5 Romantic Places to Stay in Ohio

Whether your idea of romance means having a weekend to explore another place and time, or just shutting yourselves away from the rest of the world, Ohio offers a number of romantic places to stay.

This castle in the woods will have everyone dreaming of knights in shining armour. Ravenwood Castle (65666 Bethel Rd., New Plymouth, OH) was inspired by English castles of the 12th and 13th centuries. Welcoming both families and couples, guests can stay in imaginatively named rooms and cottages like Rapunzel’s Tower and the Huntsman’s Hollow. There are gardens to wander and a life-size chess game to play. Nearby are beautiful hikes in Hocking Hills State Park (19852 Ohio 664, Logan, OH) and horseshoe-shaped Ash Cave, which has a beautiful frozen waterfall in winter. Access is free.

Recalling riverboat heritage, The Lafayette Hotel (101 Front St., Marietta, OH) sits on the banks of the Ohio River. This budget-friendly hotel has 77 themed guest rooms, many with Victorian decor and canopied beds that will bring you back to the days of old. If you're over the moon about your honey, take him to Over the Moon Pub & Pizzeria for a cheap and cheerful dinner. A more elegant choice is The Buckley House Restaurant, an 1879 Victorian house where you'll find lots of Southern charm. Guided tours at the nearby historical landmark The Castle (418 4th St., Marietta, OH) give you even more of a sense how life was here 150 years ago.

There are just a handful of Amish-built cabins and treehouses at The Mohicans (22650 Vess Rd., Glenmont, OH), a romantic resort often used for weddings, so prices drop on weekdays and from January to March. Families of four can be easily accommodated, though there might be arguments over whether kids or parents get the upstairs loft beds. The new Moonlight Treehouse is the most romantic. Nearby, get the adrenaline flowing at Tree Frog Canopy Tours zip lines (21899 Wally Rd., Glenmont, OH), where the ride is even faster in the rain. Hiking, horseback riding and swimming are available too. The Bridge of Dreams (15791-15799 Main St., Brinkhaven, OH) on the Mohican Valley Trail is the longest covered trail bridge in the state and the perfect place for a smooch.

If Out of Africa is your favorite movie, you’ll love the room of the same name at HideAway Country Inn (1601 State Route 4, Bucyrus, OH). Evoking an African safari lodge, this two-story suite has a fireplace and a whirlpool tub for two. Other suites are decorated for French royalty or like a country farmhouse, all in luxury. Book an all-inclusive package and you can relax and rid yourself of any planning worries. A spa day is the perfect antidote to chilly weather.

Featuring farm-to-table cuisine, wine, local microbrews, lakeside views and a spa—this inn has everything. The Lakehouse Inn & Winery (5653 Lake Rd. East, Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio) is a four-season destination on Lake Erie in the heart of Ohio’s wine country. Be sure to book one of the suites or cottages with an indoor Jacuzzi tub built for two. Each cottage has a full kitchen, so up the romance factor and save money, too, by cooking dinner together. Breakfast is included in the room rate. Golfing, biking and walking trails are nearby, as are several covered bridges.