Fidelity Hotel Embodies the Spirit of Cleveland’s Past and Hope for Its Future

Fidelity Hotel is all about little details

Photo courtesy Fidelity Hotel

Artwork captures from the moment one walks into Fidelity Hotel. The paintings, sculptures, and unique light fixtures in the hotel’s common spaces make it feel like a pop-up showcase from the Cleveland Museum of Art. And in fact, nearly three dozen different local artists did work to craft designs throughout the hotel spaces.

Blending tradition with an air of contemporary flair, everything about the experience at Fidelity Hotel is comfortable, yet elevated. Every design element is thoughtfully executed to create an air of regal hominess. It’s approachable, like being in your own residence—that is, if you lived in a Neo-Classical-style mansion with ornate furnishings, vaulted ceilings, luscious furniture, and an on-site restaurant and bar space that’ll blow your taste buds away.

Dark, rich tones of color and provoking patterns, accents of brass and hardwood, and marble floors, large windows, and antiqued mirrors make the space feel dreamy – but in an old school way, during daylight and at night. With a color palette of plum, soft pink, gold, cyan, and deep wooden tones, the mood inside is slightly sultry yet still warm and welcoming.

Inside the lobby, which instantly greets your olfactory senses with the hotel’s divine signature scent, you’ll immediately notice the ornate tilework, locally sourced artwork, and enormous chandelier—all of which are a regal welcome. You can also see the building’s original mail chute on the wall, a testament to the preservation of the integrity of this historic space.

To the right of the entrance and down a set of stairs is the lounge. This area is outfitted with dark hardwood floors, soft green walls, blush colored curtains, a combination of patterned and velvet furniture, and thriving houseplants. This space is open for guests to work, play, and spend time together in an airy, welcoming space. This sizable room also serves as the entrance to the hotel’s restaurant and bar.

Dining and drinking at Fidelity Hotel

Photo courtesy Fidelity Hotel

Sitting inside the restaurant or at the bar feels like taking a step into Americana. The Club Room at Fidelity Hotel calls itself “an all-day affair for dining, socializing, and meeting.” On the menu, you’ll spy a combination of fan-favorite restaurant dishes and creative takes on classic Cleveland favorites. This spot serves breakfast, lunch, happy hour bites, dinner, and brunch on the weekends. I recommend the “Goat Cheese + Artichoke Dip” as a must-try indulgence, and though I didn’t try the “Polish Boy” made with a leavened bakery hoagie, j+j kielbasa, creamy slaw, french fries, house bbq, and hot sauce for myself, it looked like a satisfying choice from what I could glean—and smell—from my neighbor’s plate.

Don’t miss admiring the mural on the wall in the restaurant’s back sitting room by fourth-generation Cleveland artist Lari Jacobsen, which is dotted with secret Cleveland-themed easter eggs (think: “The Leg Lamp” from A Christmas Story which is hidden in the mural’s eaves, since the movie was filmed in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland’s west side—or Superman standing tall, but blending into the background as this well-known superhero is intrinsically linked to The 216). It feels like playing “I Spy, Fidelity Hotel restaurant edition”—and you’ll likely never be able to pick out all of the little hidden facets within this work of painted art. Jacobsen herself might be the only person to truly know.

A dose of “Royal Maximalism”

Photo courtesy Fidelity Hotel

Upon entering my room, I let out a sigh of relaxation. The space was just what I needed to step into after a day of traveling — a quiet, cool respite from the outside world. The room was furnished in a way that made me feel like I was straddling a lifestyle that was a combination of a business executive and royalty (or perhaps, a “corporate queen?”). Deep, rich tones of burgundy complemented polished gold fixtures and a thought-provoking, elegant floral wallpaper, which greeted me upon opening my door in the entryway.

To my left was a satisfyingly large bathroom, bright with natural light from the big frosted windows and adorned with more classic shining gold fixtures. A folding mirror set for showcasing different angles sat above a white ceramic sink topped with luxe toiletries.

Again, for me, the most impressive detail about this hotel’s visiting experience overall was all those little tiny details that someone who isn’t paying close attention might miss observing—but would still subconsciously soak in and process as luxurious. For example, there was a little flower design etched into the top of the bathroom mirrors, which added a hint of flair that made the room—and you, as the guest—feel fancy.

Photo courtesy Fidelity Hotel

Speaking of fancy, the bathroom was fixed up with a deep marble soaking tub surrounded by tan wooden tiling that inspired a feeling of being in a spa. The floor was patterned tiling that looked large and abstract, but if you squinted could make out a creatively fashioned flower pattern.

Outside of my bathroom was a walnut wood-colored wardrobe setup, complete with a set of robes, a mini-bar, a coffee setup, and a set of drawers. If you’ve read any of my other Matador Network hotel reviews, you know I appreciate a unique, solidly stocked and “serving” minibar—and this one most definitely went above and beyond its traditional line of duties.

For example, the hotel makes an effort to source as locally as possible, offering Malley’s Chocolates and Kernels by Chrissie in the minibar. Sidenote: Kernels by Chrissie is amazing—there’s a location across the street if you find yourself hooked and wanting to try the brand’s other flavors. I’m currently obsessed with the M&M Milk Chocolate Caramel Corn and Jalapeno Cheddar Popcorn flavors, which I may or may not have eaten as entire meals while on the go, out and about during my visit to Cleveland.

Upon entering the guest room, the wardrobe placement on my left side seemed impressively strategic, as it separates this section of the room from the sleeping and sitting area. Even though it was one decently-sized guest room with an attached bathroom, the designers managed to make it feel like two rooms and allowed for some privacy, hiding the bathroom from the view of the bed, which was adorned with a satin headboard and clean, crisp white linens.

An old-fashioned rotary-style phone (which worked like a normal phone, no need to learn how to twist the dial) sat on the bedside table, and a large flat-screen TV that’s equipped to connect to various streaming services hung across from the bed.

Other standout hotel amenities

Photo courtesy Fidelity Hotel

There’s a compact on-site fitness center at Hotel Fidelity, which seemed great for getting in some cardio on the go. Admittedly, I didn’t use it, since this hotel is so walkable to everything around—I found “getting my steps” to be my main source of exercise on this trip.

For those who seek somewhere classy to host an event or gathering, there are numerous group spaces for rent, which I got to tour and admire the interior design details of. Fidelity has its own team of in-house event professionals to support you if you book an event space and want to host anything from a corporate retreat to a wedding on-site.

Another notable element of this property is its dedication to the surrounding community. Hotel Fidelity partners with local creators, suppliers, and charitable organizations, such as the Greater Cleveland Food Bank ($10 of every night booked at the “impact room rate” will be donated to help ensure everyone in the surrounding communities can get the food they need).

And employees are outfitted in clothes by Ilthy, a Cleveland-based streetwear brand known for “championing the belief that art is transformative,” and that maintains a mission to “change the world through art, and cultivate a better way of life through individual expression.”

The hotel symbolizes to me a shift in the cultural impact Cleveland has even beyond the Midwest region. It’s more than just a place to stay; it’s a destination within itself, offering visitors and locals alike an experience that’s well worth walking through the doors.

Other Don’t-Miss Experiences in “The ‘Land”

Photo: M_Makarov /Shutterstock

While you’re in town, also be sure to check out The Arcade Cleveland, which is located at 401 Euclid Avenue. The arcades of Cleveland are an interesting part of the city’s history—this one dates back to 1890 and is known as “America’s inaugural indoor shopping center.” Back then, it was nicknamed “Cleveland’s Crystal Palace,” and it was the city’s first building to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a gorgeous spot to explore and take a photo (or 12).

If you seek something adventurous and outdoors, get out on the water and paddle with Great Lakes Watersports. You’ll start from the Flats West Bank on the Cuyahoga River and enjoy a self-guided kayaking journey for a unique perspective of the shoreline. Or, head to Ohio City Co-op, which offers bike rentals (appointments recommended) so you can explore the city on two wheels. There are multiple nearby trails, such as the Red Line Greenway Metroparks Trail, which is a safe, two-mile paved all-purpose trail traveling through the heart of urban Cleveland.

I used my bike rental to cycle to West Side Market, which dates back to 1912, and is one of the largest indoor/outdoor markets in the country. The 44-foot-high Guastavino-designed vaulted tile ceilings and historic clock tower make this spot an architectural masterpiece. The marketplace was once where turn-of-the-century immigrants found their native foods and spices, and today it features local booths boasting the freshest selection of fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, produce, fresh baked bread, fish, ice cream, sweet treats, and much more.

And no trip to “The ‘Land” is complete without visiting one of the city’s fan-favorite microbreweries. Great Lakes Brewing Company first opened in 1988, serving beers that honor Cleveland’s history and culture and continues that tradition today. Collision Bend Brewery is another standout spot for outdoor seating and live music with waterfront views, craft beer, and a full-service restaurant directly along the banks of the Cuyahoga River.

Watch a sunset on the sandy shores of Lake Erie at Edgewater Beach, where you can take in views of Downtown Cleveland and snag a photo in front of the iconic Cleveland Script Sign (which is a short walk from the sand, located in Upper Edgewater Park).

Finally, no trip to Cleveland is complete without a trip to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, which is undergoing a $135 million expansion, set to double its footprint and reimagine the visitor experience—expected to debut in early 2026. The beauty of this diverse, ever-changing museum is that you could spend just an hour or several hours exploring the various exhibits across the seven floors. There are four theaters, multiple interactive stations, and seemingly endless “one-of-a-kind” memorabilia on display. Since it’s always being updated, you’ll likely never see the same exact museum twice, no matter how many times you visit.

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