At the heart of the Great Lakes region, Ohio promises spectacular scenery as well as bustling cities with fabulous food and cultural attractions aplenty. With the Appalachian Mountains to the south-east, Lake Erie to the north and numerous state parks — fantastic in the fall — scattered around the state, there’s heaps for families, couples or groups to experience. Accommodation options range from rural B&Bs to swish city hotels, fit for a whole host of tastes and budgets. Hide away at one of the best places to stay in Ohio, or pick a hotel in the centre of the city for a food, sports and history-focused trip.

Columbus, the state capital, is famed for its breweries, gourmet eateries and heritage sites. It’s also a brilliant choice for families, with some excellent child-friendly attractions — including a Legoland Discovery Centre. Charming Cincinnati, on the other hand, has a hip, artsy feel, as well as impressive European-inspired architecture and lots to see and do.

Cleveland, on the shores of Lake Erie, fuses cultural attractions — the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Great Lakes Science Centre — with a more outdoorsy vibe. Go fishing and bird-watching on Lake Erie, kick back at the beach, or take thrill-seeking friends or family members to the acclaimed Cedar Point Amusement Park.

Venture beyond Ohio’s cities to discover more than 70 state parks, 130 state nature preserves, and a plethora of creeks and lakes. You’ll find opportunities to go hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, rafting and fishing. The landscapes of the north-west are gentler, whilst the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, in the south-east, offer a further challenge to intrepid explorers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Whether you’re dreaming of micro-breweries, live music nights and guided city tours or nature-focused escapes, the best places to stay in Ohio promise something for everyone. Hotels and inns book up quickly during the summer and autumn months, so plan your trip well in advance.

The Best Places to Stay in Ohio

For Heritage Charm

• Cuyahoga Valley Inn has just 4 guestrooms, set within a charming Victorian home. This owner-run B&B offers a quaint, quiet base for exploring, on the outskirts of Richfield. The Cuyahoga Valley National Park is five minutes' drive away. A period property for couples or friends.
• Steele Mansion is a lavish Second Empire Victorian mansion, just across the road from Painesville's Lake Erie College. Choose this 1867-built hotel for its heritage features and sumptuous decor. For romantics, friends or business travellers.
• Glidden House is a historic boutique hotel in Cleveland's University Circle. Expect elegant interiors in an imposing red brick edifice, built in 1910. Rooms and suites feature plenty of period touches, there are expansive meeting and wedding spaces, and the location is great for culture buffs looking to see the sights.

FOR FAMILIES OR GROUPS

• Graduate Cincinnati has a bright, upbeat feel, with retro-inspired interiors. Right on the University of Cincinnati campus, this is a top pick for anyone visiting students. Families and groups will appreciate the flexible room configurations. There's a buzzy bar and eatery, a gym, meeting facilities and bikes to zip around the city. Fun and youthful.
• Moxy Columbus Short North is a trendy base in Columbus' arts district, with flexible options for families or groups of friends. Stay here for the fun, sociable vibe in the shared spaces with a billiard table, bar and casual restaurant. The hot-desking work spaces are ideal for business travellers.
• Graduate Columbus is a more affordable option for families, couples or groups. Set in the trendy Short North Arts District, this retro hotel takes inspiration from classic college-style decor — think plaid walls and big leather sofas. There are two eateries, a terrace bar, gym and meeting facilities. A fun and flexible choice.
• Indigo Pass is a modern boutique choice in Middletown's Torchlight Pass district. Suites have big beds, dark blue-painted walls and swish wifi speakers. There's space for either three adults, or two adults and two children in each room, making this a wonderful pick for families or friends. Pets are welcome, too!
• Gervasi Vineyard Luxury Suites is an indulgent wine country hotel, set on 55 acres of grounds. The Tuscan-inspired property boasts a selection of rooms, suites and villas, some of which offer space for families. Choose a villa if travelling as an extended family or group of friends, take cooking classes, following hiking or cycling trails as a family, and enjoy wine tastings in spectacular surroundings.

For Romance

• Hotel Leveque sits in the heart of Columbus' downtown area, close to the river. A slick, sophisticated pick for couples or well-heeled travellers, this boutique-style hotel boasts monochrome interiors, gilded mirrors, and swish bathrooms with brass fittings. The craft cocktail bar is brilliant.
• Anchor Inn is a calm and cosy property on South Bass Island. Expect big bathrooms — some with free-standing tubs — and private terraces in soothing white-and-blue rooms. An adults-only gem for those looking to unwind in tranquility.
• The Inn at Honey Run is a romantic forest hideaway in Amish Country. Rooms, suites and cottages have glorious rural views, there's a terrific fine-dining restaurant, and heaps of walking trails on the 56 acres of grounds. Adults-only bliss.
• Welsh Hills Inn promises a restful stay close to the pretty village of Granville. A perfect couples' retreat, the inn is set within 15 acres of verdant gardens. The property boasts a swimming pool, gourmet fare, and cosy guestrooms. Idyllic.
• The Barn Inn is tucked in leafy Amish Country, perfect for a rejuventating escape. Individually-designed rooms and suites (some with jetted tubs) with wonderful countryside views are housed within a restored, red-painted barn. Characterful and friendly. Adults only.

FOR CITY STYLE

• Kinley Cincinnati promises a seriously sophisticated stay in a building dating back to 1910. A trendy downtown spot for couples, friends or business travellers, this hip hotel has an acclaimed restaurant, an atmospheric cocktail bar, and a state-of-the-art gym. The Art Deco touches are gorgeous.
• The Schofield is a chic, contemporary hotel set within a downtown Cleveland landmark. The building's red-brick façade hides quirky, welcoming interiors, with spacious rooms and suites as well as a relaxed restaurant — Betts — offering a fresh take on classic American cuisine.
• 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati is a favourite amongst art lovers. This sleek city hotel boasts its own modern art gallery, with a programme of fantastic exhibitions and events throughout the year. There's an excellent gourmet eatery and a soothing spa, too. In the city centre.
• Le Meridien Columbus promises an indulgent city stay, with a soothing spa, extensive gym and fabulous farm-to-table cuisine. Expect lots of artwork, a popular bar, and sweeping city views from modern rooms and suites. For couples, families or business travellers. Pets are welcome! Explore the city on the hotel's complimentary bicycles.

For a Rural Escape

• Inn at Cedar Falls is a restorative Hocking Hills hideaway for nature lovers of all ages. Stay in rooms, cottages, yurts or geodomes with space for couples or families, and enjoy spa treatments and delicious dishes. Outdoorsy adventurers will love nearby Hocking Hills State Park.
• Shady Oaks Farm B&B is a Federal-style manor house with four suites, one of which is dedicated to families. Enjoy multi-course breakfasts before relaxing in the gardens, driving into Cleveland for the day, or going cycling, walking and bird-watching.
• The Granville Inn has 39 well-appointed rooms and suites, with space for couples, families or business travellers. Savour seasonal dishes in the restaurant and explore the surrounding woodland and rolling hills. A lovely weekend retreat, just 30 minutes east of Columbus. Good for events.
• Glenlaurel prides itself on being the USA's only luxurious Scottish Country Estate & Inn. The 21 rooms, suites and cottages have cosy fireplaces, tartan touches and warm wooden furnishings, whilst the restaurant serves gourmet dishes with a Scottish twist. The golf course takes its inspiration from traditional Scottish courses. For business or leisure.

FOR Absolute Luxury

• The Lytle Park Hotel offers an elegant base for exploring Cincinnati as a couple, or whilst on business. Once a favourite meeting place of the city's 20th-century elite, this grand heritage landmark has been transformed into a luxurious hotel with spacious suites, a fabulous fitness centre, chic eateries and a rooftop bar promising panoramic city views. A very special wedding venue, adjoining Lytle Park.
• Ritz Carlton Cleveland is an imposing urban hotel with a soothing blue and grey palette in sleek rooms and suites promising superb city views. Unwind with a massage, hit the gym whilst the little ones are at the Kids Club, and feast on fabulous fare. A top-flight city hotel for business or leisure.

FOR AN APARTMENT OR HOLIDAY COTTAGE

• If you'd prefer a self-catering option, we suggest that you visit our online partner Booking.com.

Travel Information

• Want to fly to Ohio?

• Fly to John Glenn Columbus International Airport, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport or to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, and travel to your hotel by bus or taxi.
• Ohio is a wonderful region to explore by road! Contact our online partner Rentalcars if you would like to hire a car.
• Travel in the spring (April - May) or autumn (September - October) for pleasant temperatures. The summers can be particularly busy in Ohio's cities, whilst rural inns are book up quickly in the autumn months.

STILL NOT SURE?

• Explore our pick of all the best places to stay in Columbus.
• Broaden your search to include the best places to stay in Kentucky.
• Or contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.

Weather

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