Ohio University Inn and Conference Center - Athens, Ohio

Mehrnaz S.

I stayed at this hotel in late January 2025 while relocating from Michigan to Charlotte, NC. The weather was cold, and since I had personal belongings in my car—most importantly, my brand-new vehicle—I wanted a safe place where neither would be at risk. After reading reviews, I chose this hotel primarily for its safety, and thankfully, it lived up to that expectation.
However, my experience with the rooms was disappointing. The first room I was given appeared very clean—the sheets were clearly fresh—but shortly after settling in, I found a large insect on my bed. I immediately called the front desk, and to their credit, they responded promptly by moving me to another room and offering a $15 breakfast voucher.
Unfortunately, the second room was even worse. The heater didn’t work, and I had to spend the night in a freezing 64°F room. The front desk provided extra blankets, sheets, and a space heater, but I barely slept—both from the cold and the concern that the heater might be a fire hazard. It made for a miserable night, leaving me exhausted and unprepared for my long drive to Charlotte the next morning.
Despite these issues, I did feel completely safe at this hotel, which was my top priority. That alone made it the right choice for my situation, but the room conditions left a lot to be desired.

George H.

I've stayed at the inn four times now, and each stay has been quite pleasant. The rooms have been very clean, exceptionally quiet and comfortable. There is ample free parking. The inn is situated just a few blocks from the Ohio University campus. The meals I've had at the inn's Cutler's dining room and tavern have been excellent, as had been the service.

Colleen

Positive: Convenient to have restaurants inside the hotel. Food is fantastic. Negative: Section that our room was located was not attached to the main restaurant area. We had to walk outside, icy conditions. Had to ask cleaning staff to bring a luggage carrier to us. There was a step up from outside. Made it inconvenient to unload.

anthony K.

Needed a hotel room due to no hot water at our home. Due to medical condition hot water helps my wife and I tremendously! The staff for the 4 days made sure we had extra fresh towels which to some may not seem like a big deal, but to us it was nice!! We will recommend to family anytime they come to visit!

Elsie

Positive: I really love staying at the Ohio University Inn when visiting my son on campus. Pleasant staff and the menu at Cutler's offers a diverse selection and everything I've had so far has been really good! Negative: Our bathroom light/exhaust was extremely loud and sounded as if it needing repairing. Other than that room was clean and the linen's were fresh.

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Positive: Location Negative: Obvious Management change since my last stay. I will not recommend or stay there again. My sister and I (70 year olds) had to carry our suitcases and other luggage up 2 sets of stairs and all the way to the end of that hall. It was awful.Clerk didn?t care

Gabriels T. S.

Sophie – The Heart and Soul of Ohio University Inn’s Bar!

If you're a business owner, you know that the success of your establishment hinges on individuals who not only perform their duties but elevate the entire experience for your patrons. Sophie, the Ohio University Inn’s barkeep, is one of those rare gems that every entrepreneur dreams of hiring, cherishes endlessly, and would reward tenfold if given the chance.

Sophie is a MASTER at her craft. Her ability to mix drinks with precision and artistry is only the surface of her skills. She doesn’t just serve beverages; she curates unforgettable moments. Her efficiency behind the bar is unparalleled – never flustered, always organized, and handling even the busiest nights with a calm, confident demeanor that puts customers at ease.

Her personality? Magnetic. Sophie has the ability to read a room like a seasoned professional, knowing when to crack a joke, engage in meaningful conversation, or offer quiet professionalism. Guests leave feeling not just served but valued, and that’s a skill money can’t buy.

From a business perspective, Sophie is the kind of employee who turns first-time visitors into loyal, returning customers. She understands that her actions directly impact the bottom line and operates with an owner’s mindset. Her attention to detail – from ensuring glasses are spotless to remembering a guest’s favorite drink – builds trust, connection, and an experience that guests rave about.

Let’s not forget her leadership. Even when the bar is packed, Sophie manages to support her team, ensuring every patron feels attended to. This is a rare quality that contributes to the smooth operation of the establishment as a whole.

As a business owner, you dream of employees like Sophie. She’s the one you beg not to leave, the one who deserves every raise, acknowledgment, and accolade possible. Sophie doesn’t just represent the Ohio University Inn; she defines it. Her contributions make a tangible financial difference, and I can say with certainty that her abilities are a key driver of this establishment’s ongoing success.

To sum it up: If you haven’t experienced Sophie’s mastery yet, you’re missing out. She’s not just a barkeep; she’s the heartbeat of Ohio University Inn’s bar, and her value to this business cannot be overstated. Bravo, Sophie – you’re the best in the business!

Nancy B.

We just returned from a weekend stay, and while our trip was lovely there were glaring issues which surprised me considering the reputation and longevity of the OU Inn. First and foremost was the lack of hot water in the shower on both days. At best, we were only able to get lukewarm water during our entire trip. Secondly, the pillows were so dense and thick that it was difficult to get comfortable in bed. Management said new pillows are coming, but are not there yet. If you are driving here you might want to bring your own.
Be aware that breakfast is not included in your room fee. The restaurant is nice and the wait staff was delightful but it's on the pricey side.
Considering the great reviews I see others giving, I'm wondering if our location in the building was the problem (room 249) because we could hear noises coming from other rooms too, like a toilet flushing, for example.
Upon entering the room, there is a light switch by the door that controls nothing because there are no overhead lights in the room. That left us scrambling to find any light. There are two bedside wall sconces and one task light on the desk. That's it.
The loveseat in the room looked inviting but was about as comfortable as a wooden bench, and I'm not exaggerating.
I appreciated the convenience of our room to the back parking lot near our car, but the tradeoff is that your view is concrete and cars.
As you can see, the misses are adding up.
I would invite management to stay in this room for a night.