Kentucky hotels

In the Bluegrass state of Kentucky, you’ll find a true unbridled spirit. Horseracing, bourbon, and exhilarating activities in some of its stunning terrains are some of the attractions drawing ever more visitors to the state. Situated in the east of the U.S., surrounded by the Appalachian Mountains to the east and the Mississippi River to the west, Kentucky combines dramatic landscapes and outdoor activities with modern urban living in cities full of historic character.

Hotels in Kentucky

Kentucky offers both outdoor living and urban chic, and the top 4-star hotels in Kentucky are located in the biggest cities of Louisville and Lexington. The unique 21C Museum Hotel has some of the best hotel reviews in Louisville and is opening a new hotel in Lexington in 2016, combining boutique hotels with contemporary art exhibitions. However, if you're looking for budget accommodation in Kentucky, both cities have no shortage of affordable, good-quality chain hotels. There are many lakeside resorts and mountain getaways where you can stay at relatively low cost in and around Kentucky’s many state parks and stunning natural landscapes.

Things to see in Kentucky

Bourbon and horses—if you need to sum up the appeal of Kentucky, these words do it pretty well. Bourbon is the proud signature industry of Kentucky, and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail takes you on a fascinating tour of its famous distilleries. To complete the trail fully takes several days, so for whisky lovers it is reason for a vacation in its own right! If you are on a tighter schedule and also want to feel the up-beat nightlife of Louisville, take the Urban Bourbon Trail around the top downtown Bourbon bars. Kentucky’s equestrian tradition is also legendary, with Lexington describing itself as the horse capital of the world. The Kentucky Derby is the U.S.A.’s most famous horse race, and the state is covered in hundreds of miles of horse-riding trails for which you can rent horses at many stables. It is also a great way to enjoy the stunning landscape, with the Appalachian Mountains and Daniel Boone National Forest to the east, and the Mammoth Cave National Park to the west.

Where to stay in Kentucky

For a city break in Kentucky, Louisville and Lexington are the largest and liveliest destinations. Both are historic cities dating back to the 1700s, and the Old Town District of Louisville is the third largest historic preservation area in the U.S. Louisville has a buzzing nightlife, famous for its bourbon bars, and is a great weekend destination for couples or groups of friends. The many state parks are top vacation spots in Kentucky where you can either relax on a romantic getaway or take part in adventurous outdoor activities. Cave City is a great starting point from which to experience the spectacular Mammoth Cave Park.

How to get to Kentucky

Kentucky’s 3 main airports are Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International, Lexington Blue Grass, and Louisville International. These are primarily for domestic routes to the major U.S. international airports. Megabus offers bus routes from just $1 to several cities including Atlanta and Chicago. To arrive by train, there are 2 long-distance services operated by Amtrak with stations located in Ashland, Fulton, Louisville, Maysville, and South Shore-South Portsmouth. By road, Interstate 65 is a major cross-country route running north-south, which passes through Kentucky via Louisville, and going east-west is Interstate 64, connecting both Lexington and Louisville with Richmond, Virginia, and St. Louis, Missouri.