Down by the River at Embassy Suites Cincinnati RiverCenter

Down by the Ohio River where the view of Cincinnati is splendid.

Down by the Ohio River where the view of Cincinnati is splendid.

When my cousin and I were looking for a hotel for our twin father’s birthday party bash/family reunion, the Embassy Suites Cincinnati RiverCenter in Covington, Kentucky won. Guest rooms– perfect for multiple family members from grandparents to great grandkids, the ample space for visiting, the indoor pool, and the free breakfast that if you can’t find something good to eat, you’re just not looking, did not let us down. Plus, Emmy, the hotel’s resident Macaw was an unexpected party stand out.

Emmy, the hotel's resident Macaw visits with guests throughout the day.

Emmy, the hotel’s resident Macaw visits with guests throughout the day.

Located across the Ohio River from downtown Cincinnati, the Embassy Suites Cincinnati RiverCenter is close to both downtown Cincinnati and the bustle of Newport on the Levee, northern Kentucky’s entertainment and eating playground.

There’s no need to orchestrate family or friend gatherings since folks will gather on their own, particularly from when the complimentary drinks are offered up in the atrium bar’s reception each evening.

The atrium at Embassy Suites

The atrium where Emmy and evening cocktails are found.

The atrium, a lofty expanse that reaches upwards to each floor, is a lush hangout place even without the drinks. The stone cascade fountain, green plants of greenhouse caliber, and seating for cozying in for a casual conversation add ambiance to what could have been a corporate feel. Throughout our family weekend, various configurations of cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents made use of the space.

A suite bedroom with queen bed.

A suite bedroom with queen bed.

In the morning, part of the atrium is turned over to the breakfast crowd who can arrive in droves for the made-to-order omelets cooked up to fit individual tastes. The filling options are impressive. If you’re too hungry to wait, head straight to the serve yourself hot and cold item lines. Staff are brisk in replenishing the supply of breakfast potatoes, scrambled eggs, sausage,  bacon and more. Yogurt, several pastry varieties and types of bread, as well as, fresh fruit are part of the bounty.

For the best views of Cincinnati and the John A. Roebling suspension bridge, grab a seat next to the plate glass windows in the adjoining room specifically designated for breakfast seating. Roebling also designed the Brooklyn Bridge. Cincinnati’s bridge opened for pedestrian use in 1866 and was the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time.

A suite living room with fold out couch.

A suite living room with fold out couch.

Along with the common areas and guest suites that make visiting easy when bedtime comes for the early-to-bed crowd, this Embassy Suites’ location makes site-seeing in Cincinnati and northern Kentucky a breeze. The Southbank Shuttle Trolley passes right by the hotel so you don’t need your car to get to most places. Many sites are also in walking distance. Some of my relatives took the trolley to the Newport Aquarium and stopped for a bite to eat at one of Newport on the Levee’s restaurants.

Throughout the weekend, we found the staff accommodating and helpful. One of the desk clerks talked my husband through the directions to get to the hotel when my husband called me on my cell phone and I was not helpful at all.

Rates start at $125 but tend to run higher. You can book directly from the Embassy Suites website or check out other booking websites like Hotels.com or Travelocity.

All photos but the photo of Embassy Suite’s exterior are by Jamie Rhein. The exterior shot is complimentary of the hotel.

Add Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.