I’m starting to put together plans (dreams?) to go to the Rolex 3-day and Reining Cup next year. I’ve invited my mother to go with me and I’m thinking that making a cancellable lodging reservation sooner than later is a good idea.
That said, I’ve never been to Kentucky or Lexington. Should we stay downtown and travel to the park? Stay near the park? Recommendations?
Lots of hotels near KHP but not right on top of it. A short drive either way on the highway there are plenty and not hard to get to. Go to the KHP site and I think they have links.
There’s quite a few motels and hotels off of Newtown Pike that would put you only a few miles from the KHP. You can find anything from a cheap room to luxurious suites.
I’m having trouble adding
Here’s a list of those places
Clarion
Embassy suites
Griffin Gate Marriot
La Quinta Inn
Fairfield Inn and suites
Knights Inn
Four Points by Sheridan
further down towards nrw circle rd
Residence Inn
Courtyard
Quality Inn
Lots of people stay in Georgetown KY, which is a short hop to the north on I75. https://www.google.com/#q=georgetown+ky+hotels
I’d say Georgetown is a little quieter, a little duller. There’s the usual clatter of chain restaurants close by. All the local hotels fill up early for Rolex so book ahead.
I went this year and last year, and stayed in Georgetown both times. Very easy to get to the KHP (faster than our friends who stayed in Lexington!). We didn’t mind a quieter atmosphere because we’re more morning people than night owls anyway.
Also, Georgetown is close to Paris, so you can make a trip to Quillin and get a gorgeous new halter 
We also made treks to Keeneland to watch the TBs breeze, and this year did a tour at Woodford Reserve (bourbon distillery).
Last year we stayed at the Super 8 (friend booked only a couple months beforehand so very little choice) and this year I stayed at Fairfield Inn. Fairfield was definitely nicer but also more expensive.
Why not try for a Bed and Breakfast if you have a car and can afford it?
I’d recommend staying in a hotel in Georgetown for the reasons SolarFlare mentions. But Newtown Pike or Lexington would work fine too. Probably most of the things you are going to want to see/do aren’t going to be in downtown Lexington, so unless you prefer the city atmosphere Georgetown might be more convenient.
Thanks all! I think we’ll look into Georgetown and maybe look at VRBO since I’m hoping my aunt and cousin will join us too.
Next question - how much are tickets for the 3-day? They don’t go on sale for another 2 months and I want to get the planning ball rolling. If we assume $50 per day are we in the ball park?
Less than $50 per day per person for just regular old tickets (not any of the special packages with hospitality etc). I just looked at what I paid last time in 2012 - for general admission Fri-Sun and stadium tickets in the main grandstand ~$92/person. If you go Thurs too and want seats for dressage, probably another $30-40 on top of that.
I have stayed in Lexington (The Inn on Broadway) and in Georgetown (Motel 6, I had corporate rate, room was like $30/night which couldn’t be beat), and both were fine.
THANK YOU FOR THIS POST!
The idea is that my dad is giving my mom the rolex 3-day for Christmas this year (and I get the added perk of being included…even though I’m 30)… so I am looking for good hotels and supplementary trip suggestions as well!
I went for the first time last year - awesome. I think I got the 3 day general admission tickets which were about $54 ? but we also got additional tickets for SJ in the covered section of the stadium… I also splurged and got preferred parking and glad I did!. We stayed at a Best Western which was about 20 minutes from the park. There are others closer but those were full (we were a bit late in planning). For Hotels I’d go on the the 3Day website and check their list of hotels. A friend who met us there splurged and got the VIP package - which probably was a good deal as it included breakfast and lunch in a tented area as well as covered seating for dressage and show jumping
We didn’t get preferred parking either year and had no issues at all with the general parking. It was surprisingly quick to get in, parked, and then walk over to the entrance. It’s not really far but if you do have anybody with disabilities or who is unable to walk any distances then you would want preferred parking.
I agree admission is also quite reasonable. This year I also pre-purchased a program for $5 instead of the regular $10 at the park. We also bought reserved seating for one day of dressage and show jumping.
For those planning trips - I found there was lots of info posted on Facebook groups for XC course walks, book signings, etc that I would not have known about otherwise. Horse Junkies United, SmartPak, USEF all had things happening as well as some of the vendors. You might want to like their FB pages so you get info before you go.
Just throwing this out…I started staying a little further south at I75 and Man O War, think it’s about 12 miles from the KHP-all interstate, takes 10 minutes, 2 lights, much quicker then downtown. We all realized wherever we stayed, we ended up eating, shopping, sometimes catching a movie at Hamburg Place, one of those big outdoor “lifestyle center” type shopping areas. Target, Meijer (hypermart), DSW, Kohls, Partystore/liquor mart etc. About 30 restaurants scattered throughout. Maybe 12 hotels right there. Maybe 20 more in the area but a little further from 75.
Its an option, usually has availability when the others are sold out.
Lexington is easy to get around, and nothing is that far away. If you are not riding yourself and having to get ready for an 8am ride, you can stay anywhere. I would definitely avoid the Holiday Inn that is on Newtown Pike near the horse park. It us nasty. Hamburg is fine, Beaumont center is fine. Nothing is very far.
Just was down there for PF and noticed that Holiday Inn is no longer under that branding. There was some kind of sheet or something over the sign but couldn’t make it out. Phone # is the same though. Kind of doubt any renovation has been done and it was tired and in sorry shape so be careful if you use a last minute consolidator type site ( Expedia etc.).
The old Holiday Inn North is now a Clarion 
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