The Best Hotels with Pools to Book in Indiana

With a skybridge connecting the hotel to the Ford Center and Old National Events Plaza, the 241-room DoubleTree by Hilton sits on prime real estate in downtown Evansville just steps from the city’s most important arenas and convention centers. King bedroom suites here open up to an outdoor pool deck and you can chase regional Midwest cuisine – namely an absolutely loaded mac ‘n’ cheese (three cheeses, mushroom, spinach, bacon, grilled chicken) – with craft cocktails at Stone City Grill.

Art enthusiasts will appreciate the Collection rooms at this smart, 241-room downtown Indy hotel – the likes of authentic works by Dalí, Picasso and Warhol, among others, dot the walls. The infinity-edge, indoor lap pool captures the Midwestern sun through a vaulted glass ceiling, making these waters an idyllic escape even in the dark days of winter. With a location just steps from Meridian Square, the Conrad is in the heart of the action as well.

The longest-running luxury hotel in Indianapolis occupies a landmark beaux-arts-style building designed by Kurt Vonnegut Sr, father of the renowned American author and Hoosier hero Kurt Vonnegut Jr. The hotel’s bar, Severin Bar, dates to the original inauguration of the hotel in 1913. When you’re not hanging out at nearby Lucas Oil Stadium, White River State Park or one of Indiana’s finest watering holes – like the Slippery Noodle Inn – the elegant heated indoor pool here welcomes aqua aficionados year round.

If you don’t need to be smack downtown, Keystone Crossing is 11mi (18km) north – and its vibrant, upscale Indy location puts you far closer to Broad Ripple, the city’s coolest neighborhood, and the upscale satellite city of Carmel. The heated indoor pool is a bit small, but hopping between it and the adjacent hot tub makes for a refreshing exercise in cardiovascular fun. And given this modern hotel’s attachment to the fancy Fashion Mall at Keystone, all your shopping needs are a few feet away.

With guest rooms and suites overlooking a small lake, this Northern Indianapolis Marriott feels more rural than its urban setting 12mi (19km) north of downtown – in fact, each of the 313 rooms boasts an outdoor balcony. The heated indoor pool features the same lake views, as seen through floor-to-ceiling windows that keep the pool deck awash in natural light. Continuing the theme of bright, naturally lit common areas, the bar and restaurants are illuminated by a lake view solarium as well.

Located just across the Wabash River from Purdue University, the DoubleTree by Hilton Lafayette East is ideally located on the former stomping grounds of Axl Rose and Sydney Pollack, and also handy if you’re visiting your kids at college. No need to jump in the river, however – the cozy heated indoor pool is a perfect cool off before heading down to Made Market lounge for a White Summertime Sangria and a stone-baked margherita pizza.

Cool off under the watchful eye of the 285-ft (87m) tall Indiana State Soldiers and Sailors Monument – the 21-floor Sheraton Indianapolis City Centre Hotel offers one of the few outdoor rooftop pools in town. With the downtown Indianapolis skyline as the backdrop, you can plop yourself down on a chaise lounge, munch on locally sourced, farm-to-table fare from Alexander’s Bar and Grill, and toast to the Hoosier high life – weather permitting, of course, as these waters are seasonal.