Finding a decent place to crash near a college campus is usually a total gamble. You either end up in a sterile box sixteen miles away or a "quaint" inn that smells like mothballs and 1974. If you're heading to Marion for a graduation, a Wildcats game, or just to visit your kid who hasn't called in three weeks, you've probably noticed that the options for hotels near Indiana Wesleyan University look a little... varied.
Honestly? Most people just book the first name they recognize on a map. They see a big brand and think, "Yeah, that'll do." But if you actually want to be within walking distance of the IWU campus or avoid a twenty-minute commute through Grant County traffic, you have to be a bit more strategic.
✨ Don't miss: Why The Old Mill Inn Pitlochry is Still the Best Pub in Scotland (Actually)
The "I Need to Walk to Campus" Option
If you want to be close enough to hear the McConn Coffee House orders being called out, there is basically only one choice. The College Inn Bed and Breakfast is literally 0.4 miles from Indiana Wesleyan University.
It’s not a hotel in the corporate sense. It’s a 10-room inn right on South Washington Street, directly across from the College Wesleyan Church.
The rooms aren't carbon copies of each other. Room Ten is the one everyone fights over because it has a "kid cave"—basically a little alcove with two twin beds so the parents can actually have a queen bed to themselves without a toddler kicking them in the ribs all night. They do a full hot breakfast, and you can walk to the University Marketplace (where the Panda Express and McAlister's Deli are) in about ten minutes.
It sells out months in advance for graduation. If you're reading this in May and trying to book for May, you're probably already too late.
The Marion "North Strip" Cluster
Most of the traditional hotels near Indiana Wesleyan University are actually clustered about 4 miles north of campus, near the intersection of Baldwin Avenue and State Road 9. It’s a 7 to 10-minute drive.
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marion: This is arguably the "nicest" standard hotel in town. It’s newer (built around 2019-2020) and feels like it. The rooms have the massive "sliding barn door" bathrooms that are trendy right now and plenty of USB ports for the three iPads you brought.
- Hampton Inn Marion: A total classic. It's clean, reliable, and has that specific "Hampton smell" that feels safe. It’s right on the main drag, so it can get a little noisy if your room faces the road, but the breakfast is solid.
- Comfort Suites Marion North: This one is a sleeper hit for families. Every room is a suite, meaning you get a little more breathing room than the standard Holiday Inn box.
A Quick Reality Check on the "Value" Spots
You’ll see names like Red Roof Inn or BlissPoint Inn (formerly the Fairbridge) popping up with lower prices.
Look, if you just need a place to close your eyes for four hours and you're on a shoestring budget, they exist. But don't expect the Ritz. The Red Roof Inn is about 4.6 miles from campus and is "dated" is the polite way to put it. Clean? Usually. Modern? Not even close.
👉 See also: Palm Springs Marilyn Monroe Statue: Why She’s Finally Moving (Again)
Why Some People Stay in Gas City Instead
This is the "insider" move.
Gas City is about 15 minutes southeast of the IWU campus, right off Interstate 69. If you’re driving in from Indianapolis or Fort Wayne, it might actually be more convenient to stay here than to drive all the way into Marion proper.
The Best Western Plus Gas City and the Holiday Inn Express Gas City are often cheaper than the Marion equivalents because they aren't "on top" of the university. Plus, you’re right next to Cracker Barrel and some decent local spots like Payne's Fish-N-Chips. If you have a 9:00 AM meeting on campus, leaving Gas City at 8:30 AM is an easy, straight shot up State Road 15.
The Fort Wayne and Merrillville Confusion
When you search for hotels near Indiana Wesleyan University, Google is going to try to trick you.
IWU has "Education and Conference Centers" all over the state. You’ll see search results for the Residence Inn Fort Wayne or the Hilton Garden Inn Merrillville.
DO NOT BOOK THESE if you are trying to visit the main residential campus.
Those hotels are great for adult students taking a night class in a suburban office park, but they are over an hour away from the actual "Wildcat" campus in Marion. Double-check the address. If it doesn't say "Marion, IN," you're going to have a very long, very sad drive in the morning.
Surprising Airbnb Alternatives
If the hotels are full—which happens every time there's a choir concert or a homecoming game—look for the "Old Oak Inn." It's an old farmhouse about 1.4 miles from campus. It’s been renovated with mini-split AC units (thank God) and feels way more like a home than a hotel.
There are also a handful of "Premier Host" rentals on Vrbo right in the residential streets surrounding the university. Some of these are literally just houses where the owners leave for the weekend to make a few bucks off visiting parents. It’s worth checking if you need a kitchen or a yard for a dog.
Making the Final Call
If you want the best experience, here is the hierarchy:
- College Inn B&B if you can get a room and want to walk.
- Holiday Inn Express & Suites Marion if you want the most modern "big hotel" feel.
- Best Western Gas City if you want to save $20 and be near the highway.
- Comfort Suites if you have three kids and a lot of luggage.
Actionable Next Steps
Check the IWU academic calendar before you book. If it’s "Grandparents Day" or "Homecoming," prices will double and rooms will vanish. Book your stay at least three months out for major events. If you're staying on the North Strip in Marion, grab dinner at The Hostess House for a bit of local history, or hit Joe on the Go for coffee if the hotel's "brown water" doesn't cut it.
Check the cancellation policy carefully—most of these spots in Marion are pretty strict during graduation week because they know they can resell your room in five minutes.