Homewood Suites Louisville East

A colorfully painted horse stands in the hedges at the front of the Homewood Suites Louisville East, an apartment-style hotel that has a warm and friendly atmosphere. The common areas are modern and well-maintained and the lobby has shiny wood floors, leather sofas, and checkered club chairs -- it's a cozy space made all the more so by a fireplace. The lobby opens onto the bright and spacious breakfast area, where evening socials serving free drinks and light meals are held on select nights during the week. Geared toward travelers on extended stays, the hotel has a social atmosphere and cultivates a feeling of home, appealing to families and business travelers alike.

Located in the residential suburb of Lyndon, the Homewood Suites Louisville East sits beside the University of Louisville Isaac Shelby Campus. Plenty of typical suburban delights are in the immediate area, including grocery stores, markets, a few restaurants, and shopping and dining at the Oxmoor Center or Mall St. Matthews. Starbucks and Walgreen's are close by as well. Fitness 19, a gym that offers discounts to Homewood Suites guests, is a five-minute drive from the hotel. Interstate 64 and 264 are an 11-minute drive from the hotel, and the drive into downtown Louisville should take about 20 minutes depending on traffic. The Cave Hill Cemetery, Churchill Downs, Louisville Slugger Field, Big Four Bridge, and Old Louisville all take 15 to 20 minutes to reach by car. Bowman Field is 15 minutes away by car, and Louisville International Airport is a 20-minute drive.

The 100 rooms at the Homewood Suites Louisville East are all apartment-style units with kitchenettes. They include Studios with open layouts and Suites with one or two bedrooms. The look is modern and homey, with a business-friendly ambience including ergonomic desk chairs and plenty of space to spread out. Decor includes dark wooden furniture, gray textiles, wood laminate floors, plus an additional pop of color in orange accent walls or orchids. All rooms have kitchenettes with stainless steel appliances -- microwaves, stove-tops, dishwashers, and utensils -- along with dining tables; Suites have separate living rooms with sofa beds, and king or two queen beds. Two-bedroom Suites have two bathrooms. Flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, coffeemakers, hairdryers, and irons come standard in all rooms. Nice touches include free popcorn and nuts. Bathrooms, which have shower/tub combos or showers, feature marble countertops and dark-wood vanities. Views are nothing spectacular, and windows face the parking lot or a field, or some combination of the two.

True to its name, the facilities at the Homewood Suites Louisville East are home-like and welcoming. The bright, cozy breakfast lounge has ample chairs and tables, plus seating by a fireplace, a flat-screen TV, and a free buffet spread in the morning. The area hosts socials on certain weekday evenings as well. The pool is large enough for laps, and has a hot tub and lounge chairs on the deck. There's a small gym equipped with modern cardio machines and core equipment, and a nearby jogging path. Guests are also offered discounts to Fitness 19 gym. A well-maintained half-basketball court and patio seating are on the hotel's grounds as well. Business travelers can reserve the 40-person meeting room, and two computers and a printer are available in the 24-hour business center. A snack pantry is open 24 hours a day. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.