You’re walking through downtown Cleveland, and honestly, the architecture can feel a bit... heavy. It’s a city built on steel and grit. But then you hit the corner of East 6th and St. Clair, and there it is. The Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown. It doesn't look like a hotel. It looks like a place where high-stakes 1930s courtroom dramas should be filming.
That’s because it basically was a seat of power.
Most people booking a room here just want a bed near Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. They don't realize they’re sleeping in the old Board of Education building, a 1931 masterpiece designed by Walker & Weeks. This isn't your standard "cookie-cutter" lobby. We’re talking about two-story-tall murals, marble that feels like it’s been there since the dawn of time, and a vibe that makes you want to wear a fedora.
Staying at the Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown is a weirdly specific experience. It’s one of the few places where the "renovation" actually respected the history. They didn't just slap some gray paint on the walls and call it "modern." They kept the bones. They kept the soul.
The Murals and the History You’ll Actually Notice
Walking into the lobby, your head goes up. It has to. You’ll see these massive murals by Guerin. They depict the history of education, which sounds boring until you realize they look like something out of a cathedral. It’s grand. It’s imposing.
The building sat vacant for a long time. It was a relic of a different era of Cleveland. When Drury took it over, they poured roughly $52 million into the restoration. Think about that. Most budget-friendly hotels are just thrown together in a year. This was a surgical operation to preserve the 1930s aesthetics while making sure the plumbing actually worked.
One of the coolest spots is the old auditorium. It’s been converted, but you can still feel the scale of it. The hotel has roughly 189 rooms, and because it was an office building first, the layouts are... interesting. You aren’t getting a square box. You’re getting deep windows, thick walls, and high ceilings.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Brand
There’s a misconception that Drury is just another mid-tier chain for business travelers who like free popcorn. Well, okay, the free popcorn is real. But this specific property is a "Plaza" designation. That’s Drury’s way of saying "this is our fancy stuff."
You’ve got the 5:30 Kickback, which is a staple of the brand. If you’ve never stayed at a Drury, here’s the deal: they give you three drink tickets and a rotating menu of hot food every evening. Is it five-star dining? No. It’s sliders, tacos, and baked potatoes. But when you’re traveling with a family of four and you realize you just saved $80 on dinner, it feels like winning the lottery.
Honestly, the value proposition is the main reason this place stays booked.
Location: Is It Actually Close to Everything?
Cleveland is a weirdly walkable city if you’re in the right spot. The Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown sits in the middle of the "Civic Center."
- The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: About a 10-15 minute walk. You’ll pass the Great Lakes Science Center on the way.
- FirstEnergy Stadium (Browns Stadium): Right there. If you're here for a game, you can see the crowds from the street corner.
- Progressive Field & Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse: A bit further, maybe 15-20 minutes, but it's a straight shot through the city's Public Square.
- The Arcade: Just a few blocks away. If you like the architecture of the Drury, you have to walk through The Arcade. It’s the first indoor shopping mall in America and it looks like London in the 1890s.
The only downside? Parking. Like any major city center, it’s pricey. Valet is the standard move here, though you can find some garages nearby if you’re willing to hike a bit with your luggage.
The Room Situation: Big Windows and Quiet Nights
Because the building was built in 1931, the exterior walls are thick. Like, "survive a Cleveland blizzard" thick. This makes the rooms surprisingly quiet for being in the heart of downtown.
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The suites are the real gem. Some of them have separate living areas that feel more like an apartment than a hotel room. If you’re lucky enough to get a room on a higher floor facing the lake, the view is killer. You get the industrial skyline mixed with the vastness of Lake Erie.
One thing to note: the bathrooms are modern. They didn't keep the 1930s plumbing (thank God). You get walk-in showers and plenty of light, which is usually where historic hotels fail.
Unexpected Amenities
Most people expect the pool. They have one. It’s an indoor pool and whirlpool, which is basically a requirement in Ohio because it’s gray and cold for six months of the year.
But it’s the little things. The 24-hour fitness center isn't just a treadmill in a closet. It’s decent. And they have a business center that actually has working printers, which is a rarity in the "just use your phone" era.
Why Clevelanders Actually Like This Place
Usually, locals hate downtown hotels. They’re noisy and attract tourists who don't know how to drive. But the Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown is different. It’s a point of pride because it saved a building that was rotting.
The Board of Education building was a symbol of Cleveland's golden age. Seeing it lit up at night, with guests walking in and out, feels like the city is actually winning. If you talk to a local at the bar, they’ll probably tell you about how they used to have to come here for school board meetings or records back in the 90s. Now, they’re here for a staycation.
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Let's Talk About the Food (Beyond the Free Stuff)
The 5:30 Kickback is great for families, but if you’re a foodie, you aren’t staying in the hotel for dinner. You’re in Cleveland. You have to leave.
Walk two blocks over to East 4th Street. It’s a pedestrian-only alleyway filled with some of the best food in the Midwest. You’ve got Mabel’s BBQ (Michael Symon’s spot) and Butcher and the Brewer. If you want something upscale, Cordelia is doing things with "Midwest Heritage" food that will blow your mind.
The hotel breakfast is standard Drury fare. Scrambled eggs, sausage, biscuits and gravy, and those DIY waffle makers. It’s consistent. You know what you’re getting. It’s not a James Beard breakfast, but it’s hot, free, and fast.
The Reality Check: Any Downsides?
No place is perfect. If you're looking for a "vibe" hotel with a DJ in the lobby and $22 cocktails, this isn't it. The Drury is wholesome. It’s functional. It’s historic, but it’s definitely "family-friendly" historic.
The elevators can be a bit slow during peak times—like right when the Kickback starts or ends. And because it's a historic building, the hallway layout can be a bit of a labyrinth. You might get lost looking for your room the first time. Just consider it a tour of the architecture.
Actionable Advice for Your Stay
If you are planning a trip to the Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown, do these three things to make it worth it:
- Request a High Floor: Ask for a room facing the lake or the city skyline. The lower floors are fine, but the architectural views from the top are much better.
- Time Your Arrival: If you can, check in around 4:00 PM. This gives you time to drop your bags and hit the 5:30 Kickback for a drink before heading out to a game or a show.
- Explore the Lobby Murals: Don't just breeze through. Take five minutes to actually look at the artwork in the lobby and the mezzanine. It’s a museum-quality experience for free.
- Walk to the Public Library: It’s right across the street. Even if you don't like books, the Main Library building is another Walker & Weeks masterpiece. The interior is stunning.
The Drury Plaza Hotel Cleveland Downtown isn't just a place to crash. It’s a piece of Cleveland’s comeback story. You’re staying in a building that was meant to be monumental, and somehow, it still feels that way today. Whether you’re here for a Browns game or just passing through, it’s one of the few hotels that actually feels like the city it’s in.
Check the local event calendar before you book. If there’s a major convention or a home game, this hotel fills up fast because of its proximity to the Huntington Convention Center. Book early, grab your popcorn, and enjoy the marble. It’s worth it.