The Most Romantic Hotels in Indianapolis, Indiana

Industrial-sexy best describes this boutique hotel near Keystone Crossing, a swanky dining and shopping area in northern Indy. Salvage from an abandoned Wisconsin iron foundry and masculine accents throughout (exposed steel girders, reclaimed barn wood, worn leather) form an aesthetic touch unseen in other Indy hotels. Brick accent walls, rustic work areas, plush robes, rainfall showerheads, tufted leather couches, and reclaimed hardwoods set a mood of craftmanship charm in the guest rooms. Of course, Ironworks doesn’t dabble in Victorian-type allure – this provocative space is for modern romantics who are aroused by feats of engineering, not boxes of chocolates.

With a location steps from Meridian Square, the Conrad is in the heart of the action in downtown Indianapolis, so it’s easy to get caught up in the moment among the bright lights in the big city. The Collection suites feature original pieces by Dalí, Picasso, and William John Kennedy, among others, delivering an element of ardor for lovers and art lovers alike, but the ante is upped in the Gallery suite, which adds a sink-in marble bathtub and 18th-floor city views to the alluring mix. You could do worse than a bottle of a globally sourced tipple from the atmospherically lit Tastings Wine Bar and Bistro or steaks and seafood at the Capitol Grille before retiring behind closed doors for the evening.

The Alexander is another hotel for art lovers, featuring dozens of contemporary artworks. Rooms here feature dark hardwood flooring livened up by occasional splashes of color (throw rugs, bright decorative pillows, art). Floor-to-ceiling windows and intimate terraces around the hotel keep love in the air against an art-centric backdrop. You can woo your beloved with interpretive manifestos about Paul Villinki’s wall of birds forged from recycled vinyl records or Jorge Pardo’s pendant lamps peppering the ceiling of Plat 99, the sultry on-site lounge, over signature Fall Connery cocktails.

Masculine-tinted rooms – several of which offer Indiana State Capitol views from its privileged position on Capitol Avenue – accented in deep violets and indigos set the mood at the Hyatt Regency downtown. Clocking in at nearly 500 rooms, intimate would be the wrong word, but lovebirds flock to the Eagle’s Nest for a romantic rooftop dining experience in the only revolving restaurant in the city. Here, over miso-glazed sea bass or herb-crusted prime rib, a 360-degree view of the downtown skyline dazzles even the most blasé of beaus.

From its oak barrel-lined entrance to the fireplace-warmed lounge, the sophisticated Le Méridien Indianapolis sets the mood from the front door. Stylish, gray-toned rooms maintain a frisky edge only heightened by dreamy mid-century modern bedroom benches and lounge chairs. The mixology specialists at farm-to-table Spoke & Steele Restaurant are renowned in the city, and their wares go down especially well in the inviting lounge. With Nordic curves and low-riding sofas, the lounge is the kind of place you might linger long enough to stagger out at last call and trip over your partner on your way to bed. Luckily, you won’t have far to fall.

The longest-running luxury hotel in Indianapolis has the romantic allure of history amid its walls. The landmark beaux-arts-style building designed by Kurt Vonnegut, Sr, father of the renowned American author and Hoosier hero Kurt Vonnegut, Jr, is a stunning piece of historical architecture. Plush robes and luxurious marble bathrooms help frame a certain ambiance in the rooms, which make for convenient retiring after putting away a bottle or two at the sophisticated Wine Thief bar. Red throw pillows in the rooms do their part as well – after all, it’s not green or orange that studies have shown to elicit certain types of urges, is it?

In a prime downtown location just a five-minute drive from the Indianapolis Canal Walk (the 3mi/5km loop makes for a lovely stroll with your loved one), the Hilton Indianapolis Hotel and Suites is primed for passion. Spacious, warm-toned rooms feature roomy king beds with 250-thread-count sheets, remodeled bathrooms with vanity mirrors, and skyline views. The 120 West Bar & Grill and nationally known McCormick & Schmick’s are the tantalizing dining options on-site. The former serves cuisine indigenous to Indiana, the Great Lakes, and the Ohio River Valley, while the latter offers fresh seafood.