Indi's Hidden Gem: Homewood Suites Downtown - IUPUI Perfection!
Indi's Hidden Gem: Homewood Suites Downtown - IUPUI Perfection! (Seriously, I Think I'm In Love) - A Rambling Review
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I'm about to spill my guts (and probably a few cups of coffee) about the Homewood Suites Downtown in Indianapolis – specifically the IUPUI location. Indi called it a hidden gem, and honestly, she wasn't kidding. I've stayed in more hotels than I care to remember, from fleabag motels to ridiculously fancy resorts, and this place…this place is different. It’s got this vibe, you know? Like, you walk in, and you immediately feel… like you can just breathe.
Why the IUPUI shout-out? Because, folks, if you're in town for anything related to IUPUI, you’re practically inside the campus. Seriously, you could probably roll out of bed, stumble onto campus, and still be early for your lecture. (Don't quote me on that, though. I'm a notorious latecomer myself.)
Let’s Dive In, Shall We? (And Yes, I'm Probably Going Off-Topic)
First things first: Accessibility. God, this is important. I am a huge believer in inclusivity, and I'm happy to report the Homewood Suites gets it. Wheelchair accessible is a big ol' CHECK. Elevators? Check. Everything felt designed with everyone in mind. It wasn't just slapped on as an afterthought, you could feel the thoughtfulness. This is gold, people. Pure, unadulterated accessibility gold.
Rooms? Oh, the Rooms! (And My Slippers)
Okay, the rooms. They’re… well, they're suites! Which means… space. I'm a sucker for space. I need to spread out, I need somewhere to wander, and this place gave me that. I could practically do cartwheels (which, let's be honest, I probably tried). The Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! was a lifesaver (duh), and the Internet access was, you know, there if you needed it. They give you bathrobes? YES. And slippers? EVEN BETTER. I lived in those slippers. They were the first thing I put on and the last thing I took off. They even had blackout curtains. Pure bliss.
And the little things, man. The desk with plenty of space to spread out, the big, comfy sofa where I could crash after a long day, the refrigerator to keep my sparkling water icy cold, the coffee/tea maker (a lifesaver in the mornings, trust me). They really thought of everything. Shoutout to the extra long bed too, which was a godsend.
(Okay, Deep Breath. Getting Back to the Review…)
Cleanliness and Safety: Because, Well, 2024
Let's be real. Post-pandemic, we all have anxiety about cleanliness. But they're doing it right here. They're using anti-viral cleaning products, so huge thumbs up on that one. They had daily disinfection in common areas – you could see the staff working diligently. The room sanitization opt-out available is a nice touch, letting you decide how much cleaning you actually want. AND, they're offering professional-grade sanitizing services which is a big win for me! They offered hand sanitizer and individually-wrapped food options, although I can't vouch for them all the time.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventures
Here's where things get a little… patchy. They have breakfast [buffet], and it’s okay. Nothing to write home about, tbh. I'm more of a "grab a muffin and run" type. They did have some alternative meal arrangement that was a godsend for my friend who is vegetarian, which was nice, and they sometimes had Asian breakfast options too.
They do have a coffee shop which is a definite plus. And a snack bar, which, again, convenient. And the poolside bar… I didn't actually use it this trip, but it looked tempting.
(Rant Alert: The Pool. Oh, the Pool.)
They have a swimming pool [outdoor]. And listen, it looks amazing. Pool with view is probably a stretch, but it's a nice pool. The ONLY problem (and this is a me problem, probs) is that I'm a terrible swimmer, and I froze my butt off, even on the not so cold days. Seriously! I literally lasted twenty minutes before I sprinted for the sauna (they have one! Spa/sauna is a go!). I was told they had a pool, but I'm going to be honest: I didn't spend nearly enough quality time there. Next time, I'm bringing a beach towel and setting up like a lizard!
(Moving Right Along…)
Services and Conveniences: The Little Things that Make a Difference
Air conditioning in public area? Check. Currency exchange? Check. Cash withdrawal? Check. Basically, they have everything you could need. The concierge was super helpful, and I really appreciated the daily housekeeping. And the elevator was a lifesaver because… stairs are the enemy, especially after indulging in the pastries at the coffee shop.
Getting Around: Easy Peasy
Car park [free of charge]. A huge thumbs up. Who wants to pay for parking? Not me! They also have airport transfer (didn’t use it, but it’s nice to know it exists) and taxi service.
Fitness Fanatics? (Or, Me… in Theory)
They have a fitness center. I intended to use it. I really, really did. But… well, the lure of the slippers and the soundproof rooms always won. I guess I’ll hit the gym next time! But hey, the option is there.
Things to Do/Ways to Relax: (The Spa Dream That Never Came True)
They have a spa! And I fully intended to indulge. Massage, Body wrap, Body scrub. Bliss, right? Wrong. I was too busy… doing things. Next time, I am booking a full day at the spa. Mark my words.
For the Kids: Family Friendly (Probably)
They have babysitting service. Also probably for the family-friendly.
Sounding a Little Too Positive? Let's Get Real.
Okay, okay. No place is perfect. Here's the truth:
- The internet, while Free Wi-Fi, wasn't always blazing fast. (BUT, I was there to work, so it was a bit on the slower side) I didn't test the Internet access – LAN
- The breakfast, again, was functional. It wasn't a culinary masterpiece.
- I really, really wish I'd used the pool more.
- Also, I forgot to check the extra toilet during the rush hour
But honestly? These are minor quibbles. The overall experience was fantastic.
Final Verdict: Go! Go! Go!
Look, I'm not easily impressed. But Homewood Suites Downtown IUPUI? Impressed. I'm already planning my next trip. It’s not just a hotel; it’s an experience. It’s a place where you can actually relax, feel comfortable, and maybe even… find your "happy place" (mine, apparently, is in those slippers). Five stars. Two thumbs way up. Consider me a convert. Indi, you were right. This place is a hidden gem!
SEO and Metadata Awesomeness (Because, You Know, Gotta Be Modern):
- Title: Indi's Hidden Gem: Homewood Suites Downtown - IUPUI Perfection! (A Review)
- Keywords: Homewood Suites Downtown Indianapolis, IUPUI, hotel review, Indianapolis hotel, accessibility, free wifi, suites, spa, pool, value, clean hotel, downtown indianapolis, family friendly hotel
- Meta Description: A brutally honest (and slightly rambling) review of the Homewood Suites Downtown Indianapolis, specifically the IUPUI location. Find out what makes it a "hidden gem" and whether the author's slippers were truly worth the price of admission. Accessibility, cleanliness, and the questionable delights of the breakfast buffet explored…
- URL: something like you can get from it - /homewood-suites-downtown-iupui-review/
This should capture the essence of the place, my rambling thoughts, and hopefully, get some eyeballs on this awesome hotel. Now, excuse me while I go dream about those slippers…
Juneau's Hidden Gem: Baranof Downtown BW Signature Collection Awaits!
Alright, alright, buckle up buttercups! We're diving headfirst into my masterpiece… a stay at the Homewood Suites in Indy. Now, I've got this whole "itinerary" thing planned, but let's be real, it's less a rigid schedule and more a suggestion – a gentle nudge in the direction of potential chaos and questionable decisions. Consider this my personal, and incredibly honest, field report. Homewood Suites Indianapolis Downtown IUPUI: My Indy Adventure (or, How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Free Breakfast)
Day 1: Arrival and Indulgence (or, "I Am My Own Personal Guinea Pig")
- 1:00 PM: Arrival & Hotel Check-In (or, The Great Lobby Shuffle). So, picture this: me, finally arriving, slightly disheveled (thanks, flight turbulence!), and lugging two suitcases that weigh more than a small adult. The hotel lobby… it's fine. Perfectly clean, pleasantly beige-toned, the kind of place that screams "business travel" and whispers "bland". The front desk person was sweet enough. Check-in was a breeze, and I got a room on the 8th floor. Nice view, at least they had a view.
- 1:30 PM: Room Recon and the Quest for Coffee (or, Where's the Frickin' Keurig?). Okay, room check! It looks exactly like the photos online, which, honestly, is a relief. I'm not a fan of surprises. There was a tiny kitchenette – a microwave, a mini-fridge (score!), and a sink. But no Keurig. OH, THE HUMANITY!! After a minor internal freakout (the "I need caffeine, or I will spontaneously combust" variety), I discovered the lovely, and sometimes temperamental single-serve coffee machine. I almost burned myself on the hot water, but hey, we all have our moments.
- 2:00 PM: Downtown Exploration, First Impressions and First Food(or, "This City's Got Vibe").** After a quick caffeine fix and a quick change, I took a walk, exploring the area around the hotel. I was actually quite shocked! Downtown Indianapolis has got some charm, I gotta admit. There were some cool shops, some old buildings, and just a general buzz that I wasn't expecting. Okay, honestly, I was expecting a sea of office buildings and chain restaurants. I got that a bit, but I also got… personality. I stopped for a burger at a local place, and it was divine. Seriously, the fries were perfect. This is already looking up!
- 5:00 PM: The Homewood Suites Evening Reception (or, Will I Be Judged for My Pretensions?). The hotel offers a free evening reception! Free food! Free drinks! My kind of scene! I debated. Should I go? It's a little… social. I'm an introvert disguised as a… well, something less introverted. But hey, free food! It was all very… civilised. There were cheese cubes, mini-quiches, and some questionable, but free, wine. I may have lingered a little longer than necessary to finish off the cheese. No regrets.
- 7:00 PM: Evening Entertainment (or, The Dilemma of the Hotel Gym). Should I hit the gym? I really should. I might have overdone it on the cheese cubes. But, the hotel gym is… well, it's a hotel gym. Small space, questionable equipment, and a distinct aroma of stale sweat. I decided to pass, opting instead for an evening of Netflix and chocolate chip cookies that I picked up from the lobby shop. Priorities, people.
- 9:00 PM: Bedtime (or, That Moment You Realize You Left Your Charger at Home). Oh crap. I’m running low on power by the time I remember!
Day 2: Culture, History, and a Serious Pancake Situation
- 7:00 AM: The Free Breakfast Apocalypse (or, The Battle for the Waffles). This is the moment I've been both dreading and anticipating. The infamous "free breakfast." Let's be honest, sometimes it's a glorious, glorious thing. And sometimes, it's a greasy, lukewarm, chain-restaurant nightmare. Today, the waffles were crispy. The fruit was relatively fresh. The coffee was passable. It was a win! I may have eaten three waffles. Don't judge me!
- 8:00 AM: The Indianapolis Zoo (or, Getting My Animal Fix ). I've always had a soft spot for animals, so visiting the Indianapolis Zoo seemed like a great idea. The displays were well-done and engaging. The orangutans were my favorite, swinging around. The zoo was far bigger than I expected, and I walked around for 4 hours.
- 1:00 PM: Lunch and a Moment of Self-Reflection (or, Why Am I Here Again?) I had a sandwich at a local deli and a quick break back at the hotel. A moment of quiet, maybe even a nap. I suddenly questioned what I was doing on this trip. It's important to be able to take a moment for yourself
- 3:00 PM: Stroll through the Arts Garden (or, Looking up, maybe a bit too much.) "The Arts Garden", a glass-enclosed space over a street? I had no clue, but I heard so many things. Apparently popular with locals and tourists alike, so I had to check it out. Well, it was nice! I loved it! I guess I am just a softy for art, I didn't expect to see so much. I sat for a while watching people and appreciating the architecture.
- 6:00 PM: Dinner (or, Finding the Perfect Bar). I walked around and looked for the best spot to dine. I wanted something local, and maybe with a relaxed atmosphere. I got my wish at a tiny, crowded, but cozy bar. Amazing food and people!
- 8:00 PM: Back to the Hotel — Again (or, The Quiet of the Night). Back to the Homewood Suites. The hotel is much quieter at night, but the lights still shine pretty bright. I had a beer and watched TV.
Day 3: Departure (or, The Sad Farewell to the Free Breakfast)
- 7:00 AM: The Last Free Breakfast (or, One Last Grasp at Waffle Glory). I took a moment to myself, eating one last waffle, and thinking about all the other hotels I've stayed at. I realized the flaws with the hotel, but also accepted them. I have grown.
- 8:00 AM: Final Packing and Checkout (or, The Great Luggage Lament). I'm actually surprisingly good at packing. The hotel staff were also amazing!
- 9:00 AM: Departure (or, "Until Next Time, Indy!"). Goodbye Indianapolis! I'm ready to go home! I'm still gonna be back. I'll definitely be back. I think.
Final Thoughts:
The Homewood Suites was… well, it was a hotel. It served its purpose. Would I stay again? Sure. It's convenient, clean, and offers free food. Plus, Indy surprised me. It's got a pulse. It's got character. Just… next time, I'm bringing my own coffee. Maybe.
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Indi's Hidden Gem: Homewood Suites Downtown - IUPUI Perfection?! (Or, You Know, Mostly) - FAQ
Is "IUPUI Perfection"… a slight exaggeration? Be honest.
Okay, look, "perfection" might be pushing it. Let's just say, if you're a stressed-out parent dropping off their kid at IUPUI, or you're an alum back for a reunion, and you *desperately* need a place to crash that's not a total dive… Homewood Suites Downtown, especially the IUPUI location, is about as close to perfection as you're gonna get. I mean, you're *there*. You can actually *see* the campus. No more frantic Ubers! I once made a run for a forgotten textbook at 3 am because I realized I needed it like, *five minutes* before class, and it was a ten-minute walk. Total game changer. Though, the perfection aspect took a hit when my key card stopped working at like, 2 am, and I had to wake up a sleeping night auditor. Awkward. Still, though, the location itself? Unbeatable.
Alright, what's actually good about it besides proximity to IUPUI? Lay it on me.
Okay, okay, besides the obvious, here's the real deal. The suites themselves are surprisingly spacious. I’m talking like, *actual* space. More than enough room to spread out your stuff, especially if you're there for a long-term stay. (I once spent a *month* there during a particularly grueling internship, and, surprisingly, didn't go insane. That's a huge win). The included breakfast? Standard Homewood Suites fare, which, frankly, is usually pretty decent. Waffles, eggs, the usual suspects. The free evening reception, though? Sometimes a blessing, sometimes a curse. Free beer and snacks when you're stressed and exhausted? Sign me up. Free beer and snacks when you *should* be studying? A slightly more complicated situation. Let's just say I got a little *too* friendly with the cheese and crackers a few times. Don't judge me. Graduation's tough! Though, that pool. A little dingy in its own right, but a pool is a pool, and being next to a pool is a blessing when it's 80 degrees outside and you have to run an errand.
What's the catch? There HAS to be a catch.
Oh, honey, there are *always* catches. First off, it's… a Homewood Suites. Which means it’s part of a chain. So, don't expect some quirky, independent boutique hotel experience. It's clean, functional, predictable. Predictable, you know? The decor is… well, let's call it 'inoffensive.' Think beige. Lots and lots of beige. And the breakfast area, especially at peak times, feels like a crowded cattle call. Getting a waffle can be a full-on competitive sport. I've witnessed some serious waffle-related aggression. Also, parking. Ugh, the parking. It's not *terrible*, but it's not free, either. And depending on the time of day, you *might* have to circle for a bit. My biggest pet peeve? The occasional overly cheerful staff member. Look, I appreciate hospitality, but sometimes all I need is a quiet check-in experience. I'm jet lagged from a red-eye flight, I probably smell like airplane food, and I just want to get to my room. But, you gotta smile and pretend you're happy, you know? We've all been there. But mostly, I'm being honest; it's not perfection. But it's a damn good option, especially when you compare these hotel's qualities to how awful some of the other places nearby.
Should I book it? Give me the bottom line.
Look, if you need to be near IUPUI, and you want a relatively comfortable, convenient, and reliable experience, book it. Especially if you're a parent. The peace of mind knowing you're a stone's throw from campus is worth its weight in gold. If you're a prospective student, checking out the campus, you could do a lot worse. If you're a student, consider getting a long-term stay. The kitchenettes are great, and the free Wi-Fi is essential. And, honestly, the price is usually pretty reasonable. Just temper your expectations slightly. It's not the Four Seasons, but it’ll do the trick. And hey, if you see me at the waffle station, say hi, but don't try to cut in line. I'm serious about my waffles.
Any particularly memorable experiences? Good, bad, indifferent… spill the tea.
Alright, buckle up. I have stories. The most memorable? Okay, so, during a massive snowstorm a few years back, the entire city shut down. I was stuck there during a final week. The roads were impassable, everything was closed. I was basically trapped, surrounded by other stranded students. And the hotel? They *rose* to the occasion. The staff was incredible. They kept the breakfast going, despite the insane conditions. They even managed to scrounge up some extra blankets and supplies. It was like a mini-apocalypse survival situation, but with free waffles. And free beer at the reception – I'm telling you, that was a godsend. Even though I was stressed out that my exams might not happen, the staff was amazing, and the atmosphere was, dare I say, collegial. The whole experience forged some strange, snow-day camaraderie. I'll never forget it. So yeah, there are good and bad times, but at the heart of it, Homewood Suites - IUPUI is a solid choice, and sometimes, it's even kind of…home. Or at least, a slightly beige, waffle-filled version of home.
Okay, I'm craving waffles now. But seriously, any tips for maximizing the Homewood Suites experience?
Okay, waffle-related planning... First, *always* snag a room on the higher floors. Seriously, the views from the upper floors aren't necessarily spectacular, but you get a little extra peace and quiet - crucial for studying or just avoiding the early morning breakfast rush. If you're a light sleeper, request a room away from the elevator. The noise can be a killer. Next, take advantage of the kitchenette. A mini-fridge and microwave are your best friends when trying to save money or when the pizza place down the street is already closed. Bring your own coffee, seriously. Hotel coffee is typically terrible. And finally, and this is the most important tip: go to breakfast early. Avoid the waffle stampede. Trust me on this.
