Sports are a big deal. Like, a really big deal. Such a big deal, in fact, that some diehard sports fans are willing to travel hundreds of miles just to see their favorite team play. After traveling all that way though, those fans probably need somewhere to stay after the game. Chances are most of them spend the night in hotels that fit one or both of these criteria: cheap and close to the venue.
If you don’t mind splurging, however, you could instead stay at a unique hotel that caters specifically to sports fans. Many of these hotels are located near the venue, if not right next door, and are furnished with lots of home team-inspired decor. Some even feature views overlooking the on-field excitement!
Here’s a list of five fan-tastic hotels that are sure to make your next sports-related getaway a real game changer.
Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort – Orlando, Florida
While it’s not located near any major sports venues aside from the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, that doesn’t change the fact that Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort is one of the ultimate hotels for sports fans and young athletes alike. The resort features five distinct areas, each based on a different sport.
There’s a football area that features a full-sized field and stairwells enclosed in giant helmets and a baseball area with a diamond-shaped pool, as well as basketball-, surfing-, and tennis-themed areas. After a day of fun in the parks, guests can blitz their hunger at the End Zone Food Court and score some sports-related merch at Sport Goofy Gifts and Sundries.
Best of all, the All-Star Sports Resort is one of six Walt Disney World hotels in the “Value Resort” category. The rates are affordable, relatively speaking, so it’s perfect for families who want to visit the happiest; and one of the most expensive; places on Earth, without breaking the bank.
The other hotels in the Value Resort category are Disney’s All-Star Movies and All-Star Music Resorts, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, and The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.
For more money-saving tips, check out our article “How to Have an Amazing Trip to Disney on a Budget.”
Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta – Atlanta, Georgia
If you’re a fan of the Atlanta Braves, chances are you’ve already booked a stay at the brand new Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta. If not, you certainly should.
Opened in early 2018, this 264-room luxury hotel is located within steps of SunTrust Park, the Braves’ new home field. It’s so close in fact that guests can even catch a game from atop the hotel’s elevated pool deck.
Want to make your stay at the Omni Hotel at The Battery Atlanta even more of a home run? Opt for the See SunTrust Park Package when booking your stay. This exclusive package deal includes breakfast at Achie’s, the hotel’s on-site restaurant, nightly turndown service with milk and cookies for the kids, and tickets for a behind-the-scenes tour of the ballpark.
Hotel Zachary at Gallagher Way – Chicago, Illinois
Also opened in 2018 is Hotel Zachary at Gallagher Way in Chicago. What makes this hotel particularly fan-tastic are its many unique ties to the Chicago Cubs and their historic home, Wrigley Field.
First off, Hotel Zachary is owned by the Ricketts family, the same family who just so happens to own the Cubs. It’s also located right across the street from Wrigley Field, which is fitting since the hotel is named after and inspired by the work of Zachary Taylor Davis.
For those who don’t know, Davis is the architect who designed the ballpark back in 1914. Nods to his work include the hotel’s Wrigley-esque red brick and exposed metal exterior and ivy-green headboards in guestrooms that resemble the ballpark’s iconic outfield walls.
After the game, guests can dine at one of the many world-class restaurants located on the premises of Hotel Zachary. If they haven’t already filled up on peanuts and Cracker Jack, that is.
The Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern is a fan favorite at Hotel Zachary. There diners can enjoy elevated sports bar fare amidst picture-perfect views of Wrigley Field and the Chicago skyline. Popular dishes include their Bavarian pretzel and loaded potato twist appetizers, and a cheeseburger topped with sweet and spicy pickles and Dijonnaise.
Lodge Kohler – Green Bay, Wisconsin
Most people know Kohler for their sinks and other plumbing-related products. What they probably don’t know however is that Kohler owns hotels too, including one only 100 yards from historic Lambeau Field, home of the Green Bay Packers.
Opened in July 2017, the 144-room, four-diamond Lodge Kohler is located in Titletown, a 34-acre development just west of Lambeau Field. With amenities like a public park, sledding hill, and ice skating rink, as well as a medical sports clinic and an assortment of dining options, Titletown brings Packers fans to the area even during the off-season.
Fans staying at Lodge Kohler can also enjoy exclusive packages like the behind-the-scenes Packers Sideline Experience, which comes with sideline passes to the team’s training camp. Other perks include a free breakfast and three-course dinner at two of the hotel’s eateries, as well as a 20% discount on services at the on-site Kohler Waters Spa.
Omni Frisco Hotel – Dallas, Texas
Unlike the previous three properties mentioned on this list, the Omni Frisco Hotel, the official hotel of the Dallas Cowboys, isn’t located right next to the team’s home turf. In fact, it’s over 30 miles away. Fret not, though, Cowboys fans; you’ll still be close to the action!
That’s because the Omni Frisco is one of the newest additions to The Star, a 91-acre campus that’s home to the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters and the team’s 12,000-seat practice facility, Ford Center.
Like the Omni property adjacent to SunTrust Park in Atlanta, the Omni Frisco also features an elevated pool deck with prime views of the on-field action at Ford Center.
If you’d prefer a more up-close look at the practice facility, the Omni Frisco offers a package deal for guests that includes a tour of The Star with stops at Ford Center, the Cowboys’ state-of-the-art NFL draft war room, and more.