Embassy Suites by Hilton South Bend is located across the street from the University of Notre Dame and just steps from restaurants, shops, and bars at the popular Eddy Street Commons.
Fighting Irish Fans Are Jealous of My Bucket List Trip
My fandom with the Notre Dame’s “Fighting Irish” sports teams began when I was about 12 years old. You see, I was a graduate of Notre Dame. Okay, not the university. I graduated 8th grade from Notre Dame Catholic Elementary School in New York. But that fact led me to always “get a kick out of” following Notre Dame University football throughout the years.
A trip to see the campus up close and personal was just a happy coincidence, that we would be travelling to the South Bend area for a 3-night stay.
Finding a Hotel Just Steps from the Campus and Stadium
Two main facts in the hotel description allowed us to make a quick hotel decision followed by an immediate booking of the Embassy Suites by Hilton South Bend.
- The hotel was located across the street from the University of Notre Dame.
- The hotel is an all-suites accommodations and we are loving suite-stays lately.
The location is truly the ideal blend of nature, shopping, dining, and attractions including the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center, the Century Center, Studebaker National Museum, and the Potawatomi Zoo.
If you’re looking for a day trip with some outdoor water activities, rest assured, the hotel is a 40-minute ride to Lake Michigan.
Not an Inexpensive Destination By Any Means
I will go on record by saying that we traveled to the campus literally two weeks after the semester ended. So, not visiting during the heart of college action, we had no issues booking our suite as it could be during college football or basketball seasons, or near graduation.
However, you do pay the premium for the proximity to the campus. This hotel starts at around $275 per night and can go much higher during college football season.
On the bright side, we saved the cost of not having to pay for a rental car or hotel parking thanks to the location. I’ll always opt for leisurely walks to sightsee rather than drive. And the area surrounding the Notre Dame University campus, especially the Eddy Street Commons shopping mall area, was a great way to enjoy fresh air and natural scenery.
As for the flights to South Bend, I’m guessing the reasonable rates were also considered “off college season” prices. We flew into South Bend International Airport that was less than 6 miles to the hotel. We grabbed a Lyft from the airport.
Modernly Designed Lobby and Typical Amenities
The façade of the hotel is windows, windows, and more windows set among a brick design. It matches the picturesque look of the brick buildings on the campus.
There was a large lobby with high ceilings and tall, floor to ceiling windows that let in an abundance of natural light. Be sure to step out on the 6th floor terrace and get wonderful views of downtown and the Notre Dame Stadium.
It was sweet seeing prospective high school students meandering around the hotel with the excitement of taking a college tour of the campus during their stay.
We stay in many hotels throughout the year so I can tell you that this hotel had typical amenities including an onsite restaurant and bar, 24-hour front desk, ATM, free Wi-Fi throughout the property, a 24-hour fitness center, and a small, indoor pool.
Meeting rooms and a fully-equipped business center make for a nice location to hold business events. And there was a very large, covered parking garage. Self-parking costs $16.00 per day and there is EV charging on-site.
However, aside from those typical amenities, the breakfast and evening reception were noteworthy and I’d classify them as better than “typical.”
Impressive Breakfast and Evening Reception
During check-in, the nicest hotel clerk clearly explained the hotel’s offerings including the complimentary breakfast and an evening reception for guests.
I can tell you with certainty that I’m not the “evening reception” type of traveler that gets tempted by a “free cocktail.” I’m usually drained from either business travel events or sightseeing the attractions. However, this team member insisted we at least try to attend.
The free breakfast was not the standard hotel “powdery” eggs. It consisted of freshly scrambled eggs, a made-to-order omelet station, sausage, bacon, breakfast potatoes, fresh fruit, yogurt, bagels, toast, cereals, and fresh juices.
The hotel’s evening reception turned out to be a nice touch with light snacks along with cocktails, beer, wine, and soda. You would think the event was filled with college students but the reception was a more mature set of guests, including bus travelers heading to Pennsylvania.
The hotel’s Traditions Restaurant and Bar was attractive yet comfortable, with a fireplace and high vaulted ceilings as in the lobby area.
We enjoyed dinner there on two consecutive nights. It was hard to choose from the ten offered appetizers so let me save you some time by suggesting you try the Cheese Curds, Giant Pretzel, and Chef’s Old-World Italian Meatballs. For entrees, we recommend the Baked Mac & Cheese Gratin and Buffalo Chicken Wrap.
I can say that like breakfast, Traditions Restaurant’s food is better than typical hotel dining. And it was good that breakfast was free because dinner each night cost us around $80.00. That’s why the third night, we went to the local Chipotle restaurant for less expensive dining.
All-Suite Accommodations
We booked a “1 King Bed, 2 Room Suite” which was not the most spacious suite we’ve ever stayed in, but it allowed enough space for us to relax, catch up on “binge watching” our favorite shows, and even get some remote work done.
The best part of our suite; we were “blessed” with a beautiful view of the University of Notre Dame campus from tall windows. You can also request a room facing the garden.
The contemporary designed suite included a living room sitting area with a sofa bed, a separate bedroom, and a bathroom. We loved the extra seating area and desk, with modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi and an in-suite safe deposit box.
The very tiny kitchenette featured a microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker. Our suite came with not one but two large flat-screen TVs with lots of great premium cable channels.
The bed with a sleek, leather-look headboard, was comfortable, and along with blackout curtains, helped us to get a good … I’d say “great” … night’s sleep. If you don’t like squishy pillows that are very soft, you may want to bring your own.
The bathroom featured a walk-in shower, a hairdryer, and complimentary Neutrogena® bath toiletries. It was a well-lit bathroom, making applying cosmetics much-appreciated.
Note: There are accessible, connecting, and pet-friendly rooms. Housekeeping was not provided every day of our stay but that didn’t bother us as we had plenty of bath towels.
About the Notre Dame Campus
University of Notre Dame is more than just football and basketball teams as it’s an iconic institution, dating back to 1842. In addition to the eye-catching Gothic architecture, you’ll recognize the iconic Golden Dome, that is a famous symbol of the university.
As for the nickname “Fighting Irish,” it reflects the university’s strong athletic spirit and heritage. Game days at Notre Dame are major events complete with the impressive marching band, pep rallies, and tailgating.
In addition to the dome, the campus has other must-see landmark including the Basilica of the Sacred Heart church with gorgeous stained glass windows. The Touchdown Jesus mural featuring “The Word of Life” on the Hesburgh Library can be seen from inside the football stadium. The Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in France replica was a beautiful spot for some quiet prayer time and reflection.
Final Takeaways About the Hotel
Without a doubt, this was the nicest Embassy Suites that we’ve ever stayed at. Great front desk service staff, great food, and great views of the campus from our suite. We also loved the proximity to shops and restaurants.
- Unbeatable location across the street from Notre Dame
- Ideal for sightseeing the area, no need for rental car
- Hotel team goes above and beyond
- Walking access to shopping and dining
- Fabulous free breakfast, staff, and restaurant
- Spacious suites were modern and clean
Author Bio: Originally from Long Island, New York, Donna Wright now calls Deland, Florida her home. An avid traveler, she has journeyed by air, land, and sea, to many cities in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean to exciting destinations like California, Arizona, Las Vegas, San Diego, Myrtle Beach, Lake Tahoe, Reno, and more.
This content is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered travel or consumer advice. Inn amenities, prices, policies, and availability may change. Readers should verify all details independently and use their own judgment when planning travel.