It’s dubbed the biggest small town in America, and the story of Columbus is echoed in many of its hotels. The state capital of Ohio, it offers plenty of attractions for kids – from the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium to the Center of Science and Industry. Meanwhile, Highbanks Metro Park is a great city park with dozens of well-marked hiking trails. With renovated, historic hotels and bed and breakfasts in the heart of the city, travelers have many fantastic options to choose from. Here’s our guide – bookable on Culture Trip.
Hilton Columbus at Easton is connected to the Easton Town Center, so you can roll out of your suite and into more than 200 stores and eateries. You can get a workout at the fitness center then pack those calories back on with slices and sips at Pies & Pints. Grab a few laughs at the Funny Bone Comedy Club then lug your tired arms full of shopping bags back to the hotel pool for a relaxing swim.
As easy as it is to brew coffee in your stylish suite and spend every day in the city, take advantage of Aloft’s northern location, 15 minutes from downtown Columbus, to see another side of the city. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also contains a water park and amusement park, which should convince the whole family that you have enough time to squeeze in a quick 18 holes at the golf course while the kids run wild.
Trust us – this is one doghouse you’ll want to find yourself in. DogHouse Hotel and Brewery is the first craft beer hotel on the planet. And what will you find in the hoppiest place on earth? Beer. Everywhere. You’ll smell and see the brewing foeders around every corner. It goes without saying that there’s a bar in the lobby, but you don’t need to leave your room to grab a brew. An in-room tap, bedroom mini-fridge, and a shower beer fridge makes for the world’s most comfortable bar crawl.
Formerly the Great Southern Hotel, built in 1897, the Westin Columbus stands in tribute to the collective dreams of this Midwestern town. The Westin, built in the French Renaissance style, was originally funded by 400 Columbians investing $100 each, making the Westin’s origins unlike any other hotel’s in the region. The building has gone through extensive renovations and today attracts business travelers, celebrities and anyone interested in treating themselves to a stay at this Columbus landmark.
Graceful and refined, Hotel LeVeque is an exceptional boutique hotel in downtown. You’ll love the classy VIP turndown service, marble bathrooms and tea service in your room. Fancy a little star gazing? A telescope in every suite will surely catch your eye. Though there is a wet bar in your suite, we recommend having at least one signature LeVeque cocktail downstairs at the Keep.
AC Hotel by Marriott Columbus Dublin’s European-influenced design and service will make you feel like you’re far from Columbus. Tasty tapas and cocktails await you on the rooftop bar Vaso, while a Spanish-style breakfast greets you every morning at AC Kitchen. Spacious rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows let you admire the city as you plan your night out in Bridge Park. Shops, restaurants and the Exchange event center are only steps away, offering you the best of Dublin, no passport required.
Examine the higher level of hospitality at Graduate Columbus. The Buckeye’s bold colors surround you in the lobby and pieces of Ohio’s history adorn every room. Only a short drive from campus, the Poindexter cafe-by-day, bar-by-night is the perfect place to fuel up on coffee or wind down with a beer on game day. While they are accepting of all schools of thought, we recommend leaving your Wolverines jersey at home.
You can’t take a trip to Columbus without visiting Ohio State University (OSU) and you won’t find a better place to stay near the famed university’s campus than the Blackwell Inn. Start the day with your complimentary USA Today and local newspaper in your terrycloth bathrobe and gaze out at the stadium from your suite’s window. Get a workout at the 24-hour fitness center or take advantage of discounted passes to OSU’s recreational facility and train with the next generation of pro athletes. Before heading out for the night, mingle with other alumni at the weeknight happy hour and reminisce about your glory days on campus.
Embrace your artistic side at le Meridien Columbus, the Joseph. The vibrant shops, galleries and restaurants of the Short North Arts District will inspire you to spend the night on the town after pampering yourself in your personal spa suite. As you venture downstairs to check out the farm-to-table cuisine at the Guild House, you’ll be invited to visit the masterfully curated Pizzuti Collection at the Columbus Museum of Art, free of charge.
At Moxy Columbus Short North, you check in at the bar and immediately receive a token for a free drink. Do you require more convincing to stay here? Then perhaps the state-of-the-art gym, lightning fast wifi and sixth-floor terrace will seal the deal. As for the staff, they’re ready to play pool or other games and will even read you a bedtime story, if that’s a non-negotiable part of your night-time routine.
Situated in the trendy Short North neighborhood of Columbus, 50 Lincoln Short North Bed & Breakfast is a newly renovated Italianate-style B&B in one of the most attractive parts of town. Once a duplex during the neighborhood’s transitional period, the owners installed elegant hardwood floors, added crown molding and comfortable furniture to compliment the 21st-century amenities.
You won’t have much trouble finding Bexley Bed and Breakfast as it just so happens to be the only B&B in Bexley. Still, they deliver the highest-quality hospitality possible to earn their reputation as one of the best places to stay in Columbus. Small touches – like heated bathroom floors in all five guest rooms, complimentary fresh-baked goods and French press coffee by the fireplace, plus electronic keyless entry – give Bexley Bed and Breakfast a luxury feel. Only a short drive from Columbus and an even shorter walk from downtown Bexley, this is one bed and breakfast you’ll want to call home.
The Timbrook Guesthouse is one of the Columbus area’s most historic bed and breakfasts. Once known as the Old Jack Antrim Farmhouse, this southern colonial mansion has stood since 1875, first through ownership of the Antrim family, Timmons family and now the Doles, who have recently converted a portion of the mansion into the guesthouse itself. Enjoy the delicious continental breakfast and this B&Bs scenic placement near one of Columbus’s best parks.
This is an updated version of an article originally written by Benjamin M Smith.
These recommendations were updated on May 25, 2021 to keep your travel plans fresh.
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