Springing into Outdoor Cocktails & Culinary Delights

With spring abloom and hotel guests’ thoughts turning from quiet indoor fireside chats to lighthearted warm-weather gatherings, The Summit, a Dolce Hotel is happily preparing its fourth-floor rooftop terrace to accommodate those yearning to enjoy cocktails, delicious culinary fare and engaging conversations outside while taking in a commanding view.

"We’ve been readying our more than 11,000 square feet of outdoor event spaces, preparing to open them for the year," says Denise Bayless, director of sales and marketing at The Summit.

Since opening its Madisonville, Ohio doors in April 2018, The Summit – the latest high-end Dolce property in the Wyndham line of hotels and resorts – has been honing the "WOW" guests have come to expect from the art inspired brand. "It’s exciting to see how much has changed in one year," says Bayless. "We have blossomed into a well-seasoned and confident team and continue to grow with every day and event. With a strong start to year two, we’re looking forward to activating each of our spaces to provide lasting experiences for each of our guests. From grilling on the terrace, to Friday Night Flights in Brew and Barrel, to our Chef experiences in the Market – it is going to be an exciting year."   

According to Bayless, it’s been an energetic 12 months of more fully developing The Summit as "the" place for guests looking to relax, celebrate a wedding or other personal milestone, or meet with corporate clients.

With 239 guest rooms and suites, 19 flexible conference rooms and 32,000-plus square feet of event space, The Summit, located just minutes from downtown, is a traveler’s lodging treasure and the perfect business meeting or special-event venue. Guests describe The Summit, with its art-inspired theme, as sleek and stylish; contemporary but down-to-earth; young yet sophisticated; spacious while at the same time, warm and inviting.

"We look at ourselves as more than a hotel, we’re a destination," says Bayless. "The variety of spaces we have to offer is inspiring. When a group is here for a meeting, they can have dinner one night in our ballroom, dinner in our art gallery the next night and dinner in our Market the next, and they’ll enjoy three unique and memorable experiences without ever having to leave the hotel."

Make It Look Good, Make It Taste Great

Adding to the excitement of celebrating their second year – The Summit welcomed Chef Larry Monaco to its team in late 2018. Monaco, who hails from Orange County, California, is adamant about changing people’s perception of hotel food.

"Just because you’re dining at a hotel doesn’t mean your chicken has to be dry and rubbery," he says. "Hotel food always gets a bad stigma, but there’s no difference between hotel food and restaurant food. Technique is technique and a stove is a stove. I work hard to combat that stereotype."

Monaco’s cooking philosophy boils down to "Make it look good, and make it taste great." About 50 percent of the produce on the hotel’s new menu comes from The Local Food Connection, and menus will change regularly depending on what’s fresh and in season.

"I strive to use the freshest ingredients and techniques to deliver elegantly simple fare," Monaco continues. "Our menus focus on local, sustainable and in-season proteins and produce to create both shared and large plates that are perfect for enjoying our beautiful spaces. We also incorporate a modern take on classic pub food."

Monaco has more than two decades of culinary experience cooking for a host of high-end kitchens. Before coming to The Summit, he worked as director of culinary operations at Funky’s Catering here in Cincinnati.

An Ideal Business or Leisure Atmosphere

Whether taking in the city view from the terrace or pleasing their palates with made-to-order, locally-sourced culinary delights prepared by Chef Larry, guests are guaranteed an ideal leisure or business atmosphere at The Summit.

The facility’s expert Sales and Catering managers work with you on every detail of your special occasion, whether it is to be held in the boardroom or ballroom, inside or outside. Corporate meetings during the week. Romantic getaways, weddings, anniversaries and galas on the weekends. Plenty of convenient, free parking. Well-appointed rooms with high-tech amenities. A state-of-the-art fitness center and an on-site yoga studio. An ultra-modern, fully stocked library. And a delicious menu chock full of locally-sourced culinary delights.

Yes, The Summit Hotel – a sophisticatedly exquisite Cincinnati destination – is refreshing, fun and full of chic comforts and inspiring possibilities, from the downstairs lobby to the rooftop terrace and all the many delightful gathering spaces in between.

"With our cutting edge spaces and unique outlook on meetings and events, we are committed to a memorable experience by inspiring our guests," Bayless says.

The Summit Hotel is located at 5345 Medpace Way, Cincinnati, OH 45227. For more information, call 513.461.7823 or visit www.thesummithotel.com