There are family vacations and then there are family vacations. Think back to the days where the kids piled into the back of a station wagon and bunked up together in a hotel room, singing songs, playing games, and driving each other nuts. This is the Maples Motel.

We came across the Maples driving home from Cedar Point one day. The kids thought it looked cute and saved their money to get a room for the night. $70 got us the Family Room (room 1, one queen bed, with a queen and two singles in a separate area) for the night.

We checked in on Saturday afternoon and were greeted by the son of the owners, I believe. Super friendly, so hospitable, made us feel very welcome. Gave all the kids quarters for the gumball machine.

The room was definitely a throwback, but impeccable clean with a layout that was perfect for staying together. There was a TV in each room, but the kids were more interested in running around in the big field behind the property.

Staying with small children in a hotel room, one does not expect to get much sleep. Add in the freight trains that pass every 5 minutes (I timed it) in the middle of the night, blaring their horns and shaking the hotel, and you will likely have a very restless night. Even still, the homey hospitality of the Maples and its proximity to Cedar Point make up for a lost night's sleep. I'll sleep at the Ritz, but I'll bring my family to the Maples for fun.

This is my second stay at the Maples Motel. I spent the entire week there while practicing for a bass tournament. Since I was alone I had room 6 which has 1 queen bed. The room does have a window unit AC but it kept the room cold. There is also a mini fridge which really came in handy for my length of stay. The rooms have cable TV and they supply the basic hotel soaps. You will need to bring shampoo and a clock if you need one. The shower is strong and has plenty of hot water. The train across the street does run through the night, so if you are a light sleeper like I am bring ear plugs. The staff was great, they allowed me to park my rig behind the garage and they asked how my day was every day when I came back in. You just can't get any better than that. I will be back next season when I go back up.

I've been in the hospitality industry and customer service for over 20 years and I can assure you , no where will you find a friendlier staff than at The Maples Motel in Sandusky, Ohio. Awesome prices don't hurt either. The room was exactly what we needed for our Labor Day weekend. Awesome cold air conditioning, a mini fridge for our drinks and restraunt leftovers, and delicious bakery fresh dougnuts and coffee in the office each morning, along with a sparkling pool open til 11PM if you wanna swim or soak your feet after a day of walking at the parks. We WILL return to this wonderful piece of history on our next adventure to the Lake! Do not miss out on this landmark establishment!

I have travelled extensively and stayed in everything from an 18 dollar a night room in Barstow to the Presidential Suite at the St Regis Grand in Rome. When I look back on my various travel destinations it is not often that I associate my hotel stay as part of the memory or experience. This would be an exception. My daughter and I travelled from Canada to spend 2 days at Cedar Point. We ended up staying at the Maples....This location is great, it's old but very clean and feels like you have taken a step back in time a few decades. The owners are genuinely nice and go out of their way to make you feel at home. Before going read up on the history of this little gem and the family that has run it since WW2