The Concierge

I find that having a table at the finer restaurants to be kind of a ‘standard’ that all concierges should be able to acquire. Additionally, having a ticket to a sold out show is great, but at the Netherland Plaza we strive to really go over and beyond when it comes to providing service.

Also, it’s one thing to stay at a historic property that is one-of-a-kind in the world, but to be given a detailed tour of it is something guests are continually surprised by. I work not just to help serve the world’s travelers, but also to share the wonderful history of our building, which shares the same architect as the Empire State Building as well as Rockefeller Center.

What are your group restaurant recommendations?
If atmosphere and some of the best-quality cuisine to be found is what you are looking for, then I would recommend that you actually stay here with us in our AAA Four Diamond restaurant Orchids at Palm Court. You will also be seated in the finest example of French Art Deco in the world as well as be served the culinary creations of our American Culinary Federation “Award of Excellence Winner” Executive Chef Todd Kelly. If you want to set a memorable impression on a group of people, you will be hard-pressed to find a more accommodating, memorable spot in Cincinnati.

What are your bar or nightclub recommendations?
In Cincinnati, we have so many hot nightspots right here in the downtown area. Personally, I would head over in the early evening for a drink and an appetizer at Via Vite while overlooking the beautiful heart of our city, the Tyler Davidson Fountain. Then I would go to the Havana Martini Club for some dancing to live Latin salsa bands. Then I would finish out the night with a quick nightcap at the ultra-chic Twist to hob knob with some of the city’s social elite.

For those who walk a little more on the wild side, I wouldn’t miss BANG! on Fourth Street, about a block away from the hotel. This is Cincinnati’s premiere nightclub, where you will find celebrities that are passing through town or have been brought in for special promotional events.

Are there any quirky places we should check out?
For dining I would check out one of my favorite eclectic restaurants in town, the York Street Cafe, located across the river in Newport. This is an old pharmacy from the 1800s that has been turned into a very fine European cafe where you can get Italian sodas, great bold roast coffee, and extremely interesting seasonal cuisine. The decor is one of the most interesting in the city. It’s cluttered with very unique and interesting odds and ends that have been collected over the years, such as authentic Civil War uniforms and other relics of our country. The second floor of the cafe is a popular bar where live bands perform, and on the third floor is a wonderful art gallery that has breathtaking views of the downtown skyline.

What's a unique event that has taken place at your property?
A gentleman by the name of Dan Tobin was from Cincinnati but had made it big on Broadway in New York City. To celebrate his success, he came back home and threw a party for himself and all of his hometown and Broadway friends. He was footing the bill for the whole affair and became alarmed when he noticed bottles of champagne being opened all over the dining room. He became a little worried as to who gave the order for such an extravagant request and inquired with the banquet captain who had given permission for all of this. The captain then responded the Katherine Hepburn had given the order to pour champagne the entire night as long as the people should want to drink it, as a gift to our hometown star Dan Tobin, whom she was co-starring with on stage.

The hotel was also the place that Doris Day made her first professional appearance, in our Pavilion Caprice, which was a nightclub at that time.