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The Gray Whale. 6 BR 3 Baths. Three miles to Downtown Cincinnati. Sleeps 18+

Photo gallery for The Gray Whale. 6 BR 3 Baths. Three miles to Downtown Cincinnati. Sleeps 18+

Exterior
Interior detail
Interior
Living area
The first-floor family room is a comfy place to relax!

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
6 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 203000 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Free WiFi
  • Outdoor Space

Rooms & beds

6 bedrooms (sleeps 20)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Queen Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 4

2 Queen Beds

Bedroom 5

2 Double Beds

Bedroom 6

2 Twin Beds

First floor sunroom

2 Twin Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

The Gray Whale. 6 BR 3 Baths. Three miles to Downtown Cincinnati. Sleeps 18+

Experience the big city thrills of Cincinnati from the Dayton, KY community when you stay at this 120-year-old renovated home! The house is "big as a whale", 6 bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms, 2 living rooms, 2 sunrooms, 2 kitchens, a dining room, and a billiards room! Set 3 miles from downtown attractions and blocks from charming Bellevue, the home boasts a well-appointed interior and a backyard with a patio! The Creation Museum, Arc, Cincy Zoo, Newport Aquarium, Reds and Bengals games so close!

The Gray Whale is an amazing property. We chose this home because of its massive size and great proximity to downtown. The whole extended family or group of friends can fit comfortably and enjoy a great time together. The house has great space for gathering if you would like to all be together, or provides privacy with two living rooms and two kitchens on separate floors. You will be able to enjoy your time in a comfortable and stylish space. There are also ample amounts of fluffy towels, clean linens, and little extras that make this place feel like home. You may never want to leave! The home is 3 floors and has a backyard patio. Below you can see a breakdown of each space.

First Floor
-Bedroom 1: One king bed
-Bedroom 2: Two queen beds
-Living room: TV and seating
-Sunroom: twin day bed and twin trundle pull out
-Dining room: large table and extra bar height table
-Kitchen: everything you need to cook and serve meals
-Full Bath 1: large vanity, toilet, shower/tub combo

Second Floor:
-Bedroom 3: 1 queen bed
-Bedroom 4: 2 queen beds with on suite bath with walk in shower.
-Living room: TV and seating
-Sunroom
-Billards room with pool table
-Kitchen: everything you need to cook and serve meals
-Full bath 2: vanity, toilet, shower/tub combo
-Full bath 3: vanity, toilet, large walk-in shower (on suite bath bedroom 4)

Third floor:
-Bedroom 5: 2 double beds
-Bedroom 6: 2 twin beds
-Common area: three futons and a full-length shuffleboard

Basement:
-Unfinished space
-Laundry with detergent provided

Outdoor space:
-Concrete patio with ample seating
-Grill with propane provided
-Propane fire pit
-Fenced in yard
-Driveway for up to 3 cars

Location Information:
Close proximity to stadiums and all downtown Cincinnati attractions. (3 miles ) Close to Bellevue, KY with cute local shops and restaurants. Near Newport on the Levee entertainment district. Easy drive to Kings Island, the Cincinnati Zoo, Riverbend, etc. The Arc Encounter is approx 45-50 min drive, the Creation Museum is approx 20-25 min drive. We are near a train track so you will sometimes hear the rumble of a train going by.

We are located in an up and coming neighborhood with a mix of young professionals and working-class people. This is not the suburbs but it is a safe urban residential neighborhood 3 miles from downtown Cincinnati. Our co-hosts Adam and Tara live a block away and love the location and can give great local recommendations.

Getting Around:
It is a quick 10-15 min drive into downtown Cincinnati. There is a shuttle to downtown, red bikes, Uber and cabs. Heading to Paul Brown or Great American Ball Park? Queen City Riverboats provides shuttles to all Reds and Bengals home games from Newport, Kentucky (5-minute drive from the house) to the riverfront landings across the river to the stadiums in Cincinnati.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

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House Rules

Check in after 3:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
Suitable for children but NOT “childproofed”.
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Events

No events allowed
20 people max
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking outside only.
Guests may not move furniture other than chairs. Guests will be responsible for any damage to furniture or floors.
No fires in fireplaces. They do not work.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: 20 people max
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the neighborhood

Dayton

Dayton is home to this vacation home. Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal and Riverbend Music Center are cultural highlights and Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is a popular area attraction. Looking to enjoy an event or a game? See what's going on at Heritage Bank Center or Great American Ball Park. Motor boating offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with cycling nearby.
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Map
Dayton, KY

What's nearby

  • Walker Park - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Home Style - 3 min drive - 1.8 km
  • Great American Ball Park - 7 min drive - 4.8 km
  • Newport Aquarium - 7 min drive - 4.2 km
  • University of Cincinnati - 10 min drive - 8.9 km

Getting around

  • Richter & Phillips Tram Stop - 6 min drive
  • Cincinnati Union Terminal - 14 min drive
  • Cincinnati, OH (LUK-Cincinnati Municipal - Lunken Field) - 13 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Circle K - ‬13 min walk
  • ‪Prost Tavern - ‬16 min walk
  • ‪Wayfarer Tavern - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Elliott Coffee - ‬2 min walk
  • ‪Loyal Cafe - ‬3 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is The Gray Whale. 6 BR 3 Baths. Three miles to Downtown Cincinnati. Sleeps 18+ pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at The Gray Whale. 6 BR 3 Baths. Three miles to Downtown Cincinnati. Sleeps 18+?

As of Apr 3, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The Gray Whale. 6 BR 3 Baths. Three miles to Downtown Cincinnati. Sleeps 18+ on Apr 5, 2026 start from $663, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at The Gray Whale. 6 BR 3 Baths. Three miles to Downtown Cincinnati. Sleeps 18+?

Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.

What time is check-out at The Gray Whale. 6 BR 3 Baths. Three miles to Downtown Cincinnati. Sleeps 18+?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is The Gray Whale. 6 BR 3 Baths. Three miles to Downtown Cincinnati. Sleeps 18+ located?

This family-friendly Dayton vacation home is within 1 mi (2 km) of Ohio River Valley and Ohio River. Great American Ball Park is 2.9 mi (4.7 km) away.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 66 out of 75 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 75 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 75 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 75 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 75 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

8.8/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dianne P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place

Great place.. great room.. clean.. everything we needed!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cam S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Check-in was easy. Spacious home. Plenty of activities
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amber W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Family House

We stayed with family to celebrate Christmas. There was plenty of space and we really enjoyed it!
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mary J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing Stay

Our group absolutely loved the house. Plenty of room and had more cots and air mattresses if needed. Great stay. And close (walking distance) to a cute neighborhood with restaurants and coffee shops
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kelsey G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ladies weekend

We had a great stay for a ladies weekend to explore Cincinnati and attend the Kentucky derby! Plenty of space and a bed for everyone. Would definitely return. Cutest coffee shop around the corner!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dylan R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Excellent House for Large Groups

We had a blast at the Gray Whale! The communication was excellent from the host and the house was very well maintained and had plenty of room.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

J D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The house is big. Plenty of room for 6 adults and 7 kids. Although it is an older house, it was clean. Although we saw some reviews questioning the location, it seems like a nice established neighborhood. We would definitely consider rebooking this house if we're ever in the Cincinnati area again.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tracy m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice and spacious

We had 12 people in our group, the house is very spacious. We loved that it had 2 kitchens and plenty of beds. The host was available whenever I had questions.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Deborah M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Celebration of the life of our brother

Even though the reason for being together was not the happiest, the host made it brighter. They allowed more than the reserved amount a little time to gather, share stories and just be together after attending services for our brother. I appreciated that so much. I would definitely stay there again. First time in that particular location but it was perfect.
The day after service, gathering for breakfast and goodbyes.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Mark F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Excellent experience

The house had everything we were looking for. It was clean and well stocked. We had a very positive experience.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Karen L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family celebration

This is a great property to host a large group. Multiple gathering spaces on two floors, two fully equipped kitchens, ample bedrooms and bathrooms. Hosts very responsive and accommodating to special requests. The location is great, easy access to interstate and 10 minutes or less from locations in Cinncinnati or Northern Kentucky
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

8/10 Good

tracy s.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

family get together

Great for multi family groups, we were able to spread out and have some quiet spaces. The house is well equipped with bath and kitchen items and suggestions from the hosts. Only minus--the grill is pretty rusted out , probably needs to be replaced.
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bill P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Thanksgiving Family Reunion

This property worked great for our side of my family (15 of us) to be near my brother’s family(19). We were able to celebrate Thanksgiving dinner together in their homes and host a few get togethers at the Grey Whale. The house was spacious, well equipped and clean. We enjoyed the local shopping and restaurants plus the nearby ferry ride to a Steelers/Bengals game!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Jessica T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Good experience

Very clean, nicely decorated place. Some issues with check in when the door wouldn't unlock with the code.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

8/10 Good

Angela C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy

Good

Our church group stayed here. Beautiful old house with character and lots of upgrades. Kinda sketchy neighborhood but we had a great time.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

April G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great for Groups

A group of us were in town for NCECA, the annual ceramic conference. The Gray Whale was perfect for our group. We used the downstairs for our communal space and the upstairs for quieter conversations. The location was only three miles from the convention center and has several restaurants and businesses nearby. We all agreed we would definitely book this accommodation again if we were to find ourselves back in Cincinnati in the future.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2023
Archival

10/10 Excellent

Cori B.

Great place for families with kids

We loved our stay at this home. Two families with a total of 7 kids stayed, one on each floor, and we all had a blast. The owners were super responsive and attentive to every detail. The house is gorgeous inside, beautifully decorated, even better than the pictures. We had plenty of space to relax and play. The kitchens are well-equipped and the owners thought of so many details that made our stay comfortable - lots of plush towels, blankets, A/C, an alarm security system, Netflix on the TV upstairs, flashlights, even baskets of toys for young kids. A great place to stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2017
Verified

8/10 Good

Ginny C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Macedonia Group

We loved the arrangement of living quarters and the room for plenty to choose where to sleep. However, for older groups, you may want to consider adding more lighting at the stairs. We had two instances where a couple of people almost fell because they couldn't see where the steps met the landing. The house was VERY clean, and the managers were quick to respond when we had a problem. We would stay at the Gray Whale again if the opportunity arises!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Annette N.

Perfect for Family Gathering

My family and I rented this house last month to gather family from around the country for my Dad's funeral. It was truly perfect. It was clean and cheerful. During a sad time for our family it enabled us to spend real time together. I know my Dad would have loved it. Loads of dishware and extra beds in every closet. Games for Kids and Adults. Even a backyard for them to play in. Thank you for making our weekend as pleasant as possible.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2019
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Aaron W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic stay for large group

We used this location as one of two properties for bringing a large group down to northern Kentucky for 2-3 days of activities and couldn't have been happier. The home lived up to our expectations and our communications with the host were by far the best I've experienced with VRBO. I can't say enough what a help the hosts were and would recommend them and their properties to anyone! If you're in the Cincy/N Kentucky area and need a space for a group or large family gathering, you'll find this will fit the bill!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022
Verified

6/10 Okay

Becky B.

Liked: Check-in
Disliked: Location

It served the purpose

This house served the purpose with plenty of places to lay your head, counting couches, but not nearly enough bathrooms. Also not enough eating seating. I thought it would be closer to the city and Blink but it was too far to walk. Didn’t know that until way after we paid for it.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Anthony W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

University of Cincinnati Homecoming

My friend thoroughly enjoyed our stay. Very spacious property that’s feel intimate at the same time. We will stay here again next year.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Debra K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Home for the Whole Family!

Our Daughters wedding was in Northern Kentucky band the Gray Whale was the perfect home for our four adult children plus spouses and significant others and of course our four grandbabies! The house was absolutely perfect for us!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2022
Verified

8/10 Good

Travis F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Bachelor party weekend.

House was exactly what we expected. Clean, plenty of space for the 12 of us with rooms to spare. Definitely will keep this place in mind again for somewhere to stay that’s close to Cincinnati.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dennis D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay for large family gathering!

Picked this location for central location and number of bedrooms for large family gathering. Loved the space and proximity to downtown Cincinnati. Had plenty of room for everyone to sleep, eat, and play!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

About the host

Hosted by Tara and Adam

Host profile image
Hello and welcome to our property! The Gray Whale is owned by Steve and Linda. They have been married for 30+ years and have two daughters, two son in laws, and three grandchildren. After a 10 year stint in the 80s in sunny California, Steve and Linda returned back to Cincinnati to raise their family. Steve and and Linda are retired. They own four short term rental properties in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area and love interacting with all of the groups that come to their homes.

The property is managed by myself, Tara, and my husband Adam (Steve and Linda's daughter and son-in-law). You can see our profile picture of the four of us at our wedding! We will be communicating with you before, during, and after your stay. My husband and I are both in education, he is a 5th grade social studies teacher and I am a school counselor. We live in Northern Kentucky and love to help my parents host so many great groups of people. We spend most of our free time working on our 125 year old house, and exploring all of the sights and sounds NKY has to offer.

Why they chose this property

The Gray Whale is an amazing property. We chose this home because of it massive size and great proximity to downtown. The whole extended family or group of friends can fit comfortably and enjoy a great time together. The house has great space for gathering if you would like to all be together, or provides privacy with two living rooms and two kitchens on separate floors.

What makes this property unique

Linda, my mother, has an excellent eye for design. You will be able to enjoy your time in a comfortable and stylish space. There are also ample amounts of fluffy towels, clean linens, and little extras that make this place feel like home. You may never want to leave!

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