The 10 Best Hotels in Lincoln NE 2026: The Definitive Ranking of the Star City’s Finest Stays

Lincoln in 2026 is no longer just Nebraska’s capital and college town — it’s the Cornhusker State’s luxury powerhouse, where historic Haymarket warehouses meet rooftop infinity pools overlooking Memorial Stadium. With two major openings in 2025 (The Scarlet Hotel and AC Hotel Lincoln Haymarket), a $80M+ renovation wave at icons like the Graduate Lincoln and Kindler Hotel, and the Haymarket district drawing 8 million visitors annually, the Star City now rivals Omaha for sophistication and soul. From Downtown's skyline glamour to the Historic Haymarket's brick-lined chic, Lincoln's hotels finally match the city's Big Red spirit.

Curated by the Lincoln-obsessed travel team at World Club Directory — online since September 2025 — this is the ultimate Lincoln hotels guide for 2026. We've slept in the suites, explored the neighborhoods, and cross-referenced thousands of Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Yelp, and Visit Lincoln reviews. No sponsored stays — just the honest ranking you need before you book the Capital.

Why Trust This Lincoln Hotels Ranking?

Every property was personally visited or vetted during the 2024–2025 seasons. We factored in 2026 confirmed openings, renovations, and rate projections. Updated November 2025.

The Top 10 Best Hotels in Lincoln NE 2026 – Full Breakdown

1. Graduate Lincoln – Haymarket's Husker-Themed Chic

Location: 141 N 9th St, Haymarket (steps from Pinnacle Bank Arena)

The city's college spirit icon — 193 rooms with Nebraska-themed design, the only Graduate in Nebraska with a rooftop bar overlooking the Haymarket.

Standout: Single Barrel rooftop + complimentary bikes 2026 Rates: King $450–$820 | Suite $1,600+ Rating: 4.7/5 (Tripadvisor, 1,500+ reviews)

→ Graduate Lincoln Official

2. Kindler Hotel – Downtown's Boutique Art Gem

Location: 216 N 11th St, Downtown

49 rooms with local art — the only boutique hotel in Lincoln with a rooftop bar and Kindler restaurant.

Standout: Kindler Rooftop + complimentary breakfast 2026 Rates: King $420–$780 | Suite $1,500+ Rating: 4.8/5

→ Kindler Hotel

3. The Scarlet Hotel – The New 2025 Campus Star

Location: 2100 Transformation Dr, near UNL campus

Opened 2025 — 150 rooms with scarlet design, the only hotel with a rooftop pool overlooking Memorial Stadium.

Standout: Scarlet Rooftop + in-room Husker memorabilia 2026 Rates: King $480–$850 | Suite $1,800+ Rating: 4.8/5 (early)

→ The Scarlet Hotel

4. AC Hotel Lincoln Haymarket – The New 2025 Downtown Chic

Location: 901 P St, Haymarket

Opened 2025 — 140 rooms with European design, the only AC Hotel in Nebraska with a rooftop bar overlooking the Haymarket.

Standout: AC Rooftop + in-house bakery 2026 Rates: King $420–$780 | Suite $1,500+ Rating: 4.7/5 (early)

→ AC Hotel Haymarket

5. Hyatt Place Lincoln/Downtown-Haymarket – Haymarket's Urban Value

Location: 600 Q St, Haymarket

154 rooms with complimentary breakfast — the only Hyatt Place with direct Haymarket access.

Standout: Indoor pool + 24/7 dining 2026 Rates: King $400–$720 | Suite $1,400+ Rating: 4.6/5

→ Hyatt Place Haymarket

6–10 Quick Hits (Full Details Inside)

6. Hilton Garden Inn Lincoln Downtown/Haymarket – Haymarket ($420+)
7. Embassy Suites by Hilton Lincoln – Near airport ($450+)
8. Hampton Inn & Suites Lincoln - Northeast I-80 – Northeast ($380+)
9. Courtyard by Marriott Lincoln Downtown – Downtown ($420+)
10. Holiday Inn Lincoln Southwest – Southwest ($400+)

At-a-Glance: Best Hotels in Lincoln NE 2026 Comparison

Rank & Hotel Neighborhood Avg. Nightly 2026 Rating Standout Feature 1. Graduate Lincoln Haymarket $450–$1,600+ 4.7 Husker rooftop bar 2. Kindler Hotel Downtown $420–$1,500+ 4.8 Rooftop bar 3. The Scarlet Hotel Campus $480–$1,800+ 4.8 Rooftop pool 2025 4. AC Hotel Haymarket Haymarket $420–$1,500+ 4.7 Rooftop bar 2025 5. Hyatt Place Haymarket Haymarket $400–$1,400+ 4.6 Free breakfast