Indy Hotel

Room 412 on the fourth floor was awful, and I was already disappointed before we even got there. The building didn’t have the hotel name on it, or inside either. We called about our very late check-in, but I sat listening to people argue on the phone before hanging up and trying again. The same thing happened, with a man yelling at someone. At 3 a.m., the gentleman at the property was on a personal call and didn’t greet us. We gave him our name, and he handed over a key card without checking anything or thanking us. He didn’t give directions until we’d started walking the wrong way. It felt like checking into a gas station convenience store. The fourth floor, which I call the “Four”gotten floor, had the only smoking room in a supposedly non-smoking hotel. It smelled like a neglected, cheap little neighborhood bar. The lampshade looked stepped on and had no screw to hold it in place. The dresser was only about two-thirds there, one side was wrecked, and the fire alarm had been ripped out. The bed skirt had pet hair on it. There were tracks for closet doors but no doors. The sink soap was shattered, the curtains were torn and didn’t fit, and the other lamp had a broken shade and was propped against the wall. The heater never worked. The beds were really uncomfortable. My son and I slept fully clothed on top of the covers because I was afraid to get into bed. The neighboring room had a chirping fire alarm too, and it sounded like alarms were missing throughout the hotel. We had to leave the TV on to drown out the noise. We decided eating there would be a mistake too. Try looking up the Hotel Indy instead of this Indy Hotel.

For $50 a night, you get a roof, walls, a bed, a TV, and a questionable door lock. That’s about it. It’s beside the highway, so bring earplugs. The building has three different hotel signs, and the place is always “under Reno.” There were holes in the entrance roof, hallways, and all of the first floor. It looked dirty and had no extras. No pool, either. Breakfast was a takeout box of snacks at the desk. The rooms weren’t clean, there were flies everywhere, and the towels had hair on them. There was writing on the doors and mold in the bathroom, covered with a fresh coat of paint. No bathroom fan, so it’s no wonder things are so poor. The elevators only work by the lobby, not at the far end of the halls. The AC took 24 hours to cool the room. Drawers were broken, and the plugs shut off when anything needed significant power, so they couldn’t charge devices. Cheap, and you get what you pay for.

After working all morning, I got back tired and went to sleep. When I woke up to use the bathroom, there was a bug crawling on the counter, which made me really uncomfortable. This hotel is badly run, and I strongly recommend finding somewhere else to rest. I tried calling the number provided to ask for a refund, but it was disconnected.

The location was hard to beat: close to local cafes, restaurants, and downtown attractions, but still tucked away enough to feel peaceful. The Indy Hotel also captures some of Indianapolis’s charm in its design and hospitality. My room was clean, stylish, comfortable, and thoughtfully laid out, with cozy linens, good lighting, and smart amenities. The staff were attentive and welcoming from check-in, and I felt right at home. I’d recommend the hotel for a work trip or weekend away, and I plan to stay again.