Ever watch WKRP in Cincinnati? Remember the building you saw in the opening credits, which was the home of the WKRP studio? Well, now that building, which once housed the Cincinnati Enquirer, is home to the first dual brand hotel in Cincinnati: The Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites. This new gem in the Queen City’s crown features a 144-room Hampton Inn and a 105-room Homewood Suites situated on the building’s newly renovated upper floors. The historic integrity of the structure and its interior were preserved as much as possible.

 

When you enter the building, the first floor lobby features marble surfaces, bronze ornamentation, stone-carved detail work and large chandeliers. Motifs featuring elephants, dragons and squirrels are displayed throughout, and a two-foot diameter brass sculpture (“The Naked Printer”) is embedded in the floor. Guests can walk up the “grand stair” or take the elevator to the second floor, which is where you check in and enjoy the fitness center, library, business center, billiards and the separate Hampton and Homewood lounges.

Hampton Inn is housed on floors nine through 15 (there is no 13th floor, of course) and caters to business and weekend leisure travelers. Homewood Suites on floors four through eight focuses on extended-stay travelers; each room has fully-equipped kitchens. Both hotels offer complimentary breakfast and free Wi-Fi. Valet parking is available in the Macy’s headquarters garage, adjacent to the hotel. You’re just a 17-minute drive from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport via I-75 and in walking distance of Cincinnati’s popular eateries, lively nightlife and unique shopping opportunities. The hotels are also close to entertainment venues such as U.S. Bank Arena, Great American Ballpark, Paul Brown Stadium, the Taft Theatre and the Duke Energy Convention Center.

Business…pleasure…leisure…it doesn’t matter what you’re coming to Cincinnati for, the new downtown Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites will fit the bill.

In the heart of downtown Cincinnati, on the 2nd floor of the historic Carew Tower, is Ohio’s premier provider of fine writing instruments, leather goods and gifts. Pens are their passion, and you can find over three dozen lines of fine pens including Cross, Diplomat, S.T. Dupont, Lamy, Monteverde, Parker, Pilot/Namiki and Waterman. Ask to see the exquisitely crafted Cross Botanicals-upscale pens featuring floral patterns on the barrel of the pen, engraved into the surface and lacquered to protect the beauty.   Appointments’ pens are available in fountain, ballpoint and fiber tip, and you can also find mechanical pencils and other writing implements, each one perfect for the writing aficionado in your life…or yourself.

 

In addition to pens, Appointments also carries a lovely selection of fine leather goods, bags and accessories from brands such as Johnston & Murphy, Bosca and Chiarugi. Whether you are looking for something to use for work, such as a computer bag, finely tooled day planner or briefcase, or something for personal use, like a messenger bag or travel toiletry kit, Appointments will have just the item you are looking to find.

 

What else can you find at Appointments? How about swords? Yes, they do carry swords! It might sound odd, but it would make a great gift for a history buff or battle enthusiast. You can also find globes, clocks, barometers, walking sticks and exquisite shaving sets, all fabulous gift items or perfect for your office or library at home. Vintage pieces from Cincinnati’s historic Rookwood Pottery, bells from the Verdin Bell Company, Caswell-Massey soaps, stationery from Crane & Co., Bulova clocks, Legere pocket watches and glassworks from Glass Eye Studios are some of the unique items Appointments carries. They endeavor to stock only the highest quality and longest lasting products so that anyone can enjoy many years of service and enjoyment from them.

 

Whether you are shopping for a gift for a friend, boss, employee or loved one, the shelves at Appointments are sure to hold the treasure you seek. Stop in Cincinnati’s true one-of-a-kind store today.

 

What kind of wine calls to you? Red? White? Blush? Sparkling? From hobbyists to oenophiles (that’s a die-hard wine lover), Water Tower Fine Wines is sure to have exactly the wine your taste buds are seeking.

This hidden gem in Mount Washington is known for stocking over 2000 different wines, and they offer the best selection of champagnes and sparkling wines in the area – and across the country as well. When the shop opened, the goal was to be a different kind of wine store, one where the customer is educated on the joy of trying new wines and how to reach beyond the standard varietals. Water Tower Fine Wines is unique to Cincinnati in that they don’t just get in a few bottles of a special wine and then once they’re sold, they’re gone; they keep a large supply of those singular wines on hand, often up to four years worth, so it’s always available. They have wines on hand that other similar stores in the area don’t carry, and that’s one of the qualities that makes them so special. Another special touch is the willingness to open up a bottle of wine when someone wants to try something new before buying. It’s all about sampling at Water Tower Fine Wines.

Is there a specific wine you are looking for? If Water Tower Fine Wines doesn’t have it, they will go above and beyond to seek it out and get it in stock for you as fast as possible. Their main focus is on customer service, and it’s their goal to make sure that Cincinnati’s wine lovers are never lacking for the varietal they want to serve.

Water Tower Fine Wines offers tastings every Friday, and there is always a bottle (or three) open for a quick sample if you’re interested. Over the year they host special events, such as the recent Purple Trillium Blending Seminar with Chip Emmerick or February’s Valentine’s Day Champagne and Chocolate Tasting. Anyone, from the wine novice to the most expert among us, can come into Water Tower Fine Wines and feel comfortable learning about wine appreciation and enjoy the chance to meet others who share their interests.

From dinner parties to just a quiet romantic dinner at home, Water Tower Fine Wines has the perfect pour for your table. Their aim is to be the “Cheers” of the Cincinnati wine scene; a place where everyone is comfortable coming in to learn about wine appreciation and meet like-minded new friends. Indulge your curiosity about fine wine and drop by for a tasting and pick up a bottle or two – at Water Tower Fine Wines, the choices are limitless.

 

Whether you’re an out-of-town visitor to Cincinnati or a local looking for the perfect in-town getaway, The Symphony Hotel is a downtown treasure. Guests will find a delightful combination of classical comfort, cozy surroundings, fabulous bar scene and terrific live music, all wrapped in an ambiance of style and romance.

The Symphony Hotel’s main building was constructed in 1871, seven years before the completion of Cincinnati’s Music Hall. It was designed by a famous architect, James McLaughlin, who also designed the original McAlpin’s, Shillito’s, a wing of the Art Museum, Cincinnati Gas-Light & Coke Company, and the Cincinnati Public Library. The award-winning Symphony Hotel was originally an old mansion; once transformed into a boutique hotel, the rooms were named after famous composers: Mozart, Beethoven, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Schubert, Beech, Brahms, Mahler, and Copland.

Today, the hotel is located just across from Cincinnati Music Hall, in Over-The-Rhine (OTR).   The Symphony Hotel is the ideal location to enjoy a classical romantic getaway, eat an exquisite dinner, and then experience one of many downtown Cincinnati activities, such as the Opera, the Cincinnati Symphony, or the Pops. After a night out, you can come back, get a great night’s sleep and then wake up to the aroma of a gourmet breakfast.

The restaurant takes you back to a time when there was a certain element of grandeur to be found at upscale dining establishments, especially when they were in hotels. The Symphony Hotel’s Historic Dining Room offers guests something more than just the average dining experience – diners can enjoy unique tasting menus and delicious multi-course meals. Dinner is offered on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with brunch on Sunday. On Thursdays, the restaurant is open from 5:00pm-9:00pm, with a special 4-course dinner (chef’s choice) for just $19.95, or you can choose to savor a 3- or 5-course meal from the monthly menu for either $36.00 or $45.00. Fridays and Saturdays they are open from 5:00pm to 10:30pm for dinner; the lounge stays open until 11:00pm. Feel adventurous? Take advantage of the scotch, bourbon, wine and port tastings! On Sundays, brunch features new menu items such as buttermilk pancakes with homemade bourbon syrup, chocolate protein pancakes and sweet potato pancakes.

Coming for a special occasion? The Symphony Hotel offers packages for these memorable times, which may include a bottle of champagne in the room or perhaps arrangements for a special dinner in the Dining Room. On a beautiful night, guests can take a bottle of wine up to the rooftop deck and enjoy the view while relaxing in the night air.

If you want to dine at the restaurant, reservations are required and the best way is via email at symphonyhotel@gmail.com. The Symphony Hotel is one of Cincinnati’s hidden gems and one you should discover…soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the banks of the Ohio River, with picturesque views of the Cincinnati skyline and a location in the heart of the Tri-State area, sits the Embassy Suites Cincinnati-RiverCenter in Covington, Kentucky.

This all-suite hotel offers the best in convenience and comfort. Just a two-minute drive from downtown Cincinnati means guests can enjoy the Bengals, the Reds at Great American Ball Park, concerts at US Bank Arena, exciting events at Duke Energy Convention Center, the Aronoff Center for the Arts, and the Horseshoe Casino, complete with a complimentary casino shuttle, or the Southbank Shuttle Trolley if you don’t want to worry about parking downtown.

The hotel is adjacent to the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, and provides easy access to I-71 and I-75, plus many Covington attractions, such as Newport on the Levee and The Banks; these two entertainment hubs have a vibrant mix of restaurants, boutiques, comedy clubs and activities. Best of all, the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is only 20 minutes away, making this hotel an easy choice for the business traveler.

As always, an Embassy Suite guest room is a spacious two-room suite with a private bedroom and separate living area. Each morning guests can savor a complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast while enjoying the views of the Cincinnati skyline. In the evenings, join the crowd at their Evening Reception and sip on complimentary drinks. Needing a little bite to eat during the day? You can find pizza, beverages and more in the lobby at Scoops and Slices, Monday through Saturday. Need to keep up that healthy fitness regimen? This hotel is proud to offer a fully-equipped fitness center, indoor heated pool and whirlpool.

It’s a pleasure to host a riverfront meeting or an elegant wedding reception at the Embassy Suites RiverCenter in their 8,000+ sq. ft. of flexible space; they offer meeting rooms as well as a ballroom with stunning views of the city. The business center is supplied with everything you need to get a little work done, as well as a notary public and Express Mail service. For money-saving options, go to their website to find out what the latest offers and specials are.

Whether it’s for business or pleasure, the Embassy Suites RiverCenter is always the perfect fit.

 

When you’ve got a yen for Chinese food, and want a sophisticated menu prepared by well-trained chefs, look no further than Bon Chinese, at 10000 Montgomery Road in Montgomery. The delicious offerings are prepared by what are called the “ke-ban shi-fu” (professional cooks) – and there aren’t too many of those in Cincinnati, also known as the “town of thousands of Chinese restaurants”.

Unique to the Cincinnati area is Bon Chinese’s exotic Cantonese Chinese Dim Sum. Dim Sum means “snacks” and while it used to be a specialty for the Cantonese Chinese to enjoy for breakfast or lunch, it’s now eaten any time of day, all over the world. These small appetizers are well-flavored and delicately prepared, filled with such goodies as shrimp, pork or bean curd. There are many different options on the Dim Sum menu, and they are the perfect treat to sit and enjoy with family and friends. Dim Sum cooked-to-order hours are everyday from 11:00am to 9:00pm, and push cart hours are Saturday and Sunday from 10:30am to 3:00pm.

The regular menu offers up classic Chinese options, such as hot and sour soup, egg rolls, sesame chicken, duck, as well as a variety of Thai options, noodle dishes and chicken, beef, pork and shrimp dishes prepared Szechuan, Hunan, and Cantonese style, to name a few. Regular menu hours are everyday, 11:00am to 9:30pm.

Private parties are welcome! Bon Chinese has a party room that can hold up to 80 guests, and they serve cocktails, wine and beer. This is a true hidden Chinese treasure – check it out for yourself.