The Westin Cleveland Downtown

Opened in 2014, Westin Cleveland Downtown is a plain, glass-and-chrome building with a slight twist of warehouse chic. Interiors are tastefully done with a blend of industrial and organic styles reminiscent of Restoration Hardware. The vast lobby is lit by modern box-frame chandeliers and tripod spotlights illuminate the clusters of seating arrangements. Sleek brown floors turn to small black-and-brown tiled ziggurat patterns near the wooden lobby desk. Leather couches and plush chairs in subdued colors such as soft navy, mauve, or gray provide seating in different areas around coffee tables on patterned rugs. The restaurant has a similar decor, with wooden floors, brick walls, plaid or cowhide booths, wooden tables, and a wall filled with produce in jars. By comparison, hallways differ in that some have orange carpet with a nut-and-bolt pattern and exhibit many of the 1,500 pieces of modern art by local artists that are featured throughout the property. Most guests are business travelers and well-heeled vacationing couples. 

The hotel is conveniently located in downtown Cleveland and within walking distance to many popular attractions. The Cleveland Convention Center and the Cleveland Public Auditorium take four minutes to reach on foot. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is a 10-minute walk away, as is the FirstEnergy Stadium, where the Cleveland Browns play. The Quicken Loans Arena (the Cleveland Cavaliers coliseum) and Progressive Field -- home of the Cleveland Indians -- are both a 14-minute walk. Cleveland State University and the Greater Cleveland Aquarium are also nearby and take a five- to eight-minute drive to reach. There’s a variety of dining options on surrounding streets and a mall -- the Galleria at Erieview -- that’s just a two-minute walk away. It’s a 10-minute walk to the closest Amtrak station and a 17-minute drive to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. 

Guest rooms at the Westin Cleveland Downtown continue the chic, upscale look found elsewhere in the hotel. Gray carpet and golden floral patterns, white linens, minimalist contemporary artwork, gray chairs or loveseats, and turquoise accent walls give a boutique flare to the spaces. The rooms display either stunning downtown Cleveland or Lake Erie views, and they're generous in size. Suites offer additional space for separate living rooms with couches and dining room tables. Amenities in each room include a flat-screen TV, coffeemaker, a mini-fridge, and bottled water. But in-room Wi-Fi incurs an additional fee, and some guests find the rooms lack storage space for clothes. Bathrooms have tan walls and white tiles in a chipper blue-floral pattern, while some Suites have brown-and-white marble-tiled walls and floors. Some Standard Rooms have shower/tub combos, and others just have walk-in showers that tend to flood the bathroom floor. Suites are outfitted with showers and separate deep soaking tubs; some have double vanities. Hairdryers and individual toiletries are provided. 

Many would argue that the best feature of this Westin is its restaurant and bar -- Urban Farmer -- a large, elegant, rustic steakhouse that serves locally grown and organic produce. There’s a full-service Starbucks in the hotel and 24-hour room service. The Westin claims to have the largest hotel fitness center in the city. Open 24 hours a day, it has various cardio machines with TVs, weight machines, free weights, boxing bags, and free headphones. As with most Westins, guests can rent New Balance workout gear for a low price from the front desk. 

Business travelers can make use of fully equipped meeting spaces with views of Lake Erie, ballrooms, or a 24-hour business center with multiple computers and a printer. They can also rent the Tangent room, a special meeting space with smart technology that facilitates team work. The Westin Executive Club Lounge is open to guests in upgraded rooms, or those who pay for access, and it includes a free breakfast, appetizers, and drinks throughout the day in an exclusive two-floor area with couches and tables. The hotel offers in-room spa services such as massages, late check-out on Sundays, and free Wi-Fi in the lobby only. There’s valet parking for a fee but complaints have been made about slow service.