Westin Residence or Renaissance for baseball game (Cincinnati: rent, best hotels)

[kaliman91]

Looking for a hotel for the April series Card/Reds. Westin seems to be the cheaper of the three for some reason. The westin in STL is one of the best hotels while the other three are a lower level of hotel. Curious why they are so much cheaper in Cincinnati then STL?
I booked the Westin but am now wondering if this may be a mistake.

[Wilson513]

Originally Posted by kaliman91

Looking for a hotel for the April series Card/Reds. Westin seems to be the cheaper of the three for some reason. The westin in STL is one of the best hotels while the other three are a lower level of hotel. Curious why they are so much cheaper in Cincinnati then STL?
I booked the Westin but am now wondering if this may be a mistake.

I like the Westin Cincinnati. But, it more of a business hotel. Generic rooms, not much in amenities. Good location for the ball park and restaurants.

[kaliman91]

As long as its clean and has a couple options for meals within walking distance and from google maps its an easy walk to GAB I am okay with it.

Not sure why I would complain about spending less than expected for a decent hotel but i just wanted to make sure I wasnt booking a hotel thats either under construction/rehab or is in bad shape etc.

Thanks for the reply!

[flashes1]

Cards will be staying at the Westin. Good business man's hotel; Renaissance has a lot more pizazz-----I say stay at Westin and have drinks at Renaissance on your way back after the game. They have a cool bar.

[kaliman91]

Thanks flashes! Renaissance was something like 100 bucks more a night too. Thanks for the tip on the bar.
Any other must see stops around the ballpark or within walking distance of the Westin you may reccommend?

[mimi in cinci]

The Westin faces Fountain Square, commonly refered to as Cincinnati's living room. Many weekends there are things happening on the Square. There are lots of great places to eat within a block or so. One of my favorites, Via Vite, is on the Square. The Contemporary Art Center is around the corner on 4th Street.

[kjbrill]

I always considered the Westin a nice place and one of the more upscale hotels in Cincy. As noted it faces Fountain Square which is Cincinnati's living room. Plenty of places to eat and drink. Unless the owners have just let it go to Hell, which I can't believe on Fountain Square, should be just a fine place to go for a ball game stay.

[flashes1]

Another tip: don't check-in to your hotel within 2 hours of the game. There will be a lot of Cards fans making the trip East, and I've seen some looooong lines of Cards fans checking into their hotel right before weekend games. Not my idea of a good time.

Here's what I would recommend to an out-of town fan, time/weather permitting:

1. 3-4 hours before the game, head south on Vine Street (turn left outside the Westin) until it dead-ends at the Ohio River.

2. Head East towards GABP on the new jogging path that runs along the river.

3. You'll walk past The Banks and GABP----stop at Sawyer Point and then walk over the Ohio River on the Purple People Bridge (the longest pedestrian-only bridge in the country). Turn around and come back once you get across it----The bridge offers some of the best views of downtown as you head back.

4. On the way back to GABP stop at the Banks for a couple beers and dinner. Take your pick of eateries. It will be packed with fans.

5. After the game----take a cab to Over-the-Rhine (OTR)----Rhinegheist Brewery specifically--beautiful +100 year old building----cab it down to hot spots in the heart of OTR such as Bakersfield and A Tavola.....and because you're an out of town sports fan---check out Nick Lachey's sports bar conveniently called Lachey's Bar. Easy 10 minute walk down Vine Street back to your hotel---however, it's recommended you don't walk from OTR to Rhinegheist late at night----I've done it (and I'm a suburbanite), and it's only 5-6 blocks to Rhinegheist, but it could be dicey----up to you. But if you're into Beer (like I am)----you have to go to Rhinegheist. Trust me on that one.

Additionally: if you want to reduce the walking to Purple People Bridge----rent bicycles----google the "red bikes of Cincinnati" but you rent them by the hour---and they're located all over the city----rent right outside the Westin and drop them off at The Banks.

If you're around Sunday morning, and have the time, go back up to OTR for brunch at Taste of Belgium.

[kaliman91]

don't check-in to your hotel within 2 hours of the game. There will be a lot of Cards fans making the trip East, and I've seen some looooong lines of Cards fans checking into their hotel right before weekend games. Not my idea of a good time.

I dont think we will make into town till maybe 6 which would make it 7 in Cincinnati. So hopefully most of the people will be already checked in and on their way to the game.
Can you recommend a good place to watch the game on Friday evening? Since you mentioned The Banks is this the area just to the West of the GABP? This kind of the gathering area before and after the game?

After the game----take a cab to Over-the-Rhine (OTR)----Rhinegheist Brewery specifically--beautiful +100 year old building----cab it down to hot spots in the heart of OTR such as Bakersfield and A Tavola.....and because you're an out of town sports fan---check out Nick Lachey's sports bar conveniently called Lachey's Bar. Easy 10 minute walk down Vine Street back to your hotel---however, it's recommended you don't walk from OTR to Rhinegheist late at night----I've done it (and I'm a suburbanite), and it's only 5-6 blocks to Rhinegheist, but it could be dicey----up to you. But if you're into Beer (like I am)----you have to go to Rhinegheist. Trust me on that one.

Thats exactly what I was thinking about doing. I cant imagine Downtown Cincinnati can be any worse then St Louis Downtown.
Thanks for the heads up since its just me and the wife a cab might be a good idea.
Definitely want to check out the local beer. Are there tour's or is it just a bar?

Thanks for all the great info

[cincydave8]

Originally Posted by kaliman91

I dont think we will make into town till maybe 6 which would make it 7 in Cincinnati. So hopefully most of the people will be already checked in and on their way to the game.
Can you recommend a good place to watch the game on Friday evening? Since you mentioned The Banks is this the area just to the West of the GABP? This kind of the gathering area before and after the game?



Thats exactly what I was thinking about doing. I cant imagine Downtown Cincinnati can be any worse then St Louis Downtown.
Thanks for the heads up since its just me and the wife a cab might be a good idea.
Definitely want to check out the local beer. Are there tour's or is it just a bar?

Thanks for all the great info

Rhinegeist Brewery tours Friday 430pm and Saturday at 1pm