Editors top 10 hotel picks

The best hotel in Niagara Falls

As a Niagara Falls resident I have the opportunity to visit every hotel in Niagara Falls. As of January 2011 there are over 60 hotels operating within the city limits of Niagara Falls. You can help narrow your selection by using this list.

Frequently we receive e-mail regarding which is the "best fallsview hotel" in Niagara Falls. This can be a difficult question to answer. Obviously you want a great view but which is the best?

The closer you are to the Falls the better the view. But there is more than one falls! The closest hotels to the Canadian Falls are the Marriott and the Embassy Suites. Between the two the Embassy slightly edges out the Marriott because you see more actual falling water. Higher floors are not necessarily better but they do offer a more unique perspective of the entire park and surrounding area. Either way the view is absolutely stunning and you can really feel the power of the Falls.

The Sheraton on the Falls is the closest hotel to the American Falls. While the view of the American Falls is great it's almost twice the distance as the Embassy and Marriott are from the Canadian Falls. The one advantage the Sheraton has is for viewing the Falls at night when they are illuminated. It's a postcard view to say the least. It's also the best hotel for watching the fireworks.

The Hilton is situated between the American & Canadian falls and offers a unique view of both. If you stay at the Hilton consider reserving your room in the new tower. The higher floors offer a better view as they are higher than the casino across the street and you will have a completely unobstructed view.

One item you may or may not have considered is the size of the room. Before the Embassy and Hilton were built most fallsview hotels have small rooms when compared to today's standards. The Embassy and Hiltons rooms are considerably larger than your average fallsview hotel room and they receive high marks for that.

Location? While the view plays an important part of the view it doesn't necessarily mean it's the best location for getting around to see the sights unless you plan on spending your entire stay in your room. The main area for viewing the falls is called Queen Victoria Park. It's also where you board the maid of the mist and other attractions. The Sheraton on the Falls is almost at the foot of Clifton Hill and you can walk from there to everything. All the other fallsview hotels are about a fifteen minute walk to the park. Most of the hotels offer shuttle service to the park for a $10.00-$15.00 fee but they are not timely. If you don't mind walking you can skip the shuttle and save a few bucks.

The Marriott Fallsview has the best fine dining and a more adult atmosphere. The Embassy's Keg restaurant is excellent and has a lively (and louder) atmosphere. The Hilton's Watermark restaurant has the best nighttime view of both Falls for a very unique fine dining experience. It's also a bit more subdued making for the perfect romantic dinner. You can't go wrong at any of them but be prepared to pay around a hundred dollars per person.

Yes it does rain in Niagara Falls and nothing could be worse than being cooped up in a hotel room all day with kids. For this reason we give the Hilton Fallsview and Sheraton on the Falls high marks for their indoor water parks.

In our unbiased opinion of all the Fallsview hotels we think the Embassy Suites Niagara Falls Fallsview is the best hotel in Niagara Falls. They are all great places to stay and you won't be dissapointed.

To get a better perspective on where everything in relation to the Falls please visit our interactive map.

We hope you find this information helpful. Please feel free as always to send comments directly to us.

Best regards & have a pleasant stay in Niagara,

Gordon Stephens e-mail: info@niagarafallslive.com

Best Fallsview Hotels

Embassy Suites Fallsview: Niagara's newest hotel, absolutely spectacular view with unparalleled accommodations. Rooms are spacious. Not your typical Fallsview rooms. Top floor suites make for the ultimate view. Although very busy during peak season, the complimentary breakfast with made to order omelets is a great way to start the day. $$$

Marriott Fallsview: Best daytime views of the Falls and the service is fantastic. Dining at the Terrapin Grill overlooking the Horseshoe Falls is something you will not soon forget. An incredible menu prepared by world class chefs. If you like to be treated first class, The Marriott Fallsview is the place to stay. $$$

Hilton Fallsview: Best Fallsview hotel for the dollar, Terrific pool with waterslide which the kids just love. Connected directly to the new Fallsview Casino, Top floor Watermark restaurant offers an astounding view of the Falls and excellent food. Less than a five minute walk to the Falls. Many packages available. $$$

Sheraton on the Falls: Best night time view of the American Falls and great location. Located at the base of Clifton Hill and close to the Rainbow Bridge. You will find it easy to walk to everything including the American side of Niagara Falls. Connected directly to the Casino Niagara and the Fallsview Waterpark $$$

Tower Hotel: The Tower Hotel is the most unique hotel in Niagara Falls. Originally built as a restaurant and tourist attraction it was converted to a fallsview hotel in 2005. Floor to ceiling windows and a close up view of the Falls makes for an amazing view.

Best Non-Fallsview Hotel in Canada

Courtyard Niagara Falls: Best quality accommodations for the dollar, close to Clifton Hill, restaurants and within reasonable walking distance to the Falls. $$$

Comfort Inn Clifton Hill Resort: Best location to all nearby attractions and it's sparkling clean. The staff is very friendly and everything is within walking distance. Located on Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls Canada. Prices are very reasonable for the budget minded traveler. $$

Days Inn Clifton Hill: In the heart of the tourism district, they've done a great job remodeling and it looks like new.$$

Skyline Inn: The Skyline Inn is situated in the Canadian Niagara Hotel complex on Clifton Hill with convenient access to the Fallsview Waterpark. It's a great place to stay with children and in a great location too.

Days Inn Lundys Lane: Although it's not close to the Falls, they've got the low price and it is spotless! $

Michael's Inn by the Falls: Michael's Inn is one of the nicer non-chain hotels in Niagara Falls Canada. We never get any bad reports so that's good. Excellent access to everything. $

Best Niagara Falls New York Hotels

*There are no hotels with a view of the Falls in Niagara Falls New York*

Red Coach Inn: A Niagara Falls NY favorite since 1923. Gorgeous rooms along with an excellent restaurant makes for an ideal place to stay while visiting Niagara. While a bit on the pricey side it's the nicest hotel in Niagara Falls NY.

Sheraton at the Falls: This hotel has changed hands ten times in twenty years. Finally it has an owner who has made it a great place to stay again. While it's a ten minute walk to the Falls it's almost across the street from Seneca Casino. A new TGIF restaurant that doesn't have tourist prices makes it even better.

Giacomo: If you are looking for something unique the Giacomo is the place for you. Originally the United Office Building built back in 1929 and completely restored to it's former self the Giacomo is like a mini Ritz Carlton. A little bit of a longer walk to the Falls than the previous listed hotels but you may find it's worth the extra walking distance.

Comfort Inn the Pointe: The Comfort Inn and the Red Coach are about the same distance to the American Falls which makes the Comfort Inn a great location to stay. Although the rooms are somewhat dated they are clean and the staff is great.

Hampton Inn: While the Hampton Inn is about a fifteen minute walk to the Falls it's the newest hotel in town. Spacious and clean rooms with a very helpful staff who will go out of their way to make sure you enjoy your stay. Reasonable rates and ample parking.

Holiday Inn & Days Inn are the two remaining budget minded hotels worth staying at in Niagara Falls NY. They are older and somewhat dated but still offer clean rooms and are in good locations in relation to the Falls and Goat Island. If you are a late sleeper you may want to skip the Days Inn as there is a helicopter service operating across the street. Other than that you won't be disappointed with either hotel.

. * Side note on NF NY hotels- There are some less than favorable hotels in Niagara Falls NY close to the Falls. If we didn't list it here don't bother staying there.