7 Photos Of Historic Hotels That Once Offered The Most Comfortable Stays In Cleveland
By Nikki Rhoades|Published March 16, 2021
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Nikki Rhoades
Author
Nikki is a lifelong Ohioan with a love for literature. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Akron and has enjoyed publishing her written work since 2007. She has a love of travel and does so frequently, though she believes that home is where the heart is — she continues to work in and around Cleveland as a digital content specialist to this day, working on everything from commercial scripts and social media posts to grassroots marketing initiatives.
As local travel experts, we know what travelers are looking for when it comes to finding the perfect accommodations for their next trip. To compile our lists, we scour the internet to find properties with excellent ratings and reviews, desirable amenities, nearby attractions, and that something special that makes a destination worthy of traveling for.
Cleveland may not be a typical choice for a vacation spot, but the city has much to offer today… just as it did a century ago. Once upon a time, Cleveland was home to industrialists, inventors, and one of the richest streets in the United States. Such wealth funded the growth of the young city, and in the wake of such growth came hotels. Historic hotels in Cleveland are numerous today as a result, but many more hotels have been demolished or otherwise forgotten. However, these hotels hosted celebrities, presidents, and other persons of interest… and Chef Boyardee even got his start cooking locally at one! Prepare for a trip through time, because you can’t visit these old hotels anymore.
Once thriving in the Cedar-Fairmount area of Cleveland Heights, the Alcazar Hotel was truly a Floridian vacation retreat hidden amidst the chill of the Great Lakes region. It even had an indoor goldfish pool at peak operation! In addition to appealing to travelers, the hotel offered accommodations that wealthy Clevelanders and celebrities alike could appreciate. While its days as a hotel eventually came to an end, the hotel now houses apartments.
At the time of its grand opening, the Hotel Statler was the pinnacle of modern luxury. It opened its doors in 1912 and was part of a chain that also had locations in Buffalo and Detroit. (Interestingly, on that note about Detroit... Did you know Cleveland was once the heart and soul of American auto manufacturing? If one local mastermind hadn't scorned a young Henry Ford, Cleveland might have been known as Motor City.)
Eventually, the chain expanded even further, boasting luxurious yet affordable stays in NYC, LA, and other prestigious locations. When it opened, the Cleveland location featured 700 rooms, and every room had its own private bath. Anti-scald devices ensured guests could take hot baths without any discomfort, and ice-cold water and thermostats ensured peak comfort in the warmer months. Eventually, it was expanded to 1,000 rooms to accommodate demand. While all good things eventually come to an end, the hotel continues to provide peak comfort today as an apartment complex.
Regal and welcoming, the Hollenden Hotel was truly a luxurious vacation spot. Its doors opened in 1885, towering eight stories over the city streets and encompassing 1,000 rooms (and 100 bathrooms). Upgrades over the years (particularly in the 1920s) kept the building feeling chic and luxurious, attracting the attention of the era's celebrities and even hosting five U.S. Presidents as guests. It was something of a marvel of engineering at the time of its construction, boasting fireproof features and even a barbershop with telephones at each chair. Sadly, Cleveland's abundance of hotels also spelled the demise of this beauty. In 1962, it was demolished.
Ever heard of the Van Sweringen brothers? If you call Shaker Heights home, you owe these railroad barons thanks for modernizing your city. Before they introduced railroads to Shaker Heights, however, these brothers were building speculators in Cleveland. They purchased the hotel, constructed as the Hotel Cleveland in 1918, and revamped it in the 1920s. The hotel was operating on the site of one of Cleveland's oldest stagecoach stops, but the brothers gave it a new life when they constructed their rapid transit system beneath the structure.
Over the years, the hotel attracted visitors like Charles Lindbergh, and Elliot Ness famously interviewed a suspect for the Torso Murders at this site. Today, the hotel operates under a different name: The Renaissance Hotel.
Now, Dunham Tavern may not be what you would consider a hotel, but weary travelers found loads of hospitality here back in the day. Completed circa 1832 to house Rufus and Jane Pratt Dunham, the home soon transformed into a stagecoach stop... though it would eventually be converted into a single-family home. The hospitality of the Dunham family was evident, though it faded into Cleveland's history... until the Dunham family homestead became the oldest standing house in the city. Today, Dunham Tavern operates as a museum to preserve this interesting era in local history.
How insanely beautiful was the Weddell House? This cozy hotel opened in 1847, offering nearly 200 welcoming rooms for guests to stay in. The hotel featured a large dining room, and downstairs were offices and stores. This hotel was such a hit that it expanded to accommodate demand in 1854.
By the time president-elect Abraham Lincoln visited on his inaugural tour, the Weddell House must have really been a sight to see. In total, 15 U.S. presidents visited this local landmark. In 1903, the hotel was acquired by none other than John D. Rockefeller, who constructed the Rockefeller Building in its place.
If you're reading closely, you may recall the mention that Henry Ford was once scorned by a Cleveland automobile manufacturer. That man was Alexander Winton, a local celebrity for whom Hotel Winton was named. This 12-story hotel opened its doors in 1917, boasting 600 private rooms and 600 private baths. Air-conditioned rooms with private baths were one luxury of many at this hotel; downstairs, visitors could grab a coffee at a cafe, get their hair trimmed at a barbershop, or go shopping. For just $1.50 a day, such luxury was surely tempting. Pictured above is the Rainbow Room, where celebrities hosted performances for a crowd of up to 900. Ettore Boiardi (aka Chef Boyardee... yes, that Chef Boyardee) even worked here as a chef! Eventually, a fire in 1971 spelled the end of this hotel's existence (though it was known as the Pick-Carter Hotel at the time). Today, Winton Manor is a senior living community.
While some historic hotels in Cleveland have rebranded, like in the case of the Renaissance, most of these historic places have been largely forgotten. What do you think… would you have stayed in any of these hotels? What an amazing bragging right it would have been to have dined on a meal lovingly prepared by Chef Boyardee himself. Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
It’s amazing to see Cleveland transform over the years. But what happens when lovely places fall into ruin? Take a look at Mike Tyson’s former home to see.
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