Homewood Suites Louisville East is a modern and attractive apartment-style hotel with a social atmosphere for long-term guests. All 100 rooms have kitchenettes with stainless steel appliances -- microwaves, stove-tops, dishwashers, and utensils -- along with dining tables. Flat-screen TVs, air-conditioning, coffeemakers, hairdryers, and irons all come standard. True to its name, the facilities at the Homewood Suites Louisville East are home-like and welcoming. The bright, cozy breakfast lounge has a fireplace and a free breakfast buffet 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. A basketball court, jogging path, and gym are on-site, plus guests receive discounts to the nearby Fitness 19 gym. A business center and snack pantry are both open 24 hours a day. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.

While Homewood Suites is in the suburbs, the 393-room Hyatt Regency Louisville hotel has a prime downtown spot on happening Fourth Street Live!, an entertainment district filled with nightclubs, bars, and restaurants. Suites here are great picks for guests on longer visits, as they come with kitchenettes with refrigerators, microwaves, and stove-tops. All rooms include flat-screen TVs, iHome alarm clocks, coffeemakers, free Wi-Fi, and air-conditioning. A slew of on-site features includes a bagel shop, restaurant and bar, 24-hour business center and gym, indoor pool, and outdoor tennis court. More than 21,000 square feet of space is available for conferences: 23 meeting rooms, a ballroom, a 100-seat theater, and a rooftop private meeting space that offers panoramic views. Rates are higher than those at Homewood Suites, but -- surprisingly -- not by much.

Given its 617 rooms, huge amount of meeting space, and direct sky bridge to the city’s convention center, it’s no surprise that Louisville Marriott Downtown is buzzing with activity. Like the Hyatt Regency, this Marriott is set in heart of downtown's business district, near attractions. Marriott's rooms were renovated in 2013, and all are spacious and comfortable. Suites offer more space to add extras such as kitchenettes with wet bars, dining/boardroom tables, and sitting areas with sofas. Note that Business Suites do not have kitchenettes, but receive nightly turndown service. There are three dining options (plus 24-hour room service), extensive meeting space, and 24-hour business and fitness centers. Both Marriott and Hyatt Regency have indoor pools; Marriott also has a whirlpool and sauna, but no tennis court. One drawback is that Marriott charges a fee for in-room Wi-Fi, whereas Homewood Suites and Hyatt Regency do not.