The Best Historic Hotels in Ohio: 10 Incredible Hotels You Can Only Find in Ohio

Historic Hotels & Inns in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, and beyond…

With 3 major cities, and dozens of small towns that have thrived over the decades, Ohio has no shortage of stunning historic hotels. Thanks to preservation efforts, many old hotels have been restored to their former glory, and historic buildings are being saved and re-purposed as hotels. We’re lucky that part of our jobs involve visiting and staying at these grand dame hotels across Ohio. Here’s our picks for the most beautiful historic hotels in Ohio:

Netherland Plaza Hotel Cincinnati

(all Netherland Plaza hotel photos via Thought & Sight)

The Hilton Netherland Plaza hotel is a truly stunning example of French Art Deco design. This isn’t mere hyperbole: The hotel is considered to be one of the world’s finest examples of French Art Deco style, and was used as the model for the Rockefeller Center in New York City!

The Hilton Netherland Plaza opened in 1931, as part of a multi-use complex that was novel for the time. Described as a “city within a city,” the complex included shopping, restaurants, an automated garage, office space, and of course, the hotel.

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We’d certainly recommend a stay, but if that’s not in the cards, most of the incredible features of the hotel are open to the public.

Wander around the lobby and mezzanine to view the ethereal Louis Grell murals, Egyptian influenced decor melded with delicate floral motifs, and rare Brazilian rosewood. Have a drink in the Palm Court bar (seen in the featured photo at the top of this article), and make sure not to miss the large Rookwood pottery fountain at the end of the dining room. Finally, visit the shopping arcade adjoining the hotel for even more Rookwood–a huge tiled arch with a floral motif.

The hotels event spaces are equally striking, if you’re able to access them. The Continental Room, Hall of Mirrors (inspired by the Palace of Versailles), and Pavillion Ballroom are all inspiring spaces.

Best Western Mariemont Inn Cincinnati

The Best Western Mariemont Inn is a boutique hotel with a distinctive Tudor facade, located in a suburb of Cincinnati. This unique building opened as a hotel in 1926, as the centerpiece of the planned community of Mariemont. As such, the Inn was designed to fit into the community, offering a homey feel, and sitting within walking distance of everything guests might need.

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Cozy up in front of one of the original 1920s fireplaces and let the beamed ceilings and beautiful 1920s historic details instantly transport you.

Though you might not normally expect much from a Best Western hotel, the rooms are as nice as the public spaces, with handsome wood detailing throughout. There’s even the option to book a room with a fireplace!

The hotel complex features many food and drink options, including Ohio favorite Graeter’s ice cream. And don’t forget about exploring the surrounding area. The village of Mariemont has charm in spades, and is “home to the nation’s only elected town crier who strolls the streets in colonial garb to call villagers to non-partisan town meetings.”

Golden Lamb Hotel Lebanon

Located about 40 minutes outside of Cincinnati, the Golden Lamb hotel in Lebanon is the oldest hotel in Ohio, dating to 1803! The Inn has undergone multiple re-buildings over the years, but has maintained its distinctive colonial architecture.

The Golden Lamb has 17 historic rooms named after notable guests–including 12 presidents– so you can choose from rooms like the Ulysses S Grant room (shown above), the Charles Dickens, or even the Ronald Reagan room. As with any property of this age, it’s rumored to be haunted, though most find the ghosts to be very quiet during their stay.

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All guest rooms feature unique antique furniture, so it’s really a matter of your taste (we’re fans of the canopied bed in the DeWitt Clinton room). Be sure to visit the 3 museum rooms, a recreation of the bedroom of Sarah Stubbs, a Shaker keeping room and pantry, and the Shaker retiring room.

With a gift shop, four different dining rooms, and the museum, the Golden Lamb is well worth a stop on your Ohio road trip, or a weekend getaway.

Westin Great Southern Hotel Columbus

The Westin-owned Great Southern Hotel in downtown Columbus features modern renovated rooms, but a gorgeous historic lobby and event spaces.

First opened in the late 1800s as the “Great Southern Fire Proof Hotel and Opera House,” the modern-for-its-time fireproof construction made the hotel quite popular. The hotel’s steel, brick, and concrete construction was uncommon for the time, and the red brick tripartite facade in a detailed French Renaissance style stood out in the downtown. Today, it’s the oldest surviving hotel in Columbus.

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Hang out for a bit in the soaring two-story lobby with its lavish incorporation of marble–don’t miss the marble check-in desk flanked by griffins– and large Corinthian columns. If you’re able, check out the grand ballroom as well.

If you have the chance, attend an event at the grand Great Southern Theater, which is attached to the back of the hotel, and one of the oldest theaters in the state.

Leveque Hotel Columbus

A distinctive and treasured feature of Columbus’ city skyline, the Leveque building has been newly revitalized with luxury apartments and Hotel Leveque, a 6 floor boutique hotel with a restaurant and bar. (they also made our list of the Best Ohio Boutique Hotels!)

The art moderne stunner was built in 1927 as an office building for the American Insurance Company. When the depression hit shortly thereafter, the building was sold to the Leveque family, and stayed in their hands until it was purchased for redevelopment in 2011.

The public spaces of the hotel are gorgeous, with all of the details beautifully preserved, and hotel rooms are updated in modern luxury with a nod to the art deco past.

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Take your time strolling through the lobby entrance, and don’t forget to look up at the colorful murals on the ceiling. The ornate elevator doors are not to be missed, and you’ll want to head up to the mezzanine and The Keep bar for more historical details.

Buxton Inn Granville

The charming Buxton Inn is located in the equally quaint town of Granville, about 40 minutes outside of Columbus. Built by Orrin Granger in 1812 as an inn and tavern, it also served as Granville’s first post office and as a stagecoach stop. The Buxton Inn has been continuously operating ever since.

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There’s no shortage of wonderful historic buildings in Granville, and as the Inn has grown, they’ve acquired additional houses nearby and expanded into them. In addition to the main building, you can choose to stay at Founders Hall, Warner House, Pearl House, and the Ty Fy House. Wherever you choose to stay, you’ll be surrounded by history.

You won’t want to miss the dining areas either. From the plant and light filled atrium, to fireside dining, their restaurant has you covered for all seasons. All of the dining spaces have their own charm, but we particularly love the exposed stone walls and brick floor down in the Tavern– which used to serve as part of the Underground Railroad and as sleeping quarters for stagecoach drivers.

Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade

A novel use of a historic shopping arcade, the Hyatt Regency Cleveland is spread out among the top two floors of the arcade. The arcade was built in 1890, and was modeled after the massive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, Italy. It was the USA’s first indoor shopping center.

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The arcade–once nicknamed “Cleveland’s Crystal Palace”– is magical, one of our favorite spots to visit in Cleveland. With restaurants and shopping in the arcade, you won’t be bored (though don’t forget to check out Heinen’s nearby–it might be the worlds most beautiful grocery store).

Tudor Arms Hotel Cleveland

The Tudor Arms Hotel is a neat piece of Cleveland’s history. Originally built in 1929 to serve as the Cleveland Club, the building was converted to the luxurious Tudor Arms hotel following the depression. While the hotel served as the center of high society for years, it was eventually sold to become dorms for Case Western, and was finally turned back into a hotel in 2011.

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Rooms at the Tudor Arms are renovated and modern (though with high ceilings and nice views). However the public spaces of the hotel retain more of the original character, with spectacular event space, and interesting details throughout. The hotel staff are very accommodating, and history buffs should inquire about a tour of the ballrooms and other spaces.

Landoll’s Mohican Castle

Located halfway between Columbus and Cleveland (and close to one of our favorite Ohio parks) Landoll’s Mohican Castle is easily the quirkiest hotel on our list. Built by an army veteran enamored with European castles, the hotel is part luxury, part kitsch and all fun. It’s magical for kids and adults alike, and you can even book a room with a spiral staircase that goes up into the main tower!

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Take a castle tour–offered daily– to peek inside a suite, learn the property’s history, tour the graveyard, and more.

Lafayette Hotel Marietta

The historic Lafayette Hotel in Marietta, Ohio dates to 1918, and, befitting a hotel set on the banks of the Ohio river, the Lafayette features a handful of rooms modeled after riverboat cabins! You’ll find more traditionally decorated rooms as well, along with views of the river, where you can watch barges and tugboats pass.

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If you’re inclined, you can still catch a riverboat ride from Marietta.

Be sure to check out the Riverfront Bar and Grill for the large ornate wooden bar. Another fun quirk of the Lafayette is their re-use of the lobby phone booths. Rather than tearing them out once they became obsolete, you’ll now hear a history of the hotel when you pick up a receiver.