Cincinnati hotel recommendations?

[twofistedslopper]

I'm going to be in the Cincinnati area for work when the Brewers play there over the 4th of July weekend. Planning on meeting some buddies and heading to a few games. Anyone have any recommendations for hotels in the area, preferably close to the ball park? Considering this will be on the company dime, I can't go too crazy with cost. Thanks!

[RobDeer 45]

The only hotel I know for sure that was good was the Hilton, right downtown. Stayed there a few years back before we moved to Cincinnati. Valet parking, cool restaurant, old school atmosphere. That said, it may be a little expensive for your company, not sure what the rates are. My other suggestion is grabbing a hotel across the river in Newport KY. There is some cool stuff down there and you can just walk across the bridge to get to the ballpark and all the bars around it. If you give me a little more information on what type of vibe you are looking for, I can maybe help you out a little more.

[bani1717]

There is the Millenium Hotel which is downtown, basic, and reasonably priced.

 

Pluses:

- Location is good, maybe a 3/4 mile from the football and baseball stadiums. Not totally on the "main drag" but only a couple blocks from the heart of downtown.

- Price is reasonable (we had a special rate of around $76 a night before taxes/fees but I don't think the regular rates were too much higher)

- Not a total dump; just a basic room

- Parking available at the valet rate of like $25 a day with unlimited in/out. Could also park somewhere else for like $8/night but with no in/out.

 

Minuses:

- While clean, the room was dated and had a couple minor issues:

-- Lock on the door to the adjoining room didn't work

-- Big tear on the window curtain

- I was warned not to go more than two blocks north of the hotel (past 8th Street).

 

Overall it was fine for me when I was there for a few days.

 

If you're interested in where the Brewers would stay, that is probably the Westin. The weekend I was in town that's where the visiting NFL team stayed.

[twofistedslopper]

Thanks for the recommendations guys. As far as the vibe I'm looking for - I'm still relatively young so I would prefer location over quality of the hotel. That's not to say I want to stay in a Motel 6 though. Not sure if I'll have a rental car so a place downtown, near the ballpark (even a short cab ride away) would be ideal.

 

Any recommendations as far as restaurants, bars, local attractions?

[adamb100]

Cincinnati is known for it's Chili. I would try skyline Chili for food.

[CheezWizHed]

Texas is KNOWN for their chili. Cinncinnati is "known" for their chili because they put spaghetti in it....

[bani1717]

Based on my experience and on recommendations from friends of mine who live in Cincinnati:

 

Graeter's ice cream is good. There is one located right by Fountain Square. Near there is also a restaurant called Nada which I was told was a good Mexican place.

 

There are also some good places right between the two stadiums on E. Freedom Way. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse is good (and pricy). I also had some good wings at Mahogany's. There is also a Yard House which we were going to eat at but did not because the wait was too long (right after a Bengals game).

 

We also ate at a good barbecue place called Montgomery Inn which I would recommend. It's not right downtown but is a short drive away, right on the river. We went on a Saturday night, and the wait was long. We called a couple hours before heading over there and got a "priority time" (or something like that, not actually a reservation) and had to wait ~30 minutes past that time.

 

There's also a Crepes place I went to when I was there though it looks like that may have shut down in January.

 

Also, I forgot to mention one other downside to the Millenium Hotel where we stayed. The beds seemed smaller than advertised (our "King" seemed closer to a Queen) and were not comfortable.

[RobDeer 45]

Ok, I lived in Cinci for two years and just left so I will give you my thoughts.

 

Don't eat at Skyline or another chili place. That's kind of like visiting the US and going to McDonalds. Cheezwhizhead said it best, they are known for it because it's spaghetti, but to outsiders, it's pretty weird and it's fast food.

 

Instead of Nada (which is good) go to the hip Mexican place DT, which is one of my favorites there, Bakersfield. Awesome atmosphere, everyone is having fun there, street tacos, awesome queso starter, Great Margaritas, Pabst in a boot! Nuff said. http://www.bakersfieldotr.com/ Over the Rhine is where this place is located and has really come a long way in the last few years. You will enjoy this area for food and drinks.

 

Another place for breakfast right there in OTR is Taste of Belgium http://www.authenticwaffle.com/ Had my first chicken and waffles there and it was awesome. Again, cool young vibe there.

 

Yard house is cool, I also really like Moreline Lager House, which is the same type of vibe. This one is right next to the stadium, yard house is a few blocks down, closer to the football stadium. Both overlook the river and are good and packed before and after games.

 

Montgomery Inn, very solid if you want a big meat dinner! Cool location right on the river.

 

My last recommendation is Mt Adams. I spent some solid afternoons up there, having a few beers. I think it gets a little crazier at night, but during the day it's great. There are several bars and places to eat. Mt Adams Bar and Grill, very good lunch spot. http://www.mtadamsbarandgrill.com/ If you love, chill Irish Pubs, Crowleys is the place! Neighborhood vibe in there, bring your dog, sure come on in. Monks Cove...it's an island bar, hole in the wall, in the middle of Cincinnati. Tiny, but I always enjoyed grabbing a beer and a random weird shot there.

 

Ok that's enough for now. But Mt Adams = good time, Bakersfield...I miss this place so much, Taste of Belgium a great way to start the day.

[FVBrewerFan]

Have visited Cincy many times, not a fan. Personal preference I know, just a weird place- and yes, Cincy chilli sucks. BUT, they hate the Cards, so all is forgiven.

[RobDeer 45]

Have visited Cincy many times, not a fan. Personal preference I know, just a weird place- and yes, Cincy chilli sucks. BUT, they had the Cards, so all is forgiven.

 

It took me almost a full year to warm up to Cincinnati. It's a city that has its problems, but has also come a long way in the last couple years. I think now that they've built up the commercial and living areas down by the stadiums, there is much more of a draw to DT. Over the Rhine, which is Downtown as well, has grown big time. Lots of cool new local restaurants and bars. It's finally cool to live Downtown in Cincinnati in a few areas so the DT is starting to have some life. When I first moved there, it was pretty dead, but I think it's on the upswing. The Casino may have helped with that as well.....but not sure if that will be good or bad in the long run.

 

The one thing I do have to say about Cinci is the people there are truly friendly. It's a great mix of Midwestern people with southern hospitality.

[twofistedslopper]

Really appreciate all of the recommendations. Heard a lot of good things (and some bad) about Cincy. Pretty excited to see Great American - looks like a pretty cool park.

[Bombers]

I love going to Cincy. Great town. Here is the one and only must before a Reds game: The Haufbrau house.

http://www.hofbrauhausnewport.com/

 

It is accross the river and you will see a large majority of fans taking the pedestrian bridge accross the river to walk to the game from there. I wouldn't go to Cincy without stopping there and having a litre.

 

When I went last in 2011, the Brewers landed the weekend series over Oktoberfest. Basically a huge downtown beer festival in mid - September - it was amazing.

[Raw Biz]

I love going to Cincy. Great town. Here is the one and only must before a Reds game: The Haufbrau house.

http://www.hofbrauhausnewport.com/

 

It is accross the river and you will see a large majority of fans taking the pedestrian bridge accross the river to walk to the game from there. I wouldn't go to Cincy without stopping there and having a litre.

 

When I went last in 2011, the Brewers landed the weekend series over Oktoberfest. Basically a huge downtown beer festival in mid - September - it was amazing.

 

That place is most definitely worth a stop. When a group of us went to Cincy in 2008, that was easily the highlight of the trip, for me at least.

[jli27]

Visited Cincinnati maybe 8 years ago for baseball, and a few weeks ago for hockey. Stayed at the Westin both times - walking distance to the ballpark, and great beds.

 

The zoo is pretty nice. Concur on Graeter's and Taste of Belgium - there's also an ice cream place downtown called Hello Honey that is fantastic. There's a little hole in the wall German bar in Covington - can't remember the name - it's not walking distance, but the beer, sausages and pretzels are incredible.

 

edit: the German place in Covington is called Wunderbar. It's small and doesn't look like much from the outside.