Cleveland’s Best Hotels

Price Key

Most Gay-Friendly Digs: Housed in a renovated bus terminal, Flex Baths ($, 2600 Hamilton Ave., 216/812-3304, www.flexbaths.com [1]) is an upscale gay bathhouse that maintains dozens of overnight accommodations for men. Included in the price of a room is access to the outdoor heated pool, which stays open even in the dead of winter.

Finest Reuse of a Really Old Mall: The Arcade is likely the most magical interior space in Cleveland, and now you can sleep there. One hundred years after it was built, the attractive Victorian atrium was converted into the sharp-dressed Hyatt Regency at The Arcade ($$, 420 Superior Ave., 216/575-1234, www.cleveland.hyatt.com [2]). At least now those gargoyles have something to guard come nightfall.

Schmanciest Lobby: Carved of marble pulled from the same quarry as Michelangelo’s David, the central fountain in the lobby of the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel ($$$, 24 Public Sq., 216/696-5600, www.marriott.com [3]) is truly a work of art. The rest of this grand entrance hall is nothing to sneeze at either.

Best Pad for Pooches: It isn’t just the human guests who get pampered at The Ritz-Carlton ($$$, 1515 W. 3rd St., 216/623-1300, www.ritzcarlton.com/hotels/cleveland [4]); pooches are treated with the same white-glove service as their masters. Call ahead and your pet will have his or her own water bowl, toy, and treats waiting in the room.

Best Bed for Bicyclists: The Inn at Brandywine Falls ($$, 8230 Brandywine Rd., Sagamore Hills, 888/306-3381, www.innatbrandywinefalls.com [5]) is tucked into Cuyahoga Valley National Park, literally steps from its namesake falls. Better yet, the lengthy and scenic Towpath Trail is only a mile and a half from the front door.