Since this classic landmark first opened its doors in 1923, the Hotel Elkhart in Elkhart, Indiana has been more than brick and mortar. This sensational stay has been a gathering place where footsteps of the past still echo through halls once graced by well-heeled travelers and jazz-age wanderers. Thoughtfully restored and reborn in the summer of 2021, this towering downtown presence stands as a living ode to its own history, marrying the grace of yesterday with the comforts of today.
First impressions … The original terrazzo and marble floors gleam and restored moldings curl around columns and ceilings. The building and staff are welcoming. Local artisans have breathed life back into every detail so that this graceful grand dame might continue telling her story. In 2024, Hilton bestowed upon Hotel Elkhart its Award of Excellence, recognizing the hotel's exceptional guest satisfaction and the kind of thoughtful service that turns stays into stories.
I stayed in room 400, a sprawling corner room big enough to have a business meeting. The Elkhart features 93 rooms and suites, ranging from 350-600 sq. ft. and all rooms feature delightful details (like aromatherapy shower spray) and locally crafted furniture, as well as luxurious Kingsdown Capeplush mattresses, Molton Brown amenities, Victrola Bluetooth speakers, Boca bathrobes, and 55" HDTVs. The Grand Suite is a larger-than-life luxury experience with a king bed in 1,250 sq. ft. overlooking the downtown skyline.
Hotel Elkhart offers several year-round packages for a unique stay. The pet package is designed for those who wander with furry companions, complete with deluxe pet bedding, treats, and a keepsake bandana. The "Ultimate RV Repair & Restore Package" allows road tripping guests to relax in boutique comfort while their rig gets expert attention, and comes paired with dinner at The Corner Bar, complimentary parking and late checkout, plus tickets to the RV Hall of Fame. The romance package delivers champagne, chocolate-dipped strawberries, fresh flowers, keepsake flutes, and a sunrise breakfast.
Shaped by craft, landscape, and community pride, there is a lot to do in this part of Indiana, from Amish restaurants to kayaking. Rivers thread through downtown's softened by historic architecture, while gardens, nature preserves, and wooded trails invite unhurried wandering. This is a county where American ingenuity is on display, from railroad history and the legacy of RV manufacturing to meticulously restored theaters and small museums that tell local stories well. Summer brings quilt gardens blooming along back roads and one of the nation's largest county fairs, where agriculture, music, and nostalgia collide.
