Blue Grass Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

Blue Grass Airport is about ten minutes from downtown Lexington, too close for staying near the airport to really change your departure: the Keeneland/Beaumont area, five minutes away with the hotels' free shuttle, is still the most practical choice for a dawn flight or a short layover. Anyone staying several days and wanting theatres, restaurants and university life can head downtown, fifteen minutes by car. Hamburg, the big cluster of shops and restaurants east of the city, is worth it mainly for those who already have to pass through that area for work or shopping, not for its closeness to the airport.

Airport area (Keeneland/Beaumont)

Airport area · The hotels in the Beaumont Centre area are 6-8 km from the terminal and offer a free shuttle, usually running from the early morning hours until evening.

Best for: Those leaving early in the morning or with a short layover who want the least risk of traffic.

Pros

Free shuttle straight to the terminal, useful with luggage or dawn departures
A few minutes from Keeneland racecourse, handy on race days

Cons

An anonymous commercial area, little to do on foot in the evening
Downtown Lexington still takes fifteen minutes by car

Recommended hotels in this area

Hampton Inn Lexington South-Keeneland/Airport: Free shuttle to the terminal, useful for those who don't want to rent a car just for airport-hotel transfers.
Courtyard Lexington Keeneland/Airport: Free shuttle scheduled several times a day and an indoor pool, convenient for those arriving tired from a long flight.

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Hamburg

Neighbourhood · About 15-16 minutes by car or taxi from the terminal, no direct public transport link.

Best for: Those who already need to pass through for shopping, restaurants or a sports event in this area.

Pros

Just steps from dozens of shops and restaurants at Hamburg Pavilion
Cheaper than downtown, with hotel parking almost always free

Cons

Further from the airport than the Keeneland area
A car is needed to get around: the area isn't designed for pedestrians

Recommended hotels in this area

Homewood Suites by Hilton Lexington-Hamburg: Suites with a kitchen and hot breakfast included, convenient for multi-night stays near the Hamburg shops.
Hilton Garden Inn Lexington Hamburg: Five minutes on foot from Hamburg Pavilion, with an indoor pool and an on-site restaurant for evenings without a car.

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Downtown Lexington

City centre · About 15 minutes by car or taxi from the terminal; some downtown hotels offer a free shuttle to the airport.

Best for: Those staying several days and wanting theatres, restaurants and Rupp Arena within walking distance.

Pros

Walking distance to Rupp Arena, Victorian Square and the downtown theatres
The 21c Museum Hotel is also a free contemporary art museum to visit

Cons

Further from the terminal than the Keeneland area
Parking is often paid, unlike at the hotels near the airport

Recommended hotels in this area

21c Museum Hotel Lexington: A boutique hotel with a contemporary art museum built into the building, in the heart of Main Street.
Hilton Lexington/Downtown: Connected by a walkway to Victorian Square and Rupp Arena, with a free shuttle to the airport.

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