Hotel Distil, Autograph Collection

The food at Repeal was 10/10, whether we went for breakfast or dinner. We ate breakfast there each morning, and all our servers impressed us. Brunch can involve a wait if you arrive later in the morning. For dinner, our host Jared and waiter Keith were great, and my husband loved both the food and the vintage bourbon flight he bought. My husband and I went to Louisville for a Valentine’s Day trip to see Whiskey Row, and Hotel Distil impressed us from arrival to departure. We booked a connoisseur suite, a king-sized room with a lavish living area and separate bedroom. We upgraded hoping to try the Bourbon cart experience available only to those suites, but didn’t get around to it. The floor-to-ceiling windows and spa bathroom were lovely, though the sliding doors and drapes could be temperamental. Every night at 1933 (733 pm), the hotel toasts the repeal of prohibition with a free glass of whisky for guests. We’ll definitely return to Hotel Distil and Repeal, and tell our friends it’s the place to stay on Whiskey Row.

The room was packed with a lot of things: two beds with four pillows each, a TV, refrigerator, coffee station, and a little bench against the wall. There wasn’t much space to walk once we put our luggage down. The beds were comfortable, and we had a street view facing YUM center. The bathroom layout seemed a little weird to me. As you enter, there’s a big sink with towels, lotions, and a hair dryer. I think it could’ve been moved between the shower and toilet to free up the entrance space. Still, it was a good bathroom, and the shower had good temperature and pressure. The toilet is in a separate room. The hotel feels upscale and chic downtown, and staff made us feel relaxed and welcome as soon as we came in. The first-floor restaurant buzzes at night, while breakfast is calm and quiet. We absolutely loved it. Breakfast was wonderful, made to order rather than buffet, and our Marriott member credits covered the cost. The staff were all very friendly, and there are lots of restaurants nearby. Parking is in a garage across the street for $22 per day, and you have to pay again each time you exit. Valet costs $47.

The steakhouse and bar downstairs are a real highlight, especially the superb appetizers and top-notch drinks. The hotel is also a great base for bourbon distilleries, with Old Forester right next door and plenty more within walking distance. My room was lovely and well cared for, and the staff were warm and helpful. They even provide bottled water without charging extra. A wonderful downtown Louisville stay.

We loved the evening prescription ritual and found the rooms comfortable and clean. The bartenders made excellent drinks and urged us to try the bread pudding, which was a 10/10. Douglas and the rest of the valet crew went out of their way to help us charge our car in the garage. Hotel Distill is ideally placed for bourbon tours, restaurants, and a walk to the stadium, and the restaurant and bar are top-notch. One letdown: I called lost and found about my favorite shirt, which I’m quite sure I left behind, but nobody called me back.