Hotels Near Downtown Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington's downtown is compact, and the four hotels on this page sit around it rather than in its center, so I describe each one by what it is close to. Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Lexington-Downtown University is within walking distance of the University of Kentucky Medical Center. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lexington Downtown Area-Keeneland, rated 9.1, is the best-scored option. DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Lexington offers two-room suites minutes from historic downtown and the Kentucky Horse Park, and Staybridge Suites is a short drive away with a heated indoor pool.
Lexington calls itself the Horse Capital of the World, and the rolling bluegrass farms around the city back up the claim. Keeneland's race meets in spring and autumn, the Kentucky Horse Park and nearby bourbon distilleries draw many visitors, while the University of Kentucky and its basketball tradition give downtown much of its energy. The center itself is compact, with historic streets, restaurants and bars a short walk from one another.
Where to stay
Campus, Keeneland or horse country
Staying near downtown Lexington means easy access to the University of Kentucky, the restaurants and bourbon bars of the center, and the horse country that surrounds the city, with Keeneland and the Kentucky Horse Park a short drive away. The hotels on this page share practical strengths: all four have a pool, two include a hot breakfast, and three list parking on site, which matters in a city where most visitors move between town and the farms by car.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lexington Downtown Area-Keeneland is the best-rated hotel on this page, with a 9.1 score from 452 reviews. It offers family-friendly rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, tea and coffee makers and work desks, along with an indoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a sun terrace and a picnic area. Parking is available on site. As its name suggests, it is a sensible base for the Keeneland race meets as well as downtown, and I would choose it for families or groups who want a well-reviewed, practical hotel with room to relax outdoors.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Lexington-Downtown University is the closest to the university side of town. It sits within walking distance of the University of Kentucky Medical Center, which makes it useful for hospital visits, medical appointments and campus events, and its listing describes it as a convenient base for downtown activities. Rated 8.7 from 415 reviews, it has an indoor pool, free high-speed internet in every room and a complimentary hot breakfast each morning. I would book it when your days revolve around the university rather than the horse farms outside the city.
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Lexington is the most spacious option, with two-room suites set minutes from historic downtown Lexington and the Kentucky Horse Park. Rated four stars and 8.7 from 262 reviews, it has a pool, a fitness center and on-site dining, and pets are welcome under its policies. The separate living space in each suite helps on longer stays or when traveling with children. I would choose it for a trip that mixes downtown dinners with visits to horse country and the University of Kentucky, when an extra room makes the stay more comfortable.
Staybridge Suites Lexington is the one to pick for a longer stay, as long as you accept a short drive into downtown. Rated 8.7 from 546 reviews, the most reviewed hotel on this page, it has a heated indoor swimming pool, business and fitness centers, and free WiFi throughout. A hot breakfast is served daily, and light evening meals are offered on select weeknights, which helps keep a work trip simple. It is pet-friendly and parking is available on site, making it practical for travelers who come with a car and a dog.
A traveler's perspectiveFor a first weekend in Lexington, I would book Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lexington Downtown Area-Keeneland, the best-rated hotel on this page at 9.1, and plan one day at Keeneland or the Kentucky Horse Park and one evening downtown. If my visit were tied to the University of Kentucky Medical Center, I would choose the Holiday Inn Express Lexington-Downtown University instead, which is within walking distance of it.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lexington Downtown Area-Keeneland by IHG
Lexington
452 reviews
Family-friendly hotel with an indoor pool and sun terrace in Lexington
Check availabilityWhy guests love itHoliday Inn Express & Suites Lexington Downtown Area-Keeneland scores 9.1 out of 10 from 452 guests, a strong result for a practical family hotel. The indoor pool keeps children busy whatever the weather, family rooms give everyone space, and the sun terrace and picnic area are handy for an easy meal outside. Rooms come with a tea and coffee maker and a work desk, and parking is on site. I recommend it for families touring Lexington by car.
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Lexington
Lexington
262 reviews
Spacious two-room suites near horse country and downtown Lexington
Check availabilityWhy guests love itFor families visiting Lexington, the two-room suites at the DoubleTree make evenings much easier: children can sleep in one room while adults read or work in the other. The Kentucky Horse Park is a short drive, which makes a full day with horses simple to plan, and historic downtown is close too. The pool helps on hot Kentucky summer afternoons, the restaurant saves a trip out at dinner, and pets are accepted if the family dog comes along.
Staybridge Suites Lexington by IHG
Lexington
546 reviews
Pet-friendly suites with a heated indoor pool and daily hot breakfast
Check availabilityWhy guests love itA heated indoor pool is the first thing I would mention to families at Staybridge Suites Lexington: children can swim whatever the Kentucky weather. The hot breakfast every day and the light evening meals on select weeknights take care of several meals, a real help with children. Pets are accepted, parking is on site, and downtown Lexington is a short drive away. Rooms have a flat-screen HDTV and free WiFi. An 8.7 score from 546 reviews is very good.
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Lexington-Downtown University by IHG
Lexington
415 reviews
Indoor pool and free breakfast near the University of Kentucky
Check availabilityWhy guests love itI would pick this Holiday Inn Express for a downtown Lexington stay with an indoor pool and a free hot breakfast. Guests rate it 8.7 across 415 reviews. Every guestroom has free high-speed internet, the indoor pool is on site, and a complimentary hot breakfast is served daily. It is within walking distance of the University of Kentucky Medical Center, and parking is available on site.
Local tips
- 1Visiting the University of Kentucky Medical Center? Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Lexington-Downtown University is within walking distance.
- 2Coming for the races? Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lexington Downtown Area-Keeneland is the best-rated option here and is named for its access to Keeneland.
- 3Need more space? DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Lexington offers two-room suites, a pool and on-site dining, minutes from historic downtown.
- 4Traveling with a dog? DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Lexington and Staybridge Suites Lexington are listed as pet-friendly.
- 5Plan for a car: the horse farms, Keeneland and the Kentucky Horse Park sit outside the center, and three of the four hotels list parking on site.
- 6On a longer work trip, Staybridge Suites Lexington serves a hot breakfast daily and light evening meals on select weeknights.