Starry skies provide the design inspiration for Hotel LeVeque, 50 West Broad Street — a block east of the Scioto River in downtown Columbus, Ohio.
Some of the design details are subtle — a panel behind the check-in desk that highlights familiar constellations, starburst light fixtures, prints that feature medieval representations of zodiac symbols. Others are more direct — star-shaped ceramic vases and miniature telescopes in the guest rooms, for example.
With all eyes on the heavens during the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing this month, the theme is especially resonant.
The LeVeque Tower, an Art Deco masterpiece, was built to house the American Insurance Union and other corporate offices. When it was completed in 1927, the 47-story skyscraper was the tallest building in Ohio’s capitol, and, at 555 feet 5 inches, the fifth tallest building in the world.
These days, it houses a hotel, apartments, condominiums, offices and a restaurant. The predominant color scheme is black, white, and gray with occasional pops of color — maroon upholstery echoing the marble pillars in the lobby, for example, and strategic use of gold and brass accents.
Although the entrance is, of course, ground level, the lobby is on the second floor beneath a soaring light-filled atrium. Valet parking, which includes unlimited in and out privileges, is $30 per day. Separate elevator banks go to the hotel and the other tenants.
There’s free WiFi in both the guest rooms and the public spaces. The hotel welcomes pets, but there’s a $100 fee. Check in is set for 4 p.m., and check-out is noon. Guild + Pepper amenities in the white marble bathroom included the usual: soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash — all in “warm oak” fragrance.
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The hotel website hints at turndown service and “stars to light your room each evening”, but during the two nights I stayed there, I didn’t see evidence of either.
I had breakfast in the hotel’s restaurant and bar, THE KEEP (served 6:30 to 10:30 a.m.). My first morning was Mothers’ Day, so the only seating for hotel guests was in the bar (because of the celebratory brunch in the next room). Breakfast, ordered from the menu, took ages to prepare. My second morning, there was a rather lackluster buffet with minimal choices of oatmeal, eggs, and bacon. THE KEEP also is open for lunch, and until 10 or 11 p.m. (weekends) for dinner.
It’s hard to keep track of all the brands owned by Marriott, but the Hotel LeVeque is part of that conglomerate’s Autograph Collection. You can make a reservation on the hotel’s website or via one of the usual booking sites such as Booking.com or Hotels.com.
(Photos courtesy of the Hotel LeVeque and by Susan McKee, who was a guest of the hotel and of Visit Columbus)
