Cleveland hotels

Drury Hotels offers loads of freebies, making the Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown one of the best hotels in Cleveland for families looking to save on their vacation budget.

In addition to the free hot breakfast, Drury also offers free popcorn and soft drinks all day, plus, the free 5:30pm kickback. While many luxury hotels now offer an evening wine reception, the Drury reception includes snacks and light meals along with beverages, and it’s all free, every night.

In addition to a 24-hour fitness centre and a heated indoor pool, one of the most impressive features is the hotel’s architecture. Inside the former Board of Education building, you’ll find impressive features that are as monumental as they are elegant.

The Ritz-Carlton is one of the best hotels in Cleveland for ultimate indulgence. As one of the world’s most recognizable luxury hospitality brands, you can expect superior service, the finest linens, decadent bath amenities and sophistication throughout.

While it’s always something of a special moment here, for truly special occasions I splash out for a club level stay, which comes with added exclusivity, extra perks and personalized enhancements. It’s hard to say which rooms offer the best views here, with some looking out over Lake Erie and others showcasing the city skyline – but feel free to ask for whichever you prefer, even at check-in. If it’s available in your room category, you’ll likely get it.

And don’t forget to visit TURN for a memorable dinner of modern American cuisine and elegant cocktails. Smoked cocktails are the specialty here and yes, you’ll get the full glass dome treatment to enhance the drinking experience.

Medical tourism is major in Cleveland, with the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic drawing patients and families from around the world. The InterContinental Cleveland is a luxury hotel that is directly connected to the Cleveland Clinic by an indoor walkway, making it one of the best hotels in Cleveland for medical tourism.

It’s also home to one of my favourite restaurants in the city, Table 45, which serves upscale global cuisine in a chic space. Upstairs, InterContinental’s large rooms are equally stylish, with fully modern amenities and technology, marble bathrooms and luxury linens.

I especially appreciate the impressive windows overlooking landscaped green spaces that create something of an oasis in the city and promote a calmer mind. The hotel also offers in-room dining, just as welcome for a romantic night in as for medical tourists looking for a low-key option.

For an upscale stay with a more vibrant feel, Metropolitan at the 9 is one of the best hotels in Cleveland. While the refinements of spacious and well-appointed rooms, personalized service and great amenities are all present, the vibe here is more youthful and fun than a classic luxury stay.

You’ll notice this on a weekend visit, with the crush of chic outfits pouring through the elevator lobby on their way to the rooftop bar and club, Garden of Eden. If you’re not into the club vibe, I recommend checking out this 12th floor terrace space in the early evening (especially on a weeknight) to experience the enchanting setting and city views with a drink and light bites.

Below the hotel, Vault is my favourite cocktail bar in the city, serving premium creations in a series of former bank vaults that are more than 100 years old.

Hyatt Regency Cleveland at the Arcade is one of the best hotels in Cleveland for immersing yourself in the city’s impeccably preserved architecture. The main entrance may be on the street, but the best entrance to this hotel is within a stunning multi-level arcade capped by one of the first glass vault ceilings in the country, built in 1890.

This entire space can be rented for special events and is a stunning wedding venue. The hotel has nearly 300 rooms to accommodate all those event attendees.

While the arcade may set a historically glamorous tone for an event or exciting arrival, I appreciate that the guestrooms maintain the simple, modern feel of other Hyatt Regency properties, offering the familiar comforts you’d expect from the brand. The hotel is also located close to the city’s entertainment district.

The Kimpton Schofield Hotel sits within a 1902 landmark building, and the current ownership has fully restored the façade to its original appearance. But with quirky pops of modern personality livening up the interiors, this is one of the best hotels in Cleveland for those who wants it all – yesterday, today and tomorrow.

It has unique amenities too, which is why I love staying here. You can borrow one of the hotel’s custom designed bikes for a ride around the city, and kids can also borrow colourful Kickboard scooters, available in two sizes (alongside helmets, of course). The fully-equipped fitness centre includes free classes, but there’s also a yoga mat in every room for private wellness.

Even pets are pampered here with welcome amenities, discounts to neighbourhood pet services and no limits on size, number or type of pets allowed.

About 15 minutes by car from the city centre, The Glidden House is one of the best boutique hotels in Cleveland, especially if you’re visiting Case Western Reserve University.

Directly on the campus, Glidden House has two accommodation blocks offering distinct styles. While the Mansion Suites are housed in the original bones of the 1910 building, the Traditional Guest Rooms offer a more contemporary feel in the building’s more recent addition.

There’s a complimentary hot buffet each morning and I urge you not to sleep through this one. The quality is much higher than you’ll find at larger chain hotels and the dining venues are truly special (my favourite is the solarium). In bed and breakfast style, there’s no hotel restaurant for larger meals, but this is a university town, so there are plenty of great places to eat nearby.

I love Indigo hotels for their unique balance of comfort and personality, without the excess frills that would drive costs past the upper-scale affordability the brand is known for. Hotel Indigo Cleveland Downtown is no exception, making it one of the best hotels in Cleveland for the savvy traveller looking for a chic stay without breaking the bank.

There’s a modest fitness centre with enough equipment for a basic workout, an on-site restaurant serving meals throughout the day (there’s a bar open until 10:00 pm too) and a convenient market for grab-and-go drinks, snacks and essentials.

But my favourite space here is the cute courtyard, perfect for enjoying an outdoor snack or unwinding under the string lights. I also appreciate how bright and airy the rooms at Hotel Indigo are, ideal for recharging after a busy day in the city.

The Hilton Cleveland Downtown offers familiar brand comforts with quick immersion in local culture. Hilton Honors members will recognize the large, comfortable rooms and suites and appreciate the same wide range available at most Hilton properties, accommodating everyone from solo travellers to large families with connecting suites. Business travellers will love that this Hilton is connected to the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland and has several meeting rooms, plus an Executive Lounge offering hors d'oeuvres, drinks and a dedicated concierge.

Some rooms boast Lake Erie views, while others overlook Public Square (a buzzy outdoor space). But my favourite local flair here is the wall-size murals of local landmarks and other Cleveland cultural interest spots in the rooms. You’ll find work from local artists in public spaces around the hotel too.

Cleveland Marriott Downtown at Key Tower occupies 28 floors of the tallest building in the city, the state and anywhere between Philadelphia and Chicago. But it doesn’t occupy the top floors, and there’s a skyscraper between the hotel and Lake Erie, interrupting views from many floors, so I don’t recommend it for the views, despite the building’s record.

Instead, this is one of the best hotels in Cleveland for Marriott Bonvoy members, offering all the benefits of program loyalty in an iconic building. While the rooms may be ready for some design updates, they’re still large and comfortable. The public spaces (especially the lobby) are modern and refined, and the location is among the best in the city.

There are fancier Marriotts a bit outside the city for those with a car or who don’t mind ridesharing back and forth, but this is the choice Marriott for city centre action.