8 Romantic Getaways in Ohio: Cincinnati Sunsets, Cliff-Side Trails and Jacuzzis

Army veteran Jim Landoll fell in love with the grand castles of Europe while he was stationed there in his youth and dreamed of building his own Stateside someday. After a successful career as a book publisher, he and his wife Marta made Landoll’s Mohican Castle a reality in 2002.

Guests are invited to become part of the Landoll family fairytale when they book one of the several stately luxury suites and cottages on the 1,100-acre estate. The Stables, consisting of 14 additional suites, were added in 2018 inside what looks like an old horse barn.

For those looking for the royal treatment, the romance package includes a half-dozen roses, a box of chocolates, champagne or wine, and a sexy deck of cards called the “Game for Lovers’ designed to spice things up.

Cincinnati has a fair share of romantic spots that feel special and unique, whether it’s taking in a sunset atop one the its seven hills, strolling along the bank of the Ohio River or ice skating (weather permitting) in Fountain Square surrounded by the twinkling lights of the city. The former booming industrial center now thrives with sports, entertainment, culture, history and culinary opportunities.

If there’s one hotel that embodies what the city strives to become, it would be the 21c Museum Hotel. The 156-room luxury boutique property has single-handedly raised Cincinnati’s chic factor with its own contemporary art museum featuring 8,000 feet of exhibition space full of thought-provoking works.

An urban escape for two starts with a weekend stay at the hotel, which offers docent-led tours, drinks on the rooftop, artfully prepared dinners, and a delightful night in a stylish room with custom furnishing and original artwork. Add the Weekend Bliss package that includes Sunday Brunch for two and complimentary late check out at 4 p.m.

An outdoor adventure destination, Hocking Hills brims with dense forest crisscrossed by hiking trails that pass scenic hilltop vistas, horseshoe-shaped caves, and towering cliffs spilling over with satiny waterfalls. Despite the vast popularity of the region, couples can easily find a secluded escape.

Steps away from Ohio’s Buckeye Trail and surrounded by Hocking Hills State Park, the Inn & Spa at Cedar Falls caters to romance with whirlpool tubs, bottles of bubbly, and couples’ massages. The intimate Kindred Spirits restaurant serves delicious gourmet meals in a cozy 1840s-era login cabin. (Try the butternut squash ravioli with walnuts drenched in a gorgonzola cream sauce.)

Accommodations range from inn rooms to more private cabins and cottages, each surrounded by two wooded acres. The property recently added yurts to the mix for those who want the sights, sounds, and smells of the outdoors without sacrificing luxury. The central dome offers a window into the night sky without getting out of bed.

Ohio’s capital city has a style all its own, owing to its mix of state lawmakers, The Ohio State University students, and savvy entrepreneurs — all coming together in downtown Columbus. The design-conscious, multi-disciplinary arts and culture scene and chef-driven restaurants leave bigger cities envious. This makes a great impression on date night, especially when it includes a stay at the Hotel LeVeque.

Perched on the edge of Columbus’ Scioto Mile riverbank, the Art-Deco Leveque Tower lends opulence and glamour to the city’s skyline. When the building opened in 1927, the pre-Depression-era structure was the nation’s fifth tallest skyscraper. The recent addition of the celestial-themed Hotel Leveque, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection, has helped preserved and enhance the style and sophistication of the iconic building.

Hotel LeVeque knows how to shoot for the stars with out-of-this-world, personalized attention from the on-site concierge and a welcome drink at The Keep, a modern French brasserie bar. However, the highlight of the stay is a nightly turndown service that includes a star machine that projects the night sky on to the ceiling. Splurge on the hotel’s star treatment package for a VIP experience that includes a helicopter ride over the city.

The mere mention of Amish Country conjures images of a slower pace of life in a serene rural countryside. Set amid the rolling hills and back roads of Holmes County, the Inn at Honey Run ensures a peaceful retreat at its boutique resort surrounded by 56 acres of gardens, farmland, meadows, and forests.

Designed for privacy and tranquility – no children or pets are allowed – the inn offers a range of accommodations, including a row of Honeycombs built into the hillside. Each comes with its own floor-to-ceiling sandstone fireplace and patio overlooking the property, plus complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres served in the award-winning restaurant lounge.

While couples can easily spend their entire time ensconced in their cocoon of luxury, the property has miles of walking trails, an outdoor art installation, farm animals, and other wildlife, including the birds and the bees.

A romantic getaway favorite is tucked away in a Toledo suburb at Belamere Suites. The windowless accommodations and soundproofing construction wrap couples up in a cocoon of isolation, free from outside distractions that could get in the way of a romantic liaison.

From the moment couples pull into their attached single-car garage, they know there’s something a little bit different about Belamere Suites. The Jacuzzi Suites are cozy and all, but it’s worth shelling out the modest price increase for the Pool Suites, which have in-room heated swimming pools. Regardless, all rooms feature two-person jacuzzis, large, walk-in showers, and a fireplace at the foot of the lush king-size bed.

Add-on packages range from in-room massage to midnight snack baskets. Couples can also purchase a Love Lock to attach to Belamere’s Sweetheart Bridge, located at the edge of lake on the property.

Close enough to Cleveland but just beyond the reach of hectic city life, the pioneer town of Aurora has just the right mix of town and country. Here you’ll find a resort-style golf community with its own independently operated luxury inn and spa, not to mention an equestrian, tennis, swimming, and workout facilities available for guests.

The Inn Walden staff is especially skilled in smoothing the way for a romantic weekend. The spacious suites, most of which are equipped with two-person jacuzzis and fireplaces, can be decked out with a trail of rose petals or chilled champagne on request. Ample privacy, manicured gardens, and pastoral meadows punctuated with barns and grazing horses provide the antidote to the confines of an ordinary routine.

Ohioans have long had a love affair with the summer resort town of Geneva-on-the-Lake (GOTL), where the fresh air and spectacular Lake Erie sunsets (that you can watch sink under the horizon) are sure to get couples in the mood for romance. In the heart of town, The Strip’s nostalgic antique shops, arcade games, and restaurants have been a first-date destination for many a generation.

Nearby, the Lakehouse Inn is a boutique bed and breakfast with a full-production winery, spa, and farm-to-table restaurant overlooking Lake Erie. Wine is always an elixir of love and the inn’s fruit wines and more-robust varietals go best with a side of sunset enjoyed on the property’s multi-tiered lakeside deck.

It’s a nice feeling to have a luxurious suite only a few steps away stocked with another bottle of wine, fresh flowers, and a box of chocolates for those who add on the Romance Package. Alternatively, the Ultimate Jacuzzi Suite Getaway includes a 60-minute couple’s massage and pedicure, plus a $50 voucher for dinner at the Crosswinds Grille. Fill up on a full breakfast the next morning. The name-dropping menu includes seasonal specialties made with locally sourced ingredients, which may include Amish-raised pork loin served with Rainbow Farms’ sweet potato squash and pear chutney made with fruit from Brant’s Apple Orchard.