Three Under-the-Radar Hotels for Your Holiday Guests

Don’t kid yourself: No one likes sleeping on the sofa bed. Here, a trio of unusual options your visitors will love.
 

HOTEL BROAD RIPPLE
6520 Westfield Blvd., 317-787-2665, hotelbroadripple.com
What: Midtown’s first boutique hotel, a sophisticated lodge-like setting directly on the Monon Trail north of the village.
Number of rooms:  9
Backstory:  The original 6520 Westfield Boulevard structure dates to 1880; it housed Merrill Stage Equipment starting in the 1960s. The current owners bought the building next door and merged the two properties to create the hotel.
Amenities: The Bunkhouse Lounge bar, huge walk-in showers and Keurig coffeemakers in rooms, and continental breakfasts featuring locally made pastries. Some quarters offer a river-rock fireplace, a Rookwood-tile backsplash in the bathroom, or a balcony overlooking the trail.
Request:  Room number 9. With 650 square feet of space, access via its own private staircase, a separate sitting room, and a wet bar, it feels more like an apartment than a hotel.
Rate: $160 to $250 per night.
 

OLD TOWNE CARMEL BED AND BREAKFAST
521 First Ave. NW, Carmel, 317-566-9696, carmelbandb.com
What: A charmingly restored, century-old Victorian near the Arts & Design District.
Number of rooms: 3
Backstory: Owners Doug Roby and Loretta Tuttle purchased and renovated the property in 2006 and brought the 109-year-old house into the 21st century with HD televisions, sustainable bamboo flooring, and cute plantation shutters.
Amenities: Luxury linens and Loretta’s homemade challah bread and jam.
Request: “Anna Lynn” shows off unexpected but elegant Asian-style decor and a king bed dressed in a goose-down comforter.
Rate: $140 to $169 per night.
 

KESSLER MANSION
4923 Kessler Blvd. E. Dr., kesslermansion.com; inquire through Brian Sanders, Century 21 Scheetz, 317-705-2500
What: “That house” on Kessler near Emerson, the one with mermaid statues, gargoyles, fountains, and fishbowl fenestration. The 26,000-square-foot homage to Versailles is now available for rent.
Number of rooms:  7
Backstory: The extravagant former home of Indy’s most notorious alleged pimp has been used for private events, retreats, and a reality show. The Baha Men of “Who Let the Dogs Out?” fame stayed here during their 2010 tour.
Amenities: Swimming pool, hot tub, grotto, ballroom, conference center …
Request: The third-floor master overlooks the compound and boasts a marble-clad bathroom and vaulted ceilings.
Rate: $1,000 per night.