Holiday hotels I have known — and loved

by Marilyn Loeser

My husband and I are transplants to New Jersey. Although we have a wonderful network of friends in the Garden State, when it comes to the holidays, if we want to spend time with our children and extended family, we have to travel.

Every year we set out for different locations: Texas where my daughter lives, North Carolina where my son lives or Ohio where we were born and raised. My youngest son, our lifelong friends and his entire family are spread out across the Buckeye State. Last year was an Ohio year. Loading gifts and luggage side by side in the trunk of the car, we headed west.

Over the years we’ve stayed at a lot of hotels all decked out for the holidays. Naturally our cards are in the mail, gifts are bought and wrapped, and the cookies are baked before we set out. All we have to do is enjoy our family and friends, catch up on all the news and relax in the evenings where someone else is worrying about meals, decorating and making sure the holiday music is piped into all the public rooms.

Oberlin Inn

Oberlin Inn has been serving the academic and business community since the founding of Oberlin College in 1833 and although we usually stay in Cleveland — where Mark’s family lives — we chose this historic little town only a half-hour from the city.

Throughout the hotel, poinsettias decorated nearly every space along with brightly lit Christmas trees and garland along archways and fireplace mantles.

The inn is close to the shopping district and several significant attractions including the Allen Memorial Art Museum, one of the finest college or university collections in the United States with more than 12,000 works of art from virtually every culture spanning the history of art.

Oberlin is known for its involvement in the Underground Railroad and the abolition movement. The Oberlin Heritage Center is the perfect place to learn more about the community and its role in American history. Here you can tour historic buildings while learning about the community’s founding fathers.

Oberlin Inn Garden Restaurant, recipient of the Silver Spoon Award for dining excellence from Gourmet Diners Club of America, is staffed by efficient and friendly staff and the food is excellent. Brewsters is another full service restaurant and lounge at the hotel.

Two of our friends, who live close to Oberlin, were able to join us for dinner at the inn which made our stay even more festive.

German Village Guest House

Mark and I had dropped off our son, after the three of us spent the day with friends east of Columbus, and arrived at the German Village Guest House in Columbus after dark.

We quietly walked into a beautiful parlor with contemporary holiday décor.

The fireplace was lit and tasteful garland and lights were strung along the mantle. We walked through the fully-stocked kitchen and up the staircase to the ‘blue’ room for the rest and relaxation we craved after a busy day.

German Village is a historic neighborhood just south of downtown Columbus and was settled by a large number of German immigrants in the 1800s. Since 1974, the entire neighborhood has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The original occupants built up the local neighborhood, including many businesses, schools and churches. The area was in serious decline throughout the first half of the 20th century because of the anti-German sentiment during WW I. Teaching of German in public schools was banned, and German textbooks burned. German street names were changed, and Schiller Park was renamed Washington Park.

Further decline came when local breweries were closed during Prohibition. By the 1950s, the area had become a slum and the city demolished a third of the neighborhood.

Nearing complete destruction, Frank Fetch purchased a house and created the German Village Society. In June of 1960, the society hosted the first Haus und Garten Tour, which attracted visitors and the local media to eight restored homes, and two gardens. Today, the society has more than 1,000 preservationists dedicated to maintaining the historic quality of the buildings and neighborhood.

German Village is currently considered one of the most desirable areas to live in the city. Brick homes and streets along with iron fencing along immaculate lawns create a calming, quiet effect enjoyed by the cities most wealthy and guests alike.

Although the guest house has a historically accurate exterior, its interior has a modern personality.

Guests share access to the kitchen, a living/dining room with a small DVD library and CD player, and the garden. Breakfast is served ‘buffet style’ every morning.

Inn and Spa At Cedar Falls

Innkeepers Ellen Grinsfelder and Terry Lingo know exactly what harried travelers need. Peace, quiet and fairytale surroundings.

Our cottage, Yarrow, featured a large room with a bed, gas log stove and a two person whirlpool tub with a separate bathroom and shower. But, no television, telephone or cell phone reception. After the initial shock of feeling disconnected from the world, you begin to connect with each other and yourself instead.

There was something very decadent about sitting out on the back porch of this tiny cottage and watching deer meander through the woods or squirrels chasing up and down ancient trees — even in the December chill.

The Inn and Spa At Cedar Falls began as the vision of Anne Castle — to establish a place where the ever-growing number of urban dwellers could retreat to a natural setting. After two and a half years of “backbreaking work, mind-bending discouragement, seemingly countless physical, emotional and financial blocks,” the inn opened in 1987. Ellen Grinsfelder, Anne's daughter, moved to the area six months before it opened. Jointly, the women ran the business until Anne's death in 1991.

Ellen married Terry shortly after the inn’s opening and today the couple carries on Anne’s dream of providing a true getaway from the stresses of everyday life.
Like all bed and breakfast establishments, the inn offers breakfast for overnight guests. The likes of breakfast casserole, bacon and scones greet you as you’re seated in the 1840's log house that’s home to the inn's gourmet kitchen, dining rooms and tavern. The restaurant also is open for lunch and dinner.

The inn offers 12 cottages — each named for a native flower and nestled on their own two acres — nine rooms in The Inn, also designed for two guests; and five cabins. Three of the cabins can accommodate up to four guests.

If you go

Make your accommodations part of the festive fun of the holiday season. From the historic, rustic and upscale, ‘til the season for family and friends; and lots of holiday cheer.

Oberlin Inn is located at 7 North Main Street in Oberlin. For more information check the website at http://www.oberlininn.com/. For more information about local attractions and history of the area, check the website http://www.visitloraincounty.com.

German Village Guest House is located at 748 Jaeger St in Columbus. For

More information about the guest house check the website at http://www.gvguesthouse.com/. For more information about area attractions, history and the city of Columbus, check the website www.experiencecolumbus.com.

The Inn and Spa At Cedar Falls is located in Hocking Hills State Park, 21190 State Route 374, Logan. For more information about the inn, check the website - www.innatcedarfalls.com. For information about Hocking Hills, the area and local attractions, check the website www.hockinghills.com.

And Happy Holidays — wherever you roam.