TeaLoverDenise

The 2005 US Grand Prix is Father's Day week-end (June 18-19) in Indianapolis. I have purchased tickets to surprise my English husband who is a MAJOR F1 fan but who has never been to a race. I am soooo excited!

Still have to purchase airline tickets (we live in Charleston, SC), but have been on the internet all morning and CANNOT find a decent hotel for those days. Everything appears to be booked ... even the $250/night hotels which, frankly, are a bit expensive for our budget.

I have read previous F1 posts here that suggest staying downtown and away from the track. Can someone familiar with Indianapolis point me to some nice/affordable hotels that would still be convenient to the racetrack? We will have a rental car.

Thanks!

mhulot

Hello TeaLover,

I can't recommend specific hotels, but I can say that you shouldn't feel obligated to stay near the track. Last year, the traffic getting to the track was very easy. We arrived about 3 hours before the start (I wanted to see the Porsche race) of the F1 race and we zipped right into the parking lot (the lot alongside the main straight -- I can't remember which lot). You should stay in an area that has other things to offer aside from the race (such as downtow).

capxxx

All the hotels I can think of downtown are upscale and expensive, and traffic will be a bear...

Have you tried the airport area? There are dozens of hotels near the airport, which is convenient to the track. Expedia lists Bestt Inn, Hampton Inn, Fairfield Inn, Amerisuites, Holiday Inn Express, and lots more.

Another possibility is to try the area known as ``The Pyramids.'' It is north-west of Indy on N. Michigan Avenue. A little bit farther from the track, but easy to get there: Drury Inn, Comfort Inn, La Quinta Inn, Holiday Inn ...

amwosu

Check out smaller towns in the area. Just off of 70 near the airport is the small town of Plainfield. There are a number of Lee's Inn type hotels/motels that have sprung up in the past 10 years there. It is an easy drive to the track and will be inexpensive. On the downside, you won't be near the more interesting downtown area but you won't have to deal with crowds either. You can eat at BW3, Applebee's. Chili's, Cracker Barrel and the like in Plainfield.

Go to yahoo and look in the yellow pages for the names of Plainfield hotels. Go to mapquest and look at the location. If you can find something there, I don't think you can beat the location.

My husband grew up in the town of Speedway and we currently live about 15 miles from the track...

TeaLoverDenise

Thanks to all of you for the suggestions. The downtown area does look nice, but is expensive! Will check out the places everyone has suggested.

Slw

If you are interested, we often get the La Quinta near the airport for $30-35 a night on Priceline. It is the only 2.5 star in that area. Might be hard to get that rate during the race time but you might want to give it a try. It's a very nice hotel, especially for $35.

amwosu

How many nights are you staying? Most of the downtown hotels have a 2-3 night minimum during race weekends. I don't know if that holds true for F-1 as it brings in smaller crowds than the 400 and the 500.

TeaLoverDenise

Thank you very much for the suggestion. I've never "done" Priceline before, but now is as good as any a time to begin!



<If you are interested, we often get the La Quinta near the airport for $30-35 a night on Priceline. It is the only 2.5 star in that area. Might be hard to get that rate during the race time but you might want to give it a try. It's a very nice hotel, especially for $35.>

TeaLoverDenise

Good point, and I noticed that when I was looking at hotel websites. We will be staying 3 nights.


<How many nights are you staying? Most of the downtown hotels have a 2-3 night minimum during race weekends. I don't know if that holds true for F-1 as it brings in smaller crowds than the 400 and the 500.>