Just got back from an awesome weekend in Cincy. Too much to talk about in just one post, let me start by where we stayed – the Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza. A luxurious place beautifully maintained for both historical & architectural relevance, this is possibly one of the nicest hotels I’ve ever visited. And to simply call it a ‘hotel’ is like saying the pyramids of Egypt are just ‘tombs’ – doesn’t do it any justice at all.

The wife and I wandered the lower halls on Saturday afternoon, taking in the sights & marveling at the craftsmanship. The Hall of Mirrors looked like something out of a Greta Garbo movie and the Apollo Gallery was visually stunning, but what really blew me away was the Palm Court area. It’s a cavernous room encompassing 3 or 4 stories from floor to ceiling, all decked out in French Art deco design with a mezzanine circling on the second level. Divided into several restaurants, I spent the last hours of both Friday & Saturday seated at the Bar at Palm Court just reveling in the atmosphere. It was like being in “The Shining”, surrounded by such history that you could almost feel the ghosts of the past around you.  No, didn’t literally see the Lady in Green who supposedly walks the halls but did find the bottles in brown instead.

The stage area [pictured] had an unusual sculpture that I can only liken (in my architecturally ignorant manner) to some sinister, almost satanic altar.  Was breathtaking to see but really kind of wild as it loomed out of the corner of your eye.

Just a totally amazing place that I will most certainly visit again.