blackjack-21

Originally just the two towers for many years, until the newer North Tower was built a few years ago. Now with the smaller of the three, the Mid or Middle Tower, between both taller towers, that's how it now is.
A few notes and comments from our three night's trip a week ago. Construction at both the front and rear of the Hilton, in front to add another walkway across the street to the casino and shopping area, and at the rear the outside parking has been completely dug up, and news is that space will be used for a 15,000 (?) seat arena for special events and promotions. Don't know how an arena that size can be fit into that small space, and how or if it will impact the casino's 1,500 seat showroom across the street. Also note the comments on their website about the pool being closed at times, but guests can use the pool at another site, probably the Four Points next store.

Construction for the new walkway to the casino has changed the setup for the breakfast buffet's seating, with a different, smaller layout from the prior one, however no loss of the food choices, including the hot egg station for omelettes and other egg dishes.

We were able to get a smoking room as requested, on the 11th floor of the South Tower, which is the only floor of the hotel's over 1,000 rooms that still has smoking rooms on it. King Jacuzzi room with a view across the street to the casino and it's parking garage, and some view of the Falls at a distance. Room was clean and comfortable, with the only annoyance being on our last night there, a group of very loud people in the hallway at about 12:30 AM had us call security to get some quiet. The South Tower rooms had a complete remodel and refurbish about three years ago, and I agree that they are starting to show the wear and tear that others have caused (chips and dings on the furniture, scratches on the tubs and other places), but for us anyway, that's to be expected with normal wear and tear from the rooms in a busy large hotel, and as long as the room is otherwise clean and comfortable, it's okay for us.

Rates for last week's stay were good, and the hotel wasn't as full as we usually see it, but the recent very cold and snowy weather in the area, coupled with the economy, may be starting to impact the hotel's arrivals, at least for now. Parking in the casino's multi-storied garage is still free, but only with the casino's free Player's Card, available at the desk inside and to the left of the casino main entrance. Otherwise, a fee of anywhere from $5.00 to $20.00 has to be paid when driving out of the garage, with the fee varying by the time or week or if crowds visiting the showroom fill the garage that day.

bj-21.

tcollins33

This hotel still charges the Niagara Falls TIF (10%!!!) and they absolutely refuse to remove it - to the point of being rude - even when I felt forced to do the hated DYKWIA as a Diamond. When I said that I was Diamond, the front desk manager replied, "that doesn't matter to us."

STAY AWAY FROM THIS HOTEL if status recognition and benefits mean anything to you.

Staley Cornell

I just reserved a night here in July this summer. I just wanted to say that I have read all of the reviews and comments in this thread and I greatly appreciate the time everyone has taken to provide information about the hotel. I will still check out the DT and ES. If anyone has any other recent stays out there, please let me know.

Thank you!

Staley Cornell

I stayed at this hotel for one night July 18, 2018. I got to say it was SPECTACULAR!! I reserved a room with two queen beds with a US/Canadian falls view because at a minimum that's what I wanted. Upon arrival we were told we were upgraded (without asking) to a two bedroom suite on the 37th floor with a breathtaking view of the American Falls and Canadian Falls. There was a king bed in the front room, a kitchenette, whirlpool and bathroom in between then the next bedroom also with a king bed. That is the room with the view. Between the falls view is the large towering casino that others have referenced. It is an eyesore for sure, but we were able to enjoy the view of the falls anyway. The falls were lit up at night and we saw the falls at first light.

Mr. StaleyCornell and our two children ate a full hot breakfast in the restaurant off the lobby area. The restaurant was busy, buffet style with hot waffles, eggs, bacon, along with the usual breads, pastries and cereal. The coffee was decent and our server was soso on attentiveness. The hotel is still undergoing construction in the front sidewalk area, but is within walking distance to the falls where we watched fireworks. We had dinner at a nearby restaurant, My Cousin Vinny's which was okay, The hotel's Italian restaurant where we had breakfast offered free kids meals with the purchase of an adult entree. It was a great stay, we were treated very well and I'd stay again in a heartbeat if I am ever back up there.

restlessinRNO

We had a recent one night stay here. Parking (valet) was $49, which with various taxes was really just over $60 CDN. (Self-parking is the same price.) We booked a King American/Canadian Falls view room. That is exactly what we received. We are HH D. No amenity in the room. Room was on the 39th floor, North Tower, and did have good view of both falls, with the Casino in between. Dinner was at their Watermark Fallsview restaurant, 33rd floor, South Tower. It was advertised as 3 courses for $59. However many of the menu selections were "$8 additional", "$12 additional". So with 2 small glasses of the house wine, you are easily at $200, when you consider the federal, province and city taxes added. The hotel did offer us a $20 off coupon when ordering 2 meals. To get to the road beside the falls, one really needs to take the Incline Railway, for $11 return. Otherwise it is a long walk, uphill on the return. Elevators can be slow, perhaps due to volume of people. There is a nightly fireworks display at 10 pm in the summer, which can be seen from the Watermark Restaurant, if one's room does not have falls views.

YYZC2

Stayed one night here last week, midweek.

Parked at the casino for $10. Easy walk to the hotel.

Upgraded as HHD from a city view compact room to a full Falls view on the 38th floor of the north tower.

Staff at the breakfast buffet had no idea how to comp it but the charge was taken care of immediately upon checkout.

One of the few times I've been happy to be Diamond.

restlessinRNO

DavefromSt.Vital

As mentioned previously, there is no need to pay for parking at this property. Park in the casino parking garage across the street. Get their loyalty card, the Players Advantage Club. It takes a few seconds and is free. Then go earn a point at either table games or at a slot machine. Points add up to dining discounts (etc.) but parking is comped for most. Ask at the PAC desk or login to your PAC account if you are not sure if you have been comped parking.

The incline railway is quite handy for avoiding the long walk around the casino to get to and from the actual falls, especially so considering the hill involved. If you are there for any length of time get the Niagara Parks Adventure Pass Plus. Apart from discounted admission to all the top sites in the area, use of the incline railway is free:
https://www.niagaraparks.com/visit-n...-plus-details/

DavefromSt.Vital

Was here for a two night stay recently. Paid cash and as a Diamond was upgraded from a two queen US/CDN Fallsview with whirlpool to a two bedroom deluxe premium US/CDN Fallsview with whirlpool on the 48th floor. Briefly got excited as I assumed they had combined two suites to get the two bedrooms but all they did was replace the sofabed in the former living room with a king size bed.

There is still a ton of ongoing construction. The new 5,000 seat concert hall out back is almost complete on the outside. The second skywalk to the casino looks ready to go. The grand white marble staircase in the lobby is now gone and the ground floor restaurant is closed for renovations. Regular breakfast is in the Brazilian steakhouse on the mezzanine, however for Diamonds and Golds it is on the top floor (33) of the south tower.

View - The view is indeed nice but the Fallsview Casino sticks up between the American and Horseshoe Falls. The view from the Embassy Suites is far superior as it is unobstructed and it is a lot closer to the Horseshoe Falls. However, make sure to get a room with a view of both Falls.

Parking - As I expected, with new operators taking over the two casinos a few weeks ago, the parking benefits have changed. A staffer confirmed (off the record) that play requirements have increased. You are unlikely to get free parking with casual slot play. Table players may do better. However, parking at the casino still makes sense for most visitors. While there are no in/out privileges, you do not get a ticket when you enter the garage. You simply pay the prevailing rate when you exit. Assuming you are not going in and out a lot this will beat the rates at all the big hotels.

The _Banking_Scot

Hi,

Thanks very much for the update DavefromSt.Vital

I have booked 2 rooms for my mother and I ( I'm Diamond) here from 24th-28th September ( inc a Friday night) with a King Room Whirlpool tub with US/CAN falls view and hopefully get an upgrade) after 3 days at the Hilton Toronto.

Regards

TBS

The _Banking_Scot

Hi,

King US/CDN fallsview withn whirlpool tub.
I checked in online and got 3205&3206 in the south tower.

We arrived about 1.30pm and left our bags as we were told our rooms were not ready and we wnet for lunch. When we came back after 4pm we were told the rooms were still not ready and were offered rooms on the 24th floor ( 2409 & 2410) which had a larger sitting area and still falls views and were told that the hotel had 2 very large conventions. We took the rooms.
The rooms were large and well appointed with a separate shower as well as the whirlpool. The falls views were pretty good ( due to the lower angle the closer side of the horseshoe falls is harder to see due to the trees nearby but you still saw the full shape of the falls. The Casino tower is directly opposite but you could look down and see the flower garden and front fountains.
The room safe I found to be poorly situated as it is high up in the closet.
There was the regular rumble sound of the elevators but did not hear them during the peak sleeeping period.
A large crane for the mid tower construction could be seen to the side window occasionally ( the height was taller than our room) but it was removed on Friday.
At times due to a large number of conventioneers/tour groups arriving there was a bit of a wait for the up elevators ( esp late afternoon) ( a few minutes only)

The gift shop is independently owned/operated and heard the shop worker advise a shopper in front of us that hilton points would not be earned,


Getting a towel and key pass for the gym and pool at the Four points next door ( connecting bridge on the mezz level) from the front desk was easy ( unless at peak check in times) . The pool and gym were ok ( if a little small)

Breakfast on the 33rd floor was very good ( you pay or confirm your room number if Gold/Diamond at the payment register before being seated. The wait staff comes with coffee/tea & juice and takes away the paying slip and comes back with a new slip with space to sign a tip to your room ( more HH points) The views are very good and the food selection was good ( omelette/eggs station to make them to order)

Views of the Friday fireworks was good according to my mother ( I went to a viewing point on the sidewalk beside the Marriotts)
The rooms had a vent which you could open to get fresh air.

The Casino buffet was pretty good value ( CDN $29 with a free PAC card ) as coffee and soft drinks were included and the food was good ( good selection and good deserts also). Walking through the shopping arcade takes you to a paved walkway to the Falls incline railway to tske you to the Table rock visitor centre for the Journey behind the falls , shops, Tim Hortons , restaurants and the edge of the Horsehoe falls.We had minimal waits and a $7 Day pass pays for itself on the 3rd trip ( $2.75 one way)

I got a late check out ( std check out time is 11am) of 1230pm with no problem on Saturday which was ideal for our pick up back to Toronto.

Weather was beautiful.

As mentioned in posts above still a lot of construction with lots of plasterboard along the lobby corridor to the Mid/North tower elevators.

Overall a very good stay ( the falls , the gorge and Niagara on the lake are beautiful)

Regards

TBS

karatelovr

We are looking at booking a room over Easter at either Hilton or ES as a family of 4 with the kids being 9 and 10 yrs. old. I had a few questions:

1. I wanted the Hilton for their pool and water slide but per the website that area is closed until the fall. They mention there is a pool next door - is it worth it to hike over there or would it be better to stay at ES?
2. Does the ES have the manager's reception with complimentary drinks like in the US?
3. OT questions: anyone know what the table mins (blackjack specifically) at the casino? And is alcohol (and other drinks) complimentary?
4. Finally, where is the best place to exchange back to USD? We will be driving, not flying, so we won't be at an airport to do it there. Last time I cam home from Toronto with CA$, I can't find a bank in my home state willing to convert it.

Thanks in advance!

The _Banking_Scot

Hi,

The pool is in the Four points by sheraton ( key for the pool door and towels are available from the Hilton reception.) It looks more square than the ES pool but total area is probably about the same. It is about a couple mins walk from the hilton lobby through the walkway to the Four points and up the elevator to the FP pool floor. The pool was ok for a dip ( probably 50/50 vs the ES)

I saw a trolley in the casino with coffee/tea ( not sure about alcohol or prices as I did not gamble that much)

I converted US$ to Ca$ in the ATM/Bill dispencer machines in the Casino ( rate did not appear too bad) .Not sure about converting the other way

Regards

TBS

DavefromSt.Vital

Alcohol is not free at all Canadian casinos

slidey

This hotel no longer gives breakfast for diamonds, they told me that they have moved to the 'american' model of giving a voucher. Laughably, they give a 12 canadian dollar voucher, so about 9.65 USD - which wasnt enough for anything on the breakfast menu other than either a coffee or a kids menu french toast (but not both the kids menu item and the coffee).

Ended up not using the voucher as I dont eat french toast and there was absolutely nothing to spend it on that didnt incur additional spend.