As parents of three, we needed a little getaway but I didn’t want to go far. I decided to surprise Pete with a weekend stay at Cincinnati’s 21c Museum Hotel, right in the heart of downtown!
It’s the 100-year-old Historic Metropole Hotel, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reimagined as a multi-venue contemporary art museum, an award-winning 156-room boutique hotel with a seasonal rooftop Cocktail Terrace, and home of Metropole Restaurant.
We stayed in the Corner Suite, which has tons of room to spread out, a huge bathroom with a shower and soaking tub — and lots of fun little artistic touches.
We started our stay at Metropole’s bar and lounge area! They had tons of craft beers on tap, house-made cocktails, Bourbons and a great selection of wines. We HAD to have their infamous Burnt Carrot Salad, and a couple other little small plates to share. So yummy. I loved sitting at the bar and watching them make some of the drinks and food!
I had a Cincy Chic fashion show event that night a block away, so we walked there. On our way back, we enjoyed exploring a few downtown hotspots. 21c is so close to everything – we actually never had to drive to get anywhere the entire weekend!
That next morning, we slept in – I haven’t slept that well in AGES – and then ordered the most delicious Room Service breakfast EVER.
To burn it all off, we decided to go out for a stroll. 21c is on the Streetcar line, so we hopped on the next one to come by. We got a great tour all over downtown and stopped off in Over the Rhine to check out all the awesome new shops that’ve popped up there, grab coffee and meet up with friends.
That night, we got all dressed up for our reservations at Metropole Restaurant. Pete and I are still talking about that dinner — It was so delicious and so fun! Metropole’s menu is a modern spin on old world ingredients and preparations — like fireplace cooking. And you’re surrounded by tons of fabulous art and their signature yellow penguins that will pop up for a visit. The always-changing menu features local farmers and producers, hearth roasted meats, fish and vegetables; grains; and housemade charcuterie. We enjoyed their cauliflower soup, monkfish, pork chop, Jerusalem Artichokes, delicious wine pairings, and topped it all off with the Metropole Candy Bar for dessert.
Afterwards, we walked around the museum at 21c that’s open 24/7/365. It was such a fun night – and we never left the building!
In the morning, I went for a run and took in some great scenery of the city, then a bubble bath back at the condo – that definitely never happens at home with three kids! Then we got a couples massage at the in-house spa at 21c. It was the most amazing couples massage room, complete with steam shower and soaking tub where you can do a lavender soak with your partner after your couples massage.
We finished off our fabulous weekend with brunch at Metropole, which they’re known for. We had their homemade pop tarts, fresh fruit, breakfast burritos, and delicious drip coffees. It was the perfect way to end a perfect weekend – we’ll definitely be back!
To learn more, or book a visit for yourself, visit http://21cmuseumhotels.com.