Ohio's Best Inns and B & Bs
10/6/2009 | Mary Mihaly
Banish the old notion of B & Bs and country inns as gloomy, dark places with heavy drapes and dusty doilies. Today's business and pleasure travelers have much higher expectations, and the inn industry is changing right along with their clientele.
It isn't uncommon to check into a bed and breakfast and find the anachronistic pairing of stained glass windows and wireless Internet. Guests are pampered with chef-prepared gourmet fare followed by a relaxing night's sleep on 400-count Egyptian cotton sheets.
Don't believe us? Take a tour through the following Ohio inns and see for yourself how luxury and charm go hand in hand.
Northwest
One of the best examples of Ohio's contemporary inns is
Water's Edge Retreat, a tranquil respite perched on the bluffs of Lake Erie's Kelleys Island. Though the charming Victorian looks antique, with no shortage of gingerbread trim, the building is relatively modern. Guests know to leave their car on the mainland, opting instead for the carefree ferry ride to the picturesque getaway. While rocking to and fro on the inn's verandah, perhaps with a glass of locally produced wine, guests can steal glimpses of Cedar Point Amusement Park across the bay. To soothe muscles aching from a day of hiking and exploring, a bubbling spa sits at the ready on the grounds.
To spare a ferry trip, travelers can elect to stay on the mainland at the
Georgian Manor Inn, one of Ohio's few AAA Four Diamond B & Bs. Situated in Norwalk's historic district, the 1906 mansion exudes elegance and grace while offering guests anything but a cramped existence. Each of the inn's well appointed rooms is furnished with period pieces, and breakfasts are served in an opulent dining room. The manicured landscape boasts numerous gardens spread over an acre and a half. But guests are encouraged to enjoy the place; it's not a museum, after all.
Northeast
There are country folk and city folk, and those in the latter camp head straight for
Stone Gables Bed & Breakfast, located in Cleveland's historic Ohio City neighborhood. Set inside an 1883-built Queen Anne Victorian, the 6,000-square-foot inn treats guests to a carefully restored interior with Parisian mirrors, custom-made carpets, and slate fireplaces. After check in, the innkeepers will pamper you with fresh flowers, personal attention, and amazing Belgian chocolate waffles come breakfast time. Rooms boast king-size beds, private baths and Wi-Fi.
Because the
Inn at Brandywine Falls sits inside the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the innkeepers can't own it outright. They signed a 50-year lease in 1988 that includes the inn, a former grist mill, and three acres of scenic property. Guests who stay in this 1848 Greek Revival farmhouse have a short walk to the namesake falls, not to mention the myriad wonders that exist elsewhere in the park. Despite the historic structure's old-fashioned bones (and some precariously low ceilings), all rooms feature private baths and free Wi-Fi. The specialty of the kitchen, besides the original American chestnut floor, is pear oatmeal soup with yogurt.
Central
There are plenty of places for a Buckeyes fan to pass out following the big win, but few lodgings can rival
Harrison House Bed & Breakfast when it comes to curb appeal. Located in Columbus' charming Victorian Village neighborhood, the festively painted lady stands out in a crowded field. So, too, does the level of service guests receive the moment they cross the spacious front porch. While lavish touches abound, such as candlelight breakfast and crisply ironed sheets, the B & B is equally appreciated by business travelers and parents of OSU students looking for something a little unique. All six rooms offer a private bath and wireless Internet. For those eager to explore the galleries and restaurants of the Short North district, the Harrison House is just blocks away.
If exploring Ohio's Amish Country is in the cards, a stay at the sublime
Inn & Spa at Honey Run offers the perfect jumping-off point. Located in historic Millersburg, the property is in the heart of this quaint and timeless corner of the world. But don't expect primitive amenities here, because Honey Run is like a slice of Sonoma – serene, elegant and luxurious. Choose a guestroom, cottage, cabin or one of a dozen "honeycombs," uniquely designed suites that are built into the hillside. These are no caves; they feature floor-to-ceiling fireplaces and whirlpool tubs.
Even the most obscure towns can hold surprises. Known largely for its four-mile corn maze, tiny Sidney also is home to
GreatStone Castle, a regal building that owns up to its castle moniker. Built from sturdy Indiana limestone, the mansion features 18-inch-thick walls, fortress-like turrets and a long, curved driveway lined with 100-year-old oaks. Inside is equally impressive, boasting a grand staircase of red African mahogany and a ballroom trimmed in white mahogany. Explore the charming town on bicycles provided by the inn, or simply unwind with a good book on the massive wraparound porch.
Southwest
Even though you'll find good food at plenty of Ohio inns, the top prize arguably goes to
Murphin Ridge Inn, a working farm in picturesque Adams County. Folks come from all around to sample the gourmet fare, which is assembled from local, seasonal ingredients. Guests have their choice between modern rooms set inside a stylized barn or cozy woodland cabins tucked into the forest. Situated on 140 acres in the southwest corner of the state, the property affords easy access to the Appalachian foothills, numerous nature preserves, and Serpent Mound State Memorial. On chilly nights, the innkeeper sparks a warming blaze in the fire pit for guests to gather 'round.
The first thing guests can't help but notice about the
Gaslight B & B is the over-the-top landscaping. Set high on a hill in Cincinnati's historic Clifton neighborhood, the short trek takes visitors past a weeping willow, bubbling waterfall, and ivy-splashed rock walls. Inside marries the old – stained glass windows, honey-hued wood floors – with modern touches like Internet, gourmet meals, and unmatched privacy. Located near the University of Cincinnati, and just a couple miles from downtown, the Gaslight offers travelers that rare blend of convenience and solitude. And the inn takes tranquility seriously: no children or pets are welcome.
Southeast
Guests at the matchless
Inn at Cedar Falls will feel torn from the moment they arrive. Situated in Hocking County, the property is enveloped on most sides by the verdant Hocking Hills State Park. That means that hiking, canoeing, fishing and waterfall hopping are just a hop, skip and jump away. But many inn visitors are simply powerless to leave the grounds. A luxurious spa, tucked into a cabin in the woods, offers rejuvenating scrubs, rubs and cleanses. Many guests come solely for the gourmet food, prepared from local ingredients by a classically trained chef. The Inn at Cedar Falls also hosts popular cooking classes and wine tastings. With all that, it's clear why the rooms lack phones, TVs and radios. Who needs them?
Ravenwood Castle in New Plymouth, about 20 miles west of Athens, takes the prize for most unique accommodations in the state. Original innkeepers Sue and Jim Maxwell are longtime Anglophiles, so it's only natural that they would construct the main building to resemble a 12th-century English castle. What's more, the "castle" is surrounded by a Medieval village of worker cottages, each inspired by the occupations of the times. Guests can choose to stay in the woodcutter's cottage, or high above it all in Rapunzel's Tower. Dinners are served by candlelight in the castle's Great Hall. While certainly not for every traveler, Ravenwood manages to put a smile on any guest who possesses a dram of adventure.