Hotels in the Heart of Lincoln

by Cynthia S. Peterson

There’s a lot to like in Lincoln. When you walk down a city street and say ‘hello’ to someone, chances are they are going to smile and say ‘hi’ right back. Lincoln is the seat of state government, the home of a Big 10 university, a thriving community college system, and the well-respected Nebraska Wesleyan University and Union College. It’s a hub for insurance and financial services, manufacturing, and forward-thinking businesses. Visitors from all over the world enjoy Lincoln’s friendly people, lifestyle, culture, and lively nightlife. You’ll find beautiful flowers and butterflies at the magical Sunken Gardens, massive prehistoric fossils at Morrill Hall, public art, bountiful farmers’ markets, shops, bars, restaurants, and a vibrant park system. There are plenty of reasons to visit and comfortable lodging to accommodate every traveler’s needs.  

Lodging in Lincoln ranges from historic to comfortable to high-end (and sometimes a combination). For a full list of the more than 62 hotels and motels in Lincoln, see page seven.

Embassy Suites by Hilton, 1040 P Street
Located just three blocks from Lincoln’s Historic Haymarket District and a half-mile to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Embassy Suites by Hilton is one of Lincoln’s most popular hotels. Its nine-story atrium is lush with vegetation and the murmur of running water, with a large open gathering space where guests can enjoy a made-to-order breakfast or evening reception or cocktails and conversation with friends or other guests. There’s a restaurant, too, featuring casual American cuisine.

The hotel usually hosts hundreds of events every year, including conventions, wedding ceremonies, parties, and receptions. Their Regent’s Ballroom is the largest in the city and can comfortably accommodate 1,500 people. The staff often helps brides and grooms plan the activities surrounding their big days, including rehearsal dinners, wedding showers, and bachelor and bachelorette parties. 

In addition to 252 rooms, the hotel offers amenities like a business center, sauna, indoor pool, and fitness center. Accommodations (some are pet-friendly) include suites with double rooms, wet bars, whirlpool tubs, and executive desks. Both valet and self-serve parking are nearby for a cost. See more at www.hilton.com/en/hotels/lnkeses-embassy-suites-lincoln/.

The Scarlet Hotel Lincoln,
2101 Transformation Drive
Travel + Leisure magazine named The Scarlet Hotel to their top 14 list of best new hotels in college towns across the U.S. (July 15, 2023). The 6-story boutique hotel, with 154 well-appointed guest rooms and suites, is on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Innovation Campus, next to a historic building repurposed into the NIC Conference Center. Each of its guest rooms and suites pays tribute to towns and cities from across the state. The hotel is truly a celebration of all things Nebraska.   

A Tribute Portfolio property under the Marriott International banner, The Scarlet’s features include a fitness center and dedicated yoga room, 1,184 square feet of flexible event and meeting space, a coffee shop, Well & Good Restaurant, and The Barred Owl Rooftop Bar (the view is spectacular). 

The Scarlet also serves as a working lab for the University’s Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management program and some technology programs. Learn more at www.scarlethotelnebraska.com. It’s pet-friendly, too. Self-service onsite or valet parking is available, as is a shuttle to the local airport. 

Hyatt Place, 600 Q Street
The Hyatt Place is a three-floor hotel with 111 rooms, especially popular with out-of-state visitors. 

This home-away-from-home is perfect for visitors who want to experience some of the best of Lincoln—just steps from numerous restaurants, live theaters, art galleries, shops, bars, and music venues. The hotel has a bar, 24/7 gym, heated pool, and business center. Three spacious rooms are available to rent for conferences or meetings. With proximity to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, its tasteful rooms with modern, minimalist decor are especially popular with people in town for Husker sporting events, music concerts, and conventions. Go to Hyatt.com and search for Lincoln, Nebraska, to learn more.

Hilton Garden Inn Lincoln Downtown/
Haymarket, 801 R Street
The Hilton Garden Inn has 104 guest rooms and three meeting rooms in the heart of the Haymarket. It’s just a short walk to Memorial Stadium at the University and Pinnacle Bank Arena. Rooms all include a microwave and refrigerator, plus free Wi-Fi. Onsite is the Garden Grill and Bar, spa, indoor pool, and 24-hour gym. There’s even a free shuttle from and to the Lincoln airport. Parking is available for a fee. Go to Hilton.com and search for Lincoln, Nebraska, for more information.

Graduate Hotel, 141 N. 9th Street
For those who prefer something more unique, The Graduate Hotel is the perfect place from which to visit the Heartland. This vintage-themed hotel is the largest in a small chain of hotels in carefully selected university towns. Each hotel in the chain is lovingly personalized to its host city. Lincoln’s Graduate is a playful celebration of Nebraska itself, with the hotel’s overall design inspired by people, places, and events unique to Nebraska’s culture
and history.  

Rooms are decorated with old maps of the state, framed drawings, and dutiful tributes to the Nebraska Cornhuskers. They boast wooden paneling, quirky corn cob curtains, and nightstands disguised as 1960s-style TVs. The Graduate’s amenities make it perfect for hosting parties and events. The Topgolf^® Swing Suite^® is an immersive golf experience and the perfect spot for work, a social gathering, or a wedding. The hotel even offers complimentary bike rentals so you can tour the city on two wheels. You can also entertain guests on a private patio in one of the terrace suites or have an excellent meal and some fine bourbon at Single Barrel, where the chef serves up Prime Certified Angus Beef steaks and slow-smoked Nebraska BBQ. 

Pet owners will find Lincoln’s Graduate especially hospitable; pets stay free of charge and are treated to a bowl, blanket, and optional treat box upon request. Visit graduatehotels.com/Lincoln.

The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel,
333 S. 13th Street
The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel has been a local icon since 1923, housing historical figures including U.S. Presidents Dwight Eisenhower, John Kennedy, and Richard Nixon, as well as a former first lady and Martin Luther King Jr.; more recently, Sir Paul McCartney, Pink, and Jon Bon Jovi. Even Elvis Presley graced its distinguished halls for an autograph signing session. 

The original building was demolished in 1982, and a new full-service, tastefully decorated hotel took its place, just minutes from the Haymarket district. The hotel’s sweeping staircase greets guests upon entry before they head up to their rooms. The hotel also includes a grand ballroom, library, a 24/7 fitness center, pool, bike rentals, and 46,000 square feet of event space. Valet or self-service parking is available.

The Cornhusker is a popular place for weddings, and Marriott-certified planners will help the happy couple turn dreams into reality. Guests can eat delectable breakfasts at the in-house café and have lunch and dinner at the Miller Time Pub & Grill. With its luxurious amenities and rich history, staying at The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker will make any visit to Lincoln unforgettable. See more at marriott.com/Lincoln.

Kindler Hotel, 216 N. 11th Street
The Kindler Hotel, a 49-room boutique centered between the city’s nightlife and dining scene to the west in the Haymarket District and east to the clubs, restaurants, and bars along and just off of O Street. Be sure to visit the hotel’s beautiful Boitano’s Lounge for classic craft cocktails.

The hotel occupies a four-story neo-classical building built in the early 1900s and was once home to the Lincoln Commercial Club. Now restored to its former glory with interior design by Ross Vincent of West Hollywood, California, the hotel offers guests
a first-class experience. The hotel is dedicated to the memory of Nebraska-born-and-raised welder and industrial artist Ken Kindler, whose legacy includes remarkable sculptures in copper and one-of-a-kind windchimes.

The Kindler offers a fitness center, business center, and event space. For more information, go to www.thekindlerhotel.com. 

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lincoln
Downtown, 905 O Street
Rising 6 floors from what was once a long-vacant corner lot is the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, featuring 139 guest rooms and numerous amenities. On the corner of 9th and O Streets, the hotel is nestled between the Haymarket and downtown amenities and is just a 15-minute walk to Memorial Stadium, Haymarket Park, the Lied Center, or Pinnacle Bank Arena. 

Parking is valet only, to a secured, underground lot. Holiday Inn Express & Suites offers an indoor swimming pool, fitness and business centers, kitchenettes, and complimentary breakfast. For more information, visit: www.hiexpress.com.