Contents
- 1. Conrad Indianapolis
- 2. West Baden Springs Hotel, French Lick
- 3. French Lick Springs Hotel, French Lick
- 4. Graduate Bloomington, Bloomington
- 5. Four Winds Lakeside Inn and Marina, Bloomington
- 6. Hilton Garden Inn Chesterton
- 7. Ironworks Hotel Indy
- 8. Morris Inn, South Bend
- 9. Oakwood Resort, Syracuse
- 10. Swan Lake Resort, Plymouth
- 11. New Harmony Inn Resort and Conference Center, New Harmony
- 12. Potawatomi Inn and Conference Center, Angola
- 13. Lighthouse Lodge B&B, Monticello
In America’s heartland, Indiana is a beautiful state filled with lakes, rivers, woods, and cute college towns like Notre Dame that make for great weekend getaway destinations, whether you’re looking for a romantic vacation at a five-star resort or a low-key, multi-generational family vacation spot.
There are numerous hotel and resort options in multiple price brackets that cater to all styles of travelers. Where you choose to stay will depend on the kind of vacation you are planning.
If you’re looking for historic luxury on a weekend getaway, for instance, there are two lovely properties: West Baden Springs Hotel and French Lick Springs Hotel, in the hilly terrain around the Hoosier National Forest known as French Lick, which offer an opportunity to get back to nature in grand yesteryear environs and pamper yourself at a few different spas.
And those in search of a vacation on the water will want to check out properties like Fourwinds Lakeside Inn and Marina on Lake Monroe in the Bloomington area, which offers ample opportunities for fishing and swimming, as well as the chance to play 18 holes of golf on a nearby course.
Oakwood Resort on tranquil Lake Wawasee, Indiana’s largest natural lake, is another fun vacation spot for families, couples, or groups, just under an hour from South Bend and Fort Wayne and less than two hours from Chicago and Indianapolis.
Find the best place to stay on your next vacation with our list of the top resorts in Indiana.
1. Conrad Indianapolis
Accommodation: Conrad Indianapolis
Indiana’s only five-star hotel is the Conrad Indianapolis located in the capital city’s downtown area. The property occupies a 23-story tower and has 241 rooms and suites.
These are all modern and luxe, with large windows and high-quality beds and linens. Bathrooms are styled in Italian marble and granite and come with glass-enclosed showers and separate soaking tubs. There are 20 corner suites with fabulous city views.
The hotel puts an emphasis on art and has pieces on display in public areas throughout, as well as in the on-site Long-Sharp Gallery. To really immerse yourself, book the 18th-floor Gallery Suite, which has its own in-room collection.
The entire sixth floor is dedicated to the Conrad Spa, which boasts a full range of treatments, from massages to body wraps. There is also a state-of-the-art fitness center and heated indoor swimming pool and hot tub.
The Conrad has two on-site restaurants, one of which does fine dining. If you are traveling with children, kids stay free. And the hotel also welcomes dogs.
Address: 50 W Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana
2. West Baden Springs Hotel, French Lick
Accommodation: West Baden Springs Hotel
Part of the French Lick Resort, which also hosts another four-diamond property, West Baden Springs Hotel is more than a century old and a National Historic Landmark. The circular atrium here spans some 200 feet and is an awesome example of historic regional architecture.
The resort is in a beautiful natural location in the hills of Hoosier National Forest. It offers guests a number of entertainment options, from horseback riding to hiking to FootGolf, which is a cross between golf and soccer.
If you’re traveling with the kids, there is also KidsFest, which is their version of a children’s club with lots of organized activities.
Adults can chill in one of the two spas and indulge in a treatment or massage.
The 243 rooms and suites are modern and comfortable and work well for families or couples on a romantic getaway. Other on-site amenities include formal gardens, shops, multiple swimming pools, a hot tub, a fitness center, and a few different dining options.
Address: 8538 W Baden Ave, West Baden Springs, Indiana
3. French Lick Springs Hotel, French Lick
Accommodation: French Lick Springs Hotel
Also part of the French Lick Resort, the French Lick Springs Hotel is another four-diamond luxury property in the Hoosier National Forest’s hilly woodlands. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, parts of the hotel building date back to 1845.
The property is family-friendly and has some 443 rooms and suites done up in modern American style in a variety of sizes and shapes, which are clean with comfortable beds.
Away from the rooms, you’ll find indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a hot tub, a 24-hour gym, special activities for children, as well as opportunities for golf, spa time, horseback riding, and hiking.
Between French Lick and its sister property West Baden Springs, there are more than a dozen different restaurants on the grounds. These range from fine-dining affairs like 1875: The Steakhouse and Sinclair’s Restaurant to casual spots like Pluto’s Pizzeria.
Address: 8670 IN-56, French Lick, Indiana
4. Graduate Bloomington, Bloomington
Accommodation: Graduate Bloomington
Just about 1.5 miles from the Indiana University campus in Bloomington and on the town’s famed Kirkland Avenue, the Graduate Hotel is a boutique property with quirky, fun interior decor. It is also within walking distance from many shops and restaurants on historic Courthouse Square.
Rooms and suites are comfortable and spacious, and all have seating areas and fridges. Some have balconies. Suites add separate living and dining spaces, as well as sofa beds, and some even have themes. There are also interconnected rooms available for families.
Amenities include a diner-style restaurant, free loaner bikes for guests, a workout room, and meeting and event spaces. If you are traveling with a dog, the hotel is also pet friendly.
Address: 210 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, Indiana
5. Four Winds Lakeside Inn and Marina, Bloomington
Accommodation: Fourwinds Lakeside Inn & Marina
In the Bloomington area, about an hour from Indianapolis, Four Winds Lakeside Inn and Marina has a great location fronting Lake Monroe in the Fairfax State Recreation Area. From here, there are opportunities for hiking and biking, as well as adventures on the lake itself.
The rooms and suites work well for families, couples, or groups of friends and feature stylish decor, comfortable beds, and free Wi-Fi. They also come with microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffee makers, and in the case of the suites, a proper kitchenette and often fireplaces.
Away from the rooms, there is a restaurant with great lakefront views from its floor-to-ceiling windows and a second wood-paneled dining space that does a breakfast buffet as well as dinner. Also on-site are indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a private beach on the lake, a fishing dock, and gym.
Address: 9301 S Fairfax Road, Bloomington, Indiana
6. Hilton Garden Inn Chesterton
Accommodation: Hilton Garden Inn Chesterton
The Hilton Garden Inn Chesterton is just a five-minute drive to the popular Indiana Dunes State Park and surrounding Indiana Dunes National Park. The area, which hugs 15 miles of shoreline along Lake Michigan and includes hiking trails across dunes, marshes, and forestland, is a popular summer vacation destination.
The four-star property is family-friendly and has 120 rooms and suites. These come with microwaves, fridges, and coffee makers. The suites have separate living spaces and sleeper sofas.
Guests can grab breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the hotel’s Great American Grill restaurant. Room service is also available in the evenings. There is an indoor swimming pool, hot tub, and sauna on-site, as well as a fitness center. Parking is complimentary.
Address: 501 Gateway Blvd, Chesterton, Indiana
7. Ironworks Hotel Indy
Accommodation: Ironworks Hotel Indy
Inspired by the 19th century in a time when “nothing came easy,” Ironworks Hotel Indy’s message to guests is to “take it easy every once in a while.”
This hip, industrial-designed hotel with resort-like amenities is in Indianapolis’ north side neighborhood, home to shopping, dining, and entertainment. It is about a 15-minute drive from the Butler University campus.
The boutique property features well-appointed rooms and suites. These continue the 19th-century industrial vibe but are complimented with modern amenities. The look is very contemporary and slick, using wood and brick accents and deep blue and gray color schemes.
The legacy suite is what to book for a romantic getaway or a family vacation. It has reclaimed wood accents, exposed bricks, and a leather sleeper sofa. The floor plan is mostly open (meaning there isn’t a door between the king bed and the living space), but there is a large TV built into a wooden partial wall for some privacy from the kids or a friend.
The hotel is set in a complex with 15,000 square feet of retail space, so you’ll find boutiques and shops on the grounds. There are also half a dozen dining options including Rize, which serves light, organic fare. Provision, in the hotel lobby, serves upscale fare and has a large deck.
Address: 2721 E 86th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana
8. Morris Inn, South Bend
Accommodation: Morris Inn
The Morris Inn is located right on the University of Notre Dame campus in South Bend and is a favorite with parents and alumni visiting the school. The hotel is modern in style and features spacious, well-maintained, and tidy rooms, with campus views and comfortable beds along with glassed-in showers and baths.
They also offer amenities like in-room iPads, mini-fridges, and free Wi-Fi. The suites are a good choice for families as they come with more living space, pullout couches, and in some cases, deep soaking tubs.
On-site amenities include two restaurants: one is seafood fine dining; the other is more casual. Also on-site is a 24-hour gym, business center, and laundry service.
Address: 1399 N Notre Dame Ave, South Bend, Indiana
9. Oakwood Resort, Syracuse
Accommodation: Oakwood Resort
Sitting on the shores of Lake Wawasee, Indiana’s largest natural lake, Oakwood Resort is another relaxing lakeside vacation spot for families, couples, or groups. The property is located just under an hour from South Bend and Fort Wayne and only two hours from Chicago and Indianapolis.
Rooms are spacious, comfortable, and modern in decor and boast free Wi-Fi, coffee makers, and flat-screen TVs. Suites are more luxe, with both living and dining spaces plus kitchens. Beyond the room, you’ll discover a casual restaurant, with seating on a patio facing the lake, which also does an included continental breakfast on weekdays.
There is also an arcade and playground for the kids, a sandy beach, a fishing pier, boat slip, kayak and pontoon boat rentals, and a spa and salon on-site. There is also golf nearby.
Address: 702 E Lake View Road, Syracuse, Indiana
10. Swan Lake Resort, Plymouth
Accommodation: Swan Lake Resort
Located in Plymouth, in the northern portion of the state, Swan Lake is a golf resort that sits on 500 acres of bucolic countryside and offers a retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life. The property is known for its 36 holes of country-club-style links with a distinctly private club feel, minus the fees.
The resort features a number of different lodging options, from rooms in its hotel to cottages, cabins, and modern villa digs, which are all clean and comfortable.
Also on-site are multiple swimming pools and two restaurants. Both serve American fare: Putter’s Grille is located at the Clubhouse on the golf course and is a popular lunch spot. They serve a variety of burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Service is friendly and efficient.
Address: 5203 Plymouth Laporte Trail, Plymouth, Indiana
11. New Harmony Inn Resort and Conference Center, New Harmony
Accommodation: New Harmony Inn Resort & Conference Center
Escape from the city at New Harmony Inn Resort. It is located in a rural area just under a 10-minute walk from the Wabash River, less than a mile from Harmonie State Park, and a few blocks from Highway 66 in New Harmony.
It offers a range of accommodation choices, from rooms in the main building, which are comfy and in some cases come with balconies or fireplaces, to more spacious digs in three private guesthouses with full kitchens and private garden areas.
Amenities include a free continental breakfast, loaner bikes, a heated outdoor swimming pool, tennis courts, and a workout room. There is also a low-key restaurant serving American fare.
Address: 504 North Street, New Harmony, Indiana
12. Potawatomi Inn and Conference Center, Angola
Accommodation: Potawatomi Inn & Conference Center
The Potawatomi Inn and Conference Center in Angola is another great lakeside property. Sitting on the shores of Lake James in a state park, it is a casual hotel that offers a range of clean and comfortable rooms and suites in its main building, as well as rustic cabin lodging.
On-site amenities include a beach on the lake, bike and boat rentals, an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, and a sauna. There is also a workout room, laundry facilities, and a restaurant on the grounds. If you are looking to golf, the Country Meadows Golf Course is just over three miles away.
Address: 6 Lane 100a Lake James, Angola, Indiana
13. Lighthouse Lodge B&B, Monticello
Accommodation: Lighthouse Lodge B&B
On the shores of Lake Shafer in Monticello, the Lighthouse Lodge B&B is a family-friendly property. With easy access to the lake’s shallow swimming beaches, this is a laid-back, good-value property. There is even a historic stone lighthouse dating back to the 1930s on the park-like grounds.
Choose from rooms or cottage rentals here. The rooms have ceramic tile floors, comfy beds with therapeutic foam mattress toppers, and quality linens and kitchenettes. They also feature spacious bathrooms with walk-in showers. The two-bedroom cottages have full kitchens and balconies with lake views and are a great choice for families.
A full breakfast is included each morning. Other amenities include a large sundeck, a recreation room with card tables, bumper pool tables, and even darts. There are also two outdoor fire pits and BBQ facilities guests can use.
Although there is not a restaurant on-site, the resort is within walking distance of Jimmy O’s, which is one of the most popular dining spots in town.
Address: 4866 N Boxman Pl #7323, Monticello, Indiana