Sometimes booking an inexpensive hotel room near a tourist destination turns out to be the best idea. Sleep Inn in Port Clinton, Ohio was exactly that. It was the perfect hotel for what we needed.
When Booking an Overnight is a Good Idea
Stone Lab, Ohio University’s island campus on Lake Erie
Without this overnight stay, there is no way the seven of us in two cars would make it to Millers Ferry by 9 am for the trip on Lake Erie to Put-in-Bay. We had a guided tour of Stone Lab and Sea Grant, Ohio State University’s freshwater field station and education outreach facility that we didn’t want to miss. This was a tour over a year in the planning. An overnight in Port Clinton created a mini vacation for my husband, two of our women friends, our college age son and two of his friends.
Sleep Inn in Port Clinton
When my women friends and I stepped into the lobby at Sleep Inn, we noticed its tasteful decor and the wealth of travel brochures of things to do in the area. The lobby’s throw pillows on the sofa and armchairs, the floor and table lamps and the area rug create a space for relaxation and visiting. The line drawings of plants of the wall mural reflects a motif that is repeated throughout the hotel.
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Guest rooms are one area where the plant motif creates an artsy, restful space. The standouts are the bedcovers and artwork. The cotton bedcovers have a similar design to the murals, and the framed artwork above the headboards have nature images. Other lovely features are the cloth headboards that match the bed skirts. The rich blue accent wall is restful and surprising. I’m used to the greys, shades of brown and a bit of yellow usually the mainstay of chain hotels. The blue is a standout. Good job, Sleep Inn.
Guest Room Features
The other furniture also fits in with practical comfort. The desk and chair, plus the armchair create a pleasant work environment. Rooms are equipped with flat screen TV, free Wi-Fi, a coffee maker, refrigerator, a safe, iron, ironing board and hair dryer. The bathroom is another well thought out design. The sink and vanity are separate from the toilet and shower, perfect for staying with multiple people like we were. We all liked the walk-in shower. Although a shower unit type, it’s spacious and keeps water from getting on the floor, one of my husband’s peeves.
Breakfast Included
When staying with a gang, (three of them young men) an included breakfast is a must. Sleep Inn’s breakfast is good. Although the website says the breakfast is continental, there are eggs, sausage and make-yourself mini-Belgian waffles. Coffee is also good and there is Half-n-Half, always a plus for me.
Because we were out enjoying Port Clinton at night, and we had that 9 am Millers Ferry to catch, no one went swimming. The pool is quite nice. Big, clean, no overpowering chlorine smell and the large windows let in plenty of natural night.
Sleep Inn Location
Although Sleep Inn is not in downtown Port Clinton, it’s minutes away from the harbor, Millers Ferry and a short drive to Marblehead. My women friends and I headed to see the Marblehead Lighthouse after the Stone Lab tour before heading home.
Note about Stone Lab and Sea Grant
It is possible to visit Stone Lab’s historic Gibraltar Island for a few hours on Thursdays in the summer, and there are courses open to the public. Plus, there are summer camps and field trips. This is an important research and education center that is helping to keep our waters clean and the creatures that rely on the habitat thriving. Check Stone Lab’s website to see the wealth of goodness that is happening here.
Because the Sleep Inn rooms were just over $100 a piece including tax, my husband and I paid for all three rooms. All rooms, booked through Hotels.com were double queen beds. King bed guestrooms are also part of the Sleep Inn repertoire.
Post and photos by Jamie Rhein
