Best Hotels in Cincinnati

Hotel Graduate, Cincinnati

Perched right on the University of Cincinnati medical campus, Graduate by Hilton Cincinnati is a playful nod to local history and college nostalgia. Opened originally in 1999 and extensively reimagined in 2020, the hotel replaces standard corporate luxury with bold, unapologetic storytelling designed by the brand's award-winning in-house creative team.

“Many visitors end up staying in a bed and breakfast near this urban campus or in a Downtown hotel, but Hotel Graduate is an excellent alternative. It’s on the UC hospital campus, a few blocks from the Cincinnati Zoo, and five minutes from downtown Cincinnati. Rooms are clean, and the beds especially plush.”

Hotel Hyatt Regency, Cincinnati

Rising 22 stories above downtown, the Hyatt Regency Cincinnati is a cornerstone of the city’s skyline. Built in 1984, the hotel serves as a modern anchor in the historic central business district. It is famous for its massive, sunlit atrium and holding one of the largest hotel ballrooms in the entire state of Ohio, making it a natural gathering hub for major events.

“One of the largest hotels in Cincinnati, this Downtown landmark has an atrium lobby with glass walls and ceiling, contemporary rooms in soft pastel colors, and first-rate service. It’s connected by a skywalk to Saks Fifth Avenue and the Tower Place shopping center.”

Hotel Covington Riverfront, Cincinnati

Just across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati, Hotel Covington Riverfront delivers a brilliant mix of local history and modern luxury. The building originally opened in 1910 as Coppin’s Department Store, Kentucky’s very first modern skyscraper. Legend has it that the store's founder, John Coppin, actually funded the construction using his massive winnings from a longshot bet on a horse named Knowledge—a story celebrated today at the hotel's chic Knowledge Bar.

“For a stylish hotel at more affordable rates, cross the river to the new Hotel Covington in Kentucky, a former 1910 department store refashioned by the Aparium Hotel Group to hold 114 rooms, a restaurant and coffee bar.”

Shortlisted in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Symphony Hotel, Cincinnati

In the historic Over-the-Rhine (OTR) neighborhood, the Symphony Hotel & Lounge is a delightful slice of 19th-century charm. The main building was constructed in 1871 as a grand mansion, beating the completion of the city's iconic Music Hall by seven years. It was designed by James McLaughlin, a legendary local architect who also drew up blueprints for the Cincinnati Art Museum and the city's original public library.

“Around the corner from Music Hall, the Symphony Hotel offers nine rooms in a traditional Italianate building. Each is named after a classical composer, and each is chock-full of period antique decor, such as a four-post bed or cherrywood armoire (they vary in style).”

Residence Inn by Marriott Hotel, Cincinnati

Located in the city’s heart, the Residence Inn by Marriott Cincinnati Downtown (famously known as The Phelps) has some serious historical clout. The property is housed inside the iconic Phelps Apartment building, which was constructed back in 1926 by Charles Phelps Taft—the half-brother of US President William Howard Taft. Charles built the luxury tower to convince his wealthy business partners to stay living in the downtown core rather than fleeing to the suburbs, and the President's own family actually lived there for a time.

“All of the big, glistening rooms are suites with full kitchens. Located in Cincinnati’s Business District, The Residence Inn is a 10-minute walk from US Bank Arena and the Great American Ballpark.”

The Westin Hotel, Cincinnati

Rising high above the heart of downtown, The Westin Cincinnati has been a cornerstone of the city’s central business district since it opened in 1981. Built during an era of urban revitalization, the hotel features a striking atrium design and a sprawling layout that balances sleek, mid-century modern architectural roots with contemporary upgrades.

“The Westin overlooks the city’s most popular landmark, the Tyler Davidson Fountain on Fountain Square. The building, designed in the classic Renaissance style, was once the Albee Theater. Shoppers will appreciate that it’s just a short stroll away from Tower Place mall at Carew Tower.”

21c Museum Hotel, Cincinnati

Stepping into the 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati feels like walking into a brilliant conversation between the past and the present. Housed in the historic 1912 Neoclassical building that originally opened as the Hotel Metropole, the space was beautifully reimagined by the visionary architect Deborah Berke. Her design masterfully preserved original features, like the grand, sweeping lobby staircase and mosaic floor tiles, while introducing a bold, museum-worthy edge.

“In addition to its art galleries, the 21c Museum Hotel Cincinnati features 156 rooms, a spa with three treatment rooms, and a rooftop cocktail lounge.”

Shortlisted in New York Times’ 36 Hours in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Lytle Park Hotel, Cincinnati

Located in Cincinnati's oldest neighborhood, The Lytle Park Hotel is a gorgeous neo-Tudor property that opened its doors in 2020. San Francisco-based design firm ForrestPerkins cleverly joined two turn-of-the-century brick buildings to create the hotel—including one that originally served as the historic Anna Louise Inn, a safe housing haven for young working women in the early 1900s.

“It might be built into a historic building from 1909, but the amenities in this newly opened hotel adjacent to its lovely eponymous green space are attuned to the discerning tastes of modern travelers. Rooms are delightfully decorated with floral motifs and come with Frette linens, marble bathrooms, and fragrant Diptyque amenities.”

Featured in Travel+Leisure’s Top 100 Hotels in the World.