We're looking for a nice little inn or lodge to stop at the week before Christmas to relax and get into the holiday spirit. We don't have time to go to Vermont, but that's the kind of charm we're looking for. A sweet little town all decorated for Christmas. Preferably within a three hour drive of Cleveland, Ohio. Any suggestions?

How about the Inn at Scenery Hill, on US 40 east of Washington, PA - great food and rooms, in a small village. Or, closer to your home, "Tara" outside of Sharon, PA. Also, I can't remember teh name of the place but in Bradford, PA there's an inn that recently got listed in the Historic Hotes of America directory (I think you can find that directory on teh Web) - havn't been there yet but it sounds good.

Cape May, NJ is a wonderful seaside resort at Christmas time. I don't know how far it is from Ohio though. I rent out a beachfront condo from www.vrbo.com. Also take a look at web page www.capemay.com for all the information on Cape May you'll need. Its really a beautiful place.

Here's a place even closer than Pa, it would be in Wheeling, WV, probably 1 1/2 (no more than 2 hours) from Cleveland. Wheeling is called the city of lights and there is a charming lodge there called Oglebay Resort that lights up the entire lodge and resort grounds as does the city of Wheeling.
Farther west, but a lot more expensive, is Nemacolin Woodlands, a four-star resort with ski resort, shops, spa, several restaurants, a newly built french hotel addition, Chateau Lafayette. The place has to be seen to be appreciated, very upscale and decorated beautifully for the holidays. This would be about 3 1/2 hours from Cleveland and is located about 60 miles south of Pittsburgh in the Laurel Highlands mountains in Farmington, PA.

Actually, I just calculated it and Wheeling would be about 2 1/2 hours away, but still worth the trip.

You might also look into Seven Springs resort. It is a ski resort area just off the Pa Turnpike an hour or so east from wheeling. (exit at Donnegal,Pa). Nearby is also Ligonier, Pa a small antique and craft type town or an outlet mall in Sommerset.

Try the Ligonier country Inn. it's a quaint place with a great Sunday brunch.