best hotels: July 2011

Ohio Hotels

Perhaps the best thing about a Ohio vacation is the fact that you tend to get a lot of bang for your buck. You can find an ample selection of Ohio hotels spread throughout this well-populated state, largely due in part to the fact that it boasts at least a dozen small to mid-sized cities. The three largest cities in Ohio are Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati, and you can visit them all if you follow Interstate 71 on its corner to corner route. There are plenty of attractions in each of these cities to fill your schedule, but Ohio is also home to over 70 state parks. Here, you can find plenty of chances to get away from it all. Most of the Ohio hotels are of the chain variety, meaning you will have plenty of opportunities to secure discount Ohio lodging, but there are some nice hotels in the major cities, and with college towns spread throughout the state, there is no shortage of bed and breakfasts and quaint little inns.

Surely at some point you have wondered about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and perhaps you have though about visiting it. If curiosity has gotten the best of you, then it's off to the coastal city of Cleveland. Cleveland sits on the shores of Lake Erie, and while the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame may be its primary attraction, it certainly isn't all there is to do here. Wandering around the beautiful University Circle, you can find some of the city's best museums, including the Cleveland Museum of Art. Beer aficionados will enjoy a trip to the Great Lakes Brewing Company, and the West Side Market, the Terminal Tower, or the Galleria are where shoppers can explore a number of shops. You can find some pretty luxurious downtown hotels in Cleveland, and lower weekend rates and options for hotel packages mean that even if you want full-service, you can find discount lodging in Ohio here. Northeast Ohio is a particularly busy part of the state, and the outlying suburbs provide a myriad of budget Ohio hotels if you need an alternative to the hotels in Cleveland. You can also find some good deals for comfortable rooms at the airport hotels in Cleveland.

You can drive from Cleveland to the city of Akron within anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour. You might pair your trip to Akron with a visit to nearby Canton, where you can find the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Akron is a great golfing city, offering tons of area courses. After a morning round, you might take a trip to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, or take the family to Hale Farm and Village to see how early Ohio life was. Between Cleveland and Akron, the Cuyahoga River Valley provides numerous recreational possibilities, such as hiking, biking and camping. The Akron hotels have among them some pretty nice selections for both luxury and Ohio budget hotels. There are a ton of chain hotels in the Akron area, and in nearby Canton. Canton is a doorway to parts of Amish country, and it has nice shopping outlets and interesting museums. For a change of pace, you might try staying at a Canton bed and breakfast. There are about a dozen or so chain hotels and motels in Canton where you can find some good prices. Due east of Akron, and close to the Pennsylvania border, the city of Youngstown deserves a quick visit, especially in July, when the Summer Festival of the Arts is held. The Youngstown hotels provide a couple of nice options for mid-priced chain hotels with suites.

Close to the center of the state is where you will find the capital city of Columbus and the Ohio State University. Hotels in Columbus OH are many, due in part to the presence of the state's largest university, and there are some interesting downtown choices. You can find a handful of great luxury hotels in Columbus OH, and for Ohio budget hotels, try the lower-priced chains found on the outskirts of town. Staying downtown is recommended, as the city's main strip is a joy to explore. High Street has numerous restaurants, great bars, live music venues and plenty of art and culture. As far as hip goes, it may be the hippest street in the state. Also, try visiting the Arena District for great shopping, galleries and nightlife. Staying in one of the area hotels in Columbus OH has you close to all the city has to offer, and nearby Mohican State Park. For some of the prettiest terrain in Ohio, consider heading to the college town of Athens, where you will find Ohio University. The Hocking Hills are gorgeous year round, especially in the Fall. You can find nice inns in and around Athens, as well as a few elegant downtown hotels. Like most of the state, you will not find a lack of discount Ohio lodging in the area.