A Dome to Call Home

Hi, I’m Jackie, Halle’s sister. Like most brides, I always envisioned jetting off to some across-the-sea adventure honeymoon after my wedding, be it to white sand beaches or some picturesque European city. Fast forward to the highly stressful act of wedding planning in a pandemic, and that reality was put on hold.

Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls

Lucky for me and my husband, Chase, we don’t even have to leave the state of Ohio to get that picturesque, romantic Mini Moon while we await the days when international travel becomes truly realistic again.

Following our March wedding weekend, we took the barely one-hour drive down to Hocking Hills from Columbus for a weekend stay inside one of the Inn and Spa at Cedar Falls’ new Geodomes. The inn’s website describes these newly built forest igloos as “the best of glamping.”

Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls

These domes tower to 14 feet at the highest point, much bigger than what you’d expect from the little green dome you see from the outside. And I’m both impressed and amused that at more than 706 square feet, these cute “little” domes provide more space than my first two Columbus apartments.

A cozy king-size bed faces an expansive viewing window that looks out into the thickly forested section of Hocking Hills. The room boasts a small kitchenette with retro appliances, a dining area, and a seating area. Around the corner, a gorgeous bathroom with black pebble shower floors – a massage for your feet, my husband accurately declared – gave us everything we needed for our stay. Soft, warm robes included.

Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls

Apparently, these are the first geodomes in the U.S. with indoor plumbing, HVAC, and electricity. I’m not an overly outdoorsy girl, despite my love for Hocking Hills. So for that, I am that much more grateful.

If for any reason, we had to be trapped in that sweet and cozy half-sphere for the weekend, we probably would have been delighted. We had leftover wedding cake and champagne, after all.

But the grouping of domes is just a short walk away from the inn’s Kindred Spirits restaurant. We walked to breakfast there each morning as well as dinner, which was delicious each time. And right behind that is the spa building where we both had Swedish massages. And of course, being at the inn also means we have easy access to the best hiking spots.

While life slowly creeps back toward normal, I assume out-of-state and international travel will continue to pick up. But looking back on it, I’m not entirely sure I would have chosen differently had the options for travel not been restricted. Knowing we’ll still be able to head overseas when it’s safer to do so, the geodome experience provided us an incredibly relaxing and beautiful getaway after a busy wedding planning experience.

Visit www.uniquelodgingofohio.com for your next Ohio experience!

St. Paul Hotel & Wooster Explored

From a travel perspective, the past year has been devastating to the industry as a whole, and for those that feel fulfilled by traveling (ME!), the pandemic added another layer of disappointment to stay “holed up” for so long. Needless to say, after welcoming our second child amidst the pandemic in December, we were happy for an opportunity to safely get away on a one-night birthday trip to one of Ohio’s unique lodging establishments. We decided to spend the weekend shopping and eating our way around the quaint town of Wooster, OH located in the heart of Wayne County.

St. Paul Hotel
St. Paul Hotel

The St. Paul Hotel began as the CC Hotel in or around 1900, with 36 rooms on two floors and one shared bathroom on each floor. The hotel that welcomes guests today is very different than the hotel of the 1900s, known for card games and betting. The beautiful, boutique property that is downtown Wooster’s only boutique hotel was opened in 2011 after months of labor and love by local craftsmen. Visitors will notice local artwork throughout the building and each room has hand crafted and locally sourced furniture and fixtures.  

We arrived in Wooster with the hopes of catching the end of some regular season college basketball, so we stopped by a local market and lunch spot Spoon Market to get a to-go lunch to carry-in to a local brewery, JAFB. After that, we arrived a little early for check in to get settled before heading out to enjoy the unseasonably warm spring weather. Downtown Wooster has worked hard to gain more independent retailers in its downtown shopping district. We took a step back in time and found a fun souvenir for our oldest at Operation Fandom, a fun toy, collectible & memorabilia type store. We found neat kitchen gadgets and foodie favorites at Graham & Burns.  I hope next time we return to catch one of their cooking demonstrations!  Finally, we found some awesome gifts and new threads at Blue Spruce Boutique.

Downtown Wooster

After a whirlwind of shopping, we headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner. We caught a quick workout in the gym which was perfectly outfitted, even for two gym snobs. Back in the room, we were greeted by homemade welcome cookies, heated bathroom floors and a beautiful waterfall shower. Dinner was just across the street at The City Square Steakhouse.

We rounded off the weekend by visiting a new restaurant to downtown Wooster, The Leaf. Born and raised in Wayne County and a resident of downtown Cincinnati and then Columbus for the past 15 years, I admit I have very high breakfast standards. We are a family that loves to brunch and The Leaf had high standards to meet. I was absolutely blown away by the new restaurant that took the place of a long-time neighborhood diner, The Parlor.  Most shockingly to me were menu items that I had never heard of or seen on a brunch menu. I happily ordered the Bana Crunch Yogurt Bowl and the … wait for it…Avocado Naan. What?! Two of my favorite things combined with eggs? Hands down one of the best brunch items I’ve ever had. Served up right there in Wooster, OH.  TJ enjoyed the Wet Burrito, which was also amazing.

We can’t wait to return! -Halle

How do you discover Unique Ohio?

It has been a while and the world looks even more different than it did a couple months ago. Being cooped up all spring and the better part of the summer is making many eager to get out of the house. Others though are a bit travel shy, and that is okay. Meet somewhere in the middle. Ohio’s Unique Lodging properties are only a short drive away and I know exactly where you can find them – www.uniquelodgingofohio.com

Discover Unique Ohio…

By Region

Search by any of Ohio’s 8 major regions – Amish Country, Central, Hocking Hills, Lake Erie & Geneva-on-the-Lake, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southwest – to find the atmosphere and unique lodging that you desire.

 

 

 

 

 

By Unique Accommodations

You will be sure to find lodging that satisfies everyone’s comfort level and needs with a variety of property types. With inns, cabins, tree houses, B&Bs, and more you will be sure not to disappoint!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Shared Experiences

Hear directly from the communities across the state of Ohio with our local blog posts. Learn about the latest news, upcoming events, must-visit destinations, and vacation suggestions for that region.

 

 

 

 

 

By Special Promotions

Ohio is an ideal destination for exploring historic sites, spending time in the scenic outdoors and sipping local wine (who knew?) while you soak up the beauty of the valley. Right now there are getaways available of up to 35% off!

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Local Events

Discover new, exclusive, and socially distant experiences happening all around the state. You may be surprised what you find..

 

 

 

 

 

No matter how you search Unique Ohio one thing is for sure: there is something for everyone.

Rediscover your Backyard!

Wow, who knew the kickoff to travel season in the US would be so chaotic this year?  Like it or not, the world is in a state of panic and uncertainty.  I have talked to so many family and friends canceling their travel plans or the plans were cancelled for them.  But what I keep hearing is, “but we still want to get away!”  My suggestion?  Now is the perfect time to rediscover what you have right here in your own back yard.

Vineyard Cottage
Vineyard Cottage

Want to avoid big crowds?  Try a cottage for two in Ohio’s wine country.  Were planning to see the

Historic Lafayette
Historic Lafayette

ocean? Why not visit one of Ohio’s greatest water-side towns, minus the plane ride.

Were hoping for some big city action? Tone it down a little bit, but still take in some great food, cool shops and unique accommodations.

Check out some of our favorite visits from around the state and rethink how you can rediscover your own state, help stimulate our own economy, and fall inn love with one of these cool Ohio destinations.  This is a fantastic time for a staycation, so let us lead the way…

Mills Park
Mills Park

Vineyard Woods – Geneva, Ohio

The Lafayette Hotel – Marietta, Ohio

The Mills Park Hotel – Yellowsprings, Ohio

Want to find more unique options around our state? Check out the brand new UniqueLodgingofOhio.com.

Off to Athens!

Let’s shuffle off to the Southeastern part of the state and the home of the Ohio University Bobcats. There is a new boutique hotel in Athens that you just need to hear about. The Athens Central Hotel is now open for business and in the heart of Athens.Athens Central Hotel

This offers a unique option if you are in the area and lucky for you, it is just steps away from the popular Court Street and bustling Uptown Athens. If you are not familiar with Uptown Athens, become acquainted! There are great coffee shops, pubs, dining options, and nightlife excitement for all who visit the area.

Athens Central HotelAn all-white structure with sparkling silver lettering would capture any passerby’s attention and the interiors welcome much of the same aesthetic with a beautiful blue color palette. The entire property feels very European and something, well, you just might find in Greece.

Each room is unique and no two rooms are the same. One of my favorite details are the chevron laid flooring and the beautiful bathrooms. Each bathroom features shower options from waterfall to body jets and sliding glass doors.

Athens Central HotelMaybe you should plan a little staycation and take the short drive to Athens… perhaps to see the Fall foilage, OU’s infamous Green Beer Day, or to enjoy all that Uptown has to offer.

 

Until Next Time,

Lauren

Emerging Brands, Oh My!

Many of you are familiar with our handy, dandy, OHLA Brand Guide which offers a great breakdown of brands across all tiers in our industry. Each year the guide is reviewed, edited between tiers, new brands added, other brands removed, and every single year… we are surprised (and excited) by the changes and additions we see.

Here is a quick review of the changes we made to our brand guide for 2020:

Thompson Hotels – In October of 2018 Hyatt acquired the luxury line of Thompson Hotels and in March of 2019 the 8 existing Thompson Hotels were transitioned as part of Hyatt

Signia by Hilton – In February of 2019 Signia by Hilton was announced. This brand offers a new approach to your standard rooms to space ratio with a meetings & events focused approach.

 

Aiden – Best Western added this brand to reflect a casual, eclectic, and trendy boutique hotel to their portfolio.

 

SADIE – Also by Best Western, this boutique brand will help capture the playfulness of travel and embody the creative and unique culture of the neighborhood of where each property sits.

 

 

MOTTO by Hilton – City life encompassed within small rooms with flexible furniture set-up to offer a true urban experience.

 

Miraval – An all-inclusive wellness resort dedicated to their guests finding balance and their best selves

(In addition to these brands being added to the guide, other brands moved within their chain scale. If you’d like a copy of our brand guide to see everything in the big picture, please send me an email at Lauren@ohla.org!)

Though we aren’t seeing any of these brands in Ohio currently, it does not mean we won’t see them in the future. Just think, it was not all that long ago that brands like AC by Marriott and Tru by Hilton were emerging and here we are… with close to 6 of each within the state either opened or underway.

We are looking forward to another year of growth and new potential.

 

Until Next Time,

Lauren

Cure Those January [BLU]es

How are you feeling this January? Looking for any glimpse of sunshine? If yes, you and I are in the same boat. No need to be “BLU”, I have exciting news! The BLU-Tique Hotel rang in the new year by opening its’ doors for the first time to the public.The BLU-Tique - Akron, Ohio

Excitement has been stirring around the newest addition to the thriving downtown Akron Arts District. This independent property now occupies the historic United One Building and is all about offering an all-encompassing experience through three pillars: come for the food, stay for the music, and stay for the night. The hotel itself is the third dynamic to the “BLU Zone Trio”, a concept driven by the vision of the owner, Tony Troppe. The trio consists of the hotel, BLU Plate, and BLU Jazz+.The BLU-Tique - Akron, Ohio

An upscale, jazzy feel welcomes guests both in the public areas and sleeping rooms.
One of my favorite unique qualities is that there is a piano stage in the lobby where guests may sign up to play at night. Unfortunately, I am not a pianist, but I’d love to enjoy another’s talent.

Being a Northeast Ohio girl, this location will be somewhere I certainly visit sometime very soon. It is exciting to see the development happening across the state especially when it is in “your neck of the woods”.

The BLU-Tique - Akron, Ohio

 

Until Next Time,

Lauren

A Yurt Experience

2020 is here! Isn’t that hard to believe? This year is already off to an exciting start!

Professionally, OHLA recently moved offices for the first time in 40 years from the exciting Short North Arts District to bustling downtown Columbus, just one block away from the Ohio Statehouse. Personally, for those who do not know, Sean & I are expecting our first child in March.

With this being said, this blog comes to your inbox in the spirit of overwhelming excitement and positivity for this year and Sean & I squeezing in as much as we can in the few short weeks we have left as a party of two.

Another thing off of the bucket list for us… we stayed in a yurt. A beautiful, cozy, quaint yurt. You may have the same question my sister did… “What is a yurt?”. A yurt is a round structure that includes a lattice skeleton covered by a fabric-like wall covering, and a dome skylight at the center of the roof covering. The Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls recently added yurts to their options for accommodations and I just had to check it out!

Our yurt, Firefly, had a large bed, a kitchenette, a sitting area and full bathroom. My favorite part about our stay was that there was not a television. After enjoying a delectable dinner at Kindred Spirits, the on-site restaurant, we went back and played an intense and competitive game of Scrabble. A Scrabble game that seemed to have no end in sight.

I awakened in the middle of the night and was mesmerized by the moon shining in through the skylight and the pitter patter of rain drops on the yurt. It felt special and in a way comforting. In the morning, we put on the soft cozy robes and enjoyed a cup of coffee on the wrap-around porch. (Yes, we were outside, in the morning, in January… you know, it was casually almost 60 degrees.)

We wrapped our stay with a visit to the spa and were then on our way back to Columbus.

En route back home, we stopped at the Hocking Hills Inn and Coffee Emporium. If you are passing by or coming to stay, be sure to stop here! They have an extensive menu of all of your favorite coffee, espresso, and tea favorites in a beautiful café setting. They also have great grab-and-go items for a quick snack or lunch. Next time I am in the Hocking region, I will definitely need to check out the suites available at the inn, they look so beautiful!

Until Next Time,

Lauren

 

 

Into the Wild at Kalahari

It’s hard to believe that Kalahari Sandusky has been a staple for so many years and continues to be at the forefront for just about everything from family fun, to conference services, to innovative dining, a rejuvenating spa experience, (…OR attending our annual conference in a few short days). The service, the food, the venue is always so impressive and is such a dynamic setting.

If you’re in just the right spot, at just the right time, they might just have you convinced that you were transported to the African countryside.

Something that is new(er) is B-Lux Grill & Bar. It is my favorite dining outlet and offers my preferred combo of the savory and the sweet. A great place for laid back grub offering a wide array of different burgers, sandwiches and other comfort foods like gourmet macaroni and cheese! Now, things get serious when we start talking about dessert… the milkshake options are extensive and are just…so….good. From a cupcake to a donut, you will have all your milkshake dreams met! Make sure you look at the milkshake menu BEFORE you order dinner to ensure you have plenty of room to indulge.

If you aren’t here for a meeting, or you are able to enjoy any of the other amenities – check out the water park. What a fun array of activities! Ride all of the slides, the lazy river and be submerged under the “dump buckets”. You know, those water vortex things that spits you out a funnel? This is a fantastic place for families. It’s safe and there are a zillion different things to do for all ages. There is much more than meets the eye – water slides, a zip line course, and animals! There is a mini zoo!Great spot for indoor fun, year round for couples or families!

So whether you’re there for a meeting, splashing around in the water park, relaxing in the Spa Kalahari & Salon or restaurant hopping, take some time to check out the detail of this place.

I hope YOU have decided to #jointhecaravan and we will see you at this dynamic venue November 25-26!

Until Next Time,

Lauren

 

Great spot for indoor fun, year round for couples or families!
Morning Rainbows @ Kalahari – Sandusky

Anything but Ordinary – MOXY Columbus Short North

We had an exciting Grand Opening this week for the FIRST Moxy Hotel in Ohio! It opened in the popular Short North Arts District in Downtown Columbus. If you are a hotel-lifer, this brand may surprise you and it is anything but ordinary.

Walking into the Moxy, I felt the energy that reverberates from the walls. The pops of magenta, the music bumping upstairs, and of course the overall modern and fun design. Hanging from the ceiling was fabric and textiles that created a chandelier affect and was the perfect accent to the magenta “red carpet” that was rolled out for guests.The Moxy Short North - Columbus, OH

The second floor is where the action is at! Common in our industry is the idea of “activating your space” and Moxy is in full activation mode. A rectangular, lively bar opens to sleek gathering spaces, a fireplace wall and a pool table.

Are you wondering about a front desk?

You will not find that here. Check-in is at the bar!

The Moxy Short North - Columbus, OHCity living is the vibe I felt when I saw the brand-new rooms. They are minimal in nature with an efficient use of space. An extra chair or a table could be hanging on a hook in your room! Never know when you’ll need an extra seat for entertaining! I was surprised to find that a few of the rooms feature personal balcony areas looking out over Short North.

There are several unique and quirky attributes of the brand but I have to share my favorite one… as a guest you may have the opportunity to be flocked by flamingos. Yup, you read that correctly. You may arrive back to your room, walk in and see a few décor additions that were not there prior. Think lots of flamingos, pink lights, pink candies and so forth.The Moxy Short North - Columbus, OH

As I left the Moxy and walked down High Street, I smiled because from the sidewalk, you can see the pink glow and excitement brewing on the second floor. My bet is that this energy will draw just about any passerby in to answer their curiosities.

 

Until Next Time,

Lauren

 

The Moxy Short North - Columbus, OH

The Moxy Short North - Columbus, OH