Parts of Cincy to avoid? (Cincinnati, Milford: appointed, city hall, restaurant)

[mjh]

West Chester is one of the areas that we are considering. Sounds like the general consensus is that it's pretty safe?

BTW: thanks for the advice!

[mjh]

Originally Posted by WCRob

The names of specific areas where you'll find hotels which are in areas that would be GOOD are: Florence, Burlington, Covington riverfront, Downtown Cincinnati SOUTH of 7th Street, Sharonville, West Chester, Fairfield, Liberty Township, Monroe, Mason, Kings Mills, Montgomery, Blue Ash, and Kenwood. Stay away from motels or hotels listed in other areas.

How about Milford?

[Pathwalker]

Yes, Milford would be a good area. Sorry, I forgot to mention it. Very pretty.

And West Chester is definitely a safe area. There are several brand new hotels at the Union Centre Blvd. exit off I-75. Good restaurants right there, too.... shopping if you want, and there is also a movie cinema if you want to catch a show to pass some time after checking in for your stay.

Hope you enjoy your stay!

[lydunn]

I guess it depends on what highway you want to stay close to...75 go west chester...I went through Kentucky and TN to get to Charlotte didn't want to go through VA way

[the_hungry_wanderer]

Originally Posted by movingsoon2007

Avoid Over the Rhine... but I doubt there are many hotels there anyway.

Can I get some more details about Over The Rhine. Is it bad news all around? Even in the day?

I read the article in Wikipedia about OTR. I realize that it might not paint the most accurate picture, but it certainly sounds like there's much to see if one's into historic buildings. The article also talks about some gentrification going on in the area. Is it an up and coming neighborhood?

[Pathwalker]

Originally Posted by the_hungry_wanderer

Can I get some more details about Over The Rhine. Is it bad news all around? Even in the day?

I read the article in Wikipedia about OTR. I realize that it might not paint the most accurate picture, but it certainly sounds like there's much to see if one's into historic buildings. The article also talks about some gentrification going on in the area. Is it an up and coming neighborhood?

The thing about OTR is that you don't know if you're going to be on a good street or not. Along with the West End (just west of OTR), Avondale and parts of Walnut Hills, you hear about the majority of violent crime in these areas - whether it is drug dealing, murders, shootouts, rapes or whatever. As a general rule, it is okay to drive through during the day on the main roads....Vine Street, Central Parkway, etc. It's not like people shoot at you from windows in buildings. It's just that you have a high likelihood of being mugged or robbed, especially at gunpoint, if you're in those areas at night. Even during the day, I would not want to walk in certain parts.

However, yes there are some areas which are indeed being rehabbed - and very nicely, I would say - because the buildings are treasured for their historical significance and architectural beauty. I knew a guy - an architect - who lived on the edge of OTR and his house was a rehabbed rowhouse. From the outside, it looked quite charming with clean brick walls, brick steps, good paint job, new windows, flower pots, wrought-iron fence and gate, etc... It looked very much like something you would see in Paris. But on the inside, it was totally contemporary......sleek lines, modern kitchen and bath, skylights, etc... He had several decks on the back of his house that overlooked the rest of OTR and downtown.

THAT is what they want to do with all of OTR, as well as turn parts of it into an entertainment district with restaurants, art galleries, nightclubs, etc.... It's just that right now, there are still a lot of low-income families and poverty in the area, and they can't just allow developers to come in and push people out. They would have nowhere to go. So it's a slow process, but they are indeed trying to get it worked on. But even still, as a general rule, I would avoid the main part of the area. And I wouldn't advise tourists going into the area by themselves.

[movingsoon2007]

I agree with WCRob... unless you know where to go in OTR, I would just avoid it.

[CO to CINCI]

Although I'm in the process of moving to Cincinnati, and don't know all the ins and outs of the different areas yet, I have spent a lot of time in Cincinnati hotels in the last few years! I love Hotwire and Priceline, though the deals don't seem quite as amazing as they used to be!

I used Priceline several times to find hotel rooms in Cincinnati in 2004 and 2005 and ended up paying $35 (plus tax) for the Hilton Carew Tower and I believe I paid $45 (plus tax) for a Sheraton downtown, which is no longer there.

I also stayed at The Westin (downtown) for about a month in February, and was happy with it.

If you're going to stay downtown, try to go for at least 3-3.5 stars. There are a few hotels that aren't very well-kept. As far as downtown safety is concerned, although there were one or two homeless guys who would hang out between The Westin and McCormick and Schmick's (a more upscale seafood restaurant), I never felt unsafe. The real downside of staying downtown is the cost of parking. If you do go downtown, just try not to go north of 8th or very far west.

I had to make an unexpected trip to Cincinnati last weekend and didn't find anything on Hotwire or Priceline, as I needed to stay in an eastern suburb. I would say, if you're going to be staying in a suburb you might do just as well to call the hotel directly. I got a better rate than anything I found on the hotel websites. I'm partial to the Starwood and Marriott brands, as they have duvet covers instead of bedspreads, and tend to be pretty clean.

If you want a recommendation based on the route you're taking, feel free to PM me.

[mjh]

Originally Posted by WCRob

Yes, Milford would be a good area. Sorry, I forgot to mention it. Very pretty.

Just to close this out, thanks to everyone for the helpful responses. We got a room at:

Homewood Suites by Hilton Cincinnati-Milford
600 Chamber Drive
Milford, OH 45150

Thanks for all the guidance.

[Linda Pratt]

Originally Posted by mjh

Just to close this out, thanks to everyone for the helpful responses. We got a room at:

Homewood Suites by Hilton Cincinnati-Milford
600 Chamber Drive
Milford, OH 45150

Thanks for all the guidance.

OH NO! Not there!!!
(just kidding!!!)