Skip to main content

The 3 Best Boutique Hotels in Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis may not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of great boutique hotels and arts & culture. But, there are plenty of reasons why it should. Travelers seeking relaxed, one-of-a-kind boutique lodging in Indiana’s capital city needn’t look further than these three options.

Nestle Inn (Massachusetts Avenue Cultural District)

Nestle Inn Indianapolis

Aside from the “cutesy” name, the Nestle Inn is the perfect antidote to the stodgy, traditional, and cringe-worthy bed and breakfasts of decades ago. The inn’s website is quick to point out that this is “not your grandma’s B&B!” Indeed, they eschew the Victorian-era seating, the army of doilies on every bit of furniture, and the typical busy-body innkeepers who never seem to leave you alone. Although it’s located in a converted 1896 guesthouse, this is a thoroughly modern experience designed for today’s traveler. The Wi-Fi is fast and free, breakfast is on your own schedule, and they even offer gourmet cooking classes (with chefs from the city’s Ivy Tech Culinary Program) that cover everything from French pastry to a Mac-n-Cheese Boot Camp. The owners have their own private quarters, so guests needn’t try to relax in someone else’s living room. Discreet, 24-hour self-check-in is also available for guests to arrive whenever they like.

Related Videos

Alexander Hotel (Downtown Indianapolis)

The Alexander Hotel Indianapolis

You may not know it, but the fabric of Indianapolis’ history and culture is tightly woven with the art world. The Alexander hotel is keenly aware which is why it celebrates some of the city’s best works. From the lobby to the halls to the chic Plat 99 Mixology Lounge, there’s a distinct focus on modern art, inspired by and sometimes playfully poking fun at the city and its locally famous figures. One large wall sculpture, for example, cleverly uses nearly 4,000 combs to create a portrait of Madam C.J. Walker, the city’s one-time hair-care tycoon. Another work by Mark Fox uses shards of stainless steel to spell out random messages, including one that marks the hotel’s rooms as areas of “mirrors and copulation.” Guestrooms are beautifully adorned in contemporary and transitional-style furnishings, plus a multitude of modern amenities (free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and suites with full kitchens). What’s more: it’s conveniently situated along the city’s bike path which, incidentally, follows its 8-mile Cultural Trail as well.

Hotel Broad Ripple (Broad Ripple Village)

Hotel Broad Ripple

Hotel Broad Ripple isn’t the largest, fanciest, or most luxurious lodging in Indianapolis, but it’s not trying to be. The nine-room property offers just the right mix of features including modern in-room amenities, lodge-inspired styling, and a relaxed bar/lounge with movie nights and live music when the weather warms up. It’s just a 20-minute Uber ride to downtown — far enough for travelers to sidestep the hustle of the city but still near enough to the action. Its biggest selling point, however, is its adjacency to the city’s famous Monon Trail. This trailroad is an 18-mile path that connects downtown Indy to Westfield, Indiana in the north. It’s an ideal route for hikers, bikers, and runners to take a leisurely escape from the city.

Editors' Recommendations

Cabo: Baja’s popular beachfront destination isn’t exactly what you think it is
Get under the radar with the best things to do in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
things to do in cabo san lucas, Mexico Resorts and Condos

We’re hesitant to describe any destination in terms of “tourist versus non-tourist” because it's a silly distinction. But Cabo San Lucas has always been an unabashed tourist-centric town full of all-inclusive, budget beach resorts, never-ending 3-for-1 happy hours at bars (and gas stations and a surprising number of other places), and garish dive bars like Cabo Wabo where tequila is (almost) cheaper than water and the neon daiquiris flow every day from 8 a.m.

However, the city boasts a strange charm that most hardcore Mexican tourist centers lack. So, if none of this is your cup of horchata — if you’re looking to dig a little deeper — here are a few of our favorite places to play, eat, and stay in Baja California’s most well-known waterfront playground.
Know your geography

Read more
7 telltale signs it’s time to put the ‘backpacker’ life behind you
How to travel like an adult and leave the backpacker lifestyle behind
A backpacker.

There’s something special about the backpacker lifestyle. It tends to be filled with rapid jags through a series of exciting cities, making friends in hostels, and partying every step of the way. Generally speaking, it’s a pursuit for those in their late teens or early twenties who have the energy, extroversion, and hangover tolerance for such things. Eventually, however, this form of travel begins to wear on you.

That doesn’t mean you need to stop traveling, but it might be an indication that you’ve outgrown the backpacker phase of your life. To that end, we’re taking a look at a few signs that it might be time to move beyond the way of backpack travelers. We'll also give you some travel tips that will help you be a more mature (and less hungover) traveler.

Read more
Here’s what to do in Bangkok if you’ve only got 48 hours
Make the most of your short visit to Bangkok
A bunch of Buddhas.

Clocking in at 10.7 million residents, Bangkok, Thailand, is an incredible, massive undertaking of a city. A seemingly endless sprawl of low-rise buildings punctuated by massive skyscrapers and tranquil temples, delicious food and bustling bars everywhere, there is an endless range of ways one could spend their days exploring what BKK has to offer. Sadly, most Thailand tourism consists of travelers who are only stopping by Bangkok for a couple of days on their way into or out of the country. So what is one to do when they only have 48 hours in Bangkok?

I’ve spent a lot of time in Bangkok, so I know its ins-and-outs well. One of the main challenges to experiencing the city in a short burst involves the sheer size of the place and the traffic that tends to inundate it, which makes it difficult to get anywhere fast unless it happens to be along a Sky Train route (more on that below). Thailand travel has decreased substantially since the pandemic, though, and this has noticeably diminished the traffic and crowds. In any case, it’s important to factor getting around into your plans. To that end, here’s a solid two-day itinerary.

Read more