This year's final Four for the ladies will be held in Indianapolis. Several hotels seem to be attached by skywalk to RCA Dome/Convention Center and Center Circle Mall. The games will be played at the RCA Dome. I want to be in the middle of all the action? Which hotel would you recommend? Possibly the Hyatt or Westin? Possibly somewhere else? I would certainly welcome advice.

Your hotel choices attached to the skywalks are:

Marriott Downtown - directly
Westin - directly
Hyatt - directly

Embassy Suites - through mall
Omni Severin - through mall
Canterbury - through mall

Crowne Plaza - their own covered walk to RCA Dome.

The Marriott is just a couple of years old and a really nice hotel.

The Westin has revamped to their heavenly bed concept and is really nice too. As an older hotel I find their rooms a tad small.

The Hyatt finished a multi-million dollar renovation a year or so ago. It's where I like to stay when the price is right.

The Embassy Suites was a little tired looking last time I stayed there a couple of years ago. The lobby space is freshly redone and beautiful, but I thought the room was lacking.

I've never stayed at the Omni, I will Labor Day weekend for the first time. Their lobby space is beautiful too.

I've never stayed at the Canterbury. Their bar area is old world feeling and their expensive restaurant is very nice. The hotel has a very boutique feel to it.

I've not stayed at the Crowne Plaza either. It's kinda out of the way, not really attached to the skywalks for access to the mall.

I'd take the Marriott, Westin or Hyatt whichever has the better rate. They're all attached to the skywalks for dome & mall access. The Marriott is the farthest from the mall at 2.5 city blocks, the Westin at 1.5 city blocks and the Hyatt across the street.

Around the mall is where all the "action" will be. Lots of bars and restaurants for all price ranges are around. The mall has some nice shopping including the state's only Nordstroms.

If you're in for the long haul you might try Massachusetts Avenue (that's "Mass Ave." to the hip crowd ) if you're lucky and have a pretty spring day. It's in the northeast corner of the downtown area. Lot's of funky little shops, a few art galleries, the Phoenix Theatre, and some really good non-chain dining: Aesop's Table, Rathskeller, R's Bistro, Agio's, Elements, Bazbeau's Pizza.

Wow,Indytravel! Thanks so much for all of the info. You took a lot of time from your schedule to help me, and I am grateful. If you think of anything else, I hope you will post. It sounds like I will not need a car. I have reservations at the Hyatt. If I go to Mass Ave.-a taxi, right? Thanks again!

We've stayed at the Caterbury before and it was very nice. The rooms aren't huge but it has charm - I believe it is quite old and if you are a history buff it probably has some stories behind it. It is a great location so you can walk to almost everything (it's not that big of a city) - we enjoyed some late night milkshakes from the Steak & Shake across the street. I'm a big Ruth's Chris fan and there isn't one where we live (Cincinnati) so that was our dinner choice. There is also a Hard Rock Cafe in Indy which is a fun spot for lunch.

You're welcome. It's not often I get to spout off about my hometown so I go overboard when I get a chance.

I've walked between the downtown and Mass. Ave. many times on pretty days. It's six block from the Hyatt to the start of Mass. Ave. Round trip would probably run you about 20 blocks or 2 miles total. A homeless shelter is on Delaware in the block south of New York St. I try to avoid that route if it's late. A taxi really is your best bet. All fares within downtown are $5 so the cab is pretty reasonable.

You should do fine without a car for the few days you'll be in town. Additional things to do downtown include:

Ride the elevator to the top of Monument Circle and walk down looking for antique graffiti.

Visit the Eiteljorg Museum of Southwest Art. (Yes, I know Indiana is in the Midwest, but Eiteljorg lived in Indiana as he collected his art.)

Visit the Indiana State Museum, lots of local stuff.

Walk the Canal. It has some pretty fountains, the USS Indianapolis Memorial, a steam powered clock and the Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients' Monument.

Tour the Indiana State Capitol.

Visit the NCAA Hall of Fame and Museum. (I still haven't been with the right crowd to do this one.)

I'm not sure how early the minor league baseball season starts, but Victory Field is just gorgeous for watching a game, again if the weather is cooperative.

Walk through Conseco Fieldhouse where the Pacers play. It's done for basketball what Camden Yards did for baseball with its retro design.

The Hyatt revolving rooftop restaurant has a dress code and good but overpriced food due to the view. I like to sit in their lounge area drinking a cocktail and take in the view before or after dinner someplace else.

snowrooster, some of the history in the Canterbury isn't so old.

That's the hotel where Mike Tyson (the boxer) committed the crime he was sent to jail for several years back. :-S

I have stayed at the Westin, Hyatt, and Crowne Plaza. I would highly recommend the Westin and Hyatt. I would not stay at the Crowne Plaza unless you are a railroad fan. Some of the rooms are actual converted railcars. I did not stay in such a room--the room I stayed in had paper thin walls, in the bathroom you could clearly hear activity occurring in the next bathroom!
As far as restaurants, St. Elmo's Steakhouse is a must do, Bazbeaux's Pizza and Ruth Chris are also nice.
The mall is also awesome, and the zoo and minor league ballpark are close by.

I stayed at the Omni last summer and it was very nice. It also has a very cool martini bar called Olives. There is also a fun Irish bar, The Kladdagh, just down the street. My two favorite Mass Ave. restaurants are Scholar's Inn and Agio. Indy is a great town. Have fun!

Thanks Jameybano, BetsyinKy, and all others! You guys are great!!!!

Call Historic Landmarks and take a walking tour of the city. There are some facinating stories of the past and the guides are very interesting and fun. It's a fun way to see things from a different point of view. (As a life-time resident, I still learn things by taking these tours!) The walk along the canal is beautiful, and you can rent paddleboats if the weather is nice. Along the canal is the Indiana State Museum and the NCAA Hall of Fame. If you make it to the Mass Ave. area, the Rathskeller is known for great German food, and Agio's is excellent for Italian. I know you said you already have reservations, but there are some cozy B&B's near Mass Ave that are a nice change of pace from the hotels. AND, even if you're a "grown up," make a point to get to the Children's Museum and take a look at the dinosaur exhibit. Enjoy your stay!

Gret ideas! Thanks, teachbio!!