We're Passing through Cincinnati from the North next weekend and need to stop at a family-friendly (indoor pool?) hotel for the night. I see that there are a concentration of hotels above the city, downtown, and South of the city near the airport. Which is the best neighborhood for a family to stay?

Any hotel suggestions? Perhaps with on-site or various nearby dining possibilities?

When I need a hotel when "passing through" a city, I always find a place that's "past" the city so that I don't have to worry about traffic the next morning. [If you're staying for just Saturday night, then that's not a problem.]

Many many hotels in Florence, KY; near the airport and along I-65. That's where I would stay if travelling from north to south, and that's where I had stay. Restaurants everywhere.

Sorry, I mean I-71/75, not I-65.

There are just so many areas to even pinpoint something for you. Northern KY would be fine, and just south of the 275 loop Sharon Rd. exit would be fine. Other options as well along the way.

The Kings Island Inn is a good Inn, and it has an Indoor pool, and alot more.

When I stay in this area for business, I always choose the Marriott at River Center. This property is fairly new and it's located on the Kentucky side of the river. You can easily walk to the riverfront and there is a walking path that goes down the river some distance.There is also a foot bridge if you get the urge to walk over the river and into the city. There are a couple of paddle steam boats right at the end of the road for the hotel. There is a TGI Fridays right on the river and there is a great restaurant called Beale Street (? spelling) right next door. Have fun!

Which interstate will you be taking into the area? I-71 comes from around Cleveland and I-75 from around Detroit/Toledo area. (Kings Island is on 71 and Sharon Road is off 75) The interstates meet in Cincinnati at the bridge which crosses the Ohio River into Kentucky. I assume you are just spending the night while passing through. I wouldn't stay by the airport--you have to go off I-71/75 (in Kentucky) to get to the airport and there are alot of hotels right on the interstate on the Kentucky side of the river. I also wouldn't stay in downtown Cincinnati if you are just passing through the area. It would help if we knew which way you will be coming. There are alot of hotels and restaurants on I-71/75 in Kentucky at the Buttermilk Pike, Turfway and Florence exits. (probably more--those are the first that come to my mind--and so you have an idea of time--they are listed in the order you come to them from Ohio with Florence being about 20 minutes from the river). Sharon Road and Kings Island,like was already said, have motels and restaurants, but are on different interstates in Ohio and are both north of the city-- probably about 20 minutes north of the river.

I would stay in the Embassy Suites in Blue Ash, a suburb just north of the city between I-71 and I-75 just south of I-275. It has a fun pool area and lots of other neat stuff to do for kids. They have a nice restaurant in the hotel. The kids can eat in their swimsuits. The area is safe and close to major shopping, if interested.

If you decide to go just south of the city (over the river and into KY), the Marriot at the Rivercenter is also very nice. It has more of a city atmosphere whereas the Embassy Suites has a suburbs feel.

I would not recommend staying near the airport...

Have a great visit. There's lots to do and see in Cincinnati in case you have more time on your next visit!

Thanks for all of the ideas so far....We're travelling South on I-75 from Mich.

I just looked in the phone book for hotels for this area and I got confused (and I live here). I am assuming that you are just stopping for the night, leaving in the morning and want a place to stay with your family (no sight-seeing,etc).

The Embassy Suites in Blue Ash sounds great (never stayed there) for a stopping off place. It isn't right on I75--you have to take I275 to get to it (probably only about 10 minutes) and if you don't eat in the hotel, I'm not sure what restaurants are nearby without driving 10-15 minutes. There is a big mall about 15 minutes away with lots of eating places. It is a very nice (safe) area (as is West Chester and Sharonville on the northern side of Cincinnati along I75).

I personally wouldn't stay at the Marriott at Rivercenter with a family just staying overnight. (Do they have an indoor pool?) I have read reviews which state that it is hard to find. It is only about 5 minutes from I75/71 in Kentucky. I love the riverfront area (and am very fond of Beale Street Cafe), but I have never seen many families there--mostly business people. I could be wrong (and anyone who knows different, please correct me).

If you are planning on Northern Kentucky--be sure the hotel is close by I71/75 (there are so many hotels in those areas that you don't need to be driving out of your way to get to one--and I can't think of an area that is not safe to stay in--suburban, middle-upper middle class areas). Florence is a very large area, but is built around a very large mall (right off the interstate) with everything that entails, including lots of restaurants and hotels.

There are hotels by Newport on the Levy (has movie theaters, gameworks and lots of restaurants)if you were staying a day or two, but again I wouldn't bother staying there if you are only overnighting it.

Hope this helps.