Best Wedding Hotels in Louisville

You'll be tempted to take home one of those red plastic penguins found in the lobby of this West Main Street hotel. Resist the urge, though: 21c does offer up poster art that you can pack in your suitcase upon checkout. Plus, there are plenty of other avant-garde 21st-century art pieces to peruse in the lobby, meeting spaces and rooms. But aesthetics aren't the only things recent guests appreciate about this boutique hotel. They also highlight the exemplary hospitality staff (led by swift room service) and the first-rate Proof on Main restaurant. Visitors should order the signature bison burger, washed down with one of Louisville's finest bourbons to get a taste of Kentucky's flavor.

During Derby seasons of yore, celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Crawford and Eva Marie Saint would stay at this gorgeous 293-room Louisville landmark. There's something about the ornate lobby and elegant rooms and suites that feel glamorous and Hollywood-like. Accommodations boast beds with pillow-top mattresses, marble bathrooms, flat-screen TVs and complimentary Wi-Fi access. Some guests mention that bathrooms were a bit lacking though. Recent visitors highlight the customer service, elegant rooms, and the on-site dining as reasons to stay here. Plus, if you're a fan of traditions, you'll have to sample the legendary Hot Brown sandwich served at the hotel's English Grill restaurant.

This downtown hotel is a no-fuss Marriott, but visitors praise it for acing the basics. Clean rooms, a friendly and accommodating staff and a convenient downtown location on West Jefferson Street near the Kentucky International Convention Center are the main perks. You could also attend a meeting inside the hotel, as this Marriott boasts 38,000 square feet of meeting facilities and breakout rooms. If you're looking for a bit of exercise, break a sweat in the fitness center or swim some laps in the indoor pool. Another plus: From here you can walk to sites like the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory and the Frazier History Museum. Keep in mind, this hotel is currently undergoing renovations, and recent guests said that the construction can be loud. If you're a Marriott Bonvoy member, you can accrue or redeem points by choosing to stay here.

Bibliophiles might remember that Louisville's Seelbach hotel is where Tom and Daisy Buchanan tied the knot in "The Great Gatsby." And those of you more grounded in reality might like to know that this famous hotel has hosted the likes of presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy, and gangsters Lucky Luciano and Al Capone. Trivia aside, this stately site fares well with River City lodgers. They particularly delight in the rooms' high ceilings and dark wood furniture. Some guests were disappointed that you have to pay for in-room internet access, though. As far as on-site amenities go, the Seelbach Hilton has a fitness center, meeting space and a few bars and restaurants. Keep in mind that this is one of the most popular hotels come Derby time (it's a short 4 miles from Churchill Downs) so if you're interested in booking, begin your vacation planning at least three months in advance of the big race. Hilton Honors members can earn or redeem point perks by staying here.