Stay in luxury at the Union Club Hotel at Purdue

The first priority of a hotel guest at check-in is parking, next the room, and then the overall experience. Is it comfortable and clean? Is the site convenient for where the guest wishes to go? The answer is yes, at the Union Club Hotel in West Lafayette, Indiana. Amy Piper of Follow the Piper and I were on the road for the entire month of June 2024. The Union Club Hotel was the only place I fully unpacked during that month. I instantly relaxed when we drove into the hotel driveway and the valets approached the car. From my first glance, I adored this 4-star hotel in West Lafayette, Indiana.

Visit Lafayette-West Lafayette and the Union Club Hotel sponsored my visit, but all opinions are mine. If you use our affiliate links, including Amazon Associates and Stay22, to make a purchase, we might earn a small commission for our time and website costs (at no additional cost to you). These links are always disclosed. 

The Union Club Hotel at Purdue University Autograph Collection (ad) is Marriott’s only student-run Autograph Hotel. Think of the implications. Students manage one of Marriott International’s premium hotel brands as a living laboratory. The hotel is in good hands because the White Lodging-J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) ranks in the nation’s top 10. 

In my room at the Union Club Hotel

My room had a two-hook rack inside the door, where I immediately hung my hat. A generous closet and sink area with a large lighted mirror opened on one side with the bathroom beyond. The bathroom mirror was shaped like the Purdue seal.

The TV displayed the hotel’s history next to a kitchenette with a microwave, mini-fridge, and coffeemaker. A sofa, table, and easy chair with a cozy, furry white pillow stood in a corner. The king-size bed had a Purdue seal embroidered on a bolster with vintage Purdue images above the headboard. I slept well.

Location, location, location

I listed convenience as a consideration. The Union Club Hotel meets that standard. The boutique hotel is attached to the Purdue Memorial Union for unmatched convenience. For example, iconic Purdue attractions like Ross-Ade Stadium and Mackey Arena are a mile away. The Edward C. Elliott Hall of Music and the Loeb Playhouse are less than a 10-minute walk. 

Ad: Celebrate the Boilermakers’ 2024 men’s basketball Final Four appearance.

Reserve your flights and car rentals above.

West Lafayette is an hour northwest of Indianapolis and 2 hours southeast of Chicago. Skip the drive from Chicago and fly instead. Purdue University Airport (LAF), the nearest airport, provides daily round-trip service from Chicago O’Hare Airport (ORD).

Roxie’s reliable report: The Lafayette Limo runs a shuttle service to O’Hare and the Indianapolis International Airport (IND). 

Know before you go to the Union Club Hotel

• Reserve well in advance of your preferred Purdue events. A credit card is required.
• Check in after 4 p.m. and check out before 11 a.m.
• The hotel is a smoke-free property.
• Valet parking is available for $35 per day, and on-site self-parking is available for $15. 
• A tunnel connects the Grant Street Parking Garage to the hotel.
• The hotel provides free wifi for all guests. Improve your connection speed by becoming a Marriott Bonvoy member.
• The Union Club is pet-friendly. The hotel allows one 40-pound pet or smaller with a $75 fee per room per stay.
• Elevators serve all floors, and service animals are welcome.
• The business center, fitness center, meeting spaces, and on-site restaurants are all accessible.
• Rooms and suites are accessible through the interior corridors.
• The accessible rooms and suites offer 17 accessible features, including roll-in showers.
• The hotel offers room service but does not have complimentary breakfasts.

Related: Explore 10 top-notch things to do in Lafayette, Indiana, including Tippecanoe Battlefield Park.

The iconic Purdue Union Club Hotel’s history

The iconic property is nearly 100 years old. Construction lasted in stages from 1929 to 1953. White Lodging began renovating the property in 2018. The $30 million renovation encompassed the hotel’s 182 guest rooms and public spaces. However, the hotel’s traditional brick façade remained the same. The lobby became a grand entrance when architects removed several second-floor guest rooms. Houndstooth patterns repeat throughout the hotel, honoring the stereotypical professor’s attire. The contemporary design pulls many of the building’s original architectural elements while celebrating impactful alumni. The airy entryway includes a 3-foot by 5-foot Boilermaker sculpture, geometric drawings, a fireplace, and plenty of seating nooks. 

The hotel’s décor features four themes: the machine, the might, the mind, and the land. Purdue legends appear everywhere. Behind the lobby’s front desk, a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf stands before a projection screen. The screen shows giant historic images of former Purdue faculty member Amelia Earhart. Vintage sports accessories in Purdue’s classic colors reflect the university’s athletic legacy.

Related: Learn more about Earhart, one of our 10 noteworthy Kansas women.

Ad: Wear a pair of lucky Amelia Earhart-themed socks.

Union Club Hotel amenities

Staying in a hotel room can feel confining, no matter how cozy. To address this possibility, the Union Club Hotel has plenty of hangout places for smaller gatherings, like the Upper Lobby, Outdoor Patio, and Lobby Bar. 

Dine in style at the Union Club Hotel

Three more dining outlets provide a range of cuisines and experiences. 

8Eleven Modern Bistro

8Eleven gets its name from the Gemini 8 and Apollo 11 space missions. Purdue alum Neil Armstrong, the First Man on the Moon, commanded both. The menu emphasizes farm-fresh, seasonal ingredients served in bistro classics. Selections include vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. 

Ad: Read the First Man on the Moon and watch the movie.

We ate lunch there. I started with the French Onion Gratinée, featuring gruyére, fontina, and Parmesan cheeses. The cheeses blended perfectly. As a mushroom lover, I had to try the Wild Mushroom Bolognese, made from rigatoni gigante, shaved Parmesan, and shaved basil. I drank a Matcha Latte, matcha, honey, and milk. We finished with shared Profiteroles, cream puffs filled with vanilla ice cream and dark chocolate. Cuesta cibo e molto buono! 

Related: I learned to drink matcha in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Roxie’s reliable report: Look for artist Scott Troxel‘s abstract Purdue campus map made with 600 individual pieces of cut and layered wood. 

Boiler Up Bar

Unfortunately, we did not get to drink at the Boiler Up Bar. Instead, we examined its décor before we left while eating breakfast. The bar displayed an extensive selection of Indiana bourbon and whisky. Agriculture inspires the cocktail selection, and the College of Agriculture appropriately provides the drink garnishes. An extensive collection of Purdue memorabilia adorns the bar.

Ad: Toast Purdue’s success with this Boilermaker glass.

Leaps Coffee & Artisan Pastries

Instead of savoring a nightcap at the Boiler Up Bar, we started our day next door at Leaps. The coffee bar obtains its name from Armstrong’s famous quote when stepping onto the Moon, “…One giant leap for mankind.” “Leaps” also celebrates Purdue alumni’s many achievements. I enjoyed a fresh brew of coffee and a Berry Basil Smoothie with blueberry, strawberry, basil, banana, agave, coconut milk, and pomegranate.

Unwind at The Spa at the Union Club Hotel

We stayed at the Union Club Hotel a few weeks too early to enjoy the spa. The spa services include massages, Himalayan saltstone therapy, waxing. and more. A massage followed by a facial and nail care sounded divine. It opened in August 2024. 

Enjoy the Spirit of Purdue at the only hotel on Purdue’s campus. We did, and I didn’t want to leave.

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