Cincinnati has a stylish new place to stay, although calling the Fidelity Hotel simply a place to sleep would be selling it short. After spending one night at the newly opened downtown property, I found that its restaurant, café, and common spaces are just as central to the experience as its guest rooms.
New Waterloo, the hospitality company behind the project, opened Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel inside the historic Gwynne Building in the city’s Fountain District. Built in 1913, the Beaux-Arts landmark has been restored and reimagined as a 165-room lifestyle hotel that manages to feel polished without becoming stuffy.
The location also makes it an especially convenient base for exploring downtown Cincinnati. Great American Ball Park, Paycor Stadium, the Aronoff Center for the Arts, and the Contemporary Arts Center are all nearby.
A historic Cincinnati building gets a new life
Ali Harper
Dallas-based Looney & Associates designed the interiors, drawing inspiration from Cincinnati’s former nickname, the “Paris of America.” European details appear throughout the property, but the hotel still feels warm and distinctly Midwestern.
The original vaulted lobby and historic façade have been preserved, while additions like a four-story light court bring more natural light into the building. Marble floors, patterned wallcoverings, and a mix of vintage and contemporary furnishings give the hotel a collected appearance rather than the overly coordinated look that can make some new properties feel impersonal.
The hotel has 165 guest rooms, including 17 suites, two bunkrooms, and a presidential suite. My sister and I stayed in the Alfred Suite, and her first reaction upon walking inside summed it up perfectly: “I want to live here.”
I agreed. The suite was bigger than my actual apartment, with cozy furnishings and thoughtful details that make a room feel residential. There was a record player, a stocked minibar, and plenty of space to settle in rather than simply drop off our bags. The staff also made an impression. Everyone we encountered was genuinely kind and friendly, which helped the hotel feel welcoming despite its elevated design.
Gwynne might be the best reason to visit
Ali Harper
The biggest surprise of my stay was Gwynne, the hotel’s signature restaurant and lobby bar. I have visited plenty of hotel restaurants that were nearly empty, even during dinner hours. Gwynne was packed on a Tuesday night.
That energy made it clear that the restaurant is attracting Cincinnati locals, not just overnight guests. Executive Chef Brad Bernstein’s menu draws from the culinary traditions of the Ohio River Valley, with an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and regional producers.
Cincinnati’s Fidelity Hotel
Start with the yeast rolls. They arrived with wildflower honey, sweet cream butter, and jam, and they were easily one of the highlights of the meal. My sister ordered the redfish, while I chose the ricotta-stuffed squash blossom with ratatouille, spicy tomato sauce, and basil pesto. Both dishes were excellent.
Cocktail drinkers should try the Over-the-Rhine Social, Gwynne’s version of a dirty martini. It combines olive oil-washed Watershed vodka with olive brine and Dolin Dry vermouth. It was easily one of the best dirty martini variations I have tried.
Cora’s feels like a true neighborhood café
Ali Harper
The following morning, we stopped at Cora’s All Day Café, located on the hotel’s ground floor. Its breakfast selection included overnight oats, bagels, homemade croissants, egg bites, plus a lot more that we didn’t get the chance to try. My sister and I ordered a little of everything to share, and once again, the food delivered.
Cora’s was just as buzzy as Gwynne. Hotel guests mingled with people working on laptops, meeting friends, or reading over coffee. It already felt like a popular neighborhood spot rather than an amenity created only for travelers.
That appears to be the goal of Fidelity Hotel as a whole. The property was designed to function as a gathering place for Cincinnati, with more than 7,770 square feet of meeting and event space.
After one night, the strongest compliment I can give Fidelity Hotel is that I would happily return even if I were not staying overnight. The rooms are beautiful, but Gwynne and Cora’s give the hotel the lively, local energy that many lifestyle properties promise and few actually achieve.
Dining and Cooking