(VERSAILLES, Ohio; May 26, 2022)– Opened today, the newly built Hotel Versailles is a modern, luxury retreat in the heart of downtown Versailles, Ohio. With a “heritage meets hospitality” mentality, the hotel offers a refreshing perspective on a site that holds over 150 years of hospitality history, as hotels have occupied the plot since 1865. A destination unto itself, the upscale, boutique property is the only full-service boutique hotel in central Ohio and features 30 spacious, well-appointed guestrooms and suites; celebrated chef Aaron Allen’s seasonally driven restaurant Silas; and ample meeting and event space for up to 200 guests in the 1819 Room.
Location and Design
Hotel Versailles’ roots are intertwined with industry, machinery, and a strong French heritage, all of which play into the inspiration of this historic revival design orchestrated by acclaimed local Ohio firms, Kimberly O Design and DK Architect. The hotel’s French-inspired sophistication and elegance coupled with an architecturally striking design give this property a distinct sense of history, which comes alive through everything from the building’s simple brick exterior structure and large glass and steel windows to the artistic patterns and color palette of the textiles and furniture. Steeped in Ohio pride, with a commitment to hyper locality, some of the design features include the focal point private dining room table in the restaurant crafted by Hayrake Furniture Company in Minster, Ohio; the centerpiece window banquette chandelier created by Glass Asylum in Chagrin Falls, Ohio; and locally sourced furnishings and artwork that adorn the hotel, its restaurant, and private event space.
The nostalgic yet modern design extends to the hotel’s boutique guestrooms and suites, including the 350-square-foot Spa Suite, which features a pristine, expansive bathroom with an oversized soaking tub, spacious double vanity, and designer bathrobes. All guestrooms include plush bedding, cozy lounge spaces, large windows, and thoughtfully curated room amenities.
“After 2 ½ years of conceptualizing, designing and building this new property, we are all very excited about the outcome and the commitment from our entire team,” says Hotel Versailles’ managing director Jack Olshan. “Working with Ohio-based Kimberly O Design, we have maintained the historical attributes of the property and its rich hospitality lineage, while crafting a new modern-day atmosphere to bring a dynamic, one-of-a-kind upscale boutique hotel to Versailles for locals and visitors alike to enjoy.” Olshan adds, “We want our guests to experience a historically-rich property that is sophisticated and surprising, friendly and fancy, modern and memorable.”
Hotel Versailles is located at the intersection of Center and Main in the heart of downtown Versailles and features onsite courtyards and gardens, which offer a respite to gather near the growing village core. The property is just minutes from key area attractions like Eldora Speedway, Stillwater Valley Golf Club, The Winery at Versailles and popular eateries, museums, nature preserves and boutique shops. The hotel is a short 45-minute drive from Dayton, Ohio, and is less than two hours away from the nearby Ohio cities of Columbus and Cincinnati, and from Indianapolis, Indiana.
Silas Creative Kitchen + Cocktails
Executive Chef Aaron Allen, whose 14-year career has brought him all over the country to cook and lead teams in famed restaurants, collaborates with Hotel Versailles’ own farmer Katie Bensman to bring a true farm-fueled restaurant to the hotel with Silas. Restaurant, in-room dining and event menus are all carefully created based on the consistent quality ingredients that are seasonally available and sourced directly from the property’s nearby Sycamore Bridge Farm, with meats supplied through local partnerships with Winner’s Quality Meats and King’s Poultry Farm. Additionally, Silas offers a selection of creatively crafted cocktails, many of which harken back to the town’s heritage and all with a modern twist.
“As a true farm-to-table experience, each menu at Silas is crafted around ingredients that are seasonally available to source from our 85-acre farm—only minutes away from the hotel,” says Chef Allen. “The rich quality of colors, textures and tastes that emerge from the heirloom vegetables and herbs harvested, partnered with locally raised meats and poultry, allow us to create an unmatched selection of freshly prepared dishes for guests to enjoy.”
Samples from the inaugural menu include:
- Blue Crab Salad // endive, avocado, aguachile sauce, cilantro, puffed wild rice
- Roasted Chicken // pine nut stuffing, honey, bacon, asparagus, smoked potato, raclette, mustard seed, cornichon, chicken jus
- Curry Smoked BBQ Carrots // sumac, lemon confit and yogurt
Historically-inspired with a modern twist signature cocktails include:
- Golden Eagle Old Fashioned – Hotel Versailles American Whiskey Blend, Piloncillo, Hotel Versailles’ Bitters Blend
- Snow Collins – Watershed Citrus Peel Gin, Creme de Flora, Lemon Elixir, Seltzer, Bolivar Bitters
- Esther’s Scotch Bonnet – Monkey Shoulder Scotch, Sweet Vermouth, Cherry Bark Vanilla served on one of Esther’s own cocktail napkins
Silas seats 100 in its dining room, 60 in the bar and lounge, and 40 on its outdoor dining terrace. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and also offers in-room dining for guests. Full menus and additional information are available at hotelversaillesohio.com.
Additional Amenities
Hotel Versailles’ 1819 Room is a spacious venue for up to 200 guests designed to host special occasions such as meetings, weddings and unique events. Served exclusively by Silas Creative Kitchen + Cocktails, the space is equipped with state-of-the-art audiovisual capabilities, noise cancelling features, a built-in bar, coat check, infant care room and a private courtyard overlooking Versailles’ historic town square. Along with the event space, the hotel’s amenities include free parking, an updated fitness center equipped with a Peloton bike, in-room massage, local shuttle service and Dayton International Airport shuttle. Programming will feature farm tours, cooking classes, special dinners and tastings, outdoor activities and more are also available.
