The Brown Hotel

Hotels
9 (1193 reviews)
335 West Broadway , Louisville , us

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Children allowed

Facilities

Free beach shuttle
Fitness facilities (surcharge)
Non-smoking rooms
Air conditioning
Restaurant
Family rooms
Lift / Elevator
Luggage storage
Express check-in/check-out
Safety deposit box
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location
Historic charm
Friendly staff
Cons:
Cleanliness issues
Inconsistent room quality

Categories

Cleanliness
7.73
There are multiple mentions of cleanliness issues, particularly regarding dirty rooms and bathrooms.
Service
9.2
Mixed sentiments; some reviews praised staff friendliness, but others noted staff inattentiveness.
Location
10
Consistently praised for its great location close to venues and attractions.
Room Quality
8.74
Some guests found rooms comfortable, but issues with heating and hard beds were noted.
Amenities
9.19
The hotel features a nice fitness center and quality beverages at the bar.
Value for Money
8.72
Some guests felt the price did not match the quality experienced.
Food and Beverage
9.68
Positive mentions for food quality, especially the Hot Brown and delicious meals.
Overall Experience
8.73
Generally enjoyable stays, but some significant issues affecting satisfaction.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-07 04:44

Property Description

Historic Charm in Downtown Louisville
The Brown Hotel, established in 1923, is a historic gem nestled in downtown Louisville’s Theater District. With a dedicated concierge staff, two restaurants, and a complimentary airport shuttle, guests are treated to a seamless stay.

Unique Shopping and Dining Experiences
Explore the Brown Gift Shop and Gallery for local artwork and gifts, or dine at J. Graham’s Café for a delicious breakfast. Unwind at the Lobby Bar in the evenings, or enjoy 24-hour room service. Don't forget to experience the fine-dining at The English Grill when it reopens in FALL 2023.

Convenient Amenities and Nearby Attractions
Each room features a work desk, free WiFi, and a 32-inch TV. Just steps away from the Louisville Palace Theater and a short drive to Churchill Downs, the Brown Hotel is the perfect base to explore Louisville. Book now for an unforgettable stay!

Important information:

Upon check-in, photo identification and credit card are required. All special requests are subject to availability upon check-in. Special requests cannot be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.Guests are required to show a photo ID and credit card upon check-in. Please note that all Special Requests are subject to availability and additional charges may apply.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Airport code: SDF

Property Policies

  • Internet

    WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge.

  • Pets

    Pets are not allowed.

  • Parking

    Public parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed) and costs USD 30 per day.

  • Children and extra bed policy

    Children of any age are allowed.
    Children up to and including 2 years old stay for free when using an available cot.
    Children up to and including 17 years old stay for free when using an existing bed.
    People no matter the age stay for US$25 per person per night when using an available extra bed.
    Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by management.
    Supplements are not calculated automatically in the total costs and will have to be paid for separately during your stay.

Location

Guest Reviews

9
Based on 1193 reviews
Cleanliness: 7.73
Service: 9.2
Location: 10
Room Quality: 8.74
Amenities: 9.19
Value for Money: 8.72
Food and Beverage: 9.68
Overall Experience: 8.73
J
Jason • couple • us
10
Pros:

Beautiful and spacious rooms, wonderful restaurant and bar

Cons:

walls were thin, heard other guests

2026-03-05 • via Nuitee
P
Paul • couple • us
8
Pros:

Great room. Great staff. Easy and knowledgeable valet

Cons:

Location, look, comfort

2026-03-05 • via Nuitee
C
ChadLK • Business • Glasgow, Kentucky
2
The Brown Not So Great
Pros:

Stayed at The Brown this week for a work trip. Rooms are not the cleanest and had a roach on the baseboard this morning. Surprise little friend I guess.
It’s also not in the greatest area. The staff were very nice.

2026-03-04 • via Tripadvisor
B
Britteny W • family_with_children • us
9
2026-02-25 • via Nuitee
C
CliffwoodTraveler • Family • Washington DC, District of Columbia
6
At Least The Bed?
Pros:

My first stay at this well known, historic hotel was marred by a bed one would expect to find in a much lower end hotel or motel; dingy carpeting, webs and bugs (?) on windowsills, trim that was obviously in need a fresh coat of paint and furniture that looked like Goodwill rejects. AND we were in a corner suite! C'mon management, invest some money here.
On the upside, the staff could not have been friendlier; the food in the restaurant is good. Hence the "good" vs. "Poor" rating. I am just perplexed as to why they cannot provide a decent mattress and bedding; replace dingy, old, stained carpeting, and furniture, paint the trim and for heaven's sake, clean off the webs, etc. from the windowsills.

2026-02-23 • via Tripadvisor
C
Carlyle • extended_group • us
9
2026-02-23 • via Nuitee
O
ontheroadforgci • Couples • Westfield, Hamilton County, Indiana
8
Still the best with room to improve the rooms
Pros:

I have stayed at The Brown many time over many many years and still love this hotel. There is one disappointment that lead to 4 stars instead of 5. But first the good - service and food. The Brown has the best customer service I have experienced in any luxury hotel. Everyone I encountered was genuinely friendly and interested in making the stay perfect. Nothing fake or insincere - these folks genuinely are friendly and genuinely do care. The food at hotel restaurants is superb. We had dinner in the English Grill and it was outstanding; the Saturday breakfast/brunch was perhaps the best I have every had. If I lived in Louisville, I would go to The Brown for Saturday breakfast. The location is also very convenient. Its not right in the 4th Street Live nightlife and noise, but it is only a 5 minute walk away. I did find the furnishing in the rooms to be disappointing - all the furnishing are old and worn. It's not dirty, the rooms are very clean. Its that the furnishing are old and worn. the rooms are in serious need of updating. That's a big undertaking for a hotel, but for The Brown, I think its time.

2026-02-21 • via Tripadvisor
K
Kathleen • family_with_children • us
10
Pros:

The staff makes this hotel. Friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating! From the front desk, James the bartender, to Kat our waitress, and all the ladies in the restaurant!

Cons:

It is an older building, so if new and shiny is your thing may not be your cup of tea.

2026-02-13 • via Nuitee
C
Chuck • solo_traveller • us
10
Awesome place to celebrate New Years!
Pros:

The restaurant!!!! Plus Location, location, location.

Cons:

Parking. Have a tall van doesn’t fit in parking garage.

2026-01-28 • via Nuitee
K
Kyle • family_with_children • us
10
2026-01-21 • via Nuitee
A
Andreas • couple • us
10
2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
M
Maria • couple • us
10
Beautiful up-kept hotel! It was like stepping back in time to enjoy the royal treatment!
Pros:

We did not eat breakfast at The Brown Hotel as we did not have the time. Sorry!

Cons:

The hotel, we noticed, is not in the best place. Of course, it is not the hotel’s fault. We saw a homeless man sleeping a couple of yards away from the hotel. He had a little dog watching over him while he slept (at 5:00 in the afternoon. So very very sad … 😞

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
D
Doris • couple • ch
10
Pros:

The atmosphere in the hotel feels just great, with great care and love for the details. The location is superb. The staff more than friendly. We forgot something in our room, they saw that we got it back. Thanks!

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
L
Louis • couple • us
10
Fantastic can't wait to come back
Pros:

Breakfast lunch dinner cocktails staff the history of hotel location just a beautiful hotel can't wait to come back

Cons:

the outside surroundings were not as pretty as the Brown

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
T
Tim • couple • us
6
Nice historical landmark
Pros:

Amazing history and architecture

Cons:

Bed uncomfortable. Lacking bell staff

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
V
Valerie • extended_group • us
10
The Brown Hotel takes very good care of their guests.
Pros:

Southern hospitality was all around us. Requested an early check in. Very accommodating. Our friends needed a later checkout, again very accommodating. Large lobby so our friends could all hang out together.

Cons:

Sundays only option for food was the very expensive brunch. .

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
C
Cassie • extended_group • us
10
Loved it!
Pros:

I didn’t have breakfast

Cons:

can’t say it’s a dislike but no refrigerator or microwave in room. I feel it would mess with the aesthetic. Wasn’t in the room much so it bother me just mentioning in case that’s what someone’s looking for.

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
C
Carol • extended_group • us
10
Stay was exceptional.
Pros:

Very comfortable room with nice linens. Huge bathroom with great shower and makeup mirror.

Cons:

Lights in makeup mirror burned out.

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
C
Christina • couple • us
10
We had an exceptional experience at the Brown Hotel and it far exceeded all our expectations.
Pros:

Dinner was incredible. Everything was delicious. The waiter and other staff were gracious and kind, chatting us up for a bit, learning more about our stay, making sure our needs were met. The hotel itself was immaculately clean and beautiful. Love paying just a little more (on a non-busy night) for an extraordinary historic hotel.

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee
J
Julian • couple • us
10
We loved our stay. The people were helpful and very friendly. The food and drinks were amazing.
Pros:

The food was great. The rooms were big and clean. The people were very friendly.

Cons:

The bed wasn't very comfortable.

2026-01-19 • via Nuitee