Hotels Near Murat Centre

The following post is a guest blog from Kirk Stelsel who has been a client, a guest and a fan of our hotel since 2010 when we hosted his wedding party and guests.  Kirk's post comes to us voluntarily and he was not paid or encouraged to write on our behalf.  Follow Kirk on Twitter: @kirkstelsel  THANKS FOR THE RECOMMENDATION, KIRK!

Being put in charge of planning a bachelor party is both an honor and a burden.

Anyone who has ever planned an event of any sort knows how hard it is to please an entire group of people by meeting everyone’s needs, ensuring everyone has fun and getting everyone on the same page.

Thankfully, one part of my planning was easy – picking the hotel for our downtown Indianapolis bachelor party. When it came to location, price, quality and service – I knew the service was good based on the way they handled my wedding – the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown was the only place I needed to contact.

Dinner at a local favorite for pretty much all the guys involved, Scotty’s Brewhouse, was a short walk down Pennsylvania Street from one of our favorite downtown Indianapolis hotels. After dinner, moving on to the best place to enjoy nightlife in the entire city, Mass Ave., was easy to walk as well.

If its basketball or football season and you want to take in a game as part of your bachelor party, the HGI is one of the closest hotels near Bankers Life Fieldhouse for a Pacers game and is an easy walk. Catching a Colts game at Lucas Oil Stadium is just across a compact downtown, so either a healthy walk or a very short cab ride. If music is your thing, the Murat Centre (now the Old National Centre) is right down on the street on the aforementioned Mass Ave.  The HGI is one of the closest hotels near Murat Centre.

I’ve stayed at this hotel three times now, and had countless wedding guests stay there, and every time has been exceptional. The rooms are always clean, the staff is always friendly, and both my bachelor party and wedding guests went out of their way to tell me what a great hotel I had picked for them. If you want a downtown Indianapolis hotel for your bachelor party with bang for your buck, service and some pretty cool history, check out the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown.

Rib America Festival.  Downtown Indianapolis.  Labor Day weekend.  2012.

You know this is one of my absolute favorite annual events in downtown Indianapolis if you pay attention to the blog.  I remember going even when I was in high school, driving 30+ minutes to come downtown at the Murat Centre parking lot.  The event has long since outgrown that small lot and now calls Military Park its home.

My top three reason you should do Rib America Festival this year:

1. GREAT FOOD - Of course this event is all about the eats.  Presented by Indiana Pork Farmers, you have the opportunity to sample some great smoked, dry rubbed or slathered meat from around the country.  Ribs, rib tips, pulled port, chicken, turkey...it's all there.  Corn bread, spiral cut potatoes, tons of sauces, grilled corn, funnel cakes...it's all there.  Yes, they serve booze, too.

2. GREAT LIVE MUSIC -

Let's kick things off with Friday night's lineup featuring:

• Duke Tomatoe & The Power Trio - 5-6:30pm
• Eddie Money - 7-8:30pm
• George Clinton & The Parliament Funkadelic - 9-10:30pm

Saturday's lineup is something different for Rib Fest this year and I am SO excited to see this change in the schedule.  They are presenting a jam band day, which I will not miss.

• Upshot - 12-1pm
• Infamous Stringdusters - 1:30-2:30pm
• Twin Cats - 3-4:30pm
• The Werks - 5-6:30pm
• Ivan Neville's Dumpstaphunk - 7-8:30pm
• moe. - 9-11pm

Sunday:

• Picture Yes - 12:30-2pm
• Hunter Smith Band - 2:45-4:15pm
• TBA - 5-6:30pm
• Night Ranger - 7:15-8:45pm
• Tesla - 9:30-11pm

Monday:

• Flatbed Twitch - 12-1:30
• Dude - 2-3:30pm
• Blue Oyster Cult - 4-5:30pm
• Cheap Trick - 6-7:30pm

3. PEOPLE WATCHING:

Always one of the best elements at any type of festival.  It's great to sit around and watch people walk, or stumble, by.  Check out the crowd having a great time.  Talk to your fellow festival-goers to find out which stand has the best sauce, best ribs, best deal.

The Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown is proud to be the Official Hotel sponsor of this year's Rib America Festival...for the fifth consecutive year!  Our three star hotel downtown Indianapolis has some great offers for you as we partner once again with this year's festivities:

Rib America Indianapolis Hotel Package - Ribs & More includes your overnight guest room, breakfast for two in the restaurant, two admission tickets and 20 food and beverage tickets to use at Rib America Festival.  Click the link to find out more!

Rib America Indianapolis Hotel Deal - ROOM ONLY RATE includes only your Indianapolis hotel accommodations.

You may even run into the winner of this year's people's choice award...or a musician if you stay with us!

After the exciting Super Bowl festivities of 2012, Indianapolis is the place to be. Mayor Greg Ballard on the eve of this famous football weekend discussed the event with Fox Business in the following video: Indianapolis Mayor on Super Bowl Impact

With expectations that the city could see an average of $200 million or more in profits from the festival, Indianapolis spent about $12 million on creating the Super Bowl village and additional monies on preparing the city for the onslaught of football fans.

As the 12th largest city in the United States, Indianapolis and downtown in particular provides plenty of hotels near Conseco Fieldhouse. And, with all the attention many meeting planners, travelers and even locals are coming to the realization that Indianapolis is one of the best places to host group meetings, conventions and weddings. From Murat Centre to Lucas Oil Stadium, the choice of attractions such as theatre, fine dining and sports make Downtown a happening place for every event imaginable.

As the premier conference hotel Indianapolis travelers choose, the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown provides all the necessary amenities to make groups quite comfortable for meetings with over 6,700 square feet dedicated meeting space and luxury room accomodations to make guests feel right at home.

In addition, of all the Indianapolis wedding hotels in downtown ours with the historical beauty to make every bride and groom’s day something special. Find out more about our group and wedding packages by giving us a call at (317) 955-9700.
 

If you’ve stayed at Hilton Garden Inn anywhere in the world, you’d know that the service we offer is unsurpassed. Of course, when it comes to our newly renovated hotel Indianapolis location, we are far above par than other hotels near Indianapolis airport.

Have you loved your stay at any of Hilton Garden Inn's locations? If yes, then you might want to show your love by liking Hilton Garden Inn on Facebook. Liking us will not only make you eligible for several contests that we have running, it will also allow you to interact with several other Hilton lovers.

For instance, recently we had a “Like Us for Points promo” on Facebook, wherein Facebookers could simply click the Like button and take advantage of 250 Hilton Honors points – points that are coveted by every Hilton regular.

You should also check out our Wall on Facebook – it is a very happening place. There is a lot of interaction always going on there between people who are regular visitors to Hilton Garden Hotels, people who had their first experience with Hilton and those who are going to vacation or drop by a Hilton hotel in the near future. Peep in and you’ll love the active discussions we have there.

Coming back to Indianapolis, if you are wondering whether Hilton Garden Inn is one of the hotels near Murat Centre – we are. We are also close to the speedway, the Lucas Oil Stadium and the Convention Centre. Come drop by and we’ll give you a reason to like us on Facebook.

Congratulations!  You just got engaged!  After the excitement, you realize you have so much to do to prepare and plan for your wedding.  Find a ceremony and reception venue, pick colors, decide on a menu, whittle down the guest list and find an Indianapolis wedding hotel for your friends and family coming in from out of town.

Yes, we are an Indianapolis wedding hotel located in the heart of downtown Indianapolis.  We can help you with your friends and family Indianapolis group travel.  Discounted rates may be available for your group of 10 rooms or more.  Indy is a busy city, so we always recommend checking the convention calendar to try to avoid the busiest dates of the year where availability is limited and rates are high.  You want Uncle Ted to be able to buy you a gift and not spend all his money on the hotel, right?

Not only can we help with your hotel reservations Indianapolis, Celia Belden, Catering Sales Coordinator, can assist you with your small(er) ceremony and reception!  Our James Whitcomb Riley room seats about 90 for a ceremony (it's uniquely shaped), and our Benjamin Harrison Ballroom maxes out at 120.

Click the photo for more information, or to submit a request for a proposal or book your room block yourself, check out our eEvents page.  Start the process of booking with our three star hotel downtown Indianapolis today!  Our location is perfect for your wedding guests to enjoy the fun, and walkable, downtown area!


Some of the wedding venues to which we are closest, 2nd closest or are great partners:

• D'Amore Events of Indianapolis (attached through Chase Tower Parking Garage
• The Rathskeller
• Murat Centre
• Indiana Landmarks Center
• Conseco Fieldhouse
• Roberts Park United Methodist Church
• Scottish Rite Cathedral
• Mavris Arts & Events Center
• Fountain Square Theatre
• Indianapolis Zoo
• Community Life Center

Lovers of art and culture will find the Murat Center in Indianapolis as a sweet treat as there are various events and performances for people of all ages and sometimes even Indianapolis hotel packages to go along with some of the events.

Here are upcoming performances happening at the Murat Center to entertain people who are looking for modern, contemporary and classic music:

• Wicked (Dec. 15, 2010 to Jan. 1, 2011)
• Need to Breathe with the Daylights: Young and Far From Home Tour (Dec. 19, 2010)
• Here Come the Mummies (Dec. 31, 2010)
• Wiz Khalifa (Jan. 13, 2011)
• Paula Deen (Jan. 15, 2011)
• Miranda Cosgrove with Greyson Chance (Jan. 29, 2011)
• Dark Star Orchestra (Jan. 29, 2011)
• Girls Night: The Musical (Feb. 5, 2011)
• James Taylor (Mar. 4, 2011)
• The Pink Floyd Experience (Mar. 3, 2011)
• Flogging Molly (Mar. 10, 2011)
• Cheaper to Keep Her (Mar. 13, 2011)
• Celtic Woman (Apr. 9, 2011)
• Sister’s Easter Catechism (Apr. 9, 2011)
• Orla Fallon (May 1, 2011)

There are also events to entertain kids and kids at heart:

• Legends of Hip-Hop (Jan. 14, 2011)
• Sesame Street Live: 123 Imagine! with Elmo and Friends (Feb. 25-27, 2011)
• Madagascar Live (Mar. 29, 2011)

And while giving yourself and your date an artistic treat, drop by and stay at hotels near the Murat Centre.  Our Newly Renovated Hotel Indianapolis has marble floors and brass works that are still the original features of the former Fletcher Trust Building.  Call 317-955-9700 to ask for hotel reservations Indianapolis.

Whether you are headed to the Murat Centre for a performing arts production, a concert or for another reason, you might be looking for hotels near Murat Centre.  Whether you live in Indy or a few hours away, it's always nice to plan a weekend or a week day evening downtown and treat yourself to a night in our newly renovated hotel Indianapolis. 

The Murat Centre is located in downtown Indy in the Massachusetts Avenue cultural district.

Here is a list of the upcoming events at the Murat Centre:

• Nov 13 - Chelsea Handler: Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang 07:00 PM
• Nov 20 - Experience Hendrix 07:30
• Nov 24 - Straight No Chaser 06:00 PM
• Nov 27 Sat Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker 02:00 PM
• Nov 29 Mon Shinedown with Apocalyptica 07:00 PM
• Dec 2 Thu Bottomless Soda: WNOU Santa Slam featuring B.O.B. & More 06:15 PM
• Dec 4 Sat John Prine 08:00 PM
• Dec 1 Fri Chris Isaak
• Dec 15 Wed Wicked 07:30 PM

• in person at the box office
• online at www.livenation.com
• over the phone at 317-239-5151

While perusing Twitter for interesting things around town, I came across this link.  Indianapolis was listed in the top 50 bike-friendly cities in the country! Although there are many trails in Indy to ride, the most well-known and probably the most popular is the Monon Trail.  It's beginning/end points are located in downtown, near 10th and Massachusetts, connects with the Monon Greenway at 96th Street and ends at 146th and Gray Road.

Mass Ave is a great place to start, too!  The avenue touts some great local restaurants, unique shopping, salons, theatres and music venues.  Our hotel is the closest of the downtown Indy hotels near Murat Centre, where touring bands, comedians and plays stop to entertain.  Another staple, and one of my personal favorites, The Rathskeller is on Mass Ave.  They have a great outdoor biergarten with concerts in the summer, a beautiful historic feel and a dizzying list of great German beers from which to choose!  Also, many of the weddings booked at The Rathskeller find accommodations for their guests at our Indianapolis wedding hotel.

The Monon is paved and has great scenery along the way.  From industrial warehouses to residential areas and a jaunt through Broad Ripple, the Monon has lots to see in its 15.5 miles.  The Monon begins just 1.5 walking/riding miles from the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown.  So you can start here, ride up, check out Broad Ripple and Carmel or start up there and come visit our hotel Indianapolis green hotel just off the greenway!

Looking for something for the whole family to do in Indy?  Although this event isn't until September, it's something to plan for!  The 29th O'Reilly Auto Parts 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals will take place September 17, 18 and 19 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.  It's a fun 4x4 event the entire family can enjoy!  The event includes enthusiasts who come from all over to display their 4x4 trucks and race them the whole weekend.  There's vendors and sponsors there to visit as well.

You should check it out!  Of course, you know I'll recommend you make a weekend out of it and enjoy the rest of what Indy has to offer, which is quite a bit!  There might be a concert at the Murat Centre or a Colts home game at Lucas Oil Stadium.  Being one of the hotels near Indianapolis Speedway, you could take a few hours to tour the Hall of Fame Museum.

If you need Indianapolis hotel reservations while visiting, we have discount hotel rates for the 4-Wheel Jamboree online.  If you visit the event website, you'll find a great hotel deal for our newly renovated Indianapolis hotel!

Happy New Year and welcome to 2010!  There's going to be a lot happening this year!  The Colts have home field advantage for the playoffs and face off against the Baltimore Ravens this Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium!  Being one of the hotels near Lucas Oil Stadium, our lobby is decked out with Fatheads, flags, bobble heads and our staff will surely be in Colts attire starting tomorrow!

We are officially one of Indianapolis' newly renovated hotels!  Only a few final touches remain before we're 100% complete.  Our restaurant, the Great American Grill, has been completely redone and has a very chic feel to it.  The guestroom beds, carpet and furniture have been replaced.  Lobby furniture is brand new and, as and Indianapolis meeting hotel, we have updated our meeting space as well!  Check our pictures out on our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter too!

The Hilbert Circle Theatre will be host to some great shows this season.  I'm particularly interested in the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's presentation of The Music of Pink Floyd!  Of course being a concert fanatic, I'm very excited to see what other venues will present this year.  We're the closest hotel to Murat Centre, so why not stay with us when you come to your next show?  Don't forget about the Pacers and those performances at Conseco Fieldhouse to which we're one of the the closest hotels.

Big things will be happening in 2010!  Oh...ladies and gentlemen, Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching!  So when you get engaged, be sure to call our wedding hotel when you're looking for a place to host your rehearsal dinner, small ceremony or reception or simply need a discounted hotel room block for your group's travel!

Happy New Year from the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown!

...Everywhere I look around!  Love is in the air, every sight and every sound!

I can't believe I haven't blogged about this yet!  I receive many phone calls from soon-to-be brides and grooms, friends of the couple, planners, mothers and fathers.  They look for blocks of discount hotel rooms and hotels near the Murat Centre or Mavris, Scottish Rite, The Rathskeller or Fountain Square Theatre or ceremony or reception site.  They want menus for rehearsal dinners and brunches.  Almost every weekend throughout the year, the Hilton Garden Inn is host to many friends and family members of the soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs.

There are many Indianapolis wedding hotels from which to choose.  Of the downtown Indianapolis hotels, I think we are a great choice!  Of course, I am biased, but it's a charming historic hotel in Indianapolis, and soon to be newly renovated hotel!  Our great location, history, friendly staff, comfy rooms and catering capabilities make us a great option!  With that said, I thought I might offer some of my own planning tips for our Indianapolis wedding hotel:
 

• If your reception serves alcohol, choose a hotel close to the reception location.  Guests will appreciate the short walk or cheap cab ride back.  If not, consider providing a shuttle for your guests.  I can give you some choices.
• Have your rehearsal dinner or day-after brunch in the hotel!  You will be able to get a great deal on a private room for your meal(s) when you have a room block in the hotel.
• Research the hotel online before you call.  Many times I get calls asking to accommodate 250 or 300 guests for a reception - too large for us.  I hate telling someone that we can't do it, and they waste precious planning time.
• Gift bags are a big hit!  Thank your guests for sharing in your union by making gift bags for them.  We will deliver them out at check-in!
• Why not take advantage of the hotel for your bachelor or bachelorette parties?  Indianapolis group travel rates are available for you!

Welcome to summer in Indianapolis!  To me, summer means my favorite time of year, not the season itself, but concert season in Indy!  If you are attending any concert and need a downtown Indy hotel to stay afterward, please think of the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown! As you may have read, of the downtown Indianapolis hotels near Conseco Fieldhouse, we are only two blocks away.  This means when Metallica comes in September, Taylor Swift in October and Miley Cyrus comes in November, you can stay with us and walk to the concert!

Of the hotels near Lucas Oil Stadium, we are a little further at only six blocks.  But I'm sure Kenny Chesney won't mind where you stay in September as long as you're going to the show.

If you need a hotel deal in Indianapolis while attending one of the concerts at the Egyptian Room or Murat Theatre, we are the hotel nearest Murat Centre.

The Rathskeller, Lawn at White River State Park, Emerson Theater, Birdy's, Military Park, the famous Slippery Noodle Inn and The Vogue are also within walking distance or a short drive from the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown hotel.  If you have a group of people coming in for a show, please contact me to arrange your Indianapolis group travel!  I may be able to get you a great group rate on some rooms!

Don't forget about the Indiana State Fairgrounds!  Artists such as Demi Lovato, Sandi Patty, Kelly Clarkson, Keith Urban, Jason Mraz and more will be performing about four miles north of us.

So when you nee a hotel room in Indianapolis, call the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown!