The 14 best Airbnbs in Cincinnati for the perfect Queen City stay

Neighborhood: Camp Washington

If you’ve ever wanted to sleep inside a work of art, here’s your chance. The Swing House was literally designed around its enormous three-storey swing, with its path dictating where everything else goes, including the bed, kitchen and bathroom. But it’s not all art-school nonsense: the space is genuinely lovely, with pared-back interiors, exposed brick and some very cool touches made from materials salvaged during the renovation. You’ll be talking about this place long after checkout.

Time Out tip: Continue the arty vibe with a trip to The American Sign Museum. It’s about a ten-minute walk away and is a gloriously nostalgic dive into the history of neon signs, old-school advertising and all things wonderfully kitsch.

Sleeps: 2 guests.

Perks: TV, air conditioning, ceiling fan, heating, WiFi, kitchen, coffee maker, back garden, free parking, pets allowed.

Price: From $275 for a night.

Neighborhood: Over-the-Rhine

Red velvet curtains, varnished wood and a big, comfy sofa give this apartment a warm, slightly retro feel, while the renovated historic building keeps plenty of its original character. There’s a king-sized bed, a coffee machine for morning brews and enough room for four, although we can’t promise you’ll want to share that sofa. The best bit, though, is the location: you’re right in Over-the-Rhine, with Vine Street’s restaurants, breweries and independent shops all within walking distance. 

Time Out tip: Washington Park is directly across the street, while Findlay Market is a short walk away. For dinner and drinks, head along Vine Street and see where the evening takes you.

Sleeps: 4 guests.

Perks: Washer/dryer, TV, air conditioning, ceiling fan, heating, WiFi, dedicated workspace, kitchen, coffee maker, shared patio/balcony, free parking. 

Price: From $200 for a night.

Neighborhood: Over-the-Rhine

If food is the reason you’re coming to Cincinnati, you’ll be very happy with this address. The loft is a short walk from Findlay Market, Vine Street’s restaurants and bars, and Washington Park, so there’s plenty to eat without straying far. Back at the apartment, exposed brick, original wooden beams and soaring ceilings give the place plenty of character, with a king-sized bed tucked up in the loft above the living space. There’s also a proper kitchen if you fancy picking up something good at the market and making your own dinner, although with this much on the doorstep, we wouldn’t blame you for eating out every night.

Time Out tip: Start at Findlay Market for local produce and snacks, then head down to Vine Street for OTR’s restaurants and bars. Washington Park is about five minutes away when you need a post-lunch wander.

Sleeps: 4 guests.

Perks: Washer/dryer, TV, board games, air conditioning, heating, ceiling fan, WiFi, dedicated workspace, kitchen, coffee machine, shared patio, free parking. 

Price: From $200 for a night.

Neighborhood: Hamilton (30 minutes from downtown Cincinnati)

Okay, so this place isn’t actually in city limits, but we hope you’ll forgive us given how cute it is. For a break that involves considerably more cows, ponds and wildlife than skyscrapers, make a beeline for this little cabin on a 50-acre family farm. The pond is right outside, with paddleboards and fishing available if you fancy getting out on the water, while wild turkeys and deer make occasional appearances. The 600-square-foot cabin has a loft bedroom, stone fireplace, record player and a porch overlooking the lake, plus plenty of games and books for slow afternoons. 

Time Out tip: Spooky Nook Sports and Harbin Park are both around 15 minutes away, while Striker’s Grove family amusement park is just five minutes down the road.

Sleeps: 4 guests.

Perks: Lake view, record player, board games, air conditioning, portable fans, ceiling fan, heating, WiFi, dedicated workspace, kitchen, coffee machine, lake access, private porch, private back garden, hammock, BBQ, free parking, paddleboards.

Price: From $225 for a night.

Neighborhood: St. Bernard

There’s a lot of personality packed into this cosy St. Bernard apartment. The 1930s building has the vintage details you’d hope for, including gorgeous wood panelling, while the kitchen is unusually well stocked for an Airbnb, with everything from a blender and hand mixer to coffee, cereal, frozen waffles and granola bars. You’ll have your own private entrance, a queen-sized bed and easy parking, plus a quiet residential setting that’s still close to the action. UC, Xavier, Cincinnati Zoo and downtown are all within easy reach, too.

Time Out tip: Wiedemann Brewery is just a block away, so you can grab a local beer or two without having to think about an Uber home. The nearby canal park is also worth a wander; it follows the route of the old Miami and Erie Canal, which once carried goods towards the Ohio River.

Sleeps: 2 guests.

Perks: TV, board games, air conditioning, ceiling fans, portable fans, WiFi, dedicated workspace, kitchen, coffee maker, shared back garden, free parking, breakfast provided.

Price: From $140 for a night.

Neighborhood: Downtown Cincinnati

Historic piano factory? Check. Mid-century furniture? Check. Mini bowling alley? Check. Private rooftop with Cincinnati skyline views? Very much check. This 1,860-square-foot penthouse is a bit of a show-off, with a king-sized bedroom, huge living space, full kitchen and a private roof terrace complete with a gas grill. There’s also a spare bed if you’re bringing extra guests, plus a dedicated workroom if someone insists on answering emails. Mostly, though, we’d be spending our time upstairs with a drink and watching the city from the best vantage point.

Time Out tip: Piatt Park is right outside, while the Contemporary Arts Center is around a five-minute walk away. For food and drinks, head towards Race Street, where you’ll find plenty of restaurants and bars within an easy stroll.

Sleeps: 4 guests.

Perks: City skyline view, TV, arcade games, cot available, board games, air conditioning, ceiling fan, heating, WiFi, dedicated workspace, kitchen, coffee machine, BBQ, private rooftop terrace, fire pit, outdoor kitchen, lift, pets allowed. 

Price: From $280 for a night.

Neighborhood: Over-the-Rhine

This little OTR apartment up a hill has a cozy, cabin-like interior up a hill, with a private terrace tucked among the trees. The one-bedroom space has a queen bed, open-plan living area and fully equipped kitchen, but you’ll probably want to spend at least some of your time outside, where there’s seating and city views. Best of all, you can walk down the Ohio Avenue steps and find yourself by Findlay Market, breweries, bars and restaurants in no time.

Time Out tip: There’s a particularly good concentration of drinking spots nearby, including Northern Row brewery, Rhinegeist Brewery and Skeleton Root Urban Winery. The Ohio Avenue steps lead straight down towards them, so you can leave the car parked and make an evening of it.

Sleeps: 2 guests.

Perks: City skyline view, washer/dryer, TV, air conditioning, portable fans, heating, WiFi, dedicated workspace, kitchen, coffee machine, private terrace, garden, free parking, pets allowed. 

Price: From $180 for a night.

Neighborhood: Prospect Hill

Built in the 1880s, this former carriage house has had quite the glow-up. The renovation keeps its original details while turning the building into a cosy multi-level loft, with a king-sized bed upstairs, a full kitchen and a sofa bed for extra guests. It’s also in a very handy spot: OTR is just across the street, while Ziegler Park, Washington Park, Findlay Market, bars, restaurants and music venues are all within walking distance. And, according to the Airbnb reviews, that bed gets a lot of compliments.

Time Out tip: Take the short walk down into OTR for dinner and drinks, then wander back up to Prospect Hill when you’ve had enough of the nightlife. Ziegler Park is just a few steps away when you want some fresh air.

Sleeps: 4 guests.

Perks: Washer/dryer, TV, air conditioning, heating, WiFi, dedicated workspace, coffee maker, shared patio, free parking.

Price: From $320 for two nights.

Neighborhood: East Price Hill

Built in 1962, Grandvista is a wonderfully preserved slice of mid-century Cincinnati perched about the city, with the architecture and furniture taking a back seat to one very impressive view. A curved wall of floor-to-ceiling windows looks out over the Ohio River and Cincinnati skyline, and the whole place is packed with plenty of original character. There’s a full kitchen, three bathrooms and a beauifully lush treetop deck with seating, a grill and hummingbird feeders, while the bedrooms each have their own TV. 

Time Out tip: Make a drink, settle into the living room and keep an eye out for the hummingbirds from the deck. East Price Hill is also home to restaurants with city views, so you don’t necessarily need to head downtown every time you fancy dinner.

Sleeps: 6 guests.

Perks: City and river views, washer/dryer, TV, travel cot available, board games, air conditioning, portable fans, heating, WiFi, dedicated workspace, full kitchen, coffee machine, BBQ, private balcony, free parking. 

Price: From $770 for two nights.

Neighborhood: Northside

This 100-year-old duplex has original woodwork, a king bed and all the modern bits you need, but the backyard is what really caught our eye. It’s shared with the hosts, but guests can have it to themselves if they ask, and there’s a greenhouse, swings and plenty of greenery to make a morning coffee feel considerably more wholesome. Northside’s coffee shops, restaurants, bars, parks and independent shops are all within walking distance.

Time Out tip: Jergens Park is just steps from the property, while Northside’s coffee shops and restaurants are an easy walk away. For a slower morning, grab a coffee and settle into the garden. The hosts can give you private use of the backyard if you ask.

Sleeps: 2 guests.

Perks: Washer/dryer, TV, air conditioning, ceiling fan, heating, WiFi, dedicated workspace, kitchen, coffee maker, shared back garden, free parking, pets allowed. 

Price: From $200 for a night.

Neighborhood: North Avondale

This little loft was once the stables of an 1800s carriage house, belonging to a family that made and shipped carriages across the country before getting into motor cars. Today, the old bones are still doing their thing, with exposed brick, high ceilings and oodles of character, and a renovated kitchenette and bathroom bring things firmly into the 21st century. Then there are the grounds: the carriage house sits on 1.8 acres of gated gardens, with a furnished patio, leafy corners and various spots for sitting around pretending you’re the sort of person who regularly spends an afternoon reading outdoors.

Time Out tip: You’re right by Xavier University and within easy reach of the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. The zoo is a particularly good shout if you fancy swapping historic houses for hippos, while nearby Avon Woods has hiking trails if you want to keep the leafy theme going.

Sleeps: 4 guests.

Perks: TV, air conditioning, ceiling fan, portable fans, heating, WiFi,dedicated workspace, kitchenette, coffee maker, shared grounds, free parking, EV charger, pets allowed.

Price: From $175 for a night.

Neighborhood: Hyde Park

Yes, it really is a little yellow house, and inside, this 1890 Second Empire home is full of the sort of details you’d want from an old Cincinnati property, including an iron fireplace, vintage wallpaper and plantation shutters. The two-bedroom home also has a bright living room, proper kitchen, renovated bathroom and, out back, a private courtyard garden with lounge furniture and a bistro table. It’s colourful without going full period drama, with modern touches mixed in among the Victorian details.

Time Out tip: O’Bryonville is about a five-minute walk away, with coffee shops, restaurants and the BonBonerie Café close by. Recent guests also rave about the walkability, so leave the car parked and go exploring on foot.

Sleeps: 4 guests.

Perks: Washer/dryer, TV, treadmill, board games, air conditioning, portable fans, heating, WiFi, dedicated workspace, kitchen, coffee maker, courtyard, free parking.

Price: From $230 for a night.

Neighborhood: Gaslight Clifton

Book into this 1,400-square-foot apartment in a restored 1890s duplex, with high ceilings, original details and enough separate rooms that you won’t be tripping over your fellow guests all weekend. The renovation has kept the historic character while adding all the practical stuff, including a formal dining room and a sunroom that doubles as an office. There are a few fireplaces scattered around, plus a front porch, side porch and back patio for when you’ve finished your book and decided you actually do want to talk to people.

Time Out tip: Clifton Plaza and Burnet Woods are about a five-minute walk away, while Ludlow Avenue has shops and restaurants for an easy wander from the house. The Cincinnati Zoo is also nearby, making this a particularly handy base if you’re planning a day with the animals.

Sleeps: 4 guests.

Perks: Washer/dryer, TV, air conditioning, ceiling fan, heating, WiFi, dedicated workspace, kitchen, coffee maker, patio, porches, garden, free parking.

Price: From $245 for a night.

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