Residence Inn by Marriott Indianapolis Downtown on the Canal

The location worked well for us, close to plenty of things and with access to the canal downstairs. Weekend breakfast runs until around 10 and was good. The beds were comfortable, though the pillows were very flat for my taste. Our room was fine overall, but one lamp had a short, and the toiletries felt like the cheapest dollar store kind, so I’d bring my own. They can provide pack and plays if you call ahead and have it added to the reservation, which saved us from bringing ours. Do bring a sheet, though. We packed one just in case, and were glad we did.

The rooms were clean, and the breakfast attendant did a nice job keeping the usual Marriott breakfast stocked. Emily at the front desk was especially helpful. IU - Indy, Lucas Oil Stadium, museums, and White River State Park are all within walking distance. We visited in winter, but the canal would probably be lovely in summer.

We picked this place for the pool, but a family birthday party with 20 kids was using it when we wanted to take our child swimming. Our first room smelled awful, though the replacement smelled better. The elevator had missing wallpaper and made rough noises, and the furniture didn’t match. The fridge front also looked as if it had been hit with a hammer.

The front desk interaction sent us right back out. We’d come in to book because the app was giving us trouble, and although the hotel seemed almost empty, the woman at the desk was rude and threw her hands up, saying she didn’t care whether we stayed. My wife was very upset, so we went down the street to courtyard. They were kind, gave us a small upgrade, and put us on the top floor with a view. A completely different experience.