Best Western Plus Sandusky Hotel & Suites

Like many of the hotels in the area, the BEST WESTERN PLUS is a short-term base for those in Sandusky to visit the area's legendary theme park, Cedar Point. The straightforward hotel is housed in a four-floor building, and guests enter to a darkly lit lobby with wood paneling, terrazzo floors, plants, leather sofas, and upholstered chairs. The breakfast room is decorated with vintage coffee posters, adding a bit of charm, though the room can get a little crowded when guests head to Cedar Point at the same time in the morning. A deck with potted plants, tables, and soft upholstered chairs surrounds a small indoor pool -- the area is dark and has no windows, but families don't seem to mind. The hotel attracts a small number of business travelers with its meeting room, but it overwhelmingly brings in tourists and families for its free breakfast, spacious suites, and proximity to the area's main attractions. 

BEST WESTERN PLUS Sandusky Hotel & Suites is on busy Milan Road, also known as U.S. 250, a parkway that's lined with typical suburban delights like shopping malls, fast food, and other hotels all within a five-minute drive or less from the hotel. Sandusky is 10 minutes away by car, and the town is home to attractions like the Merry-Go-Round Museum, Sandusky Maritime Museum, and Sandusky Amtrak station. The Ghostly Manor Thrill Center is a five-minute drive from the hotel, while Cedar Point and Soak City are 15 to 20 minutes away by car. The hotel is a short drive from numerous other water parks, including Kalahari (three minutes), Great Wolf Lodge (five minutes), and Castaway Bay (10 minutes). Sandusky Speedway is also a 10-minute drive from the hotel. It takes an hour to reach the hotel from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport.

Each of the 89 non-smoking rooms offers plenty of space and they come in a variety of configurations appropriate for families. Rooms are generally clean and well maintained, and dark earth tones, generic floral wall art, heavy drapes, and dark carpets create a homey and simple look. Some of the mid-tone wood furniture shows wear and tear, and we saw some paint that could use freshening up as well. All rooms have pillow-top beds and desks with ergonomic chairs, a nod to comfort for the families and business guests that pass through the hotel. Rooms also include sitting areas, free weekday newspapers, electric safes, coffeemakers, microwaves, mini-fridges, free Wi-Fi, and 32-inch flat-screen TVs with basic cable. Granite bathrooms are spacious and well lit with very good counter space. Rooms near the road may pick up a bit of traffic noise. 

The BEST WESTERN PLUS offers its guests a free breakfast buffet each morning. The quality is typical of a chain hotel, with a lot of pre-made items, but the variety is very good. The spread features pancakes, eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, pastries, hot and cold cereals, fresh fruit, yogurt, coffee, tea, and juice. A small indoor therapy pool -- which is more like a large hot tub -- is open around the clock, though the lack of windows isn't the most appealing. Guests also have access to the neighboring Comfort Inn's indoor pool and hot tub, seasonal outdoor pool, and seasonal poolside bar and grill. The Best Western features a 24-hour fitness center with several weight and cardio machines, free weights, yoga mats, and free fitness classes. There's also a game room with video games and pinball machines for kids. The hotel has a computer station, meeting room, coin-op laundry, 24-hour front desk, and free parking with space for large vehicles. Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.