Cedar Point/Kennywood hotels-Whats good in the area?

I'm heading to Kennywood & Cedar Point for the first time first week in June and looking for a little insider info regarding the hotels in the areas.

What are some good 3-4 star hotels within close proximity to the parks? I think we have Kennywood nailed down for the most part so I'm a little more concerned with Cedar Point.

Any suggestions are much appreciated!!

For Cedar Point, I would recommend the Econo Lodge Cedar Point right near the intersection light that turns onto Cedar Point Drive. Although it is an older hotel, I've found that the management of the hotel takes pride in maintaining very clean rooms. I like the fact that the hotel is of the old-fashioned type where the you enter your room from the outside of the hotel rather than an interior corridor which usually results in kids running around and the noise being amplified due to the cement walls.

The water pressure for showers is just fine and the individually-set air conditioning works well after coming back to the hotel from a hot day at CP. Although the breakfast is more like a morning snack, I still haven't found reason to complain. I think the hotel is close to railroad tracks since I can recall hearing a few trains at night but I usually fall right back asleep.

For a clean roof over your head and a convenient location to the park, I don't think you'll find a better bargain. The avg. rates last year varied between $50 - $100 night depending on night of week and time of season.

The tracks by the Econo Lodge are less than a quarter mile away. Plus, it a Norfolk Souther main line. It's really quite soothing.

We always stay at either Breakers if we want more of a getaway or any of the Marriott chain places in the area since we have Marriott rewards and usually have some points we can put towards the stay.

Econo Lodge is a great value. Even if the breakfast is like a snack bar, Cedar Point has a donut and coffee shop inside the front gate near the entrance and there is a Mcdonalds drive through right on Cedar Point Dr. on the way to the park from the hotel. Now, if you want to get the early entry to the park, stay at one of the Cedar Point Resort hotels. With those you get the reservations card that will get you and your party into the park an hour earlier than other park guests. This gives you a chance to catch quick rides with short lines on attractions that are either designated to open early or are ready to go early for the day and to help you stake your claim to a locker... If you are looking for a resort hotel, breakers has different rooms at varying rates. Sandcastle Suites has some reasonable pricing. If you would like to make it a special getaway for you and someone special or a great hang out for you and a few friends.. I usually stay at Lighthouse Point in one of the cabins. I am actually going to be up there May 12th through the 14th. My group has gotten so big, we are now in two different cabins this trip with 14 people total on the trip. Just me, my wife and a bunch of friends of ours.

Last year with everyone during early entry going to Maverick we got about 4 rides on MF and two Raptor rides with time to spare before the park opened. That to me is worth the resort stay.

The location of Breakers is worth the money, but the digs inside are at the same level of the Econo Lodge outside the gate.

I've stayed at the South Shore Inn several times and have never been displeased. Decent rates as well, and not far from the park.

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What are some good 3-4 star hotels within close proximity to the parks?

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I've never been in a Sandusky-area hotel that I would consider 3-4 star, and that includes all of the CP properties, plus 3-4 places offsite. I'm holding out a little bit of hope for the refurbed Sandcastle. The cabins and cottages are okay, and so is "new" Breakers.

AAA claims the La Quinta is a 3-diamond prorperty. I think that's a bit of a stretch---I'd put it a notch below Breakers.

I cannot recommend any hotel in Sandusky. I have been spoiled by staying at Breakers Express the last few years. The prices are on par with the rest of the hotels in the town. The hotel is very clean and the staff is pleasant. The only drawback to a reservation with a CP hotel is that the first night of a reservation is considered your deposit. So you will have to part with $85+ right off the bat.

But you say you are hitting CP the first week of June...June 6 (I think-first Friday of June) is Coastermania. If you pay the extra $20 for a Coasterbuzz membership you can attend that event and ride until you puke. You can be in the park from 6am until Midnight or 12:30am. Even better, there is catered lunch, and you can get a discount at Breakers Express if you tell them you are attending Coastermania.

I can't say I've ever stayed at one of the CP Resorts hotels but that's due to me having a Platinum Pass and not needing to stay at one of the CP hotels to get in for the early ride time. The value of a Plat Pass depending on how far away you live from CP or any other CF park is a good consideration to make as well in terms of being cheaper overall for a given season compared to paying inflated CP rates several times. *** Edited 4/18/2008 12:45:29 AM UTC by arw84***

There is a nice vibe when you stay on the resort that you don't get when you just drive to the park and drive to a hotel. Some might call it charm. :)

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Brian Noble said:

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What are some good 3-4 star hotels within close proximity to the parks?

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I've never been in a Sandusky-area hotel that I would consider 3-4 star, and that includes all of the CP properties, plus 3-4 places offsite. I'm holding out a little bit of hope for the refurbed Sandcastle. The cabins and cottages are okay, and so is "new" Breakers.

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I'll agree with that but add, that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. The Kalahari and Great Wolf look pretty darn nice, but are really expensive. Expedia doesn't even give the Econo Lodge a star rating and Priceline gives it 1*.

If you are looking for a 3 or 4*, then money must not be an issue. If that's the case, I'd stay on point at Breakers or Sandcastle Suites (which was just renovated this year.) Besides the early entry, you can walk to the park and not have to worry about paying to park.

Not to mention that staying on property at Breakers or Sandcastle, you also get the beach walks at night as the sun goes down or after the park closes looking at the lights of the park from the beach. It is just really nice to stay on property up there. There is so much to do when you are up there and if you do need to leave the property for something in town, you have 24 hour access to and from the park's parking gates and perimeter road. Security keeps one toll booth open 24 hours so you can come and go as you please. And yes.. you can walk to the park. There are a number of restaurants on property with TGI Fridays in the breakers, Famous Daves in the harbour, whatever is in the park until park closing time... Sorry, really looking forward to my trip in three weeks... :)

Don't forget about the shuttles too. They make 4 stops or as needed. It stops at Breakers, Sandcastle, Camper Village and the Marina gate by Famous Dave's.

It sounds to me that one of the resort properties is the best bet.

I forgot about the "get in an hour early" perk so that seals the deal.

And for those who mentioned I am purchasing the Platinum pass as Kings Dominion is my home park.

If you have a Platinum pass from any park, you get the early-entry whether you are on-Point or not.