Hotel for Kentucky Derby

I%26#39;ve been lucky to get tickets to the 2008 Derby (and Oaks). I see that all Louisville hotels are booked. Any recommendations on the nearest alternative for a nice hotel (not motel)? I see a few options in Lexington but didn%26#39;t know what might be closer. Thanks.

Hotel for Kentucky Derby

Take a look at Shelbyville and Simpsonville (exits off I-64) or even Frankfort. Southern Indiana may have some rooms open....look at New Albany, Jeffersonville and Clarksville. Although you can expect to pay lots of $$$, you may try contacting some B%26amp;Bs in the area.

Hotel for Kentucky Derby

I%26#39;m assuming you also checked the Indiana side of the Ohio River (New Albany, etc).

Elizabethtown is about 45 miles south of Louisville down I-65. Frankfort is about 55 miles east on I-64. Both have a few hotels and inns.

One offbeat place, about 65 miles away (slightly more than an hour), is the Belterra Casino Hotel in Indiana, right on the Ohio River across from KY. That%26#39;s probably close enough for you (about ten mies closer than Lexington); however probably not many Derby goers think of it since it%26#39;s in Indiana. You have the casino onsite. It%26#39;s about 15 miles off of I-71; however there%26#39;s a new superhighway going from the expressway to the river right next to the casino.

HTH.

For the 2006 derby we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Scottsburg, IN. It is about 30 miles north of L%26#39;ville, right on I-65. Had a great tailgate atmosphere in the parking lot with all the other guests the night before. We even went over to Walmart and bought some tiki torches to light things up after dark. We had brought a small grill to cook on. The staff was great and let us carry on with our shennanagins. It was a new hotel, standard HI Express room, free breakfast, etc.

Best part was I got a rate of around $65 by booking about six months out. Looks like you can get it for $70-80 for derby weekend right now.

ichotelsgroup.com/h/鈥elcome

The bed and breakfast inns in Old Louisville are all beautiful and not too far from the Derby. It is a real treat to stay in a Victorian Mansion and experience the ambiance of the Gilded Age. Old Louisville is a gem! The neighborhood is beautiful at that time of year. Central Park and St. James Court are a must to see.

Caesars Resort and Casino is about 20 miles from the track, in Indiana as well. It%26#39;s worth a look.

The newspaper today mentioned a new Spring Hill Suites openig up close to the Airport this week. It would be a bout two miles from the track and it might not be booked up yet.

Have you actually tried calling? I%26#39;ve found 5 hotels in Louisville (some downtown) this week that still have availability for Derby, and I haven%26#39;t even called close to ALL of them! Most places are going to require a contract and a 3-night minimum stay. Also, as others mentioned...expensive!

Call hotels directly as many require minimum length of stays and a written contract. This is why many websites are showing sold out- most hotels do not want to sell rooms at discounted rates. Be prepared for 3 night minimum stays and $200 plus a night (minimum) in the Louisville area.

Another option is to consider a rental home for Kentucky Derby (or Ryder Cup). For about the same cost per person as an hotel, your party can enjoy an historic home within 5 miles of Churchill Downs, complete with kitchen, dining room, living room, deck and walking access to dozens of great restaurants.

Check out the houses at http//www.RentMyHouse4Derby.com

You also can check out:

http://www.kentuckyderbyhomerental.com/