Manchester Inn

This weekend we were attending a college graduation ceremony in Oxford, Ohio, which is near Cincinnati.

Several weeks ago, I started looking for a hotel. I didn’t realize how big the crowd would be. Relatives of the grads came from everywhere and filled up most of the hotels for miles.

I combed the Internet looking for something that looked clean and comfortable, but within our price range. We found the perfect place at the Manchester Inn in Middleton.

From the first phone call, the friendly staff made me feel that our comfort and satisfaction were of greatest importance.

So what is so special about the Manchester Inn?

To start, it is an independent, eighty-two year old hotel. There isn’t another one like it in another city.

When you step into the spacious lobby, it is like stepping back in time. You feel like you are making a gracious entrance in 1922, when it was built. The two grand pianos, each begging to be played, help the atmosphere.

As we stepped up to the counter, the woman I had spoken to on the phone mentioned that a better room had become available and she had reserved it for us.

Being a reserved Canadian, it was fun listening to the dialogue, our hostess throwing in several "darlings" and a few "honeys" to make us feel more welcome.

The well-appointed rooms, although not large, have nice touches. There is a note asking you to contact the front desk if you need any toiletries. The doorknobs are monogrammed with the letter M.

The staff seems to like each other and like their work. The employees appear to love the old hotel just as much as the guests.

The town of Middleton is clawing its way back to existence. There are signs of revitalization efforts being made. The highlights were the stained-glass store, with its wood-carved doors and panels and the drug store, complete with its 1940s lunch counter. Let’s hope the renewal continues.

The next time we travel to Cincinnati, there is no doubt where we will be staying – The Manchester Inn. Why not? We feel practically like family now.