Old Northside Bed & Breakfast

My daughter and I stayed over senior year spring break, and we really enjoyed it. Gary went out of his way to make things great. The house is fantastic, with decor and movie selections that brought back memories, and it's right in the heart of history.

The host was pleasant enough, and there were nice touches like complimentary cookies. The location is great, the exterior is beautiful, and having an in-room jacuzzi was a plus. The mattress was very hard, though the sheets were clean. There was a lot of clutter and dust inside. The fake flowers and trees, blinds, and knick knacks were dusty, and I noticed a faint old cigarette smell, especially near the fake plants. There were cobwebs on the blinds, too. I also saw old water damage, with cracks and puckered, peeling paint in two ceiling corners, although there didn't seem to be any current leaks. What made me uncomfortable was overhearing the host talking in a hostile way about "stupid liberals" and "bad liberal parenting" with what I assume was another guest. The TV's "continue watching" suggestions were pro Trump programs. As a queer liberal, I didn't feel comfortable staying with someone who spoke that way about people while hosting guests whose identities he didn't know. There are many queer people in that part of town, so I was surprised he didn't consider that guests might be uncomfortable with anti-liberal comments, especially when current "conservatives" are anti-queer. I can't say whether he was personally anti-queer, but having hostile political conversations in front of guests is poor hosting.

For our wedding anniversary, we chose the library/wedding suite for one night, and it was incredible. The private sitting room and the biggest bathtub I've ever seen made it feel romantic, while the location in the heart of downtown meant we could park here and Uber cheaply. I had planned to book a hotel, but the options I saw felt corporate, and the small touches here made this place stand out. Gary was warm, gracious, and incredibly accommodating. I sometimes feel awkward at B&Bs, but he made me feel right at home. He makes many of his own treats, keeps the mini fridge stocked with drinks, and prepares breakfast fresh each morning. He'd even provided things I'd forgotten, like the wall portion of my outlet and a makeup wipe. It's a beautiful, convenient spot in Indy, and I'm sure we'll be back!

Old Northside BnB was among the quietest B&Bs we've stayed in, even with the big city all around. Gary's a great host and has plenty of interesting stories to tell.