
Everything was clean and tidy during my stay. It might be because I enjoy the platinum member status that came with my IHG Premier credit card, but I have stayed at two Holiday Inn locations this month and found the staff to be very welcoming and professional at both of them. During this stay I was given an upgraded room (higher floor) and a voucher for breakfast that I didn’t happen to use. I also received a bottle of water at check in as well as the 500 bonus points as a welcome amenity.
One of the things I like most about being in Hurstbourne is that anything you could want is two minutes away from the hotel. Whether it is restaurants, fast food, coffee, gas and snacks or a trip to Liquor Barn, there is even more to enjoy here than there is downtown.
Holiday Inn Hurstbourne Guest Rooms
I loved everything about this room. The armchair was comfortable. The TV and bed are huge. There’s plenty of light and everything was clean. A Keuring is a great addition and details like glass walls in the shower and USB charging exactly where you want it are something everyone can appreciate. This hotel is going to be a little more expensive than the Wyndham properties also nearby, but it is worth every penny. I’ve stayed in some of them as well and I can tell you: Wyndham is the worst.
Overall Impression
The rooms and property really give you the impression that a lot of thought and good taste was put into their decoration. I love the equine theme rooting the place in Kentucky and the Bluegrass. I’ve stayed at Galt House previously and other than the fact that this room overlooks a Subaru dealership and not the river, it stacks up favorably.
I’ve already said I love staying in Hurstbourne and I love staying here in particular. Book a refundable rate online and stay with confidence.
