I love hotels. I’ve loved them since my parents took my siblings and me to the Dearborn Inn in Michigan when we were little. As my mother tells it now, the Dearborn was a manageable drive from our Cleveland home, the price was right and there was plenty to do in the area. But with its air conditioning, maids walking quietly through the halls in their crisp uniforms, the pool, meals morning, noon and night in the hotel restaurant, I really felt like a guest in a palace. To me, checking into a hotel was such a luxury that to this day — with apologies to all the wonderful attractions in Dearborn — the thing I remember most about that trip was the sheer delight of staying at the Dearborn Inn.
I’ve been a hotel geek ever since. Older hotels — big stone structures such as the Brown and the Seelbach in Louisville — deliver grandeur and luxury. But I also enjoy newly constructed or rebuilt hotels such as Cleveland’s Intercontinental or Chicago’s W hotels, where each detail is fresh, well placed, and designed with the guest in mind. Country inns have their allure, too. The crunch of autumn leaves underfoot on the walk from check-in to a private knotty-pine cabin and a relaxing meal enjoyed in front of a blazing fireplace create lasting memories and beg for an annual return.
Our list of the 50 best hotels, inns and B&Bs in the region represents the hostelries that we at LongWeekends want to return to when we travel. And while all of us agree that each hotel and inn on our list is a winner, we also recognize that a hotel is more than just a well-maintained and -managed property; we like these places for the experience we get once we check in.
All of the hotels, inns and B&Bs listed here have a few things in common. They are excellent properties that provide high-quality service and upscale amenities. Each delivers a unique experience, which is why we’ve grouped our 50 Best Places to Stay (beginning on page 30) in categories that will make your booking decisions a bit easier. Want luxury? Go to page 32. Want a romantic getaway? Try page 37. Families, grandparents and outdoorsy types can find top destinations, too. But most importantly, all of our best are a relatively easy drive — anywhere from an hour to less than a day — from your home.
A short drive to a long weekend? I’ll get my siblings to load up the car: This time we’re treating you, mom.