Luxury Stays and Getaways: Conrad Indianapolis Welcomes Creative Souls to Its Artistic Downtown Hotel
The Collection boasts art-themed suites.
In the heart of Indianapolis’ downtown is a hotel that will warm the hearts of any art lovers who step through the doors. The Conrad Indianapolis is a high-tech property that doubles as an art gallery with works both modern and classic found throughout the hotel.
They’ve even designed a collection of guestroom suites around specific art themes, offering unique rooms to discerning guests. The first floor hosts an art gallery with rotating exhibits. Last winter, it had photographs by Andy Warhol. The spa boasts a Picasso.
A king-size bed with custom pillows dominates the silver-colored bedroom.
Why You’ll Love It
The Conrad Indianapolis is simply a visually beautiful property with luxurious amenities. What’s more, they must have a superior training program because the staff is as friendly as they come. They make each guest feel unique and welcome. They’re available to help with even repeated requests such as, “How do I make the elevator work again?”
But they boast that their crown jewel is The Collection, and it’s swagger well-earned. The Collection is a group of luxury suites devoted to art genres—Modernism, Pop, Contemporary and Surrealism. Each has its own color scheme, furnishings, artwork and layout. The Pop comes with a fireplace, the Modernism comes with a dining table.
I stayed in the Contemporary, which had large art pieces by Russell Young, David Kramer and John Matos. My favorite was the one stating: “I have no problem with Facebook…except now I know that I probably should have married my high school sweetheart.” One of the lovely aspects of having huge gallery-quality work in a guest room is that you can lounge on the couch or Art Deco chairs and really study the work, approaching it from different angles over multiple days. It’s a treat you don’t get in an art gallery or museum.
This large print adorned the wall of one of The Collection suites.
The room had a bright, bold design with remote switches that controlled all the lights as well as the curtains and blinds. It was great to crawl into bed and just hit a bedside button to turn everything off.
In addition to the wet bar (replete with several different types of glassware) and comfortable couches, the room also provided reading material—a contemporary coffee table art book (found, of course, on the coffee table) that made for great reading.
The bathroom competes with the spa when it comes to the oversized shower area with a rainfall spout and a stone bench. If you’re so inclined, the bathroom has a backlit LED mirror with an inset HDTV.
A sleek bathroom includes a television inset in the mirror and an oversized shower.
What to Expect
Expect to be warmly greeted and to stay in a high-tech room that is even pet-friendly. Know that your room will be comfortable and the staff eager to make suggestions on either how to enjoy the property or things in the nearby downtown.
Both paintings and sculptures will greet you as you traverse the hallways and large lobby. There is an upbeat, energetic vibe throughout the property, a place where people gather, where they celebrate, where they can enjoy some of the best hospitality that Indianapolis has to offer.
A bedside controller puts all the lighting at your fingertips.
A single push of a button provides different mood lightings in the room.
Key Features
Every room, whether part of The Collection or not, has Conrad’s signature upscale bedding, and it makes for a comfortable sleep. They offer a complimentary pillow menu so you can choose the firmness or fluffiness that you want.
There is no shortage of pillows and I slept amid a nest of them during my stay. Room amenities are plentiful from the usual bath gels and shampoos to a dental kit, sewing kit and mouth wash.
The pool, fitness center and spa share space on the 6th floor in the luxury hotel’s Wellness Center. The pool is built for lap swimming, but is surrounded with comfortable recliners and tall greenery that creates a serene effect. They are the only hotel in downtown Indianapolis that has a spa, pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, private showers and lockers.
There is no self-parking at the downtown property, but valet parking is $49 a day and includes full in-and-out service with valets who are not only quick to get your vehicle, but helpful with directions to wherever you might be going. You can also call from your room and schedule your car pick up time in advance.
The hotel is connected via an elevated walkway to the Indiana Convention Center, which means you don’t even have to step outside during those bitter Midwest winter days.
The wet bar supplies a range of glass size for any guest need.
The Contemporary Suite featured bold colored furnishings.
Cuisine
While room service is available (and perhaps preferred by many in these COVID days, especially in a state where mask wearing is uncommon at best), the Conrad Indianapolis has two outlets that emphasize the culinary experience.
“Tastings” is a wine bar that has earned such honors as “Best Wine Bar” three years in a row by Indy A-List and Wine Spectator’s “Award of Excellence” for four years running. It has the largest by-the-glass wine list in Indianapolis and offers 2-ounce tastings in addition to bottle and glass options. On warm days, you can enjoy the wine, cheese platters, appetizers, and tapas-style small plate menu out on the patio or lounge on an indoor couch while eating.
“The Capital Grille” opens early morning for breakfast and provides meals throughout the day—including takeout for lunch and dinner. Proper dress is required and guests can also reserve private dining spaces for parties or events.
The spa receptionist recommended the lobster bisque, and it was indeed a dish not to be missed with large chunks of lobster filling the buttery soup. The menu is filled with seafood and steak offerings, each seasoned with care. I enjoyed the Pan-Seared Bass with miso butter, shiitake mushrooms and asparagus, and it truly was a heavenly entree. The breads are out of this world and well-worth savoring.
I visited on a busy Friday night and did have some service challenges, but both my server and the manager were quick to apologize and offer to do whatever was needed to make things right. While I am not inclined to complain about service in these COVID-strapped personnel days, it was kind of them to send me home with a complimentary dessert and to remove from my bill the soup and salad that didn’t arrive until long after the entrée. Even at an upscale restaurant, perfection is not possible, but they went above and beyond to respond when things didn’t go as planned. That’s the sign of a fine establishment.
Delectable sea bass entry at the property's Capital Grille.
The Capitol Grille offers up a custom-made drink, freshly baked bread and a wedge salad.
Insider’s Tips
Reserve one of the suites from The Collection if at all available. It really makes staying in the room an experience in itself. While the city has much to offer, you won’t want to leave the room and they’re great for hosting company with their separate living areas and bathrooms. Two of the rooms are adjacent if you want a two-bedroom suite.
Also, make time to wander the lobby and first floor to experience the artwork. They range from intriguing to beautiful to serene. Even if you are there are a business trip or just passing through, you’ll miss out on what makes the property special if you don’t stop and appreciate all that the art has to offer.
It’s truly a unique experience akin to visiting an art museum. Tucked away beyond the front desk is an art gallery—the award-winning Long-Sharp Gallery—open for limited hours during the day.
Sculptures and paintings are found throughout the Conrad Indianapolis.
Spa Treatments
The Conrad Spa, which is open Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., was remodeled and rebranded during the COVID shutdown. Treatments include:
Spa Profile: Conrad Spa Indianapolis
Massages: From Swedish to deep tissue to maternity, the Conrad Spa offers massages ranging from 30 to 120 minutes. They also have a dynamic stretching treatment that focuses on a specific muscle or tendon.
Body Treatments: There are four body treatments, each offering a different outcome. They include Hot Stone Exfoliation, Lavender Body Polish, Rosemary Mint Body Polish, and Vanilla Body Polish.
Facials: Whether you want a customized facial or a dermaplane, Conrad Spa has the treatment for you. They include hand and arm treatments, and a high-frequency treatment is also available.
Other options include hair removal and nail treatments. Or, if you really want to spend a day rejuvenating and refreshing, you can choose one of their aptly named art “masterpieces” that combine several services. There is “Art of It All,” “Art of Celebrating,” and “Love Is an Art.”
A treatment room at the recently remodeled spa.
Accommodations
The Conrad Hilton Indianapolis is 23 stories and has 247 guestrooms with 15,000 square feet of meeting space and 15 private residences.
“Deluxe” and “Superior” rooms are 420 square feet and are available with various configurations such as two double beds or a king bed. There is a large work desk and a decked-out bathroom with a marble floor and plenty of amenities. All rooms come with bathrobes, bath slippers and multiple televisions.
The suites range from 730 feet to 825 square feet. The Collection rooms have their own private lobby with art work throughout the floor and the two-room corner suites can be found on the other floors. All have a beautiful view of the city.
There is a selection of accessible rooms designed either for mobility accessibility or hearing accessibility.
For more information and to book a stay, call 317-713-5000 or visit Conrad Indianapolis’ website and follow them on Instagram: @conradindy
50 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
[Photos by Bridgette Redman]
Bridgette Redman, who is a second-generation journalist, fell in love with spas and travel while working as a writer and editor for 16 years at the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. As a freelancer for the International SPA Association, she co-wrote two textbooks, nine workbooks and numerous case studies on spas. Her freelance career began in the 80s and she has written for publications in Michigan, Arizona, California, and Texas along with several regional and national publications. She is a committed storyteller who loves sharing narratives which improve people's quality of life and build community. Born and raised in Michigan, she currently lives in Lansing with her husband and son. See more of her writing at www.bridgetteredman.com