Indianapolis Group Travel

So you've perused all the downtown Indy hotels you could find and have decided on us. If you're from out of town, you may be using a rental coach or relying on our local public transportation. Either way, we want to make your stay as pleasant as possible. Because of this, we want to keep you informed about our policies regarding parking. This will help to ease any stress you have while on your vacation (and we undoubtedly want to keep that at a minimum; after all, you're on vacation).

If you've taken advantage of our Indianapolis group travel options, you may have rented a bus to transport everyone more easily. In order to gain access to our onsite parking meters, you need to apply for a parking permit at least 14 days in advance. This application will be passed on to the City of Indianapolis by one of our managers. Once approved, a manager will forward the approval email to you, as well as information on paying for and printing the parking permit. The application fee is $32, while the processing fee is $85. The actual parking meters cost $21 a day, so please take all of these fees into consideration when deciding on parking options. If you are staying overnight, keep in mind that the night counts as one day and the morning counts as another. Also remember that a single bus requires three meters due to its length, but only five meters for two buses if they are parked back to back alongside our three star hotel Indianapolis.

ParkWhiz.com also offers parking options for buses, but their parking lot is only six blocks due south of our Indianapolis downtown hotel. Visit their website, type in “Indianapolis” and click the “find parking” link. You will then want to click on the LaRosa South Bus Parking Lot Reserve. To accurately reserve a space, you need to know your definite arrival and departure dates/times. Make sure that your bus is no longer than forty feet before you reserve a spot. Please see directional map below.

Who doesn't love the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon? Well, we sure do and we're right on the same block as the event passes through. For an Indianapolis area hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn has a great view of what's going on.

For those of you unfamiliar with the marathon, they offer  5k, kids run, half marathon and full marathon courses; the races are on Saturday, November 2nd, 2013. Don't miss it this year! Registrations started January 3rd but run up until November 1st, the day before the marathon. If you want the cheapest priced entry, buy yours as soon as possible. At the same time, you can reserve a room with us so you're not stranded without one. Remember, the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon attracts a lot of entrants and even sold out last year! You don't want to be the only one stuck without your entry or a place to stay. Here are the registration periods and registration prices:

• January 3rd through May 9th, $65 for half, $80 for full
• May 10th through October 4th, $75 for half, $100 for full
• October 5th through October 29th, $85 for half, $110 for full
• October 31st through November 1st, $90 for half, $125 for full

As you can see, the price increases the closer you get to the event. This is why you want to register now while booking your hotel with us to get the best rate possible. We have even offered Indianapolis group travel rates to the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. This means you'll get a great discount when you book through the event organizers! Hotel info and rates aren't posted just yet, but continue checking the marathon's website for updates.

Looking to get your pride on in the beautiful city of Indianapolis? Have no worries. Circle City IN Pride celebrates 25 years out of the closet this year from June 1st through the 9th. The event will feature a festival, 5k run, a pet pride competition, comedy, cabaret, concerts, film fest night, and a community picnic. Along with the chance to showcase your pet's abilities, the 3rd Annual Pet Pride will feature adoption opportunities for pet lovers who are wanting to take in some more furry friends. There's a little bit of everything for every kind of person at this event.

Those who run the festival are actually still looking for vendors and entertainment so head their way if you're interested. Parade participants also still have time to register and submit fees if they wish to enter a float into the spectacle, which takes place on Saturday, June 8th. As for the actual festival, which takes place at the American Legion Mall, there is no cost for attendance or participation, just a suggested $5 donation. All ages are invited to this event.

We are able to happily announce that our very own Hilton Garden Inn is supported by Circle City IN Pride and is touted as being the Indianapolis area hotel to go to if you want to see or participate in the event. We are just four blocks south of where the Festival is located; click on Indianapolis hotel packages to book your reservation at the special Indy Pride rate. Whether you're traveling by yourself or with a group of friends and family, this is the place to be! Since the celebration lasts for longer than a week, you'll want to make sure you have a proper place to eat and sleep in order to keep up your energy levels for this fantastic celebration!

Here's a fun YouTube clip from last year's Circle City IN Pride:

If there is one thing that comes to mind when people think of Indy, it's usually the Indy 500.  There's no doubt that we are known for being a racing town. 

The 2013 Indianapolis 500 takes place on Sunday, May 26.  Here's an outline of the events and dates:

• Saturday, May 18 - Pole Day for the 2013 Indy 500
• Sunday, May 19 - Bump Day for the 2013 Indy 500
• Friday, May 24 - Miller Lite Carb Day and IZOD in the Performance Pit
• Saturday, May 25 - Legends Day at Indy 500
• Sunday, May 26 - Race Day!

The 2013 Brickyard 400 is a few months later - the Super Weekend takes place July 25-28, 2013. You can learn more about the schedules, directions, tickets and event info on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's website.

If you are coming to Indy this year for either the Indy 500 or the Brickyard 400 races, you might need to find an Indianapolis area hotel like ours.

If you're traveling as a group, you might be interested in our Indianapolis group travel packages.  Be sure to call Camille Lauer 317-405-5709 clauer@fhginc.com for group deals.

Have you been to these races?  What do you like most about them?  Where do you usually stay?  In a hotel or do you camp out with friends and family?
 

If you're a Taylor Swift fan or a Justin Bieber fan, then there's no doubt that you probably already have tickets to their concerts in Indy this year.  However, if you are not from the Indianapolis area, then you might be looking for a place to crash after (or before) the concert.  Or perhaps you're already in town, but want to make a weekend of it with a staycation.  Our Indianapolis area hotel is the perfect spot, since we are centrally located downtown.

Here are more details about this year's big concerts at Bankers Life Fieldhouse:

• Taylor Swift - The Red Tour 04/26/2013 7:00 PM
• Justin Bieber - 07/10/2013 7:00 PM

Bankers Life Fieldhouse
125 S. Pennsylvania St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204

You can visit the Bankers Life Fieldhouse's website to find even more details on each event, including ticket prices, ticket packages, suites and parking.  No doubt Bieber's Facebook and Swift's Facebook pages will have updates leading up to the event as well.

Whatever your hotel accommodations Indianapolis needs are, we can probabbly hook you up.  Are you traveling with a group? We can also coordinate your Indianapolis group travel needs.

Are you going to either of these concerts this year?  What are you most excited about?  Are you going to stay in a hotel too?  Why or why not?  Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

There’s a special event that started in 2010 and took place just recently here in 2012. Twenty-four Australian and American men and women joined together to show support and respect for the honor, and sacrifice made by our military and emergency responders while also remembering the tragic events of 9/11 and celebrating the alliance between Australia and the United States.

This group’s mission is to call to remembrance both of our nations’ commitments to freedom and peace while also celebrating those who serve their communities and countries. The name of this happening is the Tour of Duty Ride 2012, and their plan united members of military, police and fire department personnel to journey together across this beautiful land from San Diego all the way to New York City from August 12th to September 10th.

We had the honor of meeting them when they stayed in our Indianapolis downtown hotel in August during one leg of their ride from Louisville to Indianapolis. And we have to say this is an amazing group of individuals representing and serving their countries in a way that makes us all proud.

Their effort raises funds to support the widows and children of NYC police and fire departments as well as the Wounded Warrior project. If you would like to learn more about their inspiring and charitable team, please visit their website or Facebook page.

We hope to see them again next year in our beautiful city. For those planning a visit to Indy, make sure to check our website for Indianapolis hotel packages. We even offer special pricing for Indianapolis group travel and know you’ll enjoy your stay as much as we enjoyed the Tour of Duty team’s visit with us!

There's no doubt when you think of Indianapolis, Indiana that one of the first things that comes to your mind is the Indy 500, which happens to be just around the corner on May 27th.

Now you can make your Indy 500 experience more complete by visiting the Dallara IndyCar Factory.  Opening Summer 2012, the Dallara IndyCar Factory will have an opportunity for guests to create their very own IndyCar on an interactive basis.

Some of the other fun things that you can do at the Dallara IndyCar Factory include:

• Race your companion in IndyCar simulators'
• Watch IndyCar chassises made by the Dallara staff
• Enjoy daily rides around the Speedway

If you're looking for a great venue for a private event,  The Dallara IndyCar Factory might be the perfect place since it bodes 30,000 square feet of event space.

Whether you are looking for hotels near Indianapolis or trying to plan Indianapolis group travel, you will love our newly renovated hotel Indianapolis because not only our are accomodations clean and new, but you will also be near plenty of downtown attractions.

What's your favorite part of Indy when you come to visit?  We want to hear about your experiences - please leave a comment and tell us!

Eat, drink and be merry when you visit the Tomlinson Tap Room brewery just a short distance from our Indianapolis Downtown hotel. In fact, you’ll find plenty of drinking and food delights at the Indianapolis City Market where the popular Tap Room is located.

This neighborhood pub crafts the finest Indiana brews right on the premises so you will know you are getting the fresh and distinctive taste straight from the maker’s tap. While the brewery serves some snacks, they also allow guests to bring their own from the numerous food places in the City Market.

Visitors will enjoy the convenient location of our historic hotel Indianapolis Downtown.  We’re close to all the events as they happen at the Convention Center, Airport, Speedway, area universities such as Indiana and Butler as well as Lucas Oil Stadium.

Our Indianapolis hotel packages include affordable rates for deluxe accommodations along with room service, fitness center, pool and hot tub. With over 6,500 square feet of conference space, your group will have all the room needed for successful meetings and events. Call us today to book your rooms or group travel (317) 955-9700.

NASCAR fans are sure to love Indianapolis this summer when the Brickyard 400 hits the tracks in the 2nd highest paid race besides the Daytona 500.  Scheduled for the hot and steamy weekend of July 26 to July 29, 2012, the racecar tires will really be blazing as NASCAR drivers hit the track in four races over three days.

With millions of fans hitting the streets of Downtown Indy, room accommodations will be filling up fast. For the best Indianapolis hotel packages, our Hilton Garden Inn Downtown is offering Brickyard 400 group room blocks at very affordable rates for teams, fans and families coming to the city for this exciting racing event.

Indianapolis group travel arrangements with our special room block rates can be obtained by contacting Camille Lauer, Corporate Sales Manager by phone at (317) 405-5709 or by email at clauer@fhginc.com.

With our convenient location right in the heart of Downtown, guests will be close to all the attractions that make Indy a favorite of locals and visitors from all across the globe. So whether you’re visiting for the race, on business or just to get away from it all, our Indianapolis Downtown hotel is sure to make your stay extra special.
 

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.
 

Meeting and wedding planners are in for a real treat this April at the preferred conference hotel Indianapolis residents and visitors favor time and time again, the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown.

For the entire month of April when you book a block of rooms for a wedding, meeting or conference, you can earn some pretty useful rewards:

• Reserve a $3,000 room block, and you’ll earn a $100 Gift Card
• Book a $6,000 room block and receive a Kindle Fire
• For a $9,000 room block reservation, enjoy a 2 night stay in Chicago

Our luxury Indianapolis meeting hotel features 6,700 square feet of meeting space flexible enough to meet any group’s needs. Complimentary Wi-Fi, flat panel TVs with digital satellite and in room hospitality make every guest feel right at home.

Business travelers will appreciate our free fitness center for the chance to work out and then relax in our steaming hot tub. Our complimentary business center has all that’s needed to work when away from the office, and after a long day, plenty of food and libations are available in our full service restaurant and bar.

So when you are making plans for Indianapolis group travel, you need look no further than the Hilton Garden Inn. Your group will experience an action packed downtown location with all the luxury amenities to keep everyone satisfied….and a nice gift card, Kindle or 2 night stay too!

Give one of our sales representatives a call for more information or to book your group today at (317) 955-9700.
 

More than likely, if a family member is graduating from Butler University or IUPUI and if you have a large group that is coming in for the celebration, then you might be looking into a hotel deal Indianapolis.

We have blocked out a group of rooms for those of you that plan on attending the Butler Commencement, and you can read more about the Butler Commencement Weekend 2012 through our reservation site.  Act quickly because these rooms fill up fast.  In fact, rooms are available until April 27 or until the block sells out, whichever is first.

You can get 2 double beds or 1 king bed from $99/night.  If you have special arrangements or needs, we can help with those as well.

Both Butler and IUPUI will have their Spring 2012 Commencement on Saturday, May 12, 2012.  Below are direct links to each university's websites, so that you can check out more of the details of the day:

Butler Spring Commencement 2012
IUPUI Spring Commencement 2012

Please feel free to check out our newly renovated hotel Indianapolis to see if it meets your group's needs.  We have several Indianapolis hotel packages that you all can take advantage of to make the most of your visit to Indy and to celebrate that college graduation in style.

We are excited to announce that we recently made history by achieving the most water saved in business category through 1st & Green.  You can check out the results on the leader board on 1st & Green's website.

We were able to save nearly 150,000 gallons of water - which is quite a triumph for a hotel.  Of course, we have to thank our guests too - without them it would not have been possible.

1st & Green is a web-based program that allows different groups and individuals to participate in a challenge to see who can save the most water and carbon. 

Groups were allowed to register in five categories:

• businesses
• non-profits
• government
• schools K-12
• other groups

This year's challenge ran through the 2012 Super Bowl and the idea was to help offset the environmental impact of the 2012 Super Bowl.

Here's a photo of our Director of Sales, Mitch Divens, accepting award:

Also important to mention, we came in 5th place for carbon emission savings - we saved 1862 carbon units.

When you are looking for a green hotel Indianapolis, you will find one at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Indy.  Whether you are looking into Indianapolis group travel or Indianapolis wedding hotels, we can help you plan to not only save money, but also to save the environment. 

It's May.  The weather hasn't been the best so far this spring.  It's been cold, rainy, stormy, rainy, cloudy, rainy, wet and rainy.  With the nicer (hopefully) weather coming up this weekend, I'm really looking forward to getting on my bicycle and riding around town.  I just moved downtown about two miles away from work and love to ride around downtown and to my downtown Indy hotel.

Downtown Indianapolis is such a bike-able area!  We have the Indianapolis Cultural Trail, the Central Canal Towpath and hookup to the Monon Trail.  See my post from last April about Indy being named a top 10 bike-friendly city!  There is so much to see and do in downtown Indy and traveling by bicycle is a quick, healthy and environmentally friendly way to get around.

May 20th this year celebrates the Indianapolis Bike To Work Day.  Residents from all over the city will leave their car at home and put on their helmets for a ride.  Even those who live outside of downtown and usually commute can put their bike on the bus and ride to a closer spot before pedaling.  As an employee of our green hotel Indianapolis, I'll definitely be participating on my new single-speed cruiser.  I've never been able to participate before, having lived 30 miles away from downtown.

There will be plenty of bicycle parking on Monument Circle, just 1/2 block from the Hilton Garden Inn Indianapolis Downtown.  The festivities kick off at 6:30am with group bike trains from various points throughout Indy.  Monument Circle opens to bikers at 7am, a speech by the mayor and others will take place just before 8am and there will be food and vendors on the Circle all day.  Lunch rides on the Cultural Trail will happen at noon.  Finally, at 3:30pm, the Tomlinson Tap Room will begin their happy hour and will be serving fresh, local beer.  Tomlinson Tap Room is located just one block from our three star hotel downtown Indianapolis inside the City Market.

• Lucas Oil Stadium
• Indianapolis Convention Ceter
• Murat Center
• Conseco Fieldhouse
• Indianapolis Speedway