I'm coming to Cleveland for the Tim McGraw & Faith Hill concert (Yeehaw!) at Quicken Loans Arena in June and wanted to make a weekend of it.  Looking at hotel options, there are about three options with rooms available in my price range downtown.  Any suggestions of one over another for the following:

 

Hilton Garden Inn (near Jacobs)

Hyatt at the Arcade

Cleveland Renaissance (at Tower City I think)

 

Stayed at the Hyatt before and while the most expensive option, it is probably #1.  But if someone said, "Oh the Hilton is just fine" I'd probably stay there as it is the most cost effective.  With the limited options I thought best to book sooner rather than later . . . Thanks!

here's my take:

 

1. Hyatt  --the Arcade is awesome and the adjacent East 4th St has come along way in just two years. Bowling anyone?

 

2. Renaissance --love the connection to Tower City, Rapid, etc.

 

3. Hilton --uninspiringly located next to a freeway. Boring.

The Hilton is just fine but it's a bit out of the way - the Hyatt is in perfect walking distance from Quicken Loans/East 4th (which will have even more spots open by then). The Hilton doesn't have a whole lot around it, either. The Renaissance wouldn't be a bad choice but if prices are equal - go with the Hyatt.

 

You might want to check the Radisson downtown as well - very close to East 4th/Quicken.

 

 

Although not on your list I thought I would add the following properties near the Q

 

The Radison (as mentioned by MayDay)

 

Marriot at Key Center

just completed or undergoing a renovation and is model for all Marriotts rebranding/branding

the Marriott is just one additional long block north/northwest of the Arcade/Hyatt

 

Holiday Inn Express on Euclid Ave.

the lobby alone is worth a trip.

Its a block ½ East of the Arcade

 

The Residence Inn on Prospect

I have never been inside, but people I know who want more space or folks with families who come into the city for things like cavs games or the circus all say its a great place, despite not having a pool.

 

the Hilton might be boring but it does have a great bar and great service

 

the Wyndham,

Which is in PHS, is VERY nice and often people can find rooms for about $99 a night, but can be crowded when big productions are intown.  In June a nice walk from the Q/East 4th to PHS would be nice.

 

There's also the Embassy Suites on E. 12th.

 

I'd vote for the Hyatt, but I've never stayed in any of these places, so what do I know?

There's also the Embassy Suites on E. 12th.

 

I'd vote for the Hyatt, but I've never stayed in any of these places, so what do I know?

 

I didn't mention the ES, since its still going thru a reno & pretty skanky now, The Crown Plaza or the Holiday Inn Lakeside, since they are further away.

This is easy -- stay at the Hyatt Arcade. Can't beat the building or the proximity to nightlife.

This is easy -- stay at the Hyatt Arcade. Can't beat the building or the proximity to nightlife.

 

Ditto

Ok, I made my reservation for the Hyatt Arcade.  Yeehaw. Thanks for the help.  Looking forward to the roadtrip . . . Hopefully that Saturday is nice as I want to walk around and take photos.

^I wanna see the photos!!!!

BallHatGuy, keep in mind that nearly every room in the Hyatt is different.  Also, some are facing the actual arcade while others are in the towers at the ends overlooking the street.  I have read where people didnt like certain rooms in the arcade that looked out to airconditiong units etc.....

 

You can always ask to see another room if you are not "pleased" with the one you are given. 

In other words you can opt for a different one, which I did last time staying there.     

^I wanna see the photos!!!!

 

Oh, I'll post a thread after my trip, no worries there!

 

And Willy, thanks for the tip. I stayed at the Arcade once before for an Indians game and our room looked out over Euclid and down Fouth Street I think.  And that was fine for me.

So my Cleveland trip is coming up.  One question:  It looks like I could take the Red Line from Tower City to that big Market in Ohio City.  Is that the best way to explore over there saying I didn't want to drive?  Could one walk?

 

How is cab service in the city?  How is cab service say at 2:00 am if one used them to get to and from various bars?

The Red Line over to Ohio City is great for the West Side Market and all of that neighborhood - its very walkable.  Walking over there is a possibility, but it's gonna be hot so much easier to take the Red Line.

 

As far as late night cab service, I've never had a problem finding one in the Warehouse District or around East 4th, but those are the only places I've tried to get one.

 

 

How is cab service in the city?  How is cab service say at 2:00 am if one used them to get to and from various bars?

 

When you find a cab driver early in the evening, get his/her phone number for later. Confirm they will be working later. If they are not, see if they know somebody who is, or get a different cab. Try to find a cab driver who appears to be a native of the region. This will likely be the best way to guarantee a cab.

 

(from a former cab driver)

If you are traveling outside of Downtown, here's a tip on cabs....if you grab one from Downtown and like the driver, give him a decent tip...they almost always give you their card and offer to come get you later.  It's good to have it as a backup in case there aren't any around.  I haven't had a problem though and I always take cabs.

Yes, you can take the Red Line from Tower City Center to the West 25th/Ohio City station which is catty-corner to the West Side Market. In fact, if you're visiting the Market on a Saturday, it will be very, very busy so taking the Rapid is preferable than trying to find a parking spot.

 

Go to Tower City Center (aka the Terminal Tower entrance off Public Square) and you'll pass Caribou Coffee and see the RTA signs - the station is at the bottom level. Go to the WESTBOUND/Airport Red Line Station, go to the vending machines, pay $3.50 for an all-day pass. Go to the gates for the Red Line - preferably close to the attendant booth because if you need a demonstration on how to use the pass, you don't want them yelling ;-) Once inside the gates and doors, veer to the right where you'll see the Airport/Westbound trains - hop on, and be ready to hop right off since it's the first stop after Tower City Center.

 

Once at the West 25th station, take the steps (or elevator) up - exit and you'll see the Market catty-corner. To get back downtown, just go back to the station - pay at the attendant booth. If there's no attendant, you'll need to pay on the train.

 

Everyone is giving good tips for cabs - another area where I see cabs line up is Market Square near the West Side Market/Great Lakes Brewing. Some bartenders don't mind calling a cab for you (just be sure to tip). If you're planning to stay downtown for the bars, East 4th is adjacent to your hotel (aka stumbling distance from the following: Kevin's Martini Bar on the bottom level Pickwick and Frolick, Flannerys Irish Pub, Corner Alley bowling, Boneyard on Prospect, and Winking Lizard on Prospect). The Warehouse District is a little more of a hike but still do-able - I'd walk south from the Arcade past Key Tower to St. Clair, then walk west on St. Clair which will take you to the Warehouse District.

 

Let us know if you need any more info. :-)

Once at the West 25th station, take the steps (or elevator) up - exit and you'll see the Market catty-corner. To get back downtown, just go back to the station - pay at the attendant booth. If there's no attendant, you'll need to pay on the train.

 

I assume if we bought a one day pass at Tower City we wouldn't need to re-pay at West 25th on our return trip. 

 

And thanks everyone for your help!

I assume if we bought a one day pass at Tower City we wouldn't need to re-pay at West 25th on our return trip. 

 

Correct. And if you kept the Day Pass, you could use it to ride out to Shaker Square to enjoy some great restaurants/cafes, or take the #55 bus from Public Square to the end of the West Shoreway to watch the sun set from Edgewater Park, or take the Red Line to University Circle and stroll down Murray Hill Road to Little Italy, or...  You get the idea.

Thanks for all the help folks.  Got back today.  The Hyatt was great.  The view from the room wasn't the best but a nice room, very comfortable bed.  The naps were heavenly.  Good service too.  For Saturday's dinner, we walked around 4th Street and the Gateway area and decided upon 4th Street Grill in Corner Alley.  While my friend really liked his meal, mine was not very good and just plain cold. Oh well.

bhg, after i got done with the family stuff we stayed at the arcade hyatt too one night last summer. i think it was $90 something bucks. the rooms are small, but as you said the beds are standout great. we went to winking lizard and clevelander before the baseball game and then out to pickwick & frolic after the tribe game. bonus: it was cool (not creepy) having the arcade all to yourself at night.

 

the only downer was all that euclid avenue brt construction.

 

in the am i really liked the 1890 hyatt restaurant in there for breakfast before we drove back to nyc. the tableside french press coffee woke me right up for the roadtrip.

in the am i really liked the 1890 hyatt restaurant in there for breakfast before we drove back to nyc. the tableside french press coffee woke me right up for the roadtrip.

 

Is press coffee, not the greatest invention?!  Its nice, strong and thick!

"Is press coffee, not the greatest invention?!  Its nice, strong and thick!"

 

I could make a comment here, but I'll refrain ;-)

Behave or your alterego, the HBIC, will put this thread on lockdown... :wink: