Hotel Cleveland occupies a corner of Public Square, the civic heart of the city, in the complex around the Terminal Tower, and it dates from 1918, which makes it one of the oldest grand hotels in town. It is part of the Autograph Collection, a Marriott group of independently styled hotels, and its great advantage is geography: the Tower City rapid transit station sits directly beneath the complex, so the Red Line runs from the airport to your front door and onward to the West 25th Street stop for the West Side Market. Public Square itself has been remade as a green civic space, the Old Arcade is a short walk away, and Playhouse Square, the Rock Hall and the lakefront are all within a reasonable walk or a short ride. For a first-time visitor without a car, this may be the most convenient address in Cleveland.
Location and transit
Because the hotel is built into the Tower City complex, you can step from the airport train almost to the lobby without crossing a street, which is a real advantage in a Cleveland winter. The HealthLine bus on Euclid Avenue is a short walk away and runs to University Circle for the Cleveland Museum of Art, which is free and closed on Mondays. The Hyatt Regency at the Arcade and the Ritz-Carlton are also on or near Public Square, so this is the cluster of downtown hotels where you can do the most without a vehicle.
Who it suits
First-time visitors, rail travelers and couples who want a historic building at the center of the action will enjoy it, and it is a good base for a three-day plan built around the Rock Hall, the West Side Market and University Circle. Because it is an older building in a busy downtown district, rooms vary, so look closely at room descriptions and photos when you book, and consider asking for a higher floor if street noise matters to you. Public Square is lively in the evening, with restaurants and events nearby, and it is also a place where winter wind can be sharp.
What to check when you book
This guide has not read the hotel's own pages, so confirm the current brand, room types and any fees on the booking page. The hotel's long history means that some details, such as room sizes and layouts, will differ from a purpose-built new hotel, which is part of its character. If you want a modern lakefront hotel, look at the Hilton by the convention center; if you want boutique design close by, look at the Metropolitan at The 9, and if you want a quieter, leafier stay, the Glidden House in University Circle is the contrast.
Why stay here
- ✓Public Square address
- ✓Built into the Tower City complex
- ✓Red Line rapid transit beneath the complex
- ✓Direct train from the airport
- ✓Short walk to the Old Arcade
- ✓Walk to Playhouse Square
- ✓HealthLine bus on Euclid Avenue
- ✓Historic 1918 building
Good questions
Can I take the train from Cleveland airport to Hotel Cleveland?+
Yes, the Red Line rapid transit runs from the airport to Tower City, which sits beneath the complex that houses the hotel.
Is Hotel Cleveland a historic building?+
It dates from 1918 and is part of the complex around the Terminal Tower on Public Square. Rooms differ in layout, so check descriptions when booking.
Is it good for a first visit without a car?+
Yes, it is one of the most transit-friendly addresses in the city, with the Red Line beneath it and the HealthLine bus nearby.
