What hotels would you recommend for someone going to WEC in Ohio? And are any of them pet friendly? Driving distances to the show? Many thanks.
I would really recommend staying onsite in one of their cabins or home away from homes, both pet friendly. I haven’t stayed in the cabins, but the trailer homes are really nice with a full kitchen. Probably not the cheapest option, but comparable to a hotel and so convenient.
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Many people stay in the cabins or housing located at the show, information is on the WEC website. I believe there is the General Denver hotel in Wilmington as well the Roberts’s Holiday Inn Express located at the Wilmington exit off Interstate 71. Worst case is to stay in North Cincinnati which is about 35 - 40 minutes from WEC, Kings Island area. I’m not sure about being pet friendly. I’m lucky enough to live fairly close and can sleep in my own bed every night.
I agree with the cabins- they are definitely worth the money but they fill up fairly quickly. There isn’t a whole lot around hotel wise that would be as comparable.
I’ve stayed in the cabins and they are lovely. It’s very convenient being onsite for checking horses before bed, or if you need to run “home” to get something, etc.
There are some cheaper hotels on the northeast edge of Wilmington that are relatively convenient to WEC - maybe a 15-20 minute drive, unless you’re like me and my trainer and walk out of the hotel to find your car encrusted in a solid inch of ice due to the overnight freezing rain (which is now completely coating the roads as well). 
Out of curiosity for those who have stayed in the on-site cabins or the home-away-from-home lodging across the street, how were the rates? They aren’t listed on the WEC website and I have yet to call or inquire, partially out of worry that they’re really ridiculously expensive.
I’m curious about the rates on the cabins and home away from homes, too. I just emailed them yesterday and haven’t heard anything back.
I’m going next week, heard today it’s sold out.
If the cabins, etc. are sold out Holiday Inn Express and Hampton Inn in Wilmington or Holiday Inn Convention Center Wilmington are all good options.
It’s interesting how more horse shows are figuring out how to make the operation more vertically integrated, from food stands to hay and feed and shavings to cabins or hotels.
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I heard back from the housing folks today, and for those curious, pricing depends on how long you’re staying and how big of a cabin/house you need, and ranges from $160-230/night for a week’s stay. So not incredibly cheap, but if you’re splitting it several ways, really not too bad, on par with what I’d expect for a weekly vacation house rental.
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If you don’t need to run back and forth to feed and prep the horses, there is a Great Wolf Inn (or is it Lodge?) right next to Kings Island. Its ez on/off 71, huge indoor water park, big rooms, many, dining options and a big Kroger. Kings Island does close seasonally but it’s a solid family friendly hotel option. Check their website for pet policy. If you are sharing the room it’s pretty reasonable. Probably 25, 30min max min to the show grounds, mostly rural interstate.
Holiday Inn Convention Center is a big full service hotel at the Wilmington exit. Good choice but there’s nothing near it except a trucking depot (R&L, not surprisingly) and working farms. About 20 min,
Thanks so much for sharing the info! It definitely does sound doable if you’re splitting between multiple barnmates or your trainer. If I end up showing there sometime this winter hopefully they won’t be sold out! :lol:
They have regularly sold out early so call as soon as you know your plans.
I’ll be the lone voice that says I wasn’t overly impressed with staying in the cabin, so I booked a hotel.
For me- I’m a do-it-yourselfer who meets my trainer there, so I literally was in there from 10 PM to 5 AM. Plus- mine was white- all white sheets, bedspreads etc. sigh. I really didn’t relax at all. I booked a hotel for next week. It makes life very easy and if you have the funds it is definitely convenient. Just not my cup of tea.
For me- WEC makes it so inviting with the lounges that it’s nice to actually get away and I didn’t need the cabin. When I originally booked it I thought it was the best thing ever. I can see the benefit if you bring a lot of horses, split it with people, and or have a lot of down time. There wasn’t even enough room to “lounge” in the one I was in if I had family (non horse) come (1 chair). Maybe I had a small one?
