A Little Bit “Princess” and a “Little Bit Rock and Roll”
Growing up on the east coast, we traveled north on I-95 as far as Boston and south on I-95 to Florida.
Ohio and other Midwest states were never in our path. So, when we said “yes” to a wedding invite in Cleveland, Ohio, we excitedly knew that we’d finally get to visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
When we started planning our Cleveland visit, I imagined staying in a guitar-shaped hotel near the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I never pictured us staying at a princess-like boutique hotel, but we did.
Glidden House in Cleveland was top-rated, and the cost was in line with the nightly rate of the other hotels. So, I booked our reservation.
Boasting a history that spans 100+ years, the Glidden House hotel is actually a converted mansion featuring stunning architecture and impressive details. The hotel is located in University Circle, near Case Western Reserve University. While the area would be brimming with students when college is in session, we visited early summer, so we landed a great nightly rate, and the area was not overcrowded.
Glidden House Offers a Wonderful Piece of History
The classic red brick building featuring impressive French gothic architecture was built in 1910 by the Glidden Family. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Back in the day, Glidden House was considered part of the prestigious residential section of Cleveland just off the city’s famed Millionaires Row. In 1953, Case Western Reserve University purchased the house. In 1989, it was reopened as Glidden House, a historic Cleveland hotel.
The location offers many must-see attractions in Cleveland including many museums, top-notch restaurants, and beautiful parks and green spaces. The area is also known for world-renowned hospitals.
Amenities at Glidden House
The best way to describe this charming historical hotel is a unique combination of old-world elegance set in a beautiful, lush parklike setting amidst the campus of Case Western Reserve University. Guests can enjoy scenic views from the lovely terrace or around the colorful gardens.
Hotel amenities include:
:: Concierge and bellman
:: Newly renovated rooms
:: Complimentary WIFI
:: Complimentary European style breakfast
:: Lobby lounge
:: Local and contemporary art collection
:: Meeting spaces
:: Outdoor wedding venues
:: Near Cleveland Hopkins International Airport
We enjoyed delicious breakfasts in the sunroom, a wonderful way to start each long, busy day of sightseeing. The breakfast buffet offered a wonderful selection of choices from eggs, sausage, and bagels to fruit and yogurt. The pastries and baked goods were delicious!
Of all the hotels that we’ve stayed at recently, this is the first hotel that did not feature a pool or fitness center as an amenity. However, Cleveland had so many great attractions to see on our travel itinerary that we were not looking to swim or work out.
Concierge services provide amazing recommendations on things to do and places to experience in and around the University Circle area. Weddings are held at Glidden House, but the wedding we attended was held elsewhere. All I can say is brides and grooms that get married in Glidden House’s gorgeous outdoor setting can expect something special and unique.
Luxury Accommodations and Very Comfortable
I was thrilled to see that Glidden House had newly renovated guest rooms and suites. And don’t let the fufu “boutique” description fool you. The hotel may sound upscale, but the rooms are very comfortable and the convenient amenities much appreciated.
There are guest rooms and mansion suites available.
:: Traditional Guest Room With One Queen Bed
:: Traditional Guest Room With One King Bed
:: Traditional Guest Room With Two Double Beds
:: Mansion Suite
:: Accessible Features
We stayed in a traditional guest room with a king bed, … very bright, and spotlessly clean. Compared to other hotels we’ve stayed at, the room was quite large. The beds were comfortable, and we slept great during our stay.
Whether you select a room or suite, each beautiful guest room offers:
:: Fine bedding and linens
:: Private bath
:: Hair dryer
:: Work desk with a lamp
:: HDTV television with remote
:: Complimentary wireless high-speed internet
:: Coffee maker
:: AM/FM alarm clock radio
:: Iron and ironing board
:: Wet bar with refrigerator and microwave (suites only)
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Glidden House hotel is approximately 5 miles from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Seeing this attraction in person exceeded our expectations. Plan to spend at least three hours to walk around to learn the history about the greatest rock and roll stars through outstanding exhibits and a fully immersive musical experience.
There are 7 floors including Level 0. There’s a cafe on the first level that serves snacks, sandwiches, salads, beverages, desserts and more. Level 1 is also where you’ll find an amazing store to buy “rock and roll” souvenirs galore.
:: Level 0 is where you start the tour, home to the Ahmet Ertegun Main Exhibit Hall.
:: Level 1 is the main entrance, official Museum Store, “Eat to the Beat” All-Access Cafe, Klipsch Stage, and Backstage Stories exhibit.
:: Level 2 is the Garage, where you can play real instruments.
:: Level 3 is the Hall of Fame featuring the Inductee Signature Gallery, New Inductee exhibit, and Connor Theater featuring the Power of Rock Experience.
:: Level 4 is Pink Floyd’s The Wall where you can stand under a Pink Floyd tour replica of The Wall, designed to look like their famous Berlin performance.
:: Level 5 is Legends of Rock, an exhibit highlighting iconic musical acts from past and present.
:: Level 6 is Bon Jovi Forever, full-floor exhibit spanning four decades of the band’s career along with personal artifacts from band members.
Please note: Advanced ticket purchases are required for the day and estimated arrival time of your visit. The museum is cashless, so only credit card and mobile payments are accepted.
Exploring University Circle and Other Nearby Cleveland Attractions
Glidden House is located in the heart of Cleveland’s University Circle right near the most amazing local restaurants and attractions. The French restaurant, L’Albatros, is around the corner and Little Italy is an easy walk as well, with authentic Italian restaurants lining Mayfield Road.
The Cleveland Botanical Garden and multiple world-famous museums like the Cleveland Museum of Art, Historical Society, and Natural History Museum are also a short walk away. In addition to visiting the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, music lovers can also enjoy orchestra music right in University Circle at the Cleveland Orchestra at Severance Hall and Cleveland Institute of Music.
The Cleveland Indians play at Progressive Field, less than 5 miles from Glidden House. You can buy tickets to a game or take a behind-the-scenes tour. The 23,000-acre Cleveland Metroparks provides spectacular views of Lake Erie ad the Metroparks Zoo. Downtown Cleveland you’ll find the Steamship William G. Mather Maritime Museum, Great Lakes Science Center, and the USS Cod Submarine Memorial.
Why Did I Wait So Long to Visit Cleveland?
Good things come to those who wait, and that holds true for our visit to Cleveland, Ohio. We had a blast!
Visiting the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame was the real highlight while staying in a mansion with 100+ years of history was a treat all its own. Glidden House offered history, luxury, and comfortable accommodations. The room was spotless with a comfortable bed, and we loved that it was recently renovated. The charm and history of the hotel truly outweighs the lack of a pool or fitness center onsite.
We were blessed to discover the Glidden House, an excellent place to stay in Cleveland. The location is great, next to Case Western Reserve University, and major museums and other attractions. This boutique hotel truly offers the ideal blend of style, tradition, history, and charm. The fact that the impressive breakfast buffet was included, and the food and baked goods were amazing added to our memorable stay. Eating breakfast in the sunroom was a special touch.
It’s just a wonderful, comfortable, elegant hotel and the staff was so nice, consistently making us feel like “rock stars.”