you don't need a guide there are a few thousand that will be out there when the ice is good. Stay with the masses and follow trails and you should be ok. Don't venture out 7 miles if you never done it. A guide is great but common sense and you should be ok. If everyone around starts packing up and heading in follow until you are used to the lake. I don't fish it on south winds that seems to be when the worst cracks open up. I also go out with enough to spend a night so don't go out with 1 propane tank or no heat. We get a few together and stay together. I also recommend if you don't have it a GPS it can get a white out and hard to find your way.
As for staying check port clinton several hotels, motels, and cabins around. That is the usual first ice and don't go east towards mouse island. The islands have current that will weaken the ice in certain areas. The longer the ice is on the further west they will start going. It is very busy when good ice so plan on getting there before 5am to get parking.