The Brown Hotel

Louisville, Kentucky

English Grill Restaurant
Deluxe Double
Lobby bar
J. Graham's Cafe
Lobby
English Grill Restaurant
Deluxe Double
Lobby bar
J. Graham's Cafe
Lobby

The hotel

This self-coined ‘Louisville legend’ promises all the old-world Southern charm you came for, and the modern luxuries you need, like complimentary WiFi and airport transfers. Right opposite Brown Theatre, it’s been attracting the ‘it crowd’ for almost a century now, many turning up just for its ‘Hot Brown’ sandwich. Created as a late-night treat for dinner dance guests in the 1920s, it’s been raved about everywhere from the New York Times to TV’s Man v Food. In fact, it’s so good, it’s available in all its eateries, featuring alongside The English Grill’s fine dining-meets-Kentucky dishes; J Graham’s Café’s casual fare; and the Lobby Bar’s treats like lobster ‘mac and cheese’. Before leaving (or better still the second you arrive), try its bourbon cocktails too; you are in Kentucky after all.

Amenities

  • Bar
  • Room Service
  • Safety Deposit Box
  • Fitness Centre/Gym
  • Laundry Service
  • Internet Access
  • Close to City Centre
  • Restaurant

Where is it

In Louisville, just across the road from Brown Theatre and half a block from Palace Theatre. The hotel is 4 blocks from 4th Street Live! – an entertainment venue with a choice of restaurants, bars and nightlife. Transfer time to airport: 10 minutes.

Hotel information

293 rooms and suites on 16 floors. All with flat-screen TV, complimentary WiFi, fridge, tea/coffee maker, hairdryer, iron and board, weekday USA Today newspaper and handwoven Brown Hotel throw. Deluxe Rooms have 1 king-size or 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

Luxury Rooms are larger and have a sitting area with 1 king-size or 2 double beds, sleeping maximum 4 adults.

The English Grill (fine contemporary American menu, open mon-sat for dinner). J. Graham’s Café (casual à la carte and buffet dining, mon-sat for breakfast and lunch, sunday brunch buffet). The Lobby Bar (bar menu including cocktails, and bourbon flights, English Grill menu also available, open 3:00pm-1:30am with limited late-night menu). 24-hour room service*. Fitness centre. The Brown Gift Shop. The Gallery at The Brown. Concierge. Laundry/dry-cleaning service*. Safety deposit boxes (at front desk). Complimentary WiFi. Valet parking $24 and self parking $20 (plus tax per day, payable locally). Complimentary airport shuttle.

*Denotes local charge.

Rating summary

  • Location Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Sleep Quality Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Rooms Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Service Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Value Image of the Tripadvisor rating
  • Cleanliness Image of the Tripadvisor rating

Traveller rating

  • Excellent (1760)
  • Very good (513)
  • Average (169)
  • Poor (56)
  • Terrible (28)
Image of the Tripadvisor rating The Deans

Jan 26, 2020 ddean2253

Went there today for the very first time. The food was excellent. And I have to say the mini desserts were even better. The staff all came to greet us and everyone made our experience extra special. Thanks so much for everything. Our waitress Ashly was friendly and did a fabulous job. She brought our food and drinks right away. A special thanks to… Read more
Went there today for the very first time. The food was excellent. And I have to say the mini desserts were even better. The staff all came to greet us and everyone made our experience extra special. Thanks so much for everything. Our waitress Ashly was friendly and did a fabulous job. She brought our food and drinks right away. A special thanks to Chef Arkan for the V.I.P. service. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Just eat a Hot Brown and leave

Jan 21, 2020 erojustice Athens, Georgia

The price of a room here (in our case a simple king room, nothing luxurious), is way out of line with the look of and experience in the room. The worst thing was getting a complimentary robe out of the closet to find it stained with what, given the location of the stain, must have been feces. How does that get out of the laundry let alone into a… Read more
The price of a room here (in our case a simple king room, nothing luxurious), is way out of line with the look of and experience in the room. The worst thing was getting a complimentary robe out of the closet to find it stained with what, given the location of the stain, must have been feces. How does that get out of the laundry let alone into a room? One nightstand lamp was not plugged in, with the cord wrapped up in a zip tie and clearly not meant to be used. It was a struggle to find an outlet and finally get the reading light we needed. Very aggravating. The wallpaper in the bathroom was peeling, and you can hear your neighbors quite clearly through bathroom vent. The Lobby Bar is very pretty, and the service and food were excellent. We enjoyed the Hot Brown much more than we expected to, given the extremely rich ingredients. I recommend you split one unless you are a big eater. So just go for the famous sandwich, and stay somewhere else. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating A Great Christmas Stay

Jan 2, 2020 amywag5544

We stayed over Christmas. It was very special. The decorations were very well done with a nice gingerbread house and Christmas spirit. The employees were very good. The restaurants were great. A lot of Santa spirit all over.
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Another nice stay

Jan 2, 2020 TGN_50 Seattle, Washington

I loved this hotel 5 years ago when I first reviewed it. Just spent another holiday weekend there and happy to report it is better than ever. The expansion of food service in the lobby bar means you can have your choice of 168 bourbons AND get a Hot Brown for dinner. Does not get better than that. The big gingerbread house and Christmas tree were… Read more
I loved this hotel 5 years ago when I first reviewed it. Just spent another holiday weekend there and happy to report it is better than ever. The expansion of food service in the lobby bar means you can have your choice of 168 bourbons AND get a Hot Brown for dinner. Does not get better than that. The big gingerbread house and Christmas tree were festive for the kids. Lots of hotel choices nearby but you can stay at the Embassy Suites or the Omni anywhere. Only Louisville has the Brown. Read less
Image of the Tripadvisor rating Ray and Rebecca's Most Spectacular New Year's Eve Ever!

Jan 2, 2020 RayS849 Louisville, KY

My wife and I had the most extraordinary time for New Year's Eve. First the customer service was over the top amazing. In an age of mediocrity, the Brown Hotel has nailed what it takes to provide "more than the customer expects". Everyone from the valet and bell staff to the check-in, room service, the English Grill, maintenance and follow up… Read more
My wife and I had the most extraordinary time for New Year's Eve. First the customer service was over the top amazing. In an age of mediocrity, the Brown Hotel has nailed what it takes to provide "more than the customer expects". Everyone from the valet and bell staff to the check-in, room service, the English Grill, maintenance and follow up on our satisfaction level was on the same page in the songbook. Our room was clean, with ample towels, robes, and great toiletry items. The Club Luxury option that includes the complimentary adult beverages, regular beverages and snacks in the afternoon and a very extensive continental breakfast each morning, is well worth the price. The English Grill was fine dining at its best. The food, wine recommendation from Troy and the entire atmosphere created a very special experience. We will be back and not just for NYE! Happy New Year! Read less