Exploring Lincoln through its Hotels

by Donna Joy Brakenhoff

Today, more than ever before, the variety of Hotels in Lincoln, Nebraska is vast. 

No matter where your interests lie—an autumn football weekend, a romantic
getaway, or a nice place for the family to stay while exploring the museums, art and music that Lincoln offers—you will find what you are looking for in our hotels.

One of the newest hotels is The Hilton Garden Inn, located at 801 R Street. It is ready to serve football guests, concert goers, business executives and weary travelers alike. The light is always on and the rooms are welcoming. It has the feel of a cozy lodge nestled in the middle of our buzzing entertainment Haymarket District. Being just steps from our spectacular Pinnacle Bank Arena makes The Hilton Garden Inn a perfect place to stay while attending a concert or sporting event.

Every room is furnished with a microwave and mini refrigerator plus free WiFi and an ergonomic work area that includes desk height plug-ins. 

One of the unique areas in new the hotel is the fire pit in the outdoor patio area. It’s perfect place to relax on a cool evening after watching the Cornhuskers play at Memorial Stadium. 

It is always good to be able to enjoy a lunch or dinner at your hotel, and at the Hilton Garden Inn, the food is as special as the bed you sleep on. Begin the day with your cooked-to-order breakfast. Later, after visiting the sites of Lincoln, an evening with friends, enjoying a pulled pork sandwich or walnut encrusted salmon, makes your stay at the Hilton Garden Inn a time to remember. 

Also located in the Historic Haymarket District is the Courtyard Marriott at 808 R Street. Your delightful experience begins the moment you walk in the door. The open lobby space offers areas to unwind, work, read, meet with friends, or use the free WiFi.

Media Pods are areas where you can watch the game with friends over a bottle of wine, or have a small meeting with Internet access at your fingertips. The Market, also located in the lobby, offers convenience items such as soda, juice, chips and candy, along with freshly prepared items from their Bistro that you can grab on the run, or heat in their microwave and enjoy as you continue reading or visiting with friends in the lobby.

Located directly outside The Market is something called the GoBoard. This is a unique interactive way to find out about upcoming events in the hotel, the arena and all over Lincoln. You can also find directions to local restaurants. 

Breakfast and dinner are served daily in The Bistro. For breakfast, traditional eggs, toast and bacon and the strawberry French toast looked scrumptious! For dinner one can enjoy fresh sandwiches and salads along with appetizers and drinks.

The heated indoor pool includes a whirlpool and the weight room offers, among other things, cardio machines with personal televisions. 

Large and smaller meeting rooms are available and include electronics for viewing presentations.

The Hyatt Place Hotel at Canopy and P Streets is not yet completed, but anticipation is high as the building takes shape. 

Within walking distance of Pinnacle Bank Arena, this hotel will be popular with event goers. When completed there will be 111 rooms with event/meeting room space occupying approximately 2500 square feet. 

The rooms at the Hyatt Place Lincoln will be large and roomy and include a separate work space, mini fridge and, exclusive to the Hyatt, a Grand Bed. Also offered are large, flat screen, swivel televisions, so you may enjoy your favorite show from the grand bed or the whirlpool bath. 

Complimentary breakfasts include oatmeal, fruit, yogurt and much more from the Kitchen Skillet. One of the truly special areas in this hotel is the Coffee to Cocktails Bar. You can start your day with a hot or cold specialty Starbucks beverage, and end your day relaxing with your favorite beer or wine. 

Another fabulous aspect of Hyatt Place is that most of their services are offered 24/7, including the Gallery Menu & Market. Guests may order prepared meals off the menu any time day or night, or enjoy specially packaged sandwiches, salads and pastries from the Market, also any time day or night. 

WiFi is offered free in all parts of the building including rooms and the lobby. There are also Gallery Hosts available 24/7 to assist you with whatever you need to make your overnight stay a success, including help with any tech related issues that may arise during your meeting or visit. 

Looking for a tailgate party close to Memorial Stadium with good music, great food, and inviting rooms? 
Make your reservations at Embassy Suites, 11th and P Streets.

Friday night you can enjoy a burger at the sports grill inside the hotel, then Saturday morning, treat yourself to a made-to-order free Husker breakfast in the atrium. The atrium is a central open area, many stories high, with a waterfall wall and tables nestled next to a running brook in the floor. Walking through this peaceful and relaxing lobby is like stepping into an enchanted wonderland. 

But before you head to the stadium, check out the backyard of the Embassy. There is live music, tailgate food, and dancing all just a block and a half from the stadium. It is truly a full weekend of Husker fun and food, all within your reach at Embassy Suites.

Embassy Suites is also the perfect location for any convention or conference. Business persons comment on how well equipped the hotel’s meeting center and business facilities are.

Chase Suites Hotel is a great place for an extended stay in Lincoln. It’s located at 200 South 68th Place with Gateway, Lincoln’s largest indoor mall, just across the street.

There are many area restaurants to choose from or you can make your own meal in the kitchenette, and enjoy it on the privacy of your own terrace. Chase Hotel offers both studio and two-bedroom suites. Relax by the fireplace, take a swim in the pool or use the weight room and racquetball court. A complimentary breakfast is offered each morning.

Just off of I-80 and 27th Streets is Settle Inn. I have personally stayed in one of their tower rooms. This hotel offers the feel of a medieval castle, with all the comforts of home and the added benefit of maid service. The room I stayed in had a suit of armor, dragons and maidens painted on the wall, and a whirlpool bath.

It is a great place to stop while traveling along I-80, or to get away from it all only a few miles from town. Breakfast is served each morning, and swimming and weight rooms are always open for your enjoyment.

Staybridge Suites now has two locations in Lincoln. 2701 Fletcher Avenue and 84th and Holdrege Streets. Each suite has a fully equipped kitchen. This is one of the best choices for an extended stay in Lincoln.

A complimentary hot breakfast each morning and laundry service are only a few of the many extras you will find at Staybridge Suites. Many weeknights you will find new friends and good food at the complimentary social hour. The pool includes a spa, and there is a 24-hour convenience store available to guests. Stroll outside and enjoy a scenic courtyard before you jump in the pool for a swim.

The Downtown Holiday Inn comes with a rich history in Lincoln. Located at 9th and P Streets, it is a gateway to our historic Haymarket District. Many famous guests have stayed at the Lincoln Downtown Holiday Inn. It is not unusual to see a celebrity you saw on television the night before pass by as you walk to the ballroom for your convention or your cousin’s wedding reception. Some say the ghosts of performers past and present give inspiration to up and coming artists who choose to stay at the Downtown Holiday Inn.

The Red Onion is the hotel restaurant, and it is a great place for intimate gatherings after a concert or for small receptions to share some artisan food intermingled with traditional American fare.

As you walk the brick streets of the Haymarket just outside the doors, you can almost see yourself watching the horse and buggies roll down the road in a time gone by. And then, you walk into the hotel, and find all the comforts of today, including WiFi, room service and a swimming pool on the second floor with its own skylight ceiling.

The Cornhusker Marriott Hotel at 13th and L Streets is one of our oldest traditions in Lincoln. Your great grandfather may remember staying in the original building. Ask him to share his story with you. Perhaps he was able to buy the number off of his room door from the old hotel before they tore it down to build the new structure. It might even be where he met your grandmother. Many Lincoln stories involve the Cornhusker, both old and new.

Today, when you walk into the Cornhusker, you see a spectacular curving staircase perfect for wedding pictures or to simply stroll down and enjoy the elegant feel of an antebellum mansion.

Inside the Cornhusker, the Miller Time Pub and Grill features certified cicerones—resident beer experts—who are happy to recommend the perfect beer for your succulent burger or steak. 

Country Inn and Suites at 5353 North 27th Street, offers business rates for travelers. Your suite can also include a fireplace and hot tub for the couple who wants to sneak a weekend away from the children.

The attached restaurant, Beacon Hill, features their specialty, delicious crab cakes, plus an amazing Sunday brunch that ranges from French toast and bacon to prime rib and baked potatoes.

Some visitors and residents alike enjoy the more intimate atmosphere of a bed and breakfast. Lincoln offers many choices with a variety of prices, packages and locations.

Westview Bed & Breakfast at 7000 NW 27th Street, is known for its attention to detail and tempting breakfast items served hot in your room anytime you choose.

The Rogers House, 2145 B Street, has been the home of many weddings and other special occasions.

Hawley Bed and Breakfast at 545 North 25th Street is actually a townhouse that was built in 1893. This is a favorite of Husker fans because it is close to Memorial Stadium and equipped for extended stays.

Whatever your pleasure, where ever you would like to be geographically in our city, you will find the best accommodations here in Lincoln, Nebraska.