Storied Lodgings
Across the state there are inns and hotels with colorful histories, including these.
Best Western Premier Mariemont Inn
The three-story timber and brick, Tudor Revival-style hotel opened to the public in 1926. It’s located in the historic and charming Mariemont Village, which was originally designed to be a self-sufficient English-garden community, free from the stress of big cities. Details make this hotel, which includes a fireplace, desk with Herman Miller chair and oil paintings in each of the 45 rooms. 6880 Wooster Pike, Cincinnati 45227, 513/271-2100. mariemontinn.com
The Cincinnatian Hotel
There were hitching posts outside, but “modern” elevators and incandescent lighting inside when the hotel opened as The Palace in 1882. The eight-story French Empire hotel was renovated in 1987, reducing the original 300 guest rooms to 146. The grand marble and walnut staircase in the lobby remains. Today the Palace Restaurant retains the hotel’s reputation for fine dining. 601 Vine St., Cincinnati 45202, 513/381-3000. cincinnatianhotel.com
The Golden Lamb
The oldest continuously operating business in Ohio, the hotel began life as “a house of public entertainment” in 1803. The current building dates to 1815 and now features 18 rooms, each named for a celebrity guest. Famous guests include Charles Dickens, 12 U.S. presidents and Harriet Beecher Stowe. 27 S. Broadway, Lebanon 45036, 513/932-5065. goldenlamb.com
Hotel Breakers
This original Cedar Point hotel is responsible for more summer memories than any other hotel in Ohio. Opening in 1905, it was furnished with Tiffany chandeliers and Austrian wicker furniture. Guest rooms were $2 a night and a doctor, tailor, barber, stenographer and beautician were on-site. The 650-room hotel on the beach is a two-minute walk to the amusement park. A new round of renovations are coming soon. Open daily mid-May through Labor Day and Friday and Saturday nights though October. 1 Cedar Point Dr., Sandusky 44870, 419/627-2106. cedarpoint.com
Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade
Built in 1890, the incredible glass-and-iron-enclosed Arcade was one of the first large-scale indoor shopping malls in America. It was the first in Cleveland and ninth building in America to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The internationally known structure now features a lower level of shops and services and upper levels of 293 guestrooms, meeting spaces and three restaurants. 420 Superior Ave., Cleveland 44114. 216/575-1234. cleveland.hyatt.com
The Lafayette
Guests immerse themselves in Ohio’s riverboat era at this property whose hotel roots go back to 1892. The 77 guest rooms range from Cabin Rooms with a riverboat theme to the Riverview King Parlor rooms with a balcony or penthouse. The Gunroom Restaurant opened in 1946 and offers fine dining. Recent mural updates have been completed in the ballroom. 101 Front St., Marietta 45750, 740/373-5522. lafayettehotel.com
The Lofts
This one-of-a-kind hotel had past lives as a warehouse, plumbing supply company and architectural firm’s offices. The circa 1882 building features exposed brick, wood and steel beams, and bathrooms with New York subway tiles. The Lofts has been praised by preservationists and architects since it opened as a hotel in 1998. 55 E. Nationwide Blvd., Columbus 43215, 614/461-2663. 55lofts.com
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