The Best Bed and Breakfasts to Book in Indiana

There’s nothing ordinary about this one-of-a-kind Indianapolis guesthouse. Located in an 1885 brick mansion, its seven rooms are themed, hand-painted and crammed with opulent furniture and nick-nacks. Owner, local entrepreneur Gary Hofmeister, prides himself on offering an all-in service to his guests ‒ throwing in everything from parking to bottled water and movies (with popcorn) at no extra charge.

The cute pun in the name aside, this boutique inn in downtown Indianapolis is super modern in its approach. Its owners, Leesa and Bob ‒ who “don’t do doilies” ‒ have six rooms, all with private baths, up-to-the-minute tech and the option of contactless check-in. Breakfast is included but is served offsite at a choice of two nearby cafes. A local business, with local suppliers, Nestle is a great choice if you’re passionate about supporting small businesses.

There are historic inns and then there’s this South Bend landmark. Rated “outstanding” by the Historic Preservation Commission, its 1897 Queen Anne-style building has been comprehensively and tastefully restored. Guests are treated to an authentic late-Victorian experience ‒ including a full candlelight breakfast each morning by the fire with live piano ‒ but with notable mod-cons where it matters, like in-room TV, air-con and whirlpool tubs.

Thanks to the presence of its own little white chapel and pavilion, this spot is a much-loved wedding venue. If you can get availability between nuptials, you’ll find a pretty, two-story wooden house with five charming rooms ‒ all with microwaves, mini-fridges and private bathrooms ‒ and a fire pit outside for evening hangouts. Its land borders the lovely woods of the Porter West Preserve for walking, and the nearby city of Bloomington is home to the Upland Brewing Company for microbrews.

If you’re stopping off in Valpo, you simply must stay at this gorgeous home from home ‒ the only guesthouse in the small city’s Historic Conservation District. It’s the manifestation of a lifelong dream of owners Jim and Liz, who bought the building in 2013 and have worked tirelessly to create their own vision of the perfect place to stay. From the antique furnishings to the gourmet breakfasts, everything is just so ‒ and all just a 20-minute drive from Indiana Dunes National Park and the southern shore of Lake Michigan.

This charming inn has its own private estate near Plymouth in northern Indiana and hosts events and weddings as well as nightly accommodation options. It’s more like an intimate boutique hotel than a B&B; its six large, private rooms come with fireplaces, regularly refreshed floral arrangements, and Nest bathroom amenities. Renovated in 2021, the decor feels as fresh and gorgeous as its parkland surroundings.

You might get a bit muddled when you stay at this charming Victorian house. The B&B is the former home of two doctors in West College Corner, Indiana, but its nearest town is Oxford, just over the border in Ohio, where you can visit Miami University. It’s worth risking some slight confusion for a stay here though, particularly for its homestyle comforts including baked breakfast treats, the family games room and heated porch for chillier nights.

The town of New Albany has effectively been gathered up into the sprawl of Louisville, Kentucky, but in the early 19th century it was the largest city in Indiana and still boasts many of the state’s most historic buildings – among them, the Pepin Mansion. Fully restored in 2013, its four exclusive suites channel serious vintage glamour with ornately carved bedsteads, opulent linens and even a rentable Rolls Royce. Along with the local charms of New Albany, the Pepin makes a great base for exploring Louisville, home of Mohammed Ali, Kentucky Fried Chicken and the world-famous Derby.