samschack

My wife and I will be in Cincinnati in late April for a family birthday and were planning to stay downtown at Garfield Suites and was planning on booking it unitl my MIL said she was there recently and that downtown area seemed fairly dead to her and that we would most likely not be happy staying downtown. I typically enjoy being in the middle of everything and so staying in the middle of a downtown area is usually my preference but I would certainly appreciate any advice on how the downtown area is at the present time.
Thanks for any help on this.

maj

I was kind of wondering when I read your post asking about Garfield Suites (which I know nothing about) why you were staying in that area, but figured since you had family here you had a reason for staying there. Other than being close to the Aronoff and a couple of good restaurants (Jack Ruby's and Nicolson's), it isn't really in walking distance (IMO) of much else. There is a bar area on Main Street, and some restaurants around Fountain Square, but if you aren't here for a convention or business in that area, I would agree with your MIL. We seldom go to the downtown area -- maybe someone who does or has visited here will see this. They are trying to rejuvenate it and there are some nice stores there (Tiffany's, Sak's, Macys) and also some nice hotels, but they are not in the immediate area of Garfield Suites.

It might help someone to steer you to another area if you let us know what you are interested in and what you mean by "the middle of everything". Are you looking for night life or things to do during the day? I think snowrooster mentioned Embassy Suites in Kentucky. What part of town is your party in or doesn't that make much difference?

samschack

Our family is actually in Blue Ash but I was concerned that it might be more of a suburb and not that much going on in that area. Garfield Suites was our pick since it has suites rather than standard hotel rooms. My wife and I will be staying together but our adult son is also staying with us so the idea of a 2 BR suite appeals to us.
I did find a Residence Inn in Blue Ash which has 2 BR units so if that is a better area I guess we could just book that. My personal preference is to stay in areas where there is a lot of activity, thus downtown areas appeal to me. Unlike many, I enjoy the hustle and bustle of large cities.

aliska

I had to smile when I saw you were inquiring about the Garfield Suites. It is great if you are spending time in Cincinnati, but you are right, not much to do, certainly not on weekends. Used to stay there on business when I had to go to Cincy for 2 weeks at a time. Got a 2 bedroom and had my parents drive down from Columbus and bring my kids. They would trek around Cincy during the day and we would meet up for dinner. If you are insistent on staying in downtown Cincy, stay closer to Fountain Square or across the river near the new aquarium in KY. Probably about 20-30 minutes from Blue Ash.

SAnParis

ON business we always stay @ the Millenium (used to be the Sheraton) downtown. It is closer to where there are things going on as well as in walking distance to the "Great American Ballpark". Another alternative may be over near Newport on the Levee, although I am unsure of what hotel options are there. More nightlife there than downtown but also just a cheap cab ride across the bridge. You kind of have to know where to go (& not to go) downtown at night.

maj

I agree with Aliska, especially for the time of year you are coming. The river area on both sides is where the activity will be when it gets warm. Check out http://www.newportonthelevy.com/

West Chester isn't far from Blue Ash and it is growing so fast -- they say that people that live there won't have a reason to go to downtown Cincinnati. We just go there to frequent the restaurants, so I can't speak to what else is available.

snowrooster

There is an Embassy Suites in NKY right over the river from Cincinnati that is probably a good option. There really isn't much going on downtown in the actual city of Cincinnati at night.

Blue Ash is a very nice suburb, and there is also an Embassy Suites there. West Chester is also a suburb and personally I would never stay there over Blue Ash (it's a bit more generic), especially if you have family in Blue Ash. Blue Ash is a more diverse suburb and is near Montgomery which has a cute little downtown. Not really a hopping night life, but there is a nice Village Tavern just down the street from our big local rib place, Montgomery Inn.

Feel free to post any other questions - there aren't many folks looking for info on Cincinnati!