We review hotels by the Niagara Falls between the Canadian province of Ontario and the US state of New York. Which is best? Marriott vs. Sheraton vs. Hilton vs. Hyatt vs. Crowne Plaza.
Just to be confusing, there are two Marriotts and two Sheratons by Niagara Falls. Each brand has one hotel on the US side and one on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls, and all these hotels have very similar names, so which is best and which should you pick for your trip to Niagara Falls?
Whether you are visiting for the first time, on your honeymoon, or are a return visitor, Niagara Falls are awe-inspiring. If you want to make use of the lounges in these hotels (particularly if you have an elite level of Marriott Bonvoy status and get lounge access for free), we have already outlined hotels with the best club or executive lounges at Niagara Falls separately.
1. Sheraton on the Falls
Sheraton on the Falls is in Ontario on the Canadian side of the falls and has 669 first-class hotel accommodations featuring the Sheraton Signature Bed, designed to help you get a restful night of blissful sleep.
When comparing Sheraton on the Falls vs. Sheraton at the Falls, the Canadian Sheraton is currently much better than the Sheraton on the American side. The American Sheraton feels old, and the service is not great. The Canadian Sheraton feels more looked after and is your best Marriott Bonvoy choice by the Niagara Falls.
Choose from a variety of views and comforts, including floor-to-ceiling windows in Fallsview Rooms, plus City and Garden View rooms that will leave you breathless. Note: This hotel also charges a resort fee.
The Water Park at Sheraton on the Falls is really something special.
The Fallsview Indoor Waterpark is fun for the whole family. As North America’s largest indoor waterpark, the Fallsview Waterpark boasts 16 exciting waterslides up to six stories high, a giant indoor wave pool, two oversized adults-only Jacuzzis, a beach house aqua play area, and a tiny tots splash park, plus an outdoor sunbathing area, activity pool, and the Planet Hollywood Beach Club food court.
Sheraton On The Falls is unique in having this waterpark directly connected to it, so you and your family can stop by whenever you’re in the mood for some water excitement. Eight slides and many more water attractions converge to make this destination an endless area of amusement. The famed 1,000 Gallon Tipping Bucket, plus rope ladders and stairs, water jets, a splash pad slide, and more await.
Grab a friend and race side by side on the thrilling Thunder or Kamakazi slides. Or, try the Skyscreamer or Drop Canyon slides for more heart-pounding excitement or the four different tube slides on the Toob Tower.
Catch waves that are up to four feet tall in this massive indoor wave bool. Brave the rushing waters on an inner tube or by body waving. A gradual beach entry allows water lovers of all types to enjoy the waves.
Even younger kids are catered for in the Tiny Tots Splash Park. Designed for our youngest guests, the Tiny Tots Splash Park features tons of all-ages fun, including water streams, kids’ slides, super soakers, water pods, and more.
For a more relaxing time, rent a private cabana, which provides a gorgeous view of Niagara Falls within the waterpark. Comfy loungers are perfect for sunbathing, and there are plenty of food options available at the waterpark Beach Club Restaurant. Choose from an extensive selection of cocktails and drinks at the Beach Bar.
Book the Fallsview Waterpark package, which includes one or two nights of accommodations at Sheraton on the Falls Hotel, plus up to four Fallsview Waterpark passes.
2. Sheraton at the Falls
Sheraton at the Falls is on the US Side and is in NY state. It is not as good as the Canadian Sheraton above, in our opinion, particularly for service, but it has the same comfy Sheraton beds. This is the second-best Sheraton at the falls, in our opinion but is still a decent choice and is the best choice for watching the fireworks right outside your window.
Sheraton Niagara Falls, NY, in the USA, offers 392 guestrooms, Starbucks, a TGI Fridays, and The Reef Beach Club & Pool, which is ideal for families who can stay in the Family Suites accommodating up to nine guests (so this Sheraton is actually the best choice for families).
The executive club lounge breakfast is decent if un-noteworthy in both the Sheraton on the Falls vs. Sheraton at the Falls, with fresh fruit and mediocre patisseries and yogurts for breakfast. Cocktail hour in the early evening and accompanying food is also reasonable at both hotels, with cold cuts of cheese, ham, and one or two hot items.
What sets them apart is they have free wine and beer during the evening hours at Sheraton AT the Falls but not at Sheraton ON the Falls.
Conversely, Sheraton ON the Falls has a better view and ambiance in their club lounge over Sheraton AT the Falls.
Both Sheraton hotels have great facilities for the family, with Sheraton ON the Falls having a water park while Sheraton AT the Falls has The Reef Beach Club & Pool, making them both a great choice for families. Which is better? The Water park vs. Reef Beach Club? The Water Park is much, much better in size, slides, and facilities.
The Reef Beach Club & Pool provides family fun in a slightly dated-looking set of pools. They say, “Jump into Niagara Falls, USA’s largest indoor pool or relax in our two 15-person hot tubs while the children swim, experience our Stingray viewing tank, or watch the daily shark feeding”.
In terms of cost, Sheraton at the Falls vs. Sheraton ON the Falls both start at around $130 USD per night, but a very pricy 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points as both are category 6 Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Considering the point cost, this is a very bad hotel redemption as the rates are usually much cheaper in cash than they are in points. You are getting a very low Marriott Bonvoy point valuation if you stay and redeem your points here.
3. Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa
Once again, there are two Marriotts to choose from at Niagara Falls, The Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa is right on the falls on the Canadian side, about 90 meters away from the edge of the falls. This one probably has some of the best views of the falls and good staff. The Marriott Fallsview has great fine dining and a more adult atmosphere.
You can see just how close this hotel is to the falls by looking at this Marriott hotel’s homepage, which shows a video of the falls right behind the hotel Incredible. They say, “The best view in Niagara Falls Guaranteed”. The result is that this is the best Marriott hotel close to the falls, plus it has a Starbucks in the lobby, which is a bonus.
They say that Marriott Fallsview Niagara Falls Hotel & Spa is the closest hotel to Niagara Falls and is the area’s premier AAA Four Diamond, five-star luxury hotel in Niagara Falls. But there have been mixed reviews in 2018 about the hotel being dirty and the staff not being particularly helpful, so manage your expectations.
432 Fallsview guest rooms enjoy an exceptional view overlooking one of nature’s wonders. Wake up to the sight of the falls, and drift to sleep, mesmerized by its beauty. Rooms here have been recently renovated and are luxurious, with sleek modern layouts and sweeping views of Niagara Falls. Each of the redesigned rooms is appointed with Marriott Signature Mattresses & Bedding, new HD flat-screen TVs, beautiful bathrooms, and comfortable sitting areas to provide world-class accommodation experiences in beautiful Niagara Falls.
Eat at Morton’s Grille, which offers incredible Fallsview dining at Canada’s only Morton’s Grille restaurant. With a dining room overlooking the magnificent Niagara Falls and an impressive menu of succulent steaks, fresh seafood, burgers, and more, Morton’s Grille Niagara Falls is a one-of-a-kind dining destination.
The club lounge here is not great. Breakfast in the morning is ok, but evening appetizers are poor. Bags of crisps and not enough food for a full dinner, not even close. The service is fine, but it’s worth noting that this club lounge is closed on weekends and holidays (New Years Day, Easter, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, Boxing Day).
When the lounge is closed, guests who have booked rooms with club lounge access and those who get complimentary lounge entry because of their elite Marriott Bonvoy status get a full breakfast buffet for two.
This Marriott actually arranges tours to the falls for guests. Magnificent Tours offers personalized private tours and thoughtfully crafted signature tours to connect you with the natural beauty, exceptional entertainment, and premium wineries of the world-famous Niagara Region.
Park at the Fallsview Casino parking garage for cheaper parking. It usually costs $5 or $10 USD (but sometimes more) to leave your car, just a 5-minute walk to the hotel.
The Sheraton’s are both better for families and tend to be cheaper. This is the most expensive Marriott at Niagara Falls and usually costs from around $180 USD per night. Still, it can be better value on points as it is a category 6 hotel, which is the same as the Sheratons above in Marriott Bonvoy redemptions. Still, sometimes they offer this for a discounted 45,000 points making it a better redemption option vs. what you would spend in cash on this property.
The main advantage of this hotel is the fact that it is directly on the falls, plus it has a casino connected to the property.
4. Marriott On The Falls
Marriott on the Falls is your other Marriott Bonvoy hotel option in Niagara on the Canadian side. It is across the street (further) from the falls than the Marriott above, but both hotels are within 100 yards of each other. If you want a better chance of a Fallsview room, go for the Marriott in our number 3 spot above.
Again Marriott On The Falls has a club lounge that is closed on weekends and holidays (New Years Day, Easter, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, Boxing Day) as above, and when closed, guests who have booked rooms with club lounge access and those who get complimentary lounge entry because of their elite Marriott Bonvoy status get a full breakfast buffet for two along with afternoon munchies.
When comparing Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa vs. Marriott On The Falls, both are category 6 Marriott Bonvoy hotels. Both usually cost 50,000 points per night if you want to redeem points.
The Marriott On The Falls tends to be cheaper than the Niagara Falls Marriott Fallsview Hotel & Spa because the Fallsview is closer. As there isn’t much to choose between these properties, I would go for the cheaper option. It is worth noting that the Sheratons are definitely the better choice if you have a family and the Canadian Sheraton is the best choice if you like a club lounge.
6. Hilton Niagara Falls/Fallsview Hotel & Suites
Hilton Niagara Falls/Fallsview Hotel & Suites is right on the falls and your best Hilton Honours redemption or earning option at Niagara. Just take a look at the picture above, you are really close, and Falls View rooms do indeed have a great view of Niagara Falls!
With rooms overlooking both the American and Canadian Horseshoe Falls and directly connected to Fallsview Casino Resort, Hilton Niagara Falls/Fallsview Hotel & Suites is a decent Niagara Falls getaway destination. This full-service hotel features a breakfast buffet, nightlife lounges, and three signature restaurants in the heart of Niagara’s entertainment district.
Hilton Niagara Falls offers various room options, including rooms equipped with Jacuzzi tubs, flat-screen TVs, and fireplaces, but it does not have a club lounge. Golds and Diamonds should get the complimentary breakfast buffet in the main floor buffet restaurant or up at the Watermark on the 33rd floor of the South Tower and two bottles of water per day in the room.
The queues for the breakfast buffet can be very long, but there are good choices. If you are not a HHonors Gold or Diamond, the cost is $19.99 USD per person at the main restaurant or $24.99 USD per person at Watermark.
To get to the road beside the falls, you need to take the Incline Railway for $11 USD return from this hotel. Otherwise, it is a long walk uphill on the return. There is also a nightly fireworks display at 10:00 pm in the summer, which can be seen from the Watermark Restaurant.
7. Hyatt Place Niagara Falls
We particularly like the Hyatt Place Niagara Falls because of its exceptional decked rooftop terrace. It is located on the American side of the falls. The rooms are fairly basic, plus you won’t get direct falls views as this hotel is not as close to the falls, but this is all taken into account of in the price at around $117 USD per night, plus King bedrooms have a sofa bed in them which can be useful. This hotel includes a free breakfast exclusively for World of Hyatt members on a qualifying stay, which is a nice touch, and if you book this hotel on points, you can get a room for 12,000 World Of Hyatt points per night, but this hotel does not have a club lounge.
8. Crowne Plaza by the Niagara Falls
Crowne Plaza by the Niagara Falls is your best ihg option by Niagara Falls. Still, it is not particularly near, and the Falls View rooms do not have a particularly close view of the falls if they have a view at all.
On the bright side, every table in their restaurant has a water view, along with around half the 233 bedrooms. Number 707, a suite, has a whirlpool tub with a view. Book room 801, where Marilyn Monroe stayed while filming the movie Niagara. Overall, you are better off picking one of the Sheratons or Marriotts vs. this Crowne Plaza.
Other Options
While there are hotels closer to the Canadian Falls than the Radisson Hotel & Suites Fallsview, the views are fairly similar from all the hotels, particularly on the higher floors, so this hotel can be a cheaper and better value choice, there is also a club lounge at this hotel.
The Four Points by Sheraton Niagara Falls Fallsview is a pretty unattractive 70’s hotel from the outside and has no executive club lounge, so this isn’t a great hotel choice at the Niagara Falls. It is also not at Niagara Falls, but it is cheap, plus there are some Courtyards by Marriott.
None of the hotels in Niagara Falls is massively luxurious. Unless you absolutely need to, these chain properties are not great. Consider staying in Toronto as there are some brilliant executive club lounges in Toronto, and we have also listed the best hotels to stay in Toronto on points and miles. You could also stay at Niagara-on-the-Lake or even in the countryside at a winery. All these options are so much nicer, and you still get most or all of the Niagara Falls experience with a day trip.
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