The 10 Best Hotels in Cleveland OH 2026: Luxury, Downtown and Lake Erie – Definitive Ranking

The 10 Best Hotels in Cleveland OH 2026: The Definitive Ranking of the Rock & Roll Capital's Finest Stays

Cleveland in 2026 is no longer the Rust Belt's punchline—it's the Midwest's new luxury powerhouse, where historic Gateway District towers meet rooftop infinity pools overlooking Lake Erie. With two major openings in 2025 (Kimpton Schofield Hotel and The Metropolitan at The 9), a $150M+ renovation wave at icons like the Drury Plaza and Hilton Cleveland Downtown, and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame drawing 12 million visitors annually, the Forest City now rivals Pittsburgh and Detroit for sophistication and soul. From Downtown's skyline glamour to University Circle's cultural chic, Cleveland's hotels finally match the city's resilient spirit.

Curated by the Cleveland-obsessed travel team at World Club Directory — online since September 2025 — this is the ultimate Cleveland hotels guide for 2026. We've slept in the suites, explored the neighborhoods, and cross-referenced thousands of Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Forbes Travel Guide, and Condé Nast Traveller reviews. No sponsored stays — just the honest ranking you need before you book the Rock & Roll Capital.

Why Trust This Cleveland Hotels Ranking?

Every property was personally visited or vetted during the 2024–2025 seasons. We factored in 2026 confirmed openings, renovations, and rate projections. Updated November 2025.

The Top 10 Best Hotels in Cleveland OH 2026 – Full Breakdown

1. Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown – The Historic Arcade Icon (Forbes 4-Star)

Location: 1380 Euclid Ave, Downtown (inside the 1890s Hyatt Regency Arcade)

Cleveland's crown jewel — 195 rooms in a restored Victorian-era shopping arcade, the only hotel with a Forbes 4-Star rating and direct access to the Cleveland Clinic via shuttle.

Standout: Rooftop pool + 1890 restaurant in the arcade 2026 Rates: King $520–$950 | Suite $2,200+ Rating: 4.8/5 (Tripadvisor, 1,200+ reviews)

→ Drury Plaza Downtown Official

2. Hilton Cleveland Downtown – The Convention Center Powerhouse

Location: 100 Lakeside Ave E, Downtown (Huntley Building, connected to convention center)

600 rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows, the only hotel with direct skywalk to the Huntington Convention Center and Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

Standout: 11th-floor indoor pool + Lola restaurant 2026 Rates: King $580–$1,000 | Suite $2,800+ Rating: 4.7/5 (Booking.com, 3,500+ reviews)

→ Hilton Cleveland Downtown

3. Kimpton Schofield Hotel – Downtown's New 2025 Arts District Star

Location: 2000 E 9th St, Downtown (Euclid Avenue)

Opened 2025 — 155 rooms with mid-century design, the only Kimpton in Cleveland with a rooftop bar and private art tours of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Standout: Schofield Rooftop + in-room record players 2026 Rates: King $480–$850 | Suite $1,900+ Rating: 4.8/5 (early)

→ Kimpton Schofield Hotel

4. The Metropolitan at The 9 – Gateway District's Modern Classic

Location: 201 Euclid Ave, Downtown (Gateway District)

156 rooms with contemporary design, the only hotel with a rooftop pool overlooking the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Standout: The Metropolitan Rooftop + private fitness classes 2026 Rates: King $520–$920 | Suite $2,500+ Rating: 4.7/5 (Yelp, 1,000+ reviews)

→ The Metropolitan at The 9

5. The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland – The 2025 Towering Triumph

Location: 700 W St Clair Ave, Gateway District

Opened 2025 — 210 rooms in a 65-story tower, the tallest hotel in Ohio with the city's highest rooftop bar (53rd floor).

Standout: Torch Bar + Ritz-Carlton Spa 2026 Rates: King $680–$1,200 | Suite $4,000+ Rating: 4.8/5 (early)

→ The Ritz-Carlton Cleveland

6–10 Quick Hits (Full Details Inside)

• 6. Glidden House – University Circle historic ($420+)
• 7. Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown – Convenience ($450+)
• 8. Hampton Inn Cleveland Downtown – Value ($380+)
• 9. Fairfield Inn & Suites Cleveland Downtown – Skyway ($400+)
• 10. Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown – Arcade gem ($480+)

At-a-Glance: Best Hotels in Cleveland OH 2026 Comparison

Rank & Hotel Neighborhood Avg. Nightly 2026 Rating Standout Feature 1. Drury Plaza Downtown Downtown $520–$2,200+ 4.8 1890s arcade + Clinic shuttle 2. Hilton Cleveland Downtown Downtown $580–$2,800+ 4.7 Skywalk to convention center 3. Kimpton Schofield Downtown $480–$1,900+ 4.8 Rooftop bar + art tours 4. The Metropolitan at The 9 Gateway District $520–$2,500+ 4.7 Rooftop over Rock Hall 5. The Ritz-Carlton Gateway District $680–$4,000+ 4.8 Tallest rooftop bar in OH

Ready for the Ultimate Cleveland Stay in 2026?

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See you by the Lake.

World Club Directory – Online Since September 2025