“Romantic Getaways”

Susan Fee

The best advice I ever received as a new mother was to keep going out on dates with my husband.  The foundation of a strong family is a healthy marriage, and sometimes it takes getting away from the kids for a night to remind us.   

In my opinion there is nothing more indulgent than breakfast in bed, and if you’re going to indulge, you might as well go all the way and do it at the Cleveland Ritz-Carlton in Tower City Center.  It may only be a short drive away, but you’ll feel a world away at the Ritz with its international staff and clientele.   

The Ritz-Carlton prides itself on superior service, quality, and decadence.    Where else will you find crystal chandeliers in the elevators?  Our room on the eleventh floor looked out on the winding Cuyahoga River and its intricate maze of bridges.  At night, car headlights look like an endless string of pearls.  The standard suite with king-size bed is not overly roomy, but plenty comfortable.  Italian marble highlights the bathroom and the deep blue Ritz-Carlton insignia marks everything from plush robes to towels.  It’s easily a room you could hibernate in for the weekend, but if you decide to venture out for dinner, the location guarantees options.   

If you like sushi, then be sure and make reservations at the Ritz’s restaurant, Century.  Renovated in March 2000, it attracts a smartly dressed, upscale crowd.  It was packed when we were there.  Part of the attraction was Thursday happy hour serving free sushi and appetizers between 5:00 – 7:00.  If you prefer meat and potatoes, try Morton’s Steakhouse in Tower City.  More casual dining is available at Hard Rock Café on the same level (however, the music is kept at a mind-numbing level ruling out intimate conversation).  Afterwards, you can catch a movie without ever having to walk outside of Tower City.       

At 7:45 a.m. on the dot, our room service arrived with the paper.  Remember the days of being able to drink your coffee while it’s still hot and read the entire paper on the same day it’s published?  I was already relaxed when it was time for my hour-long massage ($75.00) at the fitness center located on the seventh floor.  (Make appointments in advance.)  A dry sauna and steam room are located in both men’s and women’s bathrooms.  The pool and Jacuzzi feels like an Italian villa surrounded with windows, sky roof, chaise lounges and walls painted in a warm cocoa.  A separate room has exercise equipment.

Rather than rush through lunch, we checked out at noon and stored our luggage with the valet.  This made shopping and carrying extra bags a whole lot easier.  Valet parking ($22.00) is very accommodating, keeping your car up to 11 p.m. on the day of check out with no extra charge.

Details:  1515 West Third Street, Cleveland.  Rooms start at $199.00 per night.  Contact by calling (216) 623-1300 or check www.ritzcarlton.com.  Reservations suggested for Century (216) 902-5255 and Morton’s (216) 621-6200. 

Chagrin Falls makes me feel like I’ve been plopped in the middle of a Norman Rockwell painting.  Approximately 40 minutes east of Cleveland, huge, old houses line the streets, each one with a wrap around porch, swing, and oak tree.  Take a stroll down Main Street’s shops, just past the park and the town’s namesake waterfall, and you’ll find the Inn of Chagrin Falls.   

Upon checking in, my husband and I are greeted by the evening innkeeper in the front room.  This adjoins to The Gathering Room, an elegant sitting library with a roaring fire.  The guest book lists out-of-towners, but mostly locals.  Their comments are reassuring, “We come here every year,” and “This is the most romantic weekend we’ve had in years.”  Also directly off the front room is Souleiado, The French Country Shop, and a breakfast room which leads to Gamekeeper’s Taverne.

There are 15 rooms, each decorated differently and with Victorian flair.  We stayed upstairs in the Philomethian Suite, a refreshingly spacious room with a king size bed so tall I have to jump to get on top.  Windows adorned with wooden shutters surround the room.  There are two sitting areas, one a deep burgundy chaise lounge perfect for reading.  A flick of the switch and the gas fireplace glows.  The bathroom also is surprisingly large, with a Jacuzzi tub and a shower that doesn’t cramp my 6’4 husband (a rarity with anything Victorian).   

Gamekeeper’s Taverne specializes in game and supports its theme with a lodge-like atmosphere.  Our waitress convinced us to try the ostrich which is delicious.  (It tastes more like beef than chicken.)  For breakfast, a light but filling complimentary continental breakfast is served downstairs.  We ate while snowflakes gently fell outside the window.  It couldn’t have been more romantic!

Details:  West Street, Chagrin Falls.  Rooms start at $130 per night (all non-smoking).  Contact by calling (440) 247-1200.