Seeking speed? Thrills? Heights? Look no further than the ‘Roller Coaster Capital of the World’. It’s not too late to visit Cedar Point, the one-stop-shop for family fun and amusement galore. The park boasts 18 world class roller coasters plus thrill rides and you cannot forget about my favorite part, the water park.
When I think of Cedar Point, I have nostalgia of childhood memories… being terrified of going on the Millennium once I was tall enough, puking after riding the Raptor (some things you’ll never forget!), or riding my favorite water log ride with my parents.
There is so much to do, explore and see within the amusement park and it is tough to cram it all into one day. Don’t fret, there are great properties on the premise, under the Cedar Fair umbrella.
Castaway Bay is an indoor waterpark oasis (OVER 38,000 sq. ft.!!) The entire property is tropically themed. Some things that I appreciate most is that the rooms offer suites with a mini fridge and microwave! Always great to have when you have your kiddos in tow. The hotel features a Quaker Steak & Lube (I grew up just a few minutes away from the original in Sharon, PA!) restaurant along with a deli serving Starbucks coffee, breakfast buffet and snack shack.
Cedar Point’s Express Hotel also features the family friendly mini-fridge & microwave combo and is all about guest convenience. Easy parking within close proximity of the property and a convenience shop inside! My favorite part of this property is the courtyard and outdoor pool area. It is plush and a great way to spend an afternoon. Perfect to gather and soak up the sun!
Hotel Breakers is exactly what you’d imagine a waterfront resort to be. A variety of rooms and suites, balconies and breathtaking views of Lake Erie. This hotel serves as a great stay-cation, with three restaurants and two bars on site! Spend your days by the pools, water playground, engage in fun games and activities on the beach or my personal favorite, relax under the stars by the fire pits.
Looking for an alternative to hotel accommodations? Hook up your RV, rent a cottage or a variety of cabins. What a great place to relax! Enjoy great amenities, outdoor seating and a charcoal grill. If you are staying in a cabin, you have to have a grill! On the grounds, you can also find an outdoor pool, on-site laundry and fun activities.
[Shout out to a few of our other members in the Cedar Point area: Knights Inn, Great Wolf Lodge, Kalahari Resort & Conference Center (home of our 2019 Annual Conference), and Sawmill Creek Resort!]
What is your favorite memory of the Lake Erie Shores & Islands? Besides Cedar Point, my family always loved going to Port Clinton and visiting Put-in-Bay and Kelley’s Island, the wineries of Geneva (and Madsen Donuts, of course!) and much more.
Wherever this summer has taken you, I hope it was enjoyable and you squeeze in a little more summer fun this month!
Until Next Time,
Lauren
The lobby is cozy and opens to a large outdoor courtyard and a pub. It felt very warm and inviting with the stone accents and piano in the space. (I can only imagine what this place is like over the holidays!) I attribute much of the coziness to the hospitality of the team. Every single employee that we came across was warm, welcoming and so hospitable. Including the audio-visual technician, our banquet server, catering manager, the General Manager and many more!
From beginning to end, service is top notch. I pulled up to the busy valet and was warmly greeted and promptly guided to the elevators to sweep me away to the lobby. Immediately off the elevators is a stunning floral arrangement composed of several tall clear vases with simplistic blooms.
The central atrium, original jail cells and granite contributes to the hotel’s story. When we arrived, I was floored by the exterior with its beautiful stone, the build and the gorgeous windows. When we walked in and up the escalators, bright sunlight filled the 90-foot atrium. We later noticed that the circular designed window within the atrium is a major part of their logo which is an old skeleton key with the same window design at its handle.
The details did not stop in the lobby. Our room had so many unique qualities. The carpeting had a pattern with skeleton keys & time pieces, a pillow with tally marks sat atop a leather chair, one of our & nightstands was a safe. The bathroom was spacious with a soaking tub, complete with fluffy logo’d robes.
This past Wednesday, OHLA had the privilege of presenting a proclamation to honor the 21 million dollar renovation of the former Cherry Valley Lodge & Waterpark now known as Cherry Valley Hotel & Ohio Event Center located in Newark. Many community members gathered to recognize this moment. I enjoyed hearing stories and memories of the lodge and waterpark. Many enjoyed family trips, meetings and the team that once operated the property. Others shared their excitement for this redevelopment as it stood as a marker for growth and economic development.
A quick trip to Cincinnati led me to an overnight stay at the 
Besides visiting a few of our amazing hoteliers, I also attended the 
what I needed to know to maximize a short stay, including the schedule for guided star-gazing that takes advantage of Sedona’s “Dark Sky” status.
Enchantment mixes luxury service and appointments with the tasteful and comfortable casualness of the Southwest. Adobe haciendas include timbered ceilings, southwestern fabrics, working fireplaces and plenty of amenities including a kitchen and ample seating indoors and out. Coupled with top-notch restaurants and a View 180 outdoor lounge built to provide views of the sunsets, skies and red rock vistas, Enchantment can keep you amazed and delighted without ever leaving its 70 acres.
you will want to get out into the desert. Although Enchantment has plenty of trailheads and room to explore, a little pre-reading led me to the Jordan Road Trail in Coconino National Forest on the other side of town for a short hike. The drive to the trailhead isn’t for the faint of heart or those who rented a vehicle that was a little low to the ground, but the payoff is worth it.
The Lafayette has quite the history and I’d love to share it with you! One of the more fascinating things about this building is that it has always been hotel! Where The Lafayette stands today was originally The Bellevue Hotel which was built in 1892. In 1916 a devastating fire swept through the hotel and it was destroyed. Luckily, after the fire, a local Marietta businessman vowed to rebuild the hotel and July 1, 1918 it opened as The Lafayette Hotel. This hotel has been in operation for over 100 years!
Our lunch was delicious and the desserts… OH! The desserts. Our lunch was quite a spread of homemade curried zucchini soup (Must. Get. Recipe.), scones, croissants and an assortment of salads. The decadent desserts featured were turtle walnut brownies and shortbread. Both were delicious but I think my ultimate favorite was the shortbread.
