On the corner of Cleveland Road and Cedar Point Drive you'll find the newly renamed Cedar Corner Entertainment Complex consisting of the newly expanded Holiday Inn & Suites Hotel, Legendary Thirsty Pony Restaurant and gambling parlour, Cedar Lanes Bowling Alley & Laser Tag.
Passing by thousands of times over the years, I was used to seeing a packed parking lot out front, but this past March a new small sign that read "Cedar Stables Inn & Suites" had popped up and immediately made me do a Scooby Doo "Rent Ro?!?". I immediately jumped online and what I Googled surprised me, this was in fact not just a hotel, but a pretty damn cool and unique one at that! So fast forward a few months and the ole lady and I found a way to spend some alone together and check out The Stables.
The Past, Re-Imagined
Building upon the equestrian theme started by the Thirsty Pony, Cedar Stables is a 10 room boutique hotel and entertainment destination allowing you the option to rest or do just the opposite, without having to step foot outside the building.
Many years back on this site was the GreenTree Suites Hotel & Rain Indoor Waterpark, which has since been demolished sans 10 rooms, to build an all new Holiday Inn & Suites (as of this writing, the waterpark remains but is currently shuttered pending its removal.... sadly). These 10 remaining rooms and its accompanying wing have been reimagined with new doors and theming that make for a totally new experience.
Your Personal Stable
Available are 4 different room types from Double to King beds accommodating 2 to 6 people. We've stayed in the following 3 styles:
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King Stable Suite (Room 100)
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King Studio Stable Suite (Room 103
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Elite Stable Suite (Room 102)
All 3 share the following amenities: 55 inch smart tv, microwave, mini-fridge, and mini Keurig with a selection of 4 different "K Cups".
Now by 2019 standards, this is pretty routine for any hotel or motel worth its weight in key cards right? What differentiates Cedar Stables from the rest of the pack is the extensive attention to detail that literally starts with your room door.
In this HGTV Era, basic is no longer acceptable, as everything needs to have an inspired "touch" to it. From the moment of your arrival, you'll just want to relax, the room just commands you to with a real feeling of home. Each room has a small foyer and the bathroom's, with the exception of the King Studio Stable, are tucked behind a sliding barn door (emphasis on sliding as it's not a faux decorative item, it's functional). Dark brown wood floors match the rustic ceiling trusses criss-crossing above.
Beds are highlighted with a charming reclaimed wood "pallet" headboard and is topped off by custom made in-house steampunk lighting and edison bulbs that give off a warm glow, instantly putting you into wind down mode. The crowning touch goes to the custom stone fireplace / 55 inch tv that ooze charm and encourage laziness.
King Stable Suite
Room 100
Sleeps 2 / 280 Square Feet
King Studio Stable Suite
Room 103
Sleeps 3 / 450 Square Feet / Sofa Futon Sleeper / 3 Wireless Phone Charging Stations / Several Large Shuttered Windows To Let Light In Or Keep It Out / Adjoining Door To Connect With 102
Elite Stable Suite
Room 102
Sleeps 6 / 550 Square Feet / 2 Double Beds / Sofa Futon Sleeper / Adjoining Door To Connect With 103
Sleep Too Much & You'll Miss Out..
So this whole experience was a surprise to us BUT little did we know, The Stables had more in store awaiting us.
Upon check-in we were greeted and given a tour / full rundown by Jeanie, about everything in our room and it's origins (The Steampunk lighting was made by one of the maintenance crew and the wood beams were reclaimed from a local establishment). By the way, Jeanie was super nice and never got tired of my barrage of questions, thank you!
One of the last things she told us on her way out was as guest, we had access to the bowling alley and laser tag. I was like "Oh Ok" thinking that she is just letting us know that Cedar Lanes was connected to the hotel, but then the kicker came
"Bowl and play as much as you like as it's included with your stay!"
(Homer voice) "D'Oh?!"
Perks like this are pretty damn unheard of and cool to provide.
Then she sweetened the deal by opening up the fridge, revealing a sample pack of 4 beers and a bottle of wine from the Sortino's family restaurant (if you're not aware of the Sortino's, I would say they probably have just as much history, influence and power in Sandusky as Cedar Point. For More about their must visit restaurant, Click here). Also among the free items were chocolate candy buckeyes and a bag of some damn good Carmel Corn from Bay Popcorn, located in downtown Sandusky.
Free Beer, Bowling, Wine, Snacks and Laser Tag? Now that's hospitality!
For more information or to book your stay, CLICK HERE. Have you stayed at Cedar Stables before or want to? Drop us a comment below!
Oh Yea, because the room is so comfy and Cedar Stables is all about relaxation, go ahead and sleep in... Checkout isn't until NOON!!!!!
