Glidden House

This French Gothic-style mansion, built in 1910 by Frank Glidden of the Glidden Paint family, offers a memorable stay for people with university-related business or those visiting the nearby museums or Cleveland Clinic. Guests often spend time admiring the hotel’s extensive contemporary art collection or just relaxing on the period furniture atop Oriental-style rugs and fine hardwood floors. There are several cozy and quaint sitting areas, including the small lobby bar framed by a skylight that looks out upon an outdoor patio and the hotel’s lovely grounds. The Cleveland Botanical Garden is just around the corner, lending a lush, natural atmosphere to the property. Even the breakfast setting is a visual treat: in warm months it's served in the mansion’s sunroom with arched windows providing ample sunshine; other times, it's in the original parlor with ornately-carved woodwork, fireplace, and dark-wood ceiling beams. It’s a classy setting to start any day, and indicative of how this boutique hotel celebrates its long history. 

The hotel is located on a corner of Case Western Reserve University’s campus on Cleveland’s East Side, approximately four miles from the downtown business district. The area is called University Circle or the Cultural District due to its proximity to colleges and several museums. The Cleveland Clinic is a seven-minute drive, while walks are brief to the Cleveland Botanical Garden (two minutes), Museum of Contemporary Art (five minutes), and Cleveland Museum of Art (seven minutes). Cleveland State University’s campus is within a 15-minute drive, and the Cleveland School of Architecture and Design is a six-minute drive. Most major downtown attractions can be reached in a drive of 15 to 20 minutes, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Quicken Loans Arena, Progressive Field, and First Energy Stadium. The Cleveland Hopkins International Airport is approximately a 25-minute drive or about an hour on the Red Line light rail system, which has a University Circle stop about a 10-minute walk from the hotel. There are a couple of restaurants within a few minutes’ walk, but numerous dining options are a brief drive away.

There are eight upscale suites in the original mansion, with 52 standard rooms in a newer addition. Each spacious suite has a king or queen bed, separate sitting area, and kitchenette with mini-fridge, sink, and microwave. Suites are individually named and decorated in distinctive fashion. The Frances Kavanagh Glidden Suite, for example, has angled ceilings, a black leather headboard, designer-quality wood furniture, a plush velour sofa, and large walk-in shower with rainfall showerhead and clear glass door. Standard rooms are uniformly decorated in classic, tasteful style and come in king, queen, or two full-bed options. Long, narrow, and a bit small, these rooms are comfortable nonetheless, each with a corner upholstered armchair and average-size desk and office chair. Decor includes blue and gold walls and drapes, two-tone green carpet, and traditional wood furnishings. Collectively, the heavy decor makes the rooms a bit dark. Pieces from the hotel’s extensive art collection grace some walls, and a 42-inch flat-screen TV is wall-mounted opposite the bed in each room. Bathrooms are much brighter with light tan wallpaper and tile, and come with shower/tub combos, magnifying mirrors, hairdryers, and Gilchrist and Soames toiletries. All rooms are quiet and include air-conditioning, coffeemakers, robes, free Wi-Fi, ironing facilities, and limited room service. Views are the hotel’s lovely grounds or the university campus and surrounding areas.

Free, private parking is available on-site. Standard room rates include buffet-style continental breakfast that’s served in the parlor. The fine-dining restaurant, Trentina, is located in a carriage house next to the hotel and serves Northern Italian cuisine for lunch and dinner. Palette Lounge in the lobby offers tapas and cocktails in the evenings. The hotel showcases an extensive contemporary art collection featuring many local artists. There's event space for up to 150 people and a business center with a printer and one computer station with Internet access. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property, although many guests report it's spotty, especially in guest rooms. Concierge services are available, as are valet dry cleaning and laundry. Guests have discounted access to a fitness center at Case Western Reserve University. Special rates for families of Cleveland Clinic patients are available.