One of the questions we are often asked at the Put-in-Bay Visitors and Convention Bureau is which Put In Bay Hotels are best to stay at. “It’s really up to the individual needs of each traveler and what they are looking for in their vacation experience,” stated Mark Mathys, the largest hotel and resort operator at Put in Bay Ohio. We asked Mathys how his staff attempts to determine where to recommend a vacationer book their Put in Bay Hotels.
“We ask them what is most important to them, location to the Put in Bay Attractions? Put-in-Bay Bars and nightclubs? or are they looking for something within walking distance to the main strip but quiet and peaceful in the evening.” Mathys stated. We asked Mark Mathys to tell us about the different types of lodging available on the island and a little about each one to share with our readers and we learned quite a bit.
The Edgewater Hotel was the first of their Put in Bay Hotels and was built in 1996 with the help of local island contractors and members of the Mathys family. Location is one of the high points of the Edgewater Hotel in that is it directly on the main strip across from the park and waterfront. The Edgewater Hotel was remodeled from top to bottom in 2016 and is as nice as any of the Put-in-Bay Hotels we visited. Rooms have two queen size beds and sleep 4 people while the suites are either 2 separate rooms or one large room and sleep, 6 people. All of the rooms there have refrigerators and microwaves. The front of the Edgewater Hotel is home to Mama Maria’s one of the best Put-in-Bay Restaurants on the island where homemade pizza, subs, and sandwiches are served late into the evening.
The Largest and most modern of Put in Bay Hotels and Resorts is the Put-in-Bay Resort and Conference Center which was built in four phases starting in 2007 and the most recent phase a $4.4 million dollar 30 room expansion making it the largest of the Put in Bay Hotels. The Put-in-Bay Resort is home to the Blue Marlin Bar & Grill with its famed swim up bar, 40 person hot tub, and on weekends a very entertaining pool party. During the week, the Put-in-Bay Resort Hotel is home to corporate meetings, families and social get together’s. The Resort has a fully equipped gym and fitness center and tanning beds for a fee. The Resort is located just one block from the main strip in a quiet area and is close to the Put-in-Bay Historical attractions and the Put-in-Bay Public Docks
Just across the street from the Put-in-Bay Resort are the Put-in-Bay Villas These modern 4 and 5 bedroom townhomes offer all the comforts of a rental home but with a downtown location. The units all have three bathrooms, queen size beds, and are equipped to sleep 8 people in the 4 bedroom units or 12 people in the 5 bedroom units. There is a stunning landscaped courtyard with comfortable family style seating, a waterfall, a splash pad for the kids and 2 large BBQ grills for a cookout on. The Put-in-Bay Villas have kitchens with stovetops, full-sized refrigerators with ice makers and have full access to all of the amenities of the Put-in-Bay Resort just across the street.
The Bay Lodging Resort is located just 2 blocks or a 5-minute walk from the main strip and offers guests a wide variety of room types sleeping from 2 people to 12 people. The hotel is located in a quiet residential neighborhood. An indoor /outdoor swimming pool assures that even if the Put-in-Bay Weather is bad you can still enjoy pool fun! The Bay Lodging Resort has spacious 2 bedroom units with a living room and full kitchen as well as traditional style hotel rooms. A continental breakfast is offered every day but Saturday. The pool also features a sports-themed tiki bar with three large screen tv’s.
For large groups, the All-Star Ohio House is one of the best rental values on the island and by far the best location. The home was constructed in the early 1900s and was recently renovated into an Ohio Sports themed home with 6 bedrooms and three bathrooms sleeping up to 22 people. It is located behind the popular Roundhouse Bar just 30 yards or so from the main strip.
The All-Star Ohio House has a full-sized kitchen large enough to prepare meals for the group and an outdoor BBQ grill for cooking. The large front deck is perfect for people watching and another large deck in the rear has a concrete patio perfect for a few games of Corn Hole.
All of these Put in Bay accommodations can be booked by calling one central reservation number 1-888-742-7829, but be aware all weekends and June July and August weekdays book up very quickly!
