Queen-size room, groomed for comfort
Mansfield, Ohio is one of those getaways where a downtown hotel puts interesting things to do within a short walk or drive away. The Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Mansfield is just that hotel.
Situated off of Mansfield’s town square where Gothic Revival and Carpenter Revival architecture are a feature, the Holiday Inn offers modern comfort and a place to land in between site-seeing or a meal.
Although geared for conferences and business travelers, I found the Holiday Inn’s ambiance more warm and welcoming than corporate. My queen-sized double room was one I would have liked to spend more time in. Comfy bedding, soft lighting, a flat screen TV with oodles of cable channels and free WiFi made the room linger-worthy.
The Holiday Inn Hotel & Suite’s indoor pool, hot tub and fitness center, as well as its restaurant Park 116 that includes a cocktail lounge makes for a complete hotel experience. Even though hanging out at the hotel was mighty tempting, I’m one to explore. Mansfield has plenty that you won’t find elsewhere.
Here are five Mansfield area highlights I recommend based on the several times I’ve visited. The scope of things to do and the inexpensive prices make both the Holiday Inn & Suites stay and Mansfield activities budget AND family-friendly.
Within Walking Distance:
Mansfield Memorial Museum, 34 Park Ave. W.: Housed in the Soldiers and Sailors building that was built in 1889, the museum is a treasure trove of history through one-of-a-kind and unusual artifacts. One items is ELEKTRO, the robot built by Westinghouse for the New York World’s Fair in 1939.
The Shawshank Trail: A large part of the movie “The Shawshank Redemption” with Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins was filmed in and around Mansfield. This do-it-yourself tour leds you past significant buildings and sites featured in the movie. The downtown sites are near the Holiday Inn. One of them is the Bissman Building at 193 N. Main St. Others require a drive.
The Holiday Inn & Suites Whirlpool
The Richland Carrousel Park, 75 N. Main St.: Opened in 1991, this carrousel is the first handcarved carrousel to be made in the United States since the 1930s. Instead of just horses that prance in circles, its fifty-two animals include lions, tigers, cats, ostriches and rabbits.
Within Driving Distance:Ohio State Reformatory: The Ohio State Reformatory is a gorgeous statuesque stone building that can creep you out even on a sunny day. Opened in 1896 as a reformatory for boys, the building was the major feature of “The Shawshank Redemption.” Around Halloween it’s turned into a haunted house experience complete with special effects and professionally trained actors. Starting in May, you can take a self-guided tour, and you can also stay here to seek out paranormal activity. The reformatory is a couple miles from the Holiday Inn & Suites.
Malabar Farm: Now an Ohio State Park, Malabar Farm is the former home of Pulitzer Prize winning author and conservationist Louis Bromfield. This farm is still in operation similar to how Bromfield ran it. His house, now a museum, is where Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart were married. This is about a 20 minute drive from the hotel.
More about the Mansfield Holiday Inn & SuitesKids eat for free and there is free parking connected to the hotel. Rooms range from 2 queen beds to a 2-room king suite. Prices range from $84.79 to $159.99
Holiday Inn & Suites
116 Park Avenue West Mansfield , Ohio 44902
Book online through the IHG website or call 800 315 2621
You can also check prices on Hotels.com or Booking.com.
Photos courtesy of Holiday Inn & Suites
My stay was courtesy of Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites while I was doing research for another publication.
The Shawshank Trail is a wonderful way to connect with the movie. Thanks for including it in your story Jamie.
Lee, The Shawshank Trail is a wonderful way to connect to Mansfield and all it has to offer as well. I may head to the Maple Festival at Malalabar Farms on Sunday. We did this a few years ago and had a terrific time.