InnLovers – I have to admit, I have been dying to tell you about one of my favorite Columbus hotels, Le Meridien Columbus, The Joseph. Located in the Short North Arts District, the Joseph has become a visual staple in the SN since it opened its doors in 2015. If you aren’t super familiar with the SN, most of the buildings max at 2-3 stories. The Joseph was one of the first tall buildings to grace High Street and it started quite a trend. Come with me as we step inside this SN trendsetter…
The Joseph is owned by the Pizzuti family, also known in Columbus for their art collection. Even if you aren’t staying at The Joseph, you can easily enjoy the space. When you walk into the lobby, art is
incorporated at nearly every turn. Over the main sitting area hangs a giant wall sculpture (probably not the right term, but I didn’t do so well in Art History class). As I sat in a meeting just last week underneath this piece, I kept thinking it looked like a bunch of small, inverted soccer balls all stuck together, and somehow it was perfect.
After you’ve entered the lobby, if you haven’t already gravitated to SOUL, the small bar tucked around the corner, then head upstairs to check out the public art collection. BUT WAIT! Don’t move too quickly up the stairs, or you might miss one of my favorite things at The Joseph. There is a motion-censored art/light fixture in the stairwell. It spins! Super cool.
Upstairs you will find a wide variety of art, from paintings to photographs. Along the back wall near the meeting space, you’ll find some super cool photos of a child, Lydie, in various Halloween costumes throughout her life as well as other pieces that were curates specifically for the hotel by 15 different artists. If you fall madly in love with any of these pieces, you can actually purchase them at the Joseph Collection.
There are so many ways to enjoy The Joseph. Hopefully, you have the opportunity to stay overnight. The rooms and the views of the Short North and Downtown Columbus are stunning. I was given the opportunity to sneak into a suite and the best part was definitely the bathroom. Look at that tub! (I’ve actually stayed at The Joseph, a little more than a year ago on our wedding night. The level of service and accommodation for special occasions is unmatched.)
Another cool feature is the introduction of the Spa Suites. No, no. This isn’t an overnight room, this is a unique type of spa experience, where guests can relax in the Spa Suite and schedule typical spa services. The spa suites available include a stone tiled rain shower, a heated mosaic tile bed among body sprayers and a large relaxation lounge. Services include massages, facials, body scrubs and specific services for men!
Still looking for ways to enjoy The Joseph? Of course, there is food. Adjacent to The Joseph is The Guild House. Like other fabulous hotel restaurants around Columbus, such as the Gallerie at the Hilton Columbus Downtown just up the street, The Guild House is not your average dining experience. Operated by Columbus Restaurateur, Cameron Mitchell, hotel guests and locals alike can enjoy a fabulous brunch on a Saturday morning or a fine dining, special occasion dinner at night. In addition to SOUL inside the lobby of the hotel, The Guild House also has a great bar that everyone should sip some bourbon in.
If you want the whole experience, I highly recommend checking in early, spending some time in a Spa Suite before a fabulous dinner and the Short North’s Gallery Hop before tucking into a wonderful night’s rest, followed by Eggs Benedict and fresh squeezed OJ. If you do, you might just see me there.
“People don’t take trips, trips take people.” – John Steinbeck
CINCINNATI: Cincinnati seems to be a city of historic hotels, let’s embrace it! Greater Cincinnati is home to not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 historic hotels. Visit the Queen City for fantastic food (still one of my favorite fine dining, foodie towns!) and check out the historic 
Did you know the country’s Best Wine Country Hotel is in OHIO? Yep! That’s right, according to 
I’ll start with a disclaimer, the picture above was *not* from my trip last week. As soon as I walked in the door, Richard (the Innkeeper) and I agreed we had to use a picture from his website to show the exterior given the dreary, rainy day Ohio so kindly blesses us with weekly from December to April. Anyway…I surprisingly did enjoy my drive through the rain that day. I was able to avoid the highway for the majority of my trip and explore the back roads, which always reminds me of driving home. As soon as I pulled up, I knew I would love this house. Richard told me it was considered the “prettiest in the city” and I couldn’t agree more.
Next, we entered the kitchen, which unlike some B&Bs, is open to his guests, making them feel completely at home. He stocks his fridge with beverages and sets out fresh pastries in the mornings. In addition, Richard provides a hot, made-to-order breakfast for all of his guests. And I have to mention this adorable cat lamp near the breakfast table with gems for eyes (as I blog more, you’ll pick up on my irrational obsession with cats). I’m still trying to devise a way to ask Richard if I might purchase the lamp from him some day 😊
The neighboring formal sitting room is where Richard will often host weddings (and what an elegant wedding it would be). The bright paint reminded me of touring George Washington’s Mount Vernon, where bright paint on the wall during that time meant you had a lot of extra cash. But seriously…how beautiful?
