This hotel has been carved out of the heavy concrete silos of the old Quaker production mill. It is fun to wander through the hotel and try to imagine how many workers with large concrete saws it must have taken to create this -- and how many months. The desk staff is friendly and efficient. The rates are a little high, but not outrageous. There are a few downsides, however. Parking is insufficient and a fairly long walk from parking to the rooms. The internet connection is almost non-existent (take your own hot spot if you have need of good connection). And two elevators are not enough for the 7 or 8 floors of rooms -- I had to wait a very long time every time I used them. If you are doing business with Akron University there is NO better location. This hotel is within the campus, in fact many of the higher floors are student housing. The wall art is wonderful, bringing back Quaker advertising memories in huge wall coverings. They also used many of the old gears from the mill in wall-mounted collages.

On our trip to Dayton, Ohio to a printers' convention, we decided to break the trip up by stopping overnight at a unique hotel. The rooms in this hotel are constructed from former silos, owned by the Quaker Company at one time. Our room was mostly round, but comfortable with two queen size beds, a nice bath, a sitting area, and our own balcony--though locked. Breakfast was included in the price, and I made sure that I had a bowl of oatmeal! The night before we wandered around looking for a restaurant, and could have attended a minor league baseball game. You also get free parking, all for under $100. I wouldn't mind going back there--if our travels take us that way.

I stayed at this hotel twice, once when it was a Crowne Plaza and once right after it got purchased by the University of Akron. My first stay was spectacular. The staff was pleasant and helpful and the rooms were very nice. I think off a the rooms have a balcony, so that is really nice. The concept about this hotel is really cool. To imagine how much work went into making it is mind boggling. My second visit was not as good an experience as the first. The rooms were starting to show their ware and the elevators were slow and busy with college students, which was a total pain. There were some cute little shops within the first floor of the hotel, and they had great souvenirs and cookies and candies, but I'm not sure if they are still there. It's a cute town, and a great location for the Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame and the Football Hall of Fame (which is fantatic- and I'm not even a football fan) and I am glad I got to stay there before the Universtity took over. I just won't go back.

Quaker Square has been on my travel bucket list for a number of years--but for one reason or another I have never gotten to stay there. I had a business meeting planned in the area so I knew this was my chance. I have to say after reading other reviews I wasn't expecting too much--but I didn't care because it was something I had wanted to do for such a long time. As someone who grew up on a farm with a silo--how cool to see larger ones "reused" for a hotel.

I was greeting warmly by a student working the front desk. (The added cookie she gave me was a nice touch) My room was nice and as interesting as I had hoped--being it was round and was a former oats silo. The bathroom was very nice with good toiletries. I found the architecture so interesting that a few places of loose carpeting was not a big deal to me. I loved the Don Drumm installed art pieces through out the lobby and when I asked about them the person working the front desk gave me a brochure about the artist--another nice touch. When I asked about the restaurants she gave me the information on hours & menus for those in Quaker Square and also a map that showed eating places for a several block area surrounding the hotel. I grabbed a late dinner in one restaurant that had a lot of college students--great wings--and the included free breakfast was good. Of course I had to have a big bowl of oatmeal.

The University of Akron now owns the property and the top floors are now student housing--so if having college kids around would bother you this is not the place to stay. I like the energy, so that didn't bother me. My air conditioning unit was a bit noisy and I had an inside balcony and the sound from students in the area down below was pretty loud. I would suggest you request an outside balcony room.

There were train cars and other interesting things on the property but due to arriving fairly late and having to leave early I really didn't get too much time to explore them. If you are someone who enjoys trying unusual accommodations or are interested in history I would highly recommend you book a stay at Quaker Square in Akron, Ohio.