A Tri-State Staycation

Whether you have vacation days to burn, or you just need a break from the holiday hustle and bustle, you don’t need to look far for your next getaway. Instead of booking a plane ticket, try booking a room at one of these local inns and B&Bs.

The Glendalia
Just 12 miles from downtown Cincinnati in Glendale is The Glendalia, a six-room boutique hotel that offers large apartment-style rooms overlooking the city’s Village Square.

“The downstairs is a culinary studio featuring culinary adventures such as hands on cooking classes, 4-course gourmet dinners created in a group environment and then served restaurant-style in our dining room and chef Demo Wine Dinners,” explains The Glendalia’s Owner Robin Thomas.

In addition to the culinary options, the Culinary Studio at The Glendalia is available for private parties, special events, team building events and just about anything else associated with food, according to Thomas. Also on the property of the hotel is an 800-square-foot off-site meeting space decorated in a bright, thought-provoking color palette.

Thomas purchased the building that would become The Glendalia in 2008. She renovated and opened the hotel in 2010 and opened the Culinary Studio in 2013.

There are plenty of amenities offered to guests staying at The Glendalia. “The rooms are large suites with kitchens, and some having washers and dryers,” says Thomas.

Rooms at The Glendalia can be reserved nightly, weekly or monthly. Guests also enjoy a continental breakfast. Each room also has a full-size coffee pot and microwave oven.

Thomas says The Glendalia is a great place for a staycation because of its location near Village Square, which resembles a European village. There are several attractions nearby including Ikea, Jungle Jims, Kings Island, local bakeries and wine bars, Grand Finale Restaurant and all that the heart of downtown Glendale has to offer such as Cock & Bull English Pub, Bluebird Baker, Meritage Restaurant and Piccolo Wine Room.

“The Glendalia offers a getaway package that gives you your room and one our culinary experiences at a discounted rate,” she adds. You can opt for a room with a Queen-size bed for $129, King-size bed for $139 or a 2-bedroom suite for $169. The cost to add a culinary adventure for two is $70.

The Glendalia is located at 11 Village Square in Glendale. To learn more, visit www.theglendalia.com.

Big Rock Cabins
Approximately two hours from Cincinnati, in Beaver Township, are Big Rock Cabins. These unique, romantic getaway cabins in Southeastern Ohio are perfect for a couple looking to escape for the weekend to celebrate anniversaries or just to enjoy some time alone together.

“Each secluded cabin features interesting decor and fixtures, a hot tub on a covered deck, gas fireplace, gas grill and a fire pit,” says Big Rock Cabins Operator Erin Hoskins.

Because it sits at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Big Rock Cabins are surrounded by trees and private trails lead to incredible rock formations and breathtaking views atop Big Rock, Prophet’s Peak and Turkey Rock.

“After operating for 11 years, most of our guests are repeat customers that return every year for their anniversary,” says Hoskins.

Hoskins, who operates Big Rock Cabins alongside Val Wolf, says that despite the cabins being in the “middle of nowhere,” there are several restaurant and shopping options just a 15-20 minute drive from Beaver Township.

Rates at Big Rock Cabins range from $125 to $209. A weeknight stay with 2 or more nights Sunday through Thursday is $125 per night. A single weeknight Sunday through Thursday is $165. Weekend nights include a 2-night minimum for $209, with one of those nights being a Friday or Saturday. As for holiday weekends, there is a 3-night minimum at $209 each.

To learn more about Big Rock Cabins, click here or “like” them on Facebook.

Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls
Hocking Hills’ Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls offers a relaxing getaway about 2.5 hours from Cincinnati. Innkeepers Ellen Grinsfelder and Terry Lingo describe the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls as a “Country Inn” that they’ve been operating for 27 years.

“We are a Country Inn in a peaceful, natural setting where people can connect with the earth and universe,” says Grinsfelder. “We are dedicated to high standards – standards of excellence. We have committed ourselves to quality food, quality surroundings, quality service and quality employees.”

The Inn, located in Logan, Ohio, was first a vision of Anne Castle, who wanted to build a place where urban dwellers could escape to a natural setting.

“After two and a half years in the making, the vision became a reality when The Inn opened in 1987,” says Grinsfelder. “Those two plus years were not without struggle.”

That’s why in each room of the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls is a brief history of The Inn. This brief history states: “This is not a Pollyanna-glad-girl story, however, the struggle to withstand backbreaking work, mind-bending discouragement, seemingly countless physical, emotional and financial blocks, is a long tale…”

Grinsfelder, who is the daughter of Anne Castle, eventually married Terry Lingo, who was hired as a contractor to finish the construction phases of The Inn. Today, Grinsfelder and Lingo, as well as their children, are carrying on Anne’s dream, helping to establish a place where guests can, according to Grinsfelder, “come home.”

Cabins, cottages and rooms are available at The Inn with prices ranging from $329 per night for a guest room, $379 per night for a cottage and $429 per night for a cabin.

In addition to the room offerings, The Inn also has a babymoon experience, a romantic weekend getaway, workcations and slumber parties. The spa menu features facials, yoga, massages, hand and foot treatments and reflexology.

The green-certified property is also where you can find The Gathering Place, a 5,000-square-foot, fully handicapped-accessible space featuring an open layout and space for meetings and social events including weddings, anniversary parties or celebrations for men, women, couples and groups.

To learn more about The Inn, visit http://innatcedarfalls.com/.