Book a Stay at this Castle in Southern Ohio

While this hotel in Vinton County may have been built in 1995, the design of Ravenwood Castle hails from the 12th- and 13th-century castles that once sat on the border of England and Wales. It offers guests the feeling of stepping back in time while enjoying all the comforts and conveniences of modern living.

“We really wanted it to keep with the feel of what it is,” says Pam Reed, who purchased Ravenwood Castle with her husband, Jim, in 2012. “We’ve been very careful with the decorations and furniture and those items we have put in to keep with the theme of the castle and be true to what it is.”

The stone walls and dark, wooden furniture of the castle’s great hall help set that tone. Then, there are the 21 themed rooms available to choose from when booking a stay. Unlike a typical hotel, no two rooms are alike. Each has unique features, such as Rapunzel’s Tower, which is situated in the highest portion of the castle, and Cinderella’s Coach House, which has two stained-glass windows. There are also a variety of cottages and cabins on the 57-acre property that are available for overnight stays.

Ravenwood Castle also hosts events such as Murder Mystery Weekends, which it has staged for more than a decade (typically scheduled on select weekends from September through April). The experience starts as soon as guests check in on Friday and runs throughout the weekend, allowing time for participants to search for clues and piece together the mystery before checkout on Sunday. For more fun and games, the castle provides a board-game library with more than 150 tabletop games for guests to play. 

Ravenwood Castle also offers complimentary breakfast, with house specialties like its cinnamon rolls, which are a must-try on Sunday mornings. The Raven’s Roost Pub is open daily, offering a selection of craft beers, wine and cocktails.

Reed says even though they have gone to great lengths to create a unique on-site experience, providing a comfortable and relaxing environment for guests to come back to after exploring this scenic region of southeast Ohio is just as important.

“The area itself is just beautiful,” she says. “There are so many things to do.”

65666 Bethel Rd., New Plymouth 45654, ravenwoodcastle.com

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