Ask for the best room in the house, and what do you get? Grandeur is not a one-size-fits-all image. Look at how elegance, setting, views, expense and amenities vary at these destinations in 10 Midwestern states.
Bluefin Bay on Lake Superior, Tofte, Minn.: The Grand Superior Master Suite ($199-$299 per night) is about as close to Lake Superior as you can get without getting wet at this all-seasons resort 80 miles north of Duluth. Gain a second-story waterfront view from a hot tub for two while a wood-burning fireplace crackles nearby. Guided group hiking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing usually begins at noon daily and lasts two hours. No charge for equipment rentals. 800-258-3346, bluefinbay.com
Castle in the Country Bed & Breakfast Inn, Allegan, Mich.: Royal treatment is an ongoing theme at this 65-acre rural estate, 150 miles northeast of Chicago. The King Arthur ($239-$339) is one of eight suites in two buildings that are painted in rich hues and decorated with a mix of contemporary and antique furnishings. Yes, that includes a fireplace and two-person tub. Book side-by-side massages after exploring the private pond and woodlands. 269-673-8054, castleinthecountry.com
Cedar Crest Lodge, Pleasanton, Kan.: About 75 miles south of Kansas City is a country inn on 111 acres that the National Wildlife Federation has certified as wildlife habitat. It is especially good for birders. In the 1,200-square-foot Tuscan Manor Suite ($235-$265) is a mix of romantic, homey and practical touches: That means a two-person hot tub, cozy living room and dining area with microwave and mini refrigerator. Rates include breakfast, but onsite dinners also are possible. 913-352-6533, cedarcrestlodge.com
The Cincinnatian Hotel, Cincinnati: The eight-story downtown hotel was the city’s tallest building upon opening in 1882; it remains a historic beauty but with fewer accommodations (146 suites versus 300 rooms). The most spacious is the Executive Deluxe King ($269-$450), averaging 475 square feet and anchored by a four-poster or sleigh bed that is king-sized. In the bathroom: heated floors, a tub with color-therapy lighting above it, a multispout shower, sound system and 26-inch television. 513-381-3000, cincinnatianhotel.com
Harpole’s Heartland Lodge, Nebo, Ill.: The third generation of a family that began farming here one century ago now uses the acreage as a hunting complex and outfitter for quail, pheasant and deer pursuits. A 15-station sporting clays course on 25 acres simulates ground and aerial challenges for beginning to longtime hunters. Top-of-the-line housing is The Grand, All About the View and Sunset View suites ($250) of Sunset Valley Lodge, decked out with hand-carved furnishings, near Mississippi River bluffs and about 275 miles southwest of Chicago. 217-734-2526, heartlandlodge.com
Hotel Broad Ripple, Indianapolis: One of the city’s newest places to stay is a nine-room hotel that looks more like a house on a 10-mile urban recreational trail that cuts through Broad Ripple Village, a cultural district north of downtown. Room 5, good for a family, is a suite with one king and two twin beds, a second-story view of the White River and a spacious bathroom with heated floor. The hotel’s Bunkhouse Lounge, open to the public for cocktails, doesn’t keep late-night hours. 317-787-2665, hotelbroadripple.com
Hotel Pattee, Perry, Iowa: Northwest of Des Moines, an otherwise typical small town is home to a 1913 hotel that was saved from demolition in the 1990s. A philanthropist spent $12 million to individually theme and decorate the 40 guest rooms, simultaneously showcasing local history. At the high end of accommodations is the Louis Armstrong Suite ($179-$215), designed to exude French Quarter luxury; the jazz musician stayed in Perry in 1954. 515-465-3511, hotelpattee.com
Lied Lodge, Nebraska City, Neb.: Asking for a king room ($129-$169) might sound ordinary, unless it is on the fourth floor and facing a nine-acre hazelnut orchard that is a part of Arbor Day Farm. The lodge, farm and its 50-foot-tall treehouse are owned and operated by the nonprofit Arbor Day Foundation. Expect cedar-lined ceilings, beams of Douglas fir and many opportunities to learn about environmental sustainability while touring the buildings and grounds. 800-546-5433, liedlodge.org
Moonrise Hotel, St. Louis: Ten Walk of Fame Suites ($201-$289) honor city natives who became celebrities: Josephine Baker, Buddy Ebsen, Red Foxx, Betty Grable, Virginia Mayo, Agnes Moorehead, Vincent Price, Mary Wickes, Shelley Winters and Tennessee Williams. Furnishings include framed photos of the stars and sitting area with chaise lounge and director’s chair. Nearby: iconic Blueberry Hill music club and a walk of fame that commemorates 140 St. Louisans on sidewalk tiles. 314-721-1111, moonrisehotel.com
Potawatomi Hotel & Casino, Milwaukee: Walls of windows in the 3,000-square-foot Presidential Suite ($4,000) on the top level of this 19-story hotel reveal a 180-degree view of Milwaukee, from Miller Park to Lake Michigan. There is enough room to entertain because of two fireplaces, two 60-inch TVs, abundant seating and an 800-square-foot balcony. Bookings for the suite cannot be made online or by calling; VIP casino guests get first dibs. Wedding night stays are possible. 844-217-4100, paysbig.com/hotel
