The Crowne Plaza Hotel Indianapolis Downtown Union Station is not your average Crowne Plaza. This historic, National Register-listed building was once a train station, and the hotel has kept the theme running and the history intact, so much so you can even now book a stay in one of 26 Pullman Traincar sleepers, still on their original tracks.

The property, with a great location in downtown Indianapolis and direct connection to the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium, was the base of a recent stay for my husband and me. I can’t recommend it highly enough for those seeking unique accommodations in the Midwest city.

The original train station was built in 1888, and its hallowed halls welcomed numerous presidents, historic celebrities and famous names. (Thomas Edison was a Union Station employee before being fired for conducting experiments on the job.) You can see the majority of the history when you take a peek at the Crowne Plaza’s meeting and events space, The Grand Hall. During my stay, on a Sunday morning, a crew was cleaning up from a wedding the night previous, and they allowed me a glimpse of the beautiful setting. If you can, make a trip to the Grand Hall and marvel at the 3,200 square feet of original stained glass, the Romanesque Revival-style architecture and the bar flown in from Italy more than a century ago.

Of course, the train car guestrooms themselves are certainly a trip back in time. Situated on the hotel’s second floor, accessible via out-of-the-way double doors on either side of the building, the train cars sit along their original tracks and look just as you’d imagine a vintage rail car, circa 1920s, to look. Step aboard and you’ll find the lengthy interiors are decorated in a modern style matching the hotel’s other guestrooms. You can book rail cars with a king-sized bed, sitting area and work area, or with two double beds and a sitting area.

If you aren’t lucky enough to book a rail car room, the other guestrooms are still a nice pick if you’re looking to explore the building’s history and Indianapolis from a great downtown location. I had a king executive guestroom, the Crowne Plaza’s preference for business travelers, and found it spacious, with a large sofa, desk area, king-sized bed and the r standard guestroom bathroom. Situated on the first floor, my guestroom had a window that faced the hotel’s atrium, with its plentiful seating and décor reflecting the hotel’s past. Beyond a few high school students I believe were in the hotel for prom photos, the hotel was mostly quiet during my stay and the first-floor location was hardly a deterrent. My one qualm with the guestroom was there weren’t enough easily accessible charging ports and plugs for any business traveler

I had the chance to try the on-site dining during my stay. Taggart’s is a mid-scale, American restaurant and bar on the first floor, with a lively clientele, helpful service and expansive windows looking out on the street. I greatly appreciated the many gluten-free options on the menu and found the quinoa tabbouleh salad with salmon to be adequately prepared, and my husband’s New York strip came with generous portions of steakhouse-style side dishes. The cocktail menu features railway-themed drinks.

For its history and the unique experience, the Crowne Plaza Hotel Indianapolis Downtown Union Station is a must-try during your visit to Indianapolis, if even for just one night.

Crowne Plaza Hotel Indianapolis Downtown Union Station

123 W. Louisiana St.
Indianapolis, IN 46255
tel 317 631 2221