The combination of the riverfront location and a vibrant rooftop bar make the Renaissance Toledo Downtown Hotel an ideal location for romantic getaways in the midwest.
Where is the Renaissance Hotel in Downtown Toledo?
The 4-star Renaissance Toledo Downtown Hotel is easy to find and minutes from I-75. It took my husband and me just under two hours to reach the property from our home in Mansfield on a recent overnight getaway.
Our Stay at the Renaissance Toledo Downtown Hotel
There was a lot of construction during our stay so we were happy to pull up in front of the hotel, slip out of our van and hand our keys off to the valet.
Within minutes, we were welcomed and sent on our way with our room assignment and key in hand. I appreciate that The Renaissance Toledo offers a bit of added security with elevators that need an active room key to operate.
Our room was on the seventh floor and although the room was on the small side, the view was impressive! The large windows provided a view of downtown and the Maumee River which was gorgeous at sunset.
I could even see the Col. James M. Schoonmaker, docked at the National Museum of the Great Lakes from our room. The Schoonmaker was once the world’s largest freighter. It’s now open for self-guided tours to those visiting the museum.
The room was tastefully decorated with some special touches and a massive 55-inch flat-screen TV which my husband appreciated.
I thought the Holy Toledo sign was cute and assumed Toledo had gotten that nickname due to the large number of churches that are in the vicinity but that could be the overly simplified explanation.
Upon a bit of research, I learned that Toledo was a hub for gangsters during Prohibition but since there were a large number of churches, it was declared a “neutral zone” by the mobs.
On-site Dining at The Toledo Renaissance Hotel
After a quick spruce-up, we headed out for dinner. We didn’t have far to go as we had reservations at the popular on-site restaurant, The Heights, which is housed on the 12th floor of the hotel.
We were seated in the restaurant but there is also the rooftop bar that overlooks the Maumee River.
Our table was situated beside floor-to-ceiling windows that offer incredible views of both the riverfront and downtown Toledo.
We started our meal with Reuben Wontons that were crispy and tasty and wrapped up our dinner with a Smoked Chicken Pesto wood-fired pizza with house-made basil pesto, buffalo mozzarella, smoked chicken, and aged mozzarella.
The Heights is known for their hand-crafted cocktails but the hardest beverage my husband drinks is a Dr. Pepper and I played it safe with a glass of Moscato.
We had originally planned to share a Chocolate Lava Cake Sundae for dessert but didn’t have any room left.
Learn more about The Heights and its menu here.
The Brim House restaurant on the first floor serves up American cuisine in an upscale but comfortable setting. Unfortunately, it was closed during our stay but I do hope to check out this restaurant on a future stay. You can learn more about the Brim House here.
The Toledo Renaissance is Ideal for a Romantic Getaway
The location, the views, the rooftop bar, the restaurants, and the upscale rooms make the Renaissance Hotel Downtown Toledo ideal for your romantic getaway.
You may opt to stay in, dine at the hotel, and take advantage of the 24-hr room service or venture out to enjoy the area attractions. The Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Zoo, Toledo Botanical Garden, and the National Museum of the Great Lakes are only a few minutes away.
The Lobby of the Renaissance Hotel in Toledo
I don’t make it a point to discuss the lobbies of the hotels I visit but this one deserves a couple of mentions.
The lobby is well-lit and spacious with comfortable seating areas, workspace, and displays honoring Toledo’s heritage.
Upon entering the lobby, you’ll see a full-size Willy’s Jeep on display. These iconic vehicles were manufactured a few miles away by Willys–Overland which began manufacturing Jeeps in the 1940s when they won a United States Military contract to design the four-wheel-drive utility vehicle that was to be used in battle. Over 330,000 Jeeps were produced by the auto workers for the Allies during WWII.
Today, the original Willys-Overland facility is no longer there but Toledo remains an integral part of Jeep manufacturing with the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator rolling off the assembly line of the Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex.
The lobby also boasts a gorgeous, colorful display of glassware and decorative glass. Toledo is nicknamed, The Glass City, due to the innovations made in Toledo in the glass industry as well as the number of large glass companies that originated in northwest Ohio. These include Libbey Glass, Owens Corning, and more.
The Studio Glass Movement, the ability for artists to create one-of-a-kind glass pieces in a small studio vs. mass production in a factory, also originated in Toledo thanks in part to the Toledo Museum of Art. Visitors to Toledo can visit the Glass Pavilion at the museum to view one of the most important glass collections in the world.
Other Things to Know About the Renaissance Hotel Downtown Toledo
- The hotel offers valet parking for $22 a night with in and out access. There was a ton of construction in the area so my husband and I were happy to slip out of the car and hand over our keys to the valet.
- The hotel offers 24-hour room service.
- Coffee/Tea stations are available in each room.
- The hotel is pet friendly and allows up to two pets up to 40-pounds for an additional fee.
- The hotel offers bicycles to rent to explore the city.
- The hotel connects with Imagination Station next door via the Pedway.
What Sets the Renaissance Brand Apart from other Marriott Properties?
Part of the Marriott hotel chain, the Renaissance brand caters to travelers who are curious and adventurous. Often, business travelers. You’ll find Renaissance properties in locales that beg to be explored. From Nashville to New Orleans and over 170 other cities around the world.
Where is Toledo?
Located in the upper northwest corner of Ohio, Toledo is a short 15-minute drive to Michigan’s southeast border and about an hour from Detroit.
From these Ohio cities:
- Columbus to Toledo- just over 2 hours 20 minutes
- Cleveland to Toledo – approx. 2 hours
- Dayton to Toledo- 2 hours 12 minutes
- Cincinnati to Toledo- 3 hours
- Mansfield to Toledo- just under 2 hours
How do you get to Toledo?
The most popular way to get to Toledo is by car but it is also accessible by private boat, plane, or Amtrak as the Lake Shore Line runs straight through Toledo.
The closest major airport is Detroit International at only 1 hour 16 minutes from Toledo.
Book your Stay at this Downtown Toledo Hotel
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If you’re looking for a hotel in Toledo for your next romantic getaway, check out the Renaissance Hotel Downtown Toledo.
