TL;DR

Hip NuLu location: with cafés, boutiques, breweries, and Downtown within walking distance
Laid-back vibe: that feels more like staying at a stylish friend’s house than a hotel
Self-catering setup: for independence and comfort
Check prices here

This super-cute spot in Louisville’s hip NuLu (East Market) neighborhood is a great base for more independent travelers.

It’s not far from Downtown, and more active guests will be happy to walk it in about twenty minutes.

And here they can have all the convenience of a big city stay without the extra noise or stress of staying right downtown.

Stellar Suites helps drive the point home with a laid-back atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re house-sitting for your best friend’s aunt while she visits her son, a real-estate mogul.

It’s youthful, but stylish. We’re talking an exterior that looks like it came straight from NYC warehouse gentrification’s Pinterest board.

As a self-catering establishment, facilities are limited, but you’ll get comfort and independence.

What are the rooms like?

11 suites: each individually decorated with a contemporary but eclectic style
Studios, one-bedrooms, and a two-bedroom suite: (sleeps up to 6)
Well-equipped kitchens & washing machines: ideal for longer stays
Sofa beds & unique decor: from antiques to vintage touches
See each room in detail here

With each suite almost completely independent, there’s a lot of variation in the decor.

We think this is for the best, as each room has its own special feel. They do, however, keep the atmosphere consistently contemporary and clean.

It’s not stark minimalism, either, we’re happy to report. Some suites have antique dressers snuck into the corner, others a collection of vintage tennis rackets, and the throw pillow game is top-notch.

Almost all the suites sleep 2, with nicely-equipped kitchens and washing machines that make long stays wonderfully easy.

Some are studios, some one-bedrooms, and one two-bedroom suite with bikes to borrow that sleeps 6.

There are sofa beds hiding among the furniture in other suites as well.

Whatever you choose, you’ll be very well-prepared for a pretty independent vacation.

What are prices like?

Check prices here

And what’s the food like? Any facilities we should know about?

Self-catering setup: with kitchens in suites
Communal spaces: for occasional socializing
Best for independent travelers: or groups renting the whole property
Responsive host: available to help arrange needs

We’re not looking at a bunch of standard hotel facilities here. They’re part of the new wave of hotel/apartment rental hybrids where you book as a hotel, but the experience is more Airbnb.

Stellar threads the needle between the two pretty well, we think. There’s some amount of communal space, where you can have a drink with any other friendly guests, though there might not be much encouragement to do so.

The property definitely shines more when rented as a whole, where the common area feel very usable as a meeting place.

At the end of the day though, you’ve got a space that is definitely designed for independent travel, and a responsive host that’s happy to help you arrange anything you might need.

How is the neighborhood? Anything interesting nearby?

Charming street: with cafés, boutiques, nurseries, and restaurants
NuLu Marketplace: with West Sixth Brewing and other beverage makers
Main Street highlights: Thomas Edison House, huge skate park, access to Downtown museums & theatres
Further afield: Old Louisville (10 min), Highlands, University of Louisville, Churchill Downs (15 min)

We like that the neighborhood is removed enough to avoid the bustle of the business districts.

The street you’re on is a supremely charming collection of small businesses, including cute cafés, small boutiques, a plant nursery or two, and some cool restaurants.

It’s walking distance from NuLu Marketplace, a super-cool commercial space housing West Sixth Brewing.

There are plenty of other beverage makers where that came from, in the neighborhood and close by.

Head up to Main Street and you’ll find more cute spots (it’s the land of cute spots!), including the Thomas Edison House and a huge skate park on the south side of the river.

Main Street can take you Downtown in just half an hour, where you can find the Kentucky Center for Performing Arts and the Muhammad Ali Center.

Over here are a cluster of museums and a few smaller-scale theatres.

Everything else might require a car, based on your biking skills and walking chops.

Old Louisville and its Victorian architecture is about a 10-minute drive, while the Highlands and the University of Louisville area have some excellent art.

And, of course, Churchill Downs and everything horsey are a 15-minute drive from the hotel.

Put five bucks on the horse with the best name, sit back, and watch the hats.