Hilton HHonors - Embassy Suites or Hilton Niagara Falls

The wife and I are planning a trip to Niagara Falls in January. We are debating between the Embassy Suites or Hilton Hotel across the street. I am gold with Hilton so what will be the best hotel for treatment as gold? I should mention that we want to stay in a higher room to get a good view of the falls and I know that both hotels offer this. We are planning our trip for a Sunday night so I am assuming that it wont be very busy. With that in mind should I book a regular room hoping for an upgrade to a high room with view? I know that I am asking a lot of questions but any help is appreciated!

We received an upgrade at the ES - we did book a low floor room with a view and got bumped up to a great room. I think they do treat status members well when they can, and january should be among their slower periods. If it were me, I'd hope for an upgrade and book a lower category - but be prepared to "for the worst" so as to avoid disappointment.

I absolutely hated the Embassy Suites there, but I think it depends on the time of year you go. If in low season, many Diamonds and Golds have found there way to a nice room.

I would never go back to the ES, just because I found the experience terrible. But my honest advice given your situation would be to book a cheap room there and you'll probably be upgraded given time of year.

As a Diamond, I have always been upgraded to a high floor sometimes corner room at the Hilton. The rates have always been better for me at the Hilton than at the ES, so I can't comment on the ES.

Another nice feature of the Hilton is that you can walk to the casino across the street via the enclosed walkway, so you don't have to brave the weather in the winter.

We stayed at the ES couple of years ago - booked cheap room thru travelzoo (check there as they often have $99 room offers) and was upgraded to high floor, lovely suite with fire place and jacuzzi, with views over both falls.
Sheraton has offer there for the moment http://hotels.travelzoo.com/lodging-hotels/503725

Have only stayed at the ES, and as a GOLD, I was put into a great suite on a high floor (jacuzzi and fireplace as mentioned above). So long as it isn't New Year's Eve, you should be fine (it seemed pretty quiet when I was there) this past mid-January. I think there is a Starbucks in the building, as well as an overpriced TGIFridays. Hotel was fine otherwise.

If it's all about the view for the OP, the ES is right across from the horseshoe falls, and the view is great, if you can see it through the winter mist from a high floor fallsview room. The Hilton, being directly across the street from the Fallsview Casino Resort, has the view of the falls partially blocked by the casino tower, although the highest floors will give some views of the falls.

The ES is newer, and only half a block to the casino. As a gold, you shouldn't have any trouble getting an upgrade to a fallsview room, assuming it's a slow period at the hotel. Do a search on FT and you'll find many other comparisons and comments on both hotels.

bj-21.

I absolutely hated the Embassy Suites there, but I think it depends on the time of year you go. If in low season, many Diamonds and Golds have found there way to a nice room.

I would never go back to the ES, just because I found the experience terrible. But my honest advice given your situation would be to book a cheap room there and you'll probably be upgraded given time of year.
I agree the Hilton would be better i also had problems at ES

The wife and I stayed at the ES Niagara back in early August. Summer is the high season so it was mobbed. For a better view I'd probably go with the ES over the Hilton. I would say the Hilton is an easier walk down to the falls than the ES. The ES is right next to rail car that goes down to the falls but it costs money ($2/person/trip). The hike down to the falls from the ES isn't bad but its a frustrating walk as you have to go away from the falls then come back to them.

We used points for three nights, got a corner lower level room. Room was clean, staff was fine, just lots of crowds. Breakfast is served in the Steakhouse (The Keg) so the views are good if you get near the windows but the place can seat over a couple hundred people. Food was pretty bad, as is most of the food around the tourist area; I'd recommend going up to Niagara on the Lake or at least too the Queenston Heights restaurant run by the Niagara Parkway Commission. Had great food, a great view and staff was very nice for our lunch, Frommer's IMHO got it right with that place.

Another vote for going to Niagara on the Lake for decent food. When we stayed at Niagara Falls, we tried the TGIF (in the ES lobby), The Keg (in the ES), and Wolfgang Puck. Wolfgang Puck was okay but not great. TGIF and The Keg were poort and overpriced. Niagara on the Lake has lots of independent resaurants with good food at more reasonable prices.

--Jon

The ES is a great hotel, but A) when useing points all the only rooms they have are no view rooms. B) it all depends on the time of year. I have been their several times. During the slow season they will upgrade you without any issues. During peak season it is sold out almost every night you get the room you booked. I love the keg and it has great views for dinner.

Thanks to all who have given ideas. Its amazing how much better a travel experience could be by getting other FT'ers input^