Susan56

Okay, we are a family of 4 (2 adults and 2 teens) and are planning a short (2 night) stay at Niagara Falls this August. We are thinking of either the Sheraton on the Falls or the Marriott Fallsview. Is one superior to the other? Does one of better views of the falls? We will be booking fallsview rooms. Is one more convenient to the sights? Thanks, Susan

nytraveler

We stayed in a Sheraton a couple of years ago - but there were distinctly two there - and I don;t recall the name - I thought it was Fallsview.

In any case it had full height picture windows facing right to the falls (with only a small public garden in between) a fireplace and a Jacuzzi/tub. But only one king size bed - distinctly for a couple not a family. Don;t know if they had other types of rooms.

But the location was perfect.

Susan56

Yes, there are two Sheratons. The one that I am looking at is the one down by Clifton and it is connected to the Rainforest restaurant and lots of kid friendly places.

suzanne

I stayed in the Sheraton Fallsview...it was one of the nicest hotel rooms I've ever stayed in (we got a penthouse suite). The huge windows had a dead-on view of the Horseshoe Falls.

ellen_griswold

Just heard about a new resort, Americana Resort and Spa, (but it IS on the Canadian side) with an Indoor WATER PARK. We haven't been but it looks like fun.
http://www.americananiagara.com/welcome.html

Also, be sure to have a meal at Table Rock restaurant, run by the canadian parks department, with an incredible falls view. You are seated right at the brink of the canadian horseshoe falls, you can't get any closer! The food is good (eggs benedict ROCK) and moderately priced.

http://www.niagaraparks.com/planavisit/tablerockres.php

Have a great trip.

kcapuani

Honestly, most of the hotels on the falls are very similar, in terms of views and accommodations. The Sheraton on the Falls supposedly has slightly better views because of the way it is positioned towards the Horseshoe Falls. The Marriott is located further down the "strip", past the new Niagara Fallsview Casino.

Where you stay depends on whether you would rather be closer to Clifton Hill and the old casino, Casino Niagara, or the new Casino. But, it is very easy to walk from one location to another - it is only about .5 miles.

Susan56

Okay, to make matters more confusing I just checked out the Embassy Suites Fallsview Hotel and it looks very good as well. So, which would you choose? Sheraton on the Falls, Marriott or Embassy Suites? Or as "kcapuani" says, are they all about the same? We are looking for a nice, clean, spruced up hotel (read that as 'not dated or depressing')with great views of the falls. Thanks, Susan

lilrhody

I'm biased, but I think that the Sheraton Fallsview (not the Sheraton you mentioned) has the best views since you have a completely unobstructed view out over both the US and Canadian falls. The drawback is that it is all the way at the other end of town from Clifton Hill and all the "attractions."

Susan56

Just how far away is it? This is a family trip and I know that the kids will want to wander all of the "attractions". We are not going to be at the falls for very long, so it is important for us to be located near the sights the kids will want to visit and near a lot of family restaurants.

cd

Hi Susan
I think your kids would be more satisfied, location wise, with Sheraton on the Falls. ( Be sure and ask for a fallsview room) You are right around the corner from Clifton Hill which I think teens will like and within walking distance to Maid of the Mist.

djkbooks

The Sheraton by Clifton Hill, right across from Maid of the Mist, is definitely the better choice, especially with teens.

a) The Falls views are the most superior of all those with falls views;

b) The Marriott and the other Sheraton are positioned almost behind Horseshoe Falls, at the top of the hill. It is a HIKE up (even down) the hill to the parkway (where all the Falls attractions are located). Not so bad when the Falls Incline Railway (a finicular on the hillside) is running (though there's a charge, C$1, last we were there). It doesn't open until 9AM, and doesn't run very late, even in high season.

There's a People Mover stop right by the Sheraton by Maid of the Mist, which you'll probably use at least one day for getting to all the sights and attractions.

Dee3

Unless you're considering booking two rooms, travelling with teens, you'd be better off space and privacy wise at the Embassy Suites. Here you have a bedroom and a living room sofa bed, 2 TVs, and a breakfast buffet. The ES at Niagra Falls is new and we haven't stayed there, but we've stayed at a half dozen other ES with kids and have never been unhappy with them. We stayed at the former ES in St. Catherine's (near the falls) several years ago. As I remember, the Ontario liquor laws limited you to one alcoholic drink during the complementary manager's reception. Perhaps that's a good thing, eh!

4khansen

We stayed at Sheraton on the Falls and really enjoyed the view despite having a "garden" view. This view is basically a lower floor view of the falls and the garden below the hotel.

I would stay there again! It would be especially cozy in the fall/spring with the gas fireplace and settling into the couch with a loved one, and overlooking the falls!

It was close to the Clifton Hill area too to let the teens go hang out if they like! The only thing I remember that I didn't like about this hotel was there was an additional charge to use the indoor pool, which wasn't that big to begin with (we opted not to do that, because we were there such a short time).

audra

Just my opinion but when traveling with children or teens to the Falls, a view is secondary to being near the touristy attractions.

Had a mini family reunion with kids age 11 - 22 and stayed at the Comfort (Quality?) Inn on Clifton, right in the heart of the tacky tourist area. The kids loved it! They were impressed with the Falls, took a few pictures, but viewing the Falls was totally secondary to everything else.

They loved Maid of the Mist, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tour and surprisingly enough, the Butterfly Conservatory.

Like most kids, they loved the pool. They certainly didn't miss having a view from the window and while it might have been nice for we the adults, we too were busy having fun outside of the hotel to miss it.

In other words, The Falls with kids is one of those places where the priority isn't a view but staying within walking distance to the attractions and somewhere with a POOL.

Susan56

Thanks for all of the input. Ever since my son hit adult size (he is now 18) we have been taking two rooms when we travel. So I planned on two rooms at any hotel. While Embassy Suites do save us money, I usually find it is not worth the complaining that I hear from the child who has to sleep on the (usually) very, very uncomfortable pull out sofa! I think that, although it is expensive, we will go for the Sheraton on the Falls to have the view. Even though we won't spend much time in the rooms, I have never been to the falls and I can't see going there without having the view from the room!

kcapuani

It is worth the extra money for the view. I live in Buffalo, and have stayed in Niagara Falls as a getaway - waking up in the morning to see the falls out your window is so amazing! By the way, if you are not already a member of Starwood Preferred Guest program, you should consider joining before your stay. You'll get a decent amount of points for the two rooms.

cd

Susan
They are lighted at night so when you have a fallsview room, you can have a nightcap at your window and enjoy the view. Also, we ordered Cananian bacon with our breakfast and was amazed at how very good it is. It is different than the Cananian bacon we buy here in the States and much,much better. At least what we had was!

djkbooks

Call the Niagara tourist office and ask them to mail you their visitor's package (or you can order one online through their website). It's a terrific package, especially the booklet "Niagara Seasons" with a fabulous map of the area.

If you'll be there on a Friday night, be sure to plan for the fireworks. Best views are from the Minolta Tower, especially if you get there early and are right up at the windows.