2 Best Hotels in Columbus, Ohio

This turquoise-and-cream 1890 Queen Anne is a perfect fit in its Victorian Village surroundings. It's easy to imagine yourself in another century as you lounge in a wicker chair on the bright blue front porch. The inn, which is near the Ohio State campus and the Short North, has a reputation for impeccable service, and guests rave about the candlelit breakfast. Rooms are individually styled but maintain a scheme of mauves and creams. A fully stocked apartment designed for short stays and appropriate for guests with children is also available.

A bed-and-breakfast with an artistic theme, this restored 1917 brick town house in Italian Village is near Downtown. Each room is named for an artist—Ansel Adams, Degas, Picasso—and furnished with antique and modern furnishings. Downstairs, a gallery displays the works of local artists in exhibitions that change every two months. The cobblestone patio off the rear of the house is a fine place to sit and ponder whether life really does imitate art. All rooms have private baths.