Cozy Bed and Breakfast Locations in Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, Ohio has a surprising number of bed and breakfast options, many of which offer guests a more unique and cheaper overnight stay than many hotels. The city has several historic districts with international architectural themes, such as the German, Italian, and the Victorian village, and many of the Columbus bed and breakfasts are located within these stylized, safe, and interesting areas. The Victorian Village is near Ohio State University campus and within minutes from downtown. This area is home to the Harrison House (313 West Fifth Ave.), a bed and breakfast in a stately, pastel-painted, and ornately designed historic Victorian home. The Harrison House was built in 1890 and was recently included in Ohio’s National Registry of Historic Places. Guests can expect to see some of the most detailed, amazing woodwork in the house, as well as furniture and artwork from the Victorian period. They offer a generous breakfast every morning, including blueberry pancakes and what they call “Decadent French Toast”. The Harrison House also has a large porch that winds in front of Fifth Avenue and is an excellent place to have a cup of morning coffee on a spring or fall afternoon and watch students hurry off to their classes at the University. There are only four rooms for guests in the Harrison House, so you’ll want to book far in advance, especially during Ohio State’s football season (game-goers love to stay since it’s only a ten minute walk to the stadium). An overnight stay with breakfast included will run around $120, but you might have to spend an extra night or two to get to know the owners, Don and Sandy Davis, who have become locally famous for this bed and breakfast as well as their other location on Lincoln Street, close to the heart of downtown. The Davis’ other pride and joy, 50 East Lincoln (located, naturally at that address) is much like the Harrison House in the Victorian décor and authentic historical ambience, except it’s located in a more urban setting. 50 East Lincoln is in the exciting Short North Arts District, with a host of galleries, fine restaurants, bars, and shops. The home has eight guest rooms, a lovely parlor with a massive antique chandelier, and of course, a full breakfast every morning. This bed and breakfast is most popular during Gallery Hop; an event held the first Saturday of every month, in which all the galleries along the strip of High Street in the Short North (a three minute walk from the bed and breakfast) open their doors. It’s a popular activity for Columbus residents and visitors and guests might have an even better time at the event by staying at 50 East Lincoln. Since they do offer eight rooms, this would make an excellent business retreat, especially since it’s close to downtown and has a large parlor for holding small quiet meetings. Of course, it would also be an excellent romantic option to a traditional hotel for couples looking to get away. Like the Harrison House, the price per night is about $120, which is generally less expensive than any hotel you’ll find so close to the center of downtown and the Short North as well as a more unique experience all together. The German Village is close to downtown and is famous for German-themed restaurants and brew houses as well as for the stunning architecture and small European town style. Juergen’s Bakery, Restaurant, and Bed and Breakfast (55525 S. Fourth Street) is within the heart of the German Village, and with only two guest rooms, this is one of Columbus’ coveted bed and breakfast locations. The owner, Rosemarie Keidel came from Bavaria, where her father and grandfather were both bakers, and she has found her home in Columbus. There is no place quite like Juergen’s in Columbus; authentic Bavarian, Swiss, and Austrian food as well as sumptuous baked goods that you can smell as they come out of the oven from your nearby room. Of course, you only imagine what you’ll have for breakfast—not even the most militant of low carb dieters can resist the fluffy pastries and cream-filled delights. It’s hard what to tell is the best, the food or the tastefully but simply decorated rooms. Just as a warning, Juergen’s has only two rooms and the bathroom is shared, which some people don’t like. You’ll want to make your reservations in advance and you’ll have to Rosemarie herself about pricing since she changes it at a whim. While it may be difficult to secure a room, this is one of the homiest, most comfortable bed and breakfast locations near downtown and is famous for the food. Also in the German village, at 180 East Lansing Street, is the Lansing Street B&B. This Columbus bed and breakfast is located in the heart of the German-styled area and is one of its most authentic and finely decorated examples. With small front yards encased with old iron-wrought gates, the houses in the German Village are a wonder. The owners in these neighborhoods work diligently to maintain the image of a small German city and just walking around and gawking at these homes is a fun activity that could fill a lazy afternoon. The Lansing Street B&B offers two nicely decorated guest rooms, each with a private bath and comfy queen-sized beds. Also of note, is the gorgeous courtyard with hundreds of wind chimes and a large fountain—so relaxing you’ll forget you’re only minutes from the bustle of downtown Columbus. Your hostess and proprietor, Marcia Barck, who opened the bed and breakfast in 1990, makes an excellent breakfast and is friendly and welcoming to guests, offering them menus and guides to downtown Columbus and the nearby German Village. For roughly $100 per night, you can enjoy this quiet, finely furnished bed and breakfast experience, but make sure you make reservations ahead of time. If you are looking to get away from the downtown area, another option would be The House of the Seven Goebels (4975 Hayden Run Road). Cleverly named after the owners, Frank and Pat Goebel and their five children, this is one of the most unique and interesting bed and breakfasts in all of Central Ohio. Unlike the others mentioned, this is not a historic house in the traditional sense; rather, Frank and Pat constructed the home in the 70’s from archived plans of a 1780 colonial farmhouse that was to be built in Connecticut. Frank, a master craftsman and builder, used all building materials that would have been used for the colonial house as well as the same methods—imagine that, hand-cutting giant logs! The home has traditional handmade shutters that latch on chilly nights as well as handcrafted floors and cabinets. This is an architecture buff’s paradise and even though its location on the far northwest side of the Columbus isn’t close to any major attractions, the home and the owners are an attraction themselves. The House of Seven Goebels has two rooms, both of which are styled in colonial fashion as well as private baths and a full breakfast every morning. This bed and breakfast also has a large yard as well as a large fireplace for cold winter nights. You will have call and make reservations and check prices, but generally, you can expect a night at the House of Seven Goebels to run in the area of $120 per night. When you think about it, it’s truly amazing that such unique opportunities to stay in Columbus are less expensive than traditional hotels; it’s a wonder why anyone chooses the Marriott or Hyatt instead. Personal service, homemade meals, and good conversation with any of these bed and breakfast owners is far better than an impersonal mint on the pillow any day.