The AC Hotel by Marriott Cincinnati at The Banks is the hotel for baseball and football fans, because it sits at The Banks, the riverfront district that wraps around Great American Ball Park and Paycor Stadium and runs beside Smale Riverfront Park. It is in the four-star class. The hotel mentions suites, free toiletries, complimentary Wi-Fi, a breakfast buffet and a rooftop bar, and the hotel has a clean, contemporary European-inspired design typical of the AC brand. If your trip is built around a game, a concert or the riverfront, you can walk to the venue and back without parking a car or finding a rideshare after the game. It also has quick access to the streetcar, which starts at The Banks, and to the Reds Hall of Fame and the Freedom Center.
Location and getting around
The Banks is Cincinnati's riverfront entertainment district, and the hotel is in the thick of it. The ballpark and the football stadium are minutes away on foot, Smale Riverfront Park and the Roebling Bridge are beside it, and the free streetcar begins here, running through downtown and Over-the-Rhine to Findlay Market. It is about 1.1 miles from the center of downtown, but the riverfront streets and the walk up to Fountain Square are straightforward. The Kentucky side is across the bridge, so Covington and Newport are within easy reach.
Rooms and who it suits
This is a good pick for sports fans, concert-goers and younger travellers who like a rooftop bar and a lively neighborhood. Suites give small groups more space, and the breakfast buffet is a convenience before a day of sightseeing. Light sleepers should ask for a room away from the street, because game nights and festivals bring noise and crowds. Travellers who prefer quiet or a historic interior would be better at the Lytle Park Hotel or The Cincinnatian.
Good to know
On game days and event weekends, rates rise and rooms sell out, so book early and compare dates if you can move your trip. Confirm parking charges, since the district's garages are priced for events, and check the rooftop bar's hours and any dress or reservation rules, which can change by season. The riverfront is cooler in the evening, so bring a jacket for the terrace.
In winter, the area is quieter and rates are often lower, though the riverfront is still handy for the museums and the streetcar. For a stay centered on the riverfront, with the Freedom Center, the Reds Hall of Fame, a ballpark tour and a cruise from Newport within easy reach, few hotels are better placed. If your plans center on Over-the-Rhine's bars and restaurants, the streetcar covers the distance in minutes.
Why stay here
- ✓At The Banks riverfront district
- ✓Rooftop bar
- ✓Breakfast buffet
- ✓Suites available
- ✓Complimentary Wi-Fi
- ✓Free toiletries
- ✓Walk to the ballpark and stadium
- ✓Streetcar nearby
Good questions
Is the AC Hotel Cincinnati close to the stadiums?+
Yes, it is at The Banks, the district beside Great American Ball Park and Paycor Stadium, so you can walk to games.
Does the AC Hotel Cincinnati have a rooftop bar?+
Yes, the hotel has a rooftop bar. Check its hours before you plan an evening around it.
Does the AC Hotel Cincinnati serve breakfast?+
The hotel mentions a breakfast buffet. Confirm whether it is included in your rate.
